What Does L-Ascorbic Acid Do For Skin?

Jan 20, 2021

Have you been seeing vitamin c as an ingredient and staple in pretty much every skincare routine? Do you ever wonder why this is so? Did you also have the same thought as I had before - What does Vitamin C do for skin and do I really need it?

The short answer is yes - but there are different types of vitamin c and we'll focus on the kind that has had the most studies done on it which is called L-Ascorbic Acid or ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C is not just there to strengthen our immune system, It also helps us our skin a lot! We'll dive into what Vitamin C ( L-ascorbic acid ) does for our skin and what skin benefits it provides.

WHAT IS L-ASCORBIC ACID?

L-ascorbic acid is known to be a powerhouse ingredient that’s synthetically derived or naturally found in fruits and vegetables.

L-ascorbic acid is also known as the pure form of Vitamin C.

This acid is often found in topical skincare products and usually found in a concentration between 3- 20%. A higher concentration of L-ascorbic acid can be irritating to the skin, and the low pH in some vitamin c serums may also cause some irritation.

L-ascorbic acid is an effective antioxidant which helps in brightening skin tone and reduces appearance of signs of aging by promoting collagen production in skin and protecting it from damage.

It can usually be found in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, broccoli, leafy greens, grapefruit and peppers. They are also known to be a great source of dietary Vitamin C.

WHAT DOES L-ASCORBIC ACID DO FOR THE SKIN?

Products containing L-ascorbic acid aid in collagen synthesis.

Collagen is the foundation of our skin, so the increased collagen can improve skin firmness and may help with preventing acne scars.

Vitamin C also inhibits excess melanin production to protect against dark marks or hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C can also reverse some skin damage and works best when used with sunscreen.

This acid also prevents an enzyme called tyrosinase or tyrosine from being converted to melanin , and this enzyme is responsible for blocking hyperpigmentation.

Here are numerous skin benefits of L-ascorbic acid:

Reduces wrinkles
Protects collagen and increases its production
Aids wound healing
Helps protect against sun damage
Reduces hyperpigmentation
Evens out skin tone
Brightens skin complexion
Acts as an armor against pollution

Vitamin C is known to be one of the most research proven ingredients you can apply to your skin with few side effects. It is a water-soluble antioxidant and a natural component of healthy skin. L-ascorbic acid is the most biologically active form of vitamin c which makes it the most beneficial and easily absorbed.

Antioxidating properties

Vitamin C assists with protecting the skin from free radical damage which leads to aging skin.

Brightening the skin

Consistent application of vitamin C in skincare products can lead to a more uniform skin tone and a brighter appearance and prevent dark spots.

Extra protection against UV rays

Vitamin C can enhance sun protection when applied before sunscreen.

Improves acne scars & collagen production

Vitamin C is necessary for the creation of collagen in the skin,. Increasing collagen reduces the visibility of blemishes, acne scars, fine lines, or wrinkles.

HOW IS L-ASCORBIC ACID USED?

Vitamin C may be a potent antioxidant or ingredient that helps with brightening dark spots, smoothing fine lines and driving out free radicals from environment, pollution and even UV damage. However, not all Vitamin C products are equal as some may cause irritation to the skin for other people.

Here are some tips provided by experts on using Vitamin C serums or any Vitamin C products (L-ascorbic acid, most especially):

Use Vitamin C serums in the morning with sunscreen
Use the right concentration of Vitamin C for your skin type - higher may do more harm if your skin is sensitive.
Be cautious of combining Vitamin C with other high irritating ingredients
Store your Vitamin C products away from heat and light.
If the formulation is combined with Vitamin E or Ferulic Acid, it can increase effectiveness of the Vitamin C.
Pay attention to your Vitamin C product’s color (turns orange if oxidized) When oxidized, it loses efficacy.

l-ascorbic acid for the skin

CHOOSING THE BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS

We are often guilty of joining the bandwagon or going with the flow when it comes to purchasing Vitamin C Serums without checking product labels and ingredients list twice.

What do we usually look for when choosing Vitamin C Serums? You would know it is the best Vitamin C Serum for you if it:

Has PH level of 3 to 4
Is clear
Is free of fragrance
Is contained in dark packaging or has airless delivery

It's recommended to patch test first as well to see if it would work well for your skin or not or if the overall formulation is suitable for your skin type.

Because of all the multiple benefits L-ascorbic acid has in skincare, a vitamin c serum is pretty essential in your skincare routine if you're dealing with acne scars or hyperpigmentation with the properties to improve all those factors along with providing skin protection.

If you're the type of person who is sensitive to this form of Vitamin C in any amount, it's best to avoid any products containing this ingredient.