National Vitamin C Day Date in the current year: April 4, 2024

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential micronutrient involved in the functioning of the immune system, the production of certain neurotransmitters, the synthesis of collagen, and the repair of tissues. It also has antioxidant properties and therefore helps to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C deficiency causes a disease called scurvy; its main symptoms include weakness and fatigue, sore limbs, gum disease, changes to hair, poor wound healing and easy bleeding.

The ability of citrus fruit to prevent scurvy were known as early as the 15th century. The term “anti-scorbutic” referring to foods known to prevent scurvy emerged in the 18th century thanks to James Lind, a Scottish surgeon who published his Treatise on Scurvy in 1753. These foods included citrus fruits (lemons, limes and oranges), cabbage and sauerkraut, and malt.

The anti-scorbutic factor was first referred to as vitamin C in 1928, but it wasn’t identified and isolated until the 1930s. Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi was awarded the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for being the first to isolate vitamin C, and British chemist Walter Norman Haworth was the co-recipient of the 1937 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his investigations on vitamin C.

Vitamin C can be found in many foods we consume, but its best sources include bell peppers, blackcurrant, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, guava, kale, kiwifruit, papaya, redcurrant, and strawberries. It should be noted, however, that the amount of vitamin C in foods can be reduced by prolonged storage and cooking at high temperatures, so fresh plant foods are considered the best food source of vitamin C.

In addition to being essential for the body, vitamin C is widely used as an ingredient in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals due to its antioxidant and skin lightening properties. Skincare products with vitamin C can promote the production of collagen in the skin and thus boost skin elasticity and prevent premature wrinkles, reduce inflammation, brighten the skin, and protect it against environmental pollution.

National Vitamin C Day was launched by SkinCeuticals, a skincare brand founded by American dermatologist and physician-scientist Sheldon Pinnel known for his research in the areas of collagen chemistry, photoaging and sun protection, and topical absorption of antioxidants, including vitamin C. The holiday was originally conceived to celebrate the benefits of vitamin C as a skincare ingredient, but it is also a good occasion to raise awareness of the overall importance of this vitamin for our health.

There are many ways to celebrate National Vitamin C Day. You can learn more about the benefits of vitamin C and foods that contain it, drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to give your body a vitamin boost or add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to your salad dressing, think about incorporating a serum or moisturizer with vitamin C into your skincare routine, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtags #NationalVitaminCDay and #VitaminCDay.