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Vitamin C - A Key Ingredient to Healthy Skin

The Skin’s Best Friend
In a world where diamonds are a girl’s best friend and dogs are a man’s best friend, Vitamin C is arguably the skin’s best friend. Unlike many of the other nutrients that claim to aid the skin topically, vitamin C’s claims are backed by a mountain of research. Studies show that vitamin C can be effectively used against fine lines and wrinkles, leaving fewer visible signs of aging on the surface of the skin.

In addition, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that fights tirelessly to destroy free radicals within the body before they can cause harm to the body’s cells and organs. Vitamin C, when used both topically and orally, is also an excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial, and is greatly involved in collagen production. Once vitamin C is absorbed by skin cells, it goes to work to synthesize collagen and increase the quantities of certain enzymes also required for collagen production. Additionally, topically applied vitamin C protects the skin from damaging UV rays for up to 72 hours.

In order for the body to utilize vitamin C in a topical preparation, the vitamin C must be in the form of L-ascorbic acid. Be sure to check the labels of your skin products for this crucial ingredient before buying them.

Yummy Sources of Vitamin C
Getting enough vitamin C into the body is fairly easy in our society today. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is the number one method to do so. Some of the best sources of vitamin C are kiwis, citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, oranges and orange juice, papayas, guavas, mangos and virtually all vegetable “greens”. In a nutshell, eating several brightly colored fruits and vegetables from different color palates each and every day is your best bet in getting adequate quantities of vitamin C.

Secondly, if eating all the vitamin C you need proves too difficult, consider taking a vitamin C supplement. Most professionals say that you can’t overdose on vitamin C as it is a water soluble vitamin and will simply be excreted through the waste byproduct, although you may end up with diarrhea if you consume too much. If this is the case, lower the quantity of vitamin C that you are ingesting.

So, who needs extra vitamin C in their diet and on their skin? Anyone who wants to look and feel younger, healthier and more radiant. Simply put - everyone needs plenty of vitamin C for healthy skin.

Topical Preparations of Vitamin C
Here are some excellently prepared skin care products that will get you started on your way to healthy, beautiful skin today.

Calendula Creme Oil-Free by Credentials not only contains a high quantity of healing and protecting vitamin C but is also full of other skin nutrients such as vitamins A and E. This preparation contains calendula, a well known healthy skin herb, along with five other antiseptic herbal ingredients, all designed to calm and soothe oily and problematic skin conditions.

For dry, sensitive skin there is Credentials Vitamin C Crème, which combines nourishing aloe vera gel and antioxidants to protect and moisturize skin. Credentials Vitamin C Crème also contains jojoba oil and squalane used to firm and nourish dry, cracked skin.

Because of its antiseptic qualities, cleansing skin products made with vitamin C are especially effective. Credentials Deep Purifying Cleanser is made with malic and citric acids, used for their exfoliating properties, while the vitamin C in the cleanser works to leave skin clean and refreshed. Adding to the allure of this wonderful cleanser are the calming properties of cool cucumber and aromatic sage.

To treat wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, sagging skin and most any other facial skin imperfections, try Cellex-C Skin Firming Cream. Repeated use will reveal skin that looks 5-10 years younger with fewer wrinkles and an improved tone and texture.

SkinCeuticals offers exclusive vitamin C formulation such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF and SkinCeuticals C + AHA.

Article posted 12/11/2006.

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C + AHA by SkinCeuticals $128.00

C E Ferulic by SkinCeuticals $138.00

Phloretin CF by SkinCeuticals $150.00