Benefits at a glance:
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Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals (pollution, UV rays, tobacco, oxidative stress, etc.)
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It stimulates collagen synthesis, strengthening skin firmness and elasticity, while improving the skin barrier.
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Vitamin C helps even out skin tone, reduce dark spots and fade hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure and aging.
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A good vitamin C serum can be incorporated into a daily skincare routine, morning and/or evening.
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For optimal effectiveness, it is essential to choose a stabilized formulation for optimal conservation.
Introduction
Vitamin C is one of the key ingredients in cosmetics, recognized for its multiple benefits for the skin. A true radiance booster, it evens out skin tone, reduces pigmentation spots, improves skin texture, and fights skin aging thanks to its powerful antioxidant power. Integrated into a daily skincare routine, it protects the skin from free radicals, stimulates collagen production, and preserves its firmness and elasticity.
Discover how to maximize the effects of vitamin C for bright, younger-looking skin.
Why does your skin need vitamin C?
A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is an essential shield against free radicals, unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and oxidative stress. These daily attacks accelerate skin aging, promoting the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigment spots.
But its role doesn't stop there. Vitamin C is a key element in the synthesis of collagen, the protein responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. With age, its production declines, leading to sagging skin and a loss of density. By stimulating natural collagen production, vitamin C helps maintain smoother, plumper, and more radiant skin, while strengthening its protective barrier against external aggressions.
The result? A more even complexion, visibly firmer skin and a lasting luminous effect.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C
As already mentioned, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. But what does this action actually mean?
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of neutralizing free radicals, unstable particles generated by oxidative stress, pollution, UV rays, or even daily stress. When they accumulate, these free radicals damage skin cells, accelerating premature aging and promoting the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigment spots.
Thanks to its protective action, vitamin C preserves the integrity of cells by preventing their deterioration. The result: smoother, more even, and visibly more radiant skin.
An ally against skin aging
Skin aging is a natural process, but factors like UV rays, stress, and pollution accelerate its onset. This is where vitamin C plays a key role: by neutralizing free radicals, it protects the skin from oxidative stress and helps slow premature aging.
But its action doesn't stop there. Vitamin C reduces dark spots and pigmentation irregularities, evening out skin tone and restoring its natural radiance. By boosting collagen production, it improves skin firmness and elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result? Plumper, brighter, and visibly younger-looking skin.
How to choose the right vitamin C serum for your skin?
With so many vitamin C serums available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. However, finding a formula that's right for your skin type and specific needs is essential to maximizing its benefits.
Choosing a vitamin C serum isn't just about its concentration. Its formulation plays a key role in ensuring both effectiveness and skin tolerance. Too high a dose can cause irritation, while an unstable form risks oxidizing before it even works on the skin.
Criteria for selecting an effective serum
Here are some important points to consider when choosing your vitamin C serum:
✔ A stable and highly bioavailable form: choose a lipid form rather than an aqueous form for better absorption and deep action, without irritation.
✔ Suitable concentration: a non-acidic vitamin C, such as Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, is much better absorbed by the skin. At only 1 to 2%, it offers an effectiveness equivalent to a pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) at 15-20%, while being more stable and non-photosensitizing.
✔ A synergy of complementary active ingredients: to maximize the shielding effect of vitamin C, combine it with other antioxidants and nourishing and soothing ingredients, helping to strengthen the skin barrier and prolong its effectiveness.
Choosing the right vitamin C serum means opting for a formula that combines performance, stability and tolerance for luminous and protected skin every day.
Vitamin C Serum: for what skin type?
Contrary to popular belief, vitamin C can be suitable for all skin types, provided you choose the right formula.
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For sensitive skin: Choose a serum formulated with a stable and gentle derivative in low concentrations, such as Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, which penetrates gently and reduces redness without damaging the skin barrier. A moderate concentration (1 to 2%) guarantees effectiveness and tolerance. Don't hesitate to perform a skin test before first use.
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For oily skin: Vitamin C can help regulate sebum production, tighten enlarged pores, and prevent blemishes thanks to its anti-inflammatory action. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic texture that absorbs quickly without feeling greasy and won't clog pores.
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For dry skin: Combined with moisturizing active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides, vitamin C strengthens the skin barrier, fights dehydration and revives natural radiance.
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For mature skin: Its role in collagen synthesis makes it an essential ally against skin aging. It improves skin firmness, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and evens out skin tone by reducing age-related pigment spots.
The ideal time to apply vitamin C
There isn't just one best time to apply your vitamin C serum.
In the morning, the skin is more receptive, its protective action against oxidative stress makes it an essential ally to combine with sun protection during the day.
Applying it in the evening can also be beneficial, especially after prolonged sun exposure. Free radicals remain active for up to 4 hours after exposure, and vitamin C helps repair oxidative damage. It also supports cell regeneration and stimulates collagen production, contributing to firmer, more radiant skin upon waking.
Our tip: Use Skin Diligent Vitamin C Serum in Oil , its formulation does not oxidize in the sun or air, which allows it to be used morning and/or evening.
How to use a vitamin C serum in the morning?
On clean skin or after a moisturizing lotion or serum, apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Gently massage until completely absorbed to optimize the penetration of the active ingredients.
Leave on for a few minutes before applying your sunscreen. Vitamin C does not replace SPF, but enhances its protective effects.
By incorporating vitamin C into your morning routine, you offer your skin daily protection against external aggressions, while boosting its radiance and youthfulness.
Can you use a vitamin C serum at night?
Using a vitamin C serum at night helps repair and protect the skin from the stresses it suffers throughout the day. Applied at the end of your routine, vitamin C works overnight to stimulate cell regeneration and boost collagen production, helping to strengthen the skin's structure and maintain its radiance.
Maximizing the effects of vitamin C
To fully benefit from the benefits of vitamin C, it is essential to choose a stable formulation. Serums based on aqueous vitamin C, such as ascorbyl glucoside or ascorbic acid, are susceptible to oxidation and require optimal storage. It is recommended to keep them cool, away from heat and light, to prevent degradation and loss of effectiveness.
However, some advanced formulas, like Skin Diligent's Liposoluble Vitamin C Serum , offer a more stable and long-lasting alternative. Thanks to Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, a highly bioavailable lipid derivative, this serum does not oxidize and does not require refrigeration, ensuring prolonged effectiveness without storage constraints.
Combination with other active ingredients
Vitamin C works effectively with other ingredients to maximize the benefits of your skincare routine. Its combination with hyaluronic acid is particularly beneficial: this active ingredient maintains optimal hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, and leaves skin more supple and luminous. Together, they promote a radiant complexion and visibly plumped skin.
However, certain combinations should be avoided with aqueous vitamin C serums, such as ascorbic acid. This unstable form can cause sensitivities when combined with retinol or exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA).
To avoid these problems, opt for a derived and stable form, such as Skin Diligent's Vitamin C Serum . Its optimized bioavailability allows for more gradual absorption, ensuring prolonged effectiveness and better skin tolerance, with less risk of irritation or oxidation.
In conclusion:
Vitamin C is a key active ingredient to include in your skincare routine to maintain skin's radiance and youthfulness. It protects against external aggressions like pollution and UV rays, neutralizes oxidative stress, and stimulates collagen synthesis.
Our tip for optimal efficiency:
1- Opt for a new generation Vitamin C
Conventional water-based serums can be unstable, oxidize quickly, and risk irritating skin. Skin Diligent reinvents vitamin C with its Vitamin C Serum in Oil , a revolutionary epigenetic formula that maximizes efficacy, absorption, and skin tolerance.
✔ Does not oxidize
✔ Fat-soluble formula, optimal absorption
✔ High tolerance, suitable for sensitive skin
✔ Epigenetic formula
✔ Activates cellular repair and protects skin DNA
✔ Strengthens the skin barrier and hydrates the skin
✔ Targets dark spots and evens skin tone
2 - The importance of a holistic approach. Along with a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, vitamin C enhances the effects of vitamin C on the skin, while supporting the body and promoting stronger hair. This essential balance acts at the heart of epigenetic mechanisms, optimizing cell regeneration and skin longevity.