Vitamin C is an effective skin lightener that has been described as a melanogenesis inhibitor due to its inhibition of tyrosinase and reduction of melanin and melanin intermediates, such as dopaquinone.
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring substance and an essential nutrient. It has various biological and pharmaceutical functions. It inhibits melanin synthesis through downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
Does Vitamin C really darken my skin? No, it does not. It may stain your skin but it cannot darken your skin. It is important to know the difference between staining and darkening the skin.
It's brightening
Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color. By inhibiting melanin production, vitamin C can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It may also help brighten your skin's appearance.
You can use topical products to lighten your skin. These products reduce melanin and are commercially available. Prescription or over-the-counter skin lightening products often have the following ingredients: hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, retinoid.
Autoimmune conditions
If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin. Vitiligo is also associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), but not everyone with vitiligo will develop these conditions.
A favorite of dermatologists for its ability to brighten skin, buff away hyperpigmentation and slow signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, vitamin C is a skin care powerhouse — and often an affordable one at that.
4 weeks is usually the golden rule for beginning to see changes - it's allowed your skin to go through at least one renewal cycle with this skin-changing ingredient. At this point, your skin should have a subtle change in radiance, which is something you'll notice will stick around as long as you keep using Vitamin C.
It triggers the production of Glutathione and Vitamin E in the cells that together form pheomelanin — a yellow substance which keeps the skin color bright by replacing eumelanin which is darker. Vitamin C also exfoliates the skin so that the darker layer of your skin is gone forever and the lighter tone surfaces.
Vitamin C is also notorious for causing irritation in sensitive skin types, particularly when mixed with other active ingredients such as AHA's. This can lead to a flare in conditions such as periorificial dermatitis, again, leaving you with post inflammatory pigmentation.
Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation
It can also be caused by acne scars or sun damage. Vitamin C has been found to treat hyperpigmentation effectively. It helps in reducing the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone with regular use.
To reduce the excessive melanin deposits in your skin, your diet needs to be rich in antioxidants. Include healthy fruits and vegetables such as oranges, berries, tangerines, papaya, limes, kiwi, guava, lemons, mangoes, grapes, spinach, carrots, beetroot, broccoli, etc. in your diet regularly.
Zinc similarly inhibits Tyrosinase activity, again in effect reducing the production of melanin.
The most common side effects of using a vitamin C serum include skin irritation like tingling upon application, redness, and itching, but this mostly happens to “sensitive or reactive skin,” Dr. Chiu says. Always patch test an area of skin before you try any new product, especially a potent one like a serum.
When Youll See Results: Once you add vitamin C to your skincare regimen, you may start seeing noticeable improvements in three weeks. It can help significantly fade hyperpigmentation in about two months.
It is probably because they fail to layer it with a hydrating moisturizer. Leaving the serum alone on the face allows it to react with the oxygen present in the air. Applying a moisturizer after applying Vitamin C serum can prevent skin from darkening.
Vitamin C powder for treating sun damage
Applying vitamin C to your face may help reduce the appearance of dark spots caused by sun damage. Topical vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin, which is what gives skin spot their dark color.
Vitamin C serum is excellent and well recognized for skin brightness and skin whitening. It helps to remove dark circle , sun burn and blackness. It will brighten and soften your skin and have anti aging effects. This formula is free from any side effects and rich in skin nutrition.
For instance, with regular use, topical vitamin C products can provide the following benefits: Reducing the visibility of dark spots. Supporting youthful-looking skin when taken orally. Evening the appearance of skin tone and brightening the skin.
Sufficient intake of vitamin C may also help to reduce photodamage caused by the harmful UV rays from the sun.. Vitamin C is essential for an even skin tone and a glowing complexion. The daily requirement of vitamin C is 90 mg in men and 75mg in women in normal, healthy conditions.
When those skin cells are damaged or unhealthy, they can produce too much melanin. The melanin can clump, causing that area to appear darker. Many things can lead to hyperpigmentation: Adrenal disorders such as Addison's disease, when the body doesn't make enough of a hormone called cortisol.
Melanin is the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their color. A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation.
If your body makes too much melanin, your skin gets darker. Pregnancy, Addison's disease, and sun exposure all can make your skin darker. If your body makes too little melanin, your skin gets lighter. Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of light skin.
Vitamin A. Studies suggest vitamin A is important to melanin production and is essential to having healthy skin. You get vitamin A from the food you eat, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas.