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"Want Brighter Skin? Why Vitamin C\\nIs the Answer\\nYou might think of vitamin C as a good ol&amp;#39; citrusy immunity booster, shelved in your medicine cabinet for when you need to kick a cold. But when applied topically, it&amp;#39;s a powerful addition to an anti-aging skin-care regimen. &amp;quot;Vitamin C is essential in collagen synthesis,&amp;quot; says Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology &amp;amp; Cosmetic Surgery. How does the magic work? When applied to the skin directly, the antioxidant neutralizes free radicals (atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron) that age you. &amp;quot;When a free radical steals an electron from one of the proteins in a strand of collagen, it creates a tiny break in the strand,&amp;quot; Engelman explains. The more breaks you retain, the more damage you&amp;#39;ll see as skin begins to sag and wrinkle. Since vitamin C is an electron donor, Engelman says it helps reverse and prevent signs of aging. Use it to keep skin firm and youthful and protect yourself from UV rays. Here are 12 products that&amp;#39;ll do just that.\\nThis serum is enriched with [vitamin C,](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) fruit enzymes, and a chronopeptide that evolves into vitamin D\u2014all to fight signs of aging, brighten skin, even tone, and correct sun damage.\\nThis one's a real fighter. Apply this brightening serum to your face and neck for all of vitamin C's anti-aging benefits. And beyond fighting wrinkles, this product also contains a special chelating complex to protect your skin from heavy metal and mineral damage.\\nEngelman raves about Environ's serum, which contains an uncommon fat-soluble form of vitamin C to help the skin absorb the antioxidant. This nonirritating formula for newbies penetrates deep into the skin.\\nAn oil-free base that's more than just a primer, this weightless Bobbi Brown cream delivers a shot of vitamins C and [E](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) to combat sun and environmental damage, with a dose of carrot complex and vitamin A to dial back fine lines and wrinkles.\\nAlgenist's Genius is a triple threat, combining anti-aging [alguronic acid](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) with smoothing microalgae oil and vitamin C for a formula that beats wrinkles and reduces the appearance of dark spots.\\nThe vitamin C in this two-step peel works on age spots and wrinkles; [glycolic](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) and [lactic acids](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) strip dead skin cells, and hyaluronic acid moisturizes and protects the skin from damage.\\nYour lips need a UV-fighting, smoothing treatment, too. Enter Fresh's lightweight balm, which adds skin-softening oils to moisturize, along with SPF 15 and vitamins C and E to protect. (Try the brand's new __Nude__ shade for the perfect peachy pucker.)\\nIn addition to C's brightening and smoothing powers, this Tarte treatment's formula also includes maracuja oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids that revive tired and damaged skin.\\nAlready have a favorite serum or moisturizer? Sprinkle a bit of this potent 99.8 percent vitamin C powder into any product in the morning and it'll suddenly transform into a free-radical fighting stud. But Engelman warns: Don't mix this with [retinol,](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/skin-care-glossary) which you should save for nighttime use.\\nWith smoothing, softening, and firming ingredients\u2014like vitamin C, vitamin E, [ferulic acid,](http://www.allure.com/skin-care/anti-aging-skin/2015/what-is-ferulic-acid) and [kakadu plum](http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/2015/kakadu-plum-skin-hair-products\\\\#intro)\u2014this serum is an anti-aging superstar.\\nThis tinted moisturizer has vitamins C and E and comes in 15 shades. But because doctors recommend using at least SPF 30, you'll want to layer another sunscreen on, too.\\nSunday Riley is known for its luxe beauty products, and this foaming cleanser is no exception. Vitamin C firms and brightens while refined French green clay purifies, black pepper promotes circulation, and jasmine soothes."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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