Since most acne breakouts start occurring during adolescence it only complicates the awkwardness and other changes that are going on and can cause emotional distress. While everyone has to deal with acne in their life, some people suffer from more extreme cases that can affect more than just their skin. Acne can cause depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-image, decreased quality of life, and create a feeling of being all alone. (AAD) Unfortunately, severe acne and the inflammation it causes can lead to scars that only complicate already compromised emotional health and feelings of inadequacy. One way to combat these side effects of acne breakouts is through early and effective treatment. One of the best treatments to help with acne is Vitamin C serum. Before you can understand how Vitamin C can help clear up acne and acne scars, you must first understand what causes acne and acne scars.
Acne
Acne is a skin condition that happens when dirt, oil, or dead skin cells block hair follicles and cause whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples that most commonly occur on the face but can also be found on other parts of the body like chest, back or shoulders. While acne most commonly occurs during the teenage years, it can affect anyone at any age. While acne is not dangerous it can be painful and annoying and severe cases of acne can leave unsightly scars. (Mayo Clinic) Some factors that make acne worse are hormones, medications, diet, and stress. The reason acne is more common during puberty is that hormone production is increased, pregnancy is another time when acne can become worse because once again hormone levels are higher. Medications that contain corticosteroids, testosterone, or lithium can cause acne to become worse. What you eat can also cause acne, foods that are high in carbohydrates like bread and chips have been linked to increased acne. Another factor that can cause acne to occur or become worse is stress. Some factors that do not cause acne are greasy foods, cosmetics, and hygiene. These myths have been passed on and have no basis in science. Consuming greasy foods do not cause or increase acne breakouts, as long as you remove cosmetics daily they will not cause acne to occur, and hygiene is not a factor that causes increased acne, as a matter of fact scrubbing the skin or over cleansing can cause irritation and make the skin more susceptible to acne breakouts. (MayoClinic)
Acne Scars
Acne scars occur when inflamed acne causes the follicle walls to break and allow lesions to occur, while lesions are usually shallow and heal relatively quickly sometimes the break in the pore wall is deep and the lesions are worse. When the body attempts to repair these deep lesions by creating new collagen fibers, the new skin that is created is not as smooth as the original skin and will cause scars to be left behind. Acne scars can take two forms hypertrophic scarring which occurs when too much collagen is produced and causes a raised scar on the surface of the skin and Atrophic scarring which occurs when tissue is lost and small holes are left on the surface of the skin. It is important when trying to cure acne scarring that you avoid too much sun as it can make acne scars turn darker in color and become more noticeable, don’t over wash the skin as it can affect skin elasticity and makes the scars more prominent, and don’t pick at acne because bacteria that may be lurking under your fingernails can be transferred to the acne scars and increase the chance of the scars becoming larger. (ASDS) Luckily there are treatments for acne scars and they include laser treatments, chemical peels, skin surgery, and fillers. These treatments can be performed by a dermatologist usually right at their medical office. As we get older our skin loses collagen and will make acne scars more noticeable. (AAD)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is also referred to as L-ascorbic acid and occurs naturally in some foods and is an important part of our diet. Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen which is an important protein found in connective tissues and skin and plays an essential role in healing. (NIH) The best source of vitamin C in fruits and vegetables and some of the best are citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, and kiwifruit. Vitamin C can also be taken as a supplement. Vitamin C offers many health benefits that include immune system protection, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and wrinkling of the skin. (WebMD)It is recommended that adults ingest 500 milligrams daily of vitamin C in order to receive the best health results. Vitamin C overdoses are highly uncommon because the body does not store vitamin C, excess amounts are excreted so it must be continuously consumed in order to achieve and maintain levels that are healthy and most productive. (WebMD)
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C Serum is one of the most effective serums on the market because they provide several skin benefits that including treating acne and reducing acne scars. One cause of acne breakouts is free radicals because they are known to cause skin inflammation which traps dirt and bacteria in pores and cause acne to occur. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has the ability to neutralize free radicals and therefore reduces the chance of acne breakouts. When our skin becomes inflamed we have the bad habit of scratching and touching the area and causing more damage, Vitamin C Serum has the ability to help reduce inflammation and therefore reduce the need to scratch the area causing more damage as well as making the area look better as the irritation is not as noticeable. Vitamin C Serum can help alleviate acne scars by increasing fibroblast cells that are responsible for producing collagen and with an increase of collagen the body has the ability help fill in areas where acne has damaged and left scars helping to repair the skin an make it look younger and healthier. In order for vitamin C to have the best results on your skin it is important to first exfoliate and get rid of any dead skin cells, that way when you apply the vitamin c serum it will be able to penetrate the pores easier and help make it more effective.
How to Use Vitamin C
One way to apply vitamin C topically is through creams and moisturizes. You can either make your own cream or purchase one online or at your local store. Since creams and moisturizers are meant to be absorbed by the skin, the vitamin C they carry is also absorbed into the skin. You can also choose to wash with a vitamin C scrub that will not only exfoliate the skin but it will also make it easier for the skin to absorb the vitamin C. Another easy and economical way to get enough vitamin C in your skin is to rub lemons and other foods high in Vitamin C on the skin or by spraying it onto the skin directly. If you want you can combine vitamin C with another antioxidant like tea extract and help increase the health benefits associated with both antioxidants. Vitamin C serum is also a great way to get the many health benefits associated with vitamin C. Vitamin C serum is easy to use and all you need to do is apply a small amount to the area you would like and allow it to dry. When using topical applications for Vitamin C one of the best times to apply it is at night before you go to bed. By applying it before you sleep you give the Vitamin C time to be absorbed by the skin and you also will not have to worry about dirt or makeup clogging pores and prohibiting the vitamin C from being properly absorbed into the skin.
Recommendation
While there are many great Vitamin C serums on the market today, one great product I recommend you add to your beauty regiment is Eldivia Vitamin C Serum 20% Active with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin E. This Vitamin C Serum not only contains an active concentration of 20% Vitamin C, it also contains witch hazel that is a natural astringent making it a great way to treat acne, jojoba oil which has the ability to sooth irritated skin, MSM which helps to increase collagen and keratin production, and aloe vera which is a natural ingredient that has the ability to heal chronic skin irritations like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. In order to get the best effects of the Vitamin C serum you can use it in combination with Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum that hydrates the skin, increases cell turnover, fights signs of aging like fine lines, sagging skin ,and wrinkles as well as enhancing skin firmness and preserving elasticity, along with 100% Pure Argan Oil that provides moisture to the skin, helps to diminish stretch marks, soothes acne prone skin, helps to treat razor bumps, and helps treat nails and cuticles. These products are manufactured in the USA and are 100% cruelty-free, vegan, Non-GMO, and free of Antibiotics and Parabens. (Eldivia)
Since our skin is what protects us from the outside world and its harmful substances it is important to take steps to help keep our skin as healthy as possible and thus keep the rest of our body healthy as well. Vitamin C is an important vitamin that provides many health benefits, but due to the fact that your body cannot produce vitamin C on its own so it is important to make sure you are getting enough vitamin C through the foods you eat, through supplements, or through topical applications like moisturizers or serums. One effective way to make sure you are getting enough vitamin C is through topical products like vitamin C serum. Topical vitamin C is great for your skin as it promotes the production of collagen which makes your skin healthier. Vitamin C also contains antioxidants that help protect cells from free radicals that can cause skin cancer, dark spots on the skin, wrinkles, and can damage collagen. Applying vitamin C serum topically can help protect your skin against cancer while helping to keep your skin look young and healthy. (Positive Health Wellness) In any form, Vitamin C is proven to have significant health benefits internally and externally. In order to stay as healthy as you can, you will want to make sure to incorporate Vitamin C into your diet or beauty routine. If you happen to also suffer from acne and/or acne scars, Vitamin C serum is a great way to help decrease the irritation and effects of acne and with the early treatment, you will have a better chance of avoiding scarring that often comes with serious acne.