Vitamin C and Biotin: Superpowers for Your Skin

By: Dr. Sonam Bhatia, PhD

The secret to healthy, beautiful skin lies beneath the surface. It is rightly said that “beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle”. A successful skincare regimen consists of more than just topically applied products, serums, creams, and other products. To improve our skin's health from within, we must nourish our bodies with proper nutrients.    

           Among the many nutrients that claim skin-boosting properties, Vitamin C and Biotin stand out as the most effective. Both are well known in the fields of health and wellbeing for their primary functions - Biotin is best known for its ability to thicken hair and nails, as opposed to Vitamin C, which is known for its immunity-building properties. 

          Vitamin C is first & foremost an antioxidant, which means it protects our bodies against environmental damage. This Vitamin neutralizes and eliminates oxidants from the environment and exposure to ultraviolet light. By doing so, it can aid in repairing damage caused by UV light and free radicals.

In addition, this Vitamin is also known to reduce hyperpigmentation, which usually appears in the form of acne scars or age spots on skin. Vitamin C works by decreasing the effect of the tyrosine enzyme, thus preventing melanin synthesis. Melanin is a pigment in our skin, and limiting its production reduces the darkening effect caused by scars, sun exposure, or other skin injuries. 

Apart from these functions, Vitamin C also has a host of other benefits for skin. As reported by Oregon State University, Vitamin C is a good supplement to take in order to address dry skin, as it promotes the formation of barrier lipids that prevent trans-epidermal water loss. According to a 2007 study by Cosgrove et al., a high intake of Vitamin C is also associated with a lower risk of skin wrinkles.

Biotin also has its way of improving skin. Vitamin B-Complex is composed of 8 different Vitamin B-Compounds, including Biotin. A study by Rembe et al. in 2018 found that this collection of Vitamins aids in the synthesis of healthy new skin cells. It is especially important when one is recovering from minor or serious skin damage, acne, or other epidermal abnormalities. During aging, regeneration of healthy skin cells becomes even more important, as it helps to slow down the physical manifestations of aging. 

Fatty acids can be produced by Biotin. Because these fatty acids nourish skin, they are essential. In addition to this, Biotin is also essential for metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, which, in turn, result in energy production. As a result of this function, Biotin helps skin to maintain optimum moisture levels. 

Beyond the numerous benefits that each of these nutrients can provide individually, taking Vitamin C and Biotin together will help achieve ultimate skin improvement by producing collagen. Among the extracellular matrix components, collagen is the major protein responsible for determining skin physiology. In other words, it is the protein on which the whole structure of our skin relies on in order to function and look great.

Source - freepik.com

Vitamin C has an essential role in collagen synthesis as it is a necessary cofactor for the two enzymes that work to produce collagen.

The metabolizing ability of Biotin further supports collagen production and function. By metabolizing carbs, fats, and proteins, Biotin can send energy to the cells responsible for synthesizing collagen and other proteins in the body. Additionally, it has been discovered that biotin and collagen both work toward improving skin's structure and elasticity. 

Vitamin C and Biotin are a powerful duo that we shouldn't overlook. Together, they're perfect for your skin health. Using creams and serums topically or ingesting them through food and supplements can provide you with these Vitamins in abundance. Food intake that is high in these Vitamins will allow you to experience that glow from within.

Final thoughts

Vitamin C and Biotin are nutrients that claim skin-boosting properties. Vitamin C is foremost an antioxidant, which means it protects our bodies against environmental damage. This Vitamin is also known to reduce hyperpigmentation, which usually appears in the form of acne scars or age spots on the skin. 

Vitamin C has an essential role in collagen synthesis as it is a necessary cofactor of the two enzymes that work to produce collagen. Biotin is also essential for metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, which, in turn, result in energy production. Both work toward improving your skin's structure and elasticity.