Vitamin C is endlessly impressive. Here is everything you need to know about what vitamin C does for your skin, product efficacy tips, and expected results.
Vitamin C is one of the most impressive (and science-backed) ingredients in skincare. The dermatologist-recommended antioxidant is renowned for its remarkable ability to brighten skin, improve the appearance of fine lines and dark spots, and leave a radiant glow. But vitamin C can also do so much more. Here is everything you need to know about what vitamin C does for your skin, product efficacy tips, and expected results.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a potent, water-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals that occur from sun exposure, which can encourage premature aging. Vitamin C also assists in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.
What Does Vitamin C Do For Your Skin?
The list of vitamin C skincare benefits is highly intriguing. Here are the most impressive and scientifically proven benefits when consistently utilizing topical vitamin C.
Improvement in the Appearance of Fine Lines
Vitamin C has been clinically studied and proven to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In one 2017 study, consistent and daily use of vitamin C noticeably improved the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck.
Improvement in Skin Texture and Tone
In one double-blind dermatological study, daily use of vitamin C improved the overall appearance—particularly the texture and tone—of skin.
Increase in Collagen Production and Hydration
In that same double-blind study from 2002, biopsies showed an increase in collagen production, an improvement in hydration, and zero evidence of inflammation. Collagen production is directly linked to the firmness of skin, so this noticeable increase in the skin’s collagen production is impressive.
Reduction in the Appearance of Dark Spots
The appearance of dark spots can be improved with consistent vitamin C usage, suggests one clinical trial. The majority of participants in the trial saw a noticeable reduction in dark spots, with Vitamin C not only lightening the pigmentation, but also blocking the production of pigmentation altogether.
Reduction in Acne (and Acne Pigmentation)
Vitamin C can potentially help with the appearance of acne dark spots (as noted above), also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are patches of melanin released by the skin in response to acne inflammation. But additionally, vitamin C has shown promising results in helping reduce acne thanks to the antioxidant’s natural anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2010 clinical trial, participants saw a noticeable reduction in acne when vitamin C was applied morning and night. The study notes this improvement is likely from vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory properties that can potentially control sebum production within the skin.
Improves Sunscreen’s Efficacy
Vitamin C and SPF are best friends, a dynamic duo that, when worn together, can better neutralize free radicals from sun exposure. In a 2008 clinical study, vitamin C was shown to protect better from harmful UV rays when combined with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Long term, vitamin C can even prevent damage from sun exposure, noted another study.
What to Look for in a Vitamin C Product
Vitamin C is incredibly sensitive to sun, heat, and light. Any exposure to these elements will cause it to become unstable and ineffective, notes one study. Look for a product that is in protective packaging, including tinted or completely covered—this will shield the product from light. And a pump, versus a dropper (which will expose the formula to the elements) is great, too.
Are There Skin Types That Should Not Use Vitamin C Serum?
While almost all skin types can benefit from using vitamin C skincare products, those with sensitive skin may experience redness or allergies. Begin by spot testing to ensure no negative irritation occurs, then incorporate a lower concentration of vitamin C into your skincare ritual and concurrently build up to the suggested usage on the packaging.
What Should You Use with Vitamin C Skincare Products?
SPF is always the essential last step of any skincare regimen. Using vitamin C can potentially make your skin more sensitive to the sun and UV light, so applying sunscreen becomes even more important. We recommend our newest innovation, The Milky Sunscreen. This chemical SPF 50+ disappears on skin, helps visibly correct signs of UV damage, delivers cellular hydration, and soothes stressed skin. Also consider our Silken Sunscreen, which is a creamy sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 35 that blurs the look of pores and blends effortlessly for a matte finish. Or try The Silk Sunscreen, our SPF 50 formula that hydrates, visibly evens skin tone, and protects against UVA and UVB rays with 10 percent zinc oxide for mineral, reef-safe filter.
Best Vitamin C Products
At Tatcha, we proudly have a handful of vitamin C products that work in tandem to provide a smoother, more radiant, and even-toned appearance. While many formulations on the market pride themselves in super high percentages, we aim for products that provide brilliant results, but don’t irritate or require weeks of integration or complications to use them. Take the fast track to brighter skin with these vitamin-C boosted skincare products.
The Brightening Serum
The first signs of aging can include a loss of firmness and unexpected dullness. Address both of these with the brilliant Brightening Serum. The formula has been perfected at Tatcha’s Tokyo Institute, where traditional Japanese ingredients are paired with cutting innovation to create the best of both worlds. The brightening and firming serum works overtime to brighten dull and uneven skin tone, visibly firm, and target hyperpigmentation for rapid results.
Here are a few ingredients that make these impressive claims possible. Target dullness and unevenness with 12-hour time-release vitamin C which continuously brightens all day long for results that are impressive—with less irritation. Address hyperpigmentation and boost firmness and elasticity with ferulic acid and the cherished vitamin C-rich Japanese plum (beloved in Japan for not only its health benefits when eaten but also its brightening effects when applied to the skin). Support the skin barrier, which is beneficial for the health of all skin types, and alleviate hyperpigmentation with glutathione—a buzzy ingredient that is one of your skin’s most powerful naturally-occurring antioxidants. The Brightening Serum’s Pro-Glutathione Antioxidant Booster takes things a step further though, thanks to it being 13 times more powerful* than pure ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C).
The ultra-light, non-sticky, and revolutionary serum will upend your beliefs about vitamin C: This new option is potent yet safe.
Dark circles making you look tired? Tatcha’s newest eye innovation The Brightening Eye Cream is here to brighten your day—and under eyes. Reduce the look of dark circles, while visibly firming, lifting, and depuffing with this multipurpose eye cream. Ultra-lightweight with a whipped texture, this cream can be used morning and night for around-the-clock care for rapid results. Also, the light-reflecting pigments illuminate the eye area to provide an instant awakened look (that also layers beautifully under concealer).
The delicate eye area can be sensitive, which is why harsh, vitamin-C-boosted formulas may have irritated you previously. But The Brightening Eye Cream is in a league of its own, thanks to a bevy of effective yet kind ingredients. 12-hour time-release vitamin C ensures that the formula provides transformative brightening results, but the slow release mechanism allows it to not irritate the delicate skin. Japanese plum, naturally rich in vitamin C, aids in visibly reducing dark circles, while encapsulated niacinamide helps target hyperpigmentation, support the skin barrier, and reduce redness. If that wasn’t impressive enough, to top off the cream a unique Pro-Glutathione Antioxidant Booster targets hyperpigmentation and boosts the skin barrier. Glutathione is a unique and buzzy ingredient and the skin recognizes it easily because it's one of the most powerful naturally occurring antioxidants in our own skin (a potent antioxidant that decreases as we age).
Reduce the look of dark circles, visibly firms, targets hyperpigmentation, strengthens the skin barrier, and leaves eyes looking more rested? What can’t the new Brightening Eye Cream do?
This creamy, hydrating vitamin C face mask targets the signs of premature aging. In addition to the same brightening and resurfacing benefits as our Violet-C Brightening Serum, it contains Hadasei-3, our proprietary complex of double-fermented Uji green tea, Akita rice, and Okinawa algae to help reduce the signs of aging and leave skin feeling plump and supple. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash off to reveal brighter skin and a more translucent, healthy-looking glow.
