7 little-known benefits of vitamin C for the skin

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble nutrient that plays an important role in keeping the body and skin healthy.

Researchers have found that topical vitamin C is significantly more effective than oral vitamin C for healthy skin. That’s why this vitamin, an antioxidant, is often found in many cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc.

Here are the effects of vitamin C on the skin:

1. Vitamin C helps boost collagen

Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen in the body. Collagen is the building block of skin, hair, muscles, and tendons, which helps keep skin looking youthful and smooth. As we age, collagen production slows down, which can lead to sagging and wrinkled skin.

When applied topically, vitamin C speeds up the production of both collagen and elastin, helping to keep skin firm and plump…

2. Reduce hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C may help improve skin by reducing the appearance of dark spots (hyperpigmentation). This is a common condition characterized by the development of dark spots on the skin, most often caused by overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Although harmless, hyperpigmentation can lead to uneven skin tone.

Vitamin C helps inhibit the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that aids in melanin production, preventing hyperpigmentation, which is only effective when there is abnormal melanin accumulation due to excessive sun exposure.

Note,Vitamin C does not lighten normal dark skin pigmentation, so it has no effect on normal skin tone.

3. Anti-aging

Vitamin C not only boosts collagen production, reduces wrinkles and increases skin elasticity, but also helps prevent collagen loss due to natural aging. Therefore, applying vitamin C topically can help prevent premature aging of the skin, restoring a youthful, smooth appearance to the skin.

Additionally, this antioxidant also plays an important role in fighting unwanted dark spots and preventing signs of premature aging caused by smoking, environmental pollution, and chronic sun exposure.

4. Protect against sun damage

Exposure to UV rays from the sun (as well as tanning beds) can create free radicals in the skin, damaging skin cells and leading to collagen breakdown. This causes photoaging (or premature aging).

Signs of sun damage include wrinkles, sagging skin, uneven skin tone or texture, redness, and broken capillaries (spider veins).

Studies show that vitamin C in the skin can help protect against UV damage, which may help counteract oxidative stress caused by excess free radicals in skin cells. A 2023 systematic review published inJournal of Cosmetic Dermatologyshows that vitamin C is useful in treating uneven skin tone and wrinkles caused by prolonged or repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

5. Promote wound healing

Vitamin C plays an important role in tissue repair and regeneration due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to encourage the production of collagen, an essential component of connective tissue. It is therefore not surprising that poor wound healing is a common symptom of vitamin C deficiency.

A 2022 systematic review published inAntioxidants Magazineshows that vitamin C supplementation may improve healing outcomes in people with certain types of wounds, especially pressure ulcers.

6. Hydrate the skin

Without enough moisture, the epidermis (the top layer of skin) begins to dry out, leading to itchy, flaky skin and premature aging. Hydration is crucial to keeping skin healthy and youthful.

According to a 2017 review article published inmiscellaneousNutrients,Vitamin C may play an important role in the formation of the outermost layer of the skin, enhancing the skin's ability to protect itself from water loss.

Vitamin C has also been clinically proven to help skin retain moisture, plumpness, and smoothness and prevent it from becoming too oily or dry. Researchers found that people who supplemented with vitamin C showed significant and sustained improvements in skin moisture, elasticity, and roughness.

7. Reduce redness

Spotted, uneven skin tone and redness can be caused by a number of factors, including inflammatory skin conditions (e.g. eczema, rosacea…), sun exposure, hormones and medical conditions…

One study found that this vitamin helps reduce redness thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also helps heal damaged capillaries that cause redness on the skin, creating smoother, more even-toned skin./.