Using a Vitamin C serum is essential for protecting your skin cells from free radicals. This article explains why Vitamin C is so effective in providing this protection and offers solid proof of its benefits!
What are Free Radicals?
Free radicals form when an oxygen molecule splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons. Since electrons like to be in pairs, these free radicals seek out other electrons so they can become a pair. This process causes damage to cells, proteins and DNA.
How do Free Radicals Affect my Skin?
Free radicals can damage your skin by trying to take an extra electron from atoms in your skin. When an atom is taken away from a molecule in your skin, it causes damage to your skin’s DNA. This can speed up skin ageing and lead to wrinkles and brown spots forming. See this article from Dermatology Research and Practice on Free Radicals and Extrinsic Skin Aging
Your skin is constantly under attack from free radicals that come from UV light, pollution, cigarette smoke and the air around you.
How Can Vitamin C Serum help?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant which can neutralise free radicals. This means using a Vitamin C serum regularly can dramatically reduce the damage that oxidative stress can cause to your skin.
Proof that it works!
To show the antioxidant effect that Vitamin C serum has I conducted an experiment using an apple. When an apple is cut in half and exposed to oxygen in the air it will start to oxidise. One of the signs that this is happening is that the apple will start to go brown.
I took an apple, cut it in half and applied a thin layer of Vitamin C serum on one side of the apple. I used the same amount of serum that I would normally apply to my face. In the experiment the Vitamin C serum I used was the Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 serum which contains 22% Vitamin C.
- Reduces the appearance of premature ageing, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Improves the appearance and feel of skin
- Restores skin’s youthful, glowing, radiant, and luminous appearance
Last update on 2025-05-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
After applying the Vitamin C serum to the left side of the apple I left the apple for 30 minutes. When I came back the left side of the apple was still completely white but the right side had started to go brown.
The effect that the vitamin C serum had on the apple is the same as what happens when you apply it to your skin. Just as the serum stopped the left side of the apple from oxidising, it also protects your skin cells from oxidation.
Recommended Vitamin C products
INDEED LABS VITAMIN C24
The product I used in this experiment was the Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 serum. I initially found 22% vitamin C a bit too drying for my skin, so I started using the product only 1-2 times a week which worked better for me.
- Reduces the appearance of premature ageing, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Improves the appearance and feel of skin
- Restores skin’s youthful, glowing, radiant, and luminous appearance
Last update on 2025-05-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BEAUTY PIE SUPERACTIVE CAPSULES PURE DOUBLE VITAMIN C & VITAMIN E
This is one of my favourite vitamin C products. The SUPERACTIVE CAPSULES PURE DOUBLE VITAMIN C & VITAMIN E SERUM by Beauty Pie has 10% vitamin C and is combined with Vitamin E (a great combination).
VIOLA SKIN ANTI-AGEING VITAMIN C SERUM
The Viola Skin Vitamin C serum is a great option for anyone who is new to vitamin C as it’s very mild. Check out my full review of this product here: Viola Skin Anti-Ageing Vitamin C Serum Review
Last update on 2025-05-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Amazon’s Best Selling Vitamin C Products
Below is a list of Amazon’s current top 5 best selling vitamin C serums.
- ADVANCED MULTITASKER MOISTURIZING SERUM FOR FACE, NECK AND EYE AREA: Vitamin C in our all-in-one…
- SKIN BRIGHTENING SERUM RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS FOR A BEAUTIFUL YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN: Our Anti-aging and…
- ANTI AGING SKIN CARE POWERFUL GREEN SCIENCE FORMULA FOR WOMEN AND MEN: Vitamin C Serum is the best…
- POTENT FORMULA: Vitamin C* has been carefully blended with super citrus to ensure a formula that…
- 2-IN-1 BENEFITS: A 20% serum for potency, moisturiser for 24-hour hydration and a broad spectrum SPF…
- KEY CLAIMS : 72% of women noticed their skin was less dull. (Self-assessment on 144 people). 87%*…
- BRIGHTER, MORE RADIANT SKIN: Unlock your skin’s glow with our vitamin C face serum featuring 3-O…
- ANTI AGING FORMULA: Nourish your skin with this vitamin c serum. It’s crafted to support skin…
- ULTIMATE MOISTURE BOOST: Enriched with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this face serum…
- 12% PURE VITAMIN C SERUM: High-potency 12% Pure Vitamin C in every drop, formula and results…
- SALICYLIC ACID & VITAMIN E: the exclusive combination of dermatological actives is an ultra-stable,…
- ANTI OXIDANT SUPERPOWER: Powerful antioxidant protection from environmental damage, clinically…
- Plant Based Formulation – Free of synthetic color additives, fragrance, and stabilizers, dynamic…
- Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum For Face – As you grow older, the skin loses its vitality, leaving it…
- Advanced Antioxidant Serum – An indispensable nutrient for collagen production, vitamin C blends…
Last update on 2025-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Vitamin C Serum FAQs
What does vitamin C serum do for the skin?
Vitamin C serums can protect the skin from free radical damage and therefore delay skin ageing. It also stimulates production of collagen.
What Vitamin C serum is the most effective?
I recommend either SUPERACTIVE CAPSULES PURE DOUBLE VITAMIN C & VITAMIN E SERUM by Beauty Pie (10% vitamin C) or Indeed Labs Vitamin C24 serum (22% vitamin C) depending on how strong you want it to be.
Can I use Vitamin C serum everyday?
Yes you can use it every day but it should not be used at the same time as acids (AHAs, BHAs or glycolic acid).
Do you need vitamin C serum?
I advise incorporating a vitamin C product into your skincare routine because of the amazing antioxidant properties Vitamin C has.