Vitamin C on the face is an excellent strategy for eliminating dark circles and blemishes on the skin, especially those caused by the sun or inflammatory processes, such as acne scars, leaving the skin more uniform and shiny, as it acts on the formation of melanin, which is responsible for skin pigmentation.
In addition to softening blemishes on the face, products with vitamin C also help to eliminate wrinkles and expression lines, as they stimulate the formation of collagen, which gives firmness and tone to the skin, in addition to having an antioxidant action, which protects cells against aging.
Products that contain vitamin C to apply to the face can be easily found in pharmacies, but must be prescribed by a dermatologist, so that the best treatment for each skin type can be advised. In any case, and for the effect of vitamin C to be prolonged, you must use sunscreen on your face daily. Understand how to choose the best sunscreen.
Benefits of using vitamin C on your face
The main benefits of using the vitamin on the face are:
1. Fight stains
Vitamin C helps prevent and lighten blemishes on the face, as it interferes with the melanin production process, a pigment that, when produced in large quantities, causes the appearance of blemishes.
2. Protect stains
As it is a potent antioxidant, vitamin C has a photoprotective effect, protecting the skin of the face against UVA and UVB sun rays.
3. Prevent premature aging
Vitamin C participates in the formation of collagen, contributing to the skin’s structure, providing firmness and elasticity, preventing or reducing the formation of wrinkles and expression lines. In addition, it has antioxidant properties, preventing damage caused by free radicals to skin cells.
4. Keep your skin hydrated
Due to the fact that vitamin C improves the skin barrier, its use on the skin can help prevent water loss, keeping the skin hydrated and preventing dryness.
Check out these and other benefits of vitamin C on the face in the video below:
How to choose the best vitamin C for your face
To choose the best vitamin C for your face, it is important to take 2 important points into consideration:
- The concentration present in creams and serums, that is, the higher the concentration, the greater the whitening effect on the skin;
- The association with other active ingredients, which in addition to enhancing the effects of vitamin C on the skin, helps to nourish and hydrate the face more completely. Among the active options are organic silicon and hyaluronic acid. Discover more benefits of hyaluronic acid for the skin.
It is possible to find vitamin C in most cosmetic products, especially when indicated to protect the skin from the sun. However, the most important step when choosing the best vitamin C for your face is to consult a dermatologist, as this professional will carry out a complete assessment of the skin and the ideal concentration for each case, as well as the need for any other aesthetic treatment to better absorption.
Some examples of creams and lotions with vitamin C for the face that may be recommended are:
- Vitamin C complex, from Payot.;
- Derma Complex Concentrated Vitamin C 20, from Adcos;
- Active C, from La Roche Posay.
Manipulated vitamin C is also an excellent option when compared to cosmetic products, as compounding pharmacies can use higher concentrations of vitamin C than in the cosmetic industry. While in a compounding pharmacy you can order a cream with up to 20% vitamin C, most cosmetic brands sell creams with concentrations ranging from 2 to 10%.
How to use vitamin C on your face
Vitamin C creams and serums can be used daily, preferably before bed, to enhance the effects throughout the night and avoid the risk of skin blemishes due to sun exposure.
It is also recommended to exfoliate your face before applying the cream, to eliminate dead cells and promote greater absorption of the active ingredients. It is recommended to exfoliate your skin only twice a week. Discover 8 homemade exfoliant recipes.
The cream should be applied from the center to the edge of the face, that is, from the nose to the ears, with movements against gravity, for around 10 minutes.
How to make a homemade vitamin C mask
In addition to creams, another good way to get the benefits of vitamin C for your face is by applying a homemade mask prepared with vitamin C powder or other natural products that contain vitamin C.
It is recommended to carry out the treatment at night and, before applying the mask, you must clean your skin properly, with warm water and neutral soap, to remove all dirt and oil from the skin. Then, exfoliate to remove dead cells from the outermost layer of the skin and to promote greater absorption of vitamin C. Check out the steps to carry out a homemade skin cleansing.
Vitamin C powder and honey mask
The powdered vitamin C mask is an excellent option for lightening the skin, as in addition to protecting against the effects of the sun, it has a moisturizing effect enhanced by honey. It is possible to find vitamin C powder in compounding pharmacies.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin C powder;
- 1 teaspoon of ground flaxseed;
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients until you obtain a homogeneous mixture and apply directly to a cleansed face, leaving it to act for around 10 to 15 minutes. After that, you should wash your face with warm water and liquid soap. This mask should be used 1 to 2 times a week.
Aloe and rosehip oil mask
The homemade mask with aloe vera, also known as Aloe vera, and rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A and C and has a regenerating effect, reinforcing the production of collagen and elastin, which strengthens and gives firmness to the skin, helping to maintain the skin integrity and reduce wrinkles and expression lines. Check out other benefits of aloe vera.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Separate the gel, extracted from the aloe leaf, into a container and add 4 drops of the oil and mix for 1 minute. Then, apply it all over the face and leave it to act for 20 minutes. Then wash your face with cold water. This mask can be applied once a week.
Avocado mask
Avocado contains vitamins A, C and E, which help to give life and firmness to the skin, in addition to contributing to the production of collagen.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Remove half the pulp from 1 avocado, mash it and then apply it to your face and leave it on for around 20 minutes. Finally, wash your face with cold water and dry with a soft towel, without rubbing your skin. This mask can be used 3 times a week.
Questions about using vitamin C on your face
Can pregnant women apply vitamin C to their face?
Pregnant women can also use vitamin C face creams to lighten blemishes caused by pregnancy, but it is important to know that, as these blemishes are caused by hormonal factors, they may take longer to disappear. Still, before starting any treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist.
Can vitamin C cause or worsen skin blemishes?
Vitamin C has a whitening effect on the skin, as it acts by inhibiting the formation of melanin, making it one of the most powerful ingredients to combat blemishes. However, when used incorrectly, it can increase pigmentation in the treated area, compromising the treatment. The ideal is to use creams with vitamin C at night, however, if there is exposure to the sun, it is necessary to use sunscreen after completing the treatment.
