Can You Use Vitamin C With Rosacea
Studies are showing that topical application of vitamin C (in the form of L-ascorbic acid) can help to improve the flushing and inflammation associated with rosacea. But the thing with vitamin C is that too much of it and/or the wrong type can actually worsen rosacea. So, in this article, I'm sharing a few products that I consider to be the best vitamin c serums for rosacea.
The following criteria were used to select this list of serums.
- Low dose of ascorbic acid: a 5% concentration of ascorbic acid has been shown to be effective for rosacea (source). Above this concentration, ascorbic acid can potentially worsen, rather than help, sensitive rosacea skin.
- Formulated with Vitamin C derivatives: low concentrations of ascorbic acid can still be problematic for some people. In those cases, vitamin C derivatives are a better alternative. These derivatives are converted into ascorbic acid once absorbed into the skin. And they're also gentler than ascorbic acid.
- No ingredients that typically worsen rosacea: the serums on this list are free of trigger ingredients like alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, urea, witch hazel, eucalyptus, peppermint, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, hydroquinone (1, 2, 3).
Now, before we dive in, please note that this list is not intended to replace the advice and recommendations of your doctor.
Everyone's skin is unique and you know best which ingredients keep your skin happy and which ones upset it.
This list is here to help you understand what to look for in a serum (based on general guidelines for rosacea skincare) and to hopefully shorten your research time as you look for a rosacea-friendly serum.
So, we're going to look at 4 serums in total that you should be aware of if you're struggling with rosacea.
Note: this post contains affiliate links and I earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you use them to make a purchase.
4 VITAMIN C SERUMS FOR ROSACEA
1. TOP PICK – One Love Organics Vitamin C Serum
Combining a vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl palmitate) and nourishing botanicals, this serum is just what angry, inflamed skin is craving.
One of the most noteworthy ingredients in this serum is sea buckthorn oil, which is loaded with antioxidants. This oil also has plenty of essential fatty acids that are helpful for lowering inflammation. And unlike other omega-rich oils, some experts believe that this is one that we're better off using topically, instead of ingesting it (source).
In addition to the above, this serum has skin-soothing botanicals like green tea plus nourishing carrier oils such as:
- Jojoba.
- Shea butter.
- Meadowfoam seed oil.
- Rosehip oil.
With no artificial fragrance, no essential oils, no harsh acids or no other common irritants, this is is definitely worth looking into.
Get this One Love Organics Vitamin C serum here.
2. RUNNER UP – Marie Veronique C-Therapy Serum
Marie Veronique makes two different vitamin C serums and after reaching out to the company and speaking with one of their beauticians, they made it clear that this C-Therapy is idea for ultra-sensitive skin. This serum doesn't use an ascorbic acid. Instead it contains 4 vitamin C derivatives:
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
- Glyceryl Ascorbate
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
According to the information that they shared with me, this serum is equivalent to using a 5 – 7% ascorbic acid serum. This is perfect since research already shows that a 5% ascorbic solution is helpful for rosacea.
In addition, there are plenty of gentle and soothing ingredients in this serum. In fact, the first ingredient is "green tea infusion." When used topically, green tea is great for reducing various signs of inflammation, including redness (source).
Furthermore, there are other antioxidants, nourishing oils and plant-derived ingredients such as:
- ferulic acid and vitamin E (both antioxidants).
- jojoba oil.
- grapeseed oil.
- broccoli seed
- coconut-derived probiotics.
Last but not least, this formula is free of essential oils, artificial fragrance and synthetic preservatives.
Check out this C-Therapy Serum here on Marie Veronique's website.
3. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
Mad Hippie's serum combines a vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl palmitate) with super hydrating hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
In addition, there's:
- ferulic acid (which boosts vitamin C's action).
- vitamin E (supports vitamin E and also helps to prevent oxidative damage to the skin).
- konjac root (natural skin hydrator that also helps with oxidative damage).
- glycerin (which draws moisture to the skin).
- chamomile flower extract (chamomile is best known for soothing the most delicate of skin types).
NOTE: this contains clary sage and grapefruit. It's not clear if they're in essential oil form or not. But if you know that your skin tends to react to essential oils, then consider this before buying this serum.
Get Mad Hippie's Vitamin C Serum here on Amazon.
4. Fleur & Bee
This serum uses a vitamin C derivative (sodium ascorbyl phosphate) and stays away from ascorbic acid. To enhance vitamin C's action, there's ferulic acid, which is antioxidant in its own right.
What's more, there are moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera juice and skin-softening oils like jojoba oil.
While there is no artificial fragrance in this serum, the last two ingredients are grapefruit peel oil and clary sage flower oil.
For some people with rosacea, essential oils can be problematic. However, since these are the very bottom of the ingredients list, their concentration is low.
Nonetheless if your skin is sensitive to essential oils – no matter the amount – then you can skip this oil in favor of others on this list.
Get Fleur & Bee's Vitamin C Serum here on Amazon.
FAQs ABOUT VITAMIN C SERUMS AND ROSACEA
Is vitamin C OK for rosacea?
Some experts believe that vitamin C helps rosacea in two ways. First, vitamin C's antioxidant benefits help to curb the production of free radicals. Secondly, vitamin C is said to help strengthen blood vessels so that they don't dilate quite as easily (i.e. less redness).
Does vitamin C make rosacea worse?
Vitamin C serum could worsen rosacea for a multitude of different reasons. Here are just a few:
- the formula contains too much ascorbic acid.
- oxidation has occurred (the serum color and smell has changed).
- other ingredients in the formula are irritating your skin.
Is hyaluronic acid OK for rosacea?
Unlike other acids – which are usually abrasive – hyaluronic acid is actually a hydrating acid that:
- attracts water to the skin.
- helps the skin to maintain elasticity and a healthy appearance overall.
Since proper moisture balance and dryness are common with rosacea, hyaluronic acid can be a beneficial addition to your skincare routine.
CONCLUSION
Finding a good vitamin C serum for rosacea takes a little investigating and requires that you pay close attention to ingredients.
Hopefully this article has given you some options that will help calm, soothe and nourish your skin.
You Might Also Enjoy:
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Vitamin C Serum vs Rosehip Oil: Benefits, Which Is Better and How To Use
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Vitamin C Serum Vs Aloe Vera Gel: Which Is Better for Clear Skin?
Can You Use Vitamin C With Rosacea
Source: https://simplynaturalbeautytips.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-rosacea/
