Vitamin C and Your Skin

Most of us have heard how important Vitamin C is for overall health.  What many don't know is how nourishing Vitamin C is for the skin.  The same cold-fighting, health-enhancing abilities of the Vitamin C one receives from eating an orange also protect, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. The leads to a healthier, younger-looking, more vibrant complexion.  

What is Vitamin C?  

Also known as L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that works inside the human body to promote overall health.  It prevents sickness, heals injuries, prevents bleeding, and helps produce collagen.

Why is Vitamin C helpful to my skin?

Vitamin C is particularly helpful to the skin in three main ways.  First, it stimulates collagen production in skin cells, leading to tighter, plumper skin with less fine lines and wrinkles.  Second, Vitamin C brightens the skin.  It penetrates the skin’s layers to lift away discoloration and provide a more radiant, even complexion while inhibiting melanin production to prevent the formation of age-spots.  Third, it protects the skin.  As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C removes damaging free radicals from the surface of the skin and prevents environmental damage that leads to aging.  

What is ascorbyl phosphate?

Also known as sodium ascorbic phosphate, ascorbyl phosphate is a fancy, chemical name for stable Vitamin C.  Regular Vitamin C is very unstable, making it impractical to use in skin care products due to the fact that it rots on the shelf.  Also, the skin is unable to absorb it. This is why rubbing an orange all over your face won't get you any of the tightening and brightening benefits as a stable version of Vitamin C.

Ascorbyl phosphate is a stabilized form of Vitamin C that is activated when broken down by enzymes on in the skin to release pure, nourishing Vitamin C that the skin can absorb. 

Cosmedica Skincare recognizes the dermatologic power of Vitamin C, which is why it includes the powerful vitamin and antioxidant in its 20% Hydra-C Serum, 79% Vitamin C Power Serum, and Vitamin C Prep & Tone.