Wrinkles, which is a part of aging, occurs due to many factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, lifestyle habits, and more. These factors accelerate the aging process and will give wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. While there are a lot of skincare ingredients available in the market, most of them are looking for safe ingredients. One such is Vitamin C, one of the most popular skincare ingredients which plays a key role in anti-ageing routine.
Know about Vitamin C, the skincare powerhouse, how vitaminC deals with wrinkles, and everything else in detail.
Is Vitamin C Good for Wrinkles?
Obviously. Vitamin C is one of the most common and effective skincare ingredients which helps in reducing wrinkles and signs of ageing. The usage helps in boosting the collagen production, protects skin from environmental damage, and also improves your overall skin texture. Using these ingredient based products consistently in your skincare helps in softening the fine lines, improves skin firmness, and more.
What Causes Wrinkles?
Understanding why wrinkles come should be key, and only then you can pick the right skincare ingredients.
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Natural Ageing
The collagen production and skin elasticity gets reduced as we age. So, the presence of protein helps in maintaining and increasing the skin firmness. And that loss of protein leads to wrinkles and skin sagging.
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Sun Damage
UV rays break down the collagen and increase the signs of premature greying. This way the wrinkles will get deeper, which obviously causes uneven skin texture.
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Free Radical Damage
The impact of continuous exposure to pollution, stress, and other toxins causes free radicles which damages skin cells and speeds up aging signs.
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Lifestyle Factors
Due to lifestyle changes, lack of sleep, dehydration, and poor diet tend to weaken the skin barrier and will increase the appearance of wrinkles.
How Vitamin C Helps Reduce Wrinkles
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Enhances Collagen Production
Using vitamin C helps in supporting collagen production, which is a key to maintaining skin structure, improving collagen levels, reducing fine lines, and also to keep skin firmer.
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Protects Against Environmental Damage
As Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant, they help in neutralizing the free radicles and further protects skin from premature ageing.
Using vitamin C skincare product helps in promoting the skin cell renewal, and also gives smoother and more healthy skin.
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Supports Sun Damage Repair
As using Vitamin C helps in reducing the oxidative damage, they contribute to calming and removing the fine lines or wrinkle formation.
Using Vitamin C helps in reducing the pigmentation and dullness in the skin, which also helps in improving skin tone and reduces the visibility of wrinkles.
Vitamin C - Types in Skincare
They are mainly categorised into three types:
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L-Ascorbic Acid
One of the potent and pure formats of vitamin C which gives best results when you are using it for an anti-ageing routine. Using them might irritate skin when used in higher concentrations.
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Ascorbyl Glucoside
This is also one of the gentle forms of vitamin C, which converts active vitamin C into the skin. Perfect for everyday usage, and is also stable.
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Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
This form is generally milder and can be used by people who have even sensitive skin or acne-prone skin.
Vitamin C - Usage for Wrinkle Reduction
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Choose the Right Concentration
If you are using it for the first time, then ensure to start with a minimal or lower percentage. This is because higher concentrations lead to skin irritation. For eg, you can use this Vitamin C in AM routine and Hyaluronic Acid serum in PM routine.
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Apply on Clean Skin
They work best when used on clean skin. So, cleanse with a face wash, and then use the vitamin C serum for better absorption.
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Use Sunscreen Alongside
The combination of SPF 50 sunscreen with vitamin C helps in providing better protection to the skin, especially on AM routine.
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Be Consistent
Skincare takes its own sweet time. Ensure to use them for weeks to see visible results in your skin texture and fine lines.
When Should You Start Using Vitamin C?
This is generally recommended for people who are in mid-20s, as they help in preventing even the signs of premature ageing. Also using them early helps in supporting collagen production and also delays the fine lines/wrinkles.
Can Vitamin C Remove Deep Wrinkles?
This completely depends on skin wrinkle depth followed by the consistency. When it’s deeper, they will take some time to see the reduction in lines/wrinkles on the skin.
Tips & Tricks - For Enhancing Vitamin C Benefits
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Store them in a dark place, away from lights.
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Patch test before incorporating them for the first time.
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Never combine with actives like retinol, since they cause irritation.
Vitamin C for Different Skin Type
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Skin Type
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Recommended Vitamin C Form
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Usage Tip
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Dry Skin
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Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid
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Follow with moisturizer
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Oily Skin
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Lightweight Vitamin C Serum
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Use oil-free formulation
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Sensitive Skin
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Ascorbyl Glucoside
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Start with alternate day use
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Combination Skin
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Mild Vitamin C Serum
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Use them on clean skin before hydrating.
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Vitamin C - Natural Sources
Along with vitamin C, there are some natural vitamin C foods which you can use on everyday basis. It includes citrus fruits, berries, leafy green, bell pepper, amla, etc. Incorporating at least any one in your everyday routine will surely help!
Conclusion
Vitamin C, one of the efficient skincare ingredients which helps in reducing the wrinkles and preventing the signs of premature greying. The skin tends to lose collagen as we age, due to environmental factors, not proper skincare, and many other reasons.
For healthy and glowing skin, ensure to use SPF sunscreen, vitamin C products, followed by good hydration and proper balanced meals.