Topical vitamin C is a form of crystalline vitamin C usually formulated in a water-based solution and meant to be directly applied to the skin. It can be dissolved in water, aloe vera and other substances, but some products use a fat soluble form of vitamin C. The benefits of topical vitamin C include stimulating collagen production and providing protection from cellular damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is found in a host of skin care products and is frequently used to stop premature aging of the skin. It is said to be affective in reducing sun damage, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
The main benefits of topical vitamin C are the restorative and protective actions it has on the skin. It is widely used to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is thought to be achieved by vitamin C’s stimulation of collagen formation, the protein that keeps skin supple. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and it is thought to prevent damage to skin cells caused by free radicals. These are formed when skin is exposed to ultra violet radiation and pollution, and as part of cell metabolism.
Research has shown that the application of vitamin C to the skin appears to improve the structure of aging skin. It increases the density of extensions of the dermis into the epidermis, tiny structures that decrease in number as skin ages. This is thought to provide a better flow of nutrients and oxygen through the capillaries in these extensions, making the skin better nourished and healthier in appearance. The overall effect is to diminish the fine lines and wrinkles in aging or sun-damaged skin.
There is some evidence that topical vitamin C might be effective in treating skin cancer. Some reports show that a saturated solution of vitamin C in water applied directly to basal cell skin cancers causes the cancer to scab over and fall off. Basal cell skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer, grows slowly, and rarely metastasizes. According to reports, topical vitamin C kills only the cancer cells, leaving healthy skin cells undamaged. Using topical vitamin C in this capacity is considered an alternative medical treatment.
One of the disadvantages of topical vitamin C is its fragility when exposed to light and air. Certain forms of vitamin C are more unstable than others, but all are neutralized by exposure to heat, oxygen and sunlight. Products containing vitamin C should be protected from these elements in order to prevent the product from degrading and losing effectiveness. In addition to storage challenges, another potential disadvantage for some users of products with topical vitamin C is that they tend to lighten the skin.