
03/18/2024
I didn’t know this…
A split-face study involving the application of three drops of a 10 percent L-ascorbic acid solution for three months found significant improvements over the placebo side of the face in fine and coarse wrinkles, sallowness, and skin tone (firmness). Not knowing which side was which, 16 out of 19 patients—84 percent—correctly identified the side getting the vitamin C treatment as the one showing improvement.
Unfortunately, L-ascorbic acid is unstable in creams, turning an unsightly brown when it oxidizes, limiting its shelf life. So, the skin care industry uses more stable vitamin C esters or derivatives, such as ascorbyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbic acid sulfate, and ascorbyl stearate. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that these compounds have comparable effects to L-ascorbic acid, likely because they are poorly absorbed and only minimally convert to the active form.
The good news is that you can make your own DIY solution simply by buying L-ascorbic acid in bulk and mixing 3 grams into 30 grams of water at a cost of about a nickel per ounce. You can mix it in an eyedropper and drip four to five drops on the palm of your hand and use your fingertips to apply over your face, neck, and upper chest daily. Just be careful and avoid getting it into your eyes.
See the video "The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C for Reversing Skin Aging" at https://buff.ly/48ZLRt4 to learn more.
PMIDs: 10522500, 15258452, 12823436
Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Ed (2016)