The Ultimate Guide to Vitamin C Serum: Benefits, Uses, and Tips

We are always in search of viable and effective skincare solutions. These days, the market is flooded with many products derived from a variety of ingredients. One such is our personal favorite, Vitamin C, which is proven to be effectively beneficial for all skin types. From brightening the skin to fighting signs of ageing and stimulating collagen production, Vitamin C does it all.

It is available in the form of facial serums, gels, and even creams these days, which can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine. Moreover, ingesting Vitamin C is also effective along with topical application to achieve promising results.

We’ve answered all the burning questions going through your mind about Vitamin C serum, its benefits, side effects, types, what to mix & whatnot, and much more. Check them out right here!

What is Vitamin C?

Starting with the most basic question: What’s Vitamin C? Well, it is a potent antioxidant that helps to fight the signs of ageing, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is also called L-ascorbic acid and is a water-soluble, lightweight vitamin that naturally occurs in various citrus fruits.

The human body and even animals are unable to naturally synthesize the vitamin and hence require supplements and topical application to reap its benefits. It is essential for the growth, development, and repair of body tissues. One can derive it from their daily diet by intaking citric fruits or in the form of supplements. Other than that, many topical products have this ingredient in them, and they are equally effective.

What are the benefits of Vitamin C serum? 

Vitamin C serums have gained immense popularity over the years for their many benefits. All these benefits together make it a potent choice for all skin types. Here are a few benefits which are universal to all skin types and can persuade you to include Vitamin C face serum in your skincare routine:

• Vitamin C face serums are mild and safe enough for most skin types. They are also suitable for use along with other soothing skincare ingredients such as Niacinamide, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic acid.
• It is extremely hydrating in the form of ascorbic acid and is absorbed thoroughly through topical application. It also helps to reduce transepidermal water loss or TEWL and helps the skin retain moisture better.
• Vitamin C face serum helps to fade hyperpigmentation over time and eventually leaves it much brighter and even-toned.
• When the correct formulation is used, it soothes irritated skin and reduces redness as it acts as an antioxidant. It also neutralizes the free radicals that lead to oxidative damage.
• Vitamin C helps to reduce melanin production, which in turn reduces hyperpigmentation. It contains an enzyme known as tyrosinase which is used for treating hyperpigmented spots.
• Vitamin C promotes collagen production by accelerating collagen synthesis in the body. Over the years, collagen synthesis slows down, which leads to ageing.
• When you pair Vitamin C with sunscreen in the daytime, its efficacy is increased, and your skin is protected from sun damage.
• Vitamin C serum, when used as an eye cream, can be proven highly beneficial in targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and other concerns.

What are the side effects of Vitamin C?

Everything has a good and a bad side to it. Vitamin C is packed with many benefits but has a few side effects as well. It is a generally well-tolerated ingredient and is considered safe for all skin types. It does not cause any side effects on most skin types, but sensitive skin has always had its limitations.

Those with sensitive skin types often experience irritation, redness, and itchiness when exposed to Vitamin C. However, it all comes down to the strength and composition of the Vitamin C face serum. High vitamin C concentration can adversely affect extremely sensitive skin when used incorrectly. Hence, it is important to always start with low concentrations and then make your way up to higher, more effective, and safe formulations. 

Another side effect that many users complain about is the yellowing effect of the skin and other surfaces with which it comes in contact. It can cause stinging and dryness though these are extremely rare symptoms. 

Caution should be taken, especially when it is being used under the eyes. In short, the side effects are mostly witnessed in the sensitive skin type. Therefore, by choosing the right variant and concentration of Vitamin C serum carefully for your skin, you can avoid these side effects.

How to use vitamin c serum?

1)Cleanse your face

Whether you’ve spent the entire day out with friends or doing work, it must have tired you out. But along with you, there is also an organ that is exhausted. From facing pollutants and gathering dirt and grime throughout the day, it needs a fresh cleanse to revitalize it. That's your skin. It is very important to use a cleanser that will remove all the dirt but be gentle while doing so. You can include Foxtale's Daily duet cleanser to help unclog pores and leave you with glowy skin. 

Buy Now: Rs 349/-

2) Apply the vitamin C serum

Now that your face is a fresh canvas for you to layer all the products in, you can start your routine by applying the vitamin C serum. Do your skin a favor and use Foxtale's C for yourself vitamin C serum. Not only will it make your skin appear younger, but it will also protect you from sun damage. 

Buy Now: Rs 595/-

3) Use a moisturizer 

With winter officially here, your skin needs extra care and nourishment. Using a moisturizer is important as it will help in locking in moisture, keeping it hydrated for a long time. Incorporating Foxtale's ceramide supercream will help give a smoother skin texture and maintain its barrier.

Buy Now: Rs 445/-

4) Protect with SPF

Your entire skincare routine will be ineffective if you don't apply sunscreen. When you're out in the sun the entire day, you are exposing yourself to harmful UV rays, which can have a harmful impact on the skin. Protecting yourself with sunscreen, like Foxtale's dewy finish sunscreen, will shield your skin from UVA+ UVB rays and reverse free radical damage. 

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Conclusion

Vitamin C serum can benefit numerous skin types and is regarded as a great weapon to possess against anti-ageing. Incorporating the serum into your skincare routine offers you a plethora of benefits, from fading hyperpigmentation to promoting collagen production; this versatile ingredient deserves a place in your skincare cupboard. To be on the safer side, it is recommended to conduct a patch test first to ensure your skin has no adverse reaction to the product. Always ensure to pair Vitamin C serum with sunscreen to reap the maximum benefits!

FAQ

1. At what age can I start using Vitamin C?

To be honest, there is no right age at which you can start using Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine. A teenager’s skin is a lot more different than an adult's or an aged person, and it’s safe to say both can benefit from Vitamin C serums, given their target concerns. If you feel the need to prevent sun damage or have acne scars that you want to fade, use a Vitamin C serum, and you can easily benefit from it, be it at the age of 18 or 40!

2. What % of vitamin C should be used? 

It is recommended to use Vitamin C serum which contains 15% L-ascorbic acid, which is the purest and most potent form of the vitamin. In addition, products containing L-ascorbic acid penetrate skin tissue and boost the skin's collagen production, giving your skin a youthful appearance.

3. How to store vitamin C serum? 

Vitamin C serum should be stored in a cool and dry place to prevent it from oxidizing. You should aim to avoid exposing your serum to sunlight.

4. How long does Vitamin C serum take to work?

It usually depends on the type of Vitamin C you are using; it can easily take around 1 to 4 months or 4 to 12 weeks for it to work and show results. While L-Ascorbic Acid works faster, other variants might take longer than that. However, consistency and concentration in using a product play an important role in efficacy. For example, if you use high concentrations regularly and top it off with good sunscreen, it will give you faster results.

5. How do I choose Vitamin C serum for my skin?

Based on your skin type, skin tolerance, preference of formulation, and skin concern, you can choose the best Vitamin C serum for your skin. For mostly all skin types, L-Ascorbic acid is great and works faster as it is a pure and potent formula. However, if you struggle with very sensitive skin, you might have other options.

If you are a beginner using Vitamin C serum and your skin cannot tolerate high concentrations, go for a serum with no more than 5% concentration to start with. Similarly, if your skin is used to it and can tolerate a high percentage, go for 15-20% concentration, as lower than that may not work for you.

6. What can you not mix with Vitamin C?

You should not mix Retinol, Benzoyl peroxide, AHA’s, and BHA’s with your Vitamin C.

7. Should you put Vitamin C on wet skin?

Although it is always advisable to use your skincare products, especially hydrating serums on damp skin, Vitamin C serum, or any other active such as AHA/BHA should never be used like that. Always use it on dry skin. For best results, use it when your skin is dry right after washing your face. This is so because if you use it on wet skin, the acid will come in contact with water which will neutralize the action and make it weaker.

8. Should you use Vitamin C during the day or at night?

There needs to be more clarity about whether one should use Vitamin C serum during the daytime or night time. Those who use many daily actives believe that daytime is good enough, and others find night time more comfortable. However, you should know that Vitamin C serum can be used both during the day and at night! To get the maximum benefits of it in the daytime, make sure to use sunscreen to fight free radicals and prevent sun damage. At night, use a good sodium hyaluronate-based moisturizer and the serum to balance it out.

9. Do I need a moisturizer and sunscreen after Vitamin C?

Yes. You must use a hydrating, barrier-repair moisturizer and a protective sunscreen after applying your Vitamin C serum to get the most benefits and avoid mishaps. The correct way to use a Vitamin C serum is:

• Firstly, wash your face properly with a gentle face wash such as Foxtale’s Daily Duet Cleanser. It makes sure your skin is all ready to absorb in products applied afterwards.
• Next up, use a Vitamin C serum on a clean face.
• Then, use a skin barrier repair moisturizer like Foxtale’s Ceramide Supercream as a protective layer.
• Follow it up with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 50+ and PA++++! When you use the C For Yourself serum & Cover-Up Sunscreen together, you are double-protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. This powerful duo is known to enhance each other’s efficiency, and it works best on fading dark spots as well as premature ageing.

10. What happens if you use Vitamin C without sunscreen?

‘Magical duo’ is the word that comes to our mind when we think about pairing Vitamin C with Sunscreen, and we are here to tell you not to miss out on this opportunity! When you are using a Vitamin C serum, it is to combat issues like hyperpigmentation or dark spots, it works by lifting the pigment and revealing fresh and new skin. And this is why using sunscreen makes the process a lot easier by further protecting your fresh skin from UV rays. If you do not use them together, it is only going to make the situation worse. It will make the spots even more pigmented.

11. Should you refrigerate your Vitamin C serum?

When storing your Vitamin C serum, the best way to do it is to keep it in the dark, cool place to ensure it doesn’t come in contact with sunlight. If your serum comes in contact with sunlight (for a longer duration), it may get oxidized, and it will have an adverse impact on your skin as it has gone bad.

Packaging of a Vitamin C serum plays an important role with respect to storage. If the serum is well packed in an opaque bottle, you can keep it at room temperature as it is already pretty safe from the sunlight. However, glass, transparent bottles may need to be stored in the refrigerator.

12. How do you know if Vitamin C serum is oxidized?

You can easily determine if your Vitamin C serum is oxidized by looking at its color and smell. The original color of the Vitamin C serum is usually transparent, but when it is oxidized, its color is changed to yellow or brown (darker). Also, if your Vitamin C serum starts to smell unpleasant after a few months, you should know that it is oxidized and cannot be used anymore.

13. What can you do to stop Vitamin C serum from oxidizing?

There are two important things that you need to take care of if you don’t want your Vitamin C serum to oxidize. The first one is storing it in a cool, dark place and away from sunlight as much as possible. And the second one is buying a serum that has opaque packaging.

The Foxtale’s C For Yourself Vitamin C serum is what you would expect from a good Vitamin C serum. It has opaque packaging that doesn’t oxidize, lasts longer, and ensures you fully use up its goodness.