Vitamin C, the active ingredient for radiance.

When toxins accumulate on the skin's surface and cellular renewal slows down, the skin becomes dull and lacks radiance. Dull skin is characterised by a lack of freshness. Signs of fatigue, pigmentation spots, dark circles and/or bags under the eyes also appear. It is not uncommon to observe the first signs of premature skin sagging. A dull complexion is the result of environmental factors that affect the body and poor daily habits: lack of sleep, smoking, pollution and stress are among the main causes of this skin condition. It can also be explained by an unbalanced diet or a hormonal imbalance that contributes to the deterioration of the skin's basic functions.

Thehyperpigmentation is a common dermatological disorder characterised by uneven pigmentation of the skin that varies in size and colour. This skin condition is typically located on the face, back, and hands. It affects approximately 90% of white-skinned individuals over the age of 70. In medical terminology, these brown spots are referred to as "melanoses".

Hyperpigmentation is typically caused by an increase in melanin production, the natural pigment that colours the skin: this process is referred to as melanogenesis. Numerous factors can trigger this overproduction of melanin, but the main ones are sun exposure, age, and hormonal fluctuations.

In dermatology, several studies have demonstrated the depigmenting power of Vitamin C. Its mechanism of action is based on theinhibition of tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into melanin, thus reducing pigmentation. Consequently, a study has shown that a 20% Vitamin C serum is capable of reducing signs of photoaging, including dark spots caused by UV rays.

Individuals who do not have pigmented spots but display a dull complexion and tired skin can also turn to a cosmetic treatment enriched with vitamin C. Indeed, its brightening power restores radiance and luminosity to the skin, while protecting it from the harmful effects of free radicals. For a truly effective brightening effect on pigmented spots and/or a dull complexion, opt for a treatment containing at least 5% vitamin C.

The skincare solutions we offer are enriched with vitamin C at various concentrations to cater to each skin concern.

• The wrinkle and firmness loss serum is composed of 99% natural origin ingredients. This treatment contains plant-based collagen (1%) as well as vitamin C (10%). The hydrolysed plant collagen, known in I.N.C.I. as " Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen/Collagen Amino Acids" is a biotechnological active ingredient that mimics type I human collagen. It works in synergy with vitamin C to stimulate fibroblasts, which produce collagen fibres and thus reduce the depth of wrinkles.

• For all skin types, the radiance serum is a solution to brighten your complexion. Apply 3 to 4 drops morning and evening on clean, dry face. A treatment of about 4 weeks is recommended to achieve the desired result.

• If you wish to resort to a less concentrated formula, the antioxidant face cream is ideal. Apply a dab of this cream morning and evening on the face previously cleaned and dried, after your usual serum. Gently massage in circular motions to perfect the penetration.

• Enriched with active ingredients to regulate the skin's pH, brighten the complexion and reduce the appearance of pigmentation spots, the radiance toner also contains lemon verbena water for a light fruity scent. After the makeup removal stages, this toning lotion is applied with a cotton pad across the entire face, avoiding the eye contour, and does not need to be rinsed off.

• To even out the complexion without clogging the pores, the tinted serum is a lightweight formula enriched with vitamin C and aloe vera to deeply hydrate the skin. It is available in six shades to cater to different skin tones.

There are no contraindications to using a vitamin C skincare product in the morning. This substance is photosensitive (it oxidises in light) but not photosensitising (it does not increase skin sensitivity when exposed to the sun). On the contrary, it is relevant to apply a vitamin C skincare product in the morning as this active ingredient will neutralise the production of free radicals generated by several external factors such as pollution, the sun, cigarette smoke...

• BELLOTTI P. & al. Reflectance confocal microscopy and image analysis to evaluate the efficacy of a topical facial serum with 20% vitamin C in improving signs of aging. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2018).

• DESHMUKH. R. & al. The effect of vitamin C on melanin pigmentation – A systematic review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (2020).