Why Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin
Written by Holistic Health Coach, Lisa Horgan
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First of all, what actually is Vitamin C and why is it so important for skin health?
Vitamin C truly is the most skin-friendly vitamin, it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin and here's why.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, protecting your body from the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are what age us [1] and antioxidants are protective compounds that help slow down this process. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants, so upping your intake is a great way to maintain healthy, youthful skin.
Vitamin C also plays an important role in collagen production[2]. Collagen is a protein and its what gives skin its structure and elasticity. As we age, our production of collagen slows down, which is one of the reasons why we begin to see more wrinkles and sagging skin.
Vitamin C is required to stimulate and boost collagen production, So by giving our body more Vitamin C we give the skin more of what it needs to produce this youthful protein.
First of all, what actually is Vitamin C and why is it so important for skin health?
Vitamin C truly is the most skin-friendly vitamin, it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy, glowing skin and here's why.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, protecting your body from the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are what age us [1] and antioxidants are protective compounds that help slow down this process. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants, so upping your intake is a great way to maintain healthy, youthful skin.
Vitamin C also plays an important role in collagen production[2]. Collagen is a protein and its what gives skin its structure and elasticity. As we age, our production of collagen slows down, which is one of the reasons why we begin to see more wrinkles and sagging skin.
Vitamin C is required to stimulate and boost collagen production, So by giving our body more Vitamin C we give the skin more of what it needs to produce this youthful protein.
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So how do we get more Vitamin C in our life?
We don’t create Vitamin C, we must get it from an external source. Whilst you can choose to supplement with Vitamin C, the great news is, there are many delicious foods that are abundant in this essential Vitamin.
Here are some examples that contain high amounts:
1. Citrus fruits
2. Red pepper
3. Kiwi fruit
4. Strawberries
5. Tomatoes
6. Broccoli
7. Baked potatoes
You can also find many beverages fortified with Vitamin C, or create your own. Simply adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to your morning glass of water will provide you with 12.9 milligrams of Vitamin C, which is roughly 21% of your RDA.
Other ways to incorporate more Vitamin C into your life
Some clinical trials have shown a reduction in wrinkles and age spots by applying Vitamin C topically[3].
Vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant properties can really help to combat the effects of age and sun damage on the skin. It's a good idea to consult your dermatologist to find the right topical Vitamin C product for you as a too high concentration could be irritating. When choosing your product find one that's packaged in a dark bottle and not clear packaging. This Vitamin, when exposed to light can become unstable and therefore less useable.
Whilst it is possible to reverse the effects of ageing it's more important to take preventative measures. Premature aging of the skin is caused by light exposure, when UV rays hit the skin they break down collagen and skin elasticity, therefore wearing a high-quality SPF (of at least SPF 30) is essential to help slow down the aging process and prevent those dark spots from reappearing. In fact, using a good quality Vitamin C serum along with a daily SPF is your best bet to help combat those skin aging effects.
In Summary
As always, we recommend a holistic approach to skin health, nourishing yourself with a diet abundant in Vitamin C and other vital nutrients, combined with high-quality organic skincare created & developed as nature intended.
REFERENCES
[1] Trends in Biochemical SciencesVolume 25, Issue 10, 1 October 2000
[2] The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health Juliet M. Pullar, Anitra C. Carr, and Margreet C. M. Vissers
[3] Dermatol Surg. 2002 Mar;28(3):231-6.Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage.
If you enjoyed this article please share via social media and spread the love! And remember to wear your sunscreen, prevention is always better than cure!
Lisa Horgan
Lisa is a contributing writer for Bee-friendly. A certified holistic health coach, blogger & yoga teacher for 10 years. Passionate about health and wellness, natural remedies and plant-based nutrition. You can find her on Instagram @livesimplylisa