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How To Choose A Vitamin C Serum

If I had to make a list of my favorite skin care products, a Vitamin C Serum would get top billing. That, along with an SPF 30+ sunscreen and a retinoid treatment, would round out the list of my three must-haves. Shop Bespoke Vitamin C 15% We know Vitamin C as the vitamin that prevents scurvy, but it’s also essential to our overall health, including that of our skin. Today’s post is dedicated to this amazing, superstar ingredient. Let’s take a closer look so that you know how to find a Vitamin C serum that’s just right for you and your skin. Shop Bespoke Vitamin C 10% What Should I Look For When Choosing Vitamin C Serum? I’ve written about Vitamin C and its skin benefits before, but in this post, let’s get into the nitty gritty. While ascorbic acid/ L-ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C that is most well known, it is also available in several other forms. When it comes to skin care, you may find sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and ascorbyl glucoside along with others included in a range of products such as serums, lotions and moisturizers. All of these forms have skin benefits, but none compare to l-ascorbic acid when it comes to the amount of research and clinical studies to back up its use in skin care. For that reason, it’s the form of Vitamin C we love most at Apothekari and why you’ll find it included in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serums. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in tissue repair and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters. It is required for the optimal functioning of several enzymes and is also important for the immune system. Lastly, it functions as an antioxidant, helping to protect against free radical damage. A diet high in vitamin C can help to boost your overall wellness, but in order to get adequate concentrations to the skin, a topical treatment works best. A Vitamin C Serum can provide a range of benefits including: Evening out your skin tone by decreasing melanin synthesis associated with pigmentation Protecting skin from damage caused by pollution Improving skin hydration, and Boosting collagen production to help keep wrinkles at bay. When properly formulated, ascorbic acid helps create more youthful and firmer looking skin that looks brighter and more evenly toned. Ascorbic acid by itself is a pretty sweet ingredient but it benefits from the addition of other antioxidants who work in conjunction with it to deliver the ultimate in free radical protection. Does It Matter Which Form of Vitamin C You Use? If you’re convinced that you need to have Vitamin C in your routine, here’s how to determine if the one you’re considering is the right one for you: Look for L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid listed as one of the active ingredients. While it is a finicky ingredient to work with (it’s light and air sensitive), it is also delivers the biggest bang for your buck. Other derivatives do work, but none pack quite the same punch. Ensure that the ingredient is listed high up in the ingredients list to ensure you are getting a product with enough potency. Some companies disclose the concentration in their formulation and when it comes to ascorbic acid, look for at least 10%. While highly effective, L-Ascorbic Acid cannot be tolerated by some skin types. If this is the case, opt for a lower concentration (up to 10%) or seek an alternate form of Vitamin C like sodium ascorbyl phosphate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. They are also effective and you will see results, but they may take longer. Look for opaque packaging and if possible, an airless pump to help protect the formulation. Vitamin C benefits from other antioxidants, including other forms of vitamin C but also ingredients including green tea, vitamin e, ferulic acid, alpha lipoic acid, etc. If your Vitamin C serum contains additional ingredients as well, it’s likely to do more for your skin. Use a Vitamin C serum in the morning when it will help to protect against free radical damage that we encounter during the day. I layer it on first thing after washing or splashing my face and before I put on my sunscreen. Sunscreen plus an antioxidant like Vitamin C is a winning combination as I’ve outlined previously. It is possible to use it at night, but it may be too much for your skin used in conjunction with other treatments including a retinoid or alpha hydroxy acids. When it comes to a Vitamin C Serum, do you have a favourite?

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Apothekari Super C Serum - New!

Apothekari Super C Serum is a new 18% high potency Vitamin C serum formulated with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) and organic ingredients to deliver active, bio-available Vitamin C in a light, non-greasy and easily absorbed serum. Sodium ascoryl phosphate is a highly stable form of Vitamin C with certain benefits over other forms of Vitamin C, including its ability to treat acne. Read more about SAP below. Apothekari Super C delivers antioxidant protection, reduces the development of sunburn cells and prevents the formation of free radicals. It can help to fade age spots and skin discoloration, refine skin texture and reduce wrinkle formation. The addition of hyaluronic acid moisturizes and plumps skin cells helping to minimize the appearance of existing wrinkles. Shop Bespoke Vitamin C 15% What Can Vitamin C Do For Your Skin? Increase the synthesis of collagen, which leads to thicker skin. Thicker skin retains more moisture, helping to prevent dryness and diminish the appearance of wrinkles Provides antioxidant activity, which fights against free radicals that can damage skin. Free radicals are caused by pollution, the sun and cigarette smoke Fade skin discolorations Improve the appearance of sun damaged skin Fight against tumor formation and help to slow down the development of skin cancers Why Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP)? Studies have shown that SAP is effective at treating acne vulgaris through a combination of its antimicrobial effect on acne-causing bacteria as well as calming the inflammation associated with acne. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate tends to be much better tolerated than other forms of Vitamin C so this serum is especially suitable if you have sensitive skin although Apothekari Super C Serum may be used by all skin types. Apothekari Super C Serum is formulated with an organic herbal infusion that contains additional organic ingredients including aloe leaf and jojoba oil. It has high concentrations of sodium ascorbyl phosphate and botanical hyaluronic acid.

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