{"id":1600021,"date":"2022-11-12T12:45:53","date_gmt":"2022-11-12T17:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/?p=1600021"},"modified":"2022-11-13T12:54:33","modified_gmt":"2022-11-13T17:54:33","slug":"the-benefits-of-using-a-vitamin-c-serum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/the-benefits-of-using-a-vitamin-c-serum\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits of Using a Vitamin C Serum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) has been a popular additive to skin care products for years.\u00a0 Over time, as more studies have been conducted, Vitamin C serums have become a more popular way to dispense the ingredient.\u00a0 Vitamin C is said to brighten skin, provide a more even complexion and even help with wrinkles.\u00a0 The truth is, the appearance of your skin depends on a number of different factors ranging from heredity, to lifestyle (tanning and smoking are aging \u2013 we all know that) and diet.\u00a0 Using good skin care products with quality ingredients can help improve the appearance of your skin, but everybody\u2019s skin is different and what works for your best friend may not work for you.<\/p>\n

Why Use a Vitamin C Serum?<\/h3>\n

We all have Vitamin C in our skin, but as we age, the levels in your skin reduce.\u00a0 The goal of serums is to supplement the ascorbic acid present in our skin.\u00a0 Applying it topically, through a serum, is the best way to deliver the ingredient.\u00a0 It neutralizes free radicals that damage the collagen in your skin.\u00a0 Free radicals include the sun, environmental factors like pollution and even stress.\u00a0 A serum may help increase the collagen production in your skin improving the appearance and texture.\u00a0 Vitamin C serums may even protect against sun damage but that doesn\u2019t mean that you can go without a sunscreen.<\/p>\n

What You Need to Look for in a Serum<\/h3>\n

When you are looking for a serum, the most potent ingredient is something called L Ascorbic Acid.\u00a0 The challenge with L Ascorbic Acid is that it has a very short shelf life. \u00a0\u00a0This means it may oxidize and the active ingredients will no longer work.\u00a0 Pay attention to the expiry date of the product once it\u2019s opened.\u00a0 If it says 6 months, it truly will only last for 6 months.\u00a0 Your other option is to buy a serum with esters of Vitamin C which means that the active ingredient is bound with ethyls to make it shelf stable.<\/p>\n

If you are buying a Vitamin C serum, opt for one that comes in a dark or opaque container to keep the light out.\u00a0 Look for products that come with an airless pump to keep the air out.\u00a0 Both light an air can cause the serum to oxidize and lose its effectiveness. Finally, having a helper antioxidant like Vitamin E or Ferulic Acid is important.\u00a0 Vitamin E helps to increase the stability of the serum and protect the skin. Ferulic Acid, found in food like bran, oats and rice, is supposed to assist with stability and increase its ability to minimize sun damage.<\/p>\n

Patch Test<\/h3>\n

Whenever you try any new skin care product, it is important to patch test it before using it on your face.\u00a0 Some people experience redness, dryness and itching from Vitamin C.\u00a0 If you know that you have sensitive skin, look for products that have a lower level of the ingredient and build up your tolerance.\u00a0 You can also apply it once a day versus twice a day.<\/p>\n

When to Use It<\/h3>\n

The best place to start is by reading the instructions on the bottle.\u00a0 Some serums are meant to be used twice a day, some are meant to be used only once.\u00a0 Put a serum on after cleansing and toning, but before you moisturize for maximum benefit. \u00a0Let it completely soak into your skin before layering other products on top. A good rule of thumb is to wait about five minutes.<\/p>\n

The Products<\/h3>\n

Four different serums were tested, each over a four month period or as long it took to use up the product.\u00a0 They all worked well, but they all had different benefits.\u00a0 The main thing that I noticed was that they helped with skin texture and clarity.\u00a0 I did not notice any improvement on dark spots, although you may.\u00a0 I would recommend each one for different reasons.\u00a0 Remember, you have to use serums consistently, over time to see results.\u00a0 You will not see any changes in the first week.\u00a0 All products came in an opaque container and all had a pump and are cruelty-free.<\/p>\n

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum<\/h4>\n
\"Vitamin
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum \u2013 $105.00 at Sephora<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This serum is one that is considered the gold standard by many.\u00a0 The C-Firma Day Serum contains 15% L-ascorbic acid with Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid.\u00a0 It is a really good serum with clean ingredients.\u00a0 This product only has a 6 month shelf-life (upon opening) and you will notice some oxidization after that.\u00a0 It made a difference in the texture and brightness of my skin.<\/p>\n

Insensya Illuminate Serum<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Insensya Illuminate Serum \u2013 $85.00 on Insensya.ca<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Insensya is developed and manufactured in Canada. \u00a0The shelf-life of the product is 12 months.\u00a0 It also contains Vitamin E which is important.\u00a0 Unlike the other serums, this was more hydrating and had a milky appearance.\u00a0 This may be due to the Algae and Argan Cell Biotechnology. If you have dry, sensitive skin<\/a>, this is a good place to start.\u00a0 It also seemed to improve moisture in my skin.\u00a0 This is gentle enough to use morning and night. It is also a vegan product.<\/p>\n

MONAT C. Radiance Illuminating Serum<\/h4>\n
\"\"
MONAT C. Radiance Illuminating Serum \u2013 $124.00 on MONAT\u2019s website<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MONAT\u2019s serum is infused with 15% vitamin C from MONAT\u2019s Kakadu Plum Complex and includes Ferulic Acid.\u00a0 This vegan serum is also clean and is gluten-free.\u00a0 The biggest change I noticed with this product was that my skin felt really smooth \u2013 so much so, that I didn\u2019t need to use a makeup primer.\u00a0 It really brightened my complexion too.<\/p>\n

OLEHENRIKSON Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum<\/h4>\n
\"\"
OLEHENRIKSON Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum \u2013 $86.00 at Sephora<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OLEHENRIKSON\u2019s serum contained 15% Vitamin C with Vitamin E to help stabilize the formula.\u00a0 In addition, it contained 5% PHAs (Polyhydroxy Acids) which are chemical exfoliators.\u00a0 It is important to always use a sunscreen, but particularly with chemical exfoliators.\u00a0 This did a nice job of smoothing the skin.\u00a0 It also helped with brightness.<\/p>\n

Vivier GrenzCine Face<\/h4>\n
\"Vitamin
Vivier GrenzCine Face \u2013 $276.00 at vivierskin.ca<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vivier GrenzCine Face contains ingredients like their proprietary Polyamine-DAB, Vitamin C and Activ8 Complex so it isn\u2019t strictly a Vitamin C serum. It is supposed to help thicken your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vivier, a Canadian company, has professional grade skincare products meaning that you won\u2019t find them at a drugstore.<\/p>\n

I decided to use the entire bottle of GrenzCine Face to really see if there were results, especially with the hefty price tag, and the verdict is that is does work. You won\u2019t get dramatic results and it\u2019s not going to happen overnight, but if you use the product as directed, over time, you will notice a difference in your skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Updated: November 12, 2022<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) has been a popular additive to skin care products for years.\u00a0 Over time, as more studies have been conducted, Vitamin C serums have…<\/div>\n
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