We are all familiar with taking Vitamin C supplements to boost our immune systems and ward off colds, but this powerful little vitamin can do much more than keep sniffles at bay. Take a closer look at some of the surprising ways you can use Vitamin C.
Make Your Skin Look Younger and More Radiant
Environmental factors like the UV rays, pollution, cigarette smoke and stress can negatively impact your skin. These external aggressors can cause unstable molecules, known as free radicals, to develop. Free radicals have been known to damage your skin’s DNA, lipids and proteins, causing your skin's health to decline. Thankfully, Vitamin C can defend the skin from these aggressors because it contains powerful antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals, preventing their negative impacts.
Additionally, a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology demonstrated that applying Vitamin C-enriched skin care products supports healthy collagen production, which is an important element in maintaining youthful skin. Collagen levels naturally drop as we age, leading to a loss of firmness and wrinkles, however the application of Vitamin C-enriched skin care products will prevent this process, keeping your collagen levels supported and your skin firm.
Moisturize Dry Skin
Vitamin C’s ability to boost collagen production also provides great benefits to dry and dehydrated skin. Collagen provides the structure to the skin and as collagen declines, our skin's thickness can also become impacted - which is why a loss of collagen results in skin that appears thin and lacks firmness. When collagen levels are healthy, our skin can better retain moisture, allowing it to feel more hydrated and plump.
Dry skin is also often caused by environmental factors such as the sun, pollution, and weather. The factors can cause free radicals to form which can negatively impact the skin's protective barrier. A damaged skin barrier can cause moisture and water loss, however Vitamin C's antioxidant properties allow it to maintain its health is an easy way to prevent dryness in the skin.
Defend Your Skin From The Sun
We’d never suggest giving up your sunscreen, but Vitamin C’s powerful properties shouldn’t be ignored. According to Dermatological Surgery, the official publication for the American Society for Dermatological Surgery, scientific research shows Vitamin C provides photo-protection from damaging UVA and UVB rays, which are both emitted by the sun. It won’t just reduce your risk of UV exposure but it also inhibits the development of pyrimidine dimers, which are the primary cause of cancerous melanomas. Because of this, a topical Vitamin C solution can help boost the effectiveness of your broad-spectrum sunscreen and your provide enhanced defense against the damaging effects of the sun.
Reduce the Appearance of Problem Skin Conditions
In addition to preventing signs of aging, Vitamin C is also an effective treatment for skin that is prone to irritation and blemishes. By support the skin's natural barrier and boosting it's defenses, the properties of Vitamin C helps to reduce the appearance of redness and prevent signs of irritation.
Additionally, Vitamin C helps encourage healthy cell renewal, which means it visibly reduces post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and blemishes for skin that appears clear and smooth.
Even Out Your Skin Tone
Vitamin C is a popular treatment for hyper-pigmentation, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to appear darker than others due to excessive production of melanin. The vitamin prevents the production of an enzyme that creates pigmentation, known as tyrosinase, so the skin cannot darken. It also acts on the perifollicular pigment to inhibit darkening of the skin around hair follicles.
Soften Signs of Acne Scars
Acne discoloration or scarring occurs as a result of damage made to the skin. Acne's inflammatory nature can cause both conditions to occur, leaving the signs of acne to remain even after the breakout has cleared.
Vitamin C's ability to reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation and boost collagen also make it great to soften signs of acne scars or post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. By reducing signs of pigmentation and preventing melanin production, Vitamin C helps to minimize darkness left behind by breakouts. Additionally, Vitamin C's ability to support cell renewal and collagen production can soften both raised and sunken acne scars, resulting in skin that is clear and smooth.
Maintain Optimal Skin Health
The key to vibrant, smooth and youthful skin links back to achieving optimal skin health. Skin that is healthy has an ideal balance of oil and water, resists irritation from environmental aggressors and is less susceptible to common aging concerns.
Just as Vitamin C supplements help support our body's optimal health, topical application does the same for the skin. Optimal skin function allows for healthy cell renewal and effective recovery processes while preventing unwanted skin concerns, resulting in skin that is resilient and radiant.
If you’re only using Vitamin C to beat colds and flu, you’re not using it to its full potential. With so many surprising uses, everyone should have more Vitamin C in their skin care routine.
