How to Use Vitamin C to Lighten Dark Inner Thighs

You can use Vitamin C for dark inner thighs as it does lighten and brighten the skin. But will it bleach the skin? Can it be used for hyperpigmentation? Will the effects be permanent?

These are just a few of the questions we have gotten concerning this super ingredient and the inner thighs. So, let’s dive into how Vitamin C works and whether it can lighten dark inner thighs effectively enough.

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How Vitamin C Works

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-lightening nutrient that occurs naturally in nature and is one of the vitamins that we humans need.

When used on the skin, it:

Protects us from free-radical damage which causes premature ageing
Hydrates the skin

Protects us from sun damage
Boosts collagen synthesis
Reduces inflammation

And, most relevant to this discussion, it can be used as a depigmentation agent (meaning that it lightens the skin)

Vitamin C lightens the skin by inhibiting the production process of melanin (skin pigment). According to researchers, it interrupts the key steps of melanin synthesis by interacting with copper ions at the tyrosinase-active site. This inhibits the action of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed to successfully make melanin.

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How To Use Vitamin C For Dark Inner Thighs

Vitamin C is available in serums, creams, soaps, and even transdermal patches. But which ones will work best for you will vary for every person.

It is also dependent on the concentration you use and whether it is in its active or inactive form.

Choosing The Right Concentration

Vitamin C is usually available in concentrations up to 20%.

Using concentrations higher than this will not have a better effect as the skin can only hold so much vitamin C at a time. The excess will be flushed out.

Now. keep in mind that even though vitamin C is generally well-tolerated, it is not recommended to start with such a strong concentration.

I recommend starting with a low concentration (5-10%) to see how your skin will react. If you do not see results in at least 2 weeks, and you have not gotten any adverse reactions, then you can increase the concentration gradually.

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Choosing The Right Formula

Vitamin C is highly unstable and needs to be stabilized properly to be effective.

It is usually sold in different formulas that contain either its active form or its inactive form.

The most effective form of Vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid, but for it to be stable and effective, it needs to be formulated correctly and packaged to avoid exposure to UV light and air (so in a dark, light-resistant, air-tight bottle or container).

Stable Vitamin C is colorless and its stability is controlled by maintaining a pH of less than 3.5. Serums are currently the only formulations of Vitamin C that contain stabilized vitamin C. Make sure that your serums have a pH of less than 3.5.

Other formulations like soaps, creams and lotions will contain different, less stable forms of vitamin C. They will still be effective and will be easier to store and use, but they will work slower than the serums. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) is the most stable and preferred ascorbyl ester. It is less effective than L-ascorbic acid but it is stable and easily absorbed into the skin,

The right formula will ultimately depend on what works best for your skin. The thigh area is quite large and serums are usually very small, so this may not be as economical. However, lotions and creams are usually larger and you use less of the product at a time.

When it comes down to it, the right formula will depend on what works best for your skin and your pockets!

Applying Vitamin C On Dark Inner Thighs

Vitamin C can be applied on your inner thighs in the same way that you would to your face:

Cleanse your skin well (if you are using vitamin C soap, this is the step where you would use it. Then follow steps 3-4).
Apply the vitamin C serum or other product to your skin and gently massage it in. Let it absorb for a minute or two, or until your skin is dry to the touch.

Apply your moisturizer and then follow up with SPF if you are applying vitamin C during the day.
You can apply vitamin C 2-3 times a day for the best results as long as your skin can tolerate the treatment.

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How long will it take to see results?

Results will depend on how bad the hyperpigmentation is on your inner thighs, whether the cause is being controlled, and your daily experiences (chafing, sun exposure, other skin products, etc).

However, you should start to see some changes in your skin in about 2 weeks. If not, you may need to check on the other factors (cause and other daily habits) or adjust how you are using your vitamin C.

Side Effects Of Using Vitamin C For Dark Inner Thighs

Generally, topical Vitamin C is largely safe to use daily for long durations.

It can safely be used with other common topical anti-ageing agents such as sunscreens, tretinoin, other antioxidants and alfa-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid.

However, minor side effects can include a yellowish discoloration of the skin, hypo-pigmented hair and staining of clothes, which occur due to oxidative changes in the Vitamin C product (it becomes yellow or brown).

Also, keep in mind that once applied, Vitamin C cannot be fully washed or wiped off the skin. So, if you have very sensitive skin you may experience some stinging, redness and dryness. But, these can easily be managed using a moisturizer.

Click here to read about Using Moisturizer After Vitamin C: What You Need to Know

Some people may also experience skin purging from vitamin C. This is completely normal and usually clears up on its own. Click here to read all about Skin Purging from Vitamin C – What You Need to Know

Recommend Vitamin C Products For Dark Inner Thighs

Here are a few of my favorite products to use on dark inner thighs:

1- Australian Vitamin C & Valencia Orange Botanical Soap

The main ingredients in this soap are Vitamin C and Valencia orange oil for a fresh scent.

From my experience, it will keep your skin clean and hydrated while Vitamin C works its magic. It is easy to use making it perfect to use between your thighs, but you will need to moisturize properly after each use.

You can Click here to see the Australian Vitamin C Botanical Soap on Amazon.

2-CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

This serum was developed by dermatologists to visibly brighten & help restore the protective skin barrier and will work to lighten your dark inner thighs.

It contains 10% L-Ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C) which helps to even skin tone & continuously brighten while helping to defend against free radicals & provide antioxidant benefits.

You can Click here to see the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid on Amazon.

3- Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Cream

This cream is formulated with a combination of anti-aging and brightening ingredients, including Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E, Glycerin, etc.

It also contains vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, all of which are stable forms of the vitamin that are great for the skin and will do wonders for any pigmentation between your thighs.

You can Click here to see the Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Cream on Amazon.

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