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Repair, Renew, Restore and Rejuvenate Dry Damaged Skin with High Potency Vitamin C

The Miracle of Vitamin C
By Dr. Jerry Whittemore, PharmD

The health benefits of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) have been known for thousands of years. However, the ancient societies did not know exactly why certain foods helped to maintain healthier bodies and how they could ward off a variety of maladies. They discovered that citrus fruits, including lemons, limes and oranges of all varieties and certain other foods containing substantial quantities of Vitamin C promoted a healthier lifestyle.

Throughout history, the benefits of plant food to survive long sea voyages have been well documented. Lemons became a mandatory element in the British Navy to curb scurvy. We call their so-called "limes," simply lemons. The term "limies" evolved from this practice.

The need to include fresh plant food or raw animal flesh in the diet to prevent disease has been known for multiple centuries. Native peoples living in marginal areas incorporated this into their medicinal lore. For example, spruce needles were used in temperate zones in infusions, or the leaves from species of drought-resistant trees in desert areas.

In 1536, the French explorer Jacques Cartier exploring the St. Lawrence River used the local natives' knowledge to save his men who were dying of scurvy. He boiled the needles of the Arbor Vitae tree to make a tea that was later shown to contain 50 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.

Humans do not synthesize Vitamin C as do many other plants and animals, this is why we call it "an essential" vitamin. We must have it in our diet, not only to live, but also to live a healthier, longer and more vibrant life.

The richest sources of Vitamin C in its natural form are called L-Ascorbic Acid and are present as a water-soluble molecule in the majority of most biologic environments. It is present in all citrus fruits, berries, melons, tomatoes, green peppers, raw cabbage and leafy green vegetables. The Camu Camu fruit, Acerola hip and the Kakudu Plum contain the highest concentration of the vitamin. It is also present in some cuts of meat, especially liver.

Vitamin C is the worlds most widely used nutritional supplement and is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, drink mixes, crystals in capsules or naked crystals.

Now we know that topical applications of high potency vitamin C slow the aging process of the skin.

The Anatomy of Aging
Aging can be described as mistakes in cell duplication, or "mitosis". If each and every cell in our body simply replicated itself perfectly, we would, in theory, all be 24 years of age forever. Unfortunately, medical science has not yet attained that level of therapy. Many other living things on earth outlive humans including certain species of turtles, parrots and of course trees. Why is that? The answer is the quality and speed of cell replication or duplication.

The mistakes in cell duplication would rarely occur if they were not triggered by free radicals; molecules of oxidized rancid fats. Free radicals result from a variety of lifestyle habits including too much exposure to the sun, unhealthy food, alcohol and drug abuse, tobacco, lack of sleep and exercise, and stress as well as heredity factors. Free radicals are the enemy of youth and are extraordinarily damaging to your skin and general well being. The enemies of free radicals are antioxidants. Antioxidants have the very unique and valuable ability to scavenge, neutralize and immobilize free radicals. Ascorbic acid is one of the most powerful antioxidants in world history and when applied directly to the skin, has amazing results!

The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C
Combating thin skin: Substantial levels of vitamin C penetrate into the epidermis skin layer and deeper into dermis and actually makes the human skin younger in appearance by allowing the aging skin to become thicker. Remember; young skin is thicker and any product that will thicken the skin will make it appear younger. Appearing younger is certainly the gold standard objective of cosmetics. We are sure that you have seen skin on some older people as they take on a thin see through parchment look. This is because the promotion of new skin cells has become so slow that the existing skin is becoming thinner and thinner. However, studies have shown that even much older skin on persons eighty years of age and older can be greatly rejuvenated with applications of high-level topical vitamin C.

Fighting sun damage: Photoged skin (skin that has been overexposed to direct sunlight) can be dramatically repaired and rejuvenated with the topical use of high-level vitamin C formulations. There have been numerous studies conducted by well-qualified skin specialists that clearly illustrate this beneficial effect of topically applied vitamin C. Skin that has developed brown (age or sun) spots can be lightened with regular use of topical vitamin C and in some cases totally eradicated.

In a study conducted by Duke University Medical Department of Medicine, Durham, NC in 2001 it was conclusively determined that reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet light result in photocarcinogenic photoaging changes in the skin. Antioxidants protect skin from these insults. This study defines formulation characters for delivering L-ascorbic acid into the skin to supplement the skins natural anti-oxidant reservoir. The study concluded that the delivery of topical L-ascorbic acid into the skin is critically dependent on actual clinical results!

Building collagen: The formation and maintenance of collagen is a major function of vitamin C. Collagen is the fibrous constituent of bone cartilage and connective tissue and human skin is particularly responsive because the dermal layer of skin is composed of approximately 70% to 80% collagen by dry weight. By stimulating and regulating the synthesis of collagen, vitamin C in higher levels greatly increases the elasticity of skin. Excellent elasticity of human skin greatly enhances a look of youth, health and vibrancy.

One of the primary obstacles in the use of topical vitamin C is that it is a very unstable ingredient. Water, light and air can initiate breakdown that in turn will make the product turn brown and greatly diminish its effectiveness. Also, many companies and suppliers of topical vitamin C will claim much higher percentages of vitamin C in their formulas than exists, and they also state that it is natural for the product to turn brown.

For more than twenty years many large and small cosmetic companies tried to find the secret of making a high potency vitamin C that does not oxidize, is cosmetically acceptable, has a long shelf life and is effective. This goal has finally been successfully achieved and products offering this breakthrough technology will soon be available to the public with vitamin C levels greater than 40%. In todays new world of advanced skincare technology, cosmeceuticals including topical vitamin C, can perceptively make the skin of women and men look dramatically younger and more attractive. Topical vitamin C creams are one of the most important categories in this rapidly emerging era of skincare beauty.

About the author
Jerry Whittemore, PharmD, has over nineteen years of formulation and regulation expertise for a wide variety of skincare/haircare products. This included fashionable antiwrinkle, antiaging, skin lifting, hair color, medical spa, and baby care. For further information about high potency topical L-ascorbic acid products, contact Jeff Rose at (561) 699-3322 or go to http://www.topicalc43.com/

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