How vitamin C contributes to a Healthy, Glowing Skin

Vitamin C really is the golden ticket when it comes to skincare. It not only helps to boost collagen production, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while keeping your skin looking youthful, but can also modulate melanin production, while helping protect our skin from the sun's UV radiation. Not to mention the extra benefits of being able to repair any damage already caused by UV radiation and fade any age or sunspots. In addition, vitamin C can also be a great ally for those with dry skin, as it can help to replenish lost moisture. In short, vitamin C really is a wonder when it comes to skincare!

But how does vitamin C work?

To begin, vitamin C is known to be an excellent anti-inflammatory, so it can be used to help calm redness, breakouts, and other skin conditions associated with skin inflammation, including those resulting from UV damage. The anti-inflammatory and protective properties of vitamin C mainly come from its extraordinary antioxidant ability, which neutralises strong proinflammatory oxidants such as oxygen radicals locally produced by the skin, for example, following infections or UV damage.

As we’ve mentioned, one of the most common causes of ageing is sun damage. The skin is our body’s largest organ, and it’s responsible for numerous functions – but one of the most important is protecting our bodies from harmful outside elements. While the sun can be a beautiful source of vitamin D, it can also cause UV damage, which can lead to skin damage, including wrinkles, age spots, and sunspots. Topical use of creams containing vitamin C is known to be an effective way to reduce UV damage. Vitamin C is not only capable of preventing skin damage, but also helps to repair damage already caused but UV exposure. One of the many properties of vitamin C is its ability to fade hyperpigmented scars.

Incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine

When looking for a skin product with vitamin C, it is essential to ensure that the cream or serum is not exposed to air. This is because oxygen can make vitamin C become ineffective, so it must be kept away from it. As such, NERINE Anti-ageing cream is containerised in an airless packaging, which prevents oxygen from reaching the vitamin C molecules and keeps its active ingredients’ potency.

When applying the product, make sure to massage it into your skin evenly, targeting areas such as around your eyes and mouth that are more prone to damage. By doing this every morning and night, you can be sure that your skin is reaping all the benefits that vitamin C has to offer.

Can oral vitamin C help?

Yes, absolutely. Fulfilling the daily recommended dose of vitamin C would compliment and potentiate NERINE anti-ageing effect. We must add that vitamin C is essential for our bodies; not just for healthy skin, but for the optimal functioning of almost every organ and system. The best way to get your daily dose of vitamin C is to include plenty of fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, broccoli, kiwi, peppers, and leafy greens in your diet. You can also supplement your intake with oral vitamin C for extra assurance. While it’s safe to consume orally, be sure not to exceed the recommended daily intake.

Conclusion

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has many skincare benefits, including the ability to reduce wrinkles, sun damage, and acne. Vitamin C can be found in many skincare products, including serums, creams, and masks. Whether applied topically or ingested orally, this potent antioxidant can help improve your skin’s appearance and boost its health. With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that vitamin C is a go-to skincare ingredient.

Diagram of Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) structure

Vitamin C can lose its antioxidant capacity if exposed to air oxygen. N E R I N E Anti-ageing cream is delivered in an airless container. Therefore, the cream is not in contact with the oxygen in the air, protecting it from oxidising and maintaining its active ingredients' potency.

A transdermal delivery system allows the active ingredients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Resveratrol, EGCG and Hyaluronic Acid to reach the deepest layers of the skin.

Natural sources of vitamin C we all should incorporate into our diets.

Further Reading

  1. Zdunska-Peciak, K., Kolodziejczak, A. & Rotsztejn, H. Two superior antioxidants: Ferulic acid and ascorbic acid in reducing signs of photoaging-A split-face comparative study. Dermatol Ther 35, e15254 (2022).

  2. Yoo, J., et al. Skin penetration and retention of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate using multilamellar vesicles. Arch Pharm Res 31, 1652-1658 (2008).

  3. Saitoh, Y., Umezaki, T., Yonekura, N. & Nakawa, A. Resveratrol potentiates intracellular ascorbic acid enrichment through dehydroascorbic acid transport and/or its intracellular reduction in HaCaT cells. Mol Cell Biochem 467, 57-64 (2020).

  4. Leveque, N., et al. Decrease in skin ascorbic acid concentration with age. Eur J Dermatol 12, XXI-XXII (2002).

  5. Hanada, Y., Iomori, A., Ishii, R., Gohda, E. & Tai, A. Protection of free radical-induced cytotoxicity by 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid in human dermal fibroblasts. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 78, 301-306 (2014).

  6. Fathi-Azarbayjani, A., Tan, P.L., Chan, Y.Y. & Chan, S.Y. Ascorbic Acid for the safe use of a sunscreen agent: accumulation of nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on the skin. Sci Pharm 81, 1141-1150 (2013).

  7. Elmore, A.R. Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 24 Suppl 2, 51-111 (2005).

  8. Boo, Y.C. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) as a Cosmeceutical to Increase Dermal Collagen for Skin Antiaging Purposes: Emerging Combination Therapies. Antioxidants (Basel) 11(2022).

  9. Abdullah, M., Jamil, R.T. & Attia, F.N. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). in StatPearls (Treasure Island (FL), 2022).

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