Vitamin C in Skincare: How to Use It and Why It Works

It seems like every skincare range boasts a must-have Vitamin C miracle product.

Due to its ubiquity, you might think you already know how to use Vitamin C. However, this active ingredient is more complex – and important – than it appears at first glance.

Choose the right Vitamin C for your skin

There are many kinds of Vitamin C used in skincare. The type and concentration will influence its effectiveness and suitability for your skin type.

The most important thing to look for when choosing a Vitamin C product is stabilised Vitamin C.

The Liberty Belle Rx targeted Vitamin C products - Next Level, Bright Star, Superhero and Game Changer - all contain Vitamin C in slightly different but stabilised forms.

Next Level, Bright Star and Superhero are more potent, while Game Changer is gentler and contains a Vitamin C Hydration Complex (3-Glyceryl Ascorbate). Game Changer is preferred by those with red or sensitive skin for its calming properties. It also works as a spot treatment for congestion.

Next Level is our powerful serum that contains a triple blend of stabilised Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Ascorbyl Glucoside). It is light in feel and oil-free. Next Level is suitable for all skin types but particularly favoured by those with ageing skin for its potent antioxidant benefits.

Bright Star contains stabilised oil-soluble Vitamin C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate). It works in conjunction with a Brightening Complex to brighten and improve the appearance of pigmented skin. It is a cream face treatment rather than a serum and contains nourishing butters, which means that many people use it as their moisturiser. It can also spot treat pigmentation patches.

Superhero is our antioxidant-rich moisturiser that contains skin-loving Ceramides and stabilised oil-soluble Vitamin C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) to help promote skin health and radiance.

Choosing the right Vitamin C for you will depend on your skin type and concerns.

Emily uses Next Level & Bright Star as part of her regimen. See full regimen here.

Some facts about Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a coveted ingredient in skincare because it is essential to collagen synthesis.

Topical Vitamin C provides targeted support to collagen production in the skin, helping to improve the appearance of ageing.

In addition, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals.

If that’s not enough, Vitamin C is also well-known for its brightening properties, helping to improve pigmentation and overall skin tone for a more radiant complexion.

For these reasons and more, we’ve included Vitamin C as a hero ingredient in three of our products:

Get the most out of Vitamin C by wearing it during the day

The chemical structure of Vitamin C means that it oxidises quickly upon exposure to air. This is a good thing – you want the Vitamin C to oxidise on your skin because this is what provides the antioxidant and pollution protection. Vitamin C will neutralise the free radicals that might otherwise harm your skin.

Applying Vitamin C in the morning gives you the antioxidant protection you need when you’re out and about.

Vitamin C can also amplify sun protection provided by SPF. Studies have shown that wearing Vitamin C with sunscreen helps prevent further photo damage. No longer does sun protection end with SPF 50+ – you can go beyond it with a daily dose of Vitamin C!

For the ultimate sunsmart routine, include a Vitamin C in your morning regimen and apply Superstar SPF 50+ over the top.

While you get the most out of Vitamin C during the day, we also recommend wearing it at night so you can enjoy the brightening effects as you sleep!

Keep air away from precious Vitamin C - choose airless bottles

As mentioned, Vitamin C is naturally quick to oxidise. To preserve efficacy for longer, Vitamin C products should be packaged using bottles and pumps that resist oxidation.

Screw-top jars, pipette bottles, and dipstick pumps do not keep air out after opening, and typically denature quickly. There's no point paying for a Vitamin C product that will lose its efficacy immediately after you open it!

At Liberty Belle Rx, we use Airless Pump Technology for all our bottles. This keeps precious actives like Vitamin C fresh and effective for longer, making them good to the last pump.