Why is Vitamin C Good For Your Skin?

  Many people are familiar with the overall immune boosting benefits of Vitamin C, and some know it's good for the skin, but most don't understand how or why Vitamin C is so beneficial for the skin inside and out.

Role of Vitamin C in the Body

  Vitamin C is a micro nutrient our body needs that it can only synthesize through outside sources (food, supplements and topical application).  It's critical for the growth and repair of tissues in every part of the body, and forms an important protein used to make and repair skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.  It is also required for wound healing and the formation of scar tissue.

Vitamin C for Collagen Synthesis

                                                                                                                                 Our bodies also need vitamin C to produce and regulate collagen.  It is an essential factor for the two enzymes required for collagen synthesis, which ourbodies have a harder time doing as we age.

  According to Oregon State's University Micronutrient Information Center,  "The accumulation of oxidative damage to proteins is a distinguishing feature of both photodamage (photoaging) and intrinsic aging [aging from the inside of the body]..."The role of vitamin C in the hydroxylation of collagen molecules is necessary for its extracellular stability and support of the epidermis."

  This basically means that our collagen is broken down by photo aging and internal aging, and Vitamin C is necessary in order to keep the structure of proteins strong and well shaped to have healthy structure of the skin.

Internal and External studies

Oregon State University's Micronutrient Information Center has shared human studies that have shown higher intakes of vitamin C from diet, were associated with better skin appearance and notable decreases in wrinkes, and redness in the skin. 

Topical application (like serum and cream) studies have shown consistent use for at least 12 weeks display a decrease in wrinkling, reduced protein fiber damage, decreased roughness of skin and and increase of collagen production.

There have also been noted studies showing that Topical and interal Vitamin C has wound healing effects, and benefits dry skin.

Antioxidant Benefits

 The antioxidant benefits of Vitamin C are way more known, so I'll just breeze over, but essentially, topically and internally taken vitamin C helps prevent damage to your cells from pollution, UV damage and essentially most free radical damage.                                                                                         As our environment is getting harsher with climate change and increased pollution, it's very important to protect our skin as much as possible to prevent aging and cellular damage using a daily vitamin C serum and supplement.    Your skin and body will thank you for it.