SKINIQUE JOURNAL · GIGI · 2 min read

Vitamin C for the skin: what it does and what to expect from a vitamin C facial

Vitamin C is one of skincare's best-studied ingredients. We explain how it works, why it suits the dark Finnish months and what to realistically expect from the GIGI Glow Vitamin C facial.

Skinique editorial

Vitamin C for the skin: what it does and what to expect from a vitamin C facial

Why is vitamin C so popular?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid and its derivatives) is an antioxidant: it helps protect the skin from free radicals created by, for example, UV light and air pollution. It also takes part in collagen formation and affects pigment formation, which is why it's used to even out skin tone.

In practice, skin treated with vitamin C looks brighter, fresher and more even.

Who is a vitamin C facial for?

A vitamin C facial helps most when:

your skin looks grey and tired in the dark season
your tone is uneven or you have pigment spots
traces of summer sun still show in autumn
you want your skin to glow at an event or in photos
mature skin needs support for its collagen

Vitamin C suits most skin types. For very sensitive skin, a gentle form and concentration are chosen.

Hydration starts with the skin barrier.

Imagine the outer layer as a network of cells with lipids between them.

Magnified conceptual outer skin barrier with lipid spaces and symbolic water droplets. — Simplified educational illustration, not a photograph of a client result.

When the barrier feels stressed

Irritation and tightness are signs that your routine needs a review. When the barrier is weak, moisture escapes from the skin more easily.

How skin looks with a vitamin C routine

Tap the parts of the picture: dull skin, applying the serum, and the goal of a fresher look.

Three skin states: dull, with serum and more even

Dull surface

The skin looks tired and uneven. There can be several causes, so the cause comes first.

Simplified illustration made for explanation. It does not show a specific device and does not promise a result.

What happens in the GIGI Glow Vitamin C facial?

The GIGI Glow Vitamin C facial begins with cleansing and exfoliation so the vitamin C can do its work. Then vitamin C products from the GIGI Ester C line and a mask go on, and the face is massaged. At the end the skin is moisturised and protected from the sun.

It takes about 90 minutes. Skin is fresh and glowing straight away, and you can wear make-up the same day.

Pigment spots: realistic expectations

Pigment fades slowly because the skin renews layer by layer. One treatment gives radiance, but fading spots takes several treatments and home care – and above all daily sunscreen. Without protection, pigment darkens again after a few sunny days.

New, changing or irregular spots and moles should be shown to a doctor before any cosmetic treatment.

To even out tone, the Glow programme plans several treatments as a continuum. Surface renewal can be boosted with a BioRePeel.

Vitamin C at home

A vitamin C serum is one of the most useful home products. A few tips:

use it in the morning, under sunscreen – together they protect better
keep the bottle cool and dark, as vitamin C oxidises in light and air
if the serum turns dark brown, it has oxidised
start with a mild concentration if your skin is sensitive

Your cosmetologist will help you choose a product and concentration that suit your skin.

Combine with other treatments

LED light therapy goes well with a vitamin C facial and supports the skin's radiance. For congested skin the order matters: cleanse first, for example with the Hydrapeel, and save vitamin C for the next visit. The differences between the GIGI lines are explained in choosing a GIGI facial.