Vitamin+C+and+Acne

Vitamin C is useful in acne treatment for two major reasons: it serves as an antioxidant and it contributes to collagen synthesis.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C removes harmful free radicals and reducing them to harmless compounds.

Damage to the skin from free radicals is one of the root causes of acne. Since the skin is exposed to environmental toxins and also serves as an exit for the body to push out systemic toxins, it needs to be constantly protected from free radicals.

When free radicals are left on the skin, they break down the proteins and fatty acids making up the skin and disturb the normal pH of the skin. These effects are cumulative and can change the nature of the skin.

When free radicals harm the sebaceous gland, they can increase the production of sebum and leave the skin open to bacterial infections.

Acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes will only worsen the condition of the skin by causing inflammatory acne lesions, increasing the accumulation of dead skin cells and clogging skin pores.

To prevent this chain reaction that leads to acne breakouts, vitamin C can help mop up the free radicals before they damage the skin.

This keeps the skin protected and prevents the formation of acne lesions.

Vitamin C and Acne. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2016, from http://www.progressivehealth.com/vitamin-c-acne.htm

How Exactly Does Vitamin C Help Your Skin?
The science behind the effects of vitamin C for acne:


 * ** Breakouts: **Free radicals (environmental toxins and bacteria) are one of the root sources of acne, but vitamin C can work to clear out these harmful toxins.
 * ** Inflammation and redness **: One of the more noticeable effects of taking a vitamin C supplement is the clearing of redness caused by skin inflammation.
 * ** Acne scars **: Vitamin C helps rejuvenate the skin by promoting collagen and elastin production, essential proteins needed to generate new skin.

. (2015). Vitamin C for Acne: Can Vitamin C cure Acne? Retrieved September 23, 2016, from https://yoderm.com/pimples/vitamin-c-for-acne

Created By Russell Kelly Wagner, September 23 2016, 1st Period, Mr. Brewer Intergrated Science