Vitamin C has been a dermatologist's favourite ingredient for quite some time now. But the next question we then face is how often should it be used on the face . By now we have dived into the topic that Vitamin C for Oily skin is in fact a great choice. Studies have shown that using a 10% Vitamin C serum has been shown to protect against photoaging, ultraviolet-induced immunosuppression and photocarcinogenesis.(JCAD)
The frequency question is not complicated. But understanding why it matters more than most people assume, makes the answer stick.
Deconstruct — Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Serum
IS DAILY USE RIGHT FOR EVERYONE?
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE FREQUENCY
Not every active ingredient should be used on an everyday basis and it is also important to keep in mind that certain chemicals should not be paired with certain chemicals. Vitamin C can be a little high maintenance here, because pure vitamin c does not easily pair with other actives. Dermatologists suggest keeping an eye on three factors while deciding how often one must use Vitamin C in their everyday routine , especially when you have oily skin.
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Skin tolerance - Oily skin contains high Oleic Acid and low Linoleic Acid leading to an excess of sebum and poor water retention
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Product formulation- Oily and acne prone skin does not mean high tolerance, in-fact its the opposite using the correct vitamin c derivative is a key factor
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Existing skincare routine- If your face is not accustomed to an active and gets irritated the reason may be the serum needs more time to adjust to the skin.
Due to the highly acidic nature of Vitamin C it holds the potential to trigger the skin’s natural pH. Because of this reason using a well formulated water-based Vitamin C is important. While also giving your skin time to adjust to a new active. Using higher concentrations does not mean better results, the sweet spot is at 10% for Vitamin C.
BUILDING CONSISTENCY OVER TIME
Be it an exam paper, a relationship or skincare, consistent effort takes us a long way. Well your skincare does not require a lot more than just 5 mins of your daily mornings. Introduce a 10% Vitamin C serum which is water-based and well formulated into your routine gradually. Start with 3-4 times in week one and two followed up with daily use in the mornings.
A simple 4 step morning routine formed over 2-3 weeks outperforms a more precise step-by-step guide that requires motivation to follow. Skin renewal takes approximately 28 days per cycle. Meaningful brightening and pigmentation changes need 2-3 cycles of consistent application.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE VITAMIN C SERUM?
For most people, once every morning works best. Begin with 3-4 times per week if the face is new to actives, then follow it up with using it every morning after cleansing and before moisturizer. Avoid using heavy emollient based moisturizers to avoid clogged pores.
WHAT CAN AFFECT YOUR ROUTINE?
NEW TO VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is a highly unstable ingredient in itself. If you are a beginner or new to Vitamin C as an active ingredient in your routine. Dermatologists recommend starting with only using one serum in your entire routine. The preferred time for Vitamin C is in the morning routine after cleansing and before moisturizer. At night simply end it with cleansing and moisturizing to avoid irritation.
EXISTING ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
It is important to avoid using certain products or chemical ingredients alongside Vitamin C , to avoid any unnecessary irritation or complications. Start slow and build your routine with consistency instead of mixing everything which does not allow the skin to adjust to changes. Avoid AHA, BHA, Retinols while actively using Vitamin C
LIFESTYLE AND CONSISTENCY
In order to see genuine results, it is important to use your Vitamin C serum consistently every morning . Sparing just 5 minutes every morning for your skin is something you have to promise yourself . But while we stay on this topic maintaining a clean diet is also important, your gut surely plays a role in how your skin reacts.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCT: DECONSTRUCT 10% VITAMIN C SERUM
A LIGHTWEIGHT OPTION FOR EVERYDAY ROUTINES
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Deconstruct's 10% Vitamin C Serum is built to be used every morning. Not as a marketing claim, as a practical formulation decision.
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Oil free, water based and lightweight Vitamin C formulation that quickly absorbs into the skin using advanced liposomal technology
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The active compound is 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stabilised derivative which combines with Ferulic acid which stabilises the Vitamin C along with Cica and Panthenol that soothes and calms any irritation.
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Pure ascorbic acid degrades relatively quickly once the bottle is opened and used repeatedly in warm conditions.
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This form holds its potency considerably longer, which matters when the goal is uninterrupted daily application over 6-8 weeks.
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A serum that has degraded by week three is not delivering the compound the label claims.Deeper discolouration takes six to eight weeks of uninterrupted morning application.
COMMON MISTAKES WHEN THINKING ABOUT FREQUENCY
EXPECTING FASTER RESULTS BY USING MORE PRODUCT
Doubling the amount used on Thursday does not make up for skipping Monday and Tuesday. The compound works at the level of the skin's surface and renewal cycle, neither of which responds to volume. Three drops, sixty seconds, every morning.
FREQUENTLY CHANGING ROUTINES
Six weeks of daily application is the minimum window for evaluating whether a Vitamin C preparation is producing visible brightening. Most people make a product judgement at week two. That is like leaving a film at the halfway point and concluding it had no ending.
SKIPPING SUNSCREEN IN THE MORNING
Vitamin C intercepts the oxidative damage UV generates. Without sunscreen above it, UV continues generating new damage faster than the compound can intercept it. The two products work as a pair. One without the other works at a fraction of its potential.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Frequency of application is not a complicated topic. A well formulated Vitamin C which is lightweight and absorbs quickly applied every morning the secret formula. Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis and photoageing while also protecting against UV ad reducing hyperpigmentation over time. An absolute favourite of many this brightening ingredient only asks you to maintain some consistency and avoid mixing the ingredient with other potent actives like AH,BHA and Retinoids. Start 3-4 times a week and then every morning out of seven days in the week.
Deconstruct's 10% Vitamin C Serum is designed to remain stable enough through weeks of daily opening. Light enough to absorb before the rest of the morning stack begins. Effective enough at 10% 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic acid using liposomal technology to produce visible changes with the kind of uninterrupted application that actually gives it the chance to work.