One of the first places where the age starts showing is the skin. With age, the skin becomes less elastic, has more fine lines and visible pores. While it is not entirely possible to prevent these signs of aging from occurring, there are ways to delay their onset. Night creams with collagen, pore tightening masks and serums that fight the signs of aging are popular and effective remedies. Applying vitamin C based products topically is known to be even more beneficial. We tell you our recipe of a DIY homemade vitamin C serum that is bound give you healthy skin.
Why a Vitamin C serum?
One of the main causes of aging is the action of the free radicals on the cells. They cause oxidative damage to the healthy cells and cause them to age. To counter the damage that free radicals can cause, you need antioxidants. Vitamin C is one such potent antioxidant which can help give you healthy skin. It also triggers the activation of another antioxidant – vitamin E. This makes vitamin C a sought after ingredient in creams and serums.
Read about benefits of Vitamin E here
Vitamin C Serums improve the collagen production in the skin. They fight antioxidants and keep the skin plump and wrinkle free. A small bottle of vitamin C serum, while effective, can be really expensive. Rather than paying an arm and a leg for the serum, why not make one by yourself, with natural ingredients at a fraction of the price of the store bought serum?
DIY Vitamin C serum
Vitamin C is available in the form of compounds like L-Ascorbic acid (LAA), Sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, all of which can be ingested. What’s better than putting on your skin something that you can eat?
The serum can be made in a concentration of 5% to start off with, to check your skin’s reaction to vitamin C. We practice caution because vitamin C can irritate the skin. You can up the concentration to 10-20% once your skin gets used to it.
To make this serum, you would need
- Vitamin C – LAA powder is the best option
- Glycerine
- Distilled water
- Tinted bottle, since vitamin C is unstable when exposed to light.
How to mix
All you need to do is to dilute vitamin C powder in a base of distilled water and glycerine, in order to make the serum. The quantities vary depending on the concentration you are looking for.
For 5% concentration – 1/2 tsp powder in 8 and 1/2 tsp of water. Finally add in 1 tsp of glycerine and mix well.
For 10% concentration – 1 tsp powder in 8 tsp of water and 1 tsp of glycerine.
For 20% concentration – 2 tsp powder in 7 tsp water and 1 tsp glycerine.
Once done, store the serum in a tinted bottle with a dropper and you are all set to use it! Store it in a cool and dark place.
How to use the Vitamin C serum?
Vitamin C is more effective when you apply it on the skin than when you consume it. To use it, shake the bottle well before use. Smooth in a few drops all over your face, avoiding the eye area after cleansing your face. Let it dry and follow it up with your cream or lotion.
The serum helps smooth out skin tone and in retaining the youthfulness of the skin. It also helps protect the skin against the harm done by the sun. It is best to make it in small batches that you can use in a week so that your product is fresh.
Read more about boosting beauty with Vitamin C here
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