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Using Vitamin C Serum for Brighter, Younger-Looking Skin

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. Our bodies rely on Vitamin C for a number of functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, proper functioning of the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. But should you be using a Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine? Many skincare ingredients are dependent on your skin type and unique skin concerns, but the answer for this one is an easy YES! Basically, everyone can benefit from including Vitamin C in their skincare arsenal. Whether you’re focused on youth preservation, fading dark spots, calming redness and inflammation, or simply looking to add that coveted “glow”— you really shouldn’t skip Vitamin C.

How Does Vitamin C Serum Work?

As a powerful anti-oxidant, Vitamin C gets to work fighting the visible effects of oxidative stress, a state that our skin goes into when it does not have enough antioxidants to combat the damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress shows up in skin as dull skin tone, redness, and generally unhealthy-looking skin. Free radicals are created when our skin cells encounter damaging agents in the environment such as vehicle emissions, cigarette smoke, dirt, air pollution, and UVA/UVB rays. The extensive oxidative stress that most of us encounter daily can weaken skin integrity and accelerate aging and hyperpigmentation caused by acne scarring or sun damage. 

Vitamin C defends your skin cells from environmental and sun damage. Vitamin C has photoprotective properties and to fight off the oxidative stress we encounter throughout our day. Vitamin C is not just a potent topical antioxidant, it is one of the more versatile active ingredients, also stimulating the skin’s production of collagen and acting as a natural anti-inflammatory — good news for those who also suffer from acne, oiliness, and blackheads.

How Should I Add a Vitamin C Serum into my Skincare Routine?

As with most skincare ingredients, it is important to understand how and when to use a Vitamin C Serum to achieve the maximum benefit. Vitamin C works best when applied directly onto the skin, after toning but before moisturizing. It is safe to use both morning and night, however it is important to understand how it may react with other products you’re using. Vitamin C can negatively interact with other active ingredients that are typically used at night such as retinol or AHAs. If retinol or AHAs are a part of your nighttime routine, use your Vitamin C in the morning to avoid irritation. In general, Vitamin C products are most important to be applied in the morning before heading out for the day, when UV exposure is at its highest. Your Vitamin C will work together with your SPF to boost your skin’s protection from sun damage. Remember, Vitamin C serum isn’t a substitute for sunscreen, but SPF and Vitamin C do play nicely together — both work to reduce the effects of oxidative stress on your skin and your Vitamin C serum doesn’t have to work as hard when combined with SPF (and vice versa!).

After cleansing, toning, and hydrating with an essence serum such as Obagi’s Daily Hydro-Drops Facial Serum, layer your Vitamin C serum on before finishing up with your moisturizer and a SPF (my long-standing go-to is Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50). 

Another important tip: Vitamin C serums typically have a shelf life of around six months to a year before opened — to avoid wasting money, use your serum daily and buy a fresh bottle each time you run out, rather than stocking up. 

What is C+E With Ferulic Acid and Which Should I Choose?

One of the first things you’ll likely notice when shopping for a Vitamin C Serum is that they come in a variety of concentrations. In general, they range from below 5% all the way up to 30%, which can have different effects on the skin. For dry or sensitive skin, stick with the lower concentrations, around 5%-10%, which are less likely to be irritating. Those that experience more oily skin or have more extensive pigmentation issues can handle higher concentrations. We love Obagi’s Professional-C Serum line because of the wide range of concentrations it offers. With Obagi, you can find a 10%, 15% and a 20% option. However, Obagi's serums do not contain Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid.

My latest obsession though, is DermAvenue’s C&E Essential Serum with Ferulic Acid. Not only does it deliver a 15% concentration of Vitamin C, this serum also combines Vitamin C with two other antioxidant powerhouses; Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. These ingredients team up to provide the ultimate protection of skin integrity by reducing the development of fine lines, spots, and wrinkles while the Vitamin E serves as an additional anti-oxidant while keeping your skin hydrated. Ferulic Acid is a plant based anti-oxidant that has the ability to combat free radicals and boosts the effects of other ingredients such as vitamin C & E. Being that  DermAvenue’s C&E Essential Serum with Ferulic Acid is thicker, I find I get a lot more bang for my buck because I have better control of the application of this product compared to other popular C+E Ferulic Acid Serums & Vitamin C serums such as Obagi’s.

Bottom line, using a Vitamin C serum takes your skincare routine to the next level by providing next level protection, repair and overall enhancement to your skin. Vitamin C is one of the most universally effective and well-rounded active ingredients in skincare, meaning that no matter what your skin concerns are — dullness, hyperpigmentation, redness, fine lines, lack of firmness — Vitamin C will bring impressive improvements with regular use, especially when it is teamed up with Vitamin E & Ferulic Acid, and this is why I prefer using Dermavenue's C&E Essential Serum with Ferulic Acid.

Ready to amp up your skin care routine? Visit Dermavenue.com! We offer daily free gifts and generous discounts. We’re so confident that we have the best prices and deals on medical-grade skin care that we always offer a price match guarantee! If you find a lower price with any authorized retailer of a brand that we carry, please bring it to our attention so that we can meet or beat that price. Give us a call for today’s sale and mention this blog for even MORE savings! Can’t talk now? Use coupon code “CSERUM” for 25%  DermAvenue’s C&E Essential Serum with Ferulic Acid & Obagi Professional C Serums.

Please contact Dermavenue at 800.805.3752 or chat live! We have agents available 9-5pm Pacific Time to answer any questions.