The Effects of Vitamin C on Wrinkles

If you’ve been in the market for an effective anti-wrinkle treatment for some time now, then you may have noticed more than a few vitamin C products devoted specifically towards those stubborn wrinkles and fine lines that have formed around your eyes and lips. From soothing creams to supplements, it seems as though vitamin C is the latest product on the market to help you recapture that youthful glow that you’ve been longing for. However, do these vitamin supplements and products really work to smooth away your wrinkles? If so, how does it all work?

Vitamin C has long been hailed as a great vitamin for skincare because it is essential for the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen helps your skin to rejuvenate and bounce back from the wrinkles that form after repetitive facial motions and expressions. In addition to this benefit, vitamin C can also be used to reduce the damage caused by the dangerous free radicals from toxins in the environment and the sun. Studies have shown that vitamin C can increase the strength of your capillaries, the blood vessels which carry nutrients to your skin cells.

In short, vitamin C is essential to good skin health. Yet it’s important to know that not all vitamin C is created equal, especially when it comes to the products that you see lining the pharmacy shelves. Since a high level of vitamin C must be present in order to be absorbed into the skin, this process is generally expensive – and many drug store brands don’t have the necessary volume of vitamin C in order to produce the effect that you’re looking for. You may see a temporary effect after the first use; however, in order to see more permanent results (not to mention save a few dollars from all of the treatments that you’ll have to buy!), you’ll probably need to look for higher-end products with more vitamin C.

So what’s the magic amount of vitamin C that will get you the results you’re looking for? The answer may surprise you: if you’re looking for vitamin C products that will help you to fight wrinkles, experts recommend eating your recommended daily intake instead of merely applying it to your skin. Since many skincare products not only contain less vitamin C than you need, sunlight and warmer temperatures can cause it to disintegrate.

Experts have even indicated that eating a diet rich in vitamin C can be more effective than taking a daily supplement. When you eat foods rich in vitamin C (like citrus fruits) it is absorbed into your body and used to increase the production of collagen. If you cannot eat citrus fruits for whatever reason, experts recommend Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 3000-5000 mg a day in divided dosages (Balch, 2006). Of course you may want to discuss adding any supplement to your diet with your healthcare provider, especially if you are taking prescription medications, in order to avoid any adverse interactions.

Works Cited

Balch, P. A. (2006). Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-To-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies. Avery.