It's pretty well-known that vitamin C does wonders for your skin. But have you ever stopped to wonder if the game-changing antioxidant could also work on your hair? To get to the bottom of this, we chatted with Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology on the topic. "Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that is not just important for your overall health, but it also impacts your hair health," says Dr. Idriss. More on all that, as well as our favorite products to shop now below.
What are the benefits of using vitamin C for hair?
Shine-Enhancing
Vitamin C is acidic which means that it has a low pH. "Products with a lower pH help smoothen and tighten the cuticle around your hair surface, resulting in shinier hair overall," says Dr. Idriss.
Hydrating
The antioxidant is also hygroscopic which is a fancy way of saying that it attracts and binds water, locking moisture into your hair for longer. Because of this, it's a great add-on ingredient for a leave-in conditioner, says Dr. Idriss.
Anti-Breakage and Brightening
Vitamin C is necessary to build collagen, an important protein that's essential for strong, healthy hair. And since vitamin C has antioxidant properties, it blocks free radicals from damaging the proteins in your hair, leading to breakage and dulling your hair color.
Basically, no matter your hair type or texture, there's so many benefits you can reap from loading up on vitamin C. Ahead, six products to consider adding to your routine.
Shop Our Favorites:
Vitamin C Brightening Hair Treatment
Opt for this vitamin C hair treatment if you feel like your hair could use a boost in the shine department. Post-shampoo, apply a thin coat once or twice a week—it'll transform dull and lifeless hair, making it smoother, brighter, and shinier.
Supernova Moisture and Shine Cream
With a lightweight formula, this leave-in conditioning treatment is moisture-rich and restores its shine and elasticity without weighing down your hair or leaving behind a heavy residue.
Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum
If you want something to grow, you need a healthy foundation, and that goes for your hair, too. Aside from vitamin C, this serum is packed with super-ingredients like niacinamide and caffeine and together, the trio works to moisturize and nourish the scalp.
Caviar Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture Masque
You can think of this mask as an anti-aging treatment for your hair. (Yup—your hair ages, just like your skin.) The concentrated formula contains a combination of omega-3s, antioxidants, and caviar extract to inject nutrients and moisture back into the hair, improving its look and feel.
Color Full Shampoo
Bottle blondes, this one's for you—this sulfate- and paraben-free formula gently cleanses your hair without stripping away color and extending the time between your salon appointments. Plus, it's also filled with a blend of rahua and moreta oils that keep your hair and scalp hydrated.
Vitamin C Jelly Detoxifying Hair Scalp Treatment
Vitamin C's acidic nature doesn't just boost hydration levels; it also gives the ingredient mild cleansing properties. The vitamin C-infused powder-to-jelly formula removes buildup on and below your hair's cuticle and protects against free radical damage, creating a healthier and stronger scalp environment.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@giannabankss
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