Vitamin C lightens skin by inhibiting the amount of melanin your pigment skin cells generate. When applied topically, vitamin C interacts with tyrosinase, the main enzyme responsible for the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into melanin, thereby reducing pigmentation.
Vitamin C also exfoliates the skin so that the darker layer of your skin is gone forever and the lighter tone surfaces. To lighten the skin using Vitamin C is simple.
A small study reported in 2004 in the International Journal of Dermatology found vitamin C applied for 16 weeks was effective in lightening the skin of patients with melasma. This was compared to the effectiveness of hydroquinone, the longstanding skin-lightening product.
“Vitamin C products are packed with antioxidants that are known for providing a brightening and “glowy” effect on our skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Kathy Taghipour. “It naturally improves the appearance of skin by fighting signs of aging and UV exposure, along with hyperpigmentation and dark patches.”
Some of the most common side effects include: itching. redness. skin irritation.
Refrain from getting too vitamin C happy if you have sensitive skin to deal with. Dr. Chiu warns that because vitamin C is a skin-care “active”—meaning it's particularly potent—applying too much of it on your face can potentially lead to more breakouts or irritation.
No, it does not. It may stain your skin but it cannot darken your skin. It is important to know the difference between staining and darkening the skin. Staining is where the product reacts with your dead skin cells and leads to a change in the color of those dead cells.
Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays an important role in maintaining skin health and can promote the differentiation of keratinocytes and decrease melanin synthesis, leading to antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.
What It Does: This potent antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment in the skin, fading dark spots. When You'll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.
It is impossible to change your constitutional skin tone. However, it is possible to medically treat concerns like tan, dark spots and post-acne pigmentation with safe and effective skin lightening solutions. These advanced aesthetic treatments can improve the health of your skin and restore its natural glow.
Melanin reduction surgery
The amount of melanin varies in each body, but the more melanin you have, the darker you become. That's why melanin reduction surgery is often used by Bollywood heroines to achieve a fairer complexion.
Ever used a vitamin C serum and noticed your skin looking darker, orange or more tanned? You're not alone—this is a known side effect of the popular brightening and anti-aging ingredient!
Vitamin C preparations can also discolor on the skin surface as they contact oxygen in the environment. This accounts for the orange color that may emerge on the skin in the morning after wearing a vitamin C preparation overnight.
For a bright and glowy complexion, skin enthusiasts are now reaching for the latest holy grail, Vitamin C. Safe to use for most skin types (including melanated skin!), this powerful antioxidant is known to boost cell turnover, increase collagen production, and even out skin tone.
When vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant, the consequences include irritation, inflammation, collagen and elastin breakdown, and acne. So if you have any of these skin ailments, and are using a vitamin C serum, then its time to re-think your regimen.
Vitamin C serum benefits
If you're wondering when to apply a vitamin C serum, the answer is both morning and night, after cleansing and toning. One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection.
How Long Does Vitamin C Serum Take to Work? You will likely notice skin improvement 4-12 weeks after starting routine use of vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C is also a “great ingredient” for anyone with acne-prone skin for several reasons, according to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist: It can help neutralize inflation and prevent breakouts, brighten dark spots left behind when pimples heal — it can also treat melasma (dark patches on the skin) ...
Use vitamin C for hyperpigmentation caused by melanin and use niacinamide if your skin can't handle vitamin C. Keep in mind this is a very hard and fast rule because they aren't easy to compare without really knowing your skin concerns and skin sensitivity.