Vitamin C for the Skin – Its significant skin care benefits and the best way to get it

Vitamin C has tremendous health benefits. The human body cannot produce Vitamin C on its own and as such, it is obtained through food consumption and supplements. In addition to oral consumption of Vitamin C, topical application of the right type of Vitamin C in skin care products has amazing benefits for the skin! 

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is also known as Ascorbic Acid, its chemical name. While there are mainly 2 types of ascorbic acid found in nature, the type that our skin can readily use (biologically active) is the L-Ascorbic Acid, which is also in fruits and vegetables, such oranges, broccoli, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and in abundance in plants like Aloe Vera. 
Vitamin C cannot be stored within our body (includes the skin) as any excess Vitamin C in the body is naturally excreted by our body – and needs to be replenished regularly. This is one reason why regular topical application of Vitamin C directly on the skin – through the use of skin care products with Vitamin C – can make a significant difference.  

The wonderful skin care benefits of Vitamin C 

Daily application of skin care products with the right formulation containing enough Vitamin C can: 

• Slow down the aging process of the skin 
• Reduce appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles of the face and neck;  
• Improve overall skin texture and appearance;   
• Aid in recovering from UV induced photodamage (excessive sunlight exposure)     
• Help improve protective barrier function of the skin   
• Reduce or prevent against potential atopic dermatitis (eczema)     
• Help reduce or prevent porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) – blistering skin lesions that develop on sun-exposed skin (photosensitivity)  
• Help skin against skin cancer (melanoma)  

Oxidation and Vitamin C

Though Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant (prevents oxidation of cellular damage), like many anti-oxidants, the potency of Vitamin C can also be easily lost through exposure to air, high temperature and water dilution (L-Ascorbic Acid is water soluble) and that is why freshness of food and the cooking method can affect the amount and quality of Vitamin C delivered to our body.   In a similar manner,  L-Ascorbic Acid in skin care products also need to be formulated to minimize its potency loss. While skin care products may have Vitamin C or L-Ascorbic Acid content listed in their product ingredient list and claim its potency, the actual anti-oxidative potency of Vitamin C in skin care products are not defined.   

Synergy of Antioxidants

Combination of anti-oxidants can help minimize oxidation (potency loss) of anti-oxidants. For example, Vitamin C and can help reduce oxidation of vitamins like Vitamin E and vice versa. Tocopherols (Vitamin E)  in sunflower oil are antioxidants and can help reduce oxidation of Vitamin C, but the combination also has a synergistic (enhanced) benefits for the skin by improving the appearance of uneven skin tone, brighten dull complexion, and strengthen skin’s defenses against the impact of environmental assault. And, the combination of these antioxidants work exceptionally well together as a team – Vitamin C works optimally on the surface level, whereas Vitamin E is oil-soluble, penetrating to deeper layers of the skin, delivering the best coverage through the skin layers. 

How Vitamin C works on the skin:

  A Powerful, Natural Source of Vitamin C for the Skin 

Dripping freshly squeezed lemon juice onto the skin may be imagined but if one does try to do so, lemon juice is quite acidic in its pH and can be irritating to the skin, potentially disrupting the skin’s naturally protective acid mantle.  
On the other hand, gel of Aloe Vera leaf contains 75 potentially active constituents, including high amounts of vitamins A,C, E and smaller amounts of B vitamins, along with amino acids, minerals and many more amazing skin loving ingredients!  Like any natural ingredient, Aloe Vera gel should be prepared using techniques to help preserve the potency of its ingredients. It should be properly formulated  by using a proven carrier oil like sunflower oil, to enhance the delivery of Vitamin C to the skin.  

Cleansing and Exfoliation – the critical step in delivering Vitamin C to the skin 

Having the right skin care product with a proven, long term formulation that preserves the potency of Vitamin C is critical, but so is the sequence and method used in the skin care routine to deliver Vitamin C to the skin. 
In addition to having the right formulation, the epidermis or the upper layers of the skin (especially, the un-exfoliated dead skin cells) can impede the delivery of Vitamin C to cells within the skin. Note to reader: It’s a waste to provide any nourishment to dead skin cells.   
Using the double cleansing method to soften dead skin cells for ease of removal and subsequent cleansing to lift dead skin cells for ease of removal aka exfoliation, is not only gentle on your skin, but also effective in preparing your skin for efficient absorption of Vitamin C (and other nourishing ingredients) as well as for improving the skin’s barrier function.  

Increase the delivery of Vitamin C to the skin

Lastly, as the skin can absorb nourishments in increments, hydration and protective ingredients should be delivered to the skin in incremental steps (like drinking water throughout the day, rather than trying to drink all of it all at once). Increasing the frequency of dosing – delivery of Vitamin C through layered application of skin care products as well as repeating the process in the morning and at night, increases the total volume of Vitamin C (and other ingredients) delivered to your skin without irritating your skin and without waste. 

Summary

Get Vitamin C to your skin with the right skin care product formulation that retains its potency, and delivered to your skin efficiently and frequently. And of course, in doing so, enjoy the healthy, youthful glow of your skin – not just today, but for the rest of your life. 

References:  

• Frontiers | Role of Vitamin C in Skin Diseases (frontiersin.org) 
• https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth 
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/ 
• Vitamin C – Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov) 
• https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C 
• https://www.metrin.com/blog-is-vitamin-e-the-best-vitamin-for-the-skin/
• https://www.metrin.com/blog/top-4-organic-ingredients-that-reduce-wrinkles/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
• 2022 06 Vitamin E 
• Antioxidant effect of mono- and dihydroxyphenols in sunflower oil with different levels of naturally present tocopherols – PMC (nih.gov)