The power of C—here’s what makes vitamin C the ultimate inside-out skin essential
Most people are aware of the general health benefits of popping a handful of their daily vitamins and minerals, with Vitamin C most definitely top of mind. But Vitamin C is also a gold standard essential for skin, with a breakthrough study conducted by researchers at the University of Otago, Faculty of Medicine – Christchurch Ōtautahi, underpinning exactly how beneficial it can be for continued skin health as the years go on.
The incredibly compelling study, recently published in the International Journal of Investigative Dermatology, demonstrated a vital connection between the consumption of vitamin C and levels of the vitamin in the blood (plasma), which can be boosted by simply increasing your daily intake by just two gold kiwifruit.
Conducted on 24 healthy adults living in both New Zealand and Germany, the study showed that consuming just two vitamin C-rich SunGold kiwifruit per day significantly increases vitamin C levels in the skin. In turn, this improved skin thickness (essentially, collagen production) and stimulated renewal and regeneration of the outer skin layer.
Lead author Professor Margreet Vissers from Mātai Hāora – Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine said she is proud of her team’s work, which demonstrates that vitamin C in the bloodstream penetrates all layers of the skin and is unquestionably associated with improved skin function. The substantial finding showing the correlation between a significant increase in skin thickness levels, ‘reflecting collagen production and an upsurge in the regeneration of their epidermal cells, in other words, skin renewal’, makes daily consumption of quality vitamin C from any source an absolute no-brainer for anyone who cares for the health of their skin, and surprisingly easy to do.
We loved that the study results suggest beauty really does come from deeper within than we first imagined, and that supporting your skin function from the inside-out by delivering vitamin C to the skin the way nature designed it—via the bloodstream —can benefit it.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (AKA ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make it a non-negotiable if you’re looking to improve the appearance and overall wellbeing of your skin. As a vital molecule for skin health, both dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, helping with everything from supporting the formation of connective tissue in the healing of wounds to helping protect cells from harmful free radicals due to its antioxidant properties. Consider us converts.
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