Here’s why you should be using vitamin C on your skin, according to a dermatologist

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On In The Know’s Wellness Lab, we bust common health myths and learn about the best products for keeping your health in tip top shape with our host, Dr. Alok Patel.

You’ve probably heard how vitamin C can benefit your immune system when ingested through fruits, vegetables and sometimes supplements. However, vitamin C can also benefit your skin.

Vitamin C can help improve darks spots, hyperpigmentation and help boost collagen rejuvenation. It can also help repair damage caused by the sun and pollution. However, the best way to get vitamin C’s skin benefits is through a topical skincare product — but not all vitamin C products are created equal.

Dermatologist Dr. Caroline Robinson explains, “Vitamin C is really unstable, and that means anytime you expose it to light or air, it starts to break down immediately.” So, you’ll want to look for products with ferulic acid or THD ascorbate, which works as a stabilizing agent. Without a stabilizing agent, “it’s vitamin C when you leave the store, it’s not vitamin C when you open the bottle,” Dr. Robinson says.

Shop below for a few of the best vitamin C skincare products that really work, recommended by Dr. Robinson on this episode of The Wellness Lab.

Shop: Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Oil Free Serum, $19.99

Credit: Amazon

This oil-free serum by Acure is great for all skin types, but best for those with more mild skin issues. It’s all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free — and it smells good, thanks to the added pineapple and matcha tea leaf extracts.

Shop: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, $85

Credit: Dermstore

This serum by Sunday Riley is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s worth every penny for those who want to step up their skincare routine. It has a higher concentration of vitamin C so it works quicker, and uses THD ascorbate as its stabilizer. “It is super stable, and that means that you’re going to get the topical benefit of vitamin C,” Dr. Robinson says.

Shop: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%, $160

Credit: Amazon

This serum is top of the line stuff and for people who are very serious about their skincare. “It has 30 percent of the THD ascorbate ingredient in it, so it’s stepping it up even more, and it’s even more stable. You could pretty much leave that on your dashboard [in the sun],” Dr. Robinson says. “So with the more stable product, you’re going to get more benefit in terms of antioxidant production.”

If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to learn three tips for boosting your immune system naturally, according to Dr. Alok.

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