Vitamin C and sun exposure

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Vitamin C and Sun Exposure: Skin Protection and Effects

Antioxidant Protection Against Sunburn and Photoaging

Vitamin C, especially when combined with vitamin E, has been shown to reduce the skin’s reaction to sunburn caused by UV radiation. In a controlled study, people who took both vitamins had a higher threshold for sunburn and less skin blood flow response to UV exposure, suggesting less skin damage. This indicates that vitamin C and E together can help protect the skin from immediate sunburn and may lower the risk of long-term UV-induced skin problems like photoaging and skin cancer . Other research reviews also support that vitamin C, as an antioxidant, helps reduce the damaging effects of sun exposure by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing inflammation, which are key contributors to premature skin aging .

Vitamin C and UV-Induced Pigmentation

Repeated sun exposure can cause increased skin pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Multiple clinical trials have shown that vitamin C can reduce pigmentation caused by UV exposure in a dose-dependent way. This effect is seen across different skin types and is most effective at higher concentrations (such as 10%). However, vitamin C does not help lighten existing pigmentation, but rather prevents new pigmentation from forming, making it a useful ingredient for preventing signs of photoaging .

Effects of Oral Vitamin C Supplementation on UV-Induced Oxidative Stress

Oral vitamin C supplementation increases vitamin C levels in both blood and skin. However, studies show that while vitamin C can reduce some markers of oxidative stress in the skin, it does not significantly affect the skin’s redness (erythema) response to UV exposure. The antioxidant effect of vitamin C may involve replacing other antioxidants in the skin, but it does not completely prevent mild oxidative stress caused by UV radiation .

Sun Exposure and Vitamin C Content in Fruits

Prolonged sun exposure can affect the vitamin C content in fruits. When fruits like mango, melon, orange, papaya, and pineapple are exposed to sunlight for several hours, their vitamin C levels initially drop significantly but may recover or even increase later in the day. This suggests that sun exposure can cause fluctuations in vitamin C content in foods, which may be relevant for dietary sources of the vitamin .

Conclusion

Vitamin C plays a protective role against some harmful effects of sun exposure on the skin, especially when combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E. It helps reduce sunburn reactions, prevents UV-induced pigmentation, and may help limit photoaging. However, its ability to prevent all forms of UV-induced skin damage is limited, and it does not reverse existing pigmentation. For optimal skin protection, vitamin C should be part of a broader sun protection strategy, including sunscreen and other antioxidants 1345.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Protective effect against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).

Combined vitamins C and E reduce sunburn reactions, potentially reducing the risk of later UV-induced skin damage sequelae.

RCTHighly Cited

1998·

242citations

·Bernadette Eberlein-König et al.

Effect of prolonged solar exposure on the vitamin C contents of tropical fruits

Prolonged solar exposure to tropical fruits reduces vitamin C levels, but the vitamin C levels can recover and even increase by 6 pm.

1993·

13citations

·M. Islam et al.

Vitamin C Prevents Ultraviolet-induced Pigmentation in Healthy Volunteers: Bayesian Meta-analysis Results from 31 Randomized Controlled versus Vehicle Clinical Studies.

Vitamin C effectively reduces ultraviolet-induced pigmentation in healthy volunteers, potentially preventing signs of photoaging.

Meta-Analysis

2019·

26citations

·R. de Dormael et al.

Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract and Citrus Bioflavonoids Protect the Skin against Photoaging: A Review

Regular ingestion of dietary antioxidants like vitamin C, grape seed extract, and citrus bioflavonoids can help protect the skin against photoaging by reducing the damaging effects of excess sun exposure through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating mechanisms.

Literature Review

2020·

2citations

·B. West et al.

UVR-induced oxidative stress in human skin in vivo: effects of oral vitamin C supplementation.

Oral vitamin C supplementation can reduce skin malonaldehyde content but does not show a significant effect on mild oxidative stress caused by UVR exposure in human skin.

Non-RCTHighly Cited

2002·

118citations

·Francis McArdle et al.

Role of Vitamin C in Skin Diseases

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health and can potentially treat skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, porphyria cutanea tarda, malignant melanoma, and herpes zoster.

Highly Cited

2018·

87citations

·Kaiqin Wang et al.

Vitamin C for Photo-Stable Non-fullerene-acceptor-Based Organic Solar Cells.

Vitamin C effectively improves the photostability of organic solar cells by suppressing photocatalytic effects and reducing photobleaching and charge recombination.

2023·

5citations

·Sambathkumar Balasubramanian et al.

Sunshine and vitamin D

Sun exposure and dietary supplementation are crucial for optimal bone health, with safe sun exposure and adequate dietary supplementation recommended for optimal bone health.

Literature ReviewHighly Cited

2015·

75citations

·V. Saraff et al.

Benefits and Risks of Sun Exposure to Maintain Adequate Vitamin D Levels

Sun exposure can boost vitamin D levels, providing health benefits and protection against cancer, while avoiding hypovitaminosis D and reducing skin cancer risks.

Literature Review

2023·

36citations

·Jonathan R Raymond-Lezman et al.

Gestational Vitamin D3 Supplementation and Sun Exposure Significantly Influence Cord Blood Vitamin D Status and 3-Epi-25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels in Term Newborns.

Cord blood vitamin D deficiency is common in newborns from mothers not receiving supplementation and with poor sun exposure, and high C3 -epimer levels may misclassify vitamin D status.

Observational Study

2021·

5citations

·F. Vierucci et al.

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