Everything you need to know about Vitamin C.

Also known asascorbic acid, vitamin C is essential for the proper functioning of the metabolism but is not produced by it. It is crucial to supply it to the body through diet (citrus fruits, chestnuts, spinach, peppers, strawberries...) and/or dietary supplements. According to health authorities, to maintain good health, it is important to consume approximately 200 mg per day. Vitamin C is vital as it stimulates the immune system as well as tissue repair and contributes to bone development. Moreover, a prolonged deficiency in ascorbic acid (around 3 months) can lead to a deadly disease called "scurvy", characterised by a significant haemorrhagic syndrome.

Several studies concur that the epidermis is often deficient in vitamin C ; the reason being that only 1/3 of this molecule absorbed by the body is found in the skin. Moreover, when applied topically, vitamin C is much more effective for the skin than when it is ingested orally. Hence the success of cosmetic treatments formulated with this active ingredient.

In skincare, vitamin C is brimming with benefits; notably, it contributes to collagen production, brightens the complexion, and protects the skin from damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals. Thus, this powerful antioxidant is found in many serums, facial cleansers, oils, and moisturisers. It also has excellent virtues for hair.

Pure Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is the one that provides the best results in terms of overall skin and complexion improvement. However, its acidic pH of around 3.5 must be maintained in a cosmetic formula to avoid oxidation issues.

This parameter can be restrictive, hence certain derivatives of Vitamin C are utilised such as "Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate", "Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate", "Ascorbyl Palmitate", "Tetrahexyldecyl Palmitate", "Ascorbyl Glucoside" and even "3-O Ethyl Ascorbate".