"Infused with Vitamin C" claims and headlines are all over the place now! The one skincare ingredient we have been obsessed with, for decades, and essentially for a good reason!- Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate. It is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus (Bioflavonoids) and other fruits and vegetables, known as L ascorbic acid. There are other forms like sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, etc. 

It is a powerful antioxidant having anti-inflammatory and anti-pigmentary properties And is best known for its immune-boosting properties. It is used in supplement and topical forms (serums and creams) to treat various skin conditions. Sadly, our body cannot produce Vitamin C on its own, so we need it from external sources- through our diet, skin, and lip care essentials depending upon the requirements! 

Let us proceed further and understand how this holy grail ingredient helps our skin.

Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin:

1. Helps treat Melasma 

Vitamin C controls excess melanin production and helps treat melasma, pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and other skin conditions. 

2. Fights Free Radical Damage

Vitamin C helps in fighting pollution, dirt, and other environmental aggressors. It also evens out the skin and protects it from sun damage and UV rays.

3. Helps in Pigmentation Reduction 

It aids in reducing pigmentation, dark patches, acne scars, etc by decreasing melanocytes. In addition to this, it can help improve skin texture and plumpness. 

4. Reduces Signs of Aging 

Vitamin C helps in reducing lip lines and wrinkles. It eases skin inflammation and improves the appearance of skin while making it healthy from within.

5. Boosts Collagen Production 

Collagen declines as we age. It causes sagging skin and leads to more skin problems. Vitamin C accelerates the production of collagen and enhances skin elasticity.

Benefits of Vitamin C for Lips:

Lips are the most sensitive parts of our body. Whatever active we use on our Lips needs to be lip-safe and luckily Vitamin C if used in the right concentration is best suitable to lighten, brighten and protect lips against free radical damage. 

Do You Know- Vitamin Deficiency also leads to lip discoloration. 

When used in a lip care product Vitamin C- 

1. Lightens Lips

Vitamin C helps in lightening and brightening lips. It works by reducing the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of our skin and lips. Apart from this, It can keep the lips hydrated by preventing dryness and cracking, giving them a fluffier and more young appearance.

2. Boosts Lip Collagen 

Collagen is a protein essential for building our skin. It is responsible for plump and juicy lips. As we age collagen production reduces thereby leading to thin and aged lips. Vitamin C accelerates collagen production and is beneficial to prevent lip aging. 

3. Protects against free radicals

Vitamin C is an Antioxidant that has Anti-inflammatory properties. It protects lips against free radicals like Pollution, Smoking, and Environmental Aggressors. 

4. Promotes cell regeneration

Using Vitamin C promotes healthy cell regeneration and helps in repairing and rejuvenating the lip cells. 

5. Reduces Ageing and the impact of Smoking 

When applied topically, vitamin c reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It reduces Smoker's lips or Melanosis by lightening lips.

Uses of Vitamin C for Skin : 

Vitamin C Serums are more concentrated than moisturizers and get much more easily absorbed into the skin, which is why more skincare professionals recommend using vitamin C serums. 

Apply a few drops of serum after cleansing your face and top it up with your favorite moisturizer. Remember to lather it with SPF. 

If your skin reacts or has a burning sensation, consult your doctor or dermatologist and either reduce the concentration or apply it 1-2 times a week. 

Uses of Vitamin C for Lips: 

Since serums have a high concentration of Vitamin C, they might be harsh on the lip and skin. It is advised to use a Vitamin C-rich lip mask or chapstick which has an adequate amount of other lip care actives that help in reducing lip pigmentation.

It is best if your lip moisturizer contains SPF as well because it is crucial to apply sunscreen on top of Vitamin C.

Essential Vitamins for Lip Health:

Along with Vitamin C, these vitamins are also beneficial for our lip health.

Vitamin A-

It is crucial for maintaining the health of the skin as well as the lips. It keeps the skin hydrated and prevents dry & chapped lips.

Vitamin B-

The B vitamins, B1, B2, B12, and B3, are important for upholding healthy skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin B deficiency causes-

• Pale lips
• Swollen lips
• Dry or cracked lips
• Burning or tingling sensation

 Vitamin E-

It is an antioxidant that helps to defend the skin and mucous membranes from free radical damage. It can help to prevent dry & chapped lips while making them healthy and plump. 

 *Note- Along with getting these vitamins from the foods you eat, you can also use lip balms or other products that contain these vitamins to help keep your lips hydrated and healthy.*

Food Sources of Vitamin C

It's best if you can fulfill the requirements through natural food items. These are some of the sources rich in Vitamin C and their ideal servings. 

Vitamin C Supplements

There are multifarious Vitamin C gummies and supplements available that fulfill the body's needs. Most dietary supplements are not regulated by the authorities but by third parties. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements.

You must not take more than the prescribed amount even if they are delicious or addictive.

Although Vitamin C goes well along with most active ingredients, it can increase the absorption of certain drugs while making some drugs less effective when taken as a supplement.

 Interactions with Vitamin C 

• Aluminium 
• Protease inhibitors
• Estrogen 
• Chemotherapy medications 
• Niacin 
• Warfarin 

 High doses of Vitamin C supplements can cause Heartburn, Nausea, Headaches, Stomach cramps, Diarrhea, Kidney stones, etc. 

This is the required amount of Vitamin C according to daily dosage. 

When you use products separately, the hierarchy in which you lay them counts. 

Generally, the thinnest should be applied first and the thickest last.  

Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid 

They make an excellent combination used together, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid complement each other. One reduces pigmentation, ageing, and wrinkles while the other quenches the skin’s thirst and hydrates it from within. 

When used one after the other- A vitamin C serum should be applied before a HA serum or cream. 

Vitamin C and Niacinamide 

Most outdated myths imply not using them together. But it was based on a study which used high concentrations of Vitamin C and Niacinamide at a high temperature. 

Today, various products use their advised concentration hence you can use them together. They both fight pigmentation and signs of ageing while making the skin bright and clear and will enhance each other’s efficacy. 

Vitamin C and Kojic Acid-

Kojic acid is a byproduct of the fermentation process of rice wine, soy sauce, and Japanese sake. To incorporate both the acids for pigmentation reduction and clear skin it is better to layer them separately in your routine. 

Vitamin C and Alpha Arbutin- 

Vitamin C and Alpha Arbutin work well along with each other in the same pathway. They can be combined together. They will reduce Melasma, Pigmentation, Hyperpigmentation and Ageing.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• People with over-sensitive skin or who have an overly compromised skin barrier might have adverse reactions to Vitamin C’s topical application.

• Always begin using a vitamin c serum in a less concentrated potion. Gradually increase the concentration when your skin is starting to get used to it. 

• You must always conduct a patch test before using any active ingredient wholesomely. 

• Check the ingredients list to ensure you are not applying anything you might be allergic to. 

• Vitamin C is safe during pregnancy both as a supplement and a topical cream or serum. It is one of the essential nutrients and our body cannot produce it naturally hence Vitamin C can be taken or applied according to the prerequisites. 

This holy grail ingredient is highly potent and beneficial for our skin as well as lips too. You can begin incorporating Vitamin C in your skin as well as your lip care regime the earlier the better. Focus on eating vitamin and zinc-rich food with it to boost the effectiveness of Vitamin C. Enjoy Visibly lighter, plump, and protected skin just make sure if you are taking any supplements, they are regulated and ingested in the prescribed amount and you are good to go!