Vitamin C serum is the skincare step you definitely don’t want to miss. Every skin type and concern can benefit from this hero antioxidant.

Vitamin C brightens, firms and protects skin and it’s never too late (or too early) to incorporate a Vitamin C serum into your routine.

We take a look at why it’s brilliant for fading pigmentation, anti-ageing and guarding against (and reversing!) sun damage. Plus, we explore the esmi range of serums powered by this all-star ingredient so you can choose the best Vitamin C serum for your individual skin concerns. 

What are the benefits of vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C serum lightens pigmentation and acne scars, firms skin, and offers a big hit of antioxidant protection against UV and pollution. It’s the perfect all-round ingredient for any routine.

The most common forms of Vitamin C used in skincare include:

• Ascorbic Acid - also known as L-ascorbic acid
• Ethyl ascorbic acid
• Ascorbyl palmitate
• Sodium ascorbyl phosphate

These forms of Vitamin C have a notable amount of research confirming their effectiveness and stability in skincare formulations.

Vitamin C serums may also include natural forms of the antioxidant. For example, Kakadu Plum is an Australian native botanical ingredient that is the richest known source of natural Vitamin C in the world.

Serums are an excellent way to incorporate Vit C into your routine as they penetrate more deeply into the skin than other products.
 

Vitamin C Serum & pigmentation

A potent skin brightener, Vitamin C is famed for its ability to fade and smooth the appearance of various forms of pigmentation including:

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne or other skin damage.
• Liver spots or sunspots.
• Melasma associated with hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy.

Vit C serum helps to fade the appearance of pigmentation and dull, uneven skin by inhibiting the production of melanin which is the pigment responsible for causing darker areas of skin.

Vitamin C & acne

The healing process of deep inflammatory types of acne such as nodules and cysts can leave behind marks and scars.

The ‘marks’ are dark spots and discolouration on the skin are known as hyperpigmentation. Skin is darkened but it remains smooth without texture irregularities.

Acne scars, on the other hand, change the texture of the skin - leaving indentations and raised spots. This is an indication that the damage has occurred at a deep level.

Vitamin C can assist with improving the appearance of both acne marks and scars.

It promotes collagen synthesis which is vital for wound healing and rebuilding healthy skin - acne scars - while its brightening properties can help fade discolouration - acne marks.

Vitamin C for skin firming & anti-ageing

Healthy, young looking skin has plenty of collagen.

Collagen gives your skin volume, keeps it looking plump and those fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Ageing, lifestyle factors (like smoking and a poor diet) and the environment (pollution and UV exposure) all contribute to the breakdown of collagen.

This is where Vitamin C serum comes in.

Vitamin C plays a major role in helping the skin produce more of the good stuff (collagen!) and also inhibits the breakdown of existing collagen. Double win.

We recommend incorporating Vitamin C serums into your routine at any age.

In your 20s it’s the ideal preventative skincare to set the stage for healthy skin ageing and keep your complexion firm as long as possible.

In your 30s and beyond, Vitamin C can help turn back sun or environmental damage and plump fine lines and wrinkles.
 

Vitamin C & sun protection

This powerhouse vitamin is an antioxidant well-known for its ability to protect the skin from the damage caused by UV rays and pollution.

When your skin is exposed to the sun and other environmental aggressors - like pollution - free radicals form and attack healthy skin cells.

They do this by ‘stealing’ an electron from a healthy cell causing it to weaken and damage collagen and elastin. This results in the signs of premature aging like fine lines, rough skin, and discolouration.

Antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, stop free radical destruction in its tracks by ‘giving’ an electron to the free radical so it doesn’t steal from the healthy cells.

Not only does Vitamin C protect the skin from damage, but it also helps reverse existing sun damage by brightening sun spots and stimulating collagen production.

Don’t skip sun protection though; Vitamin C serum isn't a replacement for sunscreen.

Daily application of broad spectrum SPF, like esmi Skin Shield, is still a must for every skincare routine. Think of Vitamin C and sunscreen as a skincare power couple; they work best together!

The longer you use Vitamin C serum, the better the results. While most skin types will usually notice a brighter complexion after a few weeks of use, consistent use over months will deliver optimal results - more luminous, firmer, and softer skin.

The best vitamin C serums

Firm, brighten, protect. No matter your goal, there’s an esmi serum formulated with Vitamin C to suit your skin type and concerns.

Our Vitamin C serums and lotions should be applied following the cleansing step in your routine.
 

Pomegranate Brightening Serum

Pomegranate Brightening Serum is our Vitamin C serum that illuminates skin with the power of Vitamin C and Kakadu Plum. A true brightening team!

Suitable for: Most skin types to tackle pigmentation, sun damage and dullness concerns.
If you have hypersensitive skin, we recommend introducing our Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Brightening first to introduce your skin to brightening ingredients.

Formulated with: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Kakadu Plum.

How to use Pomegranate Brightening Serum (morning and / or evening)

Use the dropper to apply an amount smaller than a pearl on cleansed skin and gently massage in. Allow the serum to absorb before applying other products.

You can use this Vitamin C serum in your morning and evening routine.
 

Golden Anti-Ageing Serum

Golden Anti-Ageing Serum is formulated with powerful peptides and antioxidants, including Vitamin C, to visibly plump fine lines, brighten and condition.

Suitable for: All skin types and ages as a night time defence against fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation. Promotes a brighter, smoother complexion.

Formulated with: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), peptides, and vitamin E.

How to use Golden Anti-Ageing Serum (evening)

Using the dropper, apply a pearl sized amount and gently massage into skin, including the under eye area. The Golden Anti-aging Serum is designed to be used at night as the skin repairs and regenerates while you sleep.
 

Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Brightening

Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Brightening is moisturising lotion gentle enough to offer the lightening benefits of Vitamin C serums without irritating sensitive skin.

Suitable for: All skin types, especially hypersensitive skin.

Formulated with: Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Kakadu Plum and Probiotic Lysates.

How to use Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Brightening (morning and / or evening)

Using the dropper drip a thumb size amount of Mylck onto your fingertips or palm. Massage into cleansed skin.

Sunrise Skin Energising Acai Duo

Sunrise Skin Energising Acai Duo is the best Vitamin C serum that offers the moisturising benefits of a face oil too.

Suitable for: Ideal for all skin types to brighten a dull, dehydrated complexion prone to age spots and hyperpigmentation while stimulating collagen to firm and tone.

Formulated with: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), niacinamide, and acai oil.

How to use Sunrise Skin Energising Acai Duo (morning and night)

Shake the bottle well to mix the acai oil and water-based serum together. Dispense a pearl size amount of mixed oil/serum directly to your palm and massage into the skin.
 

Brightening Eye Serum

Wake up a tired, dull eye area with our Brightening Eye Serum designed to target dark circles, brightness and fine lines in the delicate eye area.

Suitable for: All skin types to promote a brighter, tighter and more youthful eye area.

Formulated with: Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), caffeine, Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.

How to use Brightening Eye Serum (morning and / or evening):

After cleansing or exfoliating, and before moisturizing, apply a grain of rice-sized amount (per eye) and massage to below the eye area and above on to the brow bone in an outwards motion.

For vit C face masks and cleansers to complement your serum view our entire range of Vitamin C skincare products.