Unboxed: 9 vitamin C-rich natural skin care products to support healthy aging
There are few personal care ingredients out there as well-researched as vitamin C. Here are nine impressive natural formulations that make the most of this water-soluble antioxidant.
One Love Organics' combination of shea butter oil, papaya enzymes and a patented form of vitamin C called Ester-C is the perfect way to level up shoppers' post-shower body moisturizing routines. While the rest of the products in this gallery are for facial use, bodies need regular exfoliation and moisture (especially in the winter), too. Botanical-C Body Oil is free from artificial fragrance and is ECOCERT certified natural and organic.
Latina-founded skin care brand Uviña Skin incorporates all-natural fruit antioxidants, herbs and hydrating butters across its product line. Its Gaby Antioxidant-Rich and Soothing Serum is no exception, boasting multiple natural sources of vitamin C including green tea, açaí and noni extracts; the addition of soothing chamomile and coffee seed extract provide a buffer against any potential irritation. Bonus: Shoppers can easily see a breakdown of every ingredient and its role in concert with the others on the brand's website.
Fleur and Bee's take on the vitamin C serum is targeted toward shoppers with sensitive complexions. It contains 15% vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a solid percentage) and both vitamin E and ferulic acid to help stabilize the finicky ingredient. Organic aloe vera juice, chamomile and jojoba round out this thoughtful, nonirritating formula.
This wouldn't be a roundup of natural vitamin C serums without Mad Hippie's version, a longstanding favorite of natural and conventional shoppers across the U.S. And it's no suprise why: This serum couples sodium ascorbyl phosphate with ferulic acid, vitamin E and nutrient-rich konjac root to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Another skin care hero, hyaluronic acid, also makes an appearance. All around an excellent product.
CLEARSTEM Skincare’s exfoliating vitamin C serum is nicknamed “The Blackhead Dissolver” for a reason—this product doesn’t mess around with its potent ingredient list. Mandelic acid works effectively alongside vitamin C to reduce the appearance of blemishes, and turmeric root extract helps protect skin from damaging UVB light. Note that because this product has so many active exfoliators shoppers should avoid using it in tandem with physical scrubs or other exfoliating agents.
Not a fan of serums? InstaNatural's potent vitamin C moisturizer can be used both morning and evening for a one-two punch of hydration and brightening. Moisturizers with vitamin C are typically more suitable for shoppers with sensitive or mature skin as they contain diluting ingredients—in this case argan oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil and aloe vera. InstaNatural also offers complementary products in the form of a vitamin C-infused toner, face wash and serum should consumers really want to get serious about upping their topical vitamin C dosage.
Trendy natural skin care brand Youth To The People incorporates not one, not two, but three forms of vitamin C in this fragrance-free formula. Additionally, the caffeine in this product derived from yerba mate and guayusa creates tighter and firmer skin by constricting blood vessels and stimulating blood flow upon application. It's also ultra-lightweight, which makes it perfect for layering under sunscreen in the morning.
Ursa Major's packaging for its vitamin C serum greatly reduces oxidation by virtue of being both opaque and having a pump rather than dropper to dispense the liquid. The form of vitamin C here is ascorbic acid polypeptide, working alongside antioxidant-rich edelweiss, rose hip (which is naturally high in vitamin C) and calming rose. No petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, parabens, synthetic fragrance or color, glycols, silicones or PEGs to be found.
Another favorite product, now free from potentially irritating essential oils. Marie Veronique's Vitamin C Plus E Plus Ferulic Acid serum is meant to be incorporated in both daily and nightly skin care routines to protect and repair the epidermis. Iterations of vitamin C in this formula include L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. It's so effective that it's recommended as a retinol alternative for pregnant women.
Another favorite product, now free from potentially irritating essential oils. Marie Veronique's Vitamin C Plus E Plus Ferulic Acid serum is meant to be incorporated in both daily and nightly skin care routines to protect and repair the epidermis. Iterations of vitamin C in this formula include L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. It's so effective that it's recommended as a retinol alternative for pregnant women.
There's a reason why Google searches for vitamin C serums have risen sharply over the past few years. Brightens dark spots and acne scars? Check. Fights free radical damage? Yup. UV ray protection? Absolutely.
This star ingredient also plays nicely with many common skin care additives (except acids and retinol), and is even supercharged when combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid.
Packaging is crucial to note when it comes to products containing vitamin C—its potency deteriorates when exposed to light or air, which is why most brands use darkly tinted or opaque bottles and pumps are preferable to droppers. Another important factor is which form of vitamin C a manufacturer is using; L-ascorbic acid is widely considered to be the most stable and effective form among dermatologists, though there are appropriate reasons like skin sensitivity to choose other variations.
Of course, synthetic derivatives aren't the only way to champion vitamin C, and many natural brands do combine them with natural forms of the powerhouse ingredient that have the added benefit of naturally occuring phytonutrients.
Click through this gallery to learn about nine impressive vitamin C-infused personal care products, some new and some old favorites, perfect for freshening up your natural beauty section.
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