Leighton Wainohu - Apr 06, 2024
The Power of Vitamin C
VDo we truly understand the benefits of Vitamin C for the skin, or has it become a product of herd mentality? Many individuals promote Vitamin C, leading one to wonder if its popularity is driven more by collective belief than scientific knowledge. This blog aims to delve into the science behind Vitamin C and its effects on the skin, providing clarity amidst the buzz of skincare trends.
- What are free radicals
- How are free radicals produced
- How do free radicals effect the body & skin
- What are antioxidants and why do we need them
- What is Vitamin C?
What Are Free Radicals
Vitamin C is a potent free radical scavanger so it makes sense to start here - So what are free radicals?
Free radicals are highly reactive atoms that contain an unpaired electron. This makes them unstable and can cause considerable damage to the molecules in the body, causing damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. This is achieved through a
In the context of skin health, free radicals can wreak havoc by causing oxidative stress. When free radicals interact with skin cells, they can damage cellular structures like collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping the skin firm and elastic. This damage can lead to premature aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. Free radicals can also contribute to skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis by triggering inflammation.
How Are Free Radicals Produced
They are produced naturally in the body during processes like metabolism, but they can also come from external sources such as pollution, UV radiation, cigarette smoke, and certain chemicals. To combat the damaging effects of free radicals, it's important to incorporate antioxidants into your skincare routine. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to stabilize them, thus preventing them from causing harm to the skin.
How Do Free Radicals Effect The Body & Skin
Before we understand the effect of free radicals on the body, we need to learn a little bit about cells and the meaning of oxidative stress.
Each cell has an outer layer called a cell membrane made of lipids and proteins which allows only certain particles to enter the cell. It acts as a protective barrier between the outer environment and the components of the cell thus maintaining the integrity of the cell.
When there are more free radicals in circulation than antioxidants required to fight them, it leads to oxidative stress. This imbalance damages the precious cell membrane as the free radicals act upon the lipids, proteins, and eventually the nucleic acids (DNA), therefore destroying the whole cell. By destroying healthy cells, free radicals can cause several health issues like hair loss, graying hair, wrinkles, dark circles, muscle cramps, and accelerated aging.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting against free radicals by neutralizing their harmful effects.
Antioxidants Donate an Electron:
Antioxidants are molecules that are stable with or without an extra electron.When a free radical steals an electron from a molecule in your skin (like a skin cell), it becomes unstable. This is where antioxidants step in.Antioxidants are willing to donate one of their own electrons to the free radical without becoming unstable themselves.
Antioxidants Stop the Chain Reaction:
By giving up an electron to the free radical, the antioxidant stops the chain reaction of electron theft.This prevents further damage to the skin cells and other important molecules in the skin.
Antioxidants Stabilise Free Radicals:
After receiving the electron from the antioxidant, the free radical becomes stable and no longer poses a threat to the skin.
Antioxidants Can Regenerate:
What's even more impressive is that some antioxidants, like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, can regenerate themselves after neutralizing a free radical.This means they can continue to protect your skin against new free radicals that may come along.
Antioxidants Have a Synergistic Effect:
Some antioxidants work together in a synergistic way, enhancing each other's effectiveness.For example, Vitamin C can regenerate Vitamin E after it has neutralized a free radical, allowing Vitamin E to continue its protective role.
Antioxidants Protect Skin Structures:
Antioxidants protect important structures in the skin, such as collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen and elastin are crucial for maintaining skin firmness, elasticity, and overall youthfulness. Free radicals can break down these structures, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
What is Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for various bodily functions. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and is well-known for its antioxidant properties.
Antioxidant Protection: Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant for the skin. It helps neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging. By combating free radicals, vitamin C helps protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation, reducing the risk of premature aging and skin damage.
Collagen Synthesis: Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. Collagen helps maintain skin firmness and suppleness, contributing to a youthful appearance. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, aiding in the repair of damaged skin and supporting overall skin health.
Brightening and Even Tone: Vitamin C can help brighten the skin and even out skin tone by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven pigmentation. By suppressing melanin production, vitamin C can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and promote a more radiant complexion.
Wound Healing: Vitamin C plays a role in wound healing and skin repair. It contributes to the formation of new skin tissue and promotes faster healing of cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries. Additionally, vitamin C's antioxidant properties help protect the skin during the healing process and minimize scarring.Sun Protection: While not a replacement for sunscreen, vitamin C can enhance the effectiveness of sun protection. As an antioxidant, it helps neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure, reducing the damage caused by sunburn and long-term sun exposure. Incorporating vitamin C into your skincare routine alongside sunscreen can provide added protection against UV-induced skin damage.