Vitamin C - A hero ingredient

Vitamin C - A hero ingredient

Posted by Edel Woods on

Vitamin C - the science behind the wonder antioxidant

Reduces collagen breakdown

By inhibiting the enzyme MMP-1 which is responsible for collagen destruction.

Remember collagen is a key structural protein for your skin.Less collagen: More laxity & more lines

Reduces Pigment formation

By inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for producing melanin (melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour)

Reduces inflammation

By inhibiting a potent pro-inflammatory marker NFkB. Inflammation causes many conditions such as acne, rosacea, pigmentation.

Increases collagen formation

By stimulating the fibroblast cell to make collagen. Vitamin C also helps to make collagen strong. When collagen is first made it is like spaghetti strings but to provide structure these strings of ‘spaghetti’ need to clump together. Vitamin C helps his process.

Types of Vitamin C

At ORA, we recommend L Ascorbic Acid. This is the biologically active form of Vitamin C and is responsible for all its known benefits. L ascorbic acid is oil soluble so a vitamin c product labelled as water soluble will be a different forma of vitamin c. Though it will have benefits it will not be as good as L Ascorbic Acid.

Vitamin C in its active form L-Ascorbic Acid is notoriously unstable when exposed to sunlight or air, therefore it should always be contained in a dark brown or amber airtight bottle. The percentage of L-ascorbic acid is of the utmost importance also. The best formulations contain 10-20% L-ascorbic acid. Oily or sensitive skin types typically benefit from 10% while most other skin types will benefit from 15%.

Vitamin C is currently the only antioxidant proven to treat wrinkles, due to its effect on collagen production and quality.

No current studies have demonstrated that Vitamin C taken orally increases the level of Vitamin C in the skin, therefore topical application of Vitamin C is still the most effective with regard to skin health.

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