Vitamins for your skin?
L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C, AsA), obtained from citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables, is a water soluble vitamin and naturally occurring antioxidant. New therapeutic uses are being investigated daily, and recent discoveries show that vitamin C can play important role in the health and beauty of skin.
Vitamin C in the ascorbyl form has been tested extensively and is reported to interfere with pigment synthesis at various oxidative steps of melanin production. It causes skin lightening by interacting with copper ions at the tyrosinase active site and by reducing oxidized dopaquinone.
Advantages: In addition to lightening effects on pigmentation, other advantages of vitamin C include antioxidant effects, and some studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties. Vitamin C serum was originally used in skin care products in the form of ascorbic acid. At 10% concentration and low pH, ascorbic acid has been shown to stimulate collagen, decrease wrinkle depth, and help in achieving that year round “summer glow”.
Safety: It is generally well tolerated in skin of color given the good safety profile of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid and its derivatives have been shown to be safe with some efficacy in certain racial/ethnic populations, including Latino and Asian, for the treatment of melasma. As with trying anything new, it’s important to see how your skin responds first. Skin Deep recommends starting with a 5-10% vitamin C concentration and working your way up to the 15-20% range.
Vitamin C is chemically unstable in aqueous solution and has a tendency to rapidly oxidize and denature in water-like solutions. It is important to keep your vitamin C serum out of the sunlight and in a cool, dark place. Watch for yellowing of your serum- it indicates oxidation, so it is important to check your creams or serums before you put them on your face. If there is any yellow discoloration, DISCARD because they no longer work.
