When we are tired, we think right away to make a cure of vitamin C in tablets.

But we are thinking less about appealing to the most famous of vitamins when our skin has a little "pomp."

Mistakenly, because its beauty benefits are also spectacular. Explanations.

Our skin, a great lack of vitamin C

Vitamin C is present at 3500 mg in our body, five times more than most other vitamins. Health authorities agree that we should absorb about 200mg per day.

A compulsory intake because we are pretty much the only ones, with the baboon and the guinea pig, not knowing how to synthesize it from the sugars.

Its effects on the body are no longer to be demonstrated: it combats poisoning (lead poisoning, poisoning, alcohol, mercury), cholesterol, infections, boosts fertility and is a good anti-allergic agent. reducing the release of histamine.

Unfortunately, barely 1/3 of the vitamin C we absorb is available for our skin. The blame for pollution, a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables, sun, alcohol and some contraceptives. Hence the importance of bringing it topically, in the form of molecules synthesized from glucose such as ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid or also ascorbyl palmitate.

A protective and stimulating role

Applied directly to our skin, vitamin C is thirty times more available than orally.

Like a shield, it protects the integrity of the DNA of our cells and struggles against free radicals in synergy with vitamin E, which once exhausted by its antiradical combat, is even capable of regenerating it. An ally of size, since when Vitamin E is out of breath it becomes an oxidizer in turn.

It also prevents glycation, this stiffening of elastic fibers "caramelized" by an excess of sugar.

And it is even thought to be an excellent protector for stem cells. The evidence: cultured stem cells in a bath with added vitamin C develop faster and healthier than their neighbors who only have a conventional culture bath.

In a few weeks it is able to reduce our wrinkles by fighting inflammation of our cells (inflammation), boosting our elastin and collagen fibers, and increasing the density of our dermal papillae.

Another good point: it illuminates the complexion by regulating the excess of melanin in our skin, and decreases the intensity of our spots at the same time. Finally, it boosts the radiance of the skin by improving blood circulation. Better oxygenated and better nourished, the epidermis thus benefits from the acceleration of its repair process.

To make the right choice, we take a look at the formula

Vitamin C is very unstable. It does not support water, UV, or heat.

However, some brands have managed to stabilize it in their formula with an acid PH (PH 3 in general whereas that of our skin is about 4.7).

Disadvantage: With a PH 3, vitamin C becomes an AHA (or fruit acid) that can be irritating. How to know ? Just ask your pharmacist or review the mode of use.

If it says "daily use", it's good. If the product is sold as a "cure" attention! It may not be suitable for all skin types, particularly the most sensitive ones.

Anyway, if you feel a sensation of tingling and discomfort and redness appear, it is better to stop using it.

Advice: we protect our product from the sun, light and heat.

Fast and crescendo results

From the first week, we notice a beautiful luminosity of our skin and a decrease of the micro relief of the skin (less small fine lines, pores less apparent).

There is also a better tolerance to the sun and a clear disappearance of the signs of fatigue.

At the end of 1 to 3 months, our skin tone has regained a nice homogeneity, the skin is more tonic, more pulpy, more velvety.

Nothing prevents us from using vitamin C care all year long since it is a really effective anti-aging if it is used over the long term.

Vitamin C: unraveling the true from the false

• No, the high concentration of vitamin C in a product is not synonymous with aggressiveness. Everything depends on the assets that accompany it and which can moderate the phenomena of intolerance. The majority of cosmetics with vitamin C contain a minimum of 5%.

• Yes, we can put vitamin C before going to the sun since it will protect our cells from oxidation caused by UV. Do not forget, however, to add an anti-UV cream on top. It should also be avoided too close to the eyes.

• Yes, vitamin C works well with most of the active ingredients in our usual care and we can apply them on top. Only precautions: no creams based on glycolic acid, salicylic and other "exfoliants" if our vitamin C has an acid PH. That would be duplicative. Formal ban also to use a treatment with Vitamin B3 (nicotinic derivative) whose effects (anti-pellagra, anti pathologically dry skin) are inhibited by vitamin C.

• No, an effervescent vitamin C tablet does not replace skin care. If it makes us want to apply one directly on our face, it is not a good idea: it is necessary for this vitamin specific excipients so that it enters the right place and that it makes benefit our skin from all its anti-aging effects.

Thanks to Cyrille Télinge, Founder of Novexpert.