Recent research from Japan has shed light on the role of vitamin C (VC) in enhancing skin health, particularly as the skin naturally thins with age. The epidermis, which serves as the body's primary barrier against external threats, comprises roughly 90% keratinocytes. These cells are crucial for maintaining the skin's protective functions.
Led by Dr. Akihito Ishigami from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, the study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on April 20, 2025, explored how VC can stimulate skin regeneration by reactivating genes that govern skin cell growth and development. The research team included experts from Hokuriku University and ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
The researchers utilized human epidermal equivalents—laboratory-grown models that simulate real skin—to assess the effects of VC at concentrations akin to those found in the bloodstream. Results indicated that skin treated with VC exhibited a thicker epidermal layer after seven days, with increased keratinocyte proliferation. Notably, the study found that VC promotes DNA demethylation, a process that enhances gene expression related to cell growth.
This process involves the TET enzymes, which convert methylated DNA into a form that can be actively transcribed, facilitating skin cell growth and division. The study identified over 10,138 regions of reduced methylation in VC-treated samples and noted significant increases in the expression of key proliferation-related genes.
The findings suggest that vitamin C could serve as a beneficial treatment for older adults or individuals with thinning skin, enhancing the skin's natural ability to regenerate. The research was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, highlighting a potential pathway for developing skin rejuvenation therapies.