The Importance of Vitamin C and Collagen to Fight the Signs of Aging
While aging is a part of life, there’s no rule that says we have to look at our age! The secret to aging gracefully lies more in what goes in our body, not on it, which is why most of the topicals we put on our face contain vitamin A, B, E, zinc, copper, silicone, and amino acids.
Of all the skin-boosting ingredients, vitamin C and collagen remain supreme for their ability to protect and strengthen our skin from becoming dryer, thinner, and less elastic as we age.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to our overall health. It’s often associated with citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, and the alignment scurvy, one of the first nutritional disorders ever found. Vitamin C supports tissue repair, strengthens the immune system, and keeps us looking young.
Since our body can’t produce vitamin C, we have to find it in foods. Besides citrus fruit, vitamin C is also found in tomatoes, cherries, chili peppers, broccoli, papayas, and leafy greens.
Vitamin C is increasingly popular in topical skincare products. Nava MD anti-aging serums use this ingredient prominently, as well as collagen. For collagen to produce naturally in the body, it needs vitamin C, which is one of the prime reasons both ingredients are found together.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. It’s found inside ligaments, fat, tendons, among other places. When collagen levels are maintained, the human body can more easily “fit” together, become more malleable, and strengthen our bones, leaving a youthful appearance.
While collagen and elastin are used interchangeably, they aren’t the same. However, they work together to give the skin its texture and shape, making it stronger and healthier.
Unlike many other vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients in our body, collagen doesn’t necessarily have a ceiling. The more your body produces, the more it can produce and maintain. People likely tend to look younger for longer by eating more vitamin C.
Benefits of Using Vitamin C and Collagen Products
Whether you eat vitamin C or put it on your face, this ingredient, along with collagen, does wonders for the skin. Here are the many ways vitamin C and collagen lead to healthy skin.
- Safe For Most Skin Types: In very rare cases, people with sensitive skin will experience minor irritation, but it’s one of the safest ingredients to use.
- Brightening: Vitamin C can help fade pigmentation, smooth the skin’s surface, and leave a dewy glow. It’s likely that vitamin C impedes melanin production.
- Hydrating: Most healthy organs and skin contain high amounts of vitamin C. It hydrates the skin, decreases water loss, and better retains moisture.
- Reduces Redness and Dark Circles: Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, which reduces redness. It can also reduce the appearance of dark circles.
- Fades Hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation, like age spots, melasma, and sunspots, will fade over time as you use vitamin C on affected areas.
- Collagen Synthesis: As stated, collagen can’t exist without vitamin C. Collagen will help reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging if collagen stores are up.
- Reduces Sagging: Collagen increases the skin’s firmness and elasticity, which is integral in reducing signs of aging or creating firmer skin after weight loss.
- Protects Against Sun Damage: Since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it can steal an electron from UV-damaging free radicals, making them harmless.
- Soothes Sunburns: If you get a sunburn, vitamin C can minimize redness by accelerating cell turnover, replacing damaged cells with new ones.
- Boosts Wound Healing: Vitamin C promotes healthy wound healing by reducing infection, scarring, and inflammation, leading to faster rates of DNA repair.
It’s clear that all of these benefits would lead to younger-looking skin. To get the most out of vitamin C serums, stay out of the sun or use an SPF +30 to protect your skin from UV rays.
