Ask The Pros: What Pairs Well With Vitamin C?

What is Vitamin C? 

Backed by science, vitamin C is a powerful skincare ingredient that’s favored by many scientists as well. It’s the most common antioxidant used topically, so it neutralizes free radicals that can speed up the aging process. Most free radicals come into contact with the skin through internal and external sources, so they could be a result of metabolism or air pollution.  

You may know of fruits like oranges, lemons, and some berries to be excellent sources of vitamin C, which is why skincare products often contain natural extracts. It helps deliver numerous benefits for the skin.  

 

Benefits of Vitamin C 

Now, you’re probably wondering why skincare products include vitamin C. Here are some of the benefits:  

• It hydrates the skin by preventing transepidermal water loss, so your skin retains more moisture.   
• Vitamin C can reduce pigmentation and dullness to give the skin a smooth, youthful glow. It does this by inhibiting the production of melanin, which gives the skin its color.   

• As an antioxidant, vitamin C has anti-inflammatory benefits that allow it to reduce redness, thus giving you an even skin tone.  
• It eliminates free radicals that can disrupt collagen production. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, thereby ensuring supple and youthful skin.  

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.  

 

The Best Vitamin C Pairings 

If you’ve seen some of the benefits of vitamin C, you’re probably wondering what other ingredients can enhance its abilities. You can level up your skincare routine by using products that complement each other.  Here are some of the top vitamin C pairings to get gorgeous skin.  

 

Niacinamide 

Also known as nicotinic acid, this water-soluble vitamin is a compound of vitamin B3. Just like vitamin C, niacinamide is a naturally occurring substance that’s found in foods like mushrooms, nuts, and meat. It can restore the skin and help with hyperpigmentation. Studies show that it’s effective at alleviating dark spots after a few weeks of consistent use.  

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

 

It works by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes. Meanwhile, vitamin C helps with hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme, which is responsible for producing melanin. Even so, both compounds tone down melanin production to reduce hyperpigmentation.   

 

Hyaluronic Acid  

If you have dry skin, you may have noticed that most products suited for your skin type contain hyaluronic acid. The compound is effective at hydrating the skin because of its ability to hold up to 10 times its water weight. If you have very sensitive skin, using hyaluronic acid with vitamin C can induce a calming effect, according to our beauty pros.  

TOP Hyaluronic Acid Serum

 

By drawing water to the surface of the skin, hyaluronic acid gives it a smoother appearance. It even helps smooth out wrinkles because of the way it boosts the cells’ ability to retain water. Combined with vitamin C’s anti-aging properties, hyaluronic makes an excellent pairing.   

 

Vitamin E 

Both vitamins C and E are potent antioxidants that offer protection from sun damage. They eliminate free radicals that cause the skin to develop signs of aging like wrinkles. When you combine their abilities, they address a number of skincare concerns, whether you’re in need of healing or hydration. Our beauty pros suggest using vitamin E oil like Teami Repair Facial Oil along with vitamin C as well. It can instantly absorb into the deeper layers of the skin, giving it a soft and glowing look.  

Teami Repair Facial Oil

 

SPF 

While it’s true that Vitamin C can protect your skin from skin damage, it’s not enough to block harmful UV rays. It’s always recommended to use a daily SPF to protect your skin from damage due to sun exposure. By layering them together, vitamin C gives your sunscreen an extra boost to combat UV rays throughout the day. Our beauty pros suggest using a vitamin C serum and then topping it with sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30. But if you prefer to have high coverage, Bioderma Photoderm Fluide MAX SPF100 is a better choice.  

Bioderma Photoderm Fluide MAX SPF100 Very Light tint

 

Conclusion 

Overall, vitamin C is a fantastic ingredient to improve your skin and give it a brighter look. By pairing it with the right compounds, it’ll be easy for you to get the most benefits out of it. And if you’re looking for personalized skincare recommendations based on your specific needs, you can always talk to our beauty pros!