C the Light

From the Kitchen to the Spa, Vitamin C is a Must for Healthy Skin

After months of snacking on the same old apples and bananas, this season’s vibrant array of produce can be a welcome sight at the grocery store. Nothing says summer like bountiful berries, lusciousmangos, mouthwatering watermelon, sweet, succulent papaya and big, juicy pineapples. Aside from whetting your appetite, these delectable summer treats have one thing in common: they are each an excellent source of vitamin C.

While most of us are aware of vitamin C’s role in the body as an essential part of tissue growth and repair, maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth, strengthening the immune system and assisting in wound healing–as well as possibly improving macular degeneration and reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease–its lesser-known salutary effects on the skin are just as dramatic and well-documented.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is central to the production of collagen–the main protein in the body’s connective tissue and the source of skin’s firmness and definition. A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked a higher intake of vitamin C to a generally better skin-aging appearance for women between the ages of 40 and 74, marked by fewer, less pronounced wrinkles and increased hydration.

Because vitamin C nurtures the cells on the inside and outside of the body–and because it is water-soluble and is not produced by the body–it is important to include this superior nutrient in both your diet and your skin care regimen. CosMedix Co-founder and licensed medical aesthetician Bettylou McIntosh explains, “As we age, our natural collagen production rate diminishes, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. When applied topically as a skin treatment, ascorbic acid helps promote collagen synthesis and supplement the skin’s natural deficit, improving skin texture and composition.”

For McIntosh, vitamin C is an integral part of the chemical strategy for healthy skin–an “indispensable active ingredient that addresses a multitude of skin concerns and conditions.” Accordingly, CosMedix incorporates chirally correct L-ascorbic acid into the full spectrum of its professional and home-care products, from non-wounding peels and exfoliating masks to skin-rejuvenating serums and dietary supplements.

In addition to fostering skin elasticity, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and an effective tyrosinase inhibitor, working overtime to thwart the attempts of UV-induced free radicals which can catalyze melanin production and lead to photodamage and hyperpigmentation. When added to sunscreens and anti-aging formulas, vitamin C acts as a performance enhancement component, boosting protective and reparative properties to prevent cellular DNA damage and reduce inflammation.

Such is the case with Pure C, 100 percent pure L-ascorbic acid mixing crystals by CosMedix. The only form of fresh vitamin C readily absorbed by the skin, these tiny yet powerful crystals make an invigorating skin care cocktail, designed to be mixed with any cosmetic product to promote protein building, brighten the complexion and help put a stop to signs of premature aging. Now that sounds like the perfect summer treat.

Citrus Chicken with Tropical Fruit

Complement your ascorbic acid skin care regimen with this delicious, vitamin C-packed dish.

Ingredients:

• 7 pounds chicken pieces, washed and dried
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons Splenda ®
• 3 red peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 large mangos, peeled, pitted and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into thick slices
• 1 pineapple, peeled and sliced
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ cup olive oil

Directions:
In a blender, combine the citrus juices, garlic, red peppers, onion, vinegar, Splenda®, and ¼ cup of olive oil.

Pour marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 2 hours. Place the mango, banana slices and pineapple on a sheet of foil and brush with lime juice. Set aside.

Place the chicken pieces on the grill and cook for 35 to 45 minutes, turning and basting every 5 minutes with the marinade.

Lightly brush the fruits with the remaining olive oil. Fold the foil into a packet, perforate and cook for 10 minutes, until fruit is lightly charred.

Place the chicken on a platter and arrange the fruit along the edges. Yields 6 to 8 servings.

Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com.