The roles of vitamin C in skin health
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM
Published in Nutrients, Vol. 9, pp. 866
Methodology
Review of in vitro and in vivo evidence comparing dietary versus topical vitamin C for skin structure, collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection and wound healing.
Key Findings
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which stimulates collagen synthesis and assists antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage; the efficacy of topical application versus optimised dietary intake is poorly understood.
Conclusions
Vitamin C is essential for skin collagen formation and photoprotection, but human evidence for supplementation improving skin appearance is limited and mostly indirect.
Limitations
Narrative review; few well-controlled human trials of oral vitamin C alone on skin endpoints; heavy reliance on in vitro models.
Supplements Studied
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which supports important and well-known functions, stimulating collagen synthesis and assisting in antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.
Outcomes Measured
Vitamin C assists in antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.
We compare the efficacy of nutritional intake of vitamin C versus topical application, identify the areas where lack of evidence limits our understanding of the potential benefits of vitamin C on skin health.
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which supports important and well-known functions, stimulating collagen synthesis.
Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for collagen hydroxylation and supplementation supports dermal collagen formation
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
University of Otago / academic
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.