To understand why Vitamin C is essential for skin health, we need to first understand what are free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or a group of atoms that have an unpaired electron and are therefore unstable and highly reactive. As the unpaired electron will try to steal an electron from another molecule to stabilize itself, it will leave a new molecule short an electron which will in turn try to steal an electron as well. This chain reaction of free radicals can cause oxidative stress and attack the skin’s lipids and proteins such as collagen. This results in skin damage and accelerated skin ageing - premature wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dryness and hyperpigmentation.

Free radicals are derived from normal metabolic processes as well as external stressors such as exposure to UV rays, ozone, smoke and air pollutants. Although there is no way to completely stop the production of free radicals, this is where the power of antioxidants comes in. 

Antioxidants are compounds that can donate an electron to a free radical to prevent it from stealing another atom’s electron and thus stopping the free radical chain reaction. Vitamin C in particular is a potent antioxidant that can help prevent and treat skin damage caused by free radicals. In addition, Vitamin C inhibits melanin production and stimulates the synthesis of collagen, keeping the skin plump and elastic. However, as the human body doesn’t naturally produce Vitamin C, intake of Vitamin C is vital for skin health.