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Here are some vitamin C functions in healthy skin. Enjoy!

Wound healing

One of the distinctive features of scurvy is poor wound healing. Vitamin C levels decrease rapidly at a wound site. Although inflammatory responses often increase free radicals at the site of injury and the presence of vitamin C may limit free radical damage, free radicals may play a complex role in the healing response that is not yet understood. However, the increased demand for dermal collagensynthesis may increase utilization of Vitamin C. Vitamin C may have additional roles in wound healing, for example, by promoting keratinocyte differentiation, stimulating the formation of the epidermal barrier, and re-establishing the stratum corneum.

Studies on the effect of vitamin C supplementation on wound healing have reported somewhat mixed results. Data from laboratory animals and humans show that vitamin C deficiency results in poor wound healing, and vitamin C supplementation in deficient individuals shows significant benefits. Although vitamin C levels appear to increase collagen synthesis and decrease inflammatory responses at the site of the wound, neither vitamin C supplementation or increased plasma vitamin C status increases wound closure time in otherwise healthy individuals. This suggests that vitamin C may only affect specific facets of the wound healing response. Topical ascorbic acid has not been properly evaluated prior to or during wound healing in humans.

Vitamin C is included in oral therapies for pressure ulcers (bed sores) and burns, along with vitamin E,zinc, and other nutritive factors.

Dry skin

Higher intakes of dietary vitamin C have been correlated with a decreased risk of dry skin, suggesting that ascorbic acid may have effects on trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). In cell culture models, addition of vitamin C promotes the synthesis of barrier lipids, which would establish a functioning stratum corneum with low water permeability. One study using topical vitamin C in human subjects correlated its use with decreased skin roughness. However, another study suggested vitamin C increased TEWL when applied to the skin. Thus, the effects of vitamin C on skin dryness are not clear.

Other functions

Environmental pollutants, such as ozone, can decrease vitamin C levels in the skin and lead to free radicaldamage. Smoking also leads to increased wrinkling and decreased collagen synthesis, which corresponds to a decline in plasma vitamin C levels; however, it is unclear if this correlates to lower vitamin C levels in skin. Topical ascorbic acid has not been evaluated against pollution-related damage.

Topical vitamin C may be useful against acne to reduce inflammatory lesions. However, studies have primarily focused on the use of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a synthetic derivative that may be poorly absorbed by the skin. Topical vitamin C may also have mild skin lightening effects that are caused by reductions in melanin production and melanin oxidation.

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