Vitamin C: The Secret Weapon Against Acne?

  • By Performance Lab
  • 6 minute read
Vitamin C: The Secret Weapon Against Acne?

Acne vulgaris, more commonly known as just acne, is a common skin condition that affects up to 50% of adolescents and 15–30% of adults 1.

Adolescent acne often results from hormonal imbalances, but for adults, the underlying causes are plenty. But in any case, acne is a significant cause of embarrassment, as it can cause pimples, oily skin, redness, and inflammation.

If one thing is certain, acne doesn’t have to happen—you need to give your body the proper nutrients to fight it and keep the breakouts at bay.

But perhaps more importantly, you need to understand what’s causing acne in the first place because treating it isn’t always as simple as a topical acne application—the roots can go much deeper.

If you’re looking to clear up acne and fight it in the future, ensuring you give your body the proper nutrients is critical. So, let’s start with vitamin C.

It’s commonly added to topical creams and acne medications, but it’s widely available in food sources and supplements, and research shows that thanks to its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, it might be a solid contender for treating and reducing acne.

Ready to learn about the link between acne and vitamin C? This article explains the relationship between acne and vitamin C. Let’s get started.

Vitamin C And Your Skin

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in many biological functions in your body, from your immune system and bone health to skin, wound healing, and iron absorption.

But unlike some mammals, humans don’t contain the enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin C endogenously, so it must come through diet or supplementation 2.

With respect to skin health, vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant properties are key for neutralizing free radicals 3.

When free radicals accumulate in the body because of inadequate antioxidant defenses, it can lead to a state of oxidative damage, which damages your body’s cells and tissues 4, 5.

Nearly every system in the body is affected by free radicals, but your skin can take a big hit. It’s exposed to free radicals from your internal and external environment, including diet, stress, smoking, UV rays, environmental chemicals, and more.

And studies have either directly or indirectly linked an increasing number of diseases and disorders, along with the aging process itself, to free radicals 4.

Besides its antioxidant role, vitamin C is essential for other aspects of skin health, especially collagen production 5.

Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body that plays a vital role in the integrity of the skin. Collagen contributes to the skin’s hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density 6.

As for vitamin C, it serves as a cofactor for lysyl and prolyl hydroxylase, which are required to stabilize the triple helical structure of collagen.

Low vitamin C levels manifest cutaneously as impaired collagen synthesis, enlargement, and keratosis of hair follicles resulting in ‘corkscrew hairs,’ dry skin, and keratosis pilaris (“chicken skin”).

How Are Vitamin C And Acne Linked?

Vitamin C plays a clear role in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin, but how does it contribute to acne?

Acne can be both an inflammatory and non-inflammatory condition. Non-inflammatory acne develops when pores become blocked, leading to blemishes like blackheads.

On the other hand, inflammatory acne occurs when inflammation in the blocked pores, including bacteria and inflammatory mediators, triggers an immune response and leads to inflammation 7.

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On top of breakouts and lesions, acne often leaves post-inflammatory scars and permanent skin damage—but studies suggest that vitamin C may help treat these conditions and improve overall skin health.

That said, keep in mind that most research on vitamin C for acne is based on topical treatment as opposed to dietary or supplemental consumption.

So, what can vitamin C do?

Reduce acne-related inflammation

Several factors are involved in the pathology of acne, but certain strains of bacteria can also contribute to the development of inflammatory acne.

And since vitamin C has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it may help to reduce some of the topical redness and swelling associated with acne, thereby improving the appearance of lesions 8.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology looked at the efficacy of a vitamin C lotion for 12 weeks for treating acne 9.

Results showed that 61% of people using the lotion saw significant improvements in acne lesions. A similar study found that 48.8% of people using a lotion with vitamin C saw reductions in lesions 10.

May Reduce The Appearance Of Acne Scars

While many people find acne embarrassing, the scars it leaves behind can take a real toll on self-confidence. Following an acne breakout, the skin takes time to heal, and without sufficient healing time, scars can develop.

Although scars are typically related to more severe cystic acne, they can also result from mild acne and squeezing or picking pimples.

There are three types of acne scars:

  1. Atrophic
  2. Hypertrophic
  3. Keloidal

Atrophic scars result in a loss of skin tissue and collagen and appear as small indents of the skin, while the overproduction of collagen causes both hypertrophic and keloidal scars and appear as thick, raised scar tissue 11.

Vitamin C may benefit acne scars by boosting collagen production, essential for maintaining the skin’s structure and integrity, and may speed up and enhance the healing of the skin after acne 12-14.

A small study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that microneedling—a technique used to promote healing and stimulate collagen production—alongside a topical cream with 15% vitamin C resulted in moderate improvements in acne scars after four weeks 15.

Neither treatment is suitable for hypertrophic and keloidal scars, as these result from the overproduction of collagen.

May mitigate hyperpigmentation

Acne can also result in skin hyperpigmentation or the formation of dark spots. Although the condition is harmless, it can be challenging for some people to deal with.

Some research finds that applications of vitamin C to the skin can reduce hyperpigmentation by interfering with tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for producing melanin, a natural skin pigment 13, 14, 16.

And because vitamin C can act as a brightening agent, it may also reduce the appearance of dark spots without altering your skin’s natural color.

Key takeaway: Topical vitamin C treatment may help to reduce the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation. But most research shows that it’s most effective when combined with another treatment.

Where To Find Vitamin C

Where you find vitamin C depends on what you’re looking for. As we said earlier, most research about vitamin C and skin health revolves around topical applications.

Still, for those looking to heal their skin from the inside out, there are plenty of dietary sources of vitamin C.

Some of the best sources include:

  • Acerola cherry
  • Rosehips
  • Guava
  • Red bell peppers
  • Blackcurrants
  • Kiwi
  • Lemon
  • Orange
  • Grapefruit
  • Lychee
  • Strawberry
  • Papaya
  • Broccoli
  • Parsley

Since optimal health, including skin health, starts from the inside out, dietary supplements are also great for bolstering overall health and supporting the skin. If you’re looking for a skin-supporting super stack, there are two products you’ll want to know about.

Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi and PL-Immune combine to form the ultimate immune-boosting, skin-supportive nutrient stack packed with the most bioavailable nutrients designed to enhance immune function and support optimal physiological function. And acne doesn’t stand a chance against them.

Final Thoughts

Whether from hormones, diet, stress, or what have you, most people struggle with acne at some point in their lives. But thanks to vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its role in collagen production, it may help treat and prevent acne.

Although there is research linking dietary vitamin C to reduced acne, getting enough through diet can still combat free radicals and support collagen production, directly supporting the skin’s structure, integrity, and health.

References

  1. Skroza N, Tolino E, Mambrin A, et al. Adult Acne Versus Adolescent Acne: A Retrospective Study of 1,167 Patients. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):21-25.
  2. Naidu KA. Vitamin C in human health and disease is still a mystery? An overview. Nutr J. 2003;2:7.
  3. Abdullah M, Jamil RT, Attia FN. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) (Updated 2022 May 8). In: StatPearls (Internet). Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/
  4. Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, Chandra N. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118-126.
  5. Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):298-307.
  6. Bolke L, Schlippe G, Gerß J, Voss W. A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2494.
  7. Tanghetti EA. The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27-35.
  8. Ruamrak C, Lourith N, Natakankitkul S. Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(1):41-46.
  9. Woolery-Lloyd H, Baumann L, Ikeno H. Sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate 5% lotion for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010;9(1):22-27.
  10. Ruamrak C, Lourith N, Natakankitkul S. Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(1):41-46.
  11. Kravvas G, Al-Niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 1: Non-energy-based techniques.Scars Burn Heal. 2017;3:2059513117695312.
  12. Wang K, Jiang H, Li W, Qiang M, Dong T, Li H. Role of Vitamin C in Skin Diseases. Front Physiol. 2018;9:819.
  13. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.  2017;9(8):866.
  14. Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(7):14-17.
  15. Chawla S. Split Face Comparative Study of Microneedling with PRP Versus Microneedling with Vitamin C in Treating Atrophic Post Acne Scars (published correction appears in J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2015 Jan-Mar;8(1):75). J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7(4):209-212.
  16. Sarkar R, Arora P, Garg KV. Cosmeceuticals for Hyperpigmentation: What is Available?.J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013;6(1):4-11.

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