Expect that your skin tone or dark spots will lighten over time. How long this takes will vary with each person but in general, you should notice a visible difference after 2-3 weeks, and a significant difference after 8-12 weeks.
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.
Vitamin C lightens skin
Tyrosinase converts the amino acid tyrosine into melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. A 2019 review of studies published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology examined the effect of topical vitamin C on skin spots caused by sun damage.
Dose. The suggested dose oral dose of vitamin C skin for lightening is 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams in divided doses of 500 milligrams each. However, according to MedlinePlus, it is not recommended to take more than 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day.
It is common for skin to be red and swollen for a few days afterwards, and it may be bruised or crusty for 1 to 2 weeks. Over the next few weeks, your skin should start to fade to a lighter colour. It will be sensitive to the sun for up to 6 months.
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.
1. Lightens dark spots. Vitamin C helps lighten dark spots on the skin by restricting the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin. Dark spots form due to an overproduction of melanin, a dark pigment, in your skin.
Vitamin C serums usually take longer than other serums to show results. But if used regularly, it will start showing results in four to twelve weeks.
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.
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) ...
How do they do it? Some sources indicate that they use chemical peels, surgery or lasers to whiten their skin. In fact, some strong creams such as Benaquin are used as well as drugs that can inhibit production of melanin.
Hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, "liver spots," "age spots," freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin. This medicine works by blocking the process in the skin that leads to discoloration.
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.
Studies suggest vitamin A is important to melanin production and is essential to having healthy skin. You get vitamin A from the food you eat, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas.
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.
Layer Oil Over Vitamin C Serum
If you struggle with vitamin C turning colour on your skin—even when it's applied from a fresh, non-oxidized bottle—consider pairing it with a face oil. Apply the C first, and then a generous layer of oil on top of it.
Even if you don't have sensitive skin, we recommend that all skin types use their vitamin C serum before bed. Your body undergoes its natural repair process while you're asleep, and the vitamin C will make its strongest impact on your skin during this time.
Does vitamin E lighten the skin? Some people use vitamin E with lemon juice or other ingredients to bleach the skin. There is no evidence that this works, and these products can cause side effects that include: damage to the skin.