10 Benefits of Vitamin C for Your Skin

• With daily use, vitamin C provides a range of tangible benefits including evening skin tone, improving hydration, promoting wound healing and fighting signs of aging.
• Vitamin C has proven antioxidant properties that protect against sun damage caused by free radicals.
• The popularity of topical vitamin C for skin care has grown due to its high safety profile among users.

Hailed as one of the most effective anti-aging dermatological ingredients available today, topical vitamin C is a mainstay in many women’s skin care routine. Vitamin C serums, creams and other products are highly recommended by dermatologists for their ability to maintain a smooth, even complexion.

Although you’re likely ingesting vitamin C in your diet, there is another way to benefit from this star ingredient by targeting your skin directly. Topical vitamin C is the most direct way to take advantage of this vitamin’s many powerful skin care benefits. 

Following are 10 highly compelling benefits of vitamin C for your skin:

1. Antioxidant

Vitamin C serum offers potent antioxidant protection, particularly in products containing L-ascorbic acid (LAA). It works to protect against free radical-induced skin damage and inflammation caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays.Topical vitamin C neutralizes these free radicals before they cause damage, diminishing the negative effects of inflammation on the skin.

2. Collagen production

Collagen is a naturally occurring structural protein in our bodies, and one that is necessary in maintaining the skin’s stability, elasticity and support. Our collagen stores, however, deplete as we age. Topical vitamin C has the ability to raise collagen levels, producing firmer, more youthful-looking skin. 

3. Anti-aging

With age comes a gradual decline in the vitamin C content in skin, but topical vitamin C has been shown to reverse the effects of this decline. The application of vitamin C serums, creams and moisturizers are a highly effective form of skin care rejuvenation therapy in people from a variety of age groups. 

4. Wrinkles and fine lines

If you have wrinkles or are struggling with the appearance of fine lines and would like to target them directly, the regular use of topical vitamin C serum for a minimum of 12 weeks has been shown to be an effective treatment.

5. Wound healing

The skin’s inflammatory response often increase free radicals while rapidly decreasing vitamin C levels at the wound site. Although further research is needed, the application of topical vitamin C may limit free radical damage, speeding up your healing response post injury. 

6. Photoaging/photodamage

The powerful antioxidant properties of topical vitamin C have been shown to limit and protect against the damage caused by UV radiation. One study found a three-month daily skin care routine that included topical vitamin C provided visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture, skin laxity, tone and yellowing, all of which are characteristic of photodamaged facial skin.

7. Hyperpigmentation/dark spots

When melanin is unevenly deposited in different areas of the body due to UV overexposure, dark spots known as hyperpigmentation can appear. Applied to the skin topically, vitamin C cream can reduce the effects of hyperpigmentation by fading dark spots without altering your natural skin tone. Vitamin C’s antioxidant powers make it a powerful tool in promoting even skin.

8. General skin redness

Vitamin C has been shown to treat a wide range of skin conditions known as inflammatory dermatoses. Dermatitis can have a variety of causes and occur in many forms, but it typically involves an itchy rash or swollen, reddened skin. Reducing redness will result in a more even complexion and aid in the appearance of healthy skin. 

9. Skin brightening

Vitamin C serum helps to fade pigmentation. It also smooths the surface of the skin to reduce the appearance of dullness or fatigue, which contributes to a youthful complexion.

10. Skin hydration

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), one of the more common forms of vitamin C used in skin care serums, has been shown to have a hydrating effect on the skin. It reduces water loss while simultaneously allowing your skin to better retain valuable moisture, making it an excellent skin care addition for those with chronic dry skin.

A Word About Safety and Side Effects

When incorporating topical vitamin C serum, cream or moisturizer into your daily skin care regimen, irritation is unlikely, however as with any skin care product, you should always do a patch test beforehand to make sure you tolerate it well. 

If your skin is particularly sensitive, avoid vitamin C serums with LAA as an active ingredient; this can cause irritation. While LAA is considered a strong choice when seeking a vitamin C product with potent antioxidant benefits, products with MAP may be less likely to cause irritation and are considered safer for sensitive skin. 

If you have sensitive skin but still prefer to choose an LAA vitamin C serum, you could simply avoid those with a high concentration. Instead, try a serum with a lower concentration of LAA. Topical 23.8% LAA serums have been shown to be effective at treating photoaged skin without causing side effects.

Takeaway

The topical application of vitamin C serum, cream or moisturizer, when used with regularity, can help heal wounds, reduce dark spots, encourage hydration, boost collagen growth, protect against sun damage and leave your skin looking brighter and more youthful. 

Consistency is key for best results, so try to add it to your skin care routine in a manner you’ll be able to commit to.