5 ways vitamin C could benefit your skin

1. Combating fine lines and wrinkles

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin which our bodies can’t produce, making it important to include it in our diets in the likes of citrus, strawberries, bell peppers, kale, broccoli and spinach. Research down the years has suggested that people who consume more vitamin C have fewer fine lines and wrinkles than others. 

“Some studies have shown that oral vitamin C may not reach the skin due to the fact that it’s a water-soluble vitamin that’s easily excreted," says Durban specialist dermatologist Dr Imraan Jhetam. "Topical application of vitamin C does seem more effective, but product stability and absorption are dependent on the product characteristics, as not all topical vitamin C serums are made equal.”

According to a 2019 report from the Baylor College of Medicine in the US, "when an anti-oxidant such as vitamin C is added to the skin, it combats the oxidative stress, slows the ageing process and protects". 

2. Lightening dark spots

Several recent studies have suggested that topical vitamin C may lighten patches of dark skin (hyperpigmentation). One in 2019 concluded: “Vitamin C constitutes a valuable and well-tolerated alternative to currently available dermocosmetic antipigmenting compounds”. 

3. Fighting redness

Skin redness can be caused by irritation, inflammation and an allergic reaction, by damage to the capillaries below, or by capillary fragility and vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels) in conditions like rosacea. Some studies suggest topical vitamin C may fight redness by helping mend and strengthen capillaries, and may produce “improvement of a variety of inflammatory dermatoses,” notes one from as early as 2006, but more research is needed. 

“I’d not use vitamin C on skin that’s red due to inflammation, and would use it only very carefully with dilated blood vessels,” says Plettenburg Bay dermatologist Dr Sian Hartshorne. “As the pH of vitamin C serums is often a low pH, this simulates a low grade glycolic acid peel. Use vitamin C serums carefully as a sensitive skin can be more irritated by vitamin C, causing inflammation instead of helping.”

4. Preventing sun damage

Exposure to the sun’s UV rays damages the skin in many ways, causing flakiness, roughness and discoloured patches. The best protection is to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 every day, even when it’s overcast, says Professor Michael Herbst, Prof Michael Herbst, health specialist consultant at CANSA. 

Some research also suggests that including topical vitamin C in your daily skin routine may increase skin protection. “Despite inconsistencies in vitamin C preparations and study design, the data suggest that vitamin C is most effective in protecting against damage induced by UV light and also has utility in the treatment of photodamage and/or skin wrinkling,” concluded a 2011 overview on the role of vitamin C in skin health. 

But a 2017 study states: “Delivery of vitamin C into the skin via topical application remains challenging." 

"I’ve used a vitamin C combined serum for nearly 10 years every morning," says Dr Hartshorne. ‘"It’s basically photoprotective and especially when combined with vitamin E is a potent anti-oxidant combating the damaging oxidizing effects of sunlight."

5. Helping replace lost collagen

As we age, our body slows its production of collagen, a protein that gives our body tissue structure, causing the skin over it to lose plumpness and tightness. Some early studies suggested topical vitamin C may help boost collagen production, but more research seems needed, say both dermatologists. 

How to use topical vitamin C

- Vitamin C is available in variety of forms for skin care, and generally a serum will be more concentrated and easily absorbed than a gel or cream. “Serum delivery is the only effective way,” says Dr Jhetam. 
- Vitamin C can cause tingling and those with sensitive skin should take care. Start by testing it on a small patch of skin, and work up from applying a small amount only on alternate days.
- If using vitamin C as part of your daily skin routine to provide UV antioxidant protection, apply it after cleansing and toning, and before moisturising and applying sunscreen.
- Store it a cool, dark, dry place.

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com

Also read: 5 Foods that are high in vitamin C

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