Makhakhe Lehlohonolo
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and The South African Institute of Dermatology, Bloemfontein.
S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025 Jul 14;67(1):e1-e7. doi: 10.4102/safp.v67i1.6098.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid or ascorbate) plays an important role in regulating the health of the skin, promoting the differentiation of epithelial skin cells (keratinocytes) while contributing a notable role in the reduction of melanin synthesis, leading to antioxidative protection against solar-related skin damage. Vitamin C is only sourced from diet because humans have no ability to synthesise it in vivo. Routine dietary intake choices become key in maintaining the skin's integrity, preventing and treating some of the skin conditions encountered regularly by general practitioners and skin specialists alike. There is a strong association between vitamin C and the ageing process, skin pigmentation, control of certain skin diseases and a role in some skin cancers through antioxidation properties. Literature suggests that topical application of vitamin C in different forms of formulations has been demonstrated to have more clinical effect than oral intake.Contribution: This article spotlights the benefits of a vitamin commonly encountered in topical pharmaceutics, ingested as tablets or as part of our routine diet.
维生素C（抗坏血酸或抗坏血酸盐）在调节皮肤健康方面发挥着重要作用，它能促进皮肤上皮细胞（角质形成细胞）的分化，同时在减少黑色素合成方面发挥显著作用，从而对与阳光相关的皮肤损伤起到抗氧化保护作用。维生素C只能从饮食中获取，因为人类无法在体内合成它。日常饮食摄入选择对于维持皮肤的完整性、预防和治疗全科医生及皮肤科专家经常遇到的一些皮肤问题至关重要。维生素C与衰老过程、皮肤色素沉着、某些皮肤病的控制以及通过抗氧化特性在一些皮肤癌中所起的作用之间存在密切关联。文献表明，以不同剂型局部应用维生素C已被证明比口服具有更大的临床效果。贡献：本文重点介绍了一种常见于局部药剂学中的维生素的益处，它可以片剂形式摄入，也可作为日常饮食的一部分。
