Vitamin C products darkens my skin?? Am I the only one? :(
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free skin care · Mon May 07, 2012 10:32 am

Vitamin C

Let’s talk about vitamin C…
You may already know, but it bears repeating, that when it comes to smart skin care, there isn’t a single magic ingredient—no matter how expensive, no matter how rare. Just as eating only one vegetable can’t possibly give your body everything it needs, no single antioxidant, no matter how potent, can give your skin all the care it needs. Yet if you’ve seen any skin care marketing in the past two decades, you’ve probably noticed that vitamin C gets a lot of attention as being nothing short of miraculous. Rather than rely on hype, we turned to published, substantiated research in order to understand how the antioxidant powerhouse vitamin C can truly benefit skin.

A piggy-back ride to skincare fame…
Almost 20 years ago, a Duke University scholar published a ground-breaking paper that showed how a form of vitamin C called L-ascorbic acid reduced UVB damage when applied to the backs of hairless pigs. This evidence suggested that photodamage or “sun spots” could be repaired with topical use of vitamin C—and that was big news for anyone concerned with signs of aging! That original paper preceded an impressive and conclusive body of research that has since proven the benefits, stability issues, and usage requirements for vitamin C. Further research (lots of research) continued to show vitamin C’s positive effect on skin, and a bonafide, legitimate skincare craze was born!

Mass market explosion leads to consumer confusion…
As widely used as vitamin C is in cosmetics now, it can get confusing because there are many forms, each with its own name formulated in varying amounts. Here’s what you need to know:

The forms of vitamin C that are proven most stable and effective are: ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
Regardless of marketing hype – there is no one “best” form of topically-applied vitamin C.
A proven range for vitamin C efficacy is between 0.3% and 10%.
All antioxidants, including vitamin C, are vulnerable to deterioration in the presence of air and light. If a product containing antioxidants does not come in airtight, opaque packaging, don’t buy it!
So what can vitamin C really do?
Here’s what a well-formulated, stably-packaged product with vitamin C can do for your skin:

Protect skin cells and skin’s support structure from UV-related damage
Improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin
Strengthen skin’s barrier response
Reduce inflammation
Promote collagen production
Enhance effectiveness of peels and microdermabrasion
Lessen hyperpigmentation (at levels of 3% or greater)
Boost the efficacy of sunscreen actives

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/vitamin-c.aspx

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE HYDRA-PURE VITAMIN C BRIGHTENING SERUM

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
View the Video Description for this product! (Please note that the color shown in the video may no longer be available.)
Vitamin C is proved to be the most potent anti-aging ingredient. Use Hydra-Pure® Vitamin C Serum to fight the forces of nature and keep your skin youthful and glowing.
This nourishing serum contains three forms of Vitamin C, which works in the lipid-soluble and water-soluble layers of the skin, to provide maximum efficacy.
Repairs damage from aging, sun, stress and poor diet, reversing the visible signs of aging and promoting collagen growth.
Micro-encapsulated delivery system amplifies the effects of beneficial trace minerals, making active ingredients work better.
Use in the PM.
1 oz.

Full Ingredient Disclosure: CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOMETHICONE, ASCORBIC ACID, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, PEG/PPG-18/18 DIMETHICONE, SQUALANE, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, QUERCETIN CAPRYLATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LINOLEIC ACID, SODIUM CHONDROITIN SULFATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SALICYLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, PALMITOYL OLIGOPEPTIDE, PUERARIA LOBATA ROOT EXTRACT, SALIX NIGRA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, ACRYLATES/CARBAMATE COPOLYMER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PANTHENOL, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE, PHYTIC ACID, POTASSIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM GLUCONATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, PURIFIED WATER (AQUA PURIFICATA), PHENOXYETHANOL

http://www.zappos.com/dr-dennis-gross-skincare-hydra-pure-vitamin-c-brightening-serum-1-0-oz

I never find consistent recommendations on this, I do use my Laa in the AM! Very Happy

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:46 am

Bullet, maybe you should try a different form of vitamin c? Like LAA? Confused

free skin care · Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:18 am

Yeah, I don't actually know what to think with my situation!

But I do believe these treatments are way harsher than we think they are.

It makes me think of young girls with beautiful, healthy skin who suddenly get into products, and all of a sudden their skin is darker and ruddier than it was and that healthy, life-like glow is gone. Sad

Far too early. Its not makeup in most cases, its that they're killing off their skin with treatments/products they don't need that early. We're using these for longterm, anti-aging benefits, or acne, or fading hyperpigmentation.

The orangey-thing others are describing.. I suspect that's the wrong kind of l-ascorbic acid, not to mention too much of it. I feel much better following a recipe - it even tastes gentler! (not snacking, honest)

free skin care · Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:10 pm

I would venture a guess for anyone experiencing 'yellowing' skin;

A. You are using a food grade vitamin C mixed into water.

B. You are using a food grade vitamin C mixed into water.

C. You are using a food grade vitamin C mixed into water.

All I know is that I'm as pale as pale can be (head to toe), and that was never the case until I used a proper vitamin c serum regularly. (About 4 years for me.)

free skin care · Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:44 am

egyptiangoddess wrote:

Thank you Kassy! Smile

By proper serum do you mean a DIY C E Ferulic serum? .

For me it means 3 antioxidants working in synergy, with both water + oil included to address both the lipid and aqueous parts of the cells, and a pH of 2.5 for optimal penetration.

egyptiangoddess wrote:

And do you ever use LAA powder just in the palm of your hand and mix it with something and apply it like that? I was thinking of trying that way of application but wasn't certain how to or if it was ok to do.

No, I've never found the need to do that because I've never had a problem with my C serums stability.

If you want to do that, just put a *pinch* of L-AA in your hand, add 5 or 6 drops of distilled water to that, then be sure to mix in a few drops of a high vitamin E content oil as well. (You can get away without an emulsifier if you do it this way and apply immediately.)

Also, use a cosmetic grade L-Ascorbic Acid powder, not a drug store supplement!

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