This is one of the best-known vitamins, commonly taken in tablet form to support immunity. It can also be used beautifully in cosmetics. A facial serum with vitamin C, for example, brightens, lightens the look of pigmentation and post-blemish marks, evens out the skin tone and brings relief. It is also traditionally valued for helping the skin cope with UV-related stress, for softening the look of early ageing, and for helping to balance melanin synthesis, which is why it is associated with a more even complexion. And those are just a few of the qualities of vitamin C in cosmetics.
The truth about vitamin C in cosmetics
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Why is vitamin C important for our skin? Where can we get it and what is the real truth about using vitamin C in cosmetics? Even though it represents up to 80% of our total need for all vitamins, unlike most living organisms, the human body cannot create vitamin C (chemically: L-ascorbic acid) on its own. Its rich natural sources are citrus fruits, blackcurrants, rosehips, sauerkraut, strawberries, kiwi and peppers. In these plants it is accompanied by colourful bioflavonoids, which increase its effectiveness. So why do we not use vitamin C in this "pure" form in cosmetics too? There is one catch. Vitamin C is the least stable vitamin of all. It breaks down not only with heat and light, but also with long storage and through reaction with certain substances. Delivering it to the skin through cosmetic products in a way that keeps it stable, effective and non-irritating at the same time is essentially impossible.
How does vitamin C influence our overall health?
It is widely known that vitamin C is a vitamin we very much need. It supports immunity and the normal function of bones, cartilage and gums, it takes part in the formation of red blood cells and in maintaining the integrity of blood vessel walls, it increases the absorption of iron, and it helps reduce tiredness and oxidative stress. Simply put, it is a key component for our physical and mental wellbeing. That is why it is added today to various drinks, products and food supplements.
Why is vitamin C important for the health and beauty of the skin?
Vitamin C is important for healthy skin for several reasons:
- It supports the synthesis and stability of collagen in the dermis - it hydroxylates collagen, fills out the dermis and helps the epidermis look firmer.
- It softens many of the unwanted effects of UV radiation - it reduces lipid peroxidation, limits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, protects against apoptosis (cell death) and lowers redox-sensitive cell signalling.
- It eases uneven pigmentation of the skin - warning signs of a lack of vitamin C include hair loss, greyish and tired-looking skin with premature lines or visible capillaries.
And yet there is a way to bring vitamin C into cosmetics too
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We have brought it into several serums, but in a far more sophisticated form than you would expect! The trouble with most topical forms of vitamin C is that they are water-soluble and cannot pass through the lipid-rich barrier to reach the dermis. Our vitamin C is encapsulated in a liposome, which allows it to travel successfully into the epidermis and move on to the layer called the dermis. This highly stable, oil-soluble ester of vitamin C penetrates the skin beautifully. The viability of skin cells increases by up to 30% compared with l-ascorbic acid. It also supports collagen production, brightens and lightens the skin by limiting melanogenesis (the formation of pigment), and so supports a more even complexion. Unlike ascorbic acid, it will not exfoliate or irritate the skin.
Four of our facial serums contain highly stable vitamin C
These are the BÁTHORYČKA bioactive facial serum, the DIAMANT bioactive facial elixir for blemish-prone skin, the MAGIC NATURE brightening facial serum, and the highest content of vitamin C is found in the Kopaničiarska žehlička for wrinkles with vitamin C. And we have not finished there - it will also be part of our new two-phase sun creams and our purely natural make-up.