Vitamin C as a cosmeceutical ingredient, has been enjoying a lot of success over the last 2 decades. Many good clinical studies in Europe and the USA have shown it to be effective in creating a modest increase in skin firmness and clarity with a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation which is exactly what everyone wants from a facial product! Its greatest impact is its antioxidant and skin brightening effect.

• Protection of skin cells from damage caused by free radicals produced from UVA and UVB radiation (sunshine). This is its most powerful impact on the skin.
• Helpful in fading age spots and freckles as it inhibits the formation of melanin (the substance that cause our skin to tan in the presence of sunshine). Vitamin C is a skin brightening agent as well as helping to even skin tone.
• Stimulation of skin cells to produce more collagen. When collagen is increased fine lines and wrinkles are "pushed out' as the facial contours achieve more volume.
• Skin lipid production increases (the healthy fats in the mortar of the stratum corneum are increased) and barrier function is improved giving a nourished, balanced skin.
• Vitamin C also acts as an anti-inflammatory which is helpful in cases of rosacea, acne and inflammation due to irritation.

The most effective form of vitamin C is L-Ascorbic Acid but this is very unstable and oxidises quickly once added to formulations. Oxidisation can happen in as little as one week if the product is exposed to air and light (eg. when you use a dropper bottle) or if it is not packaged or stored correctly. Oxidisation makes the product, which is usually expensive, useless.

Also L-Ascorbic Acid is only most effective when the PH is less than 3 . Such a low acidic PH level though may irritate sensitive and roseacea skin types. If that's you, then avoid using pure L-Ascorbic Acid products that are labelled as 'low PH'. Another huge drawback of L-Ascorbic Acid is that it cannot be added to sunscreen because it is too unstable. It is also too acidic for using with peptides.

Although L-Ascorbic Acid is marketed as being a 'wonder' ingredient, the truth is that it is very difficult to formulate with, can cause irritation, has to be used in a very specific layering manner and oxidises too easily. These are all nuisances which no one wants to deal with.

To get over the downsides yet still gain the wonderful benefits of topical vitamin C, we at BLOOM recommend using gentle but effective vitamin C in its most stable ester format

BLOOM Collagenesis Day Cream and Phyto Retinol Night Cream both contain an impressive 4% of 3-ethyl Ascorbic Acid. This form of vitamin C remains stable, is longer acting and can be formulated with collagen building peptides.

When used in combination with products containing vitamin E , niacinimide and glycolic acid, rest assured that you are offering your skin the optimum combination of skin brightening and rejuvenation actives without the risk of irritation. It may take time but it's worth the wait!

• Powerful anti-oxidant, + skin brightener + collagen stimulant.
• Non irritating and stable
• Best used in conjunction with vitamin E, niacinimide and glycolic acid.
• Must be packaged in airless, opaque containers. Ours is.