Sun exposure can be both beneficial and harmful to our health, depending on the dose. The main benefit to our health and well-being is the all-important production of vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin.” The main harm is from too much exposure leading to sunburn and damage to our skin. Recently, brands have introduced new skin care products that use topical vitamin C to benefit skin health and reduce sun damage. Do these approaches work?
In recent years, the topical application of vitamin C serum or skin cream has gained traction for its numerous claimed skin benefits. Brands have begun to include it in facial serums and estheticians claim it can reduce wrinkles, skin discolorations, and increase protection from UV rays when used in conjunction with sunscreen. Even the Cleveland Clinic recently had a dermatologist weigh in on the benefits that purportedly include protection from free radical damage, anti-aging effects, enhancing sunscreen protection, reducing hyperpigmentation, and reducing dark under-eye circles.
It almost sounds too good to be true! Can vitamin C really help our skin? How much vitamin C will help our skin? And is it best to apply vitamin C directly to skin using a cream or to consume foods high in vitamin C or take a vitamin C supplement?
Here’s what the research says about vitamin C and skin health.
Continue reading Doc Smith’s article on thepaleodiet.com. This article excerpt used with permission of The Paleo Diet, LLC.