These Are The 6 Best Vitamin C Serums For Brighter, Clearer Skin
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There's never a bad time to amp up your skin care regimen's sun protection defenses. Whether you're looking to keep your skin safe from future signs of sun damage or help reduce the appearance of damage that's already been done (aka sun spots), incorporating one of the best vitamin C serums into your beauty routine can help.
In an ingredients list, you'll most likely find vitamin C listed as l-ascorbic acid, which experts agree is the most effective form of vitamin C, along with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. You'll also want to pay attention to the concentration level of the vitamin C, as something between 10 and 20 percent is said to be the most stable, and therefore, the most effective when it comes to protecting the skin and improving its overall tone and texture.
While you can certainly apply your vitamin C serum at night, to reap its full sun-protecting benefits, apply it in the morning after cleansing, and before you moisturize and layer on your SPF (which, yes, you still need to wear). You'll also want to be careful about using your vitamin C serum after any cleansers, treatments, or moisturizers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinol, as this can heighten common side effects that come with these ingredients, like burning and redness (especially if you have sensitive skin).
It's also worth noting that vitamin C is a delicate ingredient because it degrades from sun exposure. Because of this, you'll want to store your serum away from the sunlight and be on the lookout for any changes in its color, texture, or smell. A serum packaged in a darker bottle is also ideal, as it helps minimize the product's exposure to sunlight.
Ahead, you'll find six of the best vitamin C serums that are all Amazon user-approved to brighten, protect, and firm your skin.
Although it is often said that you should be able to get all the nutrients your body needs by eating a healthy, balanced diet, the fact is that – despite our best intentions – life can often in the way and we may find that hectic work schedules or regular travelling cause our eating habits to take a hit.
However, we know how hard it can be to choose the right sort of supplement especially when there's so many different types out there to choose from. So we spoke to dietician Dr Sarah Schenker to get the low down on what vitamins we might benefit from taking.
"Supplementation can help top up the intake of vitamins you are already getting from your diet and meet the body's daily requirement. Getting adequate amounts of the vitamins your body needs keeps you feeling and performing at your best."
She adds:
"Poor food choices and unbalanced diets impact on nutrient intakes with many people failing to meet their requirement for essential vitamins and minerals. Low intakes of vital nutrients can lead to deficiencies and increase the risk of common health problems including heart disease, various cancers, poor bone health and type 2 diabetes. Key nutrients that people fall short in include vitamin B2, magnesium and zinc."
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Solid vs soluble
But apparently, deciding on the vitamins you need to take is only half the job done. Next, it's time to choose what product to go for – most of which will come in either a solid or soluble (dissolving and drinkable) form. So, aside from personal preference, does this make much difference? According to Dr Schenker, it does.
"Effervescent (AKA soluble) dietary supplements are designed as an efficient delivery system for effective nutrient absorption. Many solid dietary supplements travel slowly through the gastrointestinal tract or their absorption can be hampered by food or other chemicals."
She adds:
"Effervescent supplements, such as Berocca, dissolve fully in a buffered solution. This reduces localised contact in the upper gastrointestinal tract which can mean less irritation and greater tolerability. Buffering also prevents gastric acids from interacting with the products themselves, which can be a cause of stomach upsets and heartburn."
Additionally, water-soluble vitamins allow any excess to be excreted rather than being stored in the body, which is useful when it comes to keeping your nutrient levels at an optimum point.
But NetDoctor's in-house pharmacist, Rita Ghelani, reckons that although Dr Schenker's recommendations make sense, there is also a case to be made in favour of solid vitamin supplements. She says:
"Vitamin C, which is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body, may be better taken as a slow release tablet or capsule, which is designed to release vitamin C gradually and therefore maintain optimum levels over a longer period of time. Products such as Vitabiotics Ultra vitamin C sustained release ( £5.95, Amazon.co.uk) or Boots Vitamin C and Zinc tablets sustained release tablets are a good option if you want to maintain good levels of vitamin C and Zinc."
She adds:
"However, if your levels of vitamin C are low and you want to increase them rapidly then taking a soluble form of vitamin C is useful."
So, in conclusion, there are pros and cons for both forms of vitamin supplement – meaning that the main factor to take into consideration is personal preference.
Jenny CookJenny Cook is a health writer, amateur athlete and full-time foodie.
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Oct. 31, 2013— -- intro: If you chug a glass of orange juice every time you start sniffling, you may be onto something. Though studies show that consuming vitamin C can't actually prevent colds, loading up on the nutrient may help slightly shorten the length of time you're sick and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
But despite their reputation for being loaded with vitamin C, the 69.7 mg that a medium orange provides is actually less than many other common fruits and veggies. To pack the ultimate vitamin C punch, fill up on these 12 superfoods.
15 Best Superfoods for Fall
quicklist: 1category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Chili peppersurl: text: A half-cup of chopped or diced chili peppers delivers 107.8 mg of vitamin C. Plus, researchers from the University of Buffalo found that capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, may help relieve joint and muscle pain.
quicklist: 2category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Red bell pepperurl: text: A cup of chopped red bell pepper contains nearly three times more vitamin C than an orange—190 mg. Red peppers are also a great source of vitamin A, which promotes eye health.
The Truth About Common Vision Myths
quicklist: 3category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Green bell pepperurl: text: A cup of chopped green bell pepper contains less vitamin C than its sweeter sister, but at 120 mg, it's still 200 percent of your recommended daily allowance. Green bell pepper is also a great source of fiber.
quicklist: 4category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Kaleurl: text: In addition to twice your recommended daily intake of vitamin A and seven times the recommended amount of vitamin K, a one-cup serving of kale provides 80.4 mg of vitamin C. The nutrition powerhouse also delivers a sizeable dose of minerals and fatty acids.
11 Healthy Kale Recipes
quicklist: 5category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Broccoliurl: text: This cruciferous veggie provides 132 mg of vitamin C plus a punch of filling fiber for just 30 calories per serving. Plus, research shows broccoli may have cancer-preventing properties.
quicklist: 6category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Papayaurl: text: Research shows that eating papaya can help clear your sinuses, brighten your skin, and strengthen your bones. A one-cup serving delivers 88.3 mg of vitamin C.
Getting a Cold? Do This Right Now
quicklist: 7category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Strawberriesurl: text: A cup of this superfruit contains 84.7 mg of vitamin C, plus healthy doses of folate and other compounds shown to promote heart health. Another unexpected benefit of strawberries? They may help whiten your teeth naturally.
quicklist: 8category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Cauliflowerurl: text: Whether you roast it, steam it, or mash it, eating a small head of cauliflower gives you a 127.7 mg dose of vitamin C, plus 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.
5 Myths About the Common Cold
quicklist: 9category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Brussels sproutsurl: text: These little cabbages are loaded with cancer-preventing phytonutrients and fiber, not to mention 74.8 mg of vitamin C. If you're usually turned off by their bitter taste, bring out their natural sweetness by roasting them.
quicklist: 10category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Pineappleurl: text: In addition to 78.9 mg of vitamin C, pineapple contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down food and reduce bloating. Bromelain also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory that can help you recover faster after a tough workout.
10 Ways to Soothe a Sore Throat
quicklist: 11category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Kiwiurl: text: One NLEA serving of kiwi (about 2 fruits) boasts 137.2 mg of vitamin C. The fuzzy fruit is also rich in potassium and copper. (Check out 15 more foods that are high in potassium.)
quicklist: 12category: Foods With More Vitamin C Than Orangestitle: Mangourl: text: Taste the tropics for a 122.3 mg boost of vitamin C. Mango is also a great source of vitamin A, which like vitamin C plays a key role in immunity and additionally keeps your eyes healthy.
12 Foods with More Vitamin C Than Oranges originally appeared on Health.com.
Nearly 2 million American adults each year are diagnosed with cancer. If you receive a diagnosis, your schedule can quickly start to fill up with doctor's appointments, medical procedures and pharmacy visits. Creating a checklist of things to do can help keep you busy and feeling more in control. But acknowledging the effects a cancer diagnosis can have on your emotions — and healthily managing those emotions — is almost as important.
Doctors and psychologists now recognize that healing improves after a diagnosis when both our physical and emotional needs are met, says Niki Barr, Ph.D., a psychotherapist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Texas, who consults with medical doctors, extended families and caregivers about emotionally coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Learning you have cancer is a stressful experience, and it's important to acknowledge and cope with that stress. Fully understanding how your emotional needs can change after you receive a cancer diagnosis can go a long way in helping you and your family heal. The tips here can help you support your mental health as you navigate your diagnosis and treatment.
Upon hearing your diagnosis, you might experience grief, fear or even a feeling of denial until some time has passed. "These are all normal and emotionally healthy responses, but it's all too easy to spiral out of control with fear in the beginning," says Barr. Fortunately, these tips can help you manage the anxiety and fear that come along with learning about a cancer diagnosis.
Lessen the Impact of Anxious Thoughts
Start by writing your thoughts down on note cards or in a journal. Identify the first one that's leading you to feel uneasy. For example, you might write down something like "I'm afraid of my hair falling out." Then, move onto the subsequent fear and write it down. That might be something like "People will treat me differently if they see I have cancer."
When you've identified most of your anxious thoughts, go back to the first one and write something new on the card that can help ease your stress. It should be a thought that's confident and empowering. For example, suppose you're worried about your hair falling out. In that case, a positive view could be: "I've been looking forward to getting a new hairstyle anyway." When you're feeling nervous, read the more positive strategies, says Barr.
Work On Your Internal Dialogue
It can also help to defuse all those "What if?" questions you might ask yourself, such as "What if my cancer has spread?" or "What if the treatment doesn't work?" One scary question tends to lead to another and often turns into full-fledged anxiety. Try to focus on those things you have the power to improve on your own. The next time you start asking yourself the what-ifs, substitute the upsetting ideas with this one: "Is this thought helping me or hurting me?" You can also ask, "Is this thought moving me forward or backward?" Your answers might surprise you, and they can help you move away from the thoughts that are holding you back.
Get Grounded
Interrupting periods of anxiety by focusing on small details around you can help you shift your perspective away from negativity and towards the present moment. "Look at the beautiful color of the walls in the room you're in; look at the person you're talking to, the clothes [they're] wearing," Barr suggests. Becoming very present and focused on physical details nearby helps soothe sudden anxious thoughts. Turn your focus towards absorbing the colors, smells, people and each new sound around you. Build those sensations up very clearly in your mind. You can use this technique as a distraction tool the next time you're waiting for a medical procedure or want a diversion from your thoughts.
Meditate to Music
Research shows that 15 to 30 minutes of both guided imagery and soothing tunes can alleviate deep feelings of stress about a cancer diagnosis. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) reviewed 30 clinical cancer trials that analyzed more than 1,890 cancer patients. They found that music therapy can have a beneficial effect on anxiety, pain, mood, quality of life, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
The CTCA also offers many classes and therapies to help people relax, reduce stress and improve their quality of life as part of an extensive mind-body medicine program. Many centers provide calming background music during healing therapies.
What Are Your Next Steps?
You have a cancer diagnosis: Now what? Learning how to clear your mind and focus on positive thoughts is a helpful step in the right direction. Here are other soul-soothing strategies you can try.
Start Journaling and Reflecting
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that expressing your innermost feelings can reduce stress and have a range of other emotional and social benefits. Researchers aren't sure why putting thoughts down on paper is effective. Still, it allows you to process complex emotions and help you chart a way forward, whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or are taking care of someone who has.
Exercise When Possible
Exercising for 2.5 hours per week can help you beat symptoms of depression and fatigue. Among the nation's millions of cancer survivors, there are hints — but not proof yet — that active exercisers may lower their risk of their cancer coming back.
The American College of Sports Medicine hosted a medical panel of cancer specialists to evaluate this exercise evidence. It issued guidelines suggesting that cancer patients and survivors should exercise for about 30 minutes most days of the week. This exercise should be enjoyable to you but also build up a sweat. When patients and their family caregivers exercised together, research found, everyone was more likely to stick with the fitness regimen, boost their physical stamina and experience less emotional strain.
Strengthen Your Social Support System
Connecting with others who've been through this kind of emotional diagnosis already can be a source of comfort and support. Learn more about online communities and your local chapters and support groups that meet up. The American Cancer Society also suggests attending one-on-one professional therapy or its "I Can Cope" online support groups to learn more.
Resource Links:
Find Local Cancer Support Programs | Cancer Support Groups
Strategies Used in Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis Predict Meaning in Life for Survivors
Coping Well with Advanced Cancer: A Serial Qualitative Interview Study with Patients and Family Carers
Coping with cancer
Coping Attitudes of Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers and Quality of Life of Caregivers
Get Your Glow On With These 5 Skin-Protecting Vitamin C Creams
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Vitamin C: Not just for treating scurvy anymore. "Vitamin C is essential for good skin health," NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Howe tells Bustle. "It's the most abundant and important antioxidant in our skin." As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects your skin from environmental aggressors like the sun, pollution, and smoke; and, according to Dr. Howe, an overabundance of those free radicals can result in collagen depletion, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. It follows, then, that infusing your skin with vitamin C can result in a glowier, clearer complexion, so you'll want to get your topical vitamin C wherever you can. The best vitamin C creams are a good place to start.
Vitamin C is especially valuable for providing a deeper layer of sun protection that SPF can't quite reach. "Even the most diligent sunscreen applier will still have some UV rays penetrate the skin — sunscreens are screens, after all; they block the transmission of only a given percentage of incident UV radiation," Dr. Howe says. "Some of it still gets through. And that's where antioxidants like vitamin C come in. Antioxidants snuff out the damage that UV rays cause by quenching free radicals present in the skin." That said, this is not a reason to skimp on the face sunscreen you're already wearing every day (right?).
Dr. Howe recommends applying vitamin C products in the morning; that way, you're providing your skin with a fresh supply of the antioxidant's protective powers. And because they're typically used during the day, lots of vitamin C creams include other ingredients that brighten, smooth, hydrate, and otherwise benefit your skin.
Ahead, you'll find five of the best vitamin C creams for all manner of budgets and skin types. Put them on in the morning for luminous skin all day long, then drink a glass of orange juice so your teeth don't fall out.
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
Vitamin E is a compound that plays many important roles in your body and provides multiple health benefits. In order to maintain healthy levels of vitamin E, you need to ingest it through food or consume it as an oral supplement. Read on to find out which foods are recommended sources of this essential nutrient, along with other basics to know about vitamin E.
Vitamin E is classified as an antioxidant. This means that vitamin E helps to destroy harmful compounds called free radicals that can build up in your body. Free radicals cause damage to cells through oxidative stress, and they've been linked to aging and health problems such as cancer and heart disease. Getting enough vitamin E on a daily basis may help to combat these conditions by protecting the outer membranes of your cells from free radical damage.
Vitamin E also plays an important role in your immune system and your body's ability to fight infection. At certain doses, vitamin E has been shown to stimulate the function of T cells — a type of cell that responds to pathogens that cause disease. Recent studies have shown that increasing your vitamin E intake may correlate with a stronger immune response and greater resistance to infection.
Vitamin E is present in the following whole foods:
As people age, their daily dosage recommendation for vitamin E increases. For these standard recommended daily doses, a healthy balanced diet is usually sufficient for getting the required amount of vitamin E:
Birth to 6 months: 4 milligrams (mg)/day
1 to 12 months: 5 mg/day
1 to 3 years: 6mg/day
4 to 8 years: 7mg/day
9 to 13 years: 11mg/day
14+ years, including adults and seniors: 15mg/day
A person's age, gender and health conditions can help determine their recommended daily dose of vitamin E. Always consult a healthcare professional before altering your intake of vitamin E from the recommended daily dosage.
Taking Vitamin E Supplements
If it becomes necessary, such as if you become deficient in vitamin E, your doctor may advise you to start taking vitamin E supplements. Vitamin E supplements may come with some minor side effects if you take more than the recommended daily amount or if you combine these supplements with certain medications.
For example, vitamin E may increase the risk of bleeding if you take it with anticoagulants (also called blood thinners) like warfarin. Other medications, like chemotherapy drugs and cholesterol-lowering drugs, have potential harmful interactions when combined with vitamin E supplements. Talk to a healthcare professional before introducing daily vitamin E supplements, and be sure to discuss current medications you're taking.
Signs of a Vitamin E Deficiency
Because most people are able to get a sufficient amount of vitamin E through their normal daily diet, vitamin E deficiency is rare and typically related to an underlying health issue. For example, because vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient, there's a risk for vitamin E deficiency in people whose bodies are unable to absorb fat properly. Premature infants may also become deficient in vitamin E.
When vitamin E deficiency does occur, these are some of its common symptoms:
Muscle weakness
Unsteady gait
Nerve pain or numbness
Impaired vision
Vitamin E deficiency can be detected with a blood test. It typically resolves with minor changes in your diet or the addition of vitamin E supplements. It's important to address any out-of-range vitamin E levels with your doctor. Chronic deficiencies may prevent your immune system from functioning normally.
For 70 years Vitamin C has been one of the biggest weapons in the skin care industry. It's used to make cleansers, moisturizers, lotions, masks, and serums. So what is this powerful vitamin? How can it benefit you? Why should you use serums that contain Vitamin C? We're here to answer all of those burning questions in this complete guide and reveal the many benefits Vitamin C serums offer for your skin.
What Are Vitamin C Serums?
There are many variations of Vitamin C, but the most popular is ascorbic acid, a common ingredient in skincare products. However, all the variations of Vitamin C have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Vitamin C Serums are products that contain a high level of Vitamin C. They're used to treat wrinkles, sagging skin, lighten dark or red spots, prevent breakouts and even your skin tone. Basically, they battle all of those annoying skin issues. There are loads of products out there that claim they'll save your skin, but some can cause damage. Vitamin C is one of the most revered ingredients and conclusive research has shown how effective it can be.
How Are Vitamin C Serums Made?
Well so far we've talked about how incredible Vitamin C is and it sounds like a dream come true doesn't it? It's not all good. In fact, the mighty vitamin is unstable when it's exposed to air and light. Other ingredients need to be used to stabilize it and allow it to deliver amazing results. The serums are combined with ferulic acid and Vitamin E. According to researchers the perfect mixture is 15% Vitamin C with 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% ferulic acid. This makes Vitamin C perform to the best of its abilities, without damaging your skin.
What Does Vitamin C Serum Do for Your Face?
Boosts Collagen Production: Collagen keeps your skin firm and prevents sagging. Environmental factors such as lifestyle choices and pollution can increase the elasticity of your skin, so it's important you try to increase your collagen production.
Hydrates Your Skin: Dry skin is a common issue, but Vitamin C can help to give your skin that much-needed moisture boost. Remember, it doesn't work immediately so you need to keep applying the serum to see results.
Brightens Your Complexion: Dark spots on your skin are caused by the overproduction of melanin. Vitamin C decreases the production and lightens the dark spots to even out your complexion.
Reduces Redness and Inflammation: Conditions such as Rosacea leave many people searching for a magic cure. Vitamin C helps facial redness and inflammation by reducing the appearance of broken capillaries.
Why Should You Be Using Vitamin C Serum?
Don't think Vitamin C serums are just beneficial for your face. They can also shield you from sun damage and reduce stretch marks.
Saves You From The Sun: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause long-term damage to your skin. Luckily, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that reduces red sports and prevents sunburn from spreading.
Fades Acne Scars: Acne plagues most of us at some point and we look forward to being free. Most of us get stuck with some scars but Vitamin C helps to fade scars and even out any discoloration.
Reduces Stretch Marks: Yes, Vitamin C serum can even help prevent those unsightly stretch marks by tightening your skin.
Are you ready to change your skin? Add a Vitamin C serum to your beauty regimen and enjoy a glowing complexion.
El consumo diario de dosis elevadas de vitamina C es nocivo ________________________
CientÃficos británicos acaban de demostrar que el consumo de más de 500 miligramos diarios de vitamina C puede provocar una oxidación del ADN y, por tanto, aumentar el riesgo de sufrir cáncer, artritis o aterosclerosis.
En estos momentos, uno de los reclamos publicitarios de la vitamina C es su efecto antioxidante. Sin embargo, la realidad es que una dosis demasiado alta de vitamina C puede provocar, justamente, el efecto contrario y oxidar progresivamente nuestros cromosomas. Este fenómeno puede tener consecuencias graves, ya que aumenta el riesgo de padecer enfermedades como el cáncer, la artritis y la aterosclerosis.
El valor de determinadas vitaminas antioxidantes para la prevención de las enfermedades que más afectan al ser humano, la aterosclerosis y el cáncer, ha sido demostrado ya en varias investigaciones.
AsÃ, en un trabajo reciente realizado por cientÃficos del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer de EEUU, se muestra que el consumo diario de 50 miligramos de vitamina E puede disminuir el cáncer de próstata en un 32% y reducir la mortalidad por este tumor en un 42%.
Sin embargo, los autores del trabajo han insistido en que es necesario llevar a cabo más estudios antes de recomendar al público masculino en general el consumo de suplementos diarios de este antioxidante.
A pesar de las bondades de las vitaminas, son muchos los expertos que insisten en que el consumo de suplementos de vitaminas antioxidantes debe ser supervisado por especialistas.
Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of your liver. Currently, there are an estimated 6 million people living with hepatitis in the United States, and more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with this disease every year. There are three primary types of hepatitis, and while their symptoms can be similar, they vary largely in the ways they're transmitted. Learning more about each type of hepatitis can help you better understand the condition as a whole.
Hepatitis A is the most easily transmitted of the three viruses. It affects approximately 2,500 people every year in the United States. It typically spreads through feces-contaminated food or water and is found in the feces of people who have the virus. Hepatitis A causes a short-term, acute sickness that most people heal from without treatment. However, it can cause serious illness in some people. This virus is more common in places with underdeveloped sanitation systems.
While doctors can't treat hepatitis A with medication, people who get this virus can manage its symptoms with fluids, rest and good nutrition. There's also a safe and effective vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis A.
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B can occur both acutely (meaning it develops quickly and lasts a short time) and chronically (meaning it develops slowly over time and worsens over months or years). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 2 million people in the United States are chronically affected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through sexual activity and exposure to infected blood. It can also be passed from a parent to their newborn child during birth.
Hepatitis B usually causes short-term discomfort that many people recover from completely after about four to eight weeks. However, it can turn into a chronic condition that lasts for years; this is more likely in older adults. Doctors can treat severe chronic hepatitis B with antiviral medications. However, in most cases, treatments focus on proper hydration and nutrition. There's a safe vaccine available to protect you against hepatitis B, too.
What Is Hepatitis C?
Approximately 4 million people in the United States are affected with hepatitis C. This form of hepatitis causes a chronic illness in over 50% of people who get this type of the virus. It's the least transmissible of the three viruses and can spread through contact with infected blood.
Hepatitis C occurs more commonly in people who engage in intravenous drug use. If you received a blood transfusion before 1992, you should also get tested for hepatitis C if you haven't previously. Hepatitis C can spread through unprotected sexual intercourse, but this is a less common way to transmit it. While there's no vaccine for chronic hepatitis C, treatments that are available today offer a 95% cure rate.
Chronic hepatitis C can significantly affect how your liver works. It can cause cirrhosis, which means that your normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. It can also cause liver cancer. However, there are medications that can help keep this disease in check. Making lifestyle changes, such as reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet, can also decrease your chances of experiencing complications. In severe cases, hepatitis C may require a liver transplant.
The varying forms of viral hepatitis affect millions of people in the United States. Chronic hepatitis often has few symptoms in its early stages, so recognizing the associated dangers and getting tested if you've been exposed may save your life. Although there are five types of viral hepatitis, only A, B and C are the forms commonly found in the United States.
Resource Links:
"Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences," Immunization Action Coalition
"What's the Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C?," UNC Health Talk
"The ABCs of Hepatitis," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"What's the Difference: Hepatitis B vs Hepatitis C?," Hepatitis B Foundation
I've Found an Effective, Nonirritating Version of Vitamin C
Photo-Illustration: retailer
Editor's note: This post was originally published in July 2020. We're republishing it because it is now enabled with on-site shopping, which means you can buy Rio's favorite nonirritating vitamin C face oil without leaving this page. Read more about our on-site shopping toolhere.
Vitamin C is a fairly miraculous ingredient: It boosts radiance, and is capable of stimulating collagen production, helping skin look firmer and plumper.
But not every vitamin C formula is created equal. While water-soluble L-ascorbic acid is the widely researched and used form of vitamin C (it's the type found in popular products like my beloved Klair's Freshly Juiced Drop Vitamin C Serum, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, and Drunk Elephant's C-Firma), it does have a few disadvantages: For one, it's incredibly unstable — if it's not stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, it expires quickly. And since L-ascorbic acid tends to be formulated at a relatively low pH level (around 3.5), it can be irritating on the skin, and can lead to breakouts, bumps, and irritation.
Late one evening recently, while poking around Reddit threads on r/SkincareAddiction, I found a group of vitamin C obsessives raving about the benefits something called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate), a "lipid soluble" (meaning it dissolves in oils) form of vitamin C that, they claimed, was gentler, more stable, and — they thought, at least — even more effective than the kind found in my Klair's.
A few hours spent researching "tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate" later, I discovered that many skin-care companies, including Biossance and The Ordinary, have recently been using THD ascorbate instead of L-ascorbic acids in their vitamin C serums. Early research has shown that not only is it indeed more shelf stable, but that it also works exceptionally well in lifting sun spots and hyperpigmentation, and can potentially penetrate even deeper into the skin than the L-ascorbic kind (meaning it can therefore more intensely stimulate the body's collagen production). And thanks to its fatty acid base and higher pH level (THD is usually formulated around 5.5), THD ascorbate products also tend to be gentler and significantly more hydrating on the skin. All of which basically means, if you're someone who has wanted to reap the many, many benefits of vitamin C, but who has been afraid it would break or dry you out, or if you're like me and have tried vitamin C and it has broken or dried you out, a THD ascorbate product is a really, really good choice. Below, my favorite products that use THD.
I've tried about three or four THD ascorbate products. But my favorite is easily this lightweight yet deeply nourishing face oil from Biossance. Along with the THD ascorbate, this oil uses plant-based squalene (a naturally occurring emollient that helps lock in moisture) and chios crystal oil (which plumps and firms the skin) to hydrate, illuminate, and replenish the skin in a gentle and nonirritating way. The serum has both immediate and long-term effects: After applying it, it gives a beautiful dewy and nourished (but not greasy) glow that's perfect for bare-skin days or for wearing under concealer. And after a few months of consistent use, I noticed that a few spots along my jawline left over from a bad hormonal breakout had also begun to fade away. And I am not the only fan: Jonathan Van Ness, Desi Perkins, and Kehlani also swear by it. I apply a few drops of this in the morning onto clean skin, then follow up with my Purito SPF.
This cheaper alternative from The Ordinary uses a blend of vitamin F and THD ascorbate. With consistent daily use, you'll notice smoother and more radiant skin. The formula feels a little thicker on the skin than the above, but it's a wonderful dupe (at about a quarter of the price!) for achieving that that radiant glow — and it's great for fading sun spots and hyperpigmentation left behind. Skin-care guru Gothamista is a fan of this one, which means it's really good.
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I've Found an Effective, Nonirritating Version of Vitamin C
Contains a potent 10% dose of Vitamin C, a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and repair skin damage for a fresher, healthier and revitalized look.
Propanediol is a natural alternative for the often used and often bad-mouthed propylene glycol. It's produced sustainably from corn sugar and it's Ecocert approved.
It's quite a multi-tasker: can be used to improve skin moisturization, as a solvent, to boost preservative efficacy or to influence the sensory properties of the end formula.
Simply alcohol refers to ethanol and it's a pretty controversial ingredient. It has many instant benefits: it's a great solvent, penetration enhancer, creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas, great astringent and antimicrobial. No wonder it's popular in toners and oily skin formulas.
The downside is that it can be very drying if it's in the first few ingredients on an ingredient list.
Some experts even think that regular exposure to alcohol damages skin barrier and causes inflammation though it's a debated opinion. If you wanna know more, we wrote a more detailed explanation about what's the deal with alcohol in skincare products at alcohol denat. (it's also alcohol, but with some additives to make sure no one drinks it).
Also-called:Water |What-it-does: solvent
Good old water, aka H2O. The most common skincare ingredient of all. You can usually find it right in the very first spot of the ingredient list, meaning it's the biggest thing out of all the stuff that makes up the product.
It's mainly a solvent for ingredients that do not like to dissolve in oils but rather in water.
Once inside the skin, it hydrates, but not from the outside - putting pure water on the skin (hello long baths!) is drying.
One more thing: the water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized (it means that almost all of the mineral ions inside it is removed). Like this, the products can stay more stable over time.
A natural moisturizer that's also in our skin
A super common, safe, effective and cheap molecule used for more than 50 years
Not only a simple moisturizer but knows much more: keeps the skin lipids between our skin cells in a healthy (liquid crystal) state, protects against irritation, helps to restore barrier
Effective from as low as 3% with even more benefits at higher concentrations up to 20-40% (around 10% is a good usability-effectiveness sweet spot)
High-glycerin moisturizers are awesome for treating severely dry skin
Read all the geeky details about Glycerin here >>
Works best between a concentration of 5-20%
Boosts the skin's own collagen production
Fades pigmentation and brown spots
If used under sunscreen it boosts its UV protection
Extremely unstable and oxidizes very easily in presence of light or air
Stable in solutions with water only if pH is less than 3.5 or in waterless formulations
Vit E + C work in synergy and provide superb photoprotection
Ferulic acid doubles the photoprotection effect of Vit C+E and helps to stabilize Vit C
Potent Vit. C serums might cause a slight tingling on sensitive skin
Read all the geeky details about Ascorbic Acid here >>
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
Exactly what it sounds: nice smelling stuff put into cosmetic products so that the end product also smells nice. Fragrance in the US and parfum in the EU is a generic term on the ingredient list that is made up of 30 to 50 chemicals on average (but it can have as much as 200 components!).
If you are someone who likes to know what you put on your face then fragrance is not your best friend - there's no way to know what's really in it.
Also, if your skin is sensitive, fragrance is again not your best friend. It's the number one cause of contact allergy to cosmetics. It's definitely a smart thing to avoid with sensitive skin (and fragrance of any type - natural is just as allergic as synthetic, if not worse!).
It's the acronym for Butylated Hydroxy Toluene. It's a common synthetic antioxidant that's used as a preservative.
There is some controversy around BHT. It's not a new ingredient, it has been used both as a food and cosmetics additive since the 1970s. Plenty of studies tried to examine if it's a carcinogen or not. This Truth in Aging article details the situation and also writes that all these studies examine BHT when taken orally.
As for cosmetics, the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) concluded that the amount of BHT used in cosmetic products is low (usually around 0.01-0.1%), it does not penetrate skin far enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream and it is safe to use in cosmetics.
We don't have description for this ingredient yet.
Linalool is a super common fragrance ingredient. It's kind of everywhere - both in plants and in cosmetic products. It's part of 200 natural oils including lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, jasmine, geranium and it can be found in 90-95% of prestige perfumes on the market.
The problem with linalool is, that just like limonene it oxidises on air exposure and becomes allergenic. That's why a product containing linalool that has been opened for several months is more likely to be allergenic than a fresh one.
A study made in the UK with 483 people tested the allergic reaction to 3% oxidised linalool and 2.3% had positive test results.
It's a common fragrance ingredient that is one of the "EU 26 fragrances" that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term "fragrance/perfume" on the label) because of allergen potential. Best to avoid if your skin is sensitive.
Geraniol is a common fragrance ingredient. It smells like rose and can be found in rose oil or in small quantities in geranium, lemon and many other essential oils.
Just like other similar fragrance ingredients (like linalool and limonene) geraniol also oxidises on air exposure and becomes allergenic. Best to avoid if you have sensitive skin.
Citronellol is a very common fragrance ingredient with a nice rose-like odor. In the UK, it's actually the third most often listed perfume on the ingredient lists.
It can be naturally found in geranium oil (about 30%) or rose oil (about 25%).
As with all fragrance ingredients, citronellol can also cause allergic contact dermatitis and should be avoided if you have perfume allergy. In a 2001 worldwide study with 178 people with known sensitization to fragrances citronellol tested positive in 5.6% of the cases.
There is no known anti-aging or positive skin benefits of the ingredient. It's in our products to make it smell nice.
It's a common fragrance ingredient that has a light floral smell. It's one of the "EU 26 fragrances" that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term "fragrance/perfume" on the label) because of allergen potential. Best to avoid if your skin is sensitive.
A common fragrance ingredient that has a sweet scent somewhere between lily and fruity melon. Can be found in essential oils, such as lavender oil, orange flower oil or ylang-ylang.
In cosmetics, it can be used up to 1%. It's one of the "EU 26 fragrances" that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term "fragrance/perfume" on the label) because of allergen potential. Best to avoid if your skin is sensitive.
You may also want to take a look at...
A natural corn sugar derived glycol. It can be used to improve skin moisturization, as a solvent, to boost preservative efficacy or to influence the sensory properties of the end formula. [more]
Simple alcohol that's a great solvent, penetration enhancer, creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas, great astringent, and antimicrobial. In large amount can be very drying. [more]
Normal (well kind of - it's purified and deionized) water. Usually the main solvent in cosmetic products. [more]
A real oldie but a goodie. Great natural moisturizer and skin-identical ingredient that plays an important role in skin hydration and general skin health. [more]
Pure Vitamin C. A skincare superstar that is clinically proven to boost collagen production (in 5-20% concentration), fade hyperpigmentation and boost UV protection under sunscreen. Also, it's extremely unstable and hard to formulate. [more]
The generic term for nice smelling stuff put into cosmetic products so that the end product also smells nice. It is made up of 30 to 50 chemicals on average. [more]
It's the acronym for Butylated Hydroxy Toluene. It's a common synthetic antioxidant that's used as a preservative.There is some controversy around BHT. [more]
A super common fragrance ingredient that can be found among others in lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot or jasmine. The downside of it is that it oxidises on air exposure and might become allergenic. [more]
It's a common fragrance ingredient that is one of the "EU 26 fragrances" that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term "fragrance/perfume" [more]
A common fragrance ingredient that smells like rose and can be found in rose oil. [more]
A common fragrance ingredient with a nice rose-like smell. [more]
It's a common fragrance ingredient that has a light floral smell. It's one of the "EU 26 fragrances" that has to be labelled separately (and cannot be simply included in the term "fragrance/perfume" [more]
A fragrance with a sweet scent somewhere between lily and fruity melon. [more]