Healthy beautiful skin

Skin is the largest organ of our body. Its surface is about 2 m², and the weight is about 4 kg. The skin is a direct barrier that protects our body against the external environment.^{1, 2}

The skin is composed of layers:

1. epidermis,
2. dermis,
3. subcutaneous tissue.^{1, 2}

The skin has many different functions in the body:^{1, 2}

Passive functions, including:

• protection against cold, heat, radiation, pressure, impact,
  action of chemical substances or microorganisms. ^{1, 2}

Active functions, including:

• thermoregulation (e.g. perspiration),
• receiving stimuli from the environment (e.g. touch, pain, heat),
• supporting the immune function by creating a natural barrier against microorganisms present on and in the skin,
• production of vitamin D – most of all in the epidermis (mainly in keratinocytes of the reproductive layer), under the influence of sunlight,
• production of pigment - melanin, by melanocytes located in the epidermis.^{1, 2}

The condition of our skin, both the epidermis and dermis, determines our appearance and attractiveness. Therefore, it is worth considering how to care for the health and beauty of our skin effectively.

^{Vitamin C protects cells against oxidative stress. 3, 4, 5, 6}

One of the factors damaging both the dermis and epidermis cells, as well as contributing to their degeneration, is oxidative stress. ⁶

Oxidation stress is the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants, potentially leading to damage.*

*Sies H. (2000) What is Oxidative Stress?. In: Keaney J.F. (eds) Oxidative Stress and Vascular Disease. Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol 224. Springer, Boston, MA

The action of free radicals may interfere with the growth of tissues, change the metabolism and functioning of cells, destroy lipid and protein structures. The effect of their action on the skin is reducing its elasticity and weakening its defense mechanisms, which accelerates the aging process. ⁶

The causes of oxidative stress for the skin may include: excessive exposure to UV rays, stimulants (eg cigarettes, alcohol), chronic medicines used, or psychological stress. ^{3, 4, 5}

Vitamin C has anti-oxidant properties ⁶

Vitamin C stimulates the collagen formation, which is often called the "protein of youth" ^{7, 8, 9}

• Collagen - a structural protein with high resistance to mechanical, physical and chemical factors. Collagen fibers form an ordered spatial structure, thanks to which they constitute a kind of scaffolding for organs, tissues, blood vessels - also for the skin. ^{7, 8, 9}
• About 40% of the total collagen of the body is found in the skin, where it accounts for nearly 70% of the weight of all skin proteins. Most are located at the level of dermis. ⁹
• An important feature of collagen is the ability to bind water. Due to adequate hydration, protein fibers of the dermis retain their structure and properties. The skin is then taut and elastic. High content of water in the epidermis and dermis is the key to its proper functioning, because biochemical reactions occur in the aquatic environment.⁹

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen. ¹⁰

Vitamin C helps to restore the proper function of the skin by stimulating the production of collagen.

Healthy physiological skin:

• regulates sebum production, sebum oxidation, skin pH, which may limit the appearance of spots or discolorations, ⁷
• stimulates the synthesis of the right amount of ceramides, lipid compounds present in the stratum corneum, which support the proper moisturizing of the skin, ⁶
• normalizes the production of melanin, the excess of which can lead to discoloration. ⁷

References:

1. Jabłońska S., Chorzelski T. ; Skin diseases for students and doctors.
2. Bochenek A., Reicher M. ; Human anatomy volume V.
3. Birben E., Sahiner U.M., Sackesen C., Erzurum S., Kalayci O.; Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense; World Allergy Organization Journal 2012; 5:9–19.
4. Pham-Huy L., He H., Pham-Huy Ch.; Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health; International Journal of Biomedical Science 2008; 4 (2): 89-96.
5. Rahal A., Kumar A., Singh V., Yadav B., Tiwari R., Chakraborty S., Dhama K.; Oxidative stress, prooxidants, and antioxidants: the interplay; BioMedResearch International 2014; Article ID 761264; 1-19.
6. Pawlaczyk M., Korzeniowska K., Rokowska-Waluch A.: Vitamin C and skin, Contemporary Pharmacy 2012; 5:174-17.
7. Juliet M. Pullar et al.; The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health; Nutrients. 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866. Published online 2017 Aug 12. doi: 10.3390/nu9080866.
8. Kwak JY et al.; Ascorbyl coumarates as multifunctional cosmeceutical agents that inhibit melanogenesis and enhance collagen synthesis; Arch Dermatol Res. 015 Sep;307(7): 635-43. doi: 10.1007/s00403-015-1583-x. Epub 2015 Jun 16.
9. Morąg M., Burza A.; Structure, Properties and Functions of Elastin and Collagen in the Skin; Journal of Health Study and Medicine, 2017, nr 2, ss 77-100.
10. Telang PS.; Vitamin C in dermatology; Indian Dermatol Online J., 2013, Apr-Jun; 4(2): 143–146.
11. International aplication no: PCT/EP2018/057400. More information about patented technology on www.lipoteq.eu
12. Łukawski M., et.al.; New oral liposomal Vitamin C formulation: properties and bioavailability; Journal of Liposome Research, 2019.
13. 170 nm+/-15% (batch number: 010817)

*The food supplement is a foodstuff which purpose is to supplement a normal diet. The food supplement has no medicinal properties.

In the case of deficiencies, additional supplementation with these components should be considered, preceded each time by tests of the level of these substances in the body, followed by consultation with a doctor or dietician.

All information relating to the substances, their function, occurrence, and characteristics, etc. have been prepared on request of the food supplement manufacturer Lipid Systems Sp. z o.o. The information presented herein is a subjective selection made by Lipid Systems Sp. z o.o. to explain or help understand the product components and their function, among other things. However, this information on vitamin C is not exclusive.
If you have not found the information you need, we encourage you to contact us and forward suggestions that will enrich this material.