Cosmopolitan India 201709

60 COSMOPOLITAN SEPTEMBER 2017 FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN

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By:

LAUREN BALSAMO;

Photograph:

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The Secret to

Flawless Skin

When it comes to beautifying benefits,

Vitamin C is your new main squeeze.

TREATMENT

Each pearl in this kit

contains a whopping

79 percent ascorbic

acid and transforms into

a liquid when mixed with

the activator serum. Use

it seven nights in a row

for major glow.

1. Karuna Vitamin C+
   Pearls, amazon.com,
   `3,090 approx for
   seven pearls

SERUM

This blend of 20 percent

ascorbic acid penetrates

deep into your skin to

encourage collagen

production, and leaves

it bright and hydrated. It

also works as a shield

against UV damage.

2. Obagi System
   Professional-C 20%
   Vitamin C Serum,
   strawberrynet.com,
   `5,660/30ml approx

SUNSCREEN

Not only does this

sunscreen contain

SPF 60, it also supplies

a dose of time-released

ascorbic acid.

3. La Roche-Posay
   Anthelios Clear Skin
   Dry-touch Sunscreen,
   `1,500

CLEANSER

Inside each of these

single-use packets (key

for keeping the formula

fresh): a cleansing

powder that brightens

while purifying pores.

4. Clinique Fresh
   Pressed Renewing
   Powder Cleanser with
   Pure Vitamin C,
   `2,400 for 28 packets

MOISTURISER

Vitamin C and

Amazonian Camu Camu

Berries in this

moisturiser clarify the

skin, leaving it bouncy

and glow-y.

6. The Body Shop
   Vitamin C Glow
   Boosting Moisturiser,
   `2,295

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IT FADES AND

PREVENTS SPOTS

“Vitamin C blocks the effects

of tyrosinase (an enzyme responsible

for pigment production in skin

cells) while simultaneously reducing

oxidation of already present pigment,

preventing it from getting darker,”

explains dermatologist Shereene

Idriss, MD, of Wexler Dermatology

in NYC. “Products with 10 to 20

percent of the ingredient are more

likely to be effective on spots,” says

NYC derm Julie Karen, MD. Anything

under 10 percent functions as a

powerful antioxidant.

2

IT SMOOTHS LINES

Applied topically,

Vitamin C can stimulate

collagen production to reduce

wrinkles and increase skin’s firmness,

says Ellen Marmur, a derm in NYC.

Same goes for diet: “Eating foods

rich in Vit C, like oranges and brussels

GOOD TO KNOW

Look for ascorbic acid on the

label. This specific form of the vitamin

penetrates skin best.

Buy it in opaque, air-tight

packaging. “When exposed to light

and air, Vitamin C will oxidise and can

become inactive,” says Dr Shereene.

Wait 10 minutes before or after

applying products with AHAs or

BHAs. “They may neutralise the

effects of some forms of Vitamin C,”

says Dr Ellen.

sprouts, is essential for collagen

production,” explains Dr Ellen.

3

IT BOOSTS

SUNSCREEN

SPF is critical for protecting

skin—but it’s not perfect. That’s

where Vitamin C comes in. Layered

under your sunscreen (or as a part of

the formula), “it helps neutralise free-

radical damage from UV exposure,”

explains Dr Julie.

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