Tuesday 1 July 2014

WHAT IS ALL THE HYPE WITH VITAMIN C?

My fixation with incorporating Vitamin C started in my mid 30's....then I forgot about it, or let's face it, I became lazy and left it to the waste side.

Now that I'm in my mid 40's, YIKES, did I actually put that in print!!!! I figured, I should get SERIOUS about Vitamin C.

Let's face it Anti-Aging products can be overwhelming to the most knowledgeable person, let alone  a regular Joe or Gina like myself.  So I decided, why not write a Blog Post on the benefits of Vitamin C, both oral and topical.

Let us not forget, we can look fabulous on the outside, but if we are a pile of poo on the inside, we just aren't doing ourselves any justice.

LET'S BEGIN!

A QUICK SUMMARY OF WHAT VITAMIN C DOES:
Vitamin C protects our bodies from infections and maintains healthy bones and teeth. It helps the body's ability to repair wounds and keeps our immune from bacteria, viruses and infection.  It also is necessary for collagen, the main protein in our body that keeps our tissue all connected.

Vitamin C taken orally helps us heal faster and better.
Vitamin C taken topically (as a beauty product) helps the skin from free radical damage from UV rays of the sun.

VITAMIN C CAN BE FOUND IN VARIOUS FORMS:  
Powder, Capsule / Tablet, Chewable, Liquid



WHAT DOES VITAMIN C DO?


BEAUTY RELATED BENEFITS:

  • ANTIOXIDANT = Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects our body from free radicals.  It protects our skin against the ultraviolet rays of the sun and is found is many skin care products.  It also helps with environmental pollution and regular smoking.
  • IMPROVES SKIN TEXTURE - Vitamin C aids with the production of collagen in our bodies. This is what helps with the skin firmness and tone.
  • DISCOLOURATION OF THE SKIN = Vitamin C helps diminish the discolouration of freckles and age spots to help the skin look younger and smoother.
  • SKIN TEXTURE = Vitamin C aids with the production of collagen, which provides structure for blood vessels. The tiny blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients that keep our skin healthy.  The nutrients containing Vitamin C improve the appearance and texture of our skin.
  • HAIR BENEFITS = Vitamin C plays an important role in improving the health of our hair growth, by reducing free radicals.  Free radicals are naturally formed when our bodies turn food into glucose for energy.  These free radicals can damage our hair by making it weak, brittle and thin.  By incorporating Vitamin C in our diets, it reduces dry hair and split ends.
    • FIGHTS DANDRUFF = Vitamin C helps fight the bacteria on the scalp. It can ward off dandruff and help to clean the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth.
    • STOPS HAIR LOSS =Vitamin C is used to reverse Adrenal Gland Fatigue.  Which helps with hair loss and encourages new hair growth and help maintain proper hormonal balance.
    • THICK HAIR = Vitamin C helps with blood circulation and this helps strengthen and repair capillaries, which will encourage stronger, thicker hair growth.
    • FIGHTS HAIR DISORDERS = Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for damaged hair and can treat various hair disorders that damage the hair follicles, such as alopecia and baldness in men and women.
    • PREVENTS GREYING OF HAIR = Vitamin C helps retain the natural colour by preventing premature ageing of the hair. 

INTERNAL BODY HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C:


  • IMMUNE = Vitamin C helps fight off infections and diseases, such as the common cold, it acts as an effective antihistamine.
  • ANTIOXIDANT = Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant for the entire body as a whole and protects against free radicals 
  • HEART = Vitamin C helps to lower blood pressure, helps reduce hypertension, helps the dilation of blood vessels and helps prevent heart disease
  • STRESS = Vitamin C helps the body deal with stress by reducing the levels of cortisol
  • DIABETES = Vitamin C helps regulate sugars in the body
  • ASTHMA = Vitamin C will lessen the body's production of histamine which contributes to inflammation
  • CANCER = Vitamin C's antioxidant properties protect cells from DNA damage and mutation and can protect from certain cancers, such as lung, mouth, throat, colon and stomach.

WHAT KIND OF VITAMIN C SHOULD I BE TAKING AND HOW MUCH?

BEAUTY RELATED VITAMIN C
When it comes to using Vitamin C as a form of a beauty product to protect our skin from free radicals and reverse or prevent sun damage there are different forms available to us.  Some lotions and creams have a certain amount of Vitamin C already included in their formulas.  My favourite is to use a high concentrate of Vitamin C either in powder or liquid forms.

PHILOSOPHY TURBO BOOSTER - VITAMIN C POWDER
By far this is my ultimate favourite.
I love the finely milled consistency. I use 1/8tsp and mix it in with my face cream day and/or evening and apply directly to my face.  To heighten it's effectiveness, you may wish to also encorporate some Vitamin E into the mix. Vitamin E will also aid in the preventive anti-aging benefits and is also an excellent anti-oxident to add to your regime.



WHERE TO PURCHASE:
.25oz = $37USA or $ 46 Canadian 
This will last you a long time as you do not use alot. However, it is on the higher price side of all the Vitamin C powders that I will be discussing in this blog post.

http://www.sephora.com/turbo-booster-c-powder-P204606?skuId=1049170


SKINN VITAMIN C POWER 
Another alternative to the Turbo Booster is from Skinn Cosmetics.  This is also a finely milled powder, the ingredients are slightly different, however, it acts in the same fashion.  You add a little of the powder to your existing face cream and apply directly to your face.  

I liked this powder, however, I didn't "love it".  I am finishing it, as I never like to waste product, but this is a more affordable option.  The results are very similar to Philosophy's version. It's truly personal preference.

You can find Skinn Cosmetics on "THE SHOPPING CHANNEL" in Canada or directly on their websites.  The links to both are below.

COST: .25oz = $22 Canadian or $17 USA



SKINN COSMETICS:
http://store.skinn.com/Restore_C_Vitamin_Concentrate_p/fg-rcp-025.htm

THE SHOPPING CHANNEL:
http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/SKINN-Cosmetics-Skin-Care/Antiaging-Treatments/Skinn-Restore-C-Concentrate/pages/productdetails?nav=R:464955,N:127320,E:11706796


VITAMIN C POWDER - THE VITAMIN SHOPPE
C-1000 POWDER

COST: $8.99USA 8oz / $19.99USA 16oz

WHERE TO PURCHASE:
VITAMIN SHOPPE
http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/controller?N=0&Ntk=SiteSearch&Ntt=c-1000+powder&Nty=1&D=c-1000+powder&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchall&cm_sp=typeahead-_-3|c-1000-_-kw|c-1000+powder

This product was something that I purchased because of Youtube.  I have a LOVE HATE relationship with this.  Ultimately, my first reaction to this product was WOW, look at all the product I get for such a fantastic price.  Then I used it topically!  I WAS NOT HAPPY!

Let me tell you why?

TOPICAL USE:
1.  This product is not finely milled. It has the consistency of sugar granules.  This is very difficult to melt/blend with your face creams/lotions.  
2.  The product left tiny little residual granules on my face and body, which for me personally was annoying as it interfered with the use of my cosmetics.

ORAL USE:
1. Obviously, this was meant for oral intake and not topical for application on the face.  As an oral intake for Vitamin C, to be added in a smoothy, or in juice or water to ensure you are receiving all of it's amazing benefits, THIS WOULD BE IDEAL.




This powder was and is my least favourite to use as a topical formulation.   Since I have so much of it, I plan on mixing it in and taking it orally to reap the benefits of Vitamin C for the INSIDE of my body, hence enhancing the OUTSIDE.


LIQUID VITAMIN C FORMULAS:

My experience with the liquid form of Vitamin C is limited.  I've mainly concentrated on the powder form.  The main reason for this is that Vitamin C in liquid form doesn't last long. The maximum shelf life is about 3 months.  Hence, it can be very expensive to purchase and the price point varies depending on the company.

Some liquid forms that are available are as follows:

SKINCEUTICALS
One of the more expensive formulas comes from Skinceuticals. They have a variation of Vitamin C formulas to choose from.  The link is below.  I find that due to the shelf life being only 3 months, the waste is too much to invest in this product. I believe you can achieve similar results from less expensive versions of the liquid Vitamin C. 

COST: $157 USA = 30ml

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/category/c-e-ferulic.htm


LET'S MOVE ON.....I'm all about spending money on cosmetics, but sometimes, you can achieve the same results and keep some of that hard earned cash in your pocket.

OTHER VERSIONS:

TIMELESS SKINCARE:
Here is a similar version to the Skinceuticals Vitamin C, from Timeless.  It has been known to offer similar or better results and it's got a fantastic price point.  Honestly, this would probably be my recommendation for any of you considering the liquid version.

COST: $24.95 USA - 30ml

http://www.timelessha.com/products/20%25-Vitamin-C-%252b-E-Ferulic-Acid-Serum.html


HOME MADE LIQUID VITAMIN C

So another alternative is to make your own Vitamin C.  It can last from 2 weeks to 1 month depending if you use glycerin in your recipe. 

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 tsp Vitamin C Powder (I'm using the C-1000 shown above in this blog)
1 tablespoon distilled water OR 1 teaspoon distilled water to dissolve and 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
A dark coloured container to store the Vitamin C so it does not oxidize quickly.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Dissolve the Vitamin C powder in water
If using only water and Vitamin C, you are done.  This will store for up to 2 weeks on longer in the fridge.
If using glycerin, dissolve the Vitamin C in the smaller amount of water, then stir in glycerin and store.  This version will last a month or longer.


WHEN IS THE LIQUID VITAMIN C NO LONGER GOOD TO USE?

Vitamin C in the liquid formulation should be a clear colour.  Once it starts to show any signs of yellowing, it is oxidising.  Oxidisation of liquid Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness and benefits that Vitamin C has.  It has been documented that it may be also harmful (I'm not 100% sure of this claim, so do your research).

IN SUMMARY:

My favourite formula for topical use of Vitamin C is still powder.  I enjoy using the Philosophy brand as it is finely milled and I've seen results.  I am always looking for the next bes thing, so if anyone has suggestions, please leave your comments below.

I truly hope this was helpful to all of you!

Enjoy fighting those free radicals!

Ciao for now!