How to choose most effective vitamin c serum
If you want to improve your skincare routine, consider using a vitamin C serum. This product has many benefits for your skin, including protection, repair, and enhancement. However, not all serums are equal, so it’s important to pay attention to factors like the type and concentration of vitamin C, ingredients, and packaging. To choose the most effective vitamin c serum for you, learn about the product’s benefits and read the recommendations. Once you have your serum, follow these tips to get the most out of it.
A smart way to make the right choice
Investing in a vitamin C serum is crucial for your skincare routine, but choosing the right product requires some knowledge. You don’t want to pick a random product. Instead, you need to know how to select the best vitamin C serum that suits your needs.
Concentration
To ensure that a vitamin C serum works, it’s best to choose one that has a concentration between 8 and 20 percent. The more concentrated it is, the more powerful it is. Serums with less than 8 percent vitamin C concentration are not effective, and those with over 20 percent have diminishing returns.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Choose a serum that includes hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. It will prevent dryness. Some examples of these ingredients include hyaluronic acid, aloe vera gel or juice, and carrier oils such as jojoba, grapeseed, or olive oil.
Form of vitamin C
Most vitamin C serums contain various forms of vitamin C, such as L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. While all these forms are potent, L-ascorbic acid is the most biologically active.
pH Balance
The serum should have a low acidic pH for effective absorption of vitamin C. Sources suggest that a pH range of 2 to 3 is optimal for absorption and is significantly lower than the average adult skin pH of 5.7. Nonetheless, if you have normal skin, you may be able to tolerate a low-pH serum. In contrast, if you have sensitive skin, it’s best to look for a product with a pH closer to the skin’s natural pH range of 5 to 6 to avoid irritation.
Stabilizing Ingredients
According to a source, vitamin C in its pure form, as ascorbic acid, is highly unstable and easily oxidizes when exposed to air and light. Therefore, when selecting a serum containing vitamin C, choose one with stabilizing ingredients such as ferulic acid and vitamin E.
Most brands use a combination of both for optimal results, so it’s crucial to carefully review the ingredient list to determine what the serum contains. Additionally, it’s important to note the serum’s expiration date to ensure its efficacy. Once you begin using it, monitor the serum’s color and scent. If it becomes discolored or emits a sour odor, it’s time to dispose of it.
Pro-tip for the users:
Vitamin C serum is susceptible to damage from light and other environmental factors. As a result, it is advisable to store it in a cool and dark place, such as a refrigerator. Although refrigeration cannot prevent the serum from ultimately deteriorating, it can help delay the process by slowing down the rate of degradation.
Individuals with sensitive skin may experience irritation
when using high concentrations of vitamin C. You are advised to use concentrations on the lower end of the spectrum, typically around 5 percent. However, to get desired results, higher concentrations may offer quicker and more visible results.
It is worth noting that a plateau effect occurs after a concentration of 20 percent. Therefore, using a 30 percent concentration will not provide any benefits than a 20 percent concentration, making it unnecessary to pay more for higher concentrations beyond 20 percent.
Conclusion
For individuals with skin that can tolerate it, most effective vitamin C serum can be applied both in the morning and at night. However, when applying it in the morning, it is essential to use sunscreen alongside it since vitamin C can increase photosensitivity. This way, the skin can be protected from harmful UV rays while enjoying the benefits of vitamin C.