Vitamin C

1. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant

Antioxidant is a word that gets thrown around a lot from diets to skincare, but what does the term mean, exactly? Well, put simply, an antioxidant is a compound that inhibits a chemical reaction called ‘oxidisation’. And why would we want to prevent this chemical reaction in our bodies? Because oxidisation is a significant cause behind cell deterioration, ageing and inflammation in living organisms through a series of chain -eactions; including the production of damaging free radicals. 

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is especially effective in neutralising free radical damage to protect the cell membrane (this first line of defence in our cells) as well as your DNA which codes the blueprint for all our body processes. As a result, vitamin C can accelerate the healing process of scar tissue and is a potent preventative against premature ageing. This is what I mean when I call it the great skin fortifier, especially when it comes to anti-ageing skincare!

 

2. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties

Do you suffer from skin redness or inflammation? Vitamin C can certainly help with this. By reducing the activation of cellular molecules called transcription nuclear factor kappa β (NF-kB), vitamin C effectively reduces the release of inflammatory factors in cells called pro-inflammatory cytokines. In other words, vitamin C can counteract skin inflammation at the source. How cool is this?

 

3. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production

Simply put, without vitamin C, our skin can't make collagen! This makes vitamin C an essential component to any anti-ageing skincare routine. Let's jump into some fun science now!

Vitamin C is directly responsible for collagen production by stabilising a special molecule in our cells called procollagen mRNA. When vitamin C and procollagen mRNA interact, collagen can be produced. 

Vitamin C also acts as an essential cofactor for 2 enzymes (prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase) which are fundamental to collagen synthesis.

In addition to fulfilling this active role, vitamin C simultaneously plays a passive role in protecting our skin against collagen breakdown. Vitamin C silences the natural chemical enzyme called MMP1 in our skin that destroys collagen. 

As a result, vitamin C is vital for collagen production and protection so that we can all maintain that youthful firmness.

 

4. Vitamin C protects from UV damage

This vitamin is the best antioxidant partner with sunscreen! Vitamin C protects our skin cells from free radical damage created by UVA and UVB light (this kind of damage is evident in 90% of skin cancer sufferers). It has been clinically shown that vitamin C reduces cellular and DNA damage from UV light. It’s important to note, however, that vitamin C is not considered a sunscreen

 

5. Vitamin C is an antioxidant power couple with vitamin E

Vitamin C replenishes and reactivates vitamin E, which in turn protects vitamin C from breaking down. These two vitamins are a great power couple that work in synergy (pun intended) to protect our cells.

 

6. Vitamin C brightens and evens out skin tone

Vitamin C is an important skincare product for those suffering from hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone as it is a skin lightener and tyrosinase inhibitor. Tyrosinase is a protein enzyme found in our pigment-producing cells, the melanocytes. If there’s too much tyrosinase activity, this can cause overproduction of melanin which will appear as sunspots or other forms of pigmentation. So, if tyrosinase is suppressed with the help of vitamin C, then excess melanin can’t be made! As a bonus, vitamin C only appears to target areas that are patchy whilst leaving the remainder of your skin alone. How clever is that?