Veggie Blog

Vitamin C skin care: the challenge

Vitamin C is widely regarded as a skin protector and an anti-aging agent. In technical terms, the main aim of Vitamin C skin care is to support the production of collagen (a structural protein found in skin). A further benefit of Vitamin C skin care is its ability to counter free radicals, which damage the skin.

Vitamin C skin care, however, faces a real challenge: Vitamin C is unstable. On contact with an oxidising agent (e.g. air or light), the Vitamin C in a skin care product oxidises, which makes the product much less effective. Oxidised Vitamin C turns the product a yellowish-brown colour. Check for this before buying a Vitamin C skin care product. After you buy one, store it properly and keep checking that it is still good to use (i.e. that it has not turned yellowish-brown).

Manufacturers have tried to deal with this oxidation problem in various ways, and research on Vitamin C skin care products is high on their list. One way of keeping the products effective for longer is to use a high concentration of Vitamin C. However, this makes the products more expensive, and they are already fairly expensive. Another way is to use Vitamin C derivatives (like ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). These are more stable and cheaper. There is less evidence that the derivatives work as well as pure Vitamin C, but their stability is a very attractive feature. They are also known to be less irritating.

Talking of the effects of Vitamin C skin care products, it is important to note that not everyone responds to Vitamin C treatments. So it is not a magic potion in any way. If you do not see a noticeable difference in your skin, it may be because your skin does not respond to Vitamin C (and the product may not be at fault at all).

As research goes on, we can only keep our fingers crossed and wait for a complete solution to the challenges faced by Vitamin C skin care today.

Supplements for calcium

Your body needs calcium throughout your life. At certain times, such as childhood, breast-feeding and pregnancy, getting enough is especially important. Children need calcium for growing teeth and bones, and adults need it to keep their bones strong and to lower the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium also plays a part in normal blood clotting and in muscle and nerve function.

How to take calcium supplements

If you take calcium supplements, take them with or just after a meal and drink a large glass of liquid, preferably water. If you use chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly before you swallow. If chewing is hard for you, let the tablet dissolve in a glass of water or juice and drink it slowly. Calcium can interfere with some medicines, so ask your pharmacist how long to wait between your supplement and your other medication.

Calcium supplements can help your bones and teeth, but you should make sure they are right for you before you buy them. Talk to your doctor first if you have kidney stones, kidney disease, stomach problems or diarrhea. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, let your doctor know that you are interested in or taking calcium supplements.

Side effects and limits

Most people can take calcium supplements, but too much can cause problems. High doses may lead to constipation, nausea, vomiting, a dry mouth and a loss of appetite, and over the long term they can raise the risk of kidney stones. For most adults the upper limit from food and supplements together is 2,500 mg a day (2,000 mg after age 50). If you notice any of these problems, contact your doctor.

When you see your doctor, mention any other medicines you take and any history of illness in your family. Side effects are rare, but they do happen and may mean that some people should not take these supplements.

Food comes first, though. Adults usually need about 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium a day, and good sources include dairy products, fortified plant milks, tofu made with calcium, kale, bok choy and almonds. Supplements are only meant to fill the gap if your diet falls short. You can buy them in pharmacies, supermarkets and online. They are not expensive, and your doctor can tell you whether you need one and how much.