Vitamin C (L’ascorbic Acid) FAQs
So here’s everything you need to know about L’ascorbic Acid from how it works to why and how you should be using it.
Vitamin C (L’ascorbic Acid) – a naturally occurring vitamin and antioxidant, is the most abundant antioxidant found in the skin; however, declining as we age.
It is a powerful and proven antioxidant that dramatically brightens skin, evens out tone, shields from pollution, improves hydration and reduces signs of ageing. L-ascorbic acid is the most effective form of Vitamin C when it comes to benefits for the skin.
Vitamin C (L’ascorbic Acid) - How does it work?
It works as an antioxidant, which means that it helps to prevent the growth of free radicals, problematic molecules that damage cells. Once it is applied to the skin, it works as a barrier to the harsh environment and stops the free radicals from attacking the skin. How it does this is that when the skin is exposed to UV, ROS (reactive oxygen species/free radicals) are produced. L’ascorbic acid protects the skin from oxidative stress by donating electrons to neutralise the free radicals. Although L’ascorbic acid has lost electrons, it’s not harmful in any way and can be converted back to a form of vitamin C.
When should you apply it?
What should I use?
The PH of L’ascorbic acid should be 3.5 or lower to maintain its stability. If the L’ascorbic acid does oxidise, it’s not harmful to the skin but it’s not beneficial either. It will not have a strong antioxidant effect nor will it have the brightening or collagen-stimulating powers.
How should you apply it?
Therefore apply one of the products recommended below, apply a few drops to the face and neck, allow it to penetrate the skin before applying further products. Vitamin C is your first preventative serum, another serum for correction can be applied after (such as a serum for acne/pigmentation/ lines and wrinkles), followed by a moisturiser and then sun protection. Sun protection is a MUST but using a moisturiser is not compulsory.
Vitamin Serums | Smita London Recommendations
AlumierMD Ever Active C&E + Peptide
This serum is a high-strength vitamin C and vitamin E serum that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E neutralize free radicals and protect against UV damage, while vitamin C and MATRIXYL® Synthe’6® strengthen and brighten skin.
Many vitamin C serums oxidise in their bottles, turning a brownish colour while they are on the shelf or at home. When oxidized, vitamin C is no longer beneficial to the skin.
However, EverActive C&E™ + Peptide stays fresh because you only mix the 15% vitamin C into the serum when you’re ready to use it!!!
Vitamin C crystals are kept separate in a cap and only mixed into the bottle of serum when you are ready to use it. This means that you are reducing the possibility of the serum oxidising and thus not being beneficial to the skin.
Instructions
Apply 5-6 drops onto your skin every morning after cleansing and toning your skin.
Ingredients
15 % – L-ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage caused by the sun and pollution. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also brightens and evens out skin tone.
Tocopherol Acetate – An effective form of vitamin E for the skin, this highly moisturising and
fat-soluble vitamin protects cell membranes and acts as an antioxidant, which strengthens the effect of vitamin C.
MATRIXYL® Synthe’6® – Derived from a peptide naturally found in collagen, it strengthens skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Super Serum
The Super serum is one of IS Clinical’s Hero products, it is an extremely powerful antioxidant and contain Copper Tri-peptide which is a GROWTH FACTOR and encourages collagen synthesis.
It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it lightens hyperpigmentation and provides UV photo-protection
Instructions
Apply 5-6 drops onto your skin every morning after cleansing and toning your skin
Ingredients
15% L’ascorbic acid– time released providing continuous delivery to the skin. POTENT antioxidant, protects the skin from photodamage and free radicals, heals the skin and stimulates collagen.
0.5% Centella Asiatica – antioxidant that stimulates collagen, it helps with scar reduction also so very effective for skins with acne scarring.
0.5% Arbutin – Inhibits tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin (pigmentation), therefore controlling pigmentation.
0.5% Mushroom extract– this is source of `KOJIC ACID – again this inhibits tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin (pigmentation), therefore controlling pigmentation. It is antibacterial and has antibiotic properties.
Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor – clinically proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen in skin fibroblasts. Excellent anti-ageing BIOIDENTICAL ingredient!!
IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum
A fantastic serum for sensitive and Rosacea patients.
HEALING, SUPER ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Proheal is an exceptional “healing” formula, not only does it provide UV photo-protection, it also offers soothing relief from radiation dermatitis. When applied to the skin, it reduces redness and inflammation associated with cystic acne, rosacea, bites and after an intrusive skin treatment. It’s a very powerful antioxidant and the vitamin E keeps the skin moist and hydrated.
Instructions
Apply 5-6 drops onto your skin every morning after cleansing and toning your skin
Ingredients
- 15% L’ascorbic acid- time released providing continuous delivery to the skin. POTENT antioxidant, protects the skin from photodamage and free radicals, heals the skin and stimulates collagen.
1% Vitamin E – it has a moisturising effect, it is an antioxidant which inhibits DNA damage and protects agains UV induced photodamage.
1% Vitamin A – also known as RETINOL. This is a powerful antioxidant which renews the skin ans is able to improve collagen synthesis.
0.5% Olive leaf Extract – an anti-inflammatory and anti-acneic antioxidant.
0.5% Zinc sulphate – an anti-inflammatory antioxidant which promotes wound healing and protects the skin from cancer risks.
0.5% Arbutin – Inhibits tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin (pigmentation), therefore controlling pigmentation.
0.5% Mushroom extract– this is source of `KOJIC ACID – again this inhibits tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin (pigmentation), therefore controlling pigmentation. It is antibacterial and has antibiotic properties.
