Vitamin C is commonly known as the best remedy to ward off colds. Most of us will start thinking about it when flu season approaches, stockpiling Vitamin C tablets and zesty orange juice in our refrigerator to boost our immune systems. It´s also sold as a supplement for air travelers. And in recent years, the best topical for anti-aging prevention.
Sold as a skin serum or cream, Vitamin C can now be found in most of your cosmetic skincare lines due to its strong antioxidant properties. Vitamin C reduces free-radical damage that leads to premature aging – a key factor in the production of collagen which gives skin its firmness and strength. Vitamin C improves skin texture with regular use, repairing skin where there is scarring or damage, and gives a skin its radiant glow. It also suppresses melanin that reduces sunspots as we age.
To get the best benefits, Vitamin C should be applied topically as research shows that it is better absorbed through skin than orally. Its gaining popularity has made it one of the main key ingredients in many skincare lines. However, consumers should be aware of the differences. Ascorbyl palmitate, a Vitamin C derivative often found in skincare products, does not boost collagen synthesis as much as Vitamin C in L-ascorbic acid form. Also, Vitamin C is not stable in light as it oxidizes, so these products should be stored in dark place. If it looks dark yellow, orange, or brown, don´t buy it as it´s been sitting on the shelf too long and you would get the full benefit of using it.
There are many reasons why to make Vitamin C part of your daily diet. Consumed internally, it boosts immunity, prevents colds and reduces the risks of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer; applied topically, it contains significant anti-aging properties as the main component for structural protein in the skin and essential for collagen production.
So, slather it on for all kinds of health benefits!