Why You Need Vitamin C in Your Routine

I always find it fascinating how skincare trends come and go, but the spotlight has stayed firmly fixed on vitamin C for the past few years now – and for good reason. This antioxidant powerhouse is not only a brilliant skin brightener; it also works triple duty with its protective and youth-boosting effects on the skin.   

What are antioxidants in skincare?

Antioxidants such as vitamin C do exactly what they say on the tin – they prevent oxidation. Oxidation occurs in your skin when environmental aggressors known as free radicals (think UV rays and air pollution) latch onto your skin cells, damaging DNA, breaking down collagen and causing inflammation. This process can also weaken your protective skin barrier over time and leave your skin vulnerable to future damage – a vicious cycle!   

Fun fact: While they all function differently, vitamins A, B3 (more commonly known as niacinamide) and E also have antioxidant effects in the skin.   

How does vitamin C protect the skin? 

While you can take measures to limit your exposure, your skin will inevitably face free radicals throughout the day. This is where your topical antioxidants step in. Vitamin C has been proven to neutralise free radicals so they no longer bind themselves to your skin cells, preventing the oxidative stress that degrades your precious collagen and elastin.   

Top Tip: In the morning, layer an antioxidant-rich serum like our clinical C1 serum under your SPF to give your skin two-fold protection from environmental aggressors.

How does vitamin C brighten skin?

Vitamin C has rejuvenating and repairing properties that make it particularly efficacious at brightening the complexion. It inhibits melanin production, helping to fade existing hyperpigmentation, prevent future marks and encourages a luminous, lit-from-within appearance.

Top Tip: Applying vitamin C daily will help to keep new discolouration at bay, but if you’re looking to target a specific concern – such as marks leftover from a breakout or sun damage after a summer holiday – reach for an intensive treatment like my Illuminating 5-Day Facial.  

Does vitamin C help with signs of ageing?

Not just a collagen protector, vitamin C is a proven collagen booster. It encourages collagen synthesis and slows its degradation, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time and keeping the skin looking bouncy and youthful. This might remind you of vitamin A (a fellow antioxidant) which prompts the skin to produce collagen by encouraging cell renewal. Paired together, these two make a powerful skin-plumping duo, which is why you’ll often see them together in my formulations.

Top Tip: Finishing your evening routine with a vitamin-enriched night cream or elixir will help to boost your skin’s natural rejuvenating process while you sleep.

SC