Best night creams 2024 Top 4 picks from skincare expert and professional facialist, Charlotte Connoley
Let's explore four standout night creams, as recommended by expert facialist Charlotte Connoley
Vitamin C Skincare: 4 Benefits You Need to Know
Vitamin C isn't just your average daily supplement; it's also a superhero of the skincare world.
In the never-ending pursuit for ‘glass skin’ and the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, we encounter a multitude of products and ingredients. Amidst the #SkinTok noise, one ingredient emerges as a true glow-boosting hero – Vitamin C. Celebrated for its brightening powers and antioxidant properties, this hero ingredient has firmly established itself as a must-have in your daily skincare regimen.
Skincare expert Charlotte Connoley recommends incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare regime regardless of your skin type. “Using a daily Vitamin C in your morning routine can have huge benefits on the skin. It can brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, promote collagen production, and protect the skin against free radicals and aggressors such as pollution and UV. Our skin is the biggest organ of the body and is exposed to more pollutants than any other organ so Vitamin C can really help to protect it.”
So, get cosy, grab a drink, and let's dive into some of the wonders this skincare hero can do for you.
Vitamin C in Skincare: How & Why?
Vitamin C is a much-loved ingredient in skincare, known for its natural antioxidant properties and radiance boosting benefits that make it suitable for all skin types. A great addition to effective anti-aging routines, this potent ingredient addresses a range of skin concerns, from dullness to dark spots.
Clinical studies [like this one from Harvard] have shown that topical Vitamin C can help improve wrinkles. For example, one study demonstrated that daily application for a minimum of three months improved the appearance of fine and coarse wrinkles, as well as improving overall skin texture and appearance. Studies have also indicated that it can help control sebum (oil) production and help reduce the appearance of dark spots by inhibiting the production of pigment in our skin.
Vitamin C, a powerful vitamin abundant in plants like leafy greens and citrus fruits, is one of the most plentiful antioxidants in human skin. Known for its links to overall skin health, we primarily absorb it through foods, although only a small fraction of this reaches the skin. To achieve optimal concentration in the skin, it is best to boost through topical application, such as Vitamin C serums and moisturisers.
Which Vitamin C is best for my skin?
There are many forms of Vitamin C used in skincare formulations to help boost radiance, help protect and promote collagen synthesis. For instance, some of the most popular ingredients you may be used to seeing are L-ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Palmitate. The Super Facialist Vitamin C range is formulated with two forms of Vitamin C called Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, which is water soluble and found in our scrubs, serums and creams. The other form is Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, which is oil soluble and found in our best selling Cleansing Oil.
These actives are the powerhouses behind our best selling range and have been harnessed to create highly effective formulations. Both ingredients are known for their superior stability as well as brightening powers. In short, our philosophy has always been to work WITH the skin. We never overload our formulas with actives that may irritate or upset the barrier. That way, you can enjoy your best skin results everyday.
The Roles of Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays key roles in the skin. It acts as an antioxidant that helps safeguard against free radicals and harmful environmental aggressors like UV and pollution. Beyond its protective functions, it also contributes to collagen synthesis, helping to promote skin elasticity. Here are it's four standout benefits for the skin:
1. Anti-Aging Powerhouse
Vitamin C serves as the skin's shield against external stressors by helping neutralise free radicals and safeguarding essential proteins like collagen and elastin. Not only does it help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also help diminish the appearance of existing signs of aging. Our Brighten Glow Boost Serum is enriched with Algae Extract, helping boost collagen synthesis. It replenishes skin and help reduce the appearance of pigmentation.
Skincare expert Charlotte Connoley explains that “applying a topical Vitamin C serum in your every day routine can not only protect but can improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Vitamin C is an important component in collagen synthesis. If we encourage collagen to be made by the body then this can help with the appearance of fine and deep lines. It can also help correct hyperpigmentation as it can inhibit melanin production.”
2. Even Skin Tone
Topical Vitamin C also helps reduce the appearance of age spots and discolorations, combating uneven skin tone. Hyperpigmentation is often caused by overexposing the skin to the sun and it’s harmful UV rays. This can lead to an uneven skin tone. It can also help reveal an even complexion by inhibiting melanin production which can lead to dark spots and pigmentation.
We have combined this powerhouse ingredient with gentle, biodegradable scrubbing particles to create our iconic Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash. It gently buffs away dead skin cells while supporting a more even, hydrated and radiant complexion.
3. Radiance Boost
As skin ages, it tends to become dull and less elastic. Vitamin C helps combat this by protecting against damaging free radicals and restoring radiance. For instance, the Skin Defence Daily Moisturiser has a triple action formula. It helps replenish the skin as much as it gives back its glow. Powered by hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, a pea sized amount is all you need to reveal a more even and radiant complexion.
4. Brighten Eye Area
Lastly, the delicate skin around the eyes benefits from the gentleness and brightening effect of the powerhouse ingredient. Combining Vitamin C with Caffeine, our Brighten Eye Cream helps awaken the eye area. It reduces the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Add in our light diffusing particles and you have yourself the perfect solution to faking a good 8-hour sleep, whether you had it or not. Combining a proven anti-dark circle peptide for a smoother, firmer, brighter looking under eye area with regular use.
So how long do you need to use a Vitamin C product until you start seeing results, you may ask. Charlotte explains “like with any skin care product you need consistency and time to see results. Remember that your skin is renewed every 28 days. Give it at least a month to see if there are results. Within three months you should start to see the effects of using Vitamin C. Skin will look brighter and plumper and pigmentation should look reduced.”
Incorporating this ingredient into your skincare routine provides a range of benefits. The skin remains vibrant, even-toned, and glowing all year round.
Shop our full Vitamin C range here.
Want to know how you can start incorporating Vitamin C into your routine? Check out Charlotte Connoley’s Expert Facial routine here.
Let’s get social. Share with us your Vitamin C routines by tagging us on Instagram @super.facialist & TikTok @superfacialist #BeYourOwnSuperFacialist
- Tags: Charlotte Connoley Vitamin C
