HEALTH
What’s in the pot?
An A-Z introduction to cosmetic ingredients – C is for vitamin C – (ascorbic acid)
C
We all love vitamins; they’re good for us and vitamin C is one of the heavy hitters that we can’t get enough of. Keeping it simple, a vitamin is an organic molecule that’s an essential nutrient your body needs in small amounts for the proper functioning of its metabolism. It’s a substance you must have for your body to work properly, and you have to get them from what you eat because we don’t make them ourselves. Vitamin C is also an acid, but not all acids will peel your skin and leave you looking like a pomodoro tomato. Vitamin C has a range of superpowers and comes in several forms, which it adapts. There are a number of different types of vitamin C used in skincare products. For avid label readers these include: L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate and retinyl ascorbate. The first is deemed 'the queen' of vitamin C. Regular use boosts collagen production and fends
off ageing caused by ultra violet light, or sun damage. In its form of ascorbyl palmitate, vitamin C can inhibit the production of melanin, reducing pigmentation and brightening skin. It's best to buy products that come in air-tight packaging with pumps, so they haven’t been damaged by oxygen in the air. Some clinical level skincare will often use pure ascorbic acid in a powder form that is only activated when mixed with a liquid solution. This ensures your treatment comes with knock-out results. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and illness cause a hike in the amount of vitamin C your body needs. If you smoke, this also reduces absorption, so eating more foods high in vitamin C and using a good topical product, can lead to a fresher, brighter
complexion. Look for it on the label high up on the list. If it’s near the bottom with fragrance and preservatives, it’s probably better to just go home and eat an orange!
Follow Geraldine at skinprof_norfolk @geraldinewaltersadvancedskincare info@geraldinewalters.co.uk
RUTH WALTERS
MCFHP, MAFHP
Medical and Cosmetic Foot Health Practitioner
• Nail reconstruction • Diabetic foot care •Ingrown toenails • Hard skin removal • Nail thickening•Corn removal • Fungal nail/skin infections Find us on Facebook • Verruca treatment 01379452412 or 07595177910 www.ruthwalters.co.uk
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A Step In The Right Direction
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