11 Reasons to Add Vitamin C Serum to Your Skin Care Routine

Vitamin C serum has many health benefits for your skin, including promoting collagen production and protecting against sun damage. Some people may experience side effects.

What’s a vitamin C serum? 

If you have your head in the skin care game, you’ve likely heard of vitamin C serums.Vitamin C is touted as one of the best ingredients on the market for pro-aging support and the key to maintaining a smooth, even, and glowy complexion.Although you’re probably getting vitamin C in your diet, there’s no way to guarantee it’s going straight to your skin.Using serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap these benefits.Read on to learn why you should add vitamin C serum to your routine, how to introduce a new product, and more.Whether it’s a tried-and-true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics you’re curious about, beauty is personal.That’s why we rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their tips on everything from the way product application varies to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.

Benefits

There are plenty of benefits to using vitamin C on your skin. For example, vitamin C:

• Is safe for most skin types

• Provides hydration

• Can brighten your skin

• Can reduce redness

• Can reduce hyperpigmentation

• Can reduce the appearance of under-eye circles

• Promotes collagen production

• May help prevent sagging

• May protect against sun damage

• May soothe sunburns

• May help wound healing

1.It’s safe for most skin types

Vitamin C has an excellent safety profile. Most people can use topical vitamin C for an extended period of time without any adverse effects.A 2017 review of studies noted that vitamin C concentrations above 20% may cause mild skin irritation.Because of this, it's typically found in skin care products at concentrations between 10% and 20%.Vitamin C is also safe to use with other skincare actives, including alpha hydroxy acids, retinol and SPF.

2.It’s hydrating

According to a 2017 review of studies, most healthy skin and organs have high concentrations of vitamin C,suggesting that vitamin C accumulates in the body through circulation.The review authors note that topical vitamin C penetrates the skin best in the form of ascorbic acid.Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, another vitamin C derivative used in skin care, has been shown to moisturize the skin, according to a 2022 reviewTrusted Source.It reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL), allowing your skin to better retain moisture.

An anti-pollution, antioxidant serum containing Deschampsia antarctica extract, ferulic acid, and vitamin C reduced TEWL by 19%, improving skin barrier function, according to a 2019 studyTrusted Source.

3.It’s brightening

Vitamin C can help fade pigmentation (more on this below!) and smooth the skin’s surface to reduce dullness.This gives skin a youthful glow.

• A 2017 review noted that vitamin C use has been shown to hinder melanin production. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color.

• By inhibiting melanin production, vitamin C can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.It may also help brighten the complexion.

• 4.It helps reduce redness and even out skin tone

• Vitamin C has also been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects through its antioxidant power, according to a 2015 review.This means it soothes your skin and reduces puffiness.

• The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C may help:

• Neutralizes free radicals that cause oxidative damage

• optimize the immune system to discourage an inflammatory immune response

The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C can also help reduce redness, which in turn can create a more even complexion.

The combined reduction of dark spots, redness, and irritation makes for a clear, smooth skin tone.

5.It helps fade hyperpigmentation

Since it impedes melanin production,vitamin C can actually fade hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation including sunspots, age spots, and melasma  occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin. It can also occur in areas where acne has healed.Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis by down-regulating the activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase. It is widely used in dermatology to reduce hyperpigmentation in hyperpigmented spots on the skin.It's also been used to treat hyperpigmentation of the gums (hyperpigmentation of the gums), but research is limited.Treat acne? Beyond Vitamin C Serums, Other Hyperpigmented Acne Treatment Options.

6.It reduces the appearance of under-eye circles.Vitamin C serums can help smooth out fine lines by plumping and hydrating the under-eye area.While vitamin C is more effective at reducing overall redness, some say it can help with discoloration associated with dark circles.According to a small 2019 study of three treatments for dark circles,vitamin C mesotherapy significantly improved hyperpigmentation of dark circles.However, some participants also reported a burning sensation.Some other ways to help get rid of eye bags include using cold compresses and adding retinol to your daily skincare routine.

The skin under the eyes is thin and sensitive, so it's best to stick to products designed for the under-eye area.

7.It promotes collagen production

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that depletes over time.Lower levels of collagen can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin C is known to boost collagen production through the collagen synthesis process. In fact, collagen cannot be synthesized without vitamin C.This is because vitamin C is an essential cofactor for two enzymes needed for collagen synthesis:

Prolyl hydroxylase, which stabilizes collagen molecules.Lysyl hydroxylase, provides structural strength.You can also boost collagen production through your diet.

8.It may help prevent skin sagging

Collagen production is tied to skin elasticity and firmness. When your collagen levels begin to drop, your skin may also begin to sag.

According to a 2017 review, using a vitamin C serum may boost collagen production, resulting in an overall firming effect.This is true for sagging due to natural aging, oxidative stress damage, or extreme weight loss.This means it can help reduce the appearance of sagging skin, making your skin appear firmer and more toned.

9.Prevents sun damage

Excessive exposure to oxidative stress through pollutants or ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been linked to depleted vitamin C levels in the skin.Vitamin C levels were also lower in more mature or photodamaged skin, but researchers aren't sure this is cause and effect.

Sun damage is caused by molecules called free radicals.These are atoms that lack electrons.Free radicals seek out other atoms from which they can 'steal' electrons - which can cause serious damage to the skin.Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect healthy skin cells by “giving” these free radicals an electron, rendering them harmless.

10.It may help soothe sunburns

According to a 2017 reviewTrusted Source , in addition to minimizing redness, vitamin C can also speed up cell renewal.This replaces damaged cells with healthy new ones.The 2017 review above noted that topical application of vitamin C in combination with vitamin E and other compounds has also been shown to reduce damage from UV exposure (aka sunburn).This combination may also reduce inflammation caused by overexposure to UV rays.Notably, researchers found that vitamin C alone had little effect on reducing sunburn.

11.It generally helps boost wound healing

Given its effects on sunburn, it should be no surprise that topical vitamin C application can speed up overall wound healing.Healthy wound healing reduces your risk of inflammation, infection, and scarring.In fact, having a deficiency in this key vitamin can make wounds take longer to heal.A 2017 review found that taking vitamin C supplements boosted antioxidant levels in the body and skin, which had a positive effect on skin healing and growth.This is partly because wound healing is associated with the formation of collagen, which vitamin C can boost.