The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make vitamin C a vital molecule for skin health. Dietary and topical absorption of ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells.
- Reduce the appearance of brown spots and other types of sun damage
- Helps boost healthy collagen production.
- Reduce inflammation and irritation, both of which cause a cascade of damage.
- Fade post-breakout red marks by improving skin’s natural healing response.
- Increase the effectiveness of your sunscreens and boosts your skins defense against UV exposure
Vitamin C in the skin is normally transported from the bloodstream. Transport proteins specific for ascorbic acid are found on cells in all layers of the skin. Oral supplementation with vitamin C effectively increases vitamin C levels in the skin.
Topical application
Vitamin C can be applied to the skin through topical application. The stratum corneum the top lair of the skin is the primary obstacle to efficient vitamin C absorption from external sources; removal of the stratum corneum by laser, chemical, or mechanical methods enhances absorption.
The stability of vitamin C in topical solutions is a concern, as exposures to air, heat, and/or light may slowly degrade vitamin C.
Dry skin
Higher intakes of vitamin C have been linked with a decreased risk of dry skin. In cell culture models, addition of vitamin C promotes the synthesis of barrier lipids, Using topical vitamin C on the skin helps decreased skin roughness.