WHAT IS VITAMIN C?
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that naturally occurs in many types of foods.
WHY IS VITAMIN C USED IN SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
Vitamin C is popular in skincare formulations because it may provide significant protection against skin deterioration. As we age, our skin deteriorates and loses elasticity due to reduced collagen production, exposure to UV radation and pollution. This leads to discoloration, dryness, and as a result, more wrinkles. Vitamin C has antioxidant and collagen boosting properties, it protects against UV radiation and hyperpigmentation, and has anti-aging benefits.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C FOR THE SKIN?
Antioxidant Benefits & UV Radiation Protection:
Protects against Hyperpigmentation, Acne and Rosacea
Vitamin C helps your body repair damaged skin cells because it contains high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to neutralize free radicals which is important because free radicals cause oxidation in the skin. Oxidation harms the skin cells that are responsible for the production of substances such as collagen and elastin. These structures are what give youthful skin its firm structure, so it is very important to protect them. UV radiation is also a contributing factor to skin deterioration, and antioxidants found in Vitamin C play a key role in neutralizing the free radicals brought on by UV exposure.2 ,3.
Vitamin C inhibits melanin production and reduces hyperpigmentation in the skin. (Hyperpigmentation is when patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin.) It can treat conditions such as melisma (age spots) and also has potential anti-inflammatory activity which can be used to treat conditions like acne vulgaris and rosacea. 2,3.
Anti-aging, Collagen Synthesis & overall skin health:
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Clinical studies have shown that the use of Vitamin C on the skin increases collagen production in young as well as aged human skin.3, 6 A number of in vitro studies with fibroblast cells found that collagen synthesis decreased when Vitamin C was absent. 18, 19
Cell culture studies have shown that Vitamin C enhances the production of barrier lipids and induces differentiation of keratinocytes. 25 Keratinocytes are the primary type of cell found in the epidermis (top layer of the skin). The main purpose of the keratinocytes is to produce cells that protect against microbes, viruses, fungus and parasites. They also work to protect the skin against UV radiation and minimize water loss in the skin. Enhanced water retention and collagen production leaves the skin more youthful and rejuvenated. More collagen in the skin also leads to more efficient healing and rejuvenation of wounds.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C FOR THE BODY?
A diet rich in vitamin C is an essential step toward good health and disease prevention. Vitamin C plays a key role in immune function and keeping the body healthy. Because it is an antioxidant, Vitamin C may protect the body from various negative effects of free radicals, pollutants and toxins. Free radicals are dangerous to the body because they can turn healthy cells into cancer cells. Many studies are currently underway to determine if Vitamin C may be able to prevent or slow the development of certain cancers or cardiovascular diseases that are brought on by oxidative stress. (Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body.)
Vitamin C also increases collagen synthesis which is important because collagen plays a pivotal role in wound healing. In short, Vitamin C is very important to your body’s health and may also be a significant step in chronic disease prevention. If you do not eat enough foods with naturally occurring Vitamin C, then you may want to consider taking a Vitamin C supplement to boost your overall immune function.
Vitamin C also increases collagen synthesis which is important because collagen plays a pivotal role in wound healing. In short, Vitamin C is very important to your body’s health and may also be a significant step in chronic disease prevention. If you do not eat enough foods with naturally occurring Vitamin C, then you may want to consider taking a Vitamin C supplement to boost your overall immune function.
HOW MUCH VITAMIN C SHOULD I EAT/TAKE?
A study published in the National Library of Medicine (the world’s largest biomedical library and a leader in biomedical research) states that the average adult should take 200mg of Vitamin C daily. This is the “optimum intake of Vitamin C for the majority of the adult population to maximize the vitamin’s potential health benefits with the least risk of inadequacy or adverse health effects.”16 This translates to a total of 5–9 servings of fresh, minimally processed, or frozen fruits and vegetables per day. Keep reading for a list of the top Vitamin C containing foods.
LIST OF THE MOST VITAMIN C RICH FOODS
Kakadu Plums: 5,300 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup. Just one plum delivers around 530% of the suggested Daily Value (DV) of Vitamin C!
Acerola Cherries: ½ cup of acerola cherries delivers 913% of the recommended DV of Vitamin C!
Rose Hips: 426 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup
Green Chili Peppers: 242 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup. One green chili pepper delivers 121% of the DV of Vitamin C!
Guavas: 228 mg of vitamin C per ½ cup. One guava fruit delivers 140% of the DV of Vitamin C.
Yellow Bell Peppers: 183 mg per ½ cup, which is 152% of the recommended DV of Vitamin C.
Blackcurrants: 181 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup which is 112% of the DV of Vitamin C.
Thyme: 160 mg per ½ cup.
Parsley: 133 mg of vitamin C per ½ cup. Sprinkling two tablespoons of fresh parsley on your meal delivers 11% of the DV for vitamin C,
Mustard Spinach: 130 mg of vitamin C per ½ cup. One cup of this leafy green provides 108% of the DV for Vitamin C when raw, or 65% when cooked.
Kale: 120 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup. This is 44% of the DV for Vitamin C, while a lightly steamed cup provides 29%.
Kiwis: 93 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup. One medium-sized kiwi provides 79% of the DV of Vitamin C.
Broccoli: 89 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup which is 57% of the DV for Vitamin C.
Brussels Sprouts: 85 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup. ½ cup steamed brussel sprouts is 54% of the DV for Vitamin C.
Lemons: 77 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup with one medium lemon delivering 92% of the DV.
Lychees: 72 mg of vitamin C per ½ cup. One single lychee contains an average 7.5% of the DV for Vitamin C.
Persimmons: 66 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams. One persimmon is 18% of the DV of Vitamin C.
Papaya: 62 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup.
Strawberries: 59 mg of Vitamin C per ½ cup.
Oranges: 53 mg of vitamin C per ½ cup. One medium orange delivers 70 mg of vitamin C
Medical Information and Advice: It is not the intention of Cellagenix to provide specific medical advice but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided, and Cellagenix urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.
If you are interested in adding Vitamin C products to your beauty regimen, check out Cellagenix’s clean, anti-aging, biofermented skincare creme’s products containing Vitamin C. Check out our shop page.
References:
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