Pirates!

Copyright: artistryglass.com – Pirates and Scurvy

Another year, and yet another National Talk Like a Pirate Day has come and gone. I don’t know if you spent any time on September 19th saying things like scallywag and blow me down but the whole thing got me thinking about vitamin C. This super-vitamin is less commonly known as a Pirate’s Best Friend. Because the pirates of centuries past were deficient in this essential nutrient, many of them suffered from scurvy. This nasty disease manifested as joint weakness, bleeding under the skin, and ulcers. Blech.

These days, you have a better chance of getting struck down by lightning than getting struck down by a case of scurvy. We don’t even think of vitamin C in scurvy terms anymore. In fact, we tend to think of it as a natural way to ward off the sniffles. Its effectiveness at combatting colds is actually being debunked as a myth these days. However, it’s effectiveness at combatting wrinkles, dryness, and even sun damage from UV-B rays is very real. Vitamin c aids in the production of collagen, which gives skin its firmness and combats wrinkles. It’s also useful for fading dark spots.

Sometimes vitamin C is listed on product ingredients as ascorbic acid. However it’s listed, you should know that it’s also an anti-oxidant and worthy opponent of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage your precious collagen. Damage to collagen leads to reduced skin-elasticity and creates skin-dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. New research showing that vitamin C can not only fight these free radicals but also reverse DNA damage is perhaps the reason we’re seeing more and more vitamin C–based skincare products these days. I think they’re a great thing. It’s not an empty craze!

Pros in my business have long known the benefits of vitamin C. Now you do, too. Join the vitamin C movement, and you’ll be sailing on the high seas to younger, healthier skin in no time!