Hi, y’all!
Well this
is rolling right along now, with this second instalment, of my
Vitamin Therapy
process, following my previous
Vitamin Therapy – Topical Vitamin A post.
Vitamin Therapy is the nickname I am using to
portray this integral step, incorporated in my
Serious Skin Care routine.
It involves integrating topical vitamins into
my daily beauty ritual.
Not only are oral
vitamins good for our inner health, when applied topically, they are fundamental
in the care of our skin, keeping it in prime condition whist encouraging a more
youthful appearance.
This dyad
of conventional vitamins have evolved in recent times, into orthodox treatment methods, widely proclaimed
as two of the most accomplished, scientifically proven antioxidant vitamins for
reducing the negative effects of free radical damage to the skin, while being
highly regarded as extremely influential factors of modern anti-ageing skin
care.
Research has also claimed these
antioxidants, when administered topically, can also yield significant
protection for the skin and are capable of revoking the inevitable, somewhat
sombre, circumstances surrounding the process of becoming older. >:/
Vitamin Therapy Part 2 highlights my approach and
understanding of topical
Vitamin C, which perfectly compliments my
Serious Skin Care regime and targets my own individual gremlins >:) (
skin concerns, LOL :))
).
I will run-through the
Vitamin C skin care products
that I have selected to flatter my straightforward anti-ageing routine and share my perceptions, based on my personal experience.
So, What is topical Vitamin C??
It is one of the best antioxidant vitamins, amidst considerable
documented evidence supporting its effectiveness on the skin.
Up until 4 years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about
Vitamin C
whatsoever, :-/ (
other than the memories of those yummy bright orange chewable
tablets associated with my childhood, 8->
hehe ;)) ) until my beauty therapist boasted about
how good it was.
She talked of its
ability to boost collagen production, reverse the damage to skin cells and
tissues, counteract premature signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, pigmentation
and sagging caused by free radical assault.
She claimed it was one of her own secret anti-ageing weapons and one
look at her gorgeous skin was enough to make me stand at attention,
LOL. :))
Considering my skin, at the time, was
evidently advertising numerous symptoms of premature ageing caused by sun
damage thanks to my neglectful younger years. [-X :"> Therefore, it was only fitting
that I wanted to jump straight on the
Vitamin C bandwagon myself.
>:/
Three years on as I continue to watch my
skin recover and emend before my very eyes, I can admit I have grown particularly
attached to my
Vitamin C skin care ‘
sweetheart’ :x ;;)
Along with
Topical Vitamin A, I plan to post
a blog exploring topical
Vitamin C, in depth as a skin care ingredient, further
down the track.
However, this blog
focuses on products rather than ingredients as such, so I will just include a
snippet from the
Beautypedia website,
for a brief explanation in technical terms,
FYI!
One of the most well-researched vitamins for skin, vitamin C
is a powerful antioxidant that has multiple benefits for those concerned with
reducing (or forestalling) the signs of aging. It is available in many forms,
with ascorbic acid being the most common (although it is the least stable, so
packaging to ensure potency of such products is a major concern). Stabilized
forms of vitamin C include magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl
ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl glucosamine, and ascorbyl
tetraisopalmitate.
And, Why use it?
Efficacious amounts of topical vitamin C (typically 2–10%)
have been shown to increase collagen production (including dermal collagen,
which is significant for wrinkle reduction), reduce the appearance of skin
discolorations, strengthen skin's barrier response, enhance skin's repair
process, reduce inflammation, and help skin better withstand exposure to
sunlight, whether protected by sunscreen or not.
What am I using?
I have been using this particular serum for about 12 months
now, after discovering it was an affordable alternative for the
Alpha-H Vitamin C 20% Serum that I formerly used.
$-)
After a thorough
comparison of the two products, I decided that the
ASAP Vitamin C Serum was the
more beneficial option for my skin.
While
both products are of a serum formulation, the
ASAP Vitamin C Serum was of a
slightly higher strength, with a 23% concentration compared to the 20% of its
predecessor.
Unfortunately, since I
started writing this post, I have ascertained that it has been recently discontinued!
:-O
Despite
its demise, it has paved way for the innovative
ASAP Super C Serum, which
superseded the original.
Hmm :-? another
brand spanking, shiny new product to tempt me with. @-)
haha :)) Oh well, I think I can
see my wishlist growing
LOL :)) Because this could possibly be an option when my existing one
runs out. ;)
Even though I am uncertain what
Vitamin C product I will engage in next, I was OK discerning that I won't be able
repurchase this serum anymore. Because honestly, while it DOES work, it really didn’t
snag my ‘
Holy Grail’ caliber
^:)^
and I will explain why, directly.
Presented in a 30ml durable white glass bottle, featuring a hygienic
dropper-style lid, to help the ingredients remain stable and prevent
oxidisation.
Like many
Vitamin C skin
care products, this serum is tinted, which I find annoying! 8-| It’s
impossible to tell if the
Vitamin C becomes unstable when infused in a tinted
formula, whereas with an untinted version, you could look for a change in the
colour to tell if it has gone bad.
Anyway,
I have not yet had much luck in finding too many serums that are not tinted,
which is a shame, as the product would be deemed useless if it isn’t stable,
sigh! :-<
The cream and powder versions though, are often
white in colour, if they are suited to your personal preference. *-:)
The
ASAP Vitamin C Serum is of an orange/brown colour, which
smells slightly citrus-like, but it’s very subtle and doesn’t linger on the
skin once it has been applied.
 |
| On the back on my hand ;) |
 |
| After application on the back of my hand |
I always fear that serums might be rich and greasy on my
oily skin, :-S but thankfully, this one is ultra lightweight and absorbs well.
Initially, it does make my skin feel tacky to
some extent, but once it dries, there is no evidence of any residue left on my
skin at all.
I use it daily in my
morning skin care ritual and it doesn’t interfere with my regular makeup
application, which I just apply as normal after using the serum and a
moisturiser.
I can also vouch that this
serum
DOES NOT stain the skin on my face. (
Thank heavens, #:-S
LOL :))
) Funnily enough, when
I first started using it, I couldn’t help but notice the brown stain transferred
on the palm of my hand, :-O
LOL. :))
This stain
didn’t wash off easily with water either,
eek :-O so I began getting paranoid that
if it was staining my hand so evidently, then what must it be doing to my face?
double eek!!! :-O :-O
I pictured myself
resembling an ‘
oompa loompa’ but luckily, after close and careful scrutiny in
the mirror, I was finally convinced that my facial skin was, in reality
NOT
stained at all,
phew #:-S
After that encounter,
I proceeded in dropping the serum onto the flipside of my hand, rather than its
palm, and, remarkably, no sign of any staining there either,
hooray =D>
Looks like this
ASAP Vitamin C Serum only objected
to submerging into the skin on my palm, rebelling in nature, forever stamping
its mark in the form of that unsightly, stain.
Which I might add, doesn’t leave much to the imagination,
bwahaha ROFL =)) but
hey, as long as it stayed on my palm and didn’t obviously recur on my face;
then I could live with that ;)
 |
| On the palm of my hand :-O |
 |
| On the palm using flash |
All I ever need is just a tiny bit of serum per application,
say 2- 3 drops, which is sufficient to then transfer onto my hand, (
remember, not
on the palm, LOL :))
) before gently working into my skin.
I have never endured any stinging, burning or
tingling sensation after using this serum, although I presume that may be because
my skin was already quite resilient from various other
Vitamin C products, I previously
used.
Additionally, the
ASAP Vitamin C Serum has never contributed to breakouts or irritation, so even though it is
possibly the highest strength OTT (
Over the counter) topical
Vitamin C product
available, it was perfectly kind to my sensitive skin.
:)>-
On the contrary, based on my own experience,
I find it is beneficial in helping clear those pesky, hormone induced pimples,
whenever they arise.
Just a pin-size
amount of serum, directly on the spot of a night, drastically reduces the
severity of the pimple, come morning.
Therefore, this serum can readily pose as a substitute spot treatment,
if need be. (*)
 |
| It doesn't absorb well into the skin on my palm, which stains |
Granted I have continually used topical
Vitamin C skin care
products for three years now, the visible improvement to the condition of my
skin has become increasingly more apparent.
The
ASAP Vitamin C Serum has persisted in playing a vital role to the general
well-being of my skin and in support of its ongoing recovery.
Prompting a natural radiance and better
clarity, that signifies a healthy, luminous-looking complexion.
My once uneven skin tone is now uniform in
colour, with a notable reduction in blotchiness and facial redness.
The surface texture is much softer and smoother,
while my skin feels plumper and firmer.
It has also helped to lessen the appearance of the fine lines that were
starting to form and so far, it is working wonders in deterring the formation
of future lines and wrinkles too.
yay \:D/
 |
| Even after washing the stain remains on my palm :-O |
Overall, I am grateful to be acquainted with the benefits of
using topical
Vitamin C and am satisfied that it is results-driven and decidedly
lives up to its phenomenal claims.
:-bd
The
hard working
ASAP Vitamin C Serum, repairs, prevents and protects against premature skin
ageing.
While this particular serum isn’t
quite my idea of perfect, it does what any good
Vitamin C serum should, and that is to effectively
promote the health of my skin.
It’s been
a blessing in disguise, encouraging me to embrace the prospect of plausibly keeping
my 37-year-old complexion looking younger for longer. (
and longer and longer and
longer, LOL :))
)
 |
After washing stain using flash
|
Even though I will soon have
to kiss the
ASAP Vitamin C Serum goodbye, :-h permanently, I will certainly move on
to a different variant that will continue catering for my mature skins ongoing
needs. After witnessing a complete turnaround of my complexion, I doubt I will
ever part ways with topical
Vitamin C, always including it in some form or
other as an important step in my daily skin care regime.
It’s an absolute immortal, that totally
rocks! \:D/
Tip:
*-:) Ideally, any blend of
Vitamin C skin care products should be
utilised as a step in your AM beauty regime.
This is because
Vitamin C has the ability to enhance the effect of your sun
protection product, providing a greater line of defence.
I apply it straight after cleansing and toning,
but
PRIOR to any other products.
You can
still layer it with other skin care or treatment products, but these should
always come
AFTER the serum, ensuring you allow a few minutes for it to dry.
It’s worth remembering this method, because if
other products are applied first, it’s possible they could interfere with the
penetration of the
Vitamin C to your skin. :-S
Last words:
Investing in a topical
Vitamin C product is crucial for
anyone who is serious about developing an effective anti-aging regime. :-B
Once in play, you can expect to notice visible
improvements to the condition of your skin, within just weeks, while over time you
can look forward to achieving even greater results. The best way to optimise
skin health and generate a skin-rejuvenating effect that promises to deliver
firm, youthful skin, is by means of topical
Vitamin C.
=D> Have you started using a
Vitamin C product in
your skin care regime yet?
If so, do you
prefer a serum, cream or other formulation? Please share any of your favourites.
If not, you should seriously consider joining
me on the bandwagon & embarking on the journey that is heading directly to the
fountain of youth! :D
<:-P
All images in this blog are my own. (of such poor quality, oops #-o apologies to all, I need a new camera one day, hehe ;)) )
Information highlighted in yellow text was sourced from Beautypedia
