7 Reasons Why Vitamin C Is Good For Your Skin

Introduction

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is a fat-soluble vitamin needed for several body functions. It enhances immunity, potentially protects against cancer, and is also great for skin. Vitamin C is loaded with antioxidants that are known to make your skin radiant and youthful. It helps to destroy the free radicles and enhances tissue repair to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin C is commonly found in various fruits and vegetables such as lemon, oranges, broccoli, etc., however, for skin-health, it usually needs to be applied topically. In this blog, we’ll see how vitamin C can be beneficial for your skin and how to use it. 

How Vitamin C Helps the Skin?

Vitamin C has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the skin against damage caused by environmental pollutants and toxins. Due to its acidic nature, Vitamin C can penetrate the skin deeply and promote skin-healing. Moreover, by inhibiting enzymes that convert tyrosine to melanin, vitamin C helps reduce skin pigmentation. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the production of collagen, a protein that is abundantly found in connective tissues, hair, joints, and bones. Collagen promotes skin cell regeneration and improves skin texture and quality. All together, these make vitamin C great for the skin¹. 

Vitamin C is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. A few common dietary sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli and strawberries. Make sure to consume these to get the optimum health benefits of vitamin C⁹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

What are the Skin Benefits of Vitamin C?

Along with the other major health benefits, vitamin C is key to skin health. Here are some potential benefits of vitamin C for skin

1. Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Vitamin C works well to avoid and reduce aging signs by enhancing collagen synthesis in your body. Study results have shown that a higher intake of vitamin C was associated with good skin appearances. In a study, topical application of vitamin C for 12 weeks was shown to decrease the wrinkling of the skin, and increase the production of collagen². 

2. Protect from Sun Damage

Prolonged sun exposure can affect your skin causing skin tanning, rough skin, redness of the skin, etc. The topical application of vitamin C works as an antioxidant to protect your skin from UV rays. Combinations of vitamin C and vitamin E are more effective in preventing the skin from sun damage than any vitamin alone³. 

3. Provide Skin Hydration

A high intake of vitamin C helps to decrease the dryness of the skin and provides moisture to your skin. Ascorbic acid retains water in the skin and prevents it from becoming dry and dehydrated, and enhances smoothness⁴. 

4. Aid Wound Healing

Vitamin C helps rapid wound healing by activating collagen formation. It works better when applied topically than ingested orally. Combination of Vitamin C and zinc with other oral therapies for pressure ulcers (bed sores) and burns aids in rapid recovery⁵. 

5. Improve the Elasticity of Skin

The topical application of vitamin C encourages the production of collagen and inhibits elastin in your skin, which helps the skin to become tight and firm^1,6. 

6. Lower Dark Pigmentation

Dark pigmentation, also known as hyperpigmentation of the skin, is caused by increased production of melanin, a pigment that gives color to your skin. Hyperpigmentation is generally not harmful but may appear unaesthetic. The topical application of vitamin C can lower dark patches by inhibiting melanin production, giving an even skin tone⁷. 

7. Helps to Reduce Inflammation

Vitamin C is a great anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant that helps reduce the signs of inflammation such as rash, redness, and irritation. Topical vitamin C may help relieve the inflammation in various skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis⁸. 

While studies have shown beneficial effects of Vitamin C application on skin, further large-scale human trials are needed to corroborate these findings. Nonetheless, initial results are promising. 

Do you know vitamin C can help in cases of anaemia? Vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron in your body, which is an essential requirement for those suffering from anaemia¹⁰. 

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Vitamin C for Your Daily Skin Routine?

Although your body gets vitamin C from your diet, enough quantities may not reach your skin. For better skin results, Vitamin-C needs to be applied topically. There are different kinds of options in the market such as vitamin C-containing lotions, moisturizers, serum, and creams. Serum is usually preferred for skincare as it is a lighter formulation than a moisturizer that absorbs easily into the skin. Also, vitamin C sunscreens are commonly used before stepping out as they offer great protection against sun damage. The right formulation and concentration of Vitamin C will depend upon your skin type and need and a dermatologist can suggest the most appropriate choice for you. 

However, remember everyone may not respond similarly to Vitamin C. Some individuals may show changes soon while others might take time. Some individuals may even be allergic to Vitamin C creams or their other ingredients. In case you notice any redness, rash or itching after application, discontinue use and immediately consult your dermatologist. 

Vitamin C, when taken along with paracetamol, a medication used to treat fever, can cause increased levels of paracetamol in the body. Be cautious while using a combination of the two of them¹¹.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.