What is vitamin C?Updated a year ago
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient also known as “ascorbic acid” in its pure, naturally-occurring form. Internally, we need vitamin C dearly. It’s an important molecule in a few of the body’s repair functions, including collagen production. It also supports the immune system and provides immense antioxidant protection.
Thankfully, vitamin C is plentiful in many fruits and vegetables (and not just citrus!). However, once you’ve cut a vegetable and left it sitting out for too long, or decided to cook it, its vitamin C content depletes. So make sure to eat your veggies while they’re fresh!
Topically, vitamin C serums have many of the same benefits for the skin, but only as long as they’re made with vitamin C’s pure form, ascorbic acid. Its ability to repair and protect makes it a valuable addition to any skincare routine.
However, it’s a challenge for cosmetic chemists to keep vitamin C fresh and effective. Ascorbic acid can degrade very quickly when exposed to air. Very few brands succeed in preserving it completely, so shoppers can end up with brown, oxidized serums that don’t contain any vitamin C anymore.