Written by Alicia Lartey
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Vitamin C remains one of the most popular skincare ingredients, for brightening and protecting against sun damage (free radical damage). The two primary properties that people seek when using vitamin c is for the tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant abilities. The tyrosinase inhibitor property means that vitamin c works by blocking the enzyme, tyrosinase, from working in the melanogenesis pathway. This prevents the formation of excess pigment, also known as hyperpigmentation. My favourite property of vitamin c is the antioxidant function, which prevents damage that can be caused to the skin by a reaction known as oxidation. These oxidation reactions contribute to premature ageing, which we of course want to prevent!
Most people choose vitamin c in their routines to solely treat hyperpigmentation, but it does work best in combination with other tyrosinase inhibitors. Although vitamin c by itself is not an ideal treatment for hyperpigmentation (in an ideal skincare routine it is combined with other tyrosinase inhibitors), I personally choose this ingredient to help manage free radical damage! Let’s get into my favourite serums containing vitamin c to help get the extra glowy skin we all desire!
Lumene Nordic-C Night Serum
This is one of my favourite vitamin c serums of all time! Lumene combined vitamin c with gluconolactone (PHA) which is a large molecule that can gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin- all at the same time. Although this product is described as a night serum, as long as you wear SPF during the day it can also be used as part of your morning routine. The combination of vitamin c with PHAs are the perfect addition to anyone’s routine, particularly those who are looking to bring luminosity and texture refinement to their routines.
Skinceuticals C E F Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
It would be virtually impossible to speak about vitamin c serums without mentioning the people’s favourite – Skinceuticals C E F Ferulic Vitamin C Serum. If you ask anyone that has an interest in skincare they will put the skinceuticals vitamin c in their top serum rankings! The reason for this is that it works! The C E F Vitamin C Serum contains 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, which is relatively strong in the skincare space. In addition to L-ascorbic acid this serum contains 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% vitamin E which are additional amazing antioxidants and skin conditioners.
Hyper Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum
As mentioned the best way to use vitamin c to treat hyperpigmentation is when it is in combination with other fantastic tyrosinase inhibitors. Hyper Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum delivers on not only containing 15% vitamin c but also 1% kojic acid which is another highly sought after tyrosinase inhibitor. This serum is great for dealing with mild hyperpigmentation and also protecting the skin from free radical damage. Other key ingredients in the formula include vitamin e, alpha arbutin, turmeric and apple enzymes. In general Hyper Skin is a really innovative skincare brand that is black owned! I cannot recommend the Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum enough!
As we enter the summer months adding vitamin c into your routine is the perfect way to adapt your skincare routine to achieve brighter and protected skin!
