Skin Health Magazine Issue #1 / Summer 2016 | Page 23

VITAMIN C Ingredient Spotlight The skincare industry is guilty of bombarding us with new discoveries, complex promises and mind-boggling jargon on what seems like a daily basis so to clear up the confusion, we are putting some of the most well-known ingredients under the microscope to reveal their true skin benefits. First up, we turn our attention to Vitamin C… C is for… Combating Free Radicals Above anything else, Vitamin C is an amazing antioxidant. Basically, it’s a black belt in neutralising the effects of free radicals before they can damage the skin. When the free radical molecule comes into contact with proteins like collagen, they steal one of their electrons to try and make themselves stronger which creates a gap in the strand of collagen, making it weaker. Vitamin C is what is known as an ‘electron donor’ so it replaces these gaps before the skin can start to wrinkle and sag, essentially keeping your complexion smooth and plump for longer. C is for… Correction In the same way that Vitamin C gives you a much-needed energy boost on a grey Monday morning, its revitalising benefits also apply to the skin. To combat dullness and uneven tone, Vitamin C inhibits the overproduction of the enzyme Tyrosinase (a key player in melanin production) which not only prevents new dark spots from forming but also corrects the appearance of existing blotchiness and discolouration over time. C is for… Collagen-Boosting Sources: HowStuffWorks To become the protein we all know and love, collagen has to go through a lengthy formation process which cannot take place without the presence of Vitamin C. However, as the body can’t produce or store its own Vitamin C, it has to be applied topically and ingested regularly for collagen production to continue at a healthy rate, so reach for serums and supplements daily to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. C is for… Care and Attention Due to its many skin-perfecting powers, Vitamin C is not the easiest ingredient to keep active in topical formulations. It is often combined with other antioxidants (such as Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid) to keep it stable and has to be stored in a bottle that blocks out sunlight, as the sun’s rays can degrade Vitamin C and render it useless. For the best results, look for L-Ascorbic Acid in the ingredients list of any serum or gel before investing, as this is the purest and most potent form available. ISSUE #01 | SUMMER 2016 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 23