| Vitamin C occurs naturally in the body | | | | the texture of the skin. Vitamin C can |
| and nature and is known as L-ascorbic | | | | also help to lighten skin discolorations |
| acid. It is used in skin care because | | | | caused by sun damage. This is why some |
| it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help | | | | people use lemon juice or rub lemons on |
| to protect the skin from the damaging | | | | dark areas on the skin. |
| effects of sun, smoking, pollution and | | | | Not all Vitamin C products are created |
| other things in our environment that | | | | equal. Vitamin C is not very stable and |
| cause the skin to age. | | | | is easily broken down by exposure to air |
| Have you ever applied lemon juice to a | | | | and sunlight. Any container that |
| cut apple to prevent it from turning | | | | exposes the product to air - like jars |
| brown? The brown color in cut apples is | | | | or clear containers - will quickly |
| from oxidation (much like aging skin) | | | | render your vitamin C worthless. To be |
| and the vitamin C in the lemon juice is | | | | effective, vitamin C should be packaged |
| what prevents it from oxidizing, or | | | | in tubes, capsules, pumps or powders |
| turning brown. | | | | that do not repeatedly expose the |
| Vitamin C actually protects the skin | | | | product to air and light. My favorite |
| from damage that is caused by exposure | | | | vitamin C product is a powder (in a dark |
| to the sun. It also helps to promote | | | | bottle) that you mix in with other skin |
| the formation of collagen, which | | | | care items. Some products have |
| provides support and strength to the | | | | "stabilized" vitamin C but these |
| skin. This causes a decrease in fine | | | | products tend to be much more expensive. |
| lines and wrinkles and can also improve | | | | |