Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is vital for the body, acting as a strong antioxidant and helping with important chemical reactions. A recent study reveals that Vitamin C enhances skin cell growth and repair by stimulating key genes that promote cell regeneration and strengthening of the skin without altering the DNA sequence.
Humans don’t have the ability to make vitamin C in their bodies and need to get it from foods like fruits and vegetables or from supplements. The body uses vitamin C to produce collagen, an essential protein for skin, blood vessels, and ligaments. It also helps create neurotransmitters and supports the breakdown of specific amino acids.
It also helps strengthen the skin’s protective barrier against germs and boosts its ability to neutralize harmful substances, potentially shielding it from environmental damage. It appears to regulate the epidermis’ structure and function, particularly by modulating epidermal cell growth. Prior research has shown that Vitamin C operates at the cellular level to regulate multiple processes, impacting skin cells, immune cells, and even cancer cells.
For the study, the scientists studied how vitamin C impacts skin growth using 3D skin models that mimic real skin. In these models, the top layer is exposed to air, while the bottom layer receives nutrients, similar to how blood vessels feed skin in the body. They tested two different doses of vitamin C. After seven days, they observed that the living skin layer grew thicker, indicating increased skin cell growth.
The outermost dead skin layer remained unchanged initially. However, by day 14, the living skin lay-er had thickened further, while the outer dead layer became thinner. This indicated that vitamin C was boosting the production of key cells that form the skin’s protective barrier.
These results indicate that vitamin C can fortify thin or aging skin. It functions by reviving growth pathways that weaken with age, stimulating genes, and promoting cellular repair at a molecular level. Based on this new study and prior research, vitamin C could become a key part of daily skincare, not only as an antioxidant but also as a gene-revitalizing agent.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Vitamin C Promotes Epidermal Proliferation by Promoting DNA Demethylation of Proliferation-Related Genes in Human Epidermal Equivalents
