Vitamin C for acne: benefits and uses

Officially known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that is crucial for various aspects of health, including the skin. Your body does not produce it, so you must obtain it through your diet (2)

This vitamin is also a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which are unstable compounds that can damage body cells over time when levels become too high in the body (3, 4 4)

Your skin is affected by free radicals due to its exposure to its internal and external environments. Among other factors, diet, stress, smoking, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and pollution affect skin health (3, 4 4, 5 5)

The epidermis of your skin, the top layer of skin that is visible to the human eye, contains high levels of vitamin C. This nutrient plays a key role in protecting, healing, and producing new skin (6 6)

Since acne is a highly inflammatory condition that can be exacerbated by environmental stressors, vitamin C may play a role in treatment.

summary

Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect your skin and other cells from free radical damage.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition caused by blocked pores. It leads to redness, swelling, and sometimes pustules, which are inflamed bumps that contain pus (7 7)

In addition to breakouts, acne leaves many people with post-inflammatory scarring and skin damage. However, research indicates that vitamin C can treat several of these conditions.

Keep in mind that while a high intake of foods rich in vitamin C may help other aspects of skin health, no research links dietary vitamin C to reduced levels of acne. However, limited research suggests that topical application of vitamin C may be helpful.

It can reduce acne-related inflammation.

Age, genetics, and hormones are risk factors for acne. Also, certain strains of the common skin bacteria Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) can trigger this condition (7 7, 8)

Since vitamin C is anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce acne-related redness and inflammation when used topically. Thus, it can improve the appearance of acne lesions (9 9)

In a 12-week study of 50 people, 61% of participants who used a lotion containing 5% sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) experienced significant improvements in acne lesions, compared to a control group (10)

In a smaller 8-week study of 30 people, those who used 5% SAP had a 48.8% reduction in acne lesions. Additionally, those who used a combination of SAP and 2% retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, had a 63.1% reduction (9 9)

Although these results are promising, larger, high-quality studies are needed.

It can improve the appearance of acne scars.

After an acne breakout, your skin takes time to heal. Without proper healing, acne scars can develop.

Acne scars are generally related to severe cystic acne, but they can also be the result of mild cases. Also, prolonged acne, genetics, and physical manipulation, such as picking or squeezing, can increase the likelihood of scarring (eleven)

The three main types of acne scars are atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloid.

Atrophic scars cause a loss of skin tissue and collagen and appear as small notches in the skin. Hypertrophic and keloid scars result from overproduction of collagen and appear as thick, raised scar tissue (eleven)

Vitamin C treats acne scars by increasing the synthesis of collagen, a protein responsible for the structure of your skin and vital for rebuilding healthy skin. As a result, this vitamin can accelerate the healing of acne wounds (6 6, 12, 13)

A 4-week study of 30 people observed moderate improvements in acne scars after using microneedles, which involves rolling small needles on the skin to promote healing and increase collagen production, along with a topical vitamin C cream of 15 % once a week (14)

However, it is unknown whether microneedles, vitamin C, or a combination of both were responsible for these results (14)

Furthermore, vitamin C and microneedles are not suitable for hypertrophic and keloidal scars, as these types are the result of overproduction of collagen (fifteen)

While no research links vitamin C in the diet to reducing acne scars, it increases your body’s natural production of collagen and remains beneficial to overall skin health (sixteen, 17)

Can reduce hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is the formation of dark spots on the skin as a result of acne, UV rays, or other injuries, although it should be noted that this condition is harmless.

Applying vitamin C to the skin can reduce hyperpigmentation by interfering with an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is responsible for the production of melanin, a natural pigment in the skin (12, 13, 18 years)

In addition, vitamin C acts as a brightening agent and can reduce the appearance of dark spots without changing the natural color of the skin (12, 13, 18 years)

Some human studies combining topical vitamin C with iontophoresis, an electrical gradient applied to the skin, found significant reductions in hyperpigmentation (19, twenty)

Although this method is promising, iontophoresis increases the absorption of vitamin C in the skin, which means that topical application of vitamin C alone may not produce the same results (twenty-one)

Additionally, most related studies use vitamin C in combination with other anti-hyperpigmentation ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, making it difficult to determine the specific effects of the vitamin. In general, more research is needed (twenty-one)

summary

Topical vitamin C can help reduce acne scars, as well as acne-related inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Still, most research suggests that combining it with other treatments produces the best results.

Although many foods and supplements contain vitamin C, keep in mind that skin care products formulated with this vitamin are more likely to help acne-related conditions.

No current study links vitamin C in the diet to reducing acne or scarring.

Food and supplements

Many fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, such as bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, and citrus (22)

Additionally, vitamin C supplements are widely available.

As such, most people in developed countries meet their vitamin C needs through diet and supplements (22)

Since vitamin C is soluble in water, your body discards any excess through your urine. Before taking a supplement, you can consult a health professional (22)

skin care products

Vitamin C is used in many skin care products, such as serums, moisturizers, and creams.

Although L-ascorbic acid is the most powerful form of this vitamin, it is also the least stable and goes rancid very quickly in skin care products. Topical vitamin C serum enhancers are also popular, but they also have a short shelf life (2. 3, 24)

Therefore, the more stable vitamin C derivatives are commonly used for topical products. However, few human studies examine how these derivatives affect acne. Furthermore, it is not known whether these ingredients provide results similar to those of L-ascorbic acid (2. 3, 24)

Keep in mind that many vitamin C serums are made with other antioxidants like vitamin E to increase stability and provide additional benefits (13)

For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and discard any expired or discolored product.

If you are currently using topical or oral acne medications, consult your dermatologist or healthcare professional before adding any vitamin C skin care products to your routine.

summary

Although vitamin C is widely available in foods and supplements, scientific evidence only supports the use of topical products to reduce acne symptoms.

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the world.

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is known to combat free radical damage to skin cells and can help treat acne.

Topical vitamin C products may improve hyperpigmentation and reduce acne-induced inflammation, but more research is needed.

While no research associates dietary vitamin C with acne reduction, it is still important to get enough in your diet to support collagen synthesis, wound healing, and overall health.

If you are interested in using vitamin C for acne, speak to a dermatologist or healthcare professional before adding it to your skincare routine.