Considering Vitamin C is one of the most essential nutrients and common supplements found in homes, most people are surprisingly unaware of the extent of its benefits for overall health.

All About Vitamin C

From curing a common cold to wound healing or protecting against age-related chronic diseases, Vitamin C checks all the boxes of a powerhouse nutrient. Board-certified experts even agree that Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients found in our repertoire. So what exactly is Vitamin C? Also known as L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble nutrient found in many fruits and vegetables. Some incredibly rich sources of ascorbic acid include: 

  • Citrus fruits or juice (orange and grapefruit)
  • Papaya
  • Kiwi
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Sweet peppers

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that humans do not have the capability of producing endogenously. This is why it's crucial to consume nutrient-dense foods containing ascorbic acid. If necessary, you can incorporate Vitamin C supplements for some extra daily nutritional support.

Health Canada recommends a minimum oral dose of 75mg per day for women and 90 mg for men to prevent a deficiency of vitamin c. Therapeutic benefits are often seen at higher doses of vitamin c. You can find very low doses of the vitamin to as high as 2000mg supplements of vitamin c. But since vitamin c is water-soluble, any excess of the vitamin in the body gets excreted through urine. Most vitamin c supplements are available in the form of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid has shown to provide optimal absorption in the digestive tract. For those who consume the vitamin ascorbic acid at higher doses, it's best to spread supplementation throughout the day for optimal absorption of vitamin c. 

While the antioxidant benefits of oral supplementation with Vitamin C are highly publicized, it's relatively less well known what the role of vitamin C is for skin health. And whether you're looking to kick start your skin care or elevate your current regimen, adding a quality Vitamin C serum is essential for any robust skincare strategy. The powerhouse antioxidant vitamin in Pascoe's advanced anti-ageing serum delivers the ideal concentration of actives that are scientifically formulated for all ages and suitable for all skin types. This includes even the most sensitive skin! Pascoe's Vitamin C Serum Intensive Care penetrates every layer of the skin to nourish and instantly brighten, tighten, and protect skin from the effects of ageing and harmful environmental aggressors.

The Serious Benefits of Using Topical Vitamin C.

1. Anti-Aging 

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the body and is especially important for healthy skin. Collagen not only strengthens skin, but collagen also supports elasticity and hydration. Unfortunately, as we age the body produces less collagen which results in dry skin and wrinkles. Supplementing with oral ascorbic acid as well as topical Vitamin C for skin care is important to reduce signs of premature ageing skin.

This is because Vitamin C is essential for collagen production. The vitamin also encourages healthy cell turnover and regeneration. This means it replaces damaged cells with healthy new ones. With its unique anti-ageing properties, vitamin c boosts collagen production to thicken the dermis, diminish fine lines, and firm skin. Pascoe's Vitamin C serum is a must-try advanced formula since the concentrated treatment rapidly prevents and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for radiant, younger-looking skin.

2. Brightens Complexion and Evens Skin Tone

Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are often caused by free radical damage and oxidative stress. While free radicals are naturally produced in the body, exposure to toxins, smoking, harmful UV rays, and pollution can accelerate their production. Vitamin C products help to inhibit melanin production in the skin. In doing so, ascorbic acid will help lighten hyperpigmentation and fade discolouration, melasma, or dark spots. The topical application of a vitamin c facial serum works as a superior skin-brightening agent to visibly reduce hyperpigmentation and dullness. The vitamin can also help establish a more even skin tone and enhance radiance. 

4. Antioxidant

Oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals in the body than antioxidants. Besides the aforementioned causes of free radical production, other sources include alcohol, a diet high in sugar and fat, UV-induced photodamage, and photoaging. Uncontrolled oxidative stress can speed up the ageing process and visibly result in age-related skin concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and pigmented spots.

Antioxidants prevent or slow the damage of free radicals, also known as oxidative stress. While the body is able to naturally produce antioxidants, it's also important to include antioxidants through a varied diet. Potent antioxidants include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, beta-carotene and lycopene to name a few. 

Vitamin C is an undeniably powerful antioxidant that protects skin cells from free radical damage. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant vitamin that neutralizes free radicals in the skin as well as reverses cell damage. A potent antioxidant topical Vitamin C serum intensely nourishes and repairs skin while helping to keep age-related signs at bay. 

3. Anti-Inflammatory

The anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids found in topical Vitamin C products work at a cellular level to support weakened blood vessels and skin health. A potent Vitamin C serum strengthens blood vessels to prevent and reduce redness and inflammation as well as improve the appearance of aggravated or sun-damaged skin. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the vitamin also accelerate wound healing.  

5. Hydrating

One of the main Vitamin C derivatives, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate(MAP), easily penetrates the skin layer and absorbs quickly to simultaneously improve hydration while retaining moisture. The fast absorption of Pascoe's hydrating serum made with vitamin c is formulated to illuminate your skin - without clogging pores!

Choosing the Right Vitamin C Serum

There are three main factors to consider when choosing a vitamin c serum for your face.

Form of Vitamin C. It's important to know that vitamin c comes in different forms. The vitamin can be in the form of L-ascorbic acid, lipid-soluble ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl glucoside, oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, among others. it is essential that the vitamin formula has good bioavailability and absorption.

Concentration. The strength of the ascorbic acid is important. At least 10% L-ascorbic acid is recommended for a quality serum. In combination with other antioxidants and boosters like ferulic acid and Vitamin E.

Formulation. Studies have shown there are proven benefits for skin care to combine Vitamin C with equally potent vitamins and antioxidants. Add a moisturizer containing Vitamin E and ferulic acid work can significantly increase the results of vitamin c.

How to Use Pascoe's Vitamin C Serum

Improve the appearance of your complexion instantly and long-term with the nightly application of Pascoe's pure Vitamin C Serum. The non-greasy, paraben-free, and animal cruelty-free serum is well-tolerated by all skin types and all age-related skin concerns. 

Step 1: Cleanse Skin

Step 2: Tone Skin

Step 3: Apply a thin layer of Pascoe's Vitamin C Serum Intensive Care to the face & neck

Step 4: Follow up with a moisturizer such as Pascoe's Hyaluronic Face Cream. A daily face moisturizer that hydrates and nourishes the skin.

Side Effects

All skin products have the potential to cause a side effect or an allergic reaction. To make sure a vitamin-c-rich product is perfect for you, we recommend you do a patch test first. Apply a tiny amount of the serum to a small area of skin that's easy to conceal. Wait 24 hours. If no side effects occur, you can read and follow the instructions on the product's label for a full application. 

In the case that you have sensitive skin and develop a rash, hives, or redness, discontinue use immediately.