Boost Your Skin: How Vitamin C From Food Thickens and Renews Skin

Washington DC (US) [US], January 19 (HBTV): Scientists have found that vitamin C obtained from food travels through the bloodstream into every layer of the skin, boosting collagen production and skin renewal. The findings suggest that people who consume more vitamin C through their diet can develop thicker, healthier skin. Researchers reported that individuals who ate two vitamin C-rich kiwifruit daily showed measurable increases in skin thickness and overall skin health. The study indicates that skin health responds directly to dietary vitamin C intake, not just topical skincare products. Scientists at the University of Otago’s Faculty of Medicine in Christchurch Otautahi identified a clear link between how much vitamin C people consume and how effectively their skin produces collagen and renews itself. The research, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, showed that vitamin C levels in the skin closely mirror levels in the blood, with increased intake raising concentrations in both. The study followed 24 healthy adults in Aotearoa New Zealand and Germany. Participants who increased their plasma vitamin C levels by consuming two vitamin C-rich SunGold kiwifruit each day showed a clear rise in vitamin C levels within their skin. This increase was associated with thicker skin, indicating enhanced collagen production, and faster renewal of the outer skin layer. Lead author Professor Margreet Vissers from Matai Haora – Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine described the findings as striking. She said the strength of the association between skin thickness and vitamin C intake was ‘compelling’. According to Professor Vissers, the relationship between vitamin C levels in the blood and in the skin was stronger than what has been observed in other organs. ‘We were surprised by the tight correlation between plasma vitamin C levels and those in the skin. This was much more marked than in any other organ we have investigated,’ she said. The researchers found that vitamin C circulating in the bloodstream penetrates all layers of the skin and supports healthier skin function. ‘We are the first to demonstrate that vitamin C in the blood circulation reaches all layers of the skin and is associated with improved skin function,’ Vissers said. She added that the findings reinforce the idea that skin health begins internally, through nutrients delivered by the bloodstream. While vitamin C is commonly added to skincare products because of its role in collagen production, it dissolves easily in water and does not absorb well through the outer skin barrier. The study showed that skin cells efficiently absorb vitamin C from the blood, with uptake into the outer epidermal layer appearing to be a priority. The research was funded by New Zealand-based Zespri International and a University of Otago Research Grant and was conducted in two phases. The first phase examined the relationship between plasma and skin vitamin C levels using healthy skin tissue from patients undergoing elective surgical procedures at Te Whatu Ora Canterbury. The second phase involved a controlled dietary intervention in Christchurch and Germany, with 12 healthy participants at each location. Participants were asked to eat two Gold kiwifruit daily for eight weeks. Skin samples collected before and after the intervention showed significant improvements. German participants were assessed for skin regeneration using ultrasound measurements of skin thickness, elasticity, UV protection and epidermal cell renewal. One of the most significant findings was a measurable increase in skin thickness, reflecting higher collagen production and faster renewal of epidermal cells. The researchers noted that while SunGold kiwifruit was chosen for its consistently high vitamin C content, similar benefits are expected from other vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, capsicums and broccoli. Professor Vissers said maintaining steady vitamin C levels in the blood is important, as the body does not store the vitamin long term. She noted that healthy individuals can achieve optimal plasma levels with a daily intake of around 250 mg of vitamin C and recommended regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.