Why Vitamin C is Still One of the Most Trending Skincare Ingredients

POPSUGAR Australia has partnered with Garnier Green Labs to help you find a skincare routine that combines the best of beauty and science, to help you achieve your best skin ever.

When it comes to beauty, skincare is the one trend that will never go anywhere. We’re all in the pursuit of glowing, healthy skin and the products we choose to slather on our faces is a big part of maintaining a healthy skin barrier that not only functions properly, but also looks great. 

Yet as the micro skincare trends come and go, there’s one ingredient that continues to pop up again and again in formulations across the entire range of affordable and luxury price-points: vitamin C. This robust vitamin serves a few purposes in skincare and is most commonly touted as helping to brighten the complexion. “Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant to help protect against free radical damage, working to prevent signs of skin ageing and also to brighten the skin,” explains dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick who adds, “It can also help to boost collagen production.”

Ahead, with the help of Garshick, we’re breaking down exactly how vitamin C works and who might benefit from adding it into their skincare regimen.

What Skin Types Benefit From Using Vitamin C Skincare Products?

While vitamin C can be used by all skin types, Garshick tells POPSUGAR Australia, “It is important to note that some vitamin C formulations can be irritating for certain individuals with sensitive skin and may exacerbate breakouts in those with acne-prone skin.” She explains that it doesn’t rule out vitamin C products for sensitive and acne-prone skin types — it’s just important to find a formulation that works well for your skin type. 

One such vitamin C type is that found in pineapple fruit extract, which also has antioxidant benefits that help protect the skin against free radical damage. “In general, pineapple is known to be a rich source of vitamin C and this combination helps to brighten the skin,” Garshick says. “In general, the pineapple extract is also thought to be good for those with sensitive skin, making this form of vitamin C a good option, even for those with sensitive skin.”

The Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream SPF 15 is one product that includes vitamin C and pineapple fruit extract, and also contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to help boost moisture, which Garshick explains makes it a good option for those with dry or sensitive skin. “Additionally, it contains SPF, which is especially good for a product intended to brighten the skin, as the SPF works to protect against the ultraviolet (UV) damage, to help minimise discolouration and blemishes,” she says.

How Should You Introduce Vitamin C to Your Skincare Regimen?

Introducing new products into your skincare routine can be a cause of stress for some people — particularly if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Garshick explains that it’s always best to incorporate one new product at a time, regardless of what the product is. “So, if you are using a vitamin C, it is best to start by just adding that to your routine, by itself, rather than adding too many products at once,” she says. “It can also help to look for the specific concentration of vitamin C and type of vitamin C, as the higher the concentration, the more irritating it can be. For those with acne-prone skin, it is also best to use a product that is non-comedogenic.”

If you want to check out the Garnier Green Labs Pinea-C Brightening Serum Cream SPF 15 or the two other serum creams in the range, head to the Garnier website. 

Editor’s note: Dr. Marisa Garshick is an independent dermatologist and is not contracted to Garnier Green Labs in any capacity.