Vitamin C is often presented as a powerful antioxidant capable of protecting the skin from everyday stressors, but its involvement in modulating inflammatory processes is less discussed. This lesser-known aspect, however, raises several questions. Does vitamin C truly have anti-inflammatory effects? In this article, we untangle fact from fiction.
Does vitamin C have anti-inflammatory properties?
Published on December 2, 2025, updated on December 2, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 6 min of reading
Themes:
The key points to remember.
Vitamin C possesses potent antioxidant properties, capable of neutralizing free radicals that drive inflammatory processes.
Vitamin C also affects certain inflammatory pathways and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β).
Vitamin C may therefore be of interest for reducing erythema.
Evidence in vitro is robust, but clinical studies remain limited and must be completed to confirm these effects.
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Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory agent?
Also known as ascorbic acid, the vitamin C is a major vitamin in the body. It is water-soluble, unlike the vitamin E which is fat-soluble, it helps to neutralize free radicals in the skin’s aqueous compartments, such as the cytosol and the extracellular fluid, thereby helping to slow its aging. The vitamin C also stimulates fibroblast activity, the cells that synthesize the collagen and elastin, the structural proteins of the dermal extracellular matrix.
Vitamin C may also help combat inflammation.
Indeed, inflammation is closely linked to oxidative stress. When free radicals accumulate in skin tissues, they activate a cascade of molecular signals capable of damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids, triggering a series of micro-inflammations that are often invisible yet real. These reactions can be amplified by the activation of nuclear factors, such as AP-1 or NF-κB, both regulators of the immune response. Their stimulation leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, and to the overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS enzymes, both contributing to the maintenance of an inflammatory state. That is why antioxidants, such as vitamin C, play an interesting preventive role against inflammation.
But vitamin C’s action goes even further. Several studies have shown that ascorbic acid directly modulates inflammation signaling pathways, notably NF-κB and MAPK, leading to decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This molecule also helps reduce the expression of the pro-inflammatory enzymes COX-2 and iNOS, which contribute to vasodilation and skin redness.
Vitamin C thus appears to play both a preventive and an active role in inflammation.
However, even though the data in vitro convincingly demonstrate the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C, clinical evidence remains limited. The available studies, two of which are presented below, suggest beneficial effects on the skin, but their number is still insufficient. It therefore appears necessary to conduct further clinical trials to confirm and clarify the efficacy of vitamin C in modulating skin inflammation.
| Study | Protocol | Results | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST & al. (1998) | 20 patients following CO₂ laser treatment. For eight weeks, a vitamin C–based cream or serum was applied to one half of the face, and the vehicle to the other side. | Erythema improvement was 34.4% greater for the cream and 16.3% greater for the serum. | Small sample (20 patients), erythema assessed by visual scoring, with no instrumental tool described. |
| PINNELL & al. (2008) | Application of a solution containing 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% α-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid to skin explants for 4 days, compared with a control solution lacking active ingredients. Exposure to varying UV doses (2–10 MED, the minimal erythemal dose required to induce sunburn). | In treated explants, there was significant protection against erythema, formation of fewer sunburn cells (8.4 vs. 31.5 with vehicle), and significant suppression of IL-1α (50%), IL-6 (62%), IL-8 (90%), IL-10 (63%), and TNF-α (18%) production. | Ex vivo and nonclinical study, simulated UV exposure, no evaluation under natural conditions. |
Summary of two studies illustrating the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C.
Sources
WEST T. & al. Effect of topical vitamin C on postoperative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing erythema. Dermatologic Surgery (1998).
PINNELL S. R. & al. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2008).
TELANG P. S. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal (2013).
ABED Y. & al. Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: A randomized controlled trial. Drug Design, Development and Therapy (2015).
SIGNORI L. U. & al. Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. European Journal of Nutrition (2020).
ZHONG Z. & al. Anti-inflammatory effects of natural products from vitamin C-rich fruits. Food Frontiers (2024).
