by: Ashley McShurley, NP ♔ Queen Cosmetic Injector
Vitamin C:
Growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and now living on the beautiful California Central Coast, I have always had a need for the sea! Beach babe, sun worshiper, golden goddess, I love being outside with sand between my toes and the ocean breeze in my hair. But, lately I have to confess, I have new obsession with C, vitamin C! I’m talking all things skincare. If you are a beach bunny (or lake or whatever water attracts you) then you probably know a thing or two about the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen helps prevent damage from UVA and UVB rays. The UVA rays are the primary cause of aging, wrinkles, and photodamage. We are exposed to more UVA rays a day, and these rays can penetrate glass, which is why sunscreen is so important, even when driving in our cars. The UVB rays are responsible for burning the outer layer of the skin and are a key contributor to skin cancer. Now lets talk about the in’s and out’s of vitamin C?
Prior to starting my nurse practitioner career in cosmetics, I went to see a dermatologist for a skin check (an annual check to ensure no moles were cancerous). He was a Harvard graduate, and he began initiating a conversation about my skin. I’ll never forget him telling me Retin –A and vitamin C are two of the most well researched products for our skin. They have been around for a long time, and we know that they work. Today I tell all of my patients the same thing, because as I began my journey into the cosmaceuticals world, I learned he was absolutely correct! So why do I think that literally every patient needs vitamin C? Let’s count the ways.
Benefits of Vitamin C serums:
it brightens the skin (who doesn’t want bright glowing skin?)
it improves the appearance of fine lines (specifically effective in treating the lines around the eyes)
it improves the loss of firmness
protects the skin from free radicals and oxidative stress caused by UVA/UVB rays, Ozone, and infrared radiation
The multipurpose serum gives you some serious benefits for your buck! Who doesn’t love a product that works on multiple levels to help prevent premature aging? But, not all vitamin C serums are created equal. Things to look for are a high concentration of pure vitamin C like L-ascorbic acid (10-20%), a combined formula with vitamin E, and ferulic acid (which helps to stabilize the vitamin C). A good vitamin C mixed with your SPF is the ultimate combination of protection from damaging rays. My two favorites are the Skinceuticals antioxidants, CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF, and both the Obagi professional C serum and the CRX systems. So go on, treat yourself to some vitamin C!
C-Ya Later Babes,
♔Queen Cosmetic Injector
Ashley McShurley, ACNP-BC
Copyright 2018, Ashley McShurley- Queen Cosmetic Injector, All rights reserved.