Research shows that roughly half of all American adolescents struggle with acne, as do close to 30 percent of adults. In other words, a lot of people have this skin condition, and it’s safe to say that nobody actually wants it. Acne symptoms can be incredibly demoralizing, sapping self-confidence and leading to real irritation.
Of course, there are countless skincare products on the market to treat acne, ranging from topical creams to oral medications. These products vary in efficacy. Something that might surprise you is that many of the most successful treatments include Vitamin C.
Indeed, Vitamin C can be an important ingredient in any skincare routine, helping you to achieve clear, breakout-free skin. In this post, we’ll take a look at Vitamin C and its uses in skincare.
How Vitamin C Improves Skincare
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that enhances your health in a number of ways. It isn’t naturally produced by the body, which means it can only be obtained through diet and supplements.
One of the positive aspects of Vitamin C is that it works as an antioxidant. This means it helps neutralize the free radicals that damage your cells and often lead to serious skin degradation.
Your skin is exposed to free radicals in a number of ways, both internally and externally. Diet, stress, smoking, the sun’s rays, and air pollution can all inundate you with free radicals.
But back to Vitamin C: As you supplement your diet with Vitamin C, a lot of it lingers on the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your skin. There, it plays an important anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effect, helping you minimize skin damage… including acne breakouts.
Specifically, Vitamin C can help you treat acne in the following ways:
- It reduces inflammation, specifically redness and swelling, which are two of the primary symptoms associated with acne.
- It expedites healing and may minimize the appearance of acne scars.
- It reduces hyperpigmentation, which is the appearance of dark spots on your skin as the result of acne.
Using Vitamin C to Treat Acne
The question is, how can you apply Vitamin C to help with the treatment of acne?
A good first step is to make sure you’re getting a good balance of vitamins in your daily diet. Citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables are especially good sources of Vitamin C.
If you don’t think you’re getting enough Vitamin C in your diet, oral supplements are also available.
And many skincare professionals say that Vitamin C should also be applied topically. Look for moisturizers, serums, and other skincare products that are infused with Vitamin C. This is an important way to seize on its anti-acne effects.
Learn More About Clean, Clear Skin
As you think about ways to treat acne and keep your skin clear, don’t hesitate to reach out to Javan Wellness. We’d love to talk with you further about looking and feeling your best. Contact us to discuss any of your skincare needs.