Well, we couldn’t wait much longer! Dr. B and Dr. E had promised us more on Vitamin C preparations and so we caught them to tell us a bit before they rushed off to see more patients.
Is Vitamin C available in different forms?
It is. Commercial preparations of Vitamin C are available as serums, gels and creams. Vitamin C is formulated in different compounds.
-
L- Ascorbic Acid- This is the most potent form of Vitamin C for topical use. But it is not very stable and gets degraded easily. For it to be absorbed into the skin, it’s pH must be reduced to less than 3.5. This form of Vit. C is quite irritating to the skin.
-
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – This is a water soluble form, but more stable than L-Ascorbic Acid. It is better tolerated on the skin, though slightly less effective than L-Ascorbic Acid
-
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate – This is a lipophilic form of Vitamin C that is a lot less irritating to the skin than L-Ascorbic Acid. It hydrates your skin along with increasing collagen production.
-
Ascorbyl Palmitate – This form is oil soluble. A bit less potent, but quite effective as an antioxidant. Use this type if you have normal or dry skin
-
Other formulations are available, but studies have shown that they do not create the reservoir of L-Ascorbic Acid that is needed for effect.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Quite a pair, aren’t they?
Yes, quite!! Vitamin C offers great sun protection,but when mixed with Vitamin E, this effect quadruples! And Vit. C returns the favour by helping in the regeneration of Vitamin E. Together, these buddies offer the best sun damage protection to your skin. Perfect synergy.
And what about Ferulic Acid?
Ferulic Acid is a potent antioxidant itself. But when added to Vit. C and Vit. E, the effect of Vit. C jumps up 8 times!!
This terrific trio is being used more and more to fight UV radiation induced skin damage and even to prevent skin cancers.
What else can increase the effect of Vitamin C?
Newer technology is being used to deliver Vitamin C in nanoparticles and in multi-layered microemulsions for graded delivery
Using Vitamin C just after procedures such as ultrasound, iontophoresis, laser resurfacing, microneedling and microdermabrasion also helps it penetrate the skin.