Time and again, we hear beauty experts praise vitamin C. You probably know that it prevents scurvy—the disease that afflicted sailors on long sea voyages without sources of vitamin C—and you might have heard Linus Pauling’s controversial theory that it helps prevent the common cold. There’s only one catch though—your body doesn’t store or accumulate it. That’s why daily intake is important.
But why do beauty experts feel it is so important for your skin, hair, and nails? Here are some of vitamin C’s beauty benefits:
Skin Benefits
Vitamin C is responsible for creating and maintaining collagen. Specifically, this antioxidant strengthens blood vessels and helps give skin its elasticity. For a vitamin C-rich face mask, blend one kiwi and a half-cup of papaya, and apply the mixture to your face for about five minutes.
Hair Health
Vitamin C works to help grow and strengthen hair. To do so, blend a partially-boiled sweet potato, a half-cup of gooseberries, a few strawberries, and half of a small red bell pepper until you get a creamy smooth mixture. Then apply it to your scalp and hair. Leave the mask on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
Nail Health
Because vitamin C strengthens nails and helps them grow, it can help prevent hangnails. Ingesting vitamin C is the best route for nail health, so remember, since your body doesn’t store vitamin C, you have to eat citrus fruits often.
