Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is a powerful, acidic antioxidant that stimulates the skin to regenerate and heal itself. It fades hyperpigmentation and soothes inflammation. It also defends the skin from harmful free radicals and boosts collagen. The real beauty experts among us will also be interested in the different forms of vitamin C that are found in skincare today. Most experts agree that the appearance of 'ascorbic acid' or 'l-ascorbic acid' on an ingredient list is a promising start, but other forms of the vitamin you may come across include sodium ascorbic phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Who should use vitamin C skincare?

Draelos ZD, Diaz I, Namkoong J, Wu J, Boyd T. Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Facial Photoaging. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1385-1394. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00566-0Dermatologists recommend a daily dose of Vitamin C, the gold standard ingredient loved for its powerful antioxidant and anti-ageing properties that promote a healthy, glowing complexion. But not all Vitamin C skincare is created equally… Look for a formula with at least 10% vitamin C and a maximum of 20%. Anything less may not be effective. Anything over 20% could lead to irritation, and research says the benefits of vitamin C don’t increase after that threshold anyway. Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(7):14-17. Vitamin C has a reputation for helping even out skin tone by fading sun spots and other dark spots on the skin. Goodbye dull, dry skin, hello glow. This vitamin C Booster Serum brightens with 10% active ingredients. It fights age spots and boosts skin firmness – without irritating even sensitive skin

The serum also contains collagen, orange and green tea extracts, and aloe juice. This will calm down hyperpigmentation and boost skin elasticity. It contains hydrating ingredients and stimulates the production of collagen, leaving you with smoother and more radiant skin. In serum form, vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical damage, which can result in signs of aging,” says Melanie Palm, MD, board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD, in San Diego, California. Vitamin C covers a wide range of skincare concerns so all skin types from sensitive to acne prone skin can benefit from it. It can be used as a preventative measure for young people, while for people concerned about ageing, it can treat fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C is something of a mega multitasker in the skincare world. It encourages collagen production, helps to brighten dark spots and pigmentation, and works as an antioxidant to protect the skin against free radicals (unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress on skin cells, AKA premature ageing). If you have sensitive skin, then you know how important it is to find products that are gentle but effective. This one is just that, and we loved it. Not to mention, tons of our Byrdie readers adore it, too. The product was really comfortable on sensitive and acne-prone skin. While it took about 30 seconds to dry, which is slightly longer than some other options, it dried down to a moisturizing and non-greasy finish. We even noted that we could get away without applying a moisturizer on top of it and our skin still felt hydrated. Another bonus? It didn’t clog our pores.Studies show that when you combine vitamin C with sunscreen, you get even better sun protection and sun aging protection because they work together,” Dr. Piliang notes. “If any of the sun gets through that sunscreen, the vitamin C is there to take care of it.” While vitamin C serums help with a variety of skin conditions, it's important to target a product that fits your specific skin care needs. For example, some serums may contain ingredients that irritate the skin, so if you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist to determine the best vitamin C serum for you.