Vitamin C & Your Skin

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is essential for your overall health. It plays a key role in skin health and is often included in facial cleansers, creams and even cosmetics. This vitamin affects the skin in a multitude of ways, all for the positive.

Vitamin C Boosts Collagen

Vitamin C plays a key role in the development of collagen in the skin. If you're lacking in this vitamin, your skin won't heal itself fast enough, leaving your skin mottled, uneven and generally unhealthy looking. Being vitamin C deficient can result in a condition called scurvy, which causes bleeding gums and open wounds.

Vitamin C is an Antioxidant

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which means it helps to prevent free radicals from collecting and causing cancer. This means your skin won't become as damaged by your environment, and you'll be able to prevent wrinkles for longer.

Applying Vitamin C

Applying vitamin C to your skin can be a bit tricky. It's hard to get this vitamin to penetrate the skin unless its in a solution that has at least 5 percent acidity. This can be quite expensive. Plus, many topical forms of vitamin C spoil quickly, leaving their antioxidant properties to waste. However, some of the more expensive creams avoid the spoilage factor and are strong enough to penetrate the skin to truly be effective.

Vitamin C for Nutrition

Most people get all the vitamin C they need through the foods they eat. By indulging in one citrus fruit a day, you'll get all the vitamin C you need for your skin. In fact, you only need 90 mg of vitamin C a day. Commit to eating a single citrus fruit a day, and your skin will thank you.

References

Article reviewed by M.J. Ingram Last updated on: Oct 17, 2009

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