What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Here Are 4 Benefits

Man applying vitamin C serum to benefit his skin
Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your skin looks lackluster? Or perhaps you’ve noticed more dark spots than usual. Whatever the case may be, both topical and edible vitamin C can help out your skin. Keep reading to learn how not only applying, but consuming, the famous ingredient can work wonders for your complexion.

Vitamin C vs. Free Radicals

Vitamin C skincare products are some of the most popular on the market. According to board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, that’s because vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect skin against free radical damage. Not sure what free radicals are to begin with? According to Dr. Engelman, free radicals are destructive, unstable compounds that cause skin damage and contribute to signs of aging. Think: More specifically, free radicals are the result ofβ€”among other thingsβ€”environmental aggressors like the sun’s rays and environmental pollution. β€œFree radicals are missing an electron and search for other molecules that they can β€˜steal’ electrons from to complete themselves,” Dr. Engelman explains. β€œOnce they do, it leaves those molecules unstable, and those molecules then search for missing electrons from other sources. This causes a domino effect that weakens the skin barrier and can lead to premature aging.” Woman looking at her bright, healthy skin in the mirror thanks to topical vitamin C

What does vitamin C do for your skin?

Here’s a closer look at four benefits of vitamin C for skin across a range of concerns.

1. It Combats Free Radical Damage

Fortunately, applying antioxidants like vitamin C can combat free radical damage. That’s because vitamin C pairs with the free radical scavengers, ultimately neutralizing the situation. And although our skin naturally produces vitamin C, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, says that it depletes with age. As such, experts recommend applying it topicallyβ€”preferably in serum formβ€”to maintain a radiant complexion. That way, instead of free radicals stealing from your skin, they’ll steal from the topical vitamin C.

2. It Promotes Collagen Production

Of course, there are many other benefits of vitamin C for skin. According to Dr. Engelman, vitamin C also promotes collagen production. β€œIts highly acidic, exfoliating properties trigger cell turnover, which increases collagen production because the skin thinks it is being β€˜damaged,’” she explains. From there, your skin “sends production into overdrive to restore collagen proteins.”

3. It Brightens + Evens Skin Tone

Thanks to the exfoliation mechanism explained above, vitamin C can also help diminish the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. The end result? Topical vitamin C ultimately leaves skin looking brighter, smoother, and healthier. Woman peeling oranges for juicing to experience the benefits of vitamin C for her dull, dry skin

4. It Helps to Reduce Wrinkles + Dryness

As beneficial as applying topical vitamin C is, consuming it can be just as useful. A study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who consumed higher vitamin C intake experienced less visible wrinkles and dryness. So how does this work? β€œVitamin C decreases water loss in the skin by enhancing the production of barrier lipids and inducing the differentiation of keratinocytes [the primary type of cell in the skin],” explains Jennifer Maeng, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, of Chelsea Nutrition in NYC.

Final Thoughts

Conversely, on a parting note, Jennifer she says that people who don’t consume enough vitamin C may notice issues such as skin fragility and impaired wound healing. In other words, as much as you may love your vitamin C serum, make sure you regularly sip on OJ, too. Your skin will thank you.
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DullnessSkinSupplementscollagenDry skinFree Radicalsglowing skinwrinkles

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