Why use a serum with Vitamin C?

Some believe that by making a list of products from the same category, regardless of their functions, one could know the full range of options available for a specific task. For example, if we think of a perfect beauty and facial care routine, we might believe that all we need is a cleanser, a serum, an exfoliant, a moisturizing cream, an anti-aging cream, and one for each of the imperfections we want to eliminate.

Of course, it couldn’t be that simple and boring, because from each of the aforementioned, there are endless different options, each with its own active ingredients and very varied benefits. In this way, we could say that each product becomes a category, because instead of simply opting to buy or make a serum, we must think about all the types of serums that exist in aesthetic stores.

And speaking of this wonderful substance and all its variants, there is one that stands out for its incredible ability to care for our skin, offering a wide range of benefits that easily leave many other options behind. We are referring to the popular vitamin C serum, an element highly recommended by specialists that, although everyone assures it is effective and truly wonderful, it’s worth getting to know in detail before even thinking about acquiring it.

Some products are as effective as others, if you’re looking for a comparison with this one, we recommend reading Why use an antioxidant serum

Function of the Serum on the Skin

When we think about this product, whether it contains the vitamin or any other, we visualize it in small bottles, which could lead to the mistake of thinking that it is a waste due to the small amount it contains. However, this is due to the potency and concentration of its formula, which offers an immense amount of active ingredients and benefits within each drop, which should not simply be thrown on the skin as if it were water.

Also known as serum, which would be the Spanish translation of its name, it is a very liquid, light, and weightless substance, thanks to what can be described as a low molecular density relative to its volume. This means that if we weigh a drop of water and a drop of serum, the latter will be less heavy, which leads to a series of advantages in its formula, considered at the time of its design and creation.

Among these, we mainly have the speed at which the liquid is absorbed by the skin, becoming one of the products that need the least amount of time on this surface, where it leaves no trace that must be cleaned or clarified. This not only allows for easy application but also allows the substance to reach very deep layers of the skin, below the dermis and hypodermis.

Once there, we find that the liquid is a potent moisturizer, which provides another series of topical benefits at the cellular level, according to the acquired formula; among them, we not only have the nourishment and stimulation that the vitamin C serum offers, which we will discuss later in more detail, but we can opt for others such as anti-aging serums, anti-wrinkle, micro-exfoliating, depigmenting, antioxidant, toning, and others such as those that add collagen or hyaluronic acid to the dermis.

In this way, we will not only deeply moisturize the skin, increasing the time in which the tissue remains healthy, thanks to the emollients that help retain moisture, but we will also support the function of active ingredients of other products in our facial routine, such as anti-aging creams and exfoliating treatments, performing the same task as these but at an internal level, within the same structure of the dermal tissue.

Benefits that its Combination with Vitamin C Provides

Now, since all types of this substance share their main quality as moisturizers, differentiating in the rest of the properties they contain, one could not expect anything else from the one we are dealing with on this occasion. This one seeks not to alter in any way the original function of the serum, not even to enhance it, but it opts to provide a longer list of benefits to the skin, provided by the well-known vitamin C.

Even so, we must bear in mind that, if we know the wonders of consuming this nutrient, be it in supplements or through citrus fruits, when combined with the serum, it is integrated directly with the skin, so the benefits will be different and much more specific. Therefore, to avoid confusion, it is best to know firsthand everything that this nutrient can offer our skin when applied in this way.

Collagen Stimulation

Those who have heard of collagen will know that the advantages of this product begin right here, as it is one of the main actions it can offer our skin. When we talk about stimulation, we refer to the increase in the natural production of this protein within our body, in this case, carried out by the cells of the connective tissue that hold together the layers of the skin.

The importance of this particular protein fiber lies in the fact that, in turn, it is responsible for producing another smaller volume protein, known as elastin, the protagonist of cohesion in the union of tissues. What elastin provides is firmness, resistance, elasticity, and tonicity, characteristics that allow a clear shape of the skin structure, without which, entering the cosmetic field, such an organ would become prone to imperfections such as wrinkles, flaccidity, rough texture, pigmentation, and other so-called age marks.

It is already known that vitamin C is, so to speak, the main food source for connective tissue cells, which take this nutrient, process it, and basically turn it into collagen, so it is simply essential for the creation of such a molecule or protein fiber, which tends to lose both its quality and quantity within our body due to natural factors such as aging or certain pathogens.

Reduction of Photoaging Consequences

Here we find the second greatest value that the combination of serum with this nutrient gives our skin, since photoaging is the main factor causing what is called premature aging of the skin, which can be described as the appearance of characteristics and imperfections typical of tissues prematurely (regardless of our age), which otherwise would appear naturally as we age.

It is known as “photo” because it is caused by the small particles contained in ultraviolet rays, which enter and penetrate the dermal tissue through the sun’s rays, causing, among other consequences, the degradation of melanin, oxidation of cells, dryness or evaporation of moisture retained in the hypodermis, and increased estrogens; all factors that ultimately cause this premature aging.

What this product does, thanks to the high levels of nutrition, is to care for and regenerate cells damaged by the intervention and contact of ultraviolet rays, eliminating oxidation and reducing all factors that alter their structure. In this way, we not only prevent photoaging but also reduce the consequences on our skin by directly fighting each of the elements that are released because of this interaction.

Increase in Brightness

If we look at ourselves in the mirror and notice that our complexion lacks that glow of vitality, the luminosity that translates into beauty, very different from the light reflection produced by the sebum accumulated in oily skins, it is most likely that our dermis is somewhat dull due to the degradation of melanin, that molecule that is responsible for natural protection against the sun, which darkens due to prolonged contact with the rays emanating from the star.

Here again, vitamin C plays a very important role, as it helps to eliminate the remains of burned or affected melanin, while nourishing the skin and helping it retain moisture, thus increasing brightness and the healthy and beautiful image that characterizes this tissue. Thus, the tone can be leveled and natural beauty can be achieved without the use of foundation makeup or other external embellishments.

Depigmentation

Not only melanin causes darkening in the dermis, but the tissue itself is made up of small pigments or networks that run through its entire structure, which can change at all, just like clogged pores, due to the accumulation of impurities. This pigmentation is the cause of the appearance of spots and blackheads, as well as other dark marks that may be the same color as the skin but a couple of shades darker.

Similarly, other factors can alter the tonicity of more specific areas, such as the case of the contour of the eyes, which is dyed in purple tones due to the appearance of dark circles and bags. These can be corrected and normalized in the same way we mentioned regarding the increase in brightness, thanks to the hydration of the serum and the nourishment offered by ascorbic acid (vitamin C powder), contained in this presentation.

You can learn about another element more appropriate for eliminating spots by reading When to use an anti-spot serum

Protection against Ultraviolet Rays

If we already talked about the regeneration of damage caused by ultraviolet rays (abbreviated UV), it should not be surprising that, as a preventive method, this element not only helps to heal but also protects against the effect of the same for an extended period. It’s not just about cell care, but by depigmenting melanin molecules, we also protect them, which significantly increases our defenses against the sun.

This is the reason why many sunscreens or sunblocks, especially those of a chemical base, whose formula is designed to be absorbed by the skin, contain ascorbic acid or another form of this vitamin among their components. In addition, while this adheres to the cells of the connective tissue, to feed them and produce collagen, it also remains on its surface as a film that defends them against this element.

Fighting Free Radicals

Until now we have treated this component as an individual entity, but it is also necessary to mention that it is a complex system, made up of many elements that integrate and harmonize to form what we know as vitamin class C. Among them, we find high-range antioxidant acids, capable of combating a problem of cells called super oxidation, which has to do with their aging.

The super oxidizing agents found in the dermis are the known free radicals, which attack the tissue at a structural level in many different ways; this is why we always hear them mentioned in commercials about anti-wrinkle creams and others. These radicals cause a wide variety of imperfections, not only wrinkles, by releasing estrogens and reducing collagen levels, so it is necessary to combat them with antioxidants.

Erythema Solution

This last benefit is a bit more particular, as it is not something that all users of the serum with vitamin C count on; it is the normalization of a localized imperfection called erythema, which refers to skin redness caused by small accumulations of blood contained in the capillaries. It is quite common after taking a tan or undergoing a therapy with laser or pulsed light.

Although it does not appear spontaneously, nor is it caused by natural factors of the dermis, it is considered an imperfection, because it usually presents as quite prominent and unattractive spots. To solve it, our nutrient in question has an element called hydroxy acid; the same that acts in the increase of brightness, the clearing of the tone, and the elimination of the deepest spots.

The most interesting thing about this case is that very few natural particles capable of not only reducing but completely eliminating erythema are known, so only some cosmetic genre products, such as the serum with ascorbic acid, which is absorbed and acts in depth, can achieve such a feat. This is one of the clearest examples that each designed article can have a unique function, reserved for certain occasions.

Difference, Advantages, and Combination with Other Products

This last statement, about the identity and the unique and particular functions of each product, is so true that it makes it difficult to compare one with another, since we will always have very specific needs for our skin, which lead us to resort to one element or another. The case of this substance is somewhat different, being able to fit into a short list integrated, for example, by the serum with ferulic acid, the combined with hyaluronic acid or the presentations with antioxidants.

This is because the aforementioned, unlike those designed to combat a specific problem, can cover a wider range of needs, such as collagen production, reduction of the consequences of ultraviolet rays or free radicals, and cell repair. These factors are what allow the skin to heal from damage and obtain better levels of firmness, tonicity, elasticity, and resistance.

However, although this makes the serum with vitamin C an appropriate element for beauty and facial care routines, it should be taken into account that, as it is the serum’s own job, it is a perfect product to support other elements of such routines. Therefore, if our task is focused on eliminating imperfections or fighting the signs of age, we must combine it with other cosmetic articles.

For example, since we have the hydroxy acid for depigmentation, reducing spots, and adding brightness to the skin, if pigmentation, blackheads, or darkened marks are our main problem, we must not forget the use of a more powerful lightening cream, such as professional anti-spot creams, whose more superficial function harmonizes perfectly with the deep work of the serum.

Now, if we want to focus on comparing this serum formula with others of the same range, things change, because all serums are primarily designed as hydrolyzed hydrating solutions, to be absorbed almost immediately. In this task, there is no distinction between one and another, although there is variation according to the components added to the formula.

In this case, the one that has the benefits of vitamin C, as we have said, takes the award, followed by the presentation with hyaluronic acid, for being the one that can provide the largest number of active ingredients and properties, as a solution capable of caring for, protecting, and regenerating the skin, while performing a similar task with the cells, thanks to the nutrients and antioxidants it contains, among other components.

If you are interested in this substance and want to learn how to make it yourself, you can do so by reading How to make a vitamin C serum at home

However, at this point, we must bear in mind that everything can change according to the quality of the liquid, so we must always inform ourselves and pay attention to what we buy or acquire, because as many benefits as the serum with ascorbic acid offers, these will be diminished if we resort to a bottle of liquid whose quality standards are dubious or not accepted by the cosmetic community.