Vitamin C’s role is not limited to skincare creams; its most powerful effects may come when it is consumed through diet. This is the conclusion of a recent scientific study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and reported by ScienceDaily from the University of Otago in New Zealand. The study showed that increasing dietary intake of vitamin C can lead to measurable physical changes in the skin itself.
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According to the researchers, vitamin C obtained from food travels through the bloodstream to all layers of the skin, enhancing collagen production and accelerating skin cell renewal—directly reflecting improved skin health and function.
The study followed 24 healthy adults in New Zealand and Germany and found that vitamin C levels in the skin closely mirrored its levels in the blood. When dietary intake of the vitamin increased, its concentrations rose simultaneously in both plasma and skin—an association the researchers described as “stronger than that observed in any other organ.”
Professor Margreet Vissers, the study’s lead researcher, said the team was surprised by the strength of the relationship between vitamin C levels in the blood and the skin, noting that the finding confirms how heavily the skin depends on internal nutrition rather than topical care alone.
A Dietary Trial With Tangible Results
In the second phase of the research, participants were asked to consume two vitamin C–rich kiwifruits daily for eight weeks, providing about 250 milligrams of vitamin C per day. At the end of the period, tests showed a clear increase in skin thickness—a direct indicator of enhanced collagen production—along with a noticeable improvement in the renewal of the outer skin layer.
Researchers used advanced techniques, including ultrasound imaging, to measure skin thickness, elasticity, and vital functions, confirming that the improvements were measurable rather than subjective.
The researchers explained that while vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, it is not easily absorbed through the skin when applied topically, as it is water-soluble and struggles to penetrate the skin barrier. In contrast, skin cells efficiently absorb vitamin C delivered through the bloodstream, particularly in the outer layers responsible for regeneration.
Kiwifruit was chosen for the study due to its consistently high vitamin C content, but the researchers stressed that similar benefits can be achieved from other dietary sources such as citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, broccoli, and fresh vegetables in general.
They also emphasized that the body does not store vitamin C for long periods, making daily intake essential. The researchers concluded that healthy, radiant skin begins not at the mirror, but on the plate—and that improving one’s diet may be one of the most effective long-term approaches to skincare.
