Oral vs. Topical Vitamin C: Which Is Better For Skin Health?*

If you're a fan of skin care, you know how important antioxidants are for promoting bright, clear, and healthy skin.* So we know vitamin C is already on your radar—and why shouldn't it be? This potent antioxidant is vital to the production of collagen (one of the main building blocks for your skin, joints, muscles, gut, and more) and is credited for helping squelch free radicals to maintain oxidant-antioxidant balance.* 

Thoughts of vitamin C in the context of skin care might conjure up images of serums in tiny glass dropper bottles, whereas you probably feel more comfortable reaching for tablets, powders, and capsules when you're trying to support your immune system.* 

"Along with being required for the antioxidant protection and cellular energy of every cell in our body (including skin cells like fibroblasts), vitamin C also directly supports our skin barrier because it's required for the production of collagen1, the most widespread protein in our body (skin, gut, blood vessels, joints, and more),"* explains board-certified doctor of Chinese medicine and licensed acupuncturist Debbie Kung, DAOM, LAc.

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, previously told mbg that vitamin C serums are typically used to brighten skin, even skin tone, and fight oxidative stress. As a topically applied antioxidant, he notes that vitamin C "protects the skin against free radicals, blocks the production of abnormal pigmentation, and acts as a cofactor for the production of new collagen." 

The only catch? When exposed to air, heat, or light, ascorbic acid (the most effective form of topical vitamin C) can become less effective at delivering vitamin C's skin benefits. However, research shows that pairing vitamin C with other antioxidants can help stabilize vitamin C and enhance its bioefficacy in topical products. 

A 2017 review article3 from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that pairing vitamin C with the plant-based antioxidant ferulic acid aids in stabilizing vitamin C molecules. Additionally, ferulic acid helps reduce ascorbic acid's pH below 3.5, which proves to be an effective method in improving vitamin C's permeability (i.e., ability to absorb) when applied to skin. 

With a reliable vitamin C serum by your side, do you really need an oral vitamin C supplement to help your skin? According to Gary Goldenberg, M.D., of New York's Goldenberg Dermatology, leveraging the skin health benefits of vitamin C both internally and externally is the best-case scenario.*

Goldenberg previously told mbg that he recommends oral vitamin C to clients for overall health and topical vitamin C for the antioxidant benefits it offers skin health acutely.* He added that when used together, the two "improve skin appearance and function."*