Caring for your Vitamin C

Between brightening dark spots and helping to protect against UV damage, there’s a lot vitamin C can do for your skin. But the type of serum you select, as well as how you store it, can significantly affect the quality of vitamin c you are getting. This discussion is mainly going to be dedicated to making sure you store your vitamin C products correctly. Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air. When exposed to these factors it becomes oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, which makes it less stable and less efficacious. Less effective people! That’s throwing your money away. Brands have an absolute responsibility to package their serums and let the consumer know the best way to store their product! Your vitamin C should be a light straw color, if not clear. When it becomes oxidized it’s becomes yellow, brown or orange. Do not let any company (ahem, DE) tell you any different that the product is still good if it has turned burnt color. At worst, you could cause skin irritation but you’re mostly wasting your time and efforts by applying a product that simply is no longer effective. When selecting your vitamin C, bottles matter. This means if your fancy new serum comes in a beautiful clear glass bottle you can go ahead and kiss your hard-earned cash goodby. That container is not protecting the serum. Select a serum that comes in an air-tight opaque container. HERE’S WHAT TO DO: •Always make sure the lid is TIGHTLY closed after each use. Limit how long the bottle is open. The less time the better. ❌ Oxygen ❌ •If you’ve always wanted a mini-fridge here is your excuse to get one. Storing vitamin C in a cool, dark place is the best option=delays oxidation •DO NOT STORE IN THE BATHROOM - moisturize, heat, humidity are vitamin C’s worst enemies. Keep a handheld mirror where you are storing your serum so you can apply it right there. If you are applying it in the bathroom do so quickly and put it safely away in a drawer. •Do not be tempted to buy vitamin C in bulk - larger sizes or stocking up on a sale. Most formulas last 3 months in ROOM temperature and 5 when stored in the refrigerator. I store any products that are at risk in my bathroom drawer. I never pull open the drawer nor pull out the product I’m going to use until I’m absolutely ready. I quickly add the product and place it back and close the drawer so it’s out anywhere from 5-10 seconds depending on the product. I have a large open master bathroom which we run the vents when we shower. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the mirrors steam up. Vitamin C is only one product I’m willing to spend good money on so I want to make sure I take care of the products so not only do they last but they will be effective at treating my skin. Is there any information I’ve left out? How do you care for your vitamin C? Paula’s Choice is one of my favorites I’ve tried. Youth to the people is another great one.