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By Janet Thompson
Are you damaging your skin with toxic sludge and you don’t even realize it? Vitamin C is crucial for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin. Unfortunately, Vitamin C is extremely unstable and loses effectiveness when mixed with a liquid or serum. It immediately begins to degrade, and if the pH or emulsification of a formula is not stable, Vitamin C quickly oxidizes and loses its efficacy (up to 50% in 2-3 months). What are you left with? A potential oxidant – not an antioxidant!
I love antioxidants, and you should too! Antioxidants are chemicals that interact with and neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron. They are very chemically reactive, short-lived and are the culprits behind disease and cancer. Free radicals are on a mission to find and attach themselves to healthy cells. When they do, they do everything they can to turn the healthy cell into an unhealthy cell. Misery loves company, right?
Antioxidants are free radical scavengers; they are on a mission to seek and destroy free radicals. As a result, they stop the damage before it starts on a cellular level. This process is very important to our overall health and well-being, including our skin. We want Vitamin C to work WITH our bodies and skin harmoniously – not against them.
Don’t be fooled by all the pretty bottles and high-priced marketing campaigns out there. The moisturizer or serum you just purchased that brags about containing Vitamin C was most likely packaged months ago, if not years, and stored in a hot warehouse waiting to be shipped to your local supplier. Oxidized Vitamin C can increase the formation of free radicals – exactly the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve. This is why we don’t want products that already contain Vitamin C.
So, how do you get the Vitamin C you need for your skin and make sure it’s potent and fresh? You mix it into your moisturizer just before you apply it to your skin. Applying topical Vitamin C to the skin is 20 times more effective than ingesting it. Simply applying Vitamin C daily for three days can achieve optimal levels of it in the skin. The key to being successful with this type of application is to use the correct form of Vitamin C.
L-Ascorbic Acid is the natural form of Vitamin C and is readily absorbed into the skin. It’s typically found in a crystal or powder form and you only need to add a pinch to your moisturizer to benefit from its effectiveness. We offer a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C (Vita-C Cocktail Mix) at the spa for $19.95 (1-oz. bottle) which will last you a long time.
Topical Vitamin C is an amazing and effective way to boost collagen syntheses. It helps to keep your skin healthy and younger-looking. It’s an inexpensive fix that is an effective anti-aging cocktail for your skin. Give it a try – it won’t let you down and your skin will applaud your choice!
Janet Thompson is a licensed Esthetician and owner of Spa La Vie Organic Skin Spa, located in Wasco, IL. 630-485-2788. www.SpaLaVie.info. Janet loves helping people achieve their skin care goals – the natural way.
