Vitamin C For Skin
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to improve skin tone, brighten dark spots and smooth fine lines. It’s also been found to help prevent pre-cancerous changes from sun exposure, Joshua Zeichner, MD tells Allure.
In body oils and serums, vitamin C works to encourage a brighter complexion, reduce hyperpigmentation, fade scarring and even out skin tone. Many products with Vitamin C include other nourishing and soothing ingredients to enhance the formula’s effectiveness.
Antioxidant
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and, in this role, protects the skin against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that search for other atoms in the body to steal their electrons, damaging the skin cells in the process. Antioxidants like vitamin C stabilize these free radicals and neutralize them, thus preventing them from damaging the skin and leading to premature aging.
Vitamin C can be absorbed by the skin, but it is more effective when applied topically. Topical application of the vitamin allows it to reach deeper layers of the skin, where it can help fight hyperpigmentation and improve blemishes. It is also an excellent skin brightener, and can be used to even out skin tone.
Another way that Vitamin C helps the skin is by preventing sun-damage. Because it is an antioxidant, it can counteract the negative effects of UV rays on the skin such as sun tanning, dryness and rough skin. It can also be used in combination with vitamin E to prevent UV induced oxidative stress and damage.
Research has shown that Vitamin C can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it a great treatment for aging skin. It works by stimulating collagen production, which in turn leads to skin firming and tightening. It can also reduce dark spots and uneven skin tone, resulting in a younger-looking skin.
When combined with zinc, Vitamin C can improve the appearance of rosacea. It also plays a key role in promoting wound healing, which can reduce the appearance of redness and blemishes. This is because it promotes the production of cytokines and peptides that can suppress inflammation.
As an antioxidant, Vitamin C can also regenerate the other important lipid-soluble antioxidants like Vitamin E and glutathione. This helps to balance the oxidative load and limit oxidative stress that can lead to the deterioration of cell membranes, as demonstrated in vitro experiments using mixed cultures of human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. This effect was augmented in the presence of both vitamins E and C, as compared to the effects of Vitamin C alone.
Anti-ageing
Vitamin C is well known for its immune-boosting benefits, but it’s also becoming a buzzy ingredient in skin care products. It’s a powerful antioxidant that works to brighten, firm and protect the skin. It also plays a crucial role in the production of collagen. It’s a great way to keep wrinkles at bay and prevent hyperpigmentation.
The nutrient is naturally present in the skin, but it can be depleted due to sun exposure, ageing, smoking and pollution. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that can be easily absorbed through the surface of the skin. However, oral supplementation isn’t as effective as topical application. Vitamin C for skin is available in many forms, but ascorbic acid (which is stable and soluble) is the best form to use on the skin.
Topical application of Vitamin C can encourage the growth of new collagen, which is important for keeping skin firm and preventing lines and wrinkles. It can also reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its colour.
Other ingredients that can be combined with Vitamin C to improve its efficacy are vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from UV damage and can decrease signs of ageing by reducing inflammation. Vitamin E can also enhance the effect of Vitamin C by regenerating it, which allows for increased scavenging of free radicals.
Vitamin C can be found in a wide variety of foods, including citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli. It can also be found in many over-the-counter skin care products, including cleansers, serums and moisturizers. Look for a serum with a concentration of L-Ascorbic acid, as it is the most potent and effective form of the vitamin. Lower concentrations won’t be as effective, and higher ones might irritate the skin without providing any additional value. Using the serum one to two times per day in the morning and at night is a good starting point. Follow with a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin from premature ageing.
Inflammatory
Vitamin C isn’t just about tangy citrus fruits, it’s also a dermatologist-favorite ingredient for skin that’s been shown to brighten dark spots and smooth fine lines (and even offer some sun protection), Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at University of Rochester Medical Center tells SELF. “Topical vitamin C is a great antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots and hyperpigmentation,” she says. And because it’s an anti-inflammatory, it can also relieve itchy and scaly skin.
It’s well known that vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, boosts the production of glycosaminoglycans as part of extracellular matrix formation and helps limit UV-induced photodamage. However, it’s now becoming clear that there are additional functions of this crucial molecule.
For example, it has been shown to increase the proliferation of cultured fibroblasts [73] and promotes the expression of several profibrogenic genes [74,75]. It also increases hyaluronic acid and fibronectin production in cultured dermal fibroblasts [76,77].
Another study found that topical vit. C combined with a sunscreen significantly reduced UVR-induced changes in the skin, including erythema and melanocyte differentiation. It also prevented the formation of UVR-induced lipid peroxidation products and decreased the activation of NF-kB p65, cyclooxygenase-2, MMP-9 in human skin cells.
Moreover, studies on wound healing in animal models show that a combination of oral and topical vit. C accelerates the closure of pressure ulcers (bed sores) and burns and strengthens the integrity of repair. It also stimulates the production of granulation tissue, which is key to normal wound healing.
It’s worth noting that a high dietary intake of vitamin C does not appear to protect against skin damage from UV radiation. This may be because the soluble form of vitamin C, which is deposited in the lipid fraction, does not reach the cells where it is needed to protect them. Therefore, it’s thought that the addition of vitamin C in a topical application is essential to achieving UV protection.
Anti-wrinkle
As a potent anti-oxidant, vitamin C can help fight free radicals that may damage skin cells. As a powerful collagen stimulator, it can also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote skin elasticity. For those who suffer from hyperpigmentation and other dark spots, it can also help even skin tone and brighten the complexion.
The best way to get vitamin C into the skin is through topical applications. The nutrient is easily absorbed by the upper layer of the skin and is known for its effectiveness in improving common skin problems such as uneven skin tone, sun damage, and acne scars.
Vitamin C can be found in a variety of skincare products such as cleansers, serums, and creams. When choosing a product to use, be sure it is safe for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, look for products that contain a stabilized form of vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate or Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) as they are less likely to cause irritation. Serums are an effective choice as they offer a higher concentration of the active ingredient, making them more potent and easy to absorb into the skin.
When used in combination with other key skincare ingredients, vitamin C can provide an added boost of benefit. For example, it pairs well with retinol and hyaluronic acid, helping to enhance their effects by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Another way in which vitamin C can protect the skin is by helping to prevent UV-induced damage, especially when used with a sunscreen. When formulated correctly, a sunscreen with vitamin C can help prevent aging, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration while simultaneously promoting the skin’s natural hydration.
Vitamin C is a great addition to any skincare routine and should be used regularly. If you are new to the vitamin C scene, be sure to start with a low application rate and work your way up. Then, follow your routine with a broad-spectrum SPF in the morning and moisturizer at night. For those with a more sensitive skin, it is important to patch test before adding vitamin C into your daily routine to make sure you don’t experience any unwanted side effects.
