Vitamin C – the "miracle" ingredient everyone is talking about at the moment.

And for good reason. We have all heard about how it can help you ward off a cold by giving your immune system a boost – but as it turns out, the benefits don't stop there. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralises free radicals, which are generated by our bodies when exposed to certain conditions, including pollution and UV rays. Free radicals, in case you don't know, can negatively impact DNA and damage our cells, as well as disrupt the skin's ability to repair itself; and slow down collagen production. As well as neutralising free radicals, Vitamin C can also help stimulate collagen production, which slows down naturally as we age. But the thing is – all vitamin C products are not created equal. I recently got a chance to test a cult product that keeps selling out all over Europe, Altrient liposomal vitamin C, and honestly, having used it for a mere two weeks, I can already see a massive difference in my skin. My skin tone looks more even, my entire complexion glows and honestly, I just feel really healthy and full of energy. Naturally, I was intrigued to find out more, so I recently caught up with Susie Debice, Food Scientist and Nutritionist, and an expert spokesperson, health writer and brand consultant with Abundance & Health, the European Distributors of Altrient C. Here is what she had to say about vitamin C and skincare – and what sets Altrient liposomal vitamin C apart from other vitamin C products. 1. Why are we hearing so much about vitamin C in terms of skincare? Vitamin C has a starring role in supporting skin function for that all-important, natural glow and providing a helping hand when it comes to coping with the visible signs of skin ageing. Vitamin C works in a couple of ways for skin health. We have all heard about the importance of collagen for skin health and anti-ageing and many of us are getting up to speed with the fact that collagen naturally diminishes from the age of 30 and the rate of collagen loss increases as we age. Vitamin C plays a key part in collagen synthesis which is why it is so highly regarded for skin anti-ageing and beauty regimes. Secondly, skin cells, collagen and other structural components of the skin are vulnerable to damage caused by free radicals generated by UV rays, pollutants, and toxins. Vitamin C helps to protect cells from the oxidative stress caused by free radicals which is a major beauty plus points.   2. What are the benefits of vitamin C for our skin/health? And also - are there any risks/side-effects? Vitamin C has many benefits from supporting normal immune function, helping muscles recover after intense physical exercise to reducing tiredness and fatigue and supporting the nervous system's functions, physiological and skin function. That is an impressive list of health benefits for this hero vitamin. But if you take high doses of ascorbic acid you may experience a laxative effect. Everyone’s bowel tolerance for ascorbic acid is slightly different, and people with sensitive digestion of digestive disorders, such as IBS, may only be able to tolerate relatively low doses before experiencing this, whereas others may be able to tolerate several grams a day without any discomfort. Choosing a liposomal form of vitamin C or a mineral ascorbate (magnesium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate) buffers the acidic nature of vitamin C so you can take larger doses without digestive upse 3. What is the difference between ingesting vitamin C or using it topically on the skin? Topical creams seem to have a benefit as a helpful barrier to protect us from the daily elements quickly dehydrating the skin. However, new skin cells are buried far below the surface, four layers down from the surface of the skin. So, to get a real impact on the new skin cells that are just starting out their journey towards the outer layer of the skin, it’s best to follow a ‘feed your skin from within’ approach! At this level, vitamin C plays a key role in activating the enzyme involved in new collagen formation which is important for elastin and the collagen fibres which provide the skin its structure, tone and function. 4. What are the effects you can expect to see or feel? There are so many internal and external factors that impact on skin health and ageing. A holistic approach to skincare where you take into account lifestyle, SPF protection, general hydration and a clean diet full of vitamin C and other phytonutrient-rich foods are the preferred approaches for good results. Top this up with a high-quality vitamin C supplement and this is the best way to help maintain normal skin function in terms of collagen renewal and protecting skin cells from oxidative stress caused by UV rays, toxins and pollutants. 5. What is unique about Altrient? The best thing about Altrient is its absorption status. It is made using a cutting-edge patented process, using liposomal encapsulation technology which protects the vitamin C as it travels through the digestive tract and escorts it quickly into the bloodstream giving it superior absorption compared to all other forms of vitamin C supplements. It is also an extremely pure formulation using no sweeteners, sugars or unnecessary additives, just premium ingredients. You can’t ask for better than that.