Can I still use oxidized Vitamin C?

As an ingredient in skincare, Vitamin C is hailed as a highly effective but unstable powerhouse. All those outdated reports aside, Vitamin C is undoubtedly a favorite among skincare experts and fans.

You’ll find that the most common formula everyone uses is a serum, as many find using a serum rich in Vitamin C to be the most effective way to benefit from the skin-rejuvenating ingredient. If you want to learn more about Vitamin C and its benefits for your skin, read our dedicated Beauty Insiders blog post.

Now let’s see what happens and if we can still use oxidized Vitamin C. If you’re wondering how Vitamin C oxidizes, here’s a quick rundown of the signs that a serum is oxidized.

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is usually formulated in a serum that has a light consistency and color, usually clear and sometimes champagne.

Once oxidized, the serum will appear dark yellow, orange, and sometimes brown.

You’ll find that oxidized serums are up to 25% less effective.

If you notice that your serum or product has an unusual smell, this is a clear sign that you need to stop using it completely, as it will not benefit the skin in any way and may cause irritation.

You can read more about how to tell if Vitamin C is oxidized in our blog post.

Can we use oxidized Vitamin C serums?

Yes, you can, but only if it has turned slightly yellow. This is usually a sign that oxidation has begun, but the formula is still potent enough to provide benefits to the skin. However, if it is a dark orange or brown color, it is best to avoid it completely, as it is not only useless to the skin, but it also forms a barrier on the surface of the skin, interfering with the absorption and blending of other active ingredients in the formula into the skin.

Sometimes you will find different types of Vitamin C in different skincare products, and their stability varies. The stable forms take longer to oxidize and are generally more potent. I am referring to certain types of Vitamin C, such as L-Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, both of which are water-soluble and often found in products for people with oily skin, acne-prone skin, and acne. If you have dry skin, other types of vitamin C that are richer and more hydrating, such as ascorbyl palmitate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, may be more suitable since they are fat-soluble vitamin C.

Is oxidized vitamin C harmful?

In short: yes, oxidized vitamin C can be harmful to your skin. You will find that some people experience unwanted skin irritation, but this is not the only problem. The benefits of your vitamin C serum have been completely depleted. This means that the skin is no longer benefiting from the benefits of the active ingredients. Benefits such as antioxidants included in the formula protect against exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, central heating, harsh climates, and other environmental aggressors. Since the vitamin C is no longer working correctly, it cannot strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier and protect it from further skin damage. This damage can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.

Finally, in rare cases, applying oxidized vitamin C to the skin may cause skin discoloration and yellowing, which may take a while to subside.

Is it okay to have oxidized vitamin C?

Yes and no, as I just explained, using oxidized vitamin C products can often have side effects if the formula turns a dark orange or brown color. Because it lacks effectiveness and runs the risk of discoloring your skin, you should avoid using vitamin C products if they are severely oxidized.

How do I know if my vitamin C is oxidized?

As I mentioned earlier, the color of the formula is an important factor to keep in mind. Generally speaking, if your serum starts to take on a yellow, orange, or brown hue, it’s time to toss it.

When using a vitamin C serum, it’s important to remember to store the product properly and use it as effectively as possible. We’ll cover this in the next section, giving you some tips on how to keep your vitamin C product fresher for longer.

How to Prevent Vitamin C from Oxidizing?

There are several ways to prevent your vitamin C serum from oxidizing too quickly and keep it fresher for longer. So, here are our top tips for extending the shelf life of these effective, powerful formulas.

Store Vitamin C away from sunlight

Exposure to sunlight quickly reduces the effectiveness and potency of the active ingredients. For best results, store it in a cupboard or drawer. Also note that all products containing vitamin C must come in opaque or light-proof packaging.

Always keep the lid on tightly

This may sound silly to some, but it is very important to keep oxygen away from your serum. Any contact with oxygen will reduce the effectiveness of the vitamin C and may even make it lose its effectiveness. It is easy to slip the wrong way, so err on the side of caution and check your vitamin C serum carefully before putting it away.

Don’t store your products in the bathroom

I know it makes sense to store your skincare in your bathroom cabinet. But this is probably the worst place for your skincare. Temperature fluctuations and frequent contact with moisture can change the formula and affect its effectiveness on your skin.

Consider the life cycle of your product

If vitamin C products are stored unopened in a drawer away from direct sunlight, they can last up to three years. However, once opened, it takes about 3 months for the effects to wear off. It is important to use your vitamin C serum as often as possible so that it can take effect and use it up when the formula is most effective.

Here’s a little insight into the uses of oxidized vitamin C and its effects on your skin. Don’t forget: If you have any additional questions, you can find us on Instagram.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected