Vitamin C is one of the most sought-after active ingredients for facial care - and for good reasons. Vitamin C not only offers a variety of benefits for the entire organism, but also for healthy, radiant skin. Vitamin C also protects against the signs of premature skin aging.
Essential vital substance for health
Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient that our body cannot produce itself and therefore relies on a regular supply through our diet. The chemical name ascorbic acid for the vital substance that is essential for survival comes from the Latin: “Ascorbin” means “no scurvy”.
The scurvy disease, which was previously widespread among sailors, was due to a vitamin C deficiency that lasted for several months and was a common cause of death among sailors. Those affected suffered from bleeding gums, joint inflammation, increased susceptibility to infections, fatigue and skin problems with poor wound healing. After a British ship's doctor discovered in the 18th century that lemons or sauerkraut helped against scurvy, these foods became an integral part on board during long voyages.
Functions of vitamin C in the body
- Strengthens the immune system: Vitamin C supports the formation of various immune cells that can destroy harmful bacteria or viruses in the body.
- Promotes wound healing: Vitamin C stimulates collagen production and thus supports a strong and elastic wound scar.
- binds free radicals: Vitamin C is able to destroy aggressive reactive oxygen molecules. These arise increasingly through environmental pollutants, UV radiation, physical or psychological stress, lack of sheep or nicotine. Free radicals can damage and even destroy molecules, cells and tissues in the body.
- Promotes the absorption of iron from food: Vitamin C improves the solubility of iron in the intestine and binds substances that inhibit the absorption of iron.
- Promotes detoxification: Vitamin C activates enzymes that are responsible for breaking down toxins. This can, for example, neutralize the damaging effects of nicotine or nitrosamines in the body, i.e. toxic nitrogen-containing compounds that are considered to cause cancer.
Vitamin C-rich diet
Depending on age, gender and pregnancy, it is recommended to consume between 0.2 and 1g of vitamin C per day. The important vital substance is found in abundance in lemons and other citrus fruits, for example. However, berries have a significantly higher vitamin C content, especially sea buckthorn, rose hips and black currants. The frontrunners include the acerola cherry with 1.7 g of vitamin C per 100g, camu camu fruit. from the Amazon region with 2g per 100g and the Australian bush plum with up to 3g of vitamin C per 100g. Broccoli, kiwis, Brussels sprouts, peppers, tomatoes or parsley are also rich in vitamin C and should not be missing from your diet.
What benefits does vitamin C offer in skin care?
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antioxidant against premature skin aging: Vitamin C is one of the strongest antioxidants. As a free radical scavenger, the vitamin neutralizes aggressive molecules, so-called free radicals. Free radicals are harmful metabolic products that steal an electron from other skin molecules, thereby damaging them and causing our skin to age more quickly. Polluted city air, excessive UV radiation, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol or cigarette consumption mean oxidative stress for the skin and promote the formation of free radicals. As a result, there is increased wrinkle formation, but also irritation, skin blemishes, pimples, acne or redness. In order to prevent such cell and tissue damage, we need effective, skin-friendly care products with powerful antioxidants.
- Increased formation of collagen: Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, which slows down from the age of 25. Collagen is a structural protein that is important for skin strength and elasticity. This helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin firmness.
- Anti-inflammatory effect:Vitamin C has also proven itself in the treatment of skin diseases such as rosacea or acne. With its anti-inflammatory effect, vitamin C helps fight irritations, redness, blackheads or pimples. It promotes healing and soothes the skin.
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Lightens pigment spots, age spots and acne marks:Vitamin C inhibits excessive melanin formation (hyperpigmentation, melasma) and can help lighten pigment spots. With regular use, annoying age spots fade. The complexion appears more even and smooth. Acne marks are also lightened.
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Healthy, radiant skin: With its slight peeling effect, vitamin C gently loosens dead skin cells. Vitamin C gives dull or spotty skin a healthy glow and natural luminosity: cleaner skin that shines from within.
Is pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) good for sensitive skin?
Pure vitamin C (INCI:L- Ascorbic Acid) is used in skin care for sensitive skin. not recommended. The fastest results can be achieved with pure ascorbic acid. However, it is unstable and susceptible to oxidation. It requires a very acidic pH of approximately 3.5 or lower in a formulation in order not to break down into its components in a very short time. Pure ascorbic acid is only suitable for robust and insensitive skin, as the potential for irritation is relatively high.
Why is stabilized vitamin C better tolerated by the skin?
Stabilized forms of vitamin C such as ascorbyl glucoside, ethyl ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or sodium ascorbyl phosphate are well tolerated in moderate doses, even by sensitive skin.
Ascorbyl Glucoside increases collagen production even in low concentrations, protects against light-induced skin damage, prevents oxidative stress and slows down cell aging, as has been clinically proven. Due to its use in pH-skin-neutral formulations, it is significantly gentler on the skin than pure L-ascorbic acid. Ascorbyl Glucoside, in which the ascorbic acid is combined with glucose, is also very good for sensitive skin Tolerability. It is less susceptible to oxidation and is introduced particularly deep into the skin, where it is converted into pure vitamin C and stored (depot function).
You can find stabilized vitamin C in our ACE&B3 Vitamin Serum, in Anti-Pollution Serum T as well in the Regenerate Glow Mask . We pay attention to using moderate concentrations below 1% in order to ensure optimized skin compatibility even for very sensitive skin. For increased effectiveness and to better lighten pigment spots and pimple marks, we have the Vitamin C Complex Serum developed with 3% Ascorbyl Glucoside. To start with, if your skin has not yet had any experience with vitamin C, we recommend the low concentrations. If your skin already has experience with the active ingredient vitamin C, the Vitamin C Complex Serum is perfect.
Can vitamin C dry out the skin?
Sometimes vitamin C in higher concentrations can cause temporary dryness, irritation or redness. If you have very sensitive or dry skin, start with a lower concentration and gradually increase the frequency of use to allow your skin to adjust. Additionally, use a richer care product such as our day creams or face masks to strengthen your skin barrier, "buffer" your skin and minimize irritation. If you notice an unusual reaction, you should discontinue use.
Is vitamin C better for morning or evening skin care routines?
Facial care containing vitamin C is recommended for both the morning and evening skin care routine. During the day, vitamin C offers you first-class antioxidant protection against harmful environmental pollution or excessive UV radiation. Since vitamin C promotes an even complexion and ensures a more radiant appearance, it is ideal for the morning routine. In the evening, your skin benefits from the regenerating properties that vitamin C also has distinguish. Vitamin C can support the repair and renewal of the skin, especially overnight.
If you decide to use it twice, both in the morning and in the evening, you can enjoy all the benefits of vitamin C together. The most important thing is that you use vitamin C regularly and over a longer period of time to achieve the best results.
Combine vitamin C with retinol?
Dermatologists advise against combining vitamin C with retinol due to potential skin irritation. Retinol is a synthetic form of vitamin A that is used in skin care as an anti-aging ingredient to promote cell regeneration and is known for its common side effects such as irritation and redness.
It's different if you combine Bakuchiol, also known as organic retinol, with vitamin C. Bio-retinol or Bakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient that offers the same benefits as retinol on the skin - but without irritating her. We therefore safely combine Ascorbyl Glucoside as stabilized vitamin C with bakuchiol in our vitamin ACE&B3 serum.
Combine vitamin C with niacinamide?
Vitamin C and niacinamide work synergistically. The combination enhances the antioxidant protection of both active ingredients against the damaging effects of free radicals. Since both active ingredients also have anti-inflammatory properties, their combination helps to soothe the skin, reducing irritation and breakouts. Both vitamin C and niacinamide have skin-lightening properties and increase collagen production. Both active ingredients help to improve skin structure, reduce fine lines or wrinkles and ensure a more even skin tone.
Combine vitamin C with sun protection?
Studies show that vitamin C boosts the UV protection of sunscreens due to its antioxidant properties. Even if vitamin C alone cannot be sufficient sun protection, it makes sense to apply the vitamin C serum under sun protection. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C offer additional protection against cell damage caused by oxidative stress. The combination of sunscreen and vitamin C helps prevent premature skin aging caused by UVA, UVB and infrared (IR) radiation to protect the skin from wrinkles, sunburn and skin cancer.
Application of myrto Vitamin C Serum
