Beauty Blogging Lessons: Vitamin C and Serums!

I have learned a lot about vitamin C since I began blogging.  I thought I knew everything there was to know in today's market about vitamin C.  You know: Its in OJ, its good for you, and your mom swears by it for curing colds, right?

Yes, but that's only part of the answer.

Vitamin C when used topically is also very good for your skin!  

Here's How:

- It has been clinically shown to boost collagen production, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

- It lightens overall pigmentation of the skin, which brightens skin complexion.

- It offers a small amount of UV protection.

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Okay, so Vitamin C is good for our skin.  It will take about 6 months of consistent use to see a serious impact.  I've been using vitamin C serums for about 2.5 months, and I've already started to notice some changes in my skin tone and complexion.  So, I'm excited to see what 4 more months will bring!

But these serums are not cheap, and there are so many to choose from!  What should be be looking for when selecting a Vitamin C Serum for our skin?

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What to Look For in a Vitamin C Serum:

- Dark Container: vitamin C is unstable and breaks down when exposed to light so it needs to be protected to remain potent.

- Pump Dispenser: vitamin C will break down when exposed to air as well, so try to find a dispenser that limits air exposure of the product.

- 5%-20% concentration of Vitamin C: 20% is the highest amount of vitamin C your skin can successfully absorb.

- pH balance of 3: this is the ideal pH of Vitamin C for absorption by the skin.  If the label is unclear, contact the manufacturer to ask.

- Be Aware that many Vitamin C Serums can have a very pungent smell.  If you have a sensitive nose, look for comments/ reviews that talk about the scent of the serum before you invest!

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I hope that this is helpful to you!  Of the Vitamin C Serums I have reviewed thus far, the ones I have been found most impressive include (in no particular order): 

InstaNatural (for most pleasant scent)

Oz Radiance (for best value)

Radha Beauty (for best serum as part of a skin care line)

Valencia (for current favorite)

**Review Coming Soon!**

What other products or product types in skin care would you like to learn about more on my blog?  Which ingredients  in skin care products would you like to learn more about?