Vitamin C

Does vitamin C help your skin?

Updated 3 Nov 2026

Short answer

Skin holds a lot of vitamin C, which helps make collagen and helps protect skin from damage by UV light.[1] It is not well known whether creams and serums do more than enough vitamin C from food.[1] In one trial, 30 people used a serum with 10% vitamin C and phytic acid twice a day for 3 months.[2] It faded sun spots more than the same serum without the active parts.[2]

Sources (2)

  1. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM Nutrients, 2017. PMID 28805671
  2. A randomized controlled study to evaluate the depigmenting activity of L-ascorbic acid plus phytic acid-serum vs. placebo on solar lentigines. Khemis A, Cabou J, Dubois J, Ortonne JP J Cosmet Dermatol, 2011. PMID 22151934

More about vitamin c

What is vitamin C?How much vitamin C do you need a day?What is vitamin C used for?What are the signs of vitamin C deficiency?Is vitamin C safe?Does vitamin C prevent or shorten colds?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.