Nutritional status with respect to both macronutrients and micronutrients is important for skin health and appearance. The vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy is characterized by skin fragility, bleeding gums, and corkscrew hairs as well as impaired wound healing.
Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C. According to reports vitamin C levels are lower in aged or photodamaged skin. Excessive exposure to oxidant stress via pollutants or UV irradiation is associated with depleted vitamin C levels in the epidermal layer.
According to studies, the use of an oral supplement vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract produced improvements in the signs of skin aging.
Vitamin C acts as a co-factor for the proline and lysine hydroxylases that promote collagen gene expression. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize and remove oxidants, such as those found in environmental pollutants and after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Also, vitamin C is particularly effective at reducing oxidative damage to the skin when it is used in conjunction with vitamin E.
