Topical Vitamin C Value

We know that Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid) is a strong antioxidant, especially in regard to protecting our skin from sun damage. But, what else does it do? It strengthens the skin barrier and thickens the dermis. It can encourage wound healing and reduce inflammation. In high concentrations (>10%), it can reduce the appearance of skin discoloration. Most importantly, Vitamin C helps to form and maintain collagen, which plumps the skin and provides radiance and smoothness.

How does Vitamin C help form collagen? The role of Vitamin C in the production of collagen is to interact with amino acids within collagen cells. It adds hydrogen and oxygen to those amino acids, so that they may do their part in collagen production. If you don’t get the proper amount of Vitamin C, collagen production will slow. A decline in collagen production will not only make skin more susceptible to wrinkles, but it might also make it more susceptible to bruising.

It is important to note that only topical Vitamin C that is stable, active and able to be absorbed, and remain stable throughout the life of the product once it is opened, is effective. All vitamins are subject to oxidation when used topically, meaning that the vitamins lose their potency when exposed to the air. Some skin care companies offer stabilized Vitamin C products, which oxidize less rapidly. However, these products are usually more expensive (especially the ones concentrated enough to be effective).

The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C:

• Rapidly absorbed so it won’t rub or wash off
• Greater penetration to the epidermis and dermis = greater benefit
• Neutralizes free radical damage caused by UV light, smoke, and air pollution
• Enhances the protective barrier function of the skin
• Helps moisturize and increase skin hydration
• Stimulates collagen production
• Restores elasticity
• Prevents premature skin aging
• Protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays
• Reverses the appearance of photoaging
• Decreases fine lines and wrinkles
• Lightens and brightens the skin for more even tone
• Fades brown spots
• Helps reduce oiliness and restore sebum balance
• Helps to normalize problem skin (pimples, blackheads, and other problems associated with oily skin)
• Anti-inflammatory

A facial serum with Vitamin C provides the most benefit in the vitamin's topical application.

Professional Product Spotlight:

C-Quench^® Antioxidant Serum

This exceptional antioxidant serum combines lilac leaf stem cell extract, resveratrol, glutathione, L-ascorbic acid and ergothioneine. Its powerful blend of ingredients effectively prevents and corrects cellular oxidation. It also enlists a host of powerful anti-inflammatory agents to soothe the skin while increasing hydration and adding support to the extracellular matrix. C-Quench® Antioxidant Serum promotes healthy skin function for all skin types.

Key Ingredients:
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Hyaluronic Acid
Ergothioneine Orange Oil, Black Current Seed Oil and Resveratrol
Lilac Leaf Stem Cell Extract
Glutathione

Pick up your C-Quench Antioxidant Serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care.

Antioxidants: Worth the Hype?

Everyone has heard of antioxidants and that they help fight free radicals. Blah, Blah, Blah. So, what exactly are free radicals and what kind of damage do they cause?

A free radical capable of producing damage is an oxygen atom that has an unpaired electron. Because of this unpaired electron, it is unstable and highly reactive. Free radicals can damage cells by disrupting the cell membrane. If the cell membrane is damaged, it cannot do its job of delivering vital nutrients to the cell or removing toxic waste products from the cell. Therefore, the unhealthy cells cannot function properly or reproduce new, healthy cells. Advanced aging can take place due to the decreasing number of cells and the resulting lack of tissue function. In addition, if the cell’s DNA is damaged from free radical exposure, mutations may occur and could potentially result in cancer or other diseases.

Where does one encounter free radical exposure? Free radical exposure can occur from external sources, such as UV radiation or air pollution. Internal sources include alcohol intake and smoking. Then, how exactly do antioxidants help fight free radicals?

Antioxidants stabilize the spinning, out of control, agitated free radical by contributing the electron that it needs to function normally. More specifically, antioxidants reduce these reactive oxygen forms to usable water or oxygen for the cells. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and enzymes that can be taken internally (diet) or applied topically (skin). However, antioxidants taken internally may never even reach the skin. This is because the body absorbs or excretes them before getting to the capillaries that supply nutrition to the skin’s dermis. In order for the skin to achieve the benefits from antioxidants, they must be delivered topically to obtain effective levels.

There are plenty of skin care products on the market containing antioxidant ingredients. However, these ingredients must: 1. Be able to be utilized by the skin (i.e. chirally correct molecules) and 2. Be of sufficient quantity in order to achieve efficacious results. The following is a list of skin care ingredients with powerful antioxidant properties:

·         Alpha Lipoic Acid

·         CoQ₁₀

·         D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

·         Green Tea

·         L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

·         L-Glutathione

·         L-Superoxide Dismutase

·         Resveratrol

·         Squalane

·         Silymarin

The bottom line is we all need antioxidants both internally and externally working synergistically to help fight disease and the signs of aging. Ask your skin care professional which products will work best for you.