Ask The Doctor: What’s Your Favorite Skincare Ingredient?

Dear Dr. Gross,
After 30 years, I am finally getting serious about skincare. I have an SPF that I love but am looking for a workhorse serum – what would you recommend? If there was a single all-star ingredient, what would it be?
Best, 
– Ready for Radiance

Hi Ready for Radiance, 

First of all, I am so glad that you are already using a daily SPF – you are on the right track! To ramp up your skincare routine, I would recommend investing in a quality vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is actually my favorite ingredient – it helps to prevent signs of aging, brighten dark spots and firm the skin. Daily usage can take years off and bring back that youthful radiance we all strive for.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant – meaning it neutralizes damage from unstable molecules called free radicals. Vitamin C is incredibly important because these free radicals destroy our skin’s structural proteins – collagen and elastin. Think of free radicals like little darts poking holes in our skin, and over time, the accumulative attacks terminate the proteins for good. Yikes! This is where vitamin C comes to the rescue. This antioxidant neutralizes the free radicals and prevents any skin damage. 

We are surrounded by UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and even bad lifestyle habits like smoking, which expose us to free radicals. These external sources accumulate, and the result is premature signs of aging. Vitamin C is the ultimate ingredient to protect against and prevent the constant bombardment of free radicals. Not only does it protect against collagen and elastin degradation, but it stimulates your own production of collagen. This actually firms and thickens the skin, making you less vulnerable to fine lines and wrinkles. It's an all-around win! 

Apply a vitamin C serum like our Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum daily in the morning before your SPF – the ultimate combination to prevent and treat at the same time!

Best,

Dr. Gross 

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