Do you want a smoother, more even complexion with fewer dark spots and a natural glow? Editor Trudi Brewer recaps on a vitamin that is the ultimate skincare powerhouse. An antioxidant that not only boosts collagen production and shields your skin from daily environmental stressors, but also strengthens the skin barrier. But the best news is that vitamin C suits every skin type and heals numerous concerns. Read on to discover your vitamin C match, and see the benefits style director Louise Hlisz has seen in reducing the look of the spider veins on her legs.
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Science-backed and a dermatologist-favourite, the list of benefits of this antioxidant is long. This vitamin helps prevent sun damage and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne, and it also fights harmful free radicals (toxins) from air pollution and UV damage. Because we don't naturally make vitamin C, but it plays such a vital role in collagen synthesis, the very fibres that give the skin support and structure, it’s one good reason to add it to your skincare routine, with decades of research on the benefits of this vitamin. One study showed that daily use of vitamin C for at least 3 months improved the appearance of fine and coarse facial and neck wrinkles, as well as improved skin texture. There is also evidence to suggest that vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of spider veins by strengthening vein walls and reducing inflammation. How? It protects the blood vessels from damage and helps repair them, which can improve vein health and circulation. Coming into summer, its benefits also help protect the skin from the sun in combination with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Another study showed that combining vitamin C with other topical antioxidants, namely ferulic acid and vitamin E, improved skin health. This research shows how this super vitamin can help reduce the appearance of spider veins. These are the C-loaded serums we have on rotation, and Louise Hilsz puts one vitamin C powder to the test to see if it helped to reduce the appearance of spider veins on her legs - read on to see the results.
Tailor Gold Dust, $66
When we find a clever beauty buy, we always share, and this vitamin C hero is one of those. While it’s technically not a serum, it will transform any serum you own with a dose of pure vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 (COQ10), in a 100 per cent natural powder. The blend of these actives (COQ10, a skin energiser, and vitamin C, a potent antioxidant) will boost brightness to your complexion, and both can shield your skin from factors that contribute to ageing, such as UV, infrared, and ozone radiation. So, how much Gold Dust do you need to use? First, the brand suggests you need to listen to your skin. Start slow, maybe once a week, at night, and then increase applications. If your skin is sensitive, be cautious - this skin-brightening powder is potent. To activate the Gold Dust powder, mix a pinch of the powder with a few pumps of serum or body moisturiser and apply - it’s that easy. Also, Gold Dust is not exclusively for your face; you can add a pinch to your body moisturiser to give skin a brightening boost and help reduce the look of spider veins. - and it is made here in NZ - cheers to that. Read Louise Hilsz’ review below.
If you know this luxe French beauty brand, you know they are in the business of soothing sensitive skin. For anyone who has not been able to tolerate vitamin C, this serum not only boosts radiance and restores that natural glow without irritation, but it is potent. With a stabilised form of Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside), it helps brighten the skin, even tone, and protect against oxidative stress. While niacinamide (vitamin B3) soothes and strengthens the skin barrier, locking moisture in and irritants out. As with all the Avène skincare, these brilliant ingredients sit in a base of soothing thermal spring water, which helps calm sensitivity and provides antioxidant-rich hydration.
Liquid-light in texture, this watery serum is fortified with a 20 per cent vitamin complex, including three vitamin C ingredients: sodium ascorbyl phosphate, 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid, and 3-glycerol ascorbate, a pure ascorbic acid combined with glycerin. Antioxidant botanicals are also in the mix, including Kakadu plum and Davidson plum extracts. This ingredient combination works to brighten dull skin, even out skin tone, and offer free radical protection. At the same time, hyaluronic acid makes it super hydrating. The fresh, barely-there scent is courtesy of zesty orange peel oil.
Thirsty skin will love the hydrating boost this formula offers. Powered by THD ascorbate, a form of vitamin C that stays stable in the creamy suspension, it glides over skin in a sheer layer, but takes only seconds to sink in fully. Stacked with squalane, jojoba, and glycerin, along with the active derivative tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, it’s an unusually lush formula for a serum. Another bonus is that it sits well under other skin-care products. Finally, we love the zesty, faintly citrusy fragrance from the tangerine and orange peel extracts. It’s the perfect balance between efficacy and luxury.
Trilogy Vitamin C Booster Treatment, $25
Say goodbye to dull, tired skin. This two-week brightening serum gives skin a glow-up. Freshly activated 6 per cent vitamin C, organic daisy extract, and hyaluronic acid help even skin tone, smooth fine lines, and plump them with a moisture boost. The scent of cold-pressed mandarin oil lifts your senses, turning your skincare routine into a little moment of luxury. Louise Hilsz highly recommends this, seeing visible results after two weeks, especially around the UV pigmentation on her cheeks.
Style director Louise Hilsz shares how vitamin C has improved the appearance of leg spider veins
I had varicose vein surgery seven years ago. As a result, the blood flow in my legs has taken a new path, with spider veins forming close to the skin’s surface. While having laser hair removal, my beauty therapist suggested vitamin C serums as an option to fade the purpleish veins and improve circulation. Vitamin C helps strengthen the capillary walls and reduce the appearance of veins. Short of having sclerotherapy or more surgery, I decided to give this potent antioxidant vitamin a whirl - I had nothing to lose.
Every morning, regularly, I blend a pinch of Tailor Gold Dust with a nourishing body lotion, then massage that concoction into my legs. I have been using this for 10 months. I saw the faint result after two weeks; the veins are continuing to look less red and angry. It’s a simple practice that takes no time at all. I know how good vitamin C is for my skin. While the veins have not disappeared, they are less angry-looking and have faded. I am delighted with the result, and it’s a body care practice I enjoy. I have also been busting out my shorts and short skirts for summer.
See the before and after below
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