The effects of vitamin C on skin may include sun damage reversal and reduced aging. It might also help skin wounds heal up faster than they normally would without the aid of the vitamin. Most of the positive effects of vitamin C on skin are attributed to its ability to increase the skin's production of collagen. When a person ages, the skin starts to lose elasticity due to a reduction in the amount of collagen present. Vitamin C may not be able to keep a person from aging, but it might make the process go a little more slowly.
In addition to boosting collagen production, vitamin C may also help to reverse or reduce the aging process because it is an antioxidant. Studies have shown that antioxidants may be very useful for repairing damaged cells, which could result in healthier looking skin for many people. Vitamin C is often listed as ascorbic acid or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate on products that contain it. Not all forms of vitamin C are stable in all products, because exposure to air can cause it to become ineffective. Vitamin C that is labeled as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is typically considered more stable than other types.
Many people get vitamin C from the foods they eat, but supplements are often taken as well. The foods that tend to have the highest amounts of vitamin C are typically in the fruit group. Oranges, cantaloupes, and strawberries are just a few types of fruits that are rich in vitamin C. Most experts agree that while it is not necessarily a bad idea to take a vitamin C supplement, it is best absorbed by the body when it is derived from actual food sources. A person who does not eat much fruit or fruit-based foods may need to take a supplement if he or she wants to benefit from the effects of vitamin C on skin.
In addition to foods and supplements, vitamin C is also a popular ingredient in many facial creams. It is not uncommon to find vitamin C among the ingredients on several different brands of anti-aging remedies. The effects of vitamin C on skin when used in the form of facial products tend to vary because different companies use different concentrations of it. There is also some debate concerning whether vitamin C is effective when applied topically. Many studies indicate that vitamin C is beneficial when used in topical form, but these creams still may not be able to compete with the benefits of getting adequate amounts of the vitamin from food sources.