Are you thinking of starting your own skincare line? One of the ingredients most skincare products share is vitamin C. Take vitamin C serums; they are so popular because they really work. Fine lines, uneven skin tone, acne spots — any common complexion concern. There's a solid chance that vitamin C (and the products it's in) is an effective treatment. 

What does vitamin C do for your skin? Are the results thanks to the same potent antioxidant found in orange juice?

Given that the spotlight on vitamin C is seemingly at an all-time high, we felt a more extensive dive into vitamin C benefits was needed. Let's find out what really makes vitamin C such a popular skincare ingredient and the best ways to reap its benefits.

What Is Vitamin C?

To your skin, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can offset the effects of free radicals. Because of this antioxidative effect, vitamin C promotes the natural regeneration process in your skin, which allows your body to repair damaged skin cells.

So yes, the same way that consuming antioxidant-rich foods helps your body fight off free radicals. Topical use of antioxidants does the same for your skin by neutralizing daily influencers UV damage and air pollution exposure.

"This free-radical-fighting power isn't just crucial for helping to keep signs of premature aging at bay," Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure. "In neutralizing these free radicals, vitamin C may also help protect skin from precancerous changes caused by UV exposure."

Vitamin C Serum Benefits

Unsurprisingly, vitamin C's skin-boosting benefits aren't restricted to its antioxidant status. It possesses plenty of other skin-healing properties that make it a worthy addition to your skincare arsenal. 

Vitamin C Promotes Collagen Production

For starters, because of its highly acidic levels, when vitamin C is applied topically, the skin starts to heal itself by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Quick recap: collagen and elastin are naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin firm and healthy. So, in promoting collagen production, topical use of vitamin C can help counteract the skin's premature aging. Lower levels of collagen can lead to wrinkles and fine lines.

Vitamin C May Help Prevent Skin Sagging

Collagen production is bound to the skin's firmness and elasticity. Consequently, when collagen levels in your skin begin to fall, your skin may start to sag. Using a vitamin C solution may promote collagen production, resulting in an overall tightening of the skin.

Vitamin C Protects Against Sun Damage

Exposure to the sun may cause damage to your skin. Free radicals are atoms with a missing electron. These free radicals hunt for other atoms from which they can "take" an electron —and this tends to lead to notable damage to the skin. Vitamin C's high antioxidant levels protect healthy skin cells by "delivering" the missing electron to these free radicals.

Vitamin C May Help Soothe Sunburns

In addition to reducing redness and irritation, vitamin C stimulates cell turnover. This process restores the damaged cells with healthy new ones.

Vitamin C Helps Boost Wound Healing

Given its restorative effects on sunburn, the use of vitamin C solutions can promote wound healing. Healthy wound healing decreases your risk for infection and scarring.

Vitamin C Is Hydrating

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, one of the leading vitamin C by-products used in skincare, has been revealed to have a hydrating effect on the skin. It reduces transepidermal water loss, allowing your skin to retain moisture better.

Who Should Avoid Vitamin C?

Despite being a legendary ingredient with numerous benefits, vitamin C might not be for everyone. Those with irritable skin may have sensitivities to vitamin C. If this sounds like you, we recommend starting with a less-concentrated vitamin C topical solution to make sure that no allergy exists.

Takeaway

There are many reasons why vitamin C is such a sought-after ingredient in the cosmetic world. It can help treat blemishes, diminish hyperpigmentation, give the skin a radiating glow, among other things.

There you have it, some notable reasons why vitamin C is an essential part of any skincare line. If you plan on starting your own cosmetic products brand, keep this ingredient in mind as it may elevate your products' efficacy and reliability.

At The Pure Source, we offer various custom manufacturing options to bring your skincare product ideas to life. Our sun care products are designed with the finest ingredients to protect the skin from UV rays and support a healthier skincare regimen. Our formulas can help prevent sunburns, slow the onset of premature aging (wrinkles, leathery skin), and even help decrease the risk of certain skin conditions. Navigate our collection of sun care products to learn how to manufacture effective topical solutions for sun protection.