Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) for Skin Health

Research suggests that vitamin C plays an important role in skin health, with a 2018 review article indicating that it supports collagen formation, skin barrier function, and antioxidant defense against UV-related damage, and that deficiency may contribute to certain skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and porphyria cutanea tarda. The same review noted that high-dose vitamin C demonstrated the ability to reduce cancer cell viability in laboratory studies of malignant melanoma, though such findings from cell-based experiments do not necessarily translate directly to outcomes in humans. The available evidence on this topic is limited primarily to one review article, as the remaining studies provided were unrelated to vitamin C or skin health and could not be incorporated into this assessment. Overall, while the existing research is directionally supportive, the evidence base is narrow and would benefit from additional clinical trials before firm conclusions can be drawn about the therapeutic use of vitamin C for skin conditions.