12 Natural Beauty Benefits of Vitamin C

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Radiant, wrinkle-free skin is on everyone’s wishlist, but do you need to spend thousands of dollars a year on expensive treatments to achieve this? 

Recent research is showing us that nature's wonder vitamin, Vitamin C, not only helps us boost our immune systems and prevent against the common cold (and may even help treat COVID-19) but it is now one of the most important nutrients when it comes to natural beauty. 

The magic lies in Vitamin C’s powerful antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals in the body. This aids the skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair and replace damaged cells.

So here are 12 Natural Beauty Benefits of Vitamin C plus some of our favorite places you can find this incredible nutrient:

1. Firmer, Tighter Skin

Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen, which helps give skin its firmness and tone. When the skin is deficient, it becomes dull and lifeless. Unfortunately, as we age, we lose the natural abundance we’re born with, so having enough Vitamin C is essential to ensure you’re producing enough collagen for plump and healthy skin.

2. Repairs Blemishes & Hyperpigmentation

The body uses Vitamin C to replace damaged tissue, helping to heal wounds such as cuts, bruises, and acne-related blemishes. Hyperpigmentation of the skin can occur with blemishes over time, but Vitamin C has also been praised for impending melanin production; which contributes to overproduction. Looking for clearer, even skin, with reduced blemishes? This might be the answer.

3. Prevents Signs Of Aging

You’ve heard this term from just about any beauty product on the market, but in this case - it’s true. As it’s a potent antioxidant, Vitamin C helps to keep wrinkles and skin dryness at bay by fighting free radical damage. By targeting any signs of ‘wear and tear’, the skin is left looking brighter, and more youthful.

4. Protect & Repair Skin From Sun Damage

Spent too long with a good book soaking up the sun? Vitamin C not only helps to prevent UV damage, acting as a mild natural sunscreen, it also helps to fade sides of damage already done by the sun. Once again, this is due to the powerful free-radical fighting properties.

5. Silky Smooth & Hydrated Skin

Lumps, bumps, and rough patches simply fade away. Without enough nutrients, the skin becomes rough and dry as the body directs these to where they’re needed for survival. Creams and serums containing Vitamin C improve the appearance and texture of the skin, alongside ingestible doses. The vitamin increases elastin formation which thickens, protects, and heals skin cells. This thickening effect in the cells also helps to retain moisture, increase skin circulation, and plump the skin surface. Plus, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, one of the main Vitamin C derivatives used in skincare, has been shown to have a hydrating effect on the skin. It decreases transepidermal water loss, allowing your skin to better retain moisture. 

6. Reduce Dark, Tired Under-Eye Circles

Only had four hours of sleep last night? The whole world doesn’t need to know about it, it can be our little secret. Can you guess the one thing that will help, besides not staying up all night binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy? It’s Vitamin C, of course. Plumping, hydrating, reducing redness and hyperpigmentation… It works to reduce ongoing discoloration so you can look like you had a full eight hours.

7. Longer, Stronger Nails

Bite when you’re nervous? Years of manicures taking their toll on your natural nails? Vitamin C helps maintain the integrity of fingernails by strengthening them from the inside out. This is because of the ability to assist the body in collagen production.

8. Grow Lustrous, Strong Hair

Having enough Vitamin C may help to prevent split ends and dry hair. This is because the compounds work on both strengthening the hair follicle and stimulating hair growth. What’s more, a low intake of Vitamin C is considered to be a root cause of numerous hair related problems that affect growth, strength, and all-over condition.

9. Preserve Vibrant Hair Color

Add a dose of Vitamin C to your hair care regimen either internally or topically. A blend that combines Vitamin C and quinoa protein will help to boost color retention, shield against UV rays (hello dull color), and even reduce breakage from heavy bleaching.

10. Support Wound Healing & Heal Scarring

As it helps to heal from sunburn and blemishes, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this vitamin helps to heal inflammation, irritation, and infection. Not only does it work to clear up these imperfections, but it can also target any scarring from pre-existing bumps and bruises. 

11. Invites A Radiant, Glowing Complexion

If you’ve ever had a facial or trialed a luminous serum, you’ll know just how vibrant your skin can be when you treat it right. With the combination of free radicals, antioxidants, collagen-boosting compounds, and all-over nourishment, the skin is left radiant, dewy, and glowing like the front page of a glossy magazine.

12. Feel Energized & Alive Again

As many of us have come to understand, any deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, which results in fatigue and weakness. Vitamin C is a vital co-factor to help absorb iron from the foods you eat and the supplements you take. Ultimately, this helps you look and feel more energized, which is the key to letting your inner beauty shine through.

What are our top recommended sources of Vitamin C for natural beauty?

First and foremost Vitamin C is a nutrient found in natural whole living foods and this is where you should turn to first. Foods such as Camu Camu berries, Goji Berries, Oranges, Acerola Cherries, Payapa, and more. You can find our Top 10 Natural Sources of Vitamin C here and a Vitamin C boost juice recipe here. 

If you’re looking to supplement your Vitamin C intake we recommend a whole foods Vitamin C supplement in a powdered form. This will typically consist of some of the powdered versions of nature’s top sources of Vitamin C listed above and you can shop our favorite Vitamin C supplement here. 

Finally, if you’re looking for a topical serum we have a personal favorite which we use daily (when it hasn’t run out and we’re waiting for a new order!) you can shop our favorite Vitamin C serum here. 

Thank you Mother Nature once again for this incredible healing nutrient.

Do you have a passion for nutrition & natural healing?. Learn more about the Food Matters Nutrition Certification  Program here.

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