Why I stopped using Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Ascorbic Acid is the traditional ingredient used in Vitamin C skincare products. If you've used any type of Vitamin C serum, you probably already know it's unstable. The directions clearly state to keep it in a cool, dark place for storage and usually to throw it out after 30 days. At least they should explain this because it's such an unstable raw ingredient.

You may have even experienced symptoms of skin sensitivity when using Vitamin C products on your face and skin. If the percentage is too high, it can burn your skin and act like a chemical peel at it's worst. Obviously, Vitamin C - when used properly and in the correct percentage - provides excellent benefits to your skin!

Vitamin C helps with sun damage, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, it can boost collagen, diminish the appearance of scars, and promote healing. See the details HERE.

What if you're sensitive to Vitamin C?

Over time, our allergies and sensitivities can spring up seemingly from out of the blue. I used Vitamin C serum for many years, but stopped for a while. Now, at the age of 53, I decided to use a Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid serum and it behaved like a chemical peel on my face!

At first, I didn't connect the serum with my symptoms for a variety of reasons. I'd never had a problem with it before. I've had problems with dry eyes for a long time, as well as, itchiness and burning in my eyes. So, when the itchiness ramped up and my eyes burned a bit, I didn't associate it with the serum. I continued using it everyday for about 10 days. During that time my symptoms became unbearable.

The itching and burning increased, I assumed it was the normal allergies just ramping up with the weather. Next, it felt as though something gritty was stuck under my eyelids. I've had many surgeries on my eyes and felt this before. Sometimes it's due to a small scratch or dust particles. So again, I wrote it off as the norm for me. However, the persistence of pain, itching and burning became pretty annoying. My nose would start running, dripping actually and my nose and cheeks became exceptionally red, more so than usual.

Then, I had to drive my pup to doggy daycare on a day that was very bright. The sun was beaming and I had no sunglasses. I still associated this with all my other problems. Even though by this time I couldn't keep my eyes open to drive. They were closing on their own so that I had to force them open against the insane burning sensation. This took place two more times. In addition, I could barely sleep. Eyes open nor eyes closed presented any relief. I was up and down all night using eye lubricating drops, which offered zero relief.

The next time I diligently applied the Vitamin C serum, my eyes started to burn in an excruciatingly painful blast. The area around my eyes and alongside my nose had been drying out over this period of time, but during this application the skin actually began to peel away.

Finally, a lightbulb burst over my head as I realized that all of this misery was my own doing. I threw the stuff away, washed my face and rinsed my eyes, but the pain, itching and burning stuck around. In fact, it took a full 10 days to feel any relief. The first few days, I kept using the eye drops with no relief and gently washing my face with only water. I applied a moisturizer very gingerly and was ultra careful around the eyes. Even my tried and true moisturizer seemed to exacerbate the burning sensation. Several days went by while I continued this regime and still endured the pain of what felt like small shards of glass rolling around under my eyelids.

After a couple days, I began using a gentle foaming oil cleanser on my face. I formulated it thus was comfortable with the ingredients and gentle nature of the cleanser. I added an oil serum and continued to moisturizer. As the pain began to slowly subside just a bit, I included a toner. Now, that 10 days have passed, I can say that 95% of the symptoms are gone. I feel very comfortable with the products I'm using now as I formulated them myself with gentle ingredients designed for sensitive skin. Side note, the peeling skin has now softened and become supple again.

This is not meant to scare anyone away from using Vitamin C products in skin care routines. It's a very legitimate additive for your regime and helps many people. Nor do I intend to blame any manufacturers or formulators. The goal is to present you with information so that you can make decisions about your skin care. Be careful, and pay attention to even minor irritants before they become severe. Note that some of these irritants can create permanent damage to your skin and eyes. Use products with the correct percentages. More is not always better. Always follow directions and do a little research!

As a follow up, I've formulated four products specifically designed to combat this problem. These products are equally beneficial to many skin types even without any need for recovery or repair. These products include a very nice feeling Foaming oil cleanser, facial oil serum (also great as a lash a brow serum), Toner and Moisturizer. Since using them myself, I can honestly say my face has never felt softer. I've noticed that fine lines appear less prominent, I've gained a bit more elasticity and plumpness around the eyes, and my nasty dark circles have lightened up some. These results have taken place in just a few days usage.

I am doing more research and working to formulate a less irritating, more stable Vitamin C serum. In the meantime, I am also formulating and testing an alternative to Vitamin C. Using Niacinamide in a serum has proven less volatile and still highly affective at decreasing damage from environmental factors, improving fine lines and wrinkles, decrease hyperpigmentation, and increase collagen production. Dr. Gohara states that, "Niacinamide is the gentler of the two and is less likely to cause irritation, especially to those with more sensitive skin," See the full article HERE.

If you're interested in the products I discussed before shoot me an email.