Plenty of Vitamin C
Some vitamins are fat-soluble, and that means we store them in body fat. There's a limit on how much of the vitamins A, D, E and K should be taken for this reason. Vitamin C is water-soluble, though, and your body eliminates it more quickly. That's why high doses of vitamin C are not as dangerous. The best way to get enough, though, is to eat foods that have a high vitamin C content. Green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits peppers and tomatoes are good dietary sources of vitamin C.
Benefits for the Skin
Besides being effective at keeping away stress-induced colds, high blood pressure and gout, vitamin C is excellent for skin health. Combatting free radicals and relieving oxidative stress on your skin keeps it healthy at the same time that the vitamin is contributing to new collagen production. Collagen is the substance that gives skin a plump, full and healthy look, and that's why so many anti-aging products include it.Vitamin C also protects your skin from the damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. As it works to eliminate free radicals and protect your skin, it's used up rapidly. Like sunscreen, vitamin C should be reapplied when you're spending a lot of time in the sun. When collagen is damaged, it can lead to more wrinkling of the skin, but protection with a layer of vitamin C can minimize wrinkles caused by sun exposure and leave skin looking and feeling smoother.
Maximum Skin Absorption
Studies have shown that exfoliation of the skin allows better absorption of vitamin C. However, the vitamin does lose its effectiveness when exposed to light. The best way to package a skin product that contains vitamin C is in a container that blocks light, and it should also be stored in a dark place. Applying vitamin C directly to the skin, in combination with other substances that enhance its effect, is one of the best forms of skin protection. But how do you get enough of this healthy vitamin on your skin?Skin Products
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C facial serum is a clear, thin, easily spread liquid that includes vitamins C and E in a suspension. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that protects your skin from UV rays and prevents cell damage. When both vitamins are delivered together, they are more effective than either of them alone. It's vital to get enough vitamin E for your skin, too, because it can't be produced by the body. The only way that humans get vitamin E is through diet or by using topical products on the skin. Vegetable oils, peanuts, almonds, avocados and asparagus all contain significant amounts of vitamin E. The recommended daily amount of vitamin E for adults is 15 mg or 22.4 IU.
Many serums also contain hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced by the body that can be replicated in a lab. It's a lubricant that keeps joints and skin supple, and it helps the skin retain moisture. It's also a mild anti-inflammatory that soothes the skin, with the extra hydration making the skin look dewy and filled out.
Vitamin C Cream
Like serum, vitamin C cream should also include vitamin E for maximum benefit. The recommended amount of vitamin C is 3 to 10 percent, and the cream can be worn under sunscreen to improve its effectiveness. Ascorbic acid is the most common kind of vitamin C used because it has more antioxidants than some other forms.Many people use a vitamin C cream to help lighten age spots and keep acne under control. Besides keeping skin healthier, the vitamin encourages cell turnover in the skin, acting as a natural exfoliant. This can help lighten areas that have too much melanin and remove dead skin that encourages acne-causing bacteria. Because of it's wound healing properties, vitamin C also helps sooth acne inflammation.