Vitamin C For Aging Skin

A strong anti-oxidant. Vitamin C may not have the power to cure the common cold, but it does appear to have benefits when it comes to preserving the skin. Not only is vitamin C a strong anti-oxidant, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to repair skin damage related to sun exposure. Vitamin C is also a key ingredient in the synthesis of collagen, the protein that supplies the basic support structure for the skin. As skin ages, the collagen support structure which gives skin its integrity starts to break down causing the appearance of loose, saggy skin. Could vitamin C for the skin play an important role in protecting against age related skin damage?

Experimental Dermatology. A study published in the journal, Experimental Dermatology in 2003 showed that applying 5% vitamin C cream to the skin of experimental subjects resulted in significant improvement in the appearance of skin damaged by the sun. In addition, it was shown by biopsy that skin receiving the vitamin C cream showed evidence of repair of the basic collagen and elastic support structure that keeps the skin firm and taut. This lends further support for the benefits of vitamin C for treating aging skin.

Vitamin C needs to be topically applied. If you want to get the benefits of vitamin C for the skin, can’t you just drink more orange juice and eat more fruit high in vitamin C? Although this will obviously have health benefits, it’s not the ideal way to nourish the skin. Eating fresh fruit or taking vitamin C supplements won’t result in sufficient concentrations of vitamin C reaching the skin cells to make a difference in skin health. Vitamin C needs to be applied topically to the skin.

The best form is L-ascorbic acid. There are a variety of skin care creams with vitamin C available, so many that it can be difficult to choose among the many alternatives. The most important property of vitamin C for the skin is that it be in a form that’s acidic enough to penetrate the outer cell membranes of the skin cells. The form that can best do that is L-ascorbic acid since it has a low enough pH to allow it to enter the interior of the cell.

Another issue with vitamin C for the skin is the issue of stability. Many vitamin C products undergo oxidation when exposed to air which makes them ineffective or even harmful. One form of vitamin C that’s more stable is magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. It also has the benefit of being less irritating to the skin than the ascorbic acid form.

If you have sensitive skin, keep in mind that creams with vitamin C can be irritating particularly when you first start using them. If you have any doubts as to whether vitamin C for the skin is the right choice for you, speak with your dermatologist or esthetician.