This is the ultimate skincare ingredient you may be missing from your routine

When you think vitamin C, you probably picture the glass of orange juice you drink every morning, but vitamin C is actually a must-have when it comes toskin-saving care.

A super-vitamin

Not only is vitamin C known as ascorbic acid it is also an anti-ageing superstar, which you want to include into your routine as early as your early twenties to help your skin keep its strength and elasticity. Vitamin C is a very powerful anti-oxidant ingredient that you can mix with almost all the ingredients of your existing routine.

When added to your (ideally) night routine, vitamin C provides a range of benefits to all skin types. It protects your skin from pollution, it can even help your skin tone and fade any acne scars you may carry from your teenage years. And most of all it helps your SPF function at a higher level to your skin keeps looking younger!

Vitamin C is 'a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals,' explains board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler. 'Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.'

Don't forget the ascorbic acid

Mixed with other antioxidant ingredients Ascorbic acid becomes a powerhouse, as skincare maniacs, we believe that, no matter how strong an ingredient is,such as vitamin C, if it can be strengthened by adding other ingredients, to make it even stronger, it's never too much!

You can find vitamin C serums up to 20% but keep in mind that research has revealed that as small a dose as 0,6% concentrated vitamin C provides antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits to your skin, a highly concentrated vitamin C product can cause irritation and damage if you have sensitive skin. So depending on your skin concern you may just want to stick with a regular strength serum.

Also keep in mind that all antioxidants, including pure vitamin C and its more stable variations, remain vulnerable, and will break down if routinely exposed to air and light.