How Vitamin C could be your skincare saviour during the colder months

Suffering from post-summer blues? Skin a little lacklustre? Can you feel a cold coming on? You might be lacking in Vitamin C, which can prove particularly problematic as the temperature drops. “Symptoms of low levels of Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can include irritability and low moods, dry skin and hair, fatigue, bruising easily and bleeding gums,” says expert nutritionist and Together Health ambassador Lola Briggs.

According to Briggs, we can’t produce Vitamin C in our own bodies, so a daily dose is a necessity, whether that comes via supplements, food and, where your skin is concerned, specially formulated Vitamin C-rich products.

How does Vitamin C work?

According to Briggs, Vitamin C has many health benefits. “A fantastic beauty booster—it’s a powerful antioxidant and vital for the formation of collagen, and it can slow down the rate of damage caused by free radicals [unstable atoms that can cause damage to cells and lead to illnesses and the ageing process].”

Briggs adds: “Vitamin C aids healthy cell growth and repairs every part of our body, and it’s also a brilliant immunity booster helping encourage the production of white-blood cells, which fight against infection.”

What time of year do you need Vitamin C the most?

When it gets colder, our skin, hair, mood, and immune systems suffer. “Many of us struggle from a range of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially during the colder months,” says Briggs. While your skin and hair become dry and sensitive, your immune system becomes more susceptible to illness, which means you need to be particularly careful as we approach winter.

Where can you find Vitamin C?

Vitamin C comes in a variety of forms. The easiest way to incorporate it is by introducing Vitamin C-rich foods in your diet. Think dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, kiwi, blackcurrants and strawberries.

“If you find it a struggle to eat your five-a-day, try juicing,” suggests Briggs. “It’s a quick, easy and effective way to get your vitamins and you can use frozen if you don’t have fresh. One of my favourites is carrots, beetroot, kale, ginger and orange. It contains potassium, Vitamin A, B-6, B-9 and C all in one glass and it’s brilliant for bumping up the beta-carotene levels [that are] needed to synthesise vitamin A and antioxidants—[these] protect every cell in the body.”

You can also take Vitamin C supplements. “Look out for ones that include natural bioflavonoids—powerful plant compounds that aid immune support and help with Vitamin C absorption,” says Briggs, “enzymes, cofactors (helper molecules that allow biochemical reactions to occur) and Vitamin C in its whole-food form, as this makes them more effective and easier to absorb.”

What does Vitamin C do for the skin?

If you’re looking to protect your skin from the effects of cold weather, there’s a whole host of Vitamin C-charged products out there. “Vitamin C has incredible antioxidant properties on the skin,” says Briggs. “It helps your body repair damaged skin cells, aid healthy regeneration and prevent premature ageing. In the same way that antioxidant-rich foods aid your body in fighting off free radicals, topical products can help your skin."

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is a great way to nourish your skin. Its combination of vitamins and ferulic acid leaves you with that youthful summer glow. There’s also REN’s Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, which is great for sensitive skin (some Vitamin C products can cause mild irritation), L’Oréal’s Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate, and Super Facialist’s Vitamin C+ skin Renew Cleansing Oil, which can be easily incorporated into your daily skincare routine.

Also read:

What you need to know before adding Vitamin C to your skincare routine

5 wellness enthusiasts share their favourite at-home remedies for cold and flu season

How single dose skincare can help take the guesswork out of your routine