From Anirva, the maker of Dermal Radiance. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Many people notice that their skin feels less firm as the years go by. They see more fine lines, and the glow they had at 25 is harder to find. It is natural to wonder whether a vitamin you take by mouth can make a difference. Vitamin C is often the place people start. Your body uses it to make collagen, the protein that gives skin its structure. Here we look at what vitamin C is and how it works in skin — the research on supplements, how much is in Dermal Radiance, and safety.
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- Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen. It helps the enzymes that build and steady collagen fibers in the skin [1][3].
- Regulators accept the collagen link. European food regulators allow labels to say that vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin [7].
- Diet studies point the same way. In a survey of 4,025 American women, those who ate less vitamin C were more likely to have a wrinkled skin appearance [4].
- A trial of collagen with vitamin C showed changes in skin. In 90 women, a daily drink with collagen and 80 mg of vitamin C raised skin density over 16 weeks, compared with a placebo [6].
- Dermal Radiance contains 150 mg of vitamin C. That is 167% of the Daily Value, and well below the adult upper limit of 2,000 mg a day [1][8].
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin, so the body does not store large amounts. Humans cannot make it, so we need it from food or supplements every day [1].
Adults need 75 mg a day (women) or 90 mg a day (men). People who smoke need 35 mg more each day [1].
Skin normally holds a lot of vitamin C. The outer layer of skin holds more than the deeper layer. Levels in skin can fall with age and with sun exposure [3].
How might vitamin C work in skin?
Collagen building
Collagen is the main structural protein in skin. To make strong collagen fibers, two enzymes need vitamin C as a helper. Without enough vitamin C, collagen is weaker and less stable [1][3].
In lab studies on human skin cells, vitamin C also raised the activity of genes that make collagen. These are cell studies, so they show a possible pathway, not a result in people [3].
Antioxidant support
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It helps protect cells from oxidative stress, which is a kind of wear caused by unstable molecules. Sunlight and pollution raise oxidative stress in skin [2][3].
Getting vitamin C into skin
Taking vitamin C by mouth raises the amount of vitamin C in skin. Once blood levels are full, skin levels stop rising, even with more vitamin C [2]. The body absorbs about 70% to 90% of vitamin C at intakes of 30 to 180 mg a day. Above 1,000 mg a day, it absorbs less than half [1].
What does the research show?
The research on vitamin C supplements and skin is still growing. Here are the main types of evidence.
A large diet survey of American women
In 2007, researchers studied 4,025 women aged 40 to 74 in a US national health survey. Skin doctors looked at each woman's skin. Women who ate less vitamin C were more likely to have a wrinkled appearance and dry skin. The authors worked for Unilever, a consumer products company [4].
This was a survey, not a trial. It shows a link, but it cannot show that vitamin C caused the better skin. People who eat more fruit and vegetables may also have other healthy habits.
Vitamin C and skin's response to UV light
Small human studies have tested vitamin C by mouth before controlled UV light exposure. Vitamin C raised the amount of vitamin C in skin. But vitamin C by itself did not change how easily the skin turned red [2][5].
Studies that combined vitamin C with vitamin E showed more change in these tests [2]. Vitamin C is not a sunscreen. Experts suggest daily sunscreen and shade for sun care.
A collagen and vitamin C trial
In 2024, a trial in Slovenia gave 90 women aged 40 to 65 a daily drink or a placebo for 16 weeks. The active drink had 5 g of collagen peptides and 80 mg of vitamin C. Compared with placebo, the active group had 16% higher skin density, 14% lower wrinkle volume and 10% less roughness, measured with skin imaging. Skin elasticity and hydration did not change more than with placebo [6].
This trial tested collagen and vitamin C together. It cannot tell us how much of the result came from vitamin C. The study products came from a supplement company [6].
Study summary
| Study | People | Amount a day | Length | Main result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosgrove et al., 2007 [4] | 4,025 US women, 40–74 | Vitamin C from usual diet | One-time survey | Lower vitamin C intake linked with wrinkled appearance and dry skin |
| Žmitek et al., 2024 [6] | 90 women, 40–65 | 5 g collagen + 80 mg vitamin C | 16 weeks | Skin density up and wrinkle volume down vs placebo; elasticity not different |
How much vitamin C is in Dermal Radiance compared with the studies?
| Source | Vitamin C a day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dermal Radiance (2 capsules) | 150 mg | 167% of the Daily Value, from the label [8] |
| Adult daily need (RDA) | 75 mg (women), 90 mg (men) | Add 35 mg for people who smoke [1] |
| Collagen and vitamin C trial | 80 mg | Taken with 5 g collagen [6] |
| Adult upper limit | 2,000 mg | Not a target; the level above which side effects become more likely [1] |
Dermal Radiance provides more vitamin C than the daily need, and more than the 80 mg in the collagen trial. It is within the range the body absorbs well. The studies tested vitamin C in other forms and mixes, so their results do not describe Dermal Radiance.
Food sources of vitamin C
Fruits and vegetables are good sources. Some examples [1]:
- Red bell pepper, half a cup raw: 95 mg
- Orange juice, three-quarters of a cup: 93 mg
- Kiwi, one medium: 64 mg
- Broccoli, half a cup cooked: 51 mg
- Strawberries, half a cup: 49 mg
Cooking and long storage can lower the vitamin C in food. Eating some fruits and vegetables raw can help [1].
What the research does not show yet
- In our search, we did not find a placebo-controlled trial of vitamin C by itself, taken by mouth, that measured wrinkles or elasticity in healthy adults.
- Many well-known vitamin C skin studies used creams or serums. Their results do not tell us what a supplement does.
- We found no study of vitamin C combined with the other Dermal Radiance ingredients.
- It is not clear whether people who already eat plenty of vitamin C gain extra skin benefits from a supplement.
Safety and interactions
Vitamin C is well tolerated at usual amounts. The adult upper limit is 2,000 mg a day from all sources [1].
Large amounts can cause diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. People who have had kidney stones, or who have a condition that causes iron overload, should talk with their doctor before taking extra vitamin C [1].
High-dose vitamin C may affect some cancer treatments. People having chemotherapy or radiation should check with their cancer care team before taking it. Vitamin C may also affect some cholesterol medicines [1].
- Taking it with a meal can be easier on the stomach.
- If you take other supplements, add up the vitamin C from all of them and stay below 2,000 mg a day [1].
- If you take prescription medicines or have kidney stones, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start.
Vitamin C is one part of Dermal Radiance
Dermal Radiance is a daily two-capsule supplement with 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. They were chosen to support healthy collagen, skin firmness and elasticity, and radiance. Vitamin C is one of them.
Dermal Radiance has not been clinically tested as a finished product. For this reason, we cannot say how its ingredients work together. The studies in this article tested vitamin C by itself or in other mixes, and their results describe those products.
If you take Dermal Radiance, you are not relying on vitamin C alone. It is one of 20 ingredients in each serving. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label [8].
Try Dermal Radiance
A daily two-capsule formula with 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts, including 150 mg of vitamin C per serving.
See the full ingredient listIf you are deciding
Experts suggest a few habits for skin health. These include eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, using sunscreen, and not smoking. A supplement can add to these habits, not replace them. If you would like to try Dermal Radiance, the directions are two capsules a day with a meal [8].
The short version
Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen, the protein that gives skin its structure. People who eat more vitamin C tend to have less wrinkled skin, but surveys cannot prove cause. In a trial of collagen with vitamin C, skin density improved. Dermal Radiance provides 150 mg a day, above the daily need and far below the upper limit.
Frequently asked questions
Does vitamin C help skin?
Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen, which supports skin structure [1][3]. Surveys link higher vitamin C intake with less wrinkled skin [4].
Does taking vitamin C help collagen?
Vitamin C is needed for normal collagen formation [1][7]. If your intake is low, getting enough supports normal collagen. Whether extra vitamin C adds more collagen in people who already get enough is less clear.
How much vitamin C is used for skin?
Adults need 75 to 90 mg a day [1]. A 2024 skin trial used 80 mg with collagen [6]. Dermal Radiance provides 150 mg [8].
Is oral or topical vitamin C better for skin?
They have been studied in different ways. Vitamin C by mouth raises vitamin C in skin until blood levels are full [2]. Many studies on skin tone and lines used creams. Some people use both.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
Skin trials usually last 12 to 16 weeks [6]. Results vary from person to person.
Can vitamin C make skin glow?
Vitamin C supports collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress [1][3]. Many studies on skin tone used vitamin C creams.
Is it safe to take vitamin C every day?
Yes, for most adults at usual amounts. Stay below 2,000 mg a day from all sources. Talk to your doctor if you have kidney stones or iron overload [1].
Can I get enough vitamin C from food?
Many people can. One kiwi has about 64 mg, and half a cup of red bell pepper has about 95 mg [1].
Does vitamin C protect skin from the sun?
No. Vitamin C is not a sunscreen. In small studies, vitamin C by itself did not change how easily skin turned red under UV light [2][5].
References
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated July 31, 2025. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional (accessed October 1, 2026).
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin C and Skin Health. Last modified January 2, 2026. lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C (accessed October 1, 2026).
- Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866. PMID: 28805671.
- Cosgrove MC, Franco OH, Granger SP, Murray PG, Mayes AE. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(4):1225-1231. doi:10.1093/ajcn/86.4.1225. PMID: 17921406.
- McArdle F, Rhodes LE, Parslew R, Jack CIA, Friedmann PS, Jackson MJ. UVR-induced oxidative stress in human skin in vivo: effects of oral vitamin C supplementation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2002;33(10):1355-1362. doi:10.1016/S0891-5849(02)01042-0. PMID: 12419467.
- Žmitek K, Žmitek J, Hristov H, Rogl Butina M, Keršmanc P, Pogačnik T. The effects of dietary supplementation with collagen and vitamin C and their combination with hyaluronic acid on skin density, texture and other parameters: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. 2024;16(12):1908. doi:10.3390/nu16121908. PMID: 38931263.
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin C and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, collagen formation and other functions. EFSA Journal. 2009;7(10):1226. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1226.
- Anirva. Dermal Radiance Supplement Facts label and product page. anirva.com/pages/anti-aging-skin-supplement-dermal-radiance (accessed October 1, 2026).
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