I've read about the benefits of vitamin c face cream for wrinkles and blotches but there are so many out there I don't know which one to try.
Someone told me that some creams don't contain enough vitamin C to make a difference. What do you think?
Hi Crystal,
Thanks for your email regarding vitamin C face cream. Yes, it's true - Vitamin C applied topically and taken internally can help reduce the signs of aging.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those with higher vitamin C intake had a younger complexion with less wrinkles and dryness. One of the main reasons vitamin C is so effective is that it helps reduce free radical damage.
There is also evidene that topical vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production – which is important for minimizing lines, wrinkles, blotches, and scars. However, finding creams or serums that contain high levels of potent vitamin C is difficult.
And, yes some skin care companies use vitamin C as window dressing - they put a small amount into the product to impress you, but not enough to make it effective.
The other problem with getting quality vitamin C cream is that vitamin C loses its potency over time…..so when a cream sits on the shelf for months or years, there is a good chance by the time you purchase it, it's no longer as potent as it was when it was first manufacture.
The best option for maximum effectiveness is to obtain a vitamin C product from your dermatologist or add it to your cream right before using it and use it up within a month or so…..before it begins to lose potency.
There is a company that offers a super thick, super hydrating vitamin rich serum along with a separate vial of pure L-Ascorbic Acid powder that you mix into the serum right before using it.
This L-Ascorbic Acid powder is not the same as the kind found in a vitamin capsule - it's specifically developed for the skin so it won't burn or irritate and can be used by most people regardless of their skin type.
This has been the best option I've seen – when it comes to over-the-counter topical vitamin C products.
