Six myths about vitamin C, the natural compound that is an ally of skin care

That it cannot be used during the day or is contraindicated in rosacea, are versions that circulate about its use. Specialists consulted by Infobae evacuated the most frequent doubts Among the infinity of products and active ingredients that are promoted for their benefits for skin care, vitamin C is one of the most controversial, along with retinol. "Vitamin C is a substance that the entire body and not just the skin uses for many vital functions, hence its consumption is of vital importance."The dermatologist doctor Lucas Ponti began to explain to Infobae that “the human being is one of the few animals that cannot produce it by themselves, so yes or yes, they have to receive it from the outside and the diet is the main way to incorporate this nutrient in a balanced way ”. In the case of the skin, "beyond incorporating it orally through food, it is necessary to do so in the form of cosmetic products" , specified the specialist from the Argentine Society of Dermatology (SAD), who emphasized that"Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants that prevents premature aging of the skin as well as of many organs, maintains the vital functions of the skin." The truth is that it is a great antioxidant and an ally of the skin, famous for bringing "calm" to the face with its use, and it is one of the key principles for having protected, illuminated and young skin. "The use of vitamin C tends to generate a lot of fear because, when you think of it, it usually refers to primitive formulas, quite irritable and unstable, something that no longer happens, with carefully stabilized and long-lasting formulas." Valeria Navarro is the technical director of the Korean cosmetic firm Boutijour and in an interview with Marie Claire magazine she helped dismantle the most common myths that surround this wonderful antioxidant. 1- Vitamin C can only be used at night. Fake. “Not only can we use it for the day, but it is the key time to do it.A routine rich in vitamin C will be applied morning and night, but if you do it only once, it is always preferable to do it in the morning.”, explained the dermatologist Lilian Demarchi. In Ponti's opinion, “when used at night it is a natural lightener and it is a stimulator of collagen synthesis; and when used during the day it combats the production of free radicals caused by damage from ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollution ”. "Vitamin C should be present in all facial care routines, especially in skin that is more exposed to the sun or urban pollution," he said. 2- Vitamin C irritates the skin. Fake. It is another of the most common myths surrounding the use of this product and is based on what happens when it oxidizes, but if this happens, it is because it is not a stable formula. Firms currently work with self-stable forms of vitamin C that can be open for months without oxidizing. In this sense, it is often stated that vitamin C is contraindicated in people with rosacea . “It is a half myth because if the product is in high concentrations it can irritate the skin, but since it stimulates the synthesis of collagen, which is found in the capillaries that are altered by rosacea, vitamin C actually reinforces those little veins improving the ability not to turn red. 3- Vitamin C cannot be used with retinol.Fake. “As long as you work with stable forms of vitamin C and A (retinol), there should be no problem. Only in the beginning were they not combinable, because vitamin C in its pure form could do an exfoliation. As retinol also performs a similar function, there was talk that it could over-exfoliate the tissue.This no longer happens and in fact one of the best combos is vitamin C with retinol.Together, they work in synergy to renew the skin, improve pigmentation, synthesize collagen and elastin, reduce pores, etc.”, said Estefanía Nieto, technical director of Omorovicza. 4- Vitamin C should not be applied with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). Fake. “Whoever affirms this is alluding to the fact that vitamin C exfoliates, but the current stable forms do not exfoliate. There is no problem in combining it with alpha or beta hydroxy acids. In fact, vitamin C may support them by helping to improve hydration, collagen synthesis, hyperpigmentation, etc,” Demarchi explained. 5- Vitamin C stains the skin.Fake. As Demarchi explained, “when working with very unstable vitamins C (pure ascorbic acid), they could cause skin sensitivity and, when exposing the skin to the sun, cause hyperpigmentation. But this is not the case with the stable forms of vitamin C that are commonly used.” And he added: “It is always the sun that stains, not the products, that is why it is so important to apply sunscreen daily even if we do not leave the house.” 6- Vitamin C cannot be used in pregnant women. False . "If we analyze what is given to women at the beginning of pregnancy, they are multivitamins with vitamin C, so if they can consume it, they can put it on their skin," said Ponti, for whom the main use at this stage of life of women is to "prevent skin blemishes, which is one of the most common consequences of hormonal changes."