Why Vitamin C Should Be Included in Your Wellness Routine This Winter

As the seasons change, your body and skin face new challenges. Whether you're struggling with dry, dull, itchy skin from cold weather or you're hoping to avoid catching the viruses that seem to run rampant during the cooler months, Vitamin C can help combat all of your issues and more. It's the perfect thing to add to your everyday supplements and your skincare routine to help keep you healthy all year long. Remember that health and beauty begin within the body, so using powerful natural ingredients and eating a diet rich in plant nutrients is the best place to start. 

Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in oral supplements and skincare products due to its many benefits for the body, and with so many amazing effects, it's one of our favorite superheroes here at LAB.OTANICA. If you've been considering trying it for the first time, or you're interested in learning about the ways it can improve the health of your body and skin, check out our guide to everything you need to know about Vitamin C.

What is Vitamin C?

You've likely heard the buzz about Vitamin C when it comes to skincare and nutrition and wondered what exactly makes this ingredient so special. Vitamin C is a micronutrient that our body needs to survive and thrive. It can be found in many plants, including some of your favorite foods. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and can be one of the most common antioxidants found in human skin. It helps to maintain skin's overall health and keep it looking glowy and youthful. 

Human beings cannot create their own Vitamin C, so it's important that we eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Even when you eat plenty of foods that are abundant in this vitamin, it might still be necessary to take a supplement. For the skin, topical application works best, as your skin will only synthesize a small amount from the food you eat.

The Benefits of Vitamin C

Below are just a few of the many ways Vitamin C can help improve your overall health. 

• It may help reduce the risk of chronic disease 
• It may assist in managing high blood pressure 
• Could lower the risk of heart disease 
• It may help reduce the risk of gout attacks
• Could help prevent iron deficiency 
• Boosts immunity 
• It could help protect memory and increase clarity of thought as you age
• It may help prevent and decrease the length of the common cold 
• Could reduce the risk of cancer 
• It could help prevent certain eye diseases 
• It may reduce the risk of strokes 
• May reduce inflammation 
• It helps keep the skin youthful and decreases wrinkles

They help keep the skin hydrated and plump and brighten it, allowing you to maintain that coveted summer glow, even during the winter months. It also helps to reduce redness and hyperpigmentation and can even improve the appearance of under-eye circles. Vitamin C promotes collagen production in the skin, leading to better aging over time, and it can even help prevent the skin from sagging as we age. 

If you're planning a sunny vacation this winter, take your Vitamin C serum along with you, as it can also help protect your skin against sun damage and soothe burned and irritated skin. When it comes to achieving beautiful skin from the inside out, this vitamin is truly a natural superhero throughout every season!

Using Vitamin C For Skin

When you're using Vitamin C for the purpose of maintaining your beautiful skin, it is best used topically. It can be very difficult for our skin to get enough of this micronutrient from diet alone, so invest in a high-quality and natural Vitamin C serum or facial oil and apply it directly to the skin each and every day. 

Foods with Vitamin C 

When it comes to Vitamin C-rich foods, you may immediately think of citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. While they are rich in this vitamin, there are plenty of options for getting this incredible nutrient from your food this winter. If you're looking for some creative ways to eat food with Vitamin C, check out this list of some of the top Vitamin C foods from Harvard University. 

• Citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit)
• Bell peppers
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower)
• White potatoes

Other Vitamin C-Rich Botanicals

• Rosehips 
• Guavas 
• Black currents 
• Cantaloupe 
• Kale 
• Lemon 
• Lychees 
• Papayas 
• Strawberries

The best Vitamin C supplement for you will be the one that you remember to take every day. That could mean finding a great multivitamin that includes Vitamin C in the ingredients, or it could mean taking a tasty Vitamin C gummy that doubles as a sweet treat. 

If you're looking for a good Vitamin C Supplement, consider reputable brands that use clean botanical ingredients.

Here are a few of our favorite Vitamin C supplements:

• HUM Nutrition Air Patrol - benefits both the innate and adaptive immune responses 
• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C Capsules 
• Nature's Bounty Vitamin C

You can find these supplements at your local health food grocery store or purchase them online for convenience.

Keep Your Skin and Body Healthy this Winter

As the days grow shorter and we approach the Winter Solstice, it's more important than ever to nourish our bodies, minds, skin, and spirits. Long, cozy nights provide the ideal opportunity to indulge in self-care, like a nourishing at-home facial rich in Vitamin C, and try out new recipes with Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.

We invite you to join our community of wellness enthusiasts and botanical beauties for all the best skincare tips this winter by following us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Nourish your body from the inside and allow your beauty to shine on the outside throughout the busy holiday season. 

Pura Vida, and may your winter season be full of magic, cheer, and good health! Join us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!