Introduction:

Pure Vitamin C is well known as a powerhouse of health benefits, offering advantages that range from a strong immune system to glowing, beautiful skin. While you may already take Vitamin C tablets for skin or get a lot in your diet, your skin isn’t necessarily benefiting as much as it could be. That’s no surprise, because Vitamin C is water-soluble and your body processes it quickly, excreting much of it before it can be absorbed and put to work. Science has shown that while eating foods rich in Vitamin C is a solid start toward the healthy skin you long for, topical application is the most effective way to make a noticeable improvement in a short amount of time.

Research done on Vitamin C has shown many benefits associated with topical application. The first study was performed at Duke University in the 1980s on the back of hairless pigs who lived outdoors, which showed that UVB damage (the type of damage caused by sun exposure) could be repaired by topical use of Vitamin C. Fortunately for you, research on Vitamin C has gotten a lot more sophisticated since then. More recent studies have demonstrated the correlation between topically applying Vitamin C and brighter skin, boosted collagen production, and overall skin health in addition to helping combat the harmful effects of the sun.

Results:

What can Vitamin C do for your skin? The list is impressive:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles due to boosted collagen production
• Even skin tone and texture
• Lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation through oxidation prevention and repair
• Reduce inflammation and redness (including inflammatory issues caused by acne)

Typically, results from using well-made Vitamin C skincare products begin appear within the first thirty days of use, though improvement can sometimes be seen in as little as two weeks. Daily long term usage delivers the most lasting and visible benefits.

Antioxidant Superpower

What makes Vitamin C so special? One of the most well-known facts about Vitamin C as a skincare solution is that it is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants play a crucial part in any anti-aging skincare routine. They work by scavenging for free radicals, which are unstable molecules caused by oxidation. Oxidation is the chemical reaction that occurs when oxygen reacts with a substance, such as an apple slice turning brown or a nail rusting. When this happens on your skin, some molecules lose electrons (these are the free radicals) and aren’t able to replace them naturally, so they try to steal electrons from otherwise perfectly healthy molecules. This is the process by which age spots, discolored patches of skin and many other signs of aging skin are created.

Luckily, we have many sources of antioxidants, which are molecules armed with spare electrons that can neutralize free radicals before they can do noticeable damage. While your body naturally produces some antioxidants, over time the production of these will decrease - especially when you and your skin are exposed to things like stress, pollution and the sun’s UV radiation. Because of decreased production, your skin requires additional antioxidants to keep looking young and healthy. Sources of antioxidants are mostly found in plants: green tea, blueberries, aloe, and many others - and they are also present in Vitamins A, E and, of course, C. Antioxidants not only prevent future damage from occurring but are also capable of repairing damage that has already happened. When choosing a skincare product, look for one that contains a mixture of many forms of antioxidants. Science has shown that products containing a variety of antioxidants are more effective than those that use just one.

Sun Damage Repair

Vitamin C is not only capable of reducing the risk of sun damage, but actually helping repair damage that’s already been done. A clinical study in 2002 was able to link visible improvement in the skin of “baby boomers” to the daily topical application of Vitamin C

(1). If you’re young, don’t feel left out - Vitamin C is a highly effective preventative care resource for protecting your skin from future sun damage. Vitamin C boosts your skin’s ability to withstand and recover from harm caused by UV light. While it’s no substitute for daily use of a broad spectrum facial sunscreen, it does help your skin defend itself against exposure. Using Vitamin C in your daily skincare routine will help delay the signs of aging, keeping your skin looking younger longer.

Collagen Production

One of the most prominent anti-aging benefits of Vitamin C is increased natural collagen production. In several studies Vitamin C has been linked directly to collagen production and in turn, wrinkle reduction, specifically when it is applied topically to your skin.(1) “Vitamin C is an essential component in the body’s production of collagen and a potent antioxidant that can help rejuvenate aged and photo damaged skin.” says Dr. Gary Goldfaden in a clinical study conducted in 2009

(2). What exactly does collagen do for your skin? Collagen is part of a chemical trio that keeps skin taut and looking young. The other two chemicals in the trio are Hyaluronic Acid and Elastin, and as those combine with collagen, they form a framework below the surface of your skin that holds up the natural structure of your face. As we age our skin begins to loosen because not as much collagen is being produced as before, and this collagen loss forms wrinkles. Vitamin C helps to stimulate our natural collagen production back to optimal levels. When collagen production is increased, your wrinkles will naturally lessen as the surface of your skin fits itself on a tighter, healthier frame.

The Best Forms of Topical Vitamin C:

Many skincare products contain Vitamin C, but the most potent form is a serum. Look for a serum with a high concentration (20% is the highest available) for maximum effect. Also, the type of Vitamin C that is used matters a great deal, because not all Vitamin C is created equal. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) – the source of Vitamin C in OZNaturals’ product - is the most stable, bioavailable and potent form of Vitamin C on the market. SAP has a naturally higher stability than other forms of Vitamin C, giving it a longer shelf life and preserving its effectiveness over time. Other forms of Vitamin C, such as L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA) are highly unstable and can lose their potency in less time.

Packaging is also important for any skincare product. A delicate ingredient like Vitamin C must be stored correctly, or else it can lose potency. Look for serums stored in a tinted amber bottle, which protect it from the light, and always store your bottle at room temperature or colder and away from direct light.

OZNaturals

As with any skincare product, you want to find a brand you can trust to use quality ingredients and proven formulas. OZNaturals’ best-selling skincare line uses only the most stable and effective natural ingredients in all their products. OZNaturals’ Vitamin C Serum is their most popular product, with a cult following among savvy beauty consumers and is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.com. It contains multiple antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, Astaxanthin, rose hips and green tea as well as Hyaluronic Acid. The company also has a Leaping Bunny Certification for their cruelty free practices.

Another reason people love OZNaturals’ Vitamin C Serum because the company protects both its products and its consumers by using appropriate packaging to keep the serum stable and fresh. OZNaturals Vitamin C serum is contained in an amber bottle to protect it from light and employs a dropper delivery system, to ensure the serum keeps its maximum potency.

OZNaturals is all about healthy skin, anti-aging, natural ingredients and high quality skincare. Co-Founder and Certified Aesthetician Angela Irish says: “I know from personal experience (from my own skin issues), that when your skin is unhealthy it can negatively affect your self-esteem. Like so many, I've tried tons of products over the years, only to be left with the same issues as before...sometimes even worse than before. This can be very disheartening, especially when so many skin care products make huge claims, and simply do not deliver. It's especially frustrating when the cost of those products are hardly affordable, and you realize once again that you've wasted your money. While it's true that beautiful skin is also hereditary, healthy skin comes from taking care of the inside and outside of our bodies. However, finding the right products for our skin can be the toughest part of the equation. This is why OZNaturals was founded, to create healthy, premium skin care products to help those who weren't naturally born with perfect skin, to obtain more perfect skin. The kind of skin that everyone deserves to have.”

OZNaturals Vitamin C Serum is guaranteed to produce results within 30 days. This antioxidant formula protects skin from environmental stressors, naturally lifts and firms, and stimulates collagen creation. All OZNaturals products are made in with no parabens and no alcohol.

How to Use Vitamin C Serum:

Include Vitamin C Serum once a day in your daily skincare regimen. After using your cleanser, exfoliator (twice a week), and toner, apply your Vitamin C oil serum to your face, neck and décolleté. Because it is highly concentrated, a few drops is all that is necessary to create a very thin layer on the areas you are treating. One bottle generally last two to three months with daily usage, making this simple step affordable as well as effective.

Serums do not replace the need for a moisturizer, so after your serum is fully absorbed, follow with a high quality vitamin c lotion, such as OZNaturals Sea Infused Moisturizer or Super Youth Retinol Moisturizer. Don’t forget the sunscreen - you don’t want to undo the good work your Vitamin C serum is doing for your skin.

Whatever your age and skin type, adding a Vitamin C to your skincare regimen is one of the most beneficial steps you can take to ensure younger looking, healthy skin for years to come.

Studies:

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11896774

(2) http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2009/5/revitalizing-aging-skin-with-topical-vitamin-c/page-01