A new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reveals how dietary vitamin C—not topical serums—directly boosts the skin’s internal ascorbate levels and impacts its biological function. While vitamin C is celebrated for collagen support and antioxidant protection, researchers show that oral intake meaningfully raises ascorbate concentrations in both the dermis and epidermis via SVCT transporters. Dermal fibroblasts retained remarkably high levels (~6.4 mM), far exceeding epidermal keratinocytes, highlighting vitamin C’s central role in collagen-rich tissue. Kiwifruit supplementation (~250 mg/day) increased plasma ascorbate, which closely predicted elevated dermal and epidermal levels. These biochemical changes translated into improved skin density and heightened epidermal proliferation, indicating enhanced structural support and renewal. Although elasticity and UVA protection showed minimal change, the findings confirm that dietary vitamin C effectively nourishes skin compartments and strengthens intrinsic skin biology, reinforcing the concept that skin health begins from within.
Source : https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(25)03509-2/fulltext
