The Body Shop is a brand of naturally-inspired beauty products ranging from makeup to fragrance to hair and skin care. The Body Shop’s mission is to enrich their products, people, and the planet by working fairly with farmers and suppliers, being 100% vegetarian, and staying firmly against animal testing. One of The Body Shop’s most popular skin care lines is their collection of Vitamin C products, which is said to be the ‘ultimate antidote to tired skin’. If you’re skin could use a refresh, keep reading below to learn which Body Shop Vitamin C product is best for you!
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2024?
Who is it for?
You may have heard that vitamin C is one of the best ingredients to look for in a skin care product due to its ability to brighten and firm the skin. While brands can claim this to be true for any ingredient, there is scientific data that proves vitamin C exerts potent antioxidant activity. Like other antioxidants, vitamin C is capable of protecting the skin from free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Specifically, vitamin C donates electrons to neutralize ROS such as the superoxide ion and peroxide that are generated when the skin is exposed to UV light. This is important because the harmful effects of ROS occur as direct chemical alterations of the cellular DNA, the cell membrane and the cellular proteins, including collagen. Damaged collagen manifests as signs of premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin. Thus, vitamin C’s ability to protect collagen within skin makes it an ideal ingredient to include in anti-aging skincare products.
Formulation insight
The Body Shop’s Vitamin C collection features seven products that are specifically formulated to revive dull looking skin. Each of these products contains one of the following types of vitamin C:
- Ascorbic Acid
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Ascorbic acid is the most chemically active form of vitamin C. But does that make it the best form of topical vitamin C? Not necessarily. In fact, ascorbic acid is actually the least stable form of vitamin C. This means that ascorbic acid oxidizes the easiest out of all forms of vitamin C. When vitamin C becomes oxidized it loses its potency and ultimately becomes ineffective. Things like sunlight, heat, air, water, and time can all lead to the oxidation of ascorbic acid. Additionally, ascorbic acid causes the most skin irritation out of all forms of vitamin C. This happens because ascorbic acid is an acidic molecule and can only penetrate the skin at a pH of 3.5 or less. Since the normal pH of skin is about 5.5, this low pH can be harsh on the skin. These two factors are important to keep in mind when choosing a vitamin C product from The Body Shop as their Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel and Vitamin C Skin Boost Instant Smoother both contain ascorbic acid.
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is another form of vitamin C used in The Body Shop’s Vitamin C line. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is much more stable than ascorbic acid and can also penetrate the skin better. At a pH of 7, this water-soluble form of vitamin C is easily absorbed into the skin and is less likely to cause irritation than ascorbic acid. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is also known to have a hydrating effect on the skin and decreases transepidermal water loss. According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is also a free radical scavenger that is photoprotective and increases collagen production under laboratory test conditions. You’ll find magnesium ascorbyl phosphate in The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion Exfoliator, Vitamin C Energizing Face Mist, and Vitamin C Daily Glow Cleansing Polish.
Last but not least is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C that is fat-soluble. It is believed that this form of vitamin C can penetrate the skin better than other water-soluble forms because its fatty acid component helps aid penetration. Once inside the skin, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate has the ability to stimulate production of glycosaminoglycans. These are natural sugar molecules that absorb moisture, thus, help to maintain the skin’s hydration. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate also remains stable in air and water for up to 18 months. You’ll find tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate in The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer and Vitamin C Glow Protect Lotion SPF 30.
Reviews
Out of all seven of The Body Shop Vitamin C products, the best seller is Vitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion Exfoliator. With 231 reviews, this product has received an impressive average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviewers comment that this product is an excellent exfoliator and leaves skin feeling soft and clean. However, several reviews note that this exfoliator can be rough and should only be used once to twice a week to prevent drying the skin out. The other products from The Body Shop Vitamin C line have all received 4+ star reviews as well.
Overall, The Body Shop Vitamin C collection has a variety of vitamin C products all with different formulations to suit your individual needs. With the positive responses to these products, it seems to be worth a try for bright, firm skin!
What Are Alternatives to The Body Shop Vitamin C?
There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that is effective and safe. Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the power of plants with cutting edge science. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skin care products.
