How to Use Vitamin C for Dark Spots

You see it highlighted on your bottle of OJ, advertised in the citrus section of your grocery store, and even packed into immune-supporting supplements—vitamin C is everywhere. However, some studies show that it isn’t as effective to protect our immune system. Instead of taking vitamin C supplements, consider opting for topical products with vitamin C. There’s many skin benefits that can address several skin concerns, and are effective in treating them.

If (like many of us) you suffer from hyperpigmentation—aka, discolored or darkened spots on your skin. Vitamin C could be a helpful ingredient in your skin care routine, too. You can even use vitamin C for wrinkles.

Dermatologists have found that this power-packed compound can be just as effective at restoring your skin texture, skin’s bounce and glow as it is at maintaining your gut health and energy levels.

Often used in non-toxic topical solutions that help with absorption, a vitamin C serum can be applied to the skin daily to help mitigate dark spots and prevent further damage. We’ve compiled a quick overview of the ins and outs of using vitamin C for dark spots.

Step 1: Understand What Vitamin C Is

Vitamin C is vital to our diet. Naturally present in foods such as strawberries, citrus fruits, and leafy greens like spinach, vitamin C is a water-soluble compound that is involved in the following bodily functions: 

• Protein metabolism – Proteins are the workers that ensure our cells perform essential functions. Producing or metabolizing an adequate supply of proteins is essential to maintaining our body’s most fundamental processes.
• Collagen production – Collagen is a protein specifically responsible for maintaining the function and structural integrity of our skin, bones, and tissues. 
• Neurotransmitter synthesis – Neurotransmitters relay sensations across our nerve endings and allow our brains to send commands through our central nervous system. You might think of these as the body’s control panel.  
• Immunity and healing – Vitamin C is a natural deterrent against cell breakdown and can help the body neutralize the effects of bacteria or external chemicals. 

The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH) recommends that the average healthy adult consume 75 - 90 milligrams of vitamin C a day, the equivalent of about two oranges. But medical professionals have also harnessed the power of vitamin C as a topical or salve that can be absorbed through the skin.

Skin Benefits of Vitamin C

• Antioxidant – Vitamin C’s superpower is its ability to prevent internal and external toxins called free radicals from causing adverse reactions within your skin cells. Free radicals might come from the sun’s UV rays or unstable molecules produced by natural bodily reactions. 
• Anti-inflammatory – By fighting free radicals, vitamin C also creates an environment less prone to inflammation caused by tissue build-up. Similar in structure to glucose, vitamin C can de-stress the body and assist in a variety of reactions necessary for healing.
• Anti-pigment – Vitamin C is also linked to an ability to stem the skin’s production of melanin. This hormone can determine pigment, the overproduction of which can cause skin discoloration. A vitamin C product like a topical vitamin C serum has a brightening effect on skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.

In addition to treating dark spots, vitamin C has been known to enhance the following: 

• Skin texture 
• Skin firmness 
• UV protection 
• Oil production regulation

Step 2: Find Your Vitamin C Formula 

Forget that homemade mask made with grapefruit and orange peel—it might smell nice, but you’ll want the vitamin C you add to your skin care routine to be a bit more fine-tuned. In skincare, a vitamin C serum is most always applied locally as a cream or serum with specific concentrations of this compound designed to help (not hurt) your skin.

Harvard Health recommends looking for a formula that contains an active form of vitamin C. The word active indicates that the compound is present in its bioavailable form, or the form in which it naturally occurs and which can be easily absorbed by your body.

If your vitamin C product is inactive, that indicates that the compound must be metabolized by your liver before it can be successfully used by your body. Though these compounds can still be beneficial, these products are often less potent, as there’s a higher risk that the vitamin will be expelled from your body instead of absorbed.

The only form of active vitamin C is called L ascorbic acid. Multiple studies have found that L ascorbic acid is effective when used in skincare.

Meanwhile, common inactive forms of vitamin C include: 

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Step 3: Learn How to Apply Your Vitamin C Products

When starting any new skincare product, it’s a good idea to perform a patch test before going full speed ahead. A patch test involves choosing a portion of your skin to sample the product for a few days and watching to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions. This practice can be particularly helpful for those with sensitive skin. 

Once you determine your skin can tolerate this ingredient, most vitamin C products can be incorporated into the following simple regimen: 

1. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser.
2. Apply the topical vitamin C product to your face and neck or directly to a dark spot. 
3. Let the product absorb into the skin.
4. Apply a moisturizer. 

Vitamin C products can also be incorporated in your nighttime routine. Our personalized eye cream formulation includes vitamin C to brighten the under-eye area. Paired with retinol, it’s effective in getting rid of under eye wrinkles as well.

Elevate Your Skincare Routine with PROVEN 

Founded in science and clinical research, PROVEN’s approach to skin health tops the charts of personalized care. Our three-step system, including a formulated cleanser, a daily moisturizer with SPF, and night cream, works to reduce dark spots and rejuvenate the skin. 

Infused with the healing benefits of natural vitamin C, our cruelty-free, non-toxic products have been extensively observed across skin types like dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, or sensitive skin. A participant study revealed that after just 28 days, our regimen revealed reduced color in addition to improved texture and clarity. 

At PROVEN, we know no one’s a better expert on your own skin than you. That’s why our multi-dimensional products begin by assessing your personal desires and environmental stressors. Take our skin quiz today and gift your skin around-the-clock care. Based on your skin concerns, your custom formula may incorporate vitamin C to target hyperpigmentation and brighten your overall complexion.