The Positive Effects of Vitamin C on Skin

With the well documented effects of climate change, many scientists and physicists believe that the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer will have many far reaching and varying effects. One of the predicted effects will be an increase in UV radiation and many areas, especially in the southern latitudes. The exposure to the UV radiation leads to free radical damage on the skin, which in turn leads to sun damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. Free radicals occur naturally as we age, but are aggravated by the constant exposure to chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere, such as smoke and UV radiation. It is important that we do what we can to protect our skin from these harmful free radicals that ravage our skin and deplete our natural collagen levels.

No matter where you are in your life, in your youth or aging gracefully, Vitamin C provides a host of benefits, from protecting your skin against UV damage all the way to healing past damage. Scientists found that the best way to combat free radical damage is with the use of antioxidants, which contain photochemical, vitamins, and other nutrients that remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents from our skin. Yet, few antioxidants have as much scientific evidence to support their efficacy as vitamin C, which both heals the sun damage and discoloration from past exposure, but also inhibits the damaging effects of UV rays when applied topically. Students at Duke University found that Vitamin E and Ferulic acid, when combined with Vitamin C, are shown to have a compounding effect, boosting the UV protectant effects of Vitamin C eight times. Why? Because the collagen in your skin becomes tired with time, and the vitamin C becomes an essential nutrient for the formation of the collagen. But the fibroblasts within the skin cannot be stimulated by the oral form, research found that you need to apply it topically, but by adding the vitamin C to a compound, rather than a pill, the formula becomes unstable.

When you choose a topical vitamin C serum from the store, you must consider that in order for the product to be effective, it must not be oxidized. Vitamin C serum that has been oxidized will have the opposite effect and contribute to free radical damage. For this reason, Vitamin C serum must be stored in an airtight, dark container that the sun cannot get into. Additionally, some forms of Vitamin C are more stable than others and have a longer shelf life. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, although very stable, has a shorter shelf life than the more popular (and less stable) L-ascorbic acid.

         Vitamin C is also useful for other common skin problems such as acne, hyperpigmentation and general irritation.  By normalizing the amount of oils that the subcutaneous glands produce on the skin, it can reduce blackheads and pimples and other skin problems generally associated with oily skin.  Vitamin C also has skin lightening effects which can reduce discoloration caused by sun exposure and hyperpigmentation.