The 7 Ingredients Your Skincare Routine Can’t Live Without: Vitamin C
Over the next few days, I’m going to share with you the seven cosmetic ingredients that truly transform your skin.
Not the trendy ones that promise miracles, but the ones that actually work — the ones your skin recognizes, metabolizes, and uses to stay strong, radiant, and healthy over time.
In this series, you’ll discover the science behind each ingredient that deserves a place on your vanity:
stabilized vitamin C
centella asiatica
niacinamide
copper peptides
hexapeptide-8 (botox-like effect)
ceramides
hyaluronic acid.
Seven essential ingredients that, when formulated correctly, create a powerful synergy to regenerate, protect, and balance your skin.
And we begin with one of the most classic — and misunderstood — actives: Vitamin C.
Vitamin C: The Active That Sacrifices Itself for Your Skin
Vitamin C is probably the most studied antioxidant in cosmetics, and also one of the most misunderstood.
For years, it’s been a symbol of brightness and youth — yet also of irritation, supposed “allergies,” and formulas that oxidize before you even get to use them.
The truth is, vitamin C doesn’t cause allergies; what usually triggers discomfort is its very low pH.
Pure ascorbic acid — the most traditional form — needs a pH between 2.5 and 3 to be effective.
That level of acidity can cause stinging or redness, especially on sensitive skin.
And to make things trickier, vitamin C is highly unstable.
Once exposed to air, light, or water, it quickly oxidizes and loses potency.
That’s why so many products arrive already half-degraded before you even open them.
But cosmetic science has evolved.
Today, we have stabilized forms such as 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, which deliver all the benefits without the drawbacks.
This derivative doesn’t oxidize easily, maintains its potency over time, and can be formulated at a physiological pH (6–7) — meaning it doesn’t irritate, yet remains just as powerful.
The Kamikaze Active
I like to call vitamin C “the kamikaze active” — because it literally sacrifices itself for your skin.
When free radicals strike — those unstable molecules that damage DNA, collagen, and accelerate aging — vitamin C oxidizes before your skin does.
It gives itself up to protect you.
And in that silent act of sacrifice lies its true power:
it neutralizes free radicals, stimulates collagen production, brightens the complexion, fades dark spots, and reinforces the skin’s natural antioxidant defense.
It’s essentially a smart shield against daily oxidative stress.
If Vitamin C Once Irritated You... Give It Another Chance
If you’ve ever felt stinging or sensitivity after applying a vitamin C product, it was most likely an unstable or overly acidic formula.
That doesn’t mean vitamin C isn’t for you — it just means you need a modern, stabilized version.
When your skin receives a well-formulated vitamin C, the difference is visible: smoother texture, renewed glow, and firmer skin — all without irritation.
Because when you choose well, your skin responds with light.
Vitamin C in Our Skincare Collection
At The Today Project, we formulate with science, precision, and respect for the skin.
If you want to experience the benefits of stabilized vitamin C, you can find it in:
Hyal + VitC Serum — deep hydration and radiant glow.
Resurfacing Glow Serum — gentle renewal for a “new skin” effect.
Shine-Free Age Defying Cream — antioxidant, firming, and lightweight.
Resurfacing Glow Cream — evens out tone and enhances luminosity.
Resurfacing Eye Care — brightens and revitalizes tired eyes.
I’m Paola Gugliotta, skincoach and cosmetic formulator.
Save this post, share it with a friend who’s still hesitant about vitamin C,
and follow me on TikTok to discover —through science and common sense— the rest of the ingredients your skincare routine can’t live without.
If you’d like to dive deeper into this active, visit the full post:
👉 The Truth About Vitamin C: The Kamikaze Active for Your Skin
