Vitamin C and Acne

January 18th, 2006

A recent article in Cutis magazine looked at the role of a vitamin C derivative in the treatment of acne. The article compared the effects of 5% sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate lotion (APS) vs. 1% clindamycin phosphate lotion for the treatment of acne.

The study was completed in 70 people and showed some interesting results. In the APS group, there was a global improvement of 75.7% versus a 54.5% global improvement in the clindamycin group. In addition, the APS group showed a 40.7% reduction in inflammatroy lesions and a 65.7% improvement in non-inflammatory lesions vs. 39.4% and 58.1% in the clindamycin group, respectively.

The hypothesis on how APS helps in acne is that it works as a scavenger of singlet oxygen which may cause sebum oxidation which is the main cause of progressive oxidative reactions of triglycerides. This then casues inflammation which then causes abnormal follicular hyperkeratinization resulting in comedone formation. In more simple terms, oxygen radicals start a cascade of events that leads to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. APS helps to get rid of oxygen radicals.

In conclusion the article shows that APS cream is successful in treating acne and is well tolerated.

Entry Filed under: Acne Treatments, New Acne Products