We’ve all seen an individual walking down the street, their skin glowing, looking
dewy, vibrant and oh so healthy. Our friends with beautiful skin that look like they
just stepped off a skincare photoshoot say they don’t do anything, they simply
wash their face with water. The audacity of that answer! And then there are those
of us who use a 10-step skincare routine and still have breakouts on the regular.
Well, today we will be talking about our body’s largest organ, our skin and the
effects that Vitamin C plays in its health! Jump on board, this is a one way train to
healthy skin town.

Background:

Like we mentioned, our skin is our largest organ. Some adults carry up to 8 pounds of it and roughly 22 square feet, or 2 meters squared of it. That’s a lot of skin! Its appearance generally reflects the health and states of its underlying structures. It serves as a protective shield from our external environment, guarding us from mechanical and chemical threats, pathogens, UV radiation and even dehydration. It’s the first thing we notice when we meet someone, because being in the sun exposes our skin to more UV light and as a result, our skin is one of the first organs to show visible signs of aging. So how do we make a great first impression? Let’s find out!

Protection:

Vitamin C isn’t just a powerhouse against colds; it plays a crucial role in skin health too. It’s naturally abundant in two layers of the skin; the epidermis and dermis, acting as a potent antioxidant alongside uric acid and glutathione. Glutathione is a substance made from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is produced by the liver and involved in many body processes, including tissue building and repair, immune system function, and chemical and protein generation. Unfortunately, as we age, both layers experience a decline in Vitamin C levels. Exposure to UV light and pollutants such as smoke, vehicle exhaust, road dust, industrial emissions, pollen, gas-fueled yard equipment, chemicals we use in our homes, and other sources, further diminishes Vitamin C content, especially in the epidermis, the outermost layer of our skin.

Luckily, our skin has a smart way to absorb Vitamin C from the bloodstream using
specific transport proteins found in all skin layers, with keratinocytes (the major cell type found in our outermost layer of our skin) playing the biggest role as the
epidermis has a limited blood supply.

Photoprotection:

We want to make one point clear, Vitamin C is not an alternative to wearing
sunscreen. Be sure to slather that white creamy goodness on thick if you are
heading outside! Vitamin C does however help from shielding your skin from UV
light damage. Rather than absorbing UV rays like traditional sunscreen, Vitamin C
swoops in as an antioxidant, fighting off those damaging free radicals that UV
exposure can create. When your skin gets hit with UV light, it actually increases it’s intake of Vitamin C by increasing transport proteins in keratinocytes (the major cell type in our outermost layer of skin). This boost helps ensure your skin has enough Vitamin C to counteract the damage that it is exposed to.

Studies have shown that Vitamin C doesn't just sit idle—it actively reduces DNA
damage, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation caused by UV rays in cultured skin
cells. It even helps cells communicate better during UV exposure, which improves
their chances of survival.

In animal studies, adding Vitamin C to the diet reduced the size and number of skin tumors caused by chronic UV exposure. However, in humans, oral Vitamin C alone hasn't shown significant increases in skin UV protection levels, called Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED). But there is a twist! When combined with Vitamin E, oral supplementation has proven more effective, boosting MED and reducing skin redness after UV exposure.

For those who prefer a more direct approach, topical Vitamin C application shows
some promise. In recent animal studies, it has shown to delay skin aging caused by UVB exposure in mice but also reduces sunburn cells, redness, and DNA damage in pig models. Combining Vitamin C with Vitamin E topically packs an even stronger dynamic duo against UV damage, enhancing skin's resistance to sun-induced immune suppression and cell damage.

While human studies on topical Vitamin C are limited, they do indicate reduced
radicals in UV-exposed skin. Combining Vitamin C with Vitamin E topically has also shown UV protective effects in humans. So, whether you’re reaching for an oral supplement or considering a topical treatment, teaming up Vitamin C with Vitamin E could be your skin's dynamic duo against the sun’s rays!

Wrinkles and Sun Damage:

As we now know, Vitamin C plays a crucial dual role in skin health: as an
antioxidant combating oxidative damage from sun exposure and intrinsic aging, and as a regulator of collagen synthesis. It supports collagen stability through
hydroxylation, essential for skin structure. In cell culture models, Vitamin C
supplementation enhances collagen mRNA stability, boosts collagen synthesis while reducing excessive elastin production, and promotes fibroblast proliferation and DNA repair. What does all of this mean? It helps to formulate new skin cells, aid in repairing damaged DNA and increases the amount of collagen in our bodies!

Human studies show that higher dietary Vitamin C intake correlates with improved
skin appearance, specifically reduced wrinkles. Topical application of Vitamin C
(3-10%) over 12 weeks has shown benefits such as decreased wrinkling, reduced
protein fiber damage, improved skin texture, increased collagen production, and
reversal of age-related dermal changes. So its equally important to not only apply
Vitamin C to your skin, but to take it orally as well!

Dry Skin & Dark Spots:

Research suggests that higher dietary intake of Vitamin C is associated with a
reduced risk of dry skin. In cell culture models, Vitamin C has been shown to
enhance the synthesis of barrier lipids, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy
skin barrier with low water permeability. In human studies using topical Vitamin C,
participants have reported benefits such as decreased skin roughness and an
improvement in skin texture.

When it comes to dark spots, melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color.
Dark spots can appear for many reasons. They can be the after-effects of acne or
brought on by hormonal conditions like melasma. By inhibiting melanin production, vitamin C can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It may also help brighten your skin's appearance. When certain areas of the skin create too much melanin, however, you can end up with hyperpigmentation—patches of discoloration that may show up when you pop a pimple or sunscreenless beach day. Vitamin C is not a miracle solution to fading spots instantly, but it can assist in fading and preventing them by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for producing melanin.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, Vitamin C is your skin’s best friend. Working double duty as a
powerful antioxidant, immune protector, and a key player in making collagen,
keeping your skin looking fresh and vibrant. Taking Vitamin C orally, especially with Vitamin E, can help shield your skin from UV damage. When you apply Vitamin C directly to your skin, it gets absorbed easily, helping to protect against UV damage and tackling signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. Not only is Vitamin C helpful for preventing the formation and reducing dark spots, it also aids in hydrating dry skin and helping wounds heal faster. So jump on the Vitamin C train, your Ener-Life Ener-C is calling!