Researchers in Japan have discovered that vitamin C can promote skin regeneration by activating genes responsible for skin cell growth, potentially reversing aging effects on the epidermis.

The study employed human epidermal equivalents, which are 3D culture models that closely mimic real human skin, to investigate the effects of vitamin C on epidermal structure.

Skin cells were exposed to vitamin C at concentrations typically found in the bloodstream, allowing for a realistic assessment of its impact.

Results indicated that vitamin C treatment resulted in a thicker epidermal layer and enhanced keratinocyte proliferation, while leaving the outer layer of dead cells largely unaffected.

Additionally, the study noted a significant increase in global levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a marker of active DNA demethylation, in treated skin samples, with levels rising 5- to 7-fold compared to untreated samples.

Over 10,000 DNA regions exhibited reduced methylation, with 12 key proliferation genes showing a remarkable increase in expression, ranging from 1.6- to 75-fold after vitamin C treatment.

The identification of 12 specific genes reactivated by vitamin C, including ROS1, underscores the vitamin's critical role in cell growth and tissue maintenance.

This groundbreaking study was supported by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), specifically under grant number 19K05902.