Vitamin C and your skin
Vitamin C is one of those ingredients that comes up in beauty products a lot. It helps with radiance,they say, and energising the skin, and it is true that it does have some excellent qualities. As much as you should try to ingest Vitamin C in lovely orange juice, or in tablet form, for well-being and vitality, you should look for it in beauty products – or look for dedicated Vitamin C products.
The Body Shop have just launched a new Vitamin C range this month. The Vitamin C range – that’s the no-nonsense range is for ‘dull, tired, grumpy skin. There are two products in the range – Glow Boosting Moisturiser, and Instant Glow Enhancer.
And whilst you might think that glass of orange packs a Vit C punch – you haven’t met The Body Shop’s wonder ingredient – the camu camu berry. Vitamin C plays a vital role in maintaining the health of your ski, so The Body Shop have travelled to the depths of the Amazonian rainforest for these berries!
Each berry is traditionally harvested on canoes during the rainy season and packs a punch with up to 60 TIMES THE VITAMIN C POWER of an orange!
So, what does Vitamin C do for your skin? We asked Dr Terry, Global Skincare Expert for The Body Shop:
What makes skin look dull, rather than glowing?
“Your skin faces a range of daily challenges: from not using the right skincare regime, to pollution, extreme weather or poor diet. These affect the skin’s natural renewal system making it sluggish and less effective in producing healthy skin cells,” says Dr Terry.
So, how does Vitamin C work on the skin?
“Vitamin C is a great nutrient for overall skin health, helping to maintain plump moisturised skin. It helps skin cell renewal and regeneration, revealing skin thatfeels smoother and looks more glowing,” Dr Terry continues. “It is also a powerful antioxidant, fighting against free radicals. For your skin, it’s best to supplement with topical application, as Vitamin C from food or drink is used up internally and the skin gets little benefit. Independent studies have shown that applying vitamin C topically helps skin appear visibly renewed and fights the signs of fatigue.”
Well, within the new Body Shop moisturiser, that Vitamin C clarifies skin, revealing our natural healthy glow, energises your skin with its fresh, lightweight formula, and hydrates, infusing skin with moisture. It’s not a heavy cream, but a lightweight gel, perfect for everyday use, particularly in the summer when your skincare needs change.
The Instant Glow Enhancer is an instant fix for skin – giving you an instant glow and radiance, whilst working deeper. It is slightly tinted to give you a fresh, rosy glow, and your skin feels really soft. Use it under your makeup, or instead of.
As well as this new range from The Body Shop, I’ve been getting my Vitamin C on with a new serum from Balance Active Formula. The Vitamin C Power 
Serum (£10.99, beautyandthebunch.com)
is a lightweight, non-greasy serum that again will bring radiance and luminosity to your poor, dull, tired skin! It contains things called Illumiscin and Stay-C 50.
Illumiscin is a patented complex of stabilised Vitamin C, Zinc PCS and Oleuropein, the most powerful plant active from the olive tree.
This will help hugely with dark spots, and with brightening the skin tone. Stay-C 50 is a form of stabilised Vitamin C which improves the complexion, smoothes skin texture and provides a rosy glow. Perfect!
You use this gentle serum over the face and neck , twice a day if you like, before our other skincare products.
And don’t forget to add a glass of orange to your breakfast as well!
The Body Shop Glow Boosting Moisturiser (£16) and the Instant Glow Enhancer (£14) are available now from The Body Shop stores, and thebodyshop.co.uk
