What Does Vitamin C Serum Do?
As children, many of us learned about vitamin C through a simple orange. The message was clear: it was good for us. Today, vitamin C has left the fruit bowl and taken center stage in skincare. It is now one of the most talked-about ingredients, especially in serums that have become staples in countless routines.
But what does vitamin C serum actually do for your skin? Here, we’ll break it down for you.
The Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum works on multiple levels to keep your complexion looking healthy and vibrant. In doing so, it:
Brightens and evens tone to visibly improve radiance, fade dark spots and minimize discoloration and redness
Shields skin against free radicals that can contribute to dullness, fine lines, and premature aging caused by pollution and UV exposure
Supports the look of collagen-rich skin to maintain elasticity and firmness, helping skin look smoother and more resilient over time
These combined effects explain why vitamin C serum is considered a foundation of many effective skincare routines.
How to Use Vitamin C Serum & How Often Should You Use It?
As a potent antioxidant that can fight off free radicals, it is highly recommended to apply vitamin C serum in the morning. This helps with protecting your skin against the day’s environmental stressors. It can be used in the evenings as well, as it's highly corrective especially in higher concentrations.
Cleanse your face
Apply a few drops of serum to the face and neck using gentle upward motions
Allow it to absorb before applying your SPF moisturizer in the morning
When Will You See Results?
Vitamin C starts working immediately to brighten skin. This is because it is considered a very mild exfoliant that helps rid skin of surface dead skin cells. These dead skin cells contain melanin pigments that contribute to discoloration. By ridding these dead skin cells, you’ll notice an instant brightening effect.
Over time, vitamin C will also begin to strengthen your skin’s barrier function. With consistent use, visible improvements beyond the instant brightening often appear within four to eight weeks.
Clinical research has shown that stable, high-quality formulas can improve radiance, reduce uneven tone and enhance elasticity with continued use.
Will My Vitamin C Serum Lose Its Potency Over Time?
Standard vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can lose effectiveness quickly when exposed to air and light. Choosing a stable form, such as Vitamin C Ester, plus using packaging that protects it from light (like our amber glass) ensures the serum remains potent and effective for longer.
What Is Vitamin C Ester?
Vitamin C is a notoriously tricky skincare ingredient. While it boasts a myriad of skincare benefits, such as brightening, diminishing the look of discoloration and protecting against free radical damage, traditional vitamin C can also be irritating, unstable and not efficiently absorbed by the skin.
As a matter of fact, vitamin C skincare products begin losing their potency two to three weeks after they’re exposed to oxygen. That’s why Dr. Nicholas Perricone first patented our Vitamin C Ester for use in skincare back in 1996 to deliver all the benefits of vitamin C, without the drawbacks.
Unlike traditional ascorbic acid, Vitamin C Ester is fat soluble and, therefore, better able to be effectively absorbed. The main reason some people find traditional vitamin C irritating is because it's water soluble and, therefore, can't be absorbed. This can result in skin purging, breakouts, dryness and redness. Because Vitamin C Ester absorbs more seamlessly into the skin, it delivers greater antioxidant protection and more corrective benefits. On top of its absorbability, Vitamin C Ester is also more stable than traditional vitamin C.
Final Thoughts
When creating a brightening routine, a vitamin C serum is an ideal way to achieve a more even-looking complexion. Especially with one of our Vitamin C Ester serums for supercharged brightening and smoothing with less irritation than traditional vitamin C.
