Vitamin C for the skin: benefits, application tips, and our best products

You’ve probably heard about the importance of getting enough vitamin C. But did you know there’s much more to it than chugging orange juice? Vitamin C can be a great topical treatment to bring out the best in your skin. From wrinkles to hyperpigmentation, this little vitamin can help with a variety of skincare concerns.

At Garnier, we’ve been using the power of natural ingredients since 1904, finding new ways to harness the benefits of vitamin C using incredible formulas. Here’s everything you need to know about the function of vitamin C for the skin.

Vitamin C Benefits for the Skin

Vitamin C is a Form of Antioxidant Skincare

“Antioxidants” might seem like one of those words that gets thrown around a lot – so let’s break down what it actually means here. Antioxidants are basically your best defence against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that run rogue in the body and can cause damage to cells – including skin cells.

They’re unstable because they have an odd number of electrons. Antioxidants have extra electrons that they donate to free radicals to stabilise them and help reduce unwanted effects. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which means it’s great for protecting your skin from natural and environmental stressors – including things like sun damage.

Vitamin C and Collagen

Vitamin C is naturally acidic – which might sound like a risky thing to be putting on your face but hear it out. This acidity stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which are two important proteins that can help your skin maintain its youthful appearance. Collagen can help fill out your skin cells, minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while elastin helps boost your skin’s ability to snap back into shape after it’s stretched. As well as benefitting the shape and texture of your skin, these proteins can help improve strength and encourage repair. It inhibits melanin production which is what gives skin its tone or pigment. However, when the skin produces excessive amounts of melanin in certain areas, it can lead to what’s known as hyperpigmentation. It appears as dark spots on the skin and can result in an uneven skin tone. This often occurs with sun exposure although it can also be impacted by age. Vitamin C is thought to inhibit melanin production, which can mean a reduction in the appearance of dark spots and help maintain a level skin tone over time.

Some other major benefits of Vitamin C include:

1. It helps to protect the skin from environmental damage (sun damage)
2. It helps to brighten skin and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation
3. It helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and even out your skin tone

Vitamin C for Skin Products

Excited to get started with all these Vitamin C and Cg skincare benefits?

Discover our range of products which contain Vitamin C.

Vitamin C Anti-Fatigue Ampoule Sheet Mask (15g)

When you’re in the mood for a little home pampering, a sheet mask is a great way to take care of your skin. We’ve dosed it with a brightening Vitamin C ampoule that combines Vitamin Cg with energising pineapple extract. It’s made for those days when you need to add a little extra instant glow and takes just 5 minutes to revive your skin. Plus, it’s a vegan formula!

Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots Serum (30ml)

If you like to feel like a skincare scientist, why not add a potent complex of 3.5% Vitamin Cg, Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide into your regime? This serum uses three actives in combination to give a powerful skin effect – dark spots are visibly reduced with 88% of trialists seeing a difference in their skin*. 8 out of 10 people agree it’s the best serum they’ve used. Whilst working its active magic, this brightening serum is lightweight, non-greasy and won’t break you out. Wear it each morning and watch to see the results!

*88% of 124 Garnier Review Panelists agreed.

Vitamin C Brightening Serum Cream (50ml)

Looking for an all-in-one product which brightens like a serum and moisturises like a cream? Our Vitamin C* Serum Cream 2-in-1 is ideal. It’s formulated as a serum for potency, while doubling as an SPF 25 moisturiser for hydration and protection. Containing powerful dermatological actives, it works to improve dull, uneven skin for a complexion that looks brighter and more even. Leaving skin with a healthy glow.
*Vitamin C: Vitamin Cg, a Vitamin C derivative.

Vitamin C Brightening Day Cream

A nourishing, everyday cream that envelops the skin in a radiant glow, Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Day Cream smooths, revitalises and moisturises. This day cream is enriched with vitamin C**, working to smooth the skin for a firmer looking finish. Enriched with antioxidants, it also helps to protect the skin against environmental aggressors such as sun damage.
**Vitamin C: Vitamin Cg, a Vitamin C derivative.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out our full Vitamin C skincare range.

8/10 claim.

What are vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in plants.

However, when we take or apply vitamin C to the skin, our body only gets a small amount due to its low bioavailability.

So, how do we make the most of this skincare powerhouse? By manipulating it into a different form.

L-ascorbic acid is the biologically active, stable form of vitamin C frequently used in skincare. It’s manipulated to enhance absorption, so we can truly reap the benefits. The ideal concentration depends on the formulation you’re applying, though some studies show it’s best to apply a concentration higher than eight percent.

Benefits of vitamin C for the skin

The real question is, what doesn’t vitamin C do for the skin? Here are just a few of the prime benefits.

Vitamin C for hyperpigmentation

When the skin produces excessive amounts of melanin, it can lead to what’s known as hyperpigmentation. This appears as dark spots on the skin and can result in an uneven skin tone. Vitamin C is thought to inhibit melanin production, which can mean a reduction in the appearance of dark spots and help maintain a level skin tone.

Improvement of skin texture

Topical vitamin C has been shown to help blemishes as it helps control sebum production with regular applications. Its mild exfoliating properties balance your skin tone at the same time.

Vitamin C for glowing skin

By exfoliating, vitamin C helps remove dead skin cells and dullness – revealing healthy, glowing skin.

Anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle properties of vitamin C

Vitamin C’s natural acidity helps combat the visible signs of aging impacted by collagen decline.
Plus, we already touched on the benefits of vitamin C for dark spots, making it a powerful anti ageing ingredient!

How to use vitamin C in skincare

It’s easy to work vitamin C into your everyday routine. You can use it morning and night. In fact, studies show that applying a serum every eight hours offers the best protection, so if you've ever wondered how often to use vitamin C serum, there's your answer.

If you are using a vitamin C serum, we recommend applying it after cleansing and toning. You’ll also find Vitamin C Daily UV which can be applied as the final step in your routine, to protect from UV rays.

Vitamin C for oily, dry, and sensitive skin types

Vitamin C is one of those ingredients that can be suitable for every skin type, from oily to sensitive.

Vitamin C for oily skin

By controlling sebum production, vitamin C is a great choice for oily skin. Look for a Vitamin C serum containing active ingredients like salicylic acid for a non-greasy finish and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Vitamin C for dry skin

Although it’s acidic, vitamin C can be gentle and non-drying, making it suitable for dry skin as well. Combined with hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid in vitamin C creams for day and night, it leaves you feeling refreshed.

Vitamin C for sensitive skin

Vitamin C when formulated for sensitive skin is a great ingredient to add to your routine. Work it slowly into your routine by applying only one vitamin C product at a time to start with.

Discover Garnier’s best serums, creams, cleansers, SPFs and face masks with vitamin C

Ready to put the power of vitamin C into action? Try out our favourite products from the vitamin C range.

Vitamin C face serum

If you want to feel like a skincare scientist, why not add a star ingredient complex of 3.5% vitamin C*, salicylic acid and niacinamide into your routine?

The Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum uses three actives in combination to give a powerful skin effect – dark spots are visibly reduced with 86% of people agreeing that dark spots looked less visible*.

While working its active magic, this brightening serum is lightweight, non-greasy and leaves skin feeling moisturised, making it a good bet for those looking for a vitamin C* serum for a fresh face.. Wear it each morning and see the results, before rounding out your skincare routine with the vitamin C Brightening Night Serum before bedtime!

_{*Vitamin C Derivative}

Vitamin C cream

A nourishing, everyday cream that envelops the skin in a radiant glow, Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Day Cream smooths, revitalises and moisturises. This day cream is enriched with vitamin C, working to smooth the skin for a firmer looking finish.

Vitamin C eye cream

Need a little pick-me-up? We've all heard about the benefits of vitamin C for dark circles, so it's no wonder many of us are on the look-out for a cream that will deliver this powerful antioxidant to our delicate eye area.

With Garnier’s Brightening Vitamin C* Eye Cream, you’ll look bright-eyed in a flash. Concentrated with 4% vitamin C* along with caffeine, banana powder, and niacinamide, it tackles visible signs of fatigue while reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines.

Vitamin C face mask

The Garnier Vitamin C Sheet Mask delivers the equivalent of a full bottle of serum in a single, pampering dose *based on the amount of a 28ml serum. In addition to vitamin C, it contains hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty skin for instant radiance. Apply this vitamin C mask and relax for 15 minutes – you’ll reveal skin that feels smoother and intensely rehydrated.

_{*consumer test, 116 women and 33 men.}

Vitamin C micellar water

Work the magic of vitamin C into your cleansing routine using Garnier Vitamin C Micellar Water. It removes up to 100% of your make-up, along with pollution, dead skin cells, and other nasties. At the same time, the vitamin C soothes and mattifies skin for a healthy-looking, well-balanced visage.

Vitamin C body superfood

Topical skincare treatments extend beyond the face – treat the rest of your body to a nourishing dose of vitamin C. Our Body Superfood Mango and Vitamin C cream absorbs quickly into the skin – hydrating up to 10 cell layers deep* and provides up to 48 hours hydration**. It leaves you glowing with the power of vitamin C from top to toe.

_{*Up to 10 layers of the stratum corneum

**Instrumental test, 24 volunteers}

SPF and vitamin C

Broad-spectrum sunscreen from the Vitamin C Daily UV helps protect your complexion from sun damage.

Eating your vitamin C

According to the NHS, most adults need 40mg of vitamin C per day. It’s found in a range of fruits and vegetables, including sources such as:

• Strawberries

• Citrus fruits

• Blackcurrants

• Broccoli

• Peppers

The best approach is to eat the rainbow. Vitamin C is vital for health throughout the body, helping protect cells.

Supercharge your skincare with vitamin C

Leave dull skin behind with the power of our best vitamin C products. This skincare hero helps brighten, even, and restores your glow for a luminous complexion. Discover Garnier’s vitamin C skincare range to create a simple routine that really works.

FAQs

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It helps brighten and give a more even skin tone, for a more radiant look.
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to combine vitamin C with niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3. Both have complementary effects, combating hyperpigmentation and dullness.
It’s most common to combine vitamin C and zinc as health supplements to boost the immune system. Topical zinc is sometimes in skincare for blemishes, in which case it can be combined with vitamin C.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, used to hydrate skin by holding up to 1000 times its own weight in water. It’s the perfect pairing for vitamin C, hydrating and brightening at once for skin that glows.
Yes, but dermatologists recommend using them at different times of day for best results. It’s better to use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
Yes. Though as both are active ingredients, you’ll want to integrate them into your routine slowly to prevent irritation.
Vitamin C is suitable for both morning and night. When you choose to apply this nifty antioxidant can depend on a range of factors, including the vitamin C skincare products you opt for, as well as the ingredients list of the products in your morning and evening skincare routines. If you're using retinol at night, consider reserving vitamin C for the morning. Equally, you can use it at night to replenish your skin – whatever works best for you.

*Vitamin C Derivative
*Consumer test, 74 women

References

Firas Al-Niaimi and Nicole Yi Zhen Chiang, National Library of Medicine, Topical Vitamin C and the SkinTopical Vitamin C and the Skin

Healthline, Guide to Vitamin C Serums

Harvard, Why is Topical Vitamin C Important for Skin Health?

Indian Dermatology Online Journal, Vitamin C in Dermatology

NHS, Vitamins and Minerals – Vitamin C

Healthline, Niacinamide and Vitamin C

S. Maggini, S. Beveridge, M. Suter, National Library of Medicine, A combination of high-dose vitamin C plus zinc for the common cold

Harvard Health, The hype on hyaluronic acid

Prevention, Can You Use Retinol and Vitamin C Together?