When it comes to aging beautifully and taking the best possible care of our health and skin, vitamin C is one of the best ways to go. Many people think that vitamin C is just something we take to get better when we have a cold or the flu. But this nutrient is oh so important to help us look great as we age and to keep our skin healthy and glowing. Here are a few of the benefits that vitamin C can provide and tips to get you started on making vitamin C a major part of your skincare and health routine.

Benefit #1: Collagen Production

Vitamin C is a nutrient that stimulates the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is basically a skin plumper. Essentially, it is the part of our skin that makes our face look youthful and full. It reduces crows feet, wrinkles, and the sallow look that skin can have with age. Many of us know that Vitamin C is available in foods like oranges but did you know that there are amazing skin serums that are also rich in vitamin C? A serum applied to your skin that contains vitamin C will help trigger the production of collagen. Serums that contain naturally occurring Vitamin C like the one in Apple Rose Beauty's Bloom Beautifully 20% Vitamin C Serum are even more beneficial for the skin because they don't have the harmful side effects of harsh synthetic chemicals.

Benefit #2: Reduces Aging By Attacking Free Radicals

Free radicals are chemicals that can get in our body and on our skin that do damage to our healthy cells. Vitamin C helps our body's immune system function properly and at its best so it can fight off those nasty free radicals that can make us age faster. Eating foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, broccoli, and leafy greens can help ward off these free radicals.

Benefit #3: Keeps Your Hair Healthy

As we age, it can be more difficult to keep our hair looking moist and lustrous. Vitamin C can helps our hair grow and become stronger to prevent breakage and damage. Applying serums or products rich in vitamin C directly to our hair can kick that hair health factor up several notches.

Benefit #4: Improving Skin's Elasticity

As we age, our skin does not spring back into place like it once did. In other words, it does not remain taut against our underlying facial structure and as a result, we can get wrinkles and sagging skin. Vitamin C, both applied to the skin and consumed, can help improve our skin's elasticity and make it appear more taut and smooth.

Benefit #5: Nail Health

Brittle and easily broken fingernails are never pleasant. And as we age, our nails naturally become weaker. However, vitamin C can help remedy that problem. Vitamin C strengthens the connective tissues, blood vessels, and the skin that support nail growth and strength. Not to mention it also keeps bones healthy. Let's hear it for drinking orange juice and eating dark leafy greens to keep our nails strong and growing!

With these many benefits in mind, make sure you include generous amounts of vitamin C in your diet and skin care regimens. You can be sure to keep yourself healthy and radiant as you age with the help of this natural skin care hero.

 

Here's a quick recipe for a Vitamin C face mask!

Blend one kiwi and a half-cup of papaya, and apply the mixture to your face. After 15 to 20 minutes, wash it off with cold water.

 

(Recipe courtesy Women's Health Magazine)