Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient for humans due to its antioxidant capacity and other beneficial functions for the body. In addition to its internal benefits, vitamin C also offers remarkable advantages for the skin, making it a popular ingredient in skin care products.
Vitamin C is especially recommended after the age of 30 or when the first signs of aging, such as fine wrinkles and blemishes, begin to appear. However, it is beneficial to use it at any stage of life to maintain healthy skin and prevent signs of premature aging.
Benefits of vitamin C
Vitamin C has a number of important benefits for the skin:
Antioxidant effect: It is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals, which contribute to premature skin aging and cell damage.
Stimulates collagen synthesis: Vitamin C promotes the production of new collagen, which improves skin elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Depigmenting effect: Helps to lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, contributing to a more even and luminous skin tone.
Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and mattifying effect, which makes it useful and recommended for inflammatory acne.
Vitamin C is suitable for all skin types and skin phototypes. Although some people with sensitive skin may experience irritation with high concentrations of vitamin C, it is important to find the right preparation for each skin. Topical vitamin C generally does not cause adverse effects, but when combined with other active ingredients, such as retinol or glycolic acid, it may cause irritation in some people with sensitive skin.
The most effective presentation of vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid and its percentage is not as relevant as the molecular type and its presentation. An effective concentration is considered to be about 1% of L-ascorbic acid. However, it is essential that the product is formulated with quality technology to ensure the stability and penetration of vitamin C into the skin.
Liposomal encapsulation of vitamin C is an effective way to improve its stability and efficacy. Liposomes act as vehicles that protect vitamin C from the environment and allow it to reach the deep layers of the skin more effectively, where it exerts its beneficial action.
Vitamin C and diet
Vitamin C is found in a variety of foods such as red bell pepper, parsley, kale, broccoli, kiwi, fennel, grapes, strawberries, melon, mango, oranges and other citrus fruits.
Both topically and ingested, it has beneficial effects on the skin. Oral vitamin C provides antioxidant benefits throughout the body, while topical application acts directly on the skin, offering its depigmenting and collagen-stimulating benefits.
Topically applied vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals caused by sun exposure and other environmental factors. It has also been shown to be effective in treating hyperpigmentation and improving the skin barrier. It also stimulates collagen production, which contributes to firmer and younger looking skin.
In conclusion, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that offers numerous benefits for the skin. Its topical application is effective in combating aging and maintaining healthy, luminous skin. It is essential to choose quality and stable vitamin C products to ensure their efficacy.