When it comes to vitamins, the one that immediately comes to mind for most people is Vitamin C, but what do we really know about it?
Sure, it’s an essential vitamin for everyone and can be found in fruits like oranges and other citrus favorites.
What does it actually do for us, especially our skin?
Back when the epidemic of scurvy ran rampant through crews of sailors on the high seas, Vitamin C was an important part of keeping it at bay. Having a diet rich in fruit was essential to the health of these seafaring folk, and for good reason! It’s because of Vitamin C’s healing properties that we are able to ward off illness, which can include anything from the common cold to pneumonia.
One of the biggest tolls from sun exposure is skin damage, which also brings about the risk of skin cancer. Long hours spent tanning or laying out on the patio deck can dry your skin out. While staying hydrated is highly important to preventing this, Vitamin C’s healing properties can repair and protect the collagen in your skin so that it stays nourished and plump.
Vitamin C helps with the production of collagen, an essential element that keeps skin firm. It’s like lotion that works from the inside out. You’ve probably heard of collagen being used to plump lips through an injection, but the body can actually create new collagen cells with the aid of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also crucial to creating scar tissue when cells are unable to heal completely. Scar tissue is important to fill in the gaps where otherwise healthy cells would normally reside. This holds the skin together and smooths it out. Without Vitamin C, the healing process would be slowed down to a crawl.
I wrote an article to give you some recommended vitamin C serums and to get a clear grasp of what to check, I also recommend you to go read the complete guide to pick the best vitamin C serum here written by the great team from myawesomebeauty.com. They did a great job at explaining things clearly. I guess I will have to update my own TOP 3 selection.
The topical vitamin C application is very effective but you also need to check your oral intake.
Where to find it and what dosage?
Since the body is unable to store Vitamin C, it’s important to replenish the supply by getting the daily recommended servings (about 8-9 servings of fruit and vegetables). Citrus fruits are an excellent way to load up on Vitamin C (obviously), but you can also consume veggies like tomatoes, bell peppers and leafy greens.
Keeping a steady diet consistently stocked with these foods rich in vitamin C ensures continued production of collagen and the repair of damaged skin cells.
If chowing down on fresh produce all day isn’t your thing, there’s also the option to use store-bought supplements along with your food intake.
Vitamin C can often be found in the pharmacy aisle. Topical medications and lotions are another method you can use to soak up Vitamin C; choose one with L-ascorbic acid (another form of Vitamin C) to make sure your skin will absorb it properly.
However you choose to take Vitamin C, watch your intake to prevent overdosing on it.
It may sound odd that a vitamin so healthy would be a risk for an overdose, but too much of a good thing can indeed become bad. 500 milligrams is the average amount a person should have, but you shouldn’t exceed 2,000 milligrams. Not only is too much of it unhealthy for you, but it will also upset your stomach. Stick to the recommended amount, and you’ll be right as rain.