Vitamin C, Aged Skin, Skin Health

Abstract

Vitamin C is an essential nutriment for humans. Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant potential. Vitamin C acts as a potent water-soluble antioxidant in biological fluids. Thus, topical vitamin C will not only reduce the risks of development of photoaging but also could reduce the risk of carcinogenesis. In addition to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C stimulates or restores several mechanisms which are either deficient or disturbed. Topical application of vitamin C partially restores the anatomical structure of the epidermal-dermal junction in young skin. A clinical trial confirmed for the first time that topical application of 5% vitamin C over a period of 6 months significantly improves the clinical appearance of photodamaged skin when compared to the vehicle alone. In inflammatory skin diseases, that is, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, vitamin C levels into the dermis are reduced. Moreover, a randomized double-blind comparative study conducted in patients with Bateman purpura showed a significant improvement that vitamin C is probably one of the main topical anti-aging agents. In addition, the use of photo-protective sunscreen after UV irradiation prevents the decrease of acid ascorbic dermis concentration. Indeed, the ingestion of vitamin C has different benefits on skin such as wound healing, cutaneous aging, and prevention of skin cancer.

Ascorbic Acid Treatments as Effective and Safe Anti-Aging Therapies for Sensitive Skin

“…By acting as an antioxidant, it also removes reactive oxygen species or free radicals [26]. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving healthy women, the topical application of a 5% ascorbic acid cream (once a day for a period of 6 months) to sun-exposed parts of the body significantly reduced deep wrinkles and improved skin texture compared to treatment with an excipient [27]. Furthermore, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the use of a formulation containing 10% ascorbic acid for a period of 12 weeks significantly reduced signs of photoaging and reduced wrinkles compared to a placebo [25].…”

Evaluation of the Healing Effect of Ointments Based on Bee Products on Cutaneous Lesions in Wistar Rats

“…Vitamin C is a cofactor for two crucial enzymes in collagen synthesis: proline and lysine hydroxylases that stabilize the tertiary structure of the collagen molecule and give it structural strength [24]. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects the skin against UV radiation and photoaging [26]. Patients with inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which involve the production of reactive oxygen species, have low concentrations of vitamin C. Decreased vitamin C levels in the dermis are also determined by increasing age, and topical application of vitamin C causes changes in skin appearance and ultrastructure, suggesting a positive role in preventing and treating skin aging [26].…”

“…As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects the skin against UV radiation and photoaging [26]. Patients with inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which involve the production of reactive oxygen species, have low concentrations of vitamin C. Decreased vitamin C levels in the dermis are also determined by increasing age, and topical application of vitamin C causes changes in skin appearance and ultrastructure, suggesting a positive role in preventing and treating skin aging [26]. It is possible that the very presence of vitamin C in honey ointment is responsible for the nonvicious healing of the skin tissue, which does not present keloid scars in any of the lesion models targeted by this study.…”

Review: Peningkatan Stabilitas Vitamin C dalam Sediaan Kosmetika

“…Selain itu, Vitamin C memiliki bioaktivitas sebagai agen pencerah kulit, UV protektor, anti-aging (penuaan dini), pencegah bintik hitam pada wajah, dan mengurangi risiko karsinogenesis. Vitamin C atau Asam Askorbat pertama kali diisolasi pada tahun 1923 oleh ahli biokimia Hungaria dan peraih Nobel Szent-Gyorgyi dan disintesis oleh Howarth dan Hirst (1) (2).…”

“…Dua turunan yang banyak digunakan dalam produk kosmetik adalah ascorbyl palmitate dan garam ascorbyl fosfat. Kedua turunan tersebut berbeda dalam kemampuannya untuk menembus kulit, sebagai akibat dari sifat hidrolipofiliknya yang berbeda (2). Selain itu, terdapat beberapa derivat Vitamin C lainnya yang dapat digunakan seperti 3-ethyl ascorbic acid, konjugat ascorbic acidsqualane, ascorbyl 2-glucosidase, tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl 2-phosphate-6-palmitat dan bentuk prekursor asam askorbat (39) (40).…”