Yes, vitamin C is good for hyperpigmentation. It visibly fades dark spots caused by ageing, the sun, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. However, it is NOT a substitute for a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen.
The skin changes seen with Vitamin C do not occur quickly. Vitamin C serum can take 12- 16 weeks to work on dark spots and 6 - 12 months to work on wrinkles. But it is a very good skin care ingredient and is worth the wait in most skin types.
Vitamin C for skin can make the skin dry, so follow up with a moisturizer. Some people may face some allergic reaction to the ingredients present in the serum. If you have acne-prone skin you may experience breakouts after using Vitamin C serum. Always do a patch test before use.
If you want to get rid of dark spots fast, a procedure that removes layers of discolored skin may work better than a lightening cream. These techniques include laser treatments, freezing (cryotherapy), dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and chemical peels.
Best Brightening Vitamin C Serum: Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe
Medik8's is excellent for this: powered by potent, 14% stabilized vitamin C (specifically, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), this helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and illuminate the complexion in just a few weeks of consistent use.
“It can accumulate for up to three or four days, so its daily use would not be necessary, as long as the Vitamin C has certain characteristics.” As Santamarina notes, this cannot be done with all formulations: it has to be a product with 10 to 15% ascorbic acid at a pH of 3.5 or lower.
4) Why does my skin look darker after using Vitamin C? If you are applying Vitamin C without sunscreen, it is likely that the Vitamin C degrades into Erythrulose, which is an ingredient you will find in many self-tanners. So please make sure you apply sunscreen always after applying Vitamin C.
Beta Hydroxy Acids
So that salicylic acid of yours should not be mixed with your vitamin C serum. It won't be able to help you with discoloration, collagen production, or protect you from UV rays. Additionally, combining the two can cause irritation and dryness.
The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has multiple benefits that address various skin concerns. A few key benefits you may note when using the retinol serum daily: Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and post-blemish dark spots. Promotes the cell renewal process, helping skin look brighter.
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.
CETAPHIL Healthy Radiance Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser gently cleanses and exfoliates to promote surface cell turnover, resulting in a smoother, more radiant complexion to visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots. But experts say it will take more research to confirm how well vitamin C creams work.
What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? A deficiency in Vitamin C can accelerate skin ageing, resulting in premature skin sagging and wrinkling. This is because Vitamin C enhances the production of the protein collagen, which is vital to providing the firmness and vibrancy that counteracts skin sagging.
You may notice a few short- and long-term differences when you start to use Vitamin C serum, including the appearance of a more even skin tone and firmer, more elastic looking skin.
Brightening and Even Skin Tone (4-8 weeks): With continued use, you may start noticing a more noticeable improvement in your skin's brightness and a reduction in the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration.
You'll want to apply your vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin. “As far as active ingredients go, vitamin C is quite unstable, and it's easily affected by outside elements such as air, light and moisture,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
The reason, according to cosmetic chemist Stephen Alain Ko, is the combination of vitamin C and ferulic acid.
While you can work your vitamin C serum into either your morning or evening skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend the morning [2]. This keeps your skin protected from free radicals as you go about your day, and can work especially well with your sunscreen to keep you safe from UV radiation.
In a Vitamin C skincare routine, it's important to apply the moisturizer after the application of the serum. This is because the serum helps the moisturizer gets absorbed better, and the moisturizer helps seal the serum's nutrients within the skin so they can work all day.
Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you're starting a new active skincare product—one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.
Vitamin C can help lighten dark spots and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol slows the breakdown of collagen and increases elasticity, giving you skin that looks firmer and plumper. The combination can help even out the texture and tone of your skin.
All of our experts recommend Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, a serum containing 15% L-ascorbic acid. It's often referred to as the gold standard in vitamin C serums by dermatologists.