The Optimal Way to Use Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare

Recent discoveries and innovations in skincare have yielded ingredients that elevate products to levels unheard of just a decade ago! Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all regimens - powerhouse vitamins and acids have revolutionized individualized skincare, giving us options and personalization on every level of our routines.

If you haven’t evaluated and adjusted each step of your regimen to see if including super-powered vitamin C and hyaluronic acid could help you, read on to find out how you can target trouble areas and apply some of the most advanced formulas in beauty and skincare to your own complexion!

Vitamin C

History of Vitamin C

In the early 1500s, seafarers began to note a terrible disease called scurvy, causing swelling, fatigue, and tooth loss in sailors at sea for long periods of time. Eventually, scurvy was tied to a lack of fresh food on ships, which we now understand was specifically a deficit of Vitamin C from a lack of fruit and vegetables. Native populations that encountered the afflicted sailors recommended a concoction made from bark and leaves; later, others noted that citrus worked as well to reverse the effects of scurvy. This is why Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid - an “antiscorbutic” is something that prevents or treats scurvy. 

What is it?

Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs but does not produce naturally by itself. It is vital in forming collagen (very important for the skin!), blood vessels, cartilage, and muscle, and is a crucial part of your body’s ability to heal and repair. It allows your body to absorb iron and keep it in reserve in your body. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant, meaning it shields the skin from free radicals, the toxins that your body produces and absorbs from internal functions (like digestion), and external pollutants (like smoke and sun). 

How is Vitamin C produced?

Vitamin C was actually the first vitamin to be discovered, studied and produced synthetically. Though it isn't naturally occurring in or produced by our bodies, vitamin C can be found in a huge variety of fruits and vegetables,  like potatoes, peppers, brussels sprouts, berries, and citrus. Most animals can produce their own vitamin C, but because humans (as well as fruit bats, guinea pigs, and other primates) have lost that ability, we must ingest it orally or apply it topically.

Luckily, there are a ton of natural ways to get your vitamin C, even for the skin! In high-quality skincare, organic vitamin C extracted from seaweed, green algae, berries, and citrus is used; in fact, our skin absorbs vitamin C faster and more deeply when it comes from seaweed, and the skin will absorb it for longer. The highest grade of vitamin C for the skin is 60% pure organic - it’s most effective in high percentages and from pure sources. Combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid, it can work wonders. 

How to use Vitamin C?

Vitamin C promotes a strong anti-aging effect in the skin, regenerating cells and increasing cell turnover and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier. It does this by providing an extra layer of protection from UVA/UVB light, and by reducing free radicals. At the same time, vitamin C works to prevent collagen breakdown and boost collagen production. The results are a visible reduction of dark spots, a more even complexion, and an improvement in skin tone. Vitamin C makes the skin brighter, giving a youthful glow and dewy complexion. 

BelleCôte Esthetician’s Tip: Apply your Vitamin C-3 serum in the morning and use it daily. Vitamin C protects the skin from UV rays, blue rays, free radicals, pollution, and even radiation.

Ferulic Acid

Ferulic acid is thought to help vitamin C work its magic on the skin, stabilizing it and increasing its photoprotection, or ability to block the harmful rays of the sun. Current studies show that ferulic acid might provide twice the barrier when it’s combined with vitamins C and E, making the combination a powerful weapon in the fight against sun damage.

Hyaluronic Acid

History of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid was noted for the first time in the 1930s; it was found in the eye of a cow, and finally reproduced synthetically in the 1960s in a laboratory.  Upon studying the compound, hyaluronic acid was found to contain uronic acid, a sugar molecule; because of this, scientists named the substance hyaluronic acid. 

What is it?

Hyaluronic acid - also sometimes called hyaluronan and hyaluronate - is produced in our bodies naturally in the eyes, joints, and skin. It’s vicious (a bit gluey!) and lubricating, helping all of our parts move smoothly and preventing injury from bone-on-bone contact inside our joints and cartilage. Because of this property, it’s one of the best ingredients out there for moisturizing dehydrated skin - it naturally replenishes the water in skin cells, replacing and maintaining the moisture levels in your skin.

This amazing compound can hold almost one thousand times its own weight in water, meaning it packs a wave of hydration into cleansers and serums; in fact, one teaspoon of hyaluronic acid can hold six gallons of water! Hyaluronic acid contributes to the skin’s supple feel and elasticity and is frequently used to treat dry eyes. Because it’s a lubricant, hyaluronic acid increases the skin’s ability to stretch, reducing fine lines and wrinkles - it even helps scars and wounds heal faster and more thoroughly. 

How is Hyaluronic Acid Produced?

Hyaluronic acid is made through a fermentation process using several kinds of bacteria. It is a polymer, a long chain of molecules that creates space for other compounds (like water) to attach; hyaluronic acid is itself flexible and versatile - there are currently hundreds of studies on it underway around the world. 

How Can Hyaluronic Acid be Used?

Though hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the skin, it diminishes as we age, so using skincare products that contain it is an excellent way to replenish what we lose. It can attach itself to other cells, and act as a scaffold or support for other tissues, which is why it’s so good at healing. It’s very safe, and can be taken by mouth for arthritis or as eye drops for dry eyes. For reducing age lines, wrinkles, and scarring on your skin, it can be found in gels, creams, serums, cleansers, and lotions.

How Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Go Together:

Each of these ingredients carries wonderful benefits for your skin on its own. However, a question that is raised many times is, can these two be used together? We are here to tell you that, yes, they can!

When layered together, vitamin c works to even out skin tone, reduce discoloration and dark spots, and leaves your complexion glowing, while hyaluronic acid works as a hydrator. When combined together, these two boost each other's efficiency, and their blended properties result in restoring your skin back to its youthful elegance.

BelleCôte products featuring vitamin C & hyaluronic acid

Wrinkle Erasing Serum

We call this serum our hydrating healer because the hyaluronic acid complex present hydrates, re-plumps the skin, and significantly increases the skin’s firmness while reducing wrinkles and lines. At the same time, laminaria extract brightens the skin and prevents dehydration. With an intoxicating fresh aroma and a formula that is rapidly absorbed without a greasy residue or sticky feel, this serum is designed for dramatic results for all skin types, and especially dehydrated, dry, or aging skin.

Its concentrated therapeutic formula, infused with green algae extract and powered by thermo-active cells, fights free radicals. It has the same myorelaxant properties as popular injectables but without harsh ingredients or unpleasant side effects. Naturally rich in omega-3 from jojoba, apricot kernel, monoi, and perilla oils, this rich emollient complex plumps, nourishes, hydrates, and refreshes your skin. Wrinkle-erasing serum will firm, lift, and shape by stimulating your skin’s own ability to produce collagen, and replenish moisture for younger, more glowing skin. 

TIP: Our serum can be used alone as a collagen booster, or underneath your moisturizer. During the summer our  Serum can be used alone morning and/or evening.

Vitamin C-3 Serum

Our multi-antioxidant, purely organic, 60% vitamin c booster has the highest percentage of vitamin C on the market to awaken your skin with a super light but ultra-concentrated formula. Vitamin C and antioxidants from three pure sources are infused in this serum (green sea algae, citrus, and berry extracts) providing an extra layer of protection against the sun, boosting collagen production, and revitalizing your skin for an all-day glow. Vitamin C Serum tightens and lifts the skin with a strong, anti-aging effect regenerating and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier. In addition, it prevents collagen breakdown and boosts collagen production, visibly reducing the appearance of dark spots and providing an extra layer of protection from UVA/UVB rays while it neutralizes free radicals. Your skin is left visibly brighter and more even, with improved tone and a youthful glow. 

TIP: Our BelleCôte pro esthetician advises applying your Vitamin C-3 serum in the morning and using it daily. Vitamin C protects the skin from UV rays, blue rays, free radicals, pollution, and even radiation.

Day Light Moisturizer 

Formulated to harness the ultra-healing power of plant-based stem cells, this moisturizer rejuvenates the skin by replacing damaged cells in all skin types, especially dry, normal, aging, and sensitive skin. This lightweight but concentrated cream contains a phyto-stem cell complex with the ability to rejuvenate and erase the first signs of aging by replacing damaged cells. Bilberry extract helps treat rosacea, fragile capillaries, redness and prevents premature aging.

Day Light Moisturizer also boosts collagen production to restore firmness and resilience and calms irritated skin while fighting inflammation. While it provides long-lasting hydration to your skin, it’s also making your skintone more even and removing toxins and pollution. This moisturizer is hydro protective, meaning it prevents the loss of moisture and dehydration.

TIP: For best results, we recommend using BelleCote Collagen Anti Aging Toner underneath the cream.

Marine Moisture Gel

An oil-free, unisex product, our light Marine Moisture Gel provides hydration while healing the skin and reducing redness. It works on all skin types, especially oily or blemished skin that also requires moisture. Non-sticky and non-greasy, this gel is fast-absorbing, with antibacterial properties to help heal and prevent breakouts; it also exfoliates and shrinks large pores as it hydrates. Reduce redness and irritation with an instant cooling effect and regenerate skin cells for younger-looking skin. Total hydration and redness reduction is provided by marine collagen and elastin, marine peptides, natural moisture factor, and potent AHAs. 

TIP: For dry skin, this gel can be used as a serum underneath a moisturizer.