When the sun’s UVA rays hit your skin, they disrupt how your skin cells communicate with each other. Scientists are constantly searching for ingredients that can shield all layers of skin and keep this cellular conversation healthy. This study tested whether a specific form of vitamin C called ethyl ascorbic acid could protect skin cells from UVA damage. Researchers grew two types of skin cells together in a lab and exposed them to UVA radiation, then treated them with the vitamin C compound. Using advanced technology to analyze all the proteins in these cells, they discovered that UVA radiation triggered harmful changes: it ramped up inflammation and cell damage signals while reducing protective proteins.
When the vitamin C was added, it reversed these negative effects by lowering inflammatory proteins and boosting the cells’ natural defense systems. The findings suggest this form of vitamin C may help protect your skin by fighting inflammation and restoring the normal chemical conversations between skin cells. (Source: Int J Mol Sci, via PubMed.)
Source: PubMed — read the full article