Benefits of Vitamin C for health, skin and hair

Few ingredients are as deserving of a place in your routine as vitamin C. While many of us are familiar with its benefits as part of a healthy diet, the antioxidant has also become a staple in skin care regimens, and for good reason. From cleansers to serums to moisturizers and face masks, formulas with vitamin C make the most of its widespread properties and ability to regenerate the skin.

Health and Skin Care Benefits of Vitamin C

When we think about a healthy diet, vitamin C almost certainly comes to mind. Vitamin C boosts your immunity to prevent or treat a cold, helps wounds heal quicker and also may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Along with boasting some major health benefits, vitamin C is also good for your skin. Vitamin C not only helps repair free radical damage, but it brightens the skin and helps fade dark spots. It also stimulates collagen production, improving the skin’s texture and quality.

Using vitamin C regularly can help prevent the effects of sun damage and pollution from showing up on your skin, too. The antioxidant helps defend against hyperpigmentation by inhibiting an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is responsible for converting tyrosine into melanin in the skin.

The best part? Unlike some other buzzworthy skin care ingredients, vitamin C doesn’t come with a long list of precautions. Vitamin C is generally safe, gentle and effective when used in skin care.

Hair Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C also has benefits for your hair. The ingredient is a necessary component to create the protein known as collagen, which promotes hair health. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb non-heme iron, a necessary mineral for hair growth.

To see these benefits, it is recommended to get adequate levels of vitamin C through your diet, with antioxidant-rich foods and even supplements in some cases. We often see the biggest benefit of supplementing vitamin C in patients with vitamin-C deficiency. As for those without a deficiency, it is recommended to add more parsley leaves, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, strawberries, kiwi and citrus fruits to your diet, as they are some of the best ways to reap the benefits of vitamin C for hair.