Vitamin C is gaining recognition in the skin care world. Known to promote production of protein - called collagen - in the skin. Vitamin C works effectively against wrinkles and slows down aging. Collagen makes the skin more elastic and firm. Vitamin C is also known to control the common elements that harm the skin.

The growing reputation of Vitamin C as an effective anti-aging and skin care compound has also led to its increasing blend as ingredient in so many skin care products. This unfortunately has created complications in many skin care or anti-aging products because Vitamin C reacts relatively quickly to oxidation. Thus the shelf life or effectiveness of Vitamin C-laced skin care or anti-aging products quickly diminishes when exposed to oxidizing elements like air. When Vitamin C in skin care products gets oxidized, the product's color turns yellowish-brown.

The challenge therefore for skin care products enhanced with Vitamin C is to be careful with their storage. Always keep them from being exposed to oxidizing elements. Also, these products require a particular range of storage temperature, which normally forms part of product information and can be read from the product label itself. When a product starts showing discoloration, it is time to discard it.

Manufacturers of Vitamin C skin care products have stepped up research on how to deal effectively with the problem of Vitamin C oxidation. They have already tried raising the concentration levels of Vitamin C in these products. The reformulation might have slowed down the reaction process, but unfortunately it hardly addressed the underlying cause of the problem and is therefore unlikely to totally resolve it. Moreover, the increased concentration of Vitamin C in skin care products means higher costs and makes them more expensive.

Another option has been to apply Vitamin C derivatives like magnesium ascorbyl phospate and ascorbyl palmitate in Vitamin C skin care products. Although they are not as effective as pure Vitamin C, they bring to the products some advantages that make them more desirable. Some consumers say that these derivatives are in fact more stable against oxidation. They help skin care products become less irritating than those enhanced with pure Vitamin C. They are also less expensive. Vitamin C derivative skin care products thus look promising and are attractive alternatives to Vitamin C skin care products.

It is important, however, to keep in mind that skin care treatment using Vitamin C or its derivatives has no uniform effect on everyone. If none of them are showing positive effects on you after their regular use, then you may decide that Vitamin C is not suited for you. It is useless to stick to a skin care regimen just because it is popular and everyone else seems to swear by it. The bottom line is Vitamin C enhancements continue to be refined and that there are many ways to beautiful skin. The way to yours may or may not be Vitamin C skin care treatment.