What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C (also known as l-ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that can help rejuvenate your skin.
It’s commonly found in citrus fruits and leafy greens (like moringa, raspberries, citrus fruits) but can also be applied topically to heal skin that is experiencing any kind of discolouration or hyperpigmentation. It’s antioxidant properties fight against free radicals that can cause signs of aging like sagging, lost of skin elasticity and wrinkles. Vitamin C can also help with dark spots and smooth uneven skin. It also does a great job of stimulating collagen production which can help minimize signs of aging and make your skin appear brighter and more radiant.
Environmental pollutants like smoke, free radicals, and sunlight can cause collagen to breakdown, vitamin c helps to reverse this process by offering natural sun protection and aiding in collagen synthesis.
The only problem is despite all of Vitamin C’s skin benefits, it’s a highly unstable ingredient. When exposed to air or light, Vitamin C can oxidize and lose its effective skincare powers. Also getting the right concentration is tricky. Synthetic Vitamin C needs to be at a pH lower than 3.5 in order to be stable. If it is any higher it can cause dryness, irritation or discoloration for those with sensitive skin.
How do you know when vitamin C has oxidized?
It’s easy to tell because it will change to a darker color. Once it oxidizes the product can do more harm than good by increasing free radical formation in your skin.
In our Fullmoon Serum we use a botanical vitamin C derived from moringa that is highly stable. Since the pH of our Fullmoon Serum is the same as our skin, it is less likely to cause a reaction. Moringa is a vitamin rich and nutrient dense oil that is a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and highly nourishing to the skin. It can also help with skin problems like breakouts and dark pots.
How does vitamin E help?
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol or tocopherol acetate) is another antioxidant that protects your body from free radical damage. It also works great as a moisturizer since it can help improve skin hydration and contain anti-inflammatory properties. You can find Vitamin E in many nuts and vegetable oils along with our Superfood Serum! This facial oil is great for those with dry, normal or oily skin.
Like Vitamin C, Vitamin E can also help reduce signs of aging and works to protect you from sun damage.
What are the benefits of using Vitamin C and Vitamin E together?
When used together these vitamins are far more effective and is 4 times more effective in protecting your skin against free radicals.
Vitamin E boosts the function of vitamin C and helps maintain the skin barrier.
You should still use an SPF but vitamin C and vitamin E provides your skin some additional protection from harmful rays. They are also helpful if your skin has already been sunburnt and can help accelerate healing.
Because of all these benefits of using vitamin C and E together it's best to layer these serums or blend them together for the ultimate healthy glow.
