It is unavoidable. Every single day our skin is put through the wringer thanks to our environment … cigarette smoke, car fumes, pollution, oxygen, stress, etc. It all leads to the presence of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive atoms that attack cells and cause them to function poorly or die, leading to wrinkles, spots and other unwanted signs of aging. We should naturally expect to develop wrinkles as we age, but unchecked exposure to free radicals can and will cause wrinkles and other signs of aging to show themselves prematurely.
Now for the good news. There are things we can do to fight back. Exercise, good nutrition and overall healthy living are all beneficial. But we can do more by using well formulated topical products containing free radical fighting antioxidants. There are lots of good ones, but the star of them all is Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). Study after clinical study has demonstrated the anti-aging benefits of this powerful natural ingredient. Ask any dermatologist what you can do to make your skin appear more youthful and vibrant and they will all mention Vitamin C (after sunscreen of course).
How Vitamin C Benefits Your Skin
- Free Radical Protection – Vitamin C is the most effective antioxidant for boosting the skin’s natural protection against free radical damage. Simply put, it does this by neutralizing free radicals so they are no longer able to attack tissue and cause our skin to weaken, wrinkle and sag. In addition, Vitamin C is thought to help promote replenishment of other antioxidants, most importantly Vitamin E.
- Collagen Synthesis – Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that forms connective tissue that gives structure to the skin. Think of it as the scaffolding that supports your skin. As we age, our bodies production of Collagen slows and existing Collagen weakens, resulting in sagging, wrinkling skin with poor texture and color. The good news is that Vitamin C is known to stimulate production of Collagen in the skin, while also maintaining the effectiveness of existing Collagen.
- Skin-Brightening – Vitamin C acts as a natural bleaching agent that can help improve the appearance of age spots and other forms of skin discoloration. In addition, it is believed that Vitamin C can help calm redness and swelling after trauma to the skin such as sunburns.
How to Use Topical Vitamin C
Vitamin C Should be applied once daily, ideally in the morning in order to take advantage of its sun protecting properties. Occasionally, Vitamin C may cause mild irritation and/ or dryness. To address this, use a good moisturizer. It is safe to use Vitamin C in combination with other skincare products. In fact, it is believed that Vitamin C enhances the effectiveness of other antioxidants. The length of time it takes until noticeable results will appear varies from person to person, but generally speaking you should begin to notice at least some results within 2-3 weeks. The key is to be consistent. And by all means, once you start to see the results you were after don’t stop.
Without a doubt, Vitamin C is one of the most effective tools for fighting back against premature aging of the skin and should play a leading role in everybody’s daily skincare regime. For a well-rounded anti-aging arsenal, always use sunscreen and consider a professional quality moisturizer as well as other products designed to help boost Collagen production. For questions on this or any other skincare related topic, feel free to contact us via email or phone. We love to talk skincare and look forward to hearing from you.
Note: Keep in mind that antioxidants are vulnerable to destabilizing when exposed to air. To get the most from them, choose only those that are packaged in airless bottles that protect against oxidation.