Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that isn't only good for your body—it's also amazing for your skin. When used in serum form, it fights damage from free radicals, brightens your complexion, and refines the texture of your skin overtime. So if you're thinking about using it, here are a few tips from Sarah Lee and Christine Chang of Glow Recipe to get you started:
1. Incorporate it into your routine slowly.
If it's your first time using vitamin C, do a patch test at your nape to see if the formula is compatible with your skin. If no irritation occurs, start using it every other day and build your tolerance until you can work your way up to applying it once or twice a day.
2. Apply it all over your face.
Vitamin C is scientifically proven effective for fading dark spots, but instead of a spot treatment, it works best as an all over serum. This way, you'll enjoy its preventative benefits against aging as well.
3. Combine vitamin C with other beneficial ingredients.
According to Sarah and Christine, vitamin C works amazing with other antioxidants like vitamin E and green tea. Together, the two will work in synergy to improve the efficacy and stability of the products and achieve better results.
FN Tip: You can try Innisfree's Greet Tea skincare line for gentle but effective moisture retention!
To balance out the potency of the acid, it's best paired with soothing and hydrating ingredients like aloe and chamomile. These can either be in your serum or your other skincare products—the choice is yours!
4. Avoid combining it with other acids.
Active ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid all have skin benefits. But if you're introducing a vitamin C to your routine, it's best not to let it overlap with these acids to avoid irritation.
5. Wear SPF.
Vitamin C serums make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, so always wear sunscreen in the daytime. That said, since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it actually makes your SPF more powerful—like a two-layered shield.
FN Tip: For sunscreen that doesn't feel sticky, try Biore's UV Perfect Spray with SPF 50+
Up for more tips from Sarah and Christine? Watch the full video below!
This story originally appeared on Preview.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Femalenetwork.com editors.
