Vitamin C is a proven potent antioxidant that helps with skin radiance. The term ‘Vitamin C’ might remind us of citrus fruits but beyond quenching thirst or providing nutrition, vitamin C benefits for skin are abundant. From aiding in collagen production to boosting your skin’s glow vitamin C for skin is a holy-grail ingredient. Let us look at some of the skin benefits of vitamin C and how it can help you achieve radiant glowing skin.
What is Vitamin C?
Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for human health as it helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and boosts immunity. Free radicals are unstable molecules that may lead to various health concerns like heart disease, inflammation, premature agin, etc.
Although found in various citrus fruits like orange, lemon, grapefruit, and kiwi, the body cannot retain vitamin C due to its water-soluble nature. Moreover, the body doesn't produce vitamin C on its own, so it's important to get it from your diet every day.
The benefits of vitamin C for the skin are aplenty. Let us look at some of the benefits below.
Skin Benefits of Vitamin C You Need to Know
Although traditionally, vitamin C has been best recognized for its ability to increase immunity, it is also essential for maintaining healthy skin. Let’s look at the top 10 skin benefits of Vitamin C.
#1 Brightens Skin
Vitamin C reduces excess melanin production in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour. Excess melanin production in specific skin areas can lead to hyperpigmentation and dark patches, however, vitamin C for skin can help to brighten hyper-pigmented areas and even out the skin tone.
#2 Reduces Oxidative Stress
Vitamin C for skin acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin cells from damage and neutralizes harmful free radicals. Vitamin C encourages a healthier, more youthful complexion by shielding the skin from oxidative stress. (1)
#3 Protects Against Sun Damage
The benefits of Vitamin C for skin are also noted in controlling sun damage. This antioxidant neutralizes the free radicals on the skin caused by UV radiation. (2) It is however important to use sunscreen every time you step out in the sun.
#4 Boosts Collagen Production
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis in the skin. Collagen provides structure to the skin, muscles and connective tissues. When the body produces enough collagen the skin appears plump. Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for an enzyme called prolyl hydroxylase, which is essential for boosting collagen in the body. (3)
#5 Improves Skin Hydration
Vitamin C for skin plays a vital role in maintaining its hydration levels. The Benefits of Vitamin C for skin can be noted in protecting the skin’s natural barriers. A compromised skin barrier leads to dry and flaky skin. However, Vitamin C helps to strengthen this barrier allowing the skin to retain moisture more effectively.
#6 Improves Skin Texture
You can reap the benefits of Vitamin C for skin texture when you improve your Vitamin C intake. Regular consumption of Vitamin C or topical application of this antioxidant can improve your skin’s texture. This antioxidant is known to make the skin plump and smoother. Vitamin C supplements when taken regularly ensure you improve the quality and radiance of your skin over time.
#7 Reduces Dark Circles
Vitamin C is a skin-friendly antioxidant that is beneficial to fight dark circles under the eyes. Vitamin C benefits the skin by improving blood flow to the under-eye area. With increased blood flow the skin can oxygenate itself more effectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant qualities of vitamin C can aid in skin brightening and reduce the appearance of discolouration. (4)
#8 Protects against Environmental Stressors
Extreme weather, smoke, pollution, and other environmental stressors can all harm the skin. Vitamin C can help shield skin from these harmful effects and reduce the effects of environmental stressors.
#9 Reduces Breakouts
Blocked pores lead to inflammatory skin conditions like acne and breakouts. Inflammation on the skin results in redness, swelling and occasionally pustules. Many people with acne experience skin damage and post-inflammatory scars in addition to breakouts. Vitamin C benefits skin by reducing breakouts with its anti-inflammatory properties.
#10 Reduces Scars
Skin benefits of vitamin C are also noted in diminishing scars like acne scars and wound scars. By stimulating collagen synthesis, vitamin C can help to improve the texture and appearance of scars, making them less noticeable.
#11 Reduces the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Due to its ability to improve skin elasticity and stimulate the production of collagen, vitamin C can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
#12 Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Vitamin C for skin is also effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C makes your skin plum and improves the hydration qualities. As a result of improved collagen and hydration, the skin appears plumper with less visible fine lines or wrinkles.
Conclusion
Vitamin C despite being a powerful antioxidant cannot be retained by the body. With its water-soluble nature, the body loses vitamin C through sweat and urine. Thus, you must consume Vitamin C every day through food or health supplements.
Many modern diets are deficient in vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens and the body doesn’t get this vitamin daily. Lifestyle factors like stress, illness, and smoking, can increase your body's vitamin C requirements. You can make sure your body has the right amount of this vital nutrient by taking vitamin C supplements. Whats Up Wellness skin brightening gummies with Vitamin C and Alpha-Lipoic Acid ensure you have healthy bright skin always. The skin benefits of vitamin C are aplenty, do not miss out on this potent antioxidant.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565473/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962203007813
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6204628/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19626722/