It is well established that vitamin C boasts extensive benefits for our health and skin. This vital nutrient is not produced by the body, so we must get a daily dose both internally and topically — especially during the winter months. It’s the season when our immune system does double duty fending off viruses. But it is also the time of year when we get the least amount of sun exposure: a perfect opportunity to reap C’s skin-brightening and anti-aging benefits!

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for your body to function and stay healthy. It helps fight infections and heal wounds. A splendid antioxidant, it also protects the cells from the damage caused by free radicals. These ubiquitous foes are unstable molecules created during normal cell metabolism.

They can cause damage to other molecules and increase the risk of cancer and illnesses such as heart disease. And, yes, they also cause aging! Vitamin C is one of the main antioxidants that can disarm free radicals and keep your skin and body thriving and strong. 

The Health Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C can reduce the risk of chronic disease, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system and even improve mood and alleviate fatigue. According to experts such as the National Institutes of Health, the daily recommended dose is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. For most people, a healthy diet delivers enough vitamin C.

But if you want to ensure that you get plenty, feast on citrus fruit, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cruciferous vegetables. Or, if you prefer to get a little exotic, try rose hips, guava, papaya, or lychee! But even if your diet is high in vitamin C, only a fraction is physiologically available and active in the skin. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the boundless health benefits of this nutrient for your epidermis, you will have to apply it topically.

• Boost immunity
• Reduce risk of chronic illnesses
• Lower blood pressure
• Minimize risk of heart disease
• Improve mood

What Vitamin C Can Do for Your Skin!

Vitamin C is a formidable ally for keeping your skin healthy, bright, and glowing. Some of the ascorbic acid taken internally is transported to the epidermis where its antioxidant powers help strengthen your skin’s barrier. Unfortunately, it's not nearly enough and that's where skincare comes to the rescue.

Applied topically, vitamin C can drastically improve the appearance of your skin, preventing sun damage, slowing aging, fighting acne, brightening, and reducing hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C will also boost the production of collagen while at the same time minimizing its breakdown and destruction. Last but not least importantly, when you layer it under your sunscreen in the morning, it can amplify your UV protection, significantly lessening the chance of sunburn.

• Prevent sun damage and sunburn
• Slow the aging process
• Brighten the skin
• Reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation 
• Fight and heal acne

How Do I Choose a Skincare Product with Vitamin C?

We recommend buying topical vitamin C products from a trusted source such as your esthetician or dermatologist. Read your labels and opt for a formula that contains an active form of vitamin C with a strength of 10-20%. If you are not sure where to start, invest in a top-quality serum rather than a moisturizer or face wash, even if you love their citrusy scent. A serum will deliver the maximum number of benefits. 

Keep in mind that not all types of C are created equal. L-ascorbic acid has long been the gold standard in the beauty industry. While very potent, it is also remarkably unstable and likely to cause a tingling and even burning sensation on the skin, especially for sensitive types.

But there are better options! At Jenette Skin Care, we work with a stable medical-grade oil-soluble vitamin C called Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. It is considered the most healing vitamin C — even suitable for skin afflicted with rosacea and eczema. Since it is an oil soluble, it features larger molecular structure and slower-moving molecules, allowing it to penetrate to the deepest layer.

• Choose a strength of 10-20 percent active vitamin C
• Select a product with medical-grade, oil-soluble vitamin C
• Consult with your esthetician first and consider starting with a low dose!
• Opt for a serum!

Our Be Calm — Brightening C Serum is an absolute superstar serum. It can repair any type of damage, from aging to the detrimental side effects of too much sun exposure! This incredible workhorse will offset premature aging, boost elastin and collagen, minimize age spots and hyperpigmentation, all while brightening your skin! 

Added benefits in Jenette's serum include extra calming and cooling, a MUST HAVE year round. We recommend you sleep with it on your face every night, under your favorite moisturizer. If you are uncertain about what topical C is best for your skin type, visit us at our flagship spa, Being in LA. We offer highly individualized consultations and treatments to curate the perfect skincare ritual for you.