What is Obagi Vitamin C Serum & How Does it Work
What is Obagi Vitamin C Serum & How Does it Work
Due to its properties, vitamin C is mainly used to formulate face serums and other anti-aging cosmetics designed to protect and rejuvenate skin damaged by the sun, free radicals, and age.
In cosmetics, vitamin C serums have important functions for the skin. They are effective antioxidants, so they act against photo/chrono-aging, protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals produced by the sun and pollution.
They have a powerful anti-wrinkle effect, they are effective for brightening the skin, they act by making dark spots less visible on the skin.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C are exploited to combat photo-aging and chrono-aging: photo-aging means the aging of the skin induced mainly by exposure to sunlight while chrono-aging means the physiological aging we all undergo, regardless of smog, UV rays, and other environmental factors.
Vitamin C is one of the best anti-aging substances; therefore, it is an excellent remedy designed to keep the skin smooth, radiant, and even.
1. What to expect from a vitamin C serum?
A good vitamin c serum like the Obagi vitamin c serum helps to brighten the skin and protect the skin from photo-aging because it has strong anti-oxidant properties that fight against free radicals and sun damaged.
They have a powerful anti-wrinkle effect, they are effective for brightening the skin, they act by making dark spots less visible on the skin.
It is advised during the day to wear a vitamin c serum in combination with sunscreen for added photo-protection benefits. Over time, our skin undergoes inevitable alterations . The collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are produced in smaller quantities, causing a loss of elasticity and hydration of the skin.
The adipose tissue (which has a supporting function) undergoes a drastic reduction, causing a progressive loss of skin tone and firmness. Vitamin C has an important role in fighting wrinkles, therefore face serums containing it are effective at maintaining a youthful and radiant skin
2. Why does Obagi prefer L-ascorbic acid over other forms?
L-ascorbic acid is an essential molecule for the biosynthesis of collagen. Ascorbic acid is also useful in preserving existing collagen. The topical application of topical ascorbic acid has shown effective improvement on fine wrinkles, skin tone, improvement of hyperpigmentation and spots.
An ascorbic acid is a potent form of Vitamin C , there are othe milder forms such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate. Vitamin C serums on the market are not all the same: in fact, the speed of action is related to the form in which the vitamin C is formulated, its concentration, and the possible presence of other components within the product.
There are actually several forms of Vitamin C used in skincare formulas. Although they have overlapping benefits, different forms of Vitamin C are absorbed by the skin in different ways.
Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) begins to release its properties as soon as it is absorbed into the skin, while Vitamin Cg (Ascorbyl Glucoside) is only activated once it is absorbed into the various upper layers of skin tissue in a way that increases Vitamin C activity over time.
Despite its extraordinary potential, vitamin C must be included in the formulas of serums taking into account some technical characteristics, such as: solubility in an aqueous environment, stability to light and heat, pH, and concentration.
The Obagi vitamin C serum comes in different concentrations. The various concentrations are suited to different skin types. The 10% Vitamin C is better suited to more sensitive and dry skin types.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble molecule the Vitamin C contained in serums is generally not very stable: exposed to light, heat, and oxygen, L-ascorbic acid tends to lose its functionality in the skin. The loss of effectiveness of ascorbic acid can be perceived through the simple observation of the formula, which tends to turn from straw-colored to brownish:
such an effect can be translated into a reduction of the antioxidant capacity of the serum. To allow vitamin C to express its functionality, it is important to respect pH and concentration.
Usually, ascorbic acid is formulated at a concentration ranging from 8 to 20%, at a low pH (<3.5). These characteristics ensure the final product a particularly powerful effect, but on the other hand, they may cause a series of side effects such as localized irritation, redness and skin sensitization, especially for those who suffer from very sensitive skin.
L-ascorbic acid, also called ascorbic acid, is stable and highly assimilable. Cosmetics also contain other forms of vitamin C: tetrahexyl decyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. All derivatives differ in their degree of sensitivity to temperature and light. As with all active ingredients in skin care, the composition of all cosmetic elements determines the efficacy of vitamin C in the serum.
The bioavailability of the vitamin and its ability to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis depend on it. Most serums on the market contain vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid and are considered the most effective. Some specialists, however, prefer the lipid form, called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is considered more effective although less stable.
3. Why do Obagi Vitamin C serums come in different concentrations (10%, 15% and 20%)?
The Obagi vitamin C serum comes in different concentrations. The various concentrations are suited to different skin types. The 10% Obagi Vitamin C Serum is better suited to more sensitive and dry skin types.
Higher concentration may irritate the skin. The Obagi Vitamin C Serum 15% is generally suitable for all skin types except sensitive skin. The professional high strength Obagi Vitamin C Serum 20% concentration is best suited to normal and oily skin type.
4. What’s the difference and what concentration should use which?
Vitamin C serums on the market are not all the same: in fact, the speed of action is related to the form in which the vitamin C is formulated, its concentration, and the possible presence of other components within the product. The higher the concentration the higher the potency, but Obagi Vitamin C serum above 20% does not offer any added benefit and can cause irritation to the skin.
Full strength vitamin c serum should be only used by those who have skin that can tolerate it well. Most people would respond well to the 15% concentration so if you have normal skin you should start there and then workyour way up to the 20% as your skin adjusts and builds more tolerance. If you have sensitive skin, do not use more than 10%
5. How should we use Obagi’s vitamin C serum for best results?
Obagi Vitamin c can be used in the morning and in the evening after your cleanser and toner and before you apply your moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup.
A few drops are sufficient to be applied to your neck and chest area. In The evening it can be used in combination with your retinols as the retinol has the ability to potentiate the effect of Vitamin C by driving it deeper into the skin.
6. What ingredients work best with vitamin C?
Generally, to provide the skin with a complete antioxidant treatment, it is recommended to alternate the application of the antioxidant vitamin (vitamin A, C, and E) , so that the skin can benefit from the beneficial properties of the individual antioxidant vitamins. Vitamin A (retinol) is effective in strengthening the anti-acne and smoothing effect on the skin.
Vitamin E is effective in enhancing the antioxidant action of vitamin C. It also helps strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. Hyaluronic acid is exploited for its moisturizing and elasticizing activities, useful to ensure the skin elasticity and hydration, as well as prevent the appearance of fine lines.
Collagen it is a very important protein of the connective tissue that, added to the formula, gives strength and structure to the skin, promoting skin firmness and fighting wrinkles and alpha-hydroxy acids live gycolic acid and salicylic acid strengthen the hydrolipidic layer of the epidermis and are also helpful in exfoliating dead cells and reinforce the lightening action of vitamin C, exfoliating the skin and smoothing the scars left by acne.
Although vitamin C alone is very effective, studies show that when combined with other ingredients it brings much greater benefits to the skin.
7. Can you get too much vitamin C?
According to studies, the benefits of Vitamin C serums tend to continue increasing along with increased strengths, but only up to about 20% concentrations. After 20% Vitamin C content, you may run into more irritation from the high concentrations without seeing much benefit in return.
The most common strengths we see in products are between 5%-20%, so if you are looking for a good place to start aim for 10%-15% and see how it works for your skin. In people that have extremely sensitive skin, you may have a slight irritation to Vitamin C serums.
8. What happens when you apply too much, or too strong a concentration?
Irritations are more common with the higher strengths of Vitamin C serums, and may be caused by the more acidic pH of Vitamin C. Your skin should feel good after an application of your Vitamin C cream or serum, so if you are experiencing redness, itching, burning, or stinging, you may want to opt for a weaker formulation or try blending your product with a gentle moisturizer to dilute it.