If there is one skincare ingredient that deserves a permanent place in your skincare line-up its Vitamin C. Loved by beauty experts and influencers alike, this antioxidant superstar is renowned for its brightening, firming, and protective benefits especially when used in tandem with your favourite SPF – this combo is considered skincare’s ultimate daytime defence duo.
What is Vitamin C and why does skin love it?
Skin LOVES Vitamin C because it’s one of the most powerful and well-researched ingredients for maintaining a healthy, youthful complexion. Otherwise known as Ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals – unstable molecules caused by sun exposure, pollution, and stress that damage skin cells and accelerate the ageing process. In fact, there are so many benefits to including Vitamin C in your daily skincare regime no matter what your skin type because it's involved in multiple essential biological processes that directly affect how skin looks, functions, and ages. Here is how it is so powerful:
Boosts collagen production
Vitamin C is a catalyst for enzymes that are necessary to produce collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm, smooth and supple.
Brightens dull skin.
Vitamin C inhibits melanin production by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase which is essential in the skin’s melanin production (pigment responsible for dark spots) pathway thereby reducing the formation of new dark spots and helping to fade out existing spots.
Enhances Sunscreen Effectiveness
When used with sunscreen, Vitamin C can boost your skin’s defence against UV damage—though it doesn’t replace sunscreen.
It supports the skin barrier.
The skin barrier relies on lipids like ceramides and fatty acids to stay intact and functional and Vitamin C supports the production of these lipids, which help seal moisture in the skin and keep harmful pollutants out.
It reduces inflammation.
Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm red, irritated, or sensitive skin—making it beneficial for acne-prone skin as well.
Why are there different types of Vitamin C?
Pure Vitamin C, otherwise known as Ascorbic Acid, while very effective does have some drawbacks when used in skincare mainly related to stability and skin tolerance. Various Vitamin C derivatives have been developed to deliver similar benefits but with better skin compatibility or longer shelf life. Within the Gatineau portfolio we carefully choose specific Vitamin C derivatives to ensure optimal stability, skin absorption, and efficacy while minimizing irritation for all skin types.
Why do Vitamin C and SPF make a powerful duo for protecting skin against sun damage?
Your SPF (Sunscreen) is the first line of defence as it blocks or absorbs the harmful UVA and UVB rays preventing them from penetrating the skin. This helps prevent skin damage caused by sun exposure including collagen breakdown, cell DNA damage and sunburn. Vitamin C is the antioxidant back-up as it neutralises free radicals created by UV exposure that SPF cannot block and reduces inflammation helping to calm sun-ravaged skin. The two together are a dream team giving you a double layer of defence against premature ageing, sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
Incorporating Vitamin C into your skincare routine is a bright step toward achieving a more radiant even toned and youthful complexion – it has rightly earned its place as a skincare essential for healthy, glowing skin.
Lucy x