This week has been anti-aging skincare week on Never Say Die Beauty. And I can’t end the week without focusing on of my favorite anti-aging skincare ingredients, Vitamin C.
Why Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, and especially the ascorbic acid form of the vitamin, has so many significant anti-aging benefits when applied topically to skin:
- fading dark spots
- evening skin tone
- improving skin’s hydration
- protecting skin from pollutants in the environment
- promoting collagen production
- keeping skin looking more youthful with better elasticity, firmness and a reduction in wrinkles.
Which Vitamin C?
Vitamin C in a variety of concentrations show positive results on skin. In fact, research has shown that some products with Vitamin C in concentrations as low as 0.6% work! But higher concentrations of Vitamin C can literally work wonders. But some forms of Vitamin C, particularly ascorbic acid, are unstable at higher concentrations, particularly concentrations higher than about 25%. Other forms of Vitamin C – sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and ascorbic glucoside – seem to be more stable than pure ascorbic acid at higher concentrations. I recently tried a “mix it fresh” with every use Vitamin C serum from Cosmedica that allows you to use a super high concentration. Intriguing!
Because Vitamin C can be unstable, be sure that you buy Vitamin C skincare products that are protected by the packaging that they come in. Look for opaque or dark colored packaging. Pumps and tubes that keep air out are best. Serums, in particular, are best housed in dark or opaque bottles with pumps or droppers.
My Experiences with Vitamin C
I started using Vitamin C serums about three years ago, and they have helped me fade the cute freckles I’ve had for most of my life. With the exception of a few dark, age spots that need professional assistance, my skin is much more even than it had been.
So if you’re not using vitamin C in your anti-aging skincare routine, you should! There are lots of ways to add vitamin C to your skincare routine. Vitamin C can be used in the morning and at night. For some reason and for quite a while, I thought that Vitamin C should be used primarily at night. Uh-uh! Definitely add Vitamin C products to your morning skincare if you haven’t done so already.
There are literally zillions of Vitamin C skincare products on the market. Let me tell you about a few of my current Vitamin C skincare favorites.
Cleanser
Your cleanser is one of the ways that you can incorporate more Vitamin C into your routine. It’s the first step so why not take advantage of it? I always thought that cleanser rinsed everything away. Well, it washes away the stuff you don’t want, like dirt and oil, but it can leave good stuff behind.
I use Murad Essential-C Cleanser in the morning and sometimes at night too. It’s my favorite summer cleanser because it feels lightweight, smells lightly citrusy, and it leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh but not stripped. This vitamin-packed cleanser removes not only dirt but also environmental impurities and pollutants. It also helps shield skin from free radical damage. 6.75 fl. oz. for $38 
Murad Essential-C has a complete line of Vitamin C products.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl, Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Rice Amino Acids, Zinc Aspartate, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Lactose, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Iron Oxides (CI 77492)
Serum
I’ve used many different Vitamin C serums at a 20% concentration, and I liked just about all of them. Sometimes, Vitamin C is combined with Ferulic Acid to stabilize Vitamin C, but Ferulic Acid can have a funky smell that’s not always my favorite. But one of my most favorite serums is Ole Henriksen Truth Serum with True-C Complex (stabilized Vitamin C at 25%), collagen and sodium hyaluronate. It also contains dimethicone which helps smooth my skin. Comes in a variety of sizes. Plus it has a lovely light citrus scent. I use 1 fl.oz. for $48, but it comes in two larger sizes as well.
Ole Henriksen has the PowerBright C line that complements the Truth Serum.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Ascorbate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Oleth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Fragrance (Parfum), Yellow 6.
Anti-aging Face Cream
DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Face Cream is the newest addition to my Vitamin C arsenal. I loooooove the idea of including Vitamin C in every step of my skincare especially the step that I use the most of: anti-aging moisturizer.
I started out this post with a photo of citrus fruits since they are a good source of Vitamin C. But I have discovered that Kakadu plums from two remote territories in Australia have got citrus fruits beat by a long shot when it comes to Vitamin C.
On average, Kakadu plums contain 55 times the amount of C than you’d find in Florida oranges. Whoa! It also has 5 times the antioxidant value of blueberries. And in addition to Vitamin C, Kakadu plum is a great source of Vitamin E.
DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Face Cream is a hydrating but lightweight, bouncy gel cream that contains Kakadu plum, Desert Lime and Quandong Peach extracts.
It was developed for dehydrated, sensitive or mature skin, and it is soooooo gentle. It has no discernible scent. I use it at night and during the day along with SPF. It’s perfect for spring, summer and autumn for my dry, mature skin. 30 ml/$65
Kakadu C makes a complete line of Vitamin C products.
Ingredients:Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Silica, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu) Fruit Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Aminomethyl Propanol, Pleiogynium Timorense Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Santalum Acuminatum Fruit Extract, Acacia Victoriae Fruit Extract, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Propyl Gallate, Gallyl Glucoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Behenyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Spot Treatment
I’m just finishing up my second tube of Paula’s Choice RESIST 25% Vitamin C Spot Treatment. It’s a thick cream that comes in an opaque tube with 25% stabilized, time-released Vitamin C. Used at night as the last step in the skincare routine, it helps even skin tone, reduce dark spots and red marks, and helps skin texture. I have been using it as a “spot treatment” by dabbing it on my last recalcitrant dark spots, but I think I will try the all-over method that Paula’s Choice suggests. 0.5 oz. for $55.
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (hydration), Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C/antioxidant), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate (emollient), Poly-11 (texture-enhancing), Dimethicone (hydration), Polymethylsilsesquioxane (texture-enhancing), Disteardimonium Hectorite (texture-enhancing), Propylene Carbonate (preservative).
So these are the Vitamin C skincare products that I’m loving now. Are you a C lover? Which Vitamin C products are you using? Spill it!
So glad you shared this today because I am starting to get a lot of dark spots! Have been searching for effective products. Have a great day!
Vitamin C will become your best friend, Lindsay 😉
I love the Ole Henriksen products. I have used Sheer Transformation for years and also like the Truth Serum.
Carleen recently posted…Travel Beauty Essentials – Italian Edition
Glad you’re on OH fan too, Carleen!
Morning……🙋🏻☕️🍩 My go to C-products for my morning routine is: Serious Skin Care C line. I have used the C Cleanser since they introduced their skin care line. Then it’s the C serum for the face & eye. Then I finish with their C Cream Daytime Broad Spectrum Moisture SPF 30. All the products are very light and not heavy on the skin. Not greasy at all. 😍
with SPF in it.
Hi DiEtta! I am not familiar with Serious Skin Care, but I will check them out! You always introduce me to terrific products and brands. How did you get acquainted with them? Also, have a wonderful holiday weekend xoxo
Allison, Serious Skin Care is Jennifer (Flavin) Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s wife) line of face care products. I was introduced to them on HSN I think about 15 years ago. They at one time were sold at the Ulta Store. My daughter also has been using it for years. She has amazing skin. They have a Vitamin C and Vitamin A line of products. Along with many others. Their Gycolic line is really good too. I use the Gycolic Cleanser at night.
That’s very interesting. I will look into Serious Skin Care and I’d love to see Jennifer. I’m always glad to hear good things about a “celebrity” line, that it really is good stuff! Vitamin C and A are both great antioxidants and do wonders for skin. I use a glycolic acid cleanser at night too. In fact, I need to go do that – it’s 2AM!!
I know Ole Henriksen products are highly popular in the beauty world but I have yet to try anything from the brand. I do have a few of the products in my Sephora Love list but that list is so darn long I don’t know when I will ever get through it. LOL!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Healthy Summer Ready Skin with Rodial & Nip+Fab
The OH Truth Serum and the middle Vitamin C concentrate are terrific. Hope you’ll get to them some day
Great overview. I love the Ole Henriksen serum!
I’ve not heard of that Paula’s Choice Vitamin C spot treatment – I’m quite intrigued! I really like her Vitamin C15 Booster – have you tried that?
stashy recently posted…Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair vs Holika Holika One Solution Anti-Wrinkle
I’ve tried other Paula’s Choice boosters but not the C15 though I’ve heard great things about it! At this point, my remaining spots are tough customers so I wasn’t sure the 15(%) would be strong enough for me. The Spot Treatment is 25, I think.
I too love the Murad cleanser & I’ve been testing the DERMAdoctor Kakadu C eye cream–review tomorow!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Erborian CC Créme My New Holy Grail!
Oh, I will enjoy reading your review! I’d love to try the eye cream too.
The Ole Henriksen did nothing for me, but I did recently order the Paula’s Choice Resist to try!
The Jedi Wife recently posted…Lyn B Designs: Throwback and July Polish of the Month
Which PC RESIST did you order: the C15 or the Spot Treatment? I’m eager to hear about the C15!
There are so many good anti-aging products out there with Vit C, but I have to stay away because I’m allergic! It sucks!
Jen Mathews recently posted…4th of July Beauty Deals!
Oh boo! Not fair!
I’d love to try the DERMAdoctor Kakadu C products. I saw them at Ulta when I was doing a giveaway for the eye cream and was jealous that I couldn’t be the winner. I’ve used both the Murad and Ole Henrikson with success.
MarciaF recently posted…Getting beach body thighs with Phytomer ResurfaSlim!
I really like the DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Face Cream. It’s perfect for this time of year, and I love that it has built-in vitamin C. I love having these ways to get extra. I’d love to try the eye cream and more of the line. Sorry I missed your giveaway!
Great overview! I’m definitely going to look into some of these products!
Samantha by the Sea recently posted…Coastal Scents: Custom Palette
I must try that serum!
The Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is really good!
I know I talked about simplifying skin care but vitamin C remains a staple! I like some Murad Vitamin C-infused products. Right now I am hooked to Obagi Vit C serum though. I should try Kakadu next time. It sounds like a really nice product
I found the Murad Cleanser through a giveaway that I won on your website. It was a kit of travel size Murad Essential-C products, and I fell in love with the cleanser especially. I’m on my second tube, I think 🙂
I love a good vitamin c product! The trick for me is to find one that doesn’t irritate my skin!
Christine recently posted…Summertime Chic With Ashley Stewart
Oh no! Sorry that vitamin C doesn’t agree with your skin 🙁
Vitamin C is one of my favorite beauty ingredients! It’s an amazing antioxidant 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…My Favorite Natural, Clean, Non-Toxic Lipsticks
The Murad cleanser sounds so good! But that price kills me.
Naked Without Polish recently posted…Moonflower Polish La Isla del Encanto Partial Collection Swatch and Review
It is pricey, but it’s a huge tube, and it has lasted me over a year and I still have about 1/3 of the tube left.
What a nice selection on anti-aging products, Allison! I think that I would really love that Murad cleanser!
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The Murad Essential-C Cleanser is fabulous especially for the warm/hot weather. I think you’d enjoy it 🙂
I’ve used OH Truth serum, PC C15 Booster, philosophy Turbo C Booster, and many others – none seemed to do a thing for my aging, but very oily skin. I tried Algenist Genius Vit C serum sample I bought with points at Sephora, and saw results after the first application. I bought the full pricey size, loved it; then started looking for something less expensive. After 3 months, I’m going back to Algenist, it’s worth every penny to me. Will have to find other products to skimp on!
I’ve been on the hunt for a good anti-aging product. I am definitely going to have to check out your recommendations!
Thank you, Ellen! Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions
My sister and I have very sensitive skin. I’ll have to try this!
I’ve recently jumped on the skincare train and have been eager to learn as much as I can! I’m definitely going to look out for these and other vitamin C products!