One of the reasons I formulated La Vitamine C Powder is to create an effective and natural product that would help against hyperpigmentation. Year-round, I used to have pigmentation spread all over my face, which in summer always worsened. After a few months of consistent use of La Vitamine C Powder in combination with La Prickly Pear Seed Oil, all of it disappeared completely. My skin has been looking beautiful, radiant, and clear for years now, and remains completely free of signs of hyperpigmentation.
In this blog, I share the evidence-based science behind this magical ingredient and why I think it should be part of everyone’s skincare routine.
What is hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation refers to the darkening or discoloration of patches of skin due to an excess production of melanin; the pigment responsible for skin color. It can be caused by various factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, acne scars, and skin inflammation. Hyperpigmentation can impact our skin by creating uneven skin tone, dark spots, or patches, which can affect the overall appearance and make the skin look dull or aged. In some people, it can also lead to decreased self-confidence and self-esteem.
Vitamin C and sun protection Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient. Bodies need it to form muscle and collagen, which assists in wound healing and keeping skin looking plump and firm. Vitamin C is also considered to be a powerful antioxidant in the body that may help protect against damaging free radicals. Most of us are aware that vitamin C can be found in lots of vegetables and fruit, but vitamin C is also found naturally in the skin. Healthy skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which supports important and well-known functions, stimulating collagen synthesis and assisting in antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage, which makes it a natural protector against the sun.
When skin is exposed to UV-light, it can produce free radicals. Free radicals can reduce the amount of collagen the body produces, increase cellular damage, and may cause harm to the DNA within the cell. Free radicals on the skin can result in the appearance of deep wrinkles, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity. These changes also tend to be associated with decrease in collagen production and sun damage as we age.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals formed by exposure to the sun,
which gives vitamin C protective and restorative qualities against sun damage. Sunscreen is the most effective way to protect the skin against sun damage, but studies show that vitamin C can enhance the protective abilities of sunscreens.
Vitamin C and derivatives
There are many derivatives of ascorbic acid, like magnesium l-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, sodium l-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, l-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, and l-ascorbic acid ethyl ester, I.e.). Derivatives of ascorbic acid are compounds derived from vitamin C. They are less effective than pure ascorbic acid, because they first need to be converted by the skin before becoming active: this process leads to decreased potency and slower results.
Hyperpigmentation & vitamin C Melanin is the molecule responsible for giving skin color or pigment. Uneven production of melanin results in hyperpigmentation areas on the surface. Vitamin C works to reduce the visibility of pigmentation through inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for producing melanin in the skin.
By inhibiting the irregular production of melanin, vitamin C, at the right concentration (>4%) and pH lower than 4, can help minimize pigmentation’s appearance. Using vitamin C to reduce the appearance of pigmentation can take time and depend on the product’s strength and frequency of use.
Please note: although vitamin C does offer extra protection against UV-light, it is not a replacement for sunscreen.
My formulation As mentioned above, for ascorbic acid to be effective, the product needs to have a minimum concentration of 4% with a pH of below 4. Otherwise, you will see little to no result. Many brands use much less. This way, they are able and allowed to claim their product contains vitamin C and use it as a useful and well-selling marketing claim, as only few people know that it needs to have a certain concentration in order to actually be effective.
The formulation of La Vitamine C Powder is extremely highly concentrated. It consists of only two ingredients; ascorbic acid and ferulic acid. With each use, you will use up to 5-20% of pure vitamin C (depending on how much your skin can handle).
The reason why La Vitamine C Powder is offered in powder form and not mixed into a cream or serum, is done with strong reason: vitamin C gradually loses its effect when it is formulated in a water based product. This way your skin benefits from nothing but the most effective form of vitamin C. Ferulic acid has been added to the formula, because it is an immensely powerful antioxidant, just like ascorbic acid. Also, it stabilizes the vitamin C component, so you will be able to enjoy the final product for as long as possible.
To see results you will need to use La Vitamine C Powder every day for a minimum of 3 months, so a bit of your patience is required. The combination of vitamin C and vitamin E also protects against UV damage twice as well as vitamin C alone. That is why I always use it in the morning in combination with Le Youth Sérum which contains vitamin E. I end my day with La Prickly Pear Seed Oil which also helps to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
If you would like to know more about La Vitamine C Powder and all its other incredible skin benefits, I invite you to read this blog.
Source: The Derm Review. Vitamin C: The Complete Guide To Vitamin C Everything You Need To Know About This Miraculous Little Ingredient.
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