Vitamin C

How does vitamin c work? Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows down the rate of free-radical damage (uv, smoking, sun, alcohol). It provides a protective shield over the skin to protect it. It slows down ageing by increasing collagen production and helps strengthen the skin by help restoring your skins barrier. Who is it for?  DULL SKIN- As it is an extremely powerful antioxidant, it can benefit anybody in terms of overall skin health. Applying vitamin C on a daily basis will ensure skin health remains at its optimum. This in turn will ensure your skin will have all the vitamins it needs giving you an amazing glow. AGEING-Increases production of collagen, hydration and skin health. PIGMINTATION/SCARRING- Vitamin C helps break down the pigment color in the skin helping fade the dark marks from scarring or pigmentation. This is a slower, but more nourishing way to help fade marks or even skin tone, without the harshness of acids. IMPAIRED/SENSITIVE- Helps repair a irriatated skin by repairing the barrier. If skin is irritated-remaining constantly on guard for aggressors- this causes stress in the skin, Stress depletes Vitamin C levels, as Vitamin C is used up rapidly by the adrenal glands that supply the stress hormones. The increase in collagen can help improve the ruddy-red appearance of the skin. It is a well-known fact that smoking reduces vitamin C levels in smokers but evidence also shows that non- smokers who live with smokers, also suffer reduced Vitamin C levels. We have 3 main vitamin C products here at Shine. Extreme C: Most appropriate for a wider range of skin types. Most people are able to be put on this type of vitamin C as it is very gentle on the skin, and causes little to no irritation. This is because it contains a form of Vitamin C which is oil soluble and is pH neutral, causing less irritation. This vitamin C focuses on strengthening and repairing the skin whilst keeping it soothed. Pure C: just contains 100% pure L-Ascorbic acid crystals. This is a really high dose of vitamin C, so perfect for someone concerned about brightening their skin, helping to break down pigmented skin or smokers. Since this form of Vitamin C has such high anti-oxidants, it has the ability to shield the skin against further sun damage, causing less pigment. L-Ascorbic acid also is able to slow down the production of melanin by itself. This product would not be suitable for someone looking to strengthen or repair their skin as it would be too stimulating, due to the acids in the product. Pure C mixes great with many other products to give even greater results. Triple C: This is a blend of 3 different types of stabilised Vitamin C. This form of vitamin C also contains peptides. So in terms of anti-ageing- if not enough collagen or elastin was being produced by the cell, the peptide would correct it, encouraging more production. It also assists the new collagen production and maintains the health. This vitamin C has such a high level of antioxidants due to the amount of different forms of C in it, so this would be perfect for someone exposed to high levels of free-radical damage throughout their day. Why a cosmeceutical product Vitamin C is a tricky ingredient. It is a very unstable vitamin, which means the slightest reactions to heat, light or oxygen can deactivate all of its benefits. This is why it is important to look at the type of packaging Vitamin C comes in prior to purchasing. A good Vitamin C to look for should be double insulated to provide protection from the sun, and should be air tight so no oxygen can enter though the package. This will ensure longer usage of your product and full results. Also Vitamin C is not recognised by the skin, because of this it’s delivery system needs to be advanced to penetrate into the skin so it can work. There are different forms of Vitamin C that attaches to sodium or magnesium (which is recognised by the skin) so that it can enter the skin through channels. Once delivered into the skin, the magnesium or sodium dissolve, releasing the vitamin C deeper into the skin, with less irritation. Since vitamin C is not recognised, Vitamin E is a great carrier for C as when the 2 are bonded, C is able to enter with it. Vitamin E can be a great carrier as it also assist the benefits of C, as it too helps fight off free radicals, as it is another form of an antioxidant.It also makes it difficult for oxygen and other relative substances to attack the weak point of Vit C.