Vitamin C powder – The Most Researched Skin Care Ingredient

T

he summer months are nearing and UV-damage on the skin is going to set in. While you ruminate over what to bring into the rotation, I thought of suggesting vitamin C powder. If you ask me, I’d say, instead of looking for ways to correct the skin issues after they set in, it’s always a smart idea to look for preventive ways against extrinsic and intrinsic skin issues.

That’s why is the saying, prevention is better than cure…what do you say?

Those of you who have followed our blog on the health benefits of vitamin C already know how essential vitamin C is for our general health.

Today’s topic is the same vitamin C but on exclusive skin benefits, let’s learn in this blog how vitamin C powder can be a preventive measure to skin issues...

A Proper Skin Care Is Very Much Essential

Our skin is a multi-functional and the largest organ in our body. Skin health generally reflects the health and efficacy of its underlying structures. The chief function of the skin is to provide a protective interface between the external environment and shield from mechanical, chemical threats and several other elements.

During the course of our lifetime, the skin gets exposed to a number of challenges that can affect its structure, function and appearance.

• Normal aging process can deteriorate the skin texture, contributing to loss of skin elasticity and wrinkle formation.

• Exposure to aggressors like dust, pollution, and sunlight can lead to discolouration and dryness of skin.

• Chemical insults like application of make-up, beauty/cleansing products, harsh soaps, and bleaches can have a bad impact on skin health.

• Direct injury like physical wounding, burns is yet another factor that affects skin.

Vitamin C powder not only offers a quick, superficial benefits like skin brightening but also improves skin health at the cellular level.

What Is Vitamin C Powder?

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is a highly-bioavailable, water-soluble, photosensitive, and the most efficient antioxidant. Vitamin C is termed as an essential vitamin because it is not naturally synthesized in the body and hence an adequate dietary intake is required. Vitamin C powder is considered to be the most stable and effective form of vitamin C for skincare.                                                                              

VITAMIN C OFFERS PROTECTION AGAINST UV DAMAGE

Prolonged sun exposure cause skin issues like flakiness, discoloured patches and dryness. The UV-light exposure induces damage by generating free radicals. These radicals have the potential to start a chain reaction that damage the skin cells. The harmful effects of ROS (reactive oxygen species) occur as direct chemical alterations of the cellular DNA, the cell membrane and the collagen.

Vitamin C powder limits the damage induced by ultraviolet light exposure not by acting like your regular sunscreen, which blocks the UV-light. Rather, vitamin C protects against UV-induced damage caused by free radicals with its antioxidant activity. Exposure to UV light increases vitamin C transport proteins in keratinocytes, suggesting an increased need for vitamin C uptake for adequate protection.

Topical application of vitamin C (either alone or as a combination with other compounds like vitamin E oil) reduces the number of sunburned cells, reduces DNA damage induced by UV exposure. 

VITAMIN C PROMOTES COLLAGEN PRODUCTION

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and comprises 1/3^rd of the total protein. Vitamin C works as a co-factor for the hydroxylation of proline that stabilizes collagen molecule structure. Collagen helps strengthen our bones, provides structure to most of our body and is responsible for maintaining the skin’s integrity and elasticity.

To maintain radiant, youthful skin and to slow down the aging process, we need to preserve our collagen levels. Including vitamin C powder in your diet or applying it as a paste on the face will encourage natural collagen production. Increased collagen production will slow down the aging process and provide the skin with a radiant and firmer look.

VITAMIN C REDUCES WRINKLES

You have already learned that vitamin C fights free radical damage caused on the skin by UV-light and its role in the synthesis of collagen. Now, the accumulation of oxidative damage doesn’t just happen because of external factors, but some internal factors like the food we intake, our breathing will also lead to oxidation and produce free radicals that damage skin cells. Apart from regulating collagen production, vitamin C fights wrinkles and can also reverse some of the age-related structural changes in the interface between the dermis (layer of skin under epidermis) and epidermis (thin, outer layer of the skin).

Vitamin C gives your skin a boost, aids in natural regeneration, keeps it looking youthful, firm, healthy and glowing.

VITAMIN C CONTRIBUTES TO PREVENTING HYPERPIGMENATATION

Hyperpigmentation refers to dark patches of skin, a condition that results when the skin produces too much melanin. The synthesis of melanin occurs in the melanocytes of the basal layer of the epidermis and can be transferred to keratinocytes so that melanin is distributed throughout the outer skin layer. Although vitamin C does not kill melanocytes, it does inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for converting tyrosine into melanin, thus contributes to preventing hyperpigmentation. Topical application of vitamin C powder helps improve hyperpigmentation, reduce inflammation, lighten scars, makes skin look plump and even skin tone.

VITAMIN C HELPS PREVENT SKIN DRYNESS

Tried a range of skin creams and topical solutions to treat dry skin? Did your skin feel moisturized only till the effects of the cream lasted? This is why I told you in the very beginning that you must look for both intrinsic and extrinsic aid. The moisturizers only treat dry skin conditions from outside. Studies have revealed that higher intakes of vitamin C have been correlated with a decreased risk of dry skin. Vitamin C when ingested significantly helps increase iron absorption which increases the body’s ability to carry oxygen through the blood. Better oxygenated skin looks healthy and smooth.

Your skin needs to be moisturized in order to protect itself from harsh environmental conditions. When outer layer of the skin loses water, it leads to itching, cracking and dryness. Vitamin C has been found to promote synthesis of barrier lipids, which would establish a functioning epidermis thereby minimizing the trans-epidermal water loss.

HOW TO USE VITAMIN C POWDER ON SKIN?

You can also mix 5g of vitamin C powder into your fruit juices, protein shakes, salads, oats, cereals and consume.

While your external beauty applicators can artificially amplify your beauty, vitamin C powder can amplify your beauty both internally & externally…

Your skin reaps the biggest benefits of vitamin c powder when it’s applied topically…                                                                          

Also read: Amazing Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Skincare

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