The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C for Reversing Skin Aging

What are the pros and cons of alpha hydroxy acid lotions and chemical peels, as well as the roles of topical antioxidants vitamin E and C, in reversing the signs of aging skin?

This is the last video in this four-part series on anti-aging skin products. If you missed any of the others, see:
• What Is the Most Important Anti-Aging Cream Ingredient? ( )
• Topical Retinoids to Reverse Skin Aging ( )
• The Benefits of Topical Niacinamide for Reversing Skin Aging ( )

For more on how to live your longest, healthiest life, preorder my new book How Not to Age ( ). (As always, all proceeds I receive from all of my books ( ) are donated to charity.)

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Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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Leroy Johnson
 

  • @pooppopist says:

    Enjoying the skin series!

  • @lilakay says:

    Dr. Gregor, YOURE THE BEST! Thank you.

  • @annissagraves3076 says:

    Timeless C is comparable to the Skinceuticles brand and is sold in an airless glass container. Much cheaper and no grittiness from mixing powder.

  • @gaston. says:

    excellent info. thanks for sharing Mr. Greger

  • @apriljohnson6191 says:

    Enjoying the skin series too. Can’t wait to dive into How Not to Age, which is now in my Kindle.

    I have a question about the vitamin-C topical application. Is it better to put it on morning or evening?

    Thanks again for all the information and being a voice of sanity among the noise.

    • @skpjoecoursegold366 says:

      just a guess……………since it’s so cheap, all day long.

    • @alison9189 says:

      ​@skpjoecoursegold366 usually night time just due to it making your skin more sensitive to sun damage.

    • @themikeroberts says:

      In the skincare world, it’s recommended that you use vitamin c in the morning since it’s an antioxidant and you encounter more oxidative damage in the day (from the sun and pollution).

      It is stored in the skin somewhat so it’s not useless at night but it’s believed to be more effective in the morning

    • @apriljohnson6191 says:

      @@themikeroberts Thank you! If one puts retinol A on at night, that and vitamin C might be too irritating. But I was not sure if it might make the sun too sensitive if put on in the morning.

      Would derma rolling help the vitamin C absorption?

  • @Daniela-ej2ns says:

    Yes, but what about the latest, more stable form of topical Vitamin C: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate? What information can you tell us about this? Most are using this form now.

  • @liviacotto7647 says:

    Fantastic! I was wondering how to prepare the lotion by myself! Thanks Dr Greger!!!!

  • @alison9189 says:

    I love using my 23% Vitamin C and 30% Vitamin C from the ordinary. The 30% makes my skin so soft in the morning, and the 23% is also very nice, but more mild. The 30% is suspended in silicone which makes it more stable, but better for the night as its thicker. The 23% also has Hyaluronic Acid spheres at 2% which helps hydration, and is suspended in vegan squalene.

    • @Hanna-vq6sb says:

      I use Ordinary retinol at night and 23% C-vitamin in the morning. Combined with WFPB diet this makes my post-menopausal skin so smooth and glowing, that even without makeup I sometimes get comments that people can’t believe I have so many children because I look so young 😂 (I used to have major skin issues, dryness, atopic dermatitis and acne before switching diets)

    • @abc_cba says:

      I tried the 23% version today, its a nice occlusive but very expensive for an Indian customer, I found a channel that teaches us to make one from scratch, simple as that. for 1/20 the price

    • @yoniash says:

      Will you be able to combine it with micronedling/derma roller to increase the absorption and effectiveness?

  • @MegaGoddessofLove says:

    It’s quite refreshing seeing you bring up the topic of skincare. It is such a big part of the culture nowadays.

  • @Brucesama says:

    Dr. Greger, I’m looking forward to your input on these weight loss drugs and obesity as a chronic disease…!

  • @user-245er4ud says:

    Just got the new book and enjoying all the new info on age prevention!

    Had a question: I believe I’ve seen all the videos on hashimotos thyroiditis on this channel, but recently stumbled upon some other findings, namely, Myo-Inositol + Selenium. I’m wondering if this is something you’ve come across?

    From my understanding there are at least a few of them floating for free on the interweb, but some are small studies involving a handful of people and at least 1 that I saw didn’t have a control group.

    With all that said, the findings were still very promising for existing hyper/hypo thyroid patients, nodule reduction, thyroid malignancy and even prevention of future thyroid issues.

  • @laurieparis2203 says:

    Be careful not to get l- ascorbic acid and water mix on your clothes or towels too, bc it does oxidize there and it’s really difficult to remove the brown stains.

    I also add a drop of vitamin e, to keep the vitamin c from oxidation.

  • @mchagawa1615 says:

    So fascinating! So nice with the practical take-away, too 🙂 Thank you for sharing <3

  • @abc_cba says:

    as a Light-Skinned Indian, I do Glycolic 70% peels every 14 days, do a tretinoin 0.01%, daily Niacinamide adn Vit. C serum almost all the time of the year BUT BUT BUT

    I make sure i use Daily Suncreen with a PA++++ rating, Americans sunscreens are outdated and useless. Plus, melanin in our skin protects us from wrinkles. My age is 33, most people think i am 24

  • @daniellezz2 says:

    Thank you Dr.Gregor, I really like watching your videos. Honestly, vit C didn’t do anything to me. During the years I have tried almost everything to look younger + delay aging as much as possible, anything from face exercises, vitamin C serum, Fraxel, collagen supplements and of course Retin A (7 years straight), home devices and what not. However, nothing made any real difference compared to the high-quality derma pen I purchased for around 100 bucks. Within 3 months of use, my skin has improved DRAMATICALLY. I don’t look like I’m 18 again, but definitely not 44 either. My fine lines have disappeared completely, and my nasolabial folds are way less are nonexist. People often underestimate the power of wounding and the revolutionary effects it can have on the skin.

    • @bobobeautys says:

      Could you tell us which derma pen brand please ? Thanks for the comment by the way!

    • @daniellezz2 says:

      KorabeauticaIs V2

    • @amanda52x2 says:

      Shhhh…don’t tell everyone! (Joking)
      Ive been microneedling for almost 10 years – most guess I’m @ 15 YEARS younger than my birth certificate says.
      I DO it myself at home, quote aggressively in places, and lightly in others,,maybe 1x month. I am 63

    • @DariaHalperin-rv5cv says:

      +1 for kora. I’ve been doing microneedling since it started 12 or so years ago. Nobody believe I am 55. They all say I am in my 30’s or early 40’s. As you know, as we get old, our skin gets thinner therefore creating wrinkles. But the wounding kept my skin still thick and youthful. Your comment will help so many women to restore their skin..

    • @danielrony4169 says:

      How often do you do it?

  • @MovingLeaves says:

    Dilute acids work excellently as a chemical exfoliant and being a mild astringent they tighten the skin a little which reduces the appearance of fine lines for a day or 2. I wash my face with a roughly 5% apple cider vinegar solution whenever I have a bath and apply argan oil once or twice a day after rinsing thoroughly. I’ve been doing this for 10 years or so and it works perfectly for me, I don’t feel I’d benefit much from anything else. Long term skincare is as much what you put in your body as on it. I’ll be glad when we can find more effective natural sunscreens, if I remember rightly the claims about raspberry seed oil aren’t supported by the evidence.

  • @emmadeofsteel says:

    My am I glad I watched this, thank you good Dr! <3

  • @stephss says:

    It was suggested that dried Rose Hips, submerged in a carrier oil like Almond, would be a great Vitamin C treatment..I like your suggestion better.

  • @kellahwatkins8724 says:

    Man oh man I’m making this !! Dr Greger you are saving our skin and pocket books!! I bought a decent c serum off Amazon and can see a difference Too .

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