Vitamin C for the Skin

We've all heard about the benefits of vitamin C, and just about everyone knows where to find good sources of this important nutrient - look no further than the produce section at your local market. Oranges, grapefruit (and other citrus fruits), broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes and sweet peppers are a few of the many fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts of vitamin C.

What you may not know is that vitamin C is also necessary in tissue growth and repair, suggesting its potential role in retarding skin damage and skin aging. Researchers evaluated this premise in a recent study published in the European Journal of Dermatology. Twenty female volunteers (aged 55-60 and suffering from photoaged skin on the neck) received a six-month application of topical vitamin C or placebo. Results showed a significant decrease in the wrinkles and deep furrows on the side of the neck treated with the vitamin C cream. This improvement was confirmed by patient self-assessment and by a dermatologist's clinical examination.

Reference: Humpert P. Topical vitamin C in the treatment of photoaged skin. European Journal of Dermatology 2001: Vol. 11, pp172-173.