The one swap you should make to your skin-care regimen in 2018

Hopefully you’ve been rocking an antioxidant serum in your regimen for a while now, but if you’re wondering how to switch up your skin-care routine in 2018, one way might be to look at the delivery system of your beloved antioxidants. Vitamin C, one of the most well-known and powerful antioxidants, protects against free radical  damage, boosts collagen production, and brightens your complexion, which is why it’s included in many hero skincare products.

Liquid vitamin C can easily oxidize and become inactive, however. For this reason, some beauty brands are turning to a different delivery system: powders. “Vitamin C powders have proven to be much more durable and stable, less affected by their environment, and more likely to deliver results [than pre-mixed serums or lotions which include vitamin C],” says Dr. Shereene Idriss of New York City’s Union Square Laser Dermatology.

These powders are often called boosters, and are meant to be mixed into serums, mists, or even water, depending on the instructions provided with the product. While they’re potent, Dr. Idriss warns that they should be used exactly as directed (e.g., “mix one shake of powder into your daily serum”) so as to avoid overdoing it. “Vitamin C is, after all, an acid, and may lead to irritation if incorrectly applied,” she says. Another important thing to keep in mind: She advises waiting at least 10 minutes before utilizing products which contain AHAs or BHAs after applying a powder to the skin, as they can neutralize vitamin C and render it ineffective. 

The last thing to think about when swapping your pre-made products for boosters is that many liquid serums and moisturizers include additional antioxidants like ferulic acid, which can bolster vitamin C’s benefits; however, some new powders are likewise supercharged. “Because vitamin C and ferulic acid work so well together, we added that restorative antioxidant to our vitamin C booster,” says True Botanicals founder Hillary Peterson.

Below, browse this and other vitamin C powders which you can use to supercharge your skin care.

Keep scrolling to check out some vitamin C powders.

Shop Boosters

True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster $90

Vitabrid C12 Vitamin Face Brightening Powder $60

Peach & Lily Vitamin C Boost Powder $29

Nuori Supreme-C Treatment $129

These powders help to protect against sun damage, but did you know that blue light (you know, from your smartphone) is also ruining your complexion? Plus, find out why everyone is buzzing about skincare’s newest (stoniest?!) secret: cannabis.