Vitamin C and its immense benefits for the skin are trending in the skincare world. Did you know vitamin C is the most studied antioxidant for facial products? Praised for its many benefits, vitamin C protects the skin against natural stressors and brightens it. It’s available in certain fruits and vegetables like citrus, pineapple, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts; add these vitamin C-rich foods into your diet, as it aids in growth and development and fills your body with antioxidants.
While vitamin C is present in many fruits and vegetables, it won’t necessarily reach your skin when you eat it, which is why we also use topical forms. You can use vitamin C for glowing skin topically in many ways, including as a serum or powder form. Here are some differences between vitamin C serum and vitamin C powders and their advantages.
What Is Vitamin C Serum?
Vitamin C serum has become the holy grail for skin enthusiasts in the skincare industry. With a thick gel-like consistency, vitamin C serum is loaded with vitamin C and is applied topically on the skin.
The best way to ensure that the vitamin C sinks into the deeper layers of the skin is by using a serum as a vehicle. Serums are thin and easily absorbed, which drives concentrated ingredients (such as vitamin C) into the skin to help your complexion appear more plump and bright.
When picking a serum for your skin, we always encourage researching the ingredients. Many versions of vitamin C exist, which can be either synthetically or naturally derived. We’re, of course, big fans of serums made with clean and organic ingredients that harness the power of nature and are brimming with vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Skin
- Protecting the skin against environmental stressors
- Plumping up the look of the skin for an ageless appearance
- Eliminating the appearance of dullness on your skin
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Giving your skin the love it deserves for a radiant complexion
What Is Vitamin C Powder?
Powdered vitamin C has been gaining popularity recently. It’s a newer way of using vitamin C topically compared to the more traditional serum. Both forms of vitamin C have similar benefits, but the main difference is the application method since one is a dry powder while the other is an aqueous solution.
There are various forms of vitamin C powder that you can use, like ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl-ascorbate (THDA). Ascorbic acid can be unstable and quickly breaks down when exposed to the elements, such as heat, light, or oxygen–and this type of exposure is unavoidable in the formulation process. However, tetrahexyldecyl-ascorbate is highly stable and deeply sinks into the skin’s layers. That’s why we use it as a main ingredient in our Concentrated Boosting Elixirs.
Mix a vitamin C powder as your vitamin C product with your serum or oil as the last step in your daily skincare routine. This leaves no chance for it to mix with the elements and helps retain its potency.
Is Vitamin C Powder Better Than Vitamin C Serum?
Not necessarily. Depending on what you prefer in your application method, both forms can be equally effective for your skin.
The benefit of Vitamin C powders is that they have a long shelf life because they aren’t in liquid form and, thus, don’t degrade as quickly. Please store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct light or humidity. Also, use your vitamin C powder within six months of opening to avoid contamination.
When purchasing vitamin C serums (non-powder form), ensure you’re buying a high-quality vitamin C that is stable and doesn’t deteriorate when exposed to the elements, such as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (like in our Concentrating Boosting Elixir, Brighten). Also, ensure they’re stored in dark containers (we are big fans of violet Miron glass), as they shield the product from light and help prevent the vitamin C from breaking down.
The best way to know if your vitamin C has oxidized or is still fresh is by checking the color; if it has turned brown, it’s reached the end of its efficacy and is most likely no longer helping your skin.
