DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Healthy and glowing skin is an essential part of your physical appearance. It may boost your confidence and self-esteem as well.

You can find hundreds and hundreds of DIY skincare routines on the internet but they are often less credible and you shouldn’t take risks when it comes to your skin.

So what can you do to get the flawless skin that you see everywhere on Instagram and other social media sites?

Well, firstly you need to start eating nutritious food and make healthy lifestyle choices. After that, you can include some natural supplements in your daily routine that can help you address your skin concerns more effectively.

Propolis extract and vitamin C are two such natural ingredients that are easily accessible, safe to use, and work wonders for your skin.

Follow the article below to know more about propolis extract and vitamin C and how the consumption of these two supplements can help you fight different skin-related issues.

PROPOLIS

Propolis also known as bee glue is a waxy, resinous substance that bees produce by mixing their saliva and beeswax with sap from plants.

Bees use propolis to make beehives or to be specific they use it as a coating to keep the intruders out.

Propolis contains polyphenols and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it beneficial for your skin.

SKIN BENEFITS OF PROPOLIS

Consumption of propolis can help you fight inflammatory conditions like acne and speed up the repair and healing process in damaged skin.

Below is a detailed description of different skin benefits provided by propolis:

FIGHTS ACNE AND ITS AFTERMATH

Propolis's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a go product for the prevention and treatment of acne.

Propolis increases overall cellular immune response and fights off bacterial acne by targeting bacteria that cause acne. Propolis also soothes inflammation and redness caused by it.

Daily consumption of propolis supplements can reduce the number and severity of pimples. Not only does it help you get rid of existing acne and prevent it in the future but also helps you deal with the aftermath of acne.

Propolis extract treats and prevents scarring, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture caused by different types of acne.

EASES INFLAMMATORY REDNESS

Environmental factors, allergens, and stress can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin. As a result, your skin can become red and hyperpigmented.

Propolis has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce and prevent redness and hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation.

PROTECTS AGAINST FREE RADICAL DAMAGE

Daily exposure to environmental pollutants, radiation, and UV rays from sunlight can induce free radical damage to your skin. This free radical damage then leads to skin dullness, dark spots, wrinkles, and premature aging.

Propolis is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and oxidative stress and protect your skin from the harmful effects of pollutants, sunlight, and radiation.

PROMOTES HEALING

Propolis promote wound healing by increasing cell turnover and collagen production. It creates a collagen barrier which helps to provide a sealed and protective environment for the skin to repair itself.

This barrier speeds up the healing process and also helps to maintain water and oil balance within the skin.

The healing properties of propolis have also been proved to be beneficial for the management of burns.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE AND SIDE EFFECTS

The typical dose for propolis ranges between 400 to 500mg daily. When used appropriately and within the recommended limits it doesn’t cause any adverse effects.

However, it can trigger allergic reactions in individuals allergic to bee products. It can sometimes also cause irritation and mouth ulcers.

PRECAUTIONS

Propolis is a safe dietary supplement but you should take precautions when consuming it under the following circumstances:

• Pregnancy – There is no sufficient knowledge available regarding the safety of propolis consumption during pregnancy. Hence, it is recommended to stay on the safe side and avoid propolis supplements during pregnancy.
• Bleeding disorders – Different ingredients in propolis can slow down blood clotting and increases the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
• Surgery – As propolis can suppress the body’s ability to clot blood it increases the risk of bleeding during and after the surgery. Therefore, you should stop propolis consumption at least two weeks before the date of surgery.

INTERACTIONS

Propolis interacts with anticoagulants and medicines that are metabolized by the liver. It can suppress the action of these drugs and may increase the risk of side effects.

Therefore, it is advised to consult with your physician before starting propolis supplements.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus fruits and some vegetables. It is essential for collagen synthesis and also acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C supports your immune as well.

Some of the rich sources of vitamin C are listed below:

• Citrus fruits
• Strawberries
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Tomatoes
• Guava

SKIN BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C

The ability of vitamin C to neutralize free radicals and boost collagen synthesis makes it a very useful product for your skin-related issues.

It is safe to be used by individuals of all skin types and provides many benefits some of which are explained in detail below.

BRIGHTENS SKIN

Melanin is a pigment found in the inner layers of skin. It is responsible for your skin color. Vitamin C has the potential to impede melanin production and thereby helps to brighten your skin tone.

The daily consumption of vitamin C can reduce skin dullness and dark spots giving you glowing skin.

FIGHTS HYPERPIGMENTATION

The overproduction of melanin in any part of your skin can result in different types of hyperpigmentation such as sunspots, age spots, and melasma. Acne can also cause hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin by suppressing the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme. Hence, vitamin C supplements can be used to fight hyperpigmentation.

PROMOTES COLLAGEN PRODUCTION

Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that is necessary to maintain skin elasticity. Your body is capable of producing collagen however the amount of collagen production decreases with age.

Prolyl hydroxylase and iysyl hydroxylase are two enzymes that take part in collagen synthesis and vitamin C act as an essential cofactor for both of these enzymes.

Hence, the consumption of vitamin C can boost the natural production of collagen by your body, and when there is a sufficient amount of collagen present in your skin it naturally begins to appear much healthier than before.

PREVENTS SAGGING OF SKIN

Age, oxidative damage, and physical stress are some of the factors that lead to the sagging of your skin. As collagen production decreases with age the sagging becomes even more prominent.

Vitamin C consumption can increase collagen synthesis which in turn makes your skin look firmer and more toned.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE AND SIDE EFFECTS

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is different for males and females. Adult males require 90mg of vitamin C daily while women require 75mg per day.

The RDA for pregnant and breastfeeding women is 120mg daily.

Although vitamin C is safe to use but too much consumption can cause the following side effects:

• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Stomach cramps
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Kidney stones

PRECAUTIONS

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is generally well tolerated and doesn’t cause any adverse effects. However, you should consume it with great care in the following conditions:

• Chronic kidney disease – Vitamin C supplements may elevate the levels of oxalate in urine which can increase the risk of kidney failure in individuals who have kidney disease.
• G6PD deficiency - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a metabolic disorder in which large amounts of vitamin C cause red blood cells to break down.

INTERACTIONS

Vitamin C can interact with different therapeutic drugs used to treat pain, bleeding disorders, psychiatric conditions, and cancer.

Vitamin C can hamper the therapeutic effects of these drugs and may also increase the risk of side effects. If you also use any of these drugs then consult with your doctor before starting vitamin C supplements.

TO CONCLUDE

Every one of us want glowing and flawless skin that gives us a youthful appearance but when it comes to taking care of our skin we often find it quite hard.

A healthy lifestyle and nutritious food can help us achieve our skincare goals but adding a supplement to our daily routine can make our journey smooth.

Propolis extract and vitamin C are two such supplements that provide multiple benefits to our skin. They protect our skin against free radical damage, treat and prevent acne, promote healing and act as anti-aging agents.

It is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider before starting propolis or vitamin C supplements especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications for any underlying health conditions.

Here you can check out Vorst’s Premium Supplements Vitamin C 90 Chewable Tablets and Bee Propolis Extract 500mg 90 Capsules and Bee Propolis Alcohol-Free.

 

RESOURCES

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aps/2013/308249/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029672/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7802860/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/