Some people are unable to use vitamin C skincare comfortably but there are ways round the problem

I use a vitamin C serum almost every morning. It gives my skin a brightness and glow, some antioxidant protection, what I believe is a beneficial effect on pigmentation and texture, and it generally agrees with my skin. But frequently I meet women who want to use vitamin C skincare, but have found they can’t – at least not comfortably.

Vitamin C – especially in the form of L-ascorbic acid, the purest, most evidenced but also least stable form in skincare – can be too punchy on sensitive skin types. But there are ways to deploy it more gently. CeraVe’s recently launched Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum (£29) uses L-ascorbic acid but in a manageable 10% concentration, and buffers it with the brand’s signature complex of ceramides to cushion and comfort the skin barrier. Those who have all but given up on vitamin C may find they can use this with no redness or itchiness.