You're probably already aware of the several nutritional benefits that vitamin C can offer you, like a stronger immune system. However, did you know vitamin C can also rejuvenate your skin and protect you from toxins that cause a blemish to the skin?
For those thinking of including vitamin C to their daily acne treatment, here is what you should know.
How Can Vitamin C Help My Skin?
There are two reasons behind vitamin C’s usefulness in acne treatment: it is an antioxidant, and it aids in collagen synthesis.
Being an antioxidant, vitamin C destroys free radicals by making them simple compounds. Radicals cause damage to the skin, which makes them a leading acne cause. Considering that the skin is exposed to environmental toxins and it is used as an exit point for systemic toxins, it should be protected from free radicals round the clock.
Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down fatty acids and proteins that make up the skin, thus altering the normal skin pH and causing harm to the sebaceous glands. It has the effect of increasing sebum production thus leaving the skin prone to breakout-causing bacteria. Therefore, vitamin C comes in as an antioxidant to convert the free radicals into harmless compounds before they harm the skin.
When attacked by acne-causing bacteria, the body releases inflammatory chemicals known as leukotriene to destroy the bacteria. However, these bacteria have a protective mechanism that causes the chemicals to be redirected back to the skin thus causing redness. When taken in large doses, vitamin C calms the immune system rather than stimulating it. This way, the bacteria in your pores is destroyed as opposed to attacking your healthy skin.
Vitamin C Rids The Red Out Of The Acne
One of the unbelievable effects of ingesting vitamin C supplements if one has acne is its effect of clearing the redness on the skin. Redness is an indication of inflammation. The body’s immune system releases inflammatory chemicals referred to as leukotrienes to kill the bacteria. However, the bacteria play a “trick” that redirects these chemicals to the skin. Large doses of vitamin C tone down the immune system thus preventing acne.
Vitamin C is known to strengthen the linings of the capillaries, which leads to taking out the redness of the acne. Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels that transport nutrients and oxygen to the lower layer of the skin, about 25 cells deep. This layer is known as the basal layer, and it is responsible for generating new skin cells. The new cells push outwards gradually until they reach the stratum corneum, where they expire and rupture, forming the protective protein layer and ceramides on the skin. The redness that is seen on pimples is as a result of the lower layer and is minimized when vitamin C together with its cofactors aid in preventing leaks of bright red blood.
Using Vitamin C For Acne Scars
Vitamin C is known to rejuvenate the skin by promoting elastin and collagen production. These two are essential proteins required for the generation of new skin. When they are not produced in enough amounts, the health of the skin is affected. The absence of vitamin C weakens the proteins thus making the skin to be more vulnerable to acne scars and also preventing the healing of the existing scars. The fact that vitamin C can brighten dark spots indicates that it can do the same to scars.
How Do You Use It?
Topical treatments have been found to cause immediate relief, but many have also reported long term benefits with oral vitamin C.
It is important to note that vitamin C should be used as a supplement to your acne fighting treatment, and not the primary treatment. It is always recommended to see your dermatologist first for their recommendation.
You can incorporate vitamin C into your treatment plan in many ways:
When taking vitamin C as a supplement, it is recommendable for one to take 90mg for an adult male and 75mg for adult women daily. You are also advised not to exceed 2,000 mg per day.
When including it in your diet, taking whole foods is one of the best ways to get your required daily dose of vitamin C. this is because whole foods contain other kinds of antioxidants which are known to relieve acne-related problems. Vitamin C is found in large doses in citrus fruits, although a few other foods high in vitamin C include kale, broccoli, parsley and bell peppers.
Those looking to get more of vitamin C into their diet should consider this option:Topical applications- many facial masks and creams contain vitamin C which may be purchased s concentrated serum.
Important Notes
Vitamin C oxidizes if left open, thus making it ineffective and potentially harmful to your skin. Therefore, replace any vitamin C product that turns yellow or brown.
Watch your vitamin C intake, as too much of it may cause acne to increase. Other symptoms of vitamin C overdose include stomach cramps, nausea, and dizziness.
Vitamin C can be an awesome addition to enhance the clear skin. In case you are ready to include it in your skin care routine, be sure to buy the best 100% pure vitamin C serum products in the market.
If you're ready to add Vitamin C to your routine, check out our Vitamin C Serum or our Vitamin C Cleanser, both of which are customer favorites!
