Does Vitamin C Skincare Really Work?
Vitamin C skincare is very useful as an anti-wrinkle cream, but the effectiveness of this vitamin depends wholly on the form of the vitamin and it’s particular concentration and means of storage. To add to the confusion, your choice may depend on the price. Is the product more expensive than another similar product?
To be able to know what type of vitamin C is good for you and your skin, you must first know the difference between them and what they are normally used for. I have listed the main three types of vitamin C skincare all with a brief description of what they will do and the best way to use them to your advantage.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, (MAP) is a derivative of vitamin C with a collagen boosting effect. This type of vitamin C is much more stable than the pure vitamin which means it does not degrade as fast. it is so gentle, it can be safely used on sensitive skin. To protect MAP from degrading and oxidizing it is best to store it in a cool dry place.
L-ascorbic acid is a natural form of vitamin C. To be really effective, this form of vitamin C must be very well stored. L-ascorbic acid certainly has: it degrades very quickly when exposed to air, heat or sunlight and can be very irritating to certain skin types. Dermatologists recommned that if you do not know the correct way of using L-ascorbic acid, It’s best to avoid it. L-ascorbic acid is not suitable for those with rosacea or sensitive skin.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is similar to the MAP type of vitamin C, but isn’t quite as quick or effective as the former. As for L-ascorbic acid; it must be carefully stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place, as this type of vitamin tends to degrade quite quickly. To have a collagen boosting effect, Ascorbyl Palmitate has to be used more frequently and in much larger doses than you would have to use with L-ascorbic acid .
Make sure you know what exact ingredients any vitamin C skincare contains before buying. Some manufacturers mix different types of vitamin C which renders the product ineffective and can also be irritating for your skin. By checking what ingredients the products have you will know what product is best for you.