Something we’ll all have heard of as a child is: “you have to get your vitamins in, so you get big and strong.” Vitamins are crucial to our health, but the body doesn’t produce enough on its own. That’s why having balanced meals is so important, eating your daily portion of fruits and vegetables is a good way to get some vitamins in. We regularly place one of our SELf ingredients in the spotlight, and today’s ingredient is vitamin C! What influence does it have on our skin and what are the consequences of a shortage?
The importance of vitamin C
Vitamine C, also known as ascorbic acid, is one of the most well known vitamins. That’s perfectly normal as this is one of the vitamins that contributes a lot to our health! It stimulates your energy, strengthens our bones and improves our concentration. Of course I won’t only be talking about the benefits, but of the importance to our skin as well.
The antioxidant effect
So what makes vitamin C so important to our skin? It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin. External factors like UV rays, air pollution and smoking lead to free radicals, these are tiny and harmful particles that damage the skin. Free radicals affect the tissue causing our skin to be weakened and reducing elasticity. This results in a dull and gray skin and can even cause increased aging! Those first wrinkles? Yep, they’re a consequence of all those harmful particles.
We can’t stop the skin aging, it’s a natural process. But we can keep the skin healthy and beautiful using antioxidants.
It stimulates the production of collagen
Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen and contributes to a firm skin. The mature skin can get a lot of benefits out of products based on vitamin C, as the production of collagen lessens as we get older. Besides that, vitamin C is also of crucial importance in the healing process, like cuts and scrapes.
It works wonders against damage by the sun and pigmentation
Vitamin C leads to a smooth skin. It makes those annoying brown spots fade and it contributes to the effects of SPF to protect the skin against the sun. It can also reduce acne and help against rosacea.
The consequences of a vitamin C shortage
So by now you’ll know that a shortage of vitamin C can be bad for you. It can cause cuts and scrapes to take longer to heal or won’t heal properly, you can start experience lesser resistance and fatigue. A shortage of vitamin C can also cause problems in the production of tissue and the skin’s elasticity.
Vitamin C in your skin care
So now you know that vitamin C is a crucial ingredient in your skin care! But before applying an excessive amount of vitamin C on your skin, there are some things you do need to consider when choosing your products.
Vitamin C works better in combination with other oxidants. Vitamin C and E form the perfect duo! So check if your favorite brands contain these ingredients. SELF contains coconut, aloe vera, argan oil, shea butter, macadamia and mandarin and geranium oil. This powerful combination of natural ingredients contains a high dose of vitamins. All of these ingredients reinforce each other’s effects and make the perfect team.
The size of the dose is important. If vitamin C is one of the last ones on the list of ingredients, you can expect the dose to be minimal.
Vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, so make sure your products are closed properly after using. Try going with a packaging that doesn’t let in light.
Exaggerated use can be harmful, this goes for everything. A high dosage can even cause irritations or skin problems.
Have you got any more questions regarding our ingredients or do you need help with anything else? Feel free to send me an email at: team@nauralself.eu
