We all know the benefits of good nutrition for various aspects of health, and skin is no exception. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients help build and maintain the skin, and one of the most important vitamins in the fight against the effects of aging on the skin is vitamin C. Vitamin C levels in the skin decline with age and with exposure to the sun, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants, leaving the skin damaged and less able to repair itself. Although best known for fighting colds, vitamin C offers many benefits for the skin.
1. Sun and Oxidation Protection
Although vitamin C is not technically a sunscreen, this nutrient can help protect the skin from the effects of the sun. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes free radicals to damage skin cell DNA and proteins, but vitamin C can act as an antioxidant to block these free radicals before they cause damage. The sun damage can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and other problems, but studies have suggested topical vitamin C can help reduce the chance of redness, sunburn, wrinkles, skin tumors, and DNA damage.
2. Collagen Synthesis
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the synthesis of collagen, helping to regulate its synthesis. Collagen helps stabilize and strengthen skin, but with aging and photodamage, the skin begins to lose its collagen content. This leads to wrinkling and sagging, the visible signs of aging. Studies have suggested vitamin C supplements can help strengthen collagen and increase its synthesis. This can help repair skin damage and increase the skin's thickness and strength to help reduce the look of wrinkles.
3. Wound Healing
Sailors on long voyages often suffered from scurvy, a disease which includes poor wound healing as one of its hallmarks. Eventually, scientists discovered a lack of vitamin C to be the culprit, so the sailors began bringing fruit on their voyages to ensure adequate levels of the essential nutrient. Research suggests the extra collagen needed to close the wounds uses up the available vitamin C, and with low vitamin levels in the body, the wounds will not have enough collagen to heal. Research demonstrates vitamin C supplements can help wounds heal faster in people deficient in the vitamin.
4. Lightening Dark Spots
Sun exposure can cause an increase in melanin production within the skin, darkening areas of the skin to form visible dark spots, sometimes called age spots. Studies show that topical vitamin C can help reduce the melanin production and limit oxidation to have a lightening effect on these dark spots, helping the skin achieve a more even complexion.
5. Reducing Acne
Some studies have suggested vitamin C can help reduce the appearance of visible acne blemishes. Researchers believe vitamin C's antioxidant properties may be playing a role to help clear acne, reducing inflammation to calm the skin.
6. Hydrating Dry Skin
Researchers have discovered that increasing vitamin C can help reduce the risk of dry skin. The scientists are not sure exactly what role vitamin C plays, but it may have something to do with improving the skin's lipid barrier to help prevent water loss.
There are four ways to get more vitamin C: eating foods rich in vitamin C, taking oral vitamin C supplements, applying vitamin C serums directly to the skin, or injecting vitamin C into the skin. Some dermal fillers include vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C in their formulas, helping the fillers not only hydrate and reduce the appearance of wrinkles but also rejuvenate the skin. You can buy dermal fillers such as Cytocare at ClubMD.biz along with topical vitamin C serum and skin creams.