Vitamin C Skincare: Choosing Vitamin C Serum or Cream for a Radiant Complexion

The most potent forms of topical vitamin C can have noticeable skincare benefits, but also run the risk of drying out or irritating sensitive skin. A lotion formulated with vitamin C can protect your skin from these side effects while delivering a high dose of this ingredient. Find out whether a vitamin C serum or cream could be the best formulation to give your skin a radiant glow.

Understanding the Skincare Powerhouse of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an effective ingredient for brightening your complexion. For the best results, you should select a product made with the most stable and absorbable form of this ingredient. Your best bet is a lotion developed by a dermatologist that contains a 20% concentration of ascorbic acid in a moisturizing base.

The antioxidant and immune-supporting functions of vitamin C are widely known. These properties are why the best hair growth supplements and most other multivitamins include this nutrient. Topical vitamin C excels at addressing skin concerns such as discoloration and dullness and can shield skin from further environmental damage.

Serum vs. Cream: Decoding the Formulation Dilemma

Vitamin C is often sold as a serum. Depending on the form and concentration of vitamin C, serums can dry out your skin. Cream-based skincare products can be the best way to give your skin a powerful dose of vitamin C or other potent ingredients and prevent dryness or irritation. For example, an azelaic acid 14 percent cream provides all the benefits of this ingredient while also hydrating and moisturizing skin.

When it comes to your daily routine, skincare experts recommend that you apply products in order from lightweight to dense formulas. This means that you should use serums before creams. No matter which formulation of vitamin C you choose, you should round out your morning routine by applying mineral-based broad spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 30 or greater. Vitamin C tends to make skin more sensitive to sun exposure.

The Advantages of Using Vitamin C Cream

The main advantage that a cream that contains a high dose of vitamin C has over serums is the added moisture. The best vitamin C lotion also contains vitamin E to support overall skin health. A cream formulation can also reinforce the reservoir effect of vitamin C, which enables this ingredient to stay effective for extended period of time after application.

According to the latest research, you can layer vitamin C and niacinamide without reducing the effectiveness of either ingredient. You should avoid using skincare acids or benzoyl peroxide at the same time as vitamin C, as these ingredients can alter the pH and reduce the effectiveness of this ingredient.

When To Use Vitamin C Cream

Most skin types can tolerate up to two daily applications of vitamin C cream, in the morning and in the evening. If you have sensitive skin, you should choose a vitamin C cream over serums and apply this treatment once a day or every other day. With regular use, you should see results from vitamin C cream in about four weeks.