Nascent » Active Ingredients in Skincare » Vitamin C Skincare
Vitamin C Skincare
The Holy Grail of Skincare
VITAMIN C BENEFITS
- Evens out skin tones
- Antioxidant – against pollution and other free radicals
- Significantly improves skin hydration
- Refresh, visibly firm and renew skin
- Improves skin brightness and fights against aging
- Increases collagen & elastin production
- Inhibits melanin production reducing pigmentation
Just as Vitamin C is an essential part of your diet, it is also an important step in your skincare routine. The human body does not produce its own Vitamin C but relies on obtaining it through nutritional and topical applications. Vitamin C benefits for the skin include stimulating collagen production and neutralising free radicals. Daily use of a balanced and stabilised Vitamin C facial serum will ensure that your skin soaks up all of the perks of this powerful ingredient.
Skincare With Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) helps to improve the brightness and tone of your skin. It’s an antioxidant that fights against signs of aging, helping to repair the cells and avoid free radical damage. The free radicals often lead to pigmentation issues, sagging, wrinkles and other signs of aging (not to mention skin cancer).
The most common way to get vitamin C in a skincare routine is in a serum. But you don’t have to limit yourself! If you’d rather not add an extra step to your regimen, know that you can also get vitamin C in cleansers, moisturisers, exfoliants, and even sunscreens.
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is one of those nutrients that the body can’t create or store, but is essential for proper bodily functions. You need to get it into your diet through your food, or topically through your skincare products. It is a nutrient and antioxidant. Regular and consistent use of topical Vitamin C serums is proven to deliver exceptional results. This powerful antioxidant delivers an array of benefits that complement your regular skincare regimen. These benefits include the synthesis of collagen, helping to repair signs of aging, sun damage, reducing pigmentation and fighting the appearance of discolouration and age spots.
Vitamin C can be synthetically derived or is found naturally occurring in citrus fruits. It is scientifically proven to repair and build skin tissue. This water-soluble molecule can neutralise free radicals, help prevent the damage free radicals cause and fight against oxidative stress. It also contains a property that inhibits your skin’s melanin production, which is what causes skin discolouration like dark spots and hyperpigmentation. With continued topical use, it can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place. It’s a superior brightening agent that works to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation.
We always recommend applying your Vitamin C serum in the morning, after your skin cleanse and before your moisturiser and SPF sunscreen. Can be re-applied in the evening, after cleansing and before moisturising, if desired. All forms of vitamin C mix well and layer with other skincare ingredients, including exfoliating acids and other vitamins and antioxidants, such as retinol and niacinamide
Pure C
There are many forms of Vitamin C for the skin, and while they all have antioxidant benefits, some types work better in skincare formulas than others. The difference between pure vitamin C and vitamin C derivatives is how effective they are when used in topical applications. L-Ascorbic Acid is the purest form and the most effectively absorbed form of Vitamin C. In clinical studies, derivatives of ascorbic acids (including magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and dehydroascorbic acid) were not shown as effective when applied topically, as they do not provide the full benefits of the pure form of Vitamin C.
L-Ascorbic Acid – has the most skin-related research of any form of Vitamin C. The most effective formulas have a pH of less than 4 (between 2.6 and 3.2 is ideal). Those with sensitive skins, or those finding Vitamin C irritating, should look for products with a higher pH level (above 4) – while they will probably be less effective (a lower pH generally indicates a lower concentration in the serum) will also be less irritating. And, as with many products, not all serums are created equal. Components like the type and concentration, the ingredient list, and even the kind of bottle or dispenser make or break your serum’s benefits — and your skin.
To identify which form, pH level or concentration is best for your skin type or skin condition, speak with our skin specialist.
Other Names for Vitamin C
The following are forms of C as they may appear on skincare ingredient lists – Ascorbic Acid (L-Ascorbic Acid); Ascorbyl Palmitate; Sodium Ascorbate; Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate; Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP); Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THDA) (also denoted Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate); Ascorbyl Glucoside; Ascorbyl Glucosamine; Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate.
When added to your daily routine, C provides a range of benefits, from an evening out of your skin tone, shielding the skin from the visible impacts of pollution, significantly improving hydration, and keeping your skin looking younger, longer!
Packaging is IMPORTANT!
Vitamin C is extremely sensitive. Routine exposure to air, light, and heat can degrade your serum. If you want to get the best possible results from your vitamin C serum or moisturiser it needs to be in an opaque, air-restrictive bottle or pump container to help ensure the ingredients remain stable. A cream that comes in a jar, unfortunately, won’t remain effective for long. Look for colour changes in your serum – many serums are yellowish in colour – if the serum begins to develop a brownish hue then it has suffered oxidisation and it’s time to toss it out. Similarly, serums that are clear when you purchase them then begin to develop a yellow hue – oxidisation and reduced effectiveness.
Please Note: Aspect Dr products feature higher-level active ingredients to ensure maximum efficacy without a prescription. These products are only sold at select physician, skin clinic and spa locations. If your purchase contains any Aspect Dr products – our Skin Specialist is required to speak with you regarding the use of these products before your purchase can be authorised and shipped.
Our skincare products containing Vitamin C
Aspect Age Management Kit
$272.00Four key products have been specifically selected to provide clients with a complete home care regimen starting with cleansing, moving on to serums, and finishing with hydration.
Aspect Age Management Kit
$272.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Basic Starter Kit
$145.00An antioxidant-enriched collection, ideal for people keen to experience the Aspect difference. Gently cleanse, hydrate, exfoliate and give your skin protection from environmental aggressors.
Aspect Basic Starter Kit
$145.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...- SALE
Aspect Clear Skin Complex
$139.00 $90.00A hydrating cream that has been formulated to combat problematic skin including blemishes and clogged pores whilst balancing excess oil for a calmer, mattified-looking complexion. Ideal for problematic skin types and those suffering excess oil and congestion.
Aspect Clear Skin Complex
$139.00 $90.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart... Aspect Dr ABC Essential Skin Kit
$249.00A great investment in a kit of anti-aging skincare products for those who want to improve the appearance of their skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, oil, acne, age spots and brighten dull lack-luster skin.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr ABC Essential Skin Kit
$249.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Active C Serum
$149.00A supercharged, highly stable Vitamin C formula, Aspect Dr Active C Serum is for brightening, firming, and anti-wrinkle action. Using fortifying peptides and powerful antioxidants provides a vitamin boost to any skincare regime.
Aspect Dr Active C Serum
$149.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Age Management Kit
$290.00Combat the signs of aging head-on. Containing four cosmeceutical grade products that work synergistically to target fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and general wear and tear, the Age Management Kit will have your skin back on track in no time.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Age Management Kit
$290.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr AHA BHA Cleanser
$59.00A foaming exfoliating cleanser ideal for acne sufferers. Harnesses the power of hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead & dull surface cells, revitalising the skin & leaving you with a smooth, healthy glow. The key ingredients & foaming action help to purge impurities & clear congestion deep within the epidermal layers.
Aspect Dr AHA BHA Cleanser
$59.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...- SALE
Aspect Dr BHA Purifying Gel
$149.00 $95.00Acne sufferers with sensitive skin rejoice! Formulated with Salicylic Acid, this lightweight gel helps to control problematic skin, acne and blemishes and minimises excess oil to clarify the complexion. BHA Purifying Gel utilises a gentle approach so as not to cause excess irritation to already inflamed or sensitive areas.
Aspect Dr BHA Purifying Gel
$149.00 $95.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart... Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus
$169.00Pigmentation sufferers get excited today! Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus contains an advanced formula that combines five key actives including Tranexamic Acid and Tyrostat-11™ unveiling a more even, radiant-looking complexion.
Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus
$169.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Deep Clean
$62.00Deep Clean is a purifying cleanser formulated with a blend of naturally occurring AHA’s and Lanablue™, known for its retinoid-like properties to exfoliate and refine skin.
Aspect Dr Deep Clean
$62.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Eyelift
$149.00For the cosmetic management of dark circles, fine lines & puffiness. Don't be weighed down with eye baggage! Aspect Dr Eyelift is a powerful antioxidant eye serum that drastically improves dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. With clinical strength, it literally lifts the eyes and effectively treats those under-eye concerns.
Aspect Dr Eyelift
$149.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum
$149.00Does your skin look a little thirsty? Aspect Dr Hyaluronic serum is the skin's answer to dehydration. A hydration-boosting serum formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and antioxidants to replenish moisture and protect against external free radical damage.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum
$149.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel
$79.00Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel is an advanced peeling gel formula containing a complex of fruit enzymes, pumpkin ferment extract and Lanablue ™ that work synergistically to exfoliate lifeless skin cells and smooth skin texture, as well as a powerhouse vitamin complex to help illuminate appearance revealing a more radiant complexion
Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel
$79.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Optiboost Complex Serum
$145.00A potent antioxidant serum. Aspect Dr OptiBoost Complex uses liposome technology to deliver enzymes to damaged skin cells along with a combination of botanicals and hydrators to provide superior antioxidant protection and support skin cell recovery post UV exposure.
Aspect Dr Optiboost Complex Serum
$145.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Problem Skin Serum
$139.00An acne superstar! This face-saving serum contains a unique variety of stabilised Vitamin C, plus a trio of Amazonian herbal extracts that are clinically proven to dramatically improve the look and feel of excessively oily and impure skin without the trauma associated with mass-market oily skin formulas.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Problem Skin Serum
$139.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Redless Serum
$149.00Brilliant for alleviating dry, red and stressed skin, Aspect Dr Redless is essential to any skincare regime. Red, sensitive skin sufferers and mild irritation alike will see the difference within weeks as the signs of stressed skin slowly decrease.
Aspect Dr Redless Serum
$149.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Soothing Kit
$165.00The perfect support system for sensitive skin post-non-ablative procedures. Comprising three key products that work in harmony to soothe, calm, and restore sensitised skin, the Aspect Dr Soothing Kit serves as a non-irritating and complete skincare system.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Soothing Kit
$165.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Try Me Kit
$59.00Designed to be the perfect low-cost option for those wishing to experience the Aspect Dr range prior to purchasing full-sized products. The kit contains four full-strength products specifically designed to work synergistically on most skin types, addressing common cosmetic skin conditions and concerns. Specially boxed - suitable as a gift.
Aspect Dr Try Me Kit
$59.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Ultra Light Hydration
$92.00A lightweight oil-free moisturiser formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and essential vitamins to help replenish hydration. Aspect Dr Ultra Light Hydration helps moisten without clogging your pores. Packed with Vitamins to ensure lightweight hydration and supple glowing skin.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Ultra Light Hydration
$92.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask
$69.00A gentle purifying clay-based mask is designed to exfoliate the skin to draw out impurities and decongest pores, while AHA's and BHA's help to exfoliate, leaving skin looking clean and clear. Kaolin and bentonite provide an absorbent action to assist help mattify the appearance of the skin, while also drawing out impurities.
Aspect Exfoliating Clay Mask
$69.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Extreme C 20
$139.00Aspect Extreme C 20 is ideal for all skin conditions, particularly sensitive and skin prone to redness. It tackles many of the signs of skin aging, from every conceivable angle. With a unique breakthrough combination of amino peptides, stable Vitamin C, cellular antioxidants, corrective botanicals, and skin-energising extracts – all expertly blended into a light as air, paraben and fragrance-free serum.
Aspect Extreme C 20
$139.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask
$69.00Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask is a gentle exfoliating enzyme mask that helps lift dead skin from the surface. Ideal for all skin types including sensitive, reactive and problem skin. The skin is brightened, using natural extracts including Papain from Papaya, and Bromelain from Pineapple to desquamate dead skin cells.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Fruit Enzyme Mask
$69.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Hand and Body Cream
$39.00A nourishing moisturising hand and body cream that can be used as an extra-rich moisturiser. The Aspect Hand and Body Cream is also fantastic for use on dry feet, knees and elbows. Non-greasy and hydrating hand cream, your hands will feel soft and supple; simple lovely.
Aspect Hand and Body Cream
$39.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Hydrating Mask
$69.00Rehab for dry, stressed skin. This luxurious mask contains a blend of hydrating ingredients and antioxidants to help combat the visible signs of aging.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Hydrating Mask
$69.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Hydrating Serum
$139.00Moisture Restorer | Aspect Hydrating Serum uses a blend of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, calm and replenish moisture. Packed with antioxidants, this serum will calm, soothe and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. For dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin types.
Aspect Hydrating Serum
$139.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...- DISCOUNTED - RRP $278
Aspect Illuminate & Revitalise Perfect Pair
$202.50Illuminate and revitalise with skin-loving serums that help to visibly plump and even skin tone. Enjoy two serums at a discounted price but only whilst stocks last - this is a limited edition product combination.
Aspect Illuminate & Revitalise Perfect Pair
$202.50Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart... Aspect Jungle Brew
$130.00Spotty, excessively oily or impure skin? Purify problematic skin and target concerns including excess oil and imperfections. The lightweight texture of Jungle Brew allows for rapid absorption to help minimise shine.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Jungle Brew
$130.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Phytostat 9
$95.00Deliver a surge of hydration to reveal smoother more vibrant-looking skin with this every day, go-to moisturiser. Reverse the visible signs of aging and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Aspect Phytostat 9
$95.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Pigment Punch +
$155.00A brightening and refining serum to prevent and treat age spots, sun damage and all forms of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Formulated with potent antioxidants and botanical calming actives, Pigment Punch+ effectively corrects uneven skin tone whilst preventing the formation of new skin discolourations.
Aspect Pigment Punch +
$155.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Pigment Punch Body
$69.00Target areas of the body that show the signs of aging, including décolletage and the back of the hands. This multi-functional body cream combines Tyrostat-11™ and Bellides™ help to minimise the appearance of discolouration, while Lactic Acid and Shea Butter work to dramatically smooth and hydrate revealing radiant, even-looking skin.
Aspect Pigment Punch Body
$69.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Red-Less 21
$139.00Suffer from chronic redness, sensitive skin, rosacea, or dry and stressed-out skin? Say hello to your skin care solution - Aspect Red-Less 21. Relaxation therapy for easily irritated skin. Formulated with antioxidants to nurture and protect skin from sensitising environmental effects.
Aspect Red-Less 21
$139.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Sheer Hydration
$89.00This super hydrating non-comedogenic cream boasts antioxidant benefits while addressing skin concerns of dehydration, & visible signs of aging. Helps to mattify & soothe skin & is suitable for all skin types, specifically normal to oily skin types. Skin will be left feeling plump, hydrated & shine-free.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Sheer Hydration
$89.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Soothing Kit
$165.00Support your skin following professional salon procedures. Aspect Soothing Skin Kit is the ideal after-care routine, with soothing, calming ingredients to protect your skin. The skin is strengthened, while it is gently cleansed, soothed and hydrated.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Soothing Kit
$165.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Super Moisturising Complex
$95.00A luxuriously rich moisturising cream formulated with hyaluronic acid to help plump the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Aspect SMC is a super-rich moisturiser that absorbs immediately into the skin providing instant relief to dry, dehydrated skin with aging concerns.
Aspect Super Moisturising Complex
$95.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Try Me Kit
$49.00Aspect Try Me Kit - designed to be the perfect low-cost option for those wishing to experience the Aspect range prior to purchasing full-sized products. The kit contains four full-strength products specifically designed to work synergistically on most skin types, addressing common cosmetic skin conditions and concerns.
Aspect Try Me Kit
$49.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix BrillanCy
$165.00CosMedix Brilliancy is a deeply moisturising vitamin C brightening facial oil. Coupled with Elderberry fruit extract and age-defying plant-based ingredients your skin will receive both a burst of hydration as well as reducing the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Cosmedix BrillanCy
$165.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix Refine
$110.00Cosmedix Refine – A potent 4% Vitamin A-based refinishing preparation. Contains the unique AGP complex designed to trick the skin into behaving like young skin again but without the normal irritation typically associated with traditional Vitamin A preparations.
Cosmedix Refine
$110.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix Skin Thirst
$70.00Skin Thirst is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Witch Hazel to help lock in moisture and protect the skin from environmental stressors, while the plant-based extract Lecithin helps deeply conditions. With a blend of micro-fine powders that help blur the appearance of fine lines and pores, this Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid Cream helps promote an overall softer, smoother and more balanced-looking complexion.
Cosmedix Skin Thirst
$70.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...
A Guide to Selecting the Best Skincare Products
Your skin is the bodies largest organ. Its major functions are protection, regulation and sensation. If our skin is not functioning to its full ability, these functions may become compromised.
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of skincare options these days. Not only are there doctors, dermatologists, skin professionals and aestheticians telling you this or that, you also have YouTubers, bloggers and beauty enthusiasts flooding you with thoughts and ideas too. It’s no wonder there are so many skin issues and concerns these days. When you don’t know where to start or what information is reliable, how is your skin really going to respond? More importantly, the use of incorrect skincare products can actually exasperate your condition or cause additional skin problems.
The use of professional active ingredient skincare is recommended. The “Professional” skincare products we recommend on this site can only be purchased through certified stockists and practitioners who are required to provide their professional advice on the application of these products, (as opposed to those you can purchase over the counter (OTC) in the department stores and supermarkets). These recommended professional products contain;-
- higher levels of active ingredients to boost your skin’s health and correct skin problems
(OTC product lines have less active ingredients to minimise the chance of irritation to protect the buyer) - are backed by clinical studies
(not exaggerated unsubstantiated claims) - are made in small batches and distributed to trained or licensed skin therapists, spas and salons to be supplied with professional advice on their use
(OTC products are made for the masses and sold in department stores and supermarkets) - contain small molecule technology for dermal and epidermal penetration
(OTC products that lack active ingredients, have large molecules which are not able to penetrate the skin. When a product can’t properly penetrate the skin, it will only “superficially” treat and temporarily provide relief to skin concerns. This gives the illusion that the products are working without actually treating the skin. Professional lines use molecular technology that penetrates the skin producing clinical results) - are packaged in airless pump packs to eliminate spoilage of ingredients when exposed to the air
- have pH balanced and adjusted ingredients – skin functions at its prime when the natural pH is between 4.5 and 5.5.
(Often OTC products don’t take pH into consideration and will leave the skin in an alkaline state. When the skin is alkaline, bacteria and free radicals (such as pollution) can invade the skin) - do not contain unnecessary fillers and preservatives
Professional skincare often has a reputation of being “too expensive” but that is more often than not actually far from the truth. A good professional line will price their products according to the concentration of active ingredients versus fillers and are actually overall more budget-friendly. It is a common mistake to overuse products which leads to the perception that professional skincare is more expensive. Our Skin Specialist will advise you on the appropriate amount and when to use the products according to your skin condition and type.
When used properly, professional skincare products will last longer and work better giving you the ultimate bang for your buck. OTC products will have a lower upfront cost but over time can be similar in price or more expensive than professional skincare and won’t actually repair the skin condition being treated.