Where my fresh-faced approach to Zoom calls helped brighten and clear my skin during lockdown, a ramped up social life AND a hectic work schedule left my skin looking dull, tired and uneven. It’s hot girl summer! Dull and tired skin just won’t do. I’ve been playing around with products that give me that bright, youthful glow and even out my skin tone and I’m going to share one of my favourite ingredients and products with you.
Skincare fads and trending ingredients will come and go but Vitamin C will always be a mainstay in my makeup bag (lol, let’s face it, my makeup drawer). Much like a favourite pair of jeans, you know you can slip on a Vitamin C product and feel great.
Why Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an absolute beauty HERO. It’s a powerful antioxidant that, when applied properly, helps to repair damaged cells. Much like adding antioxidants into your diet helps to ward off any nastiness in your body, Vitamin C fights off the things your skin comes into contact with (think pollution, UV damage and more) to leave you with a brighter and younger-looking skin.
The benefits don’t stop there… Vit C’s acidity promotes collagen production, making your skin look plumper AND it contains a property that slows down your skin’s melanin production, which is what causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This leaves you with a super even skin tone.
How can I incorporate Vitamin C into my routine?
I’d always always always recommend incorporating a Vitamin C serum into your routine. Serums can often be more expensive, especially ones with antioxidants, because they’re often the purest most potent ingredients with the least filler ingredients. And you know what that means… No filler = a killer (and efficient) product. But I’d highly recommend investing in your serum/treatment step as it’ll be the one doing the lion’s share of the work overnight or during the day.
How can I find the perfect product for me?
It’s not hard to find a product with Vitamin C as a hero ingredient, what is hard though, is finding a GOOD product that actually WORKS. The market may be flooded but not all Vitamin C’s are created equal.
So, let me let you in on a little skincare secret… I.E. a product I’m obsessed with.
The Obagi Professional-C® Serum 15%.
What is it?
This serum is one of the most hydrating and moisturising Vitamin C antioxidants that I have ever tried. Yes, ever. And it’s exactly what I’d expect from a skincare provider of Obagi’s calibre, with 30+ years of clinical experience.
The serum contains 15% L-ascorbic Acid – the most potent form of Vitamin C – to help calm and brighten your skin whilst retaining moisture, giving you an instant glow. You really do see that glow straight away, and you continue to see it application after application. I feel brighter and my skin tone is more even, meaning I’ve only been using light coverage makeup since I started trying it.
Obagi truly understands that different skin has different needs. This Serum comes in three strengths (10%, 15% & 20%). The first is more gentle and is perfect for younger skin. If you’re new to Vitamin C start with the first strength and work their way up. Mid 30’s and above can dive in with 20% and build up use over time.
I trust their products completely and – with long term effects like plumper skin, boosted collagen production, reducing fine lines, firmer and more hydrated skin, and an even skin tone – I’m really excited to see where this journey takes me.
You’ve got to Vitamin C it to believe it, so go get your hands on some of this delicious serum at Skinstation or Pure Obagi.