How taking extra Vitamin C lightens skin

In healthy adults, Vitamin C raises glutathione levels in the red blood cells and lymphocytes

Glutathione helps determine the balance of light and dark pigments (pheomelanin and eumelanin) in our skin. L-cysteine and the TYRP1 enzyme also play a part in this balance

Taking high doses of Vitamin C (1,000 – 3,000 mgs) can help to lighten skin over time

Since you’re reading this page, you’ve probably already asked yourself: can taking Vitamin C really lighten your skin?

The short answer is: Yes, it can.

But how exactly does Vitamin C help lighten our skin?

The answer to that question is a bit longer, but reading on will be worth it in the end (I promise!). If you don’t have the time to read about just how taking high doses of Vitamin C can lighten your skin, just bookmark this page to read later.


What is Vitamin C?

Before I go on to explain what Vitamin C has to do with our skin color, I think it’s important to know just what Vitamin C is first.

Vitamin C (also called Ascorbic Acid) is a water-soluble vitamin, and is needed by our bodies to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels. We get Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges. It is also readily available in pill or liquid supplements.

Although it is a vitamin, Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. This means it can neutralize free radicals which would otherwise damage our skin and other organs. And since it is soluble in water, Vitamin C works both inside and outside of our cells to combat this free radical damage.

vitamincorangesVitamin C and our skin

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and collagen is the building blocks. Our skin benefits greatly from Vitamin C because of its unique collagen-forming properties.

Scientists have found that collagen protein requires Vitamin C for the molecules to achieve the best configuration possible. Vitamin C prevents collagen from becoming weak and susceptible to damage (a process is called hydroxylation). Vitamin C also increases the level of the procollagen messenger RNA. It is also needed to “export” the procollagen molecules out of our cells and into the extracellular spaces. In other words, Vitamin C is crucial in ensuring the structural integrity of our collagen.

Vitamin C also helps to heal any wounds we might have. Studies have shown that when Vitamin C was given to burn victims in high doses, it reduces the transfer of blood and waste products into the tissues (capillary permeability). This could be partly due to Vitamin C’s scavenging effect on free radicals (its antioxidant properties).

In another study, when Vitamin C (2,000 mg) and natural Vitamin E (1,000 IU) were given to 20 men and women, their resistance to sunburn increased by 20% after just 8 days.  They had lower levels of inflammation and skin damage compared to the placebo group, which became more sensitive to sunburn.

Vitamin C is one antioxidant that boosts two more – glutathione and Vitamin E

Have you ever heard of that saying, one thing leads to another? This is especially true with Vitamin C.

This is because taking Vitamin C doesn’t just increase the Vitamin C levels in our blood, it also increases two more very important antioxidants – glutathione (a major antioxidant) and Vitamin E (a fat-soluble antioxidant).

Higher Vitamin C levels boosts glutathione and Vitamin E

Glutathione Vitamin E
Glutathione is our bodies’ most prevalent antioxidant Vitamin E is probably the most important fat-soluble antioxidant
It plays an important role in detoxing our bodies It protects our cells from oxidation by reacting with fatty radicals
Glutathione is a tripeptide and made up of 3 amino acids:

Glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine

Vitamin E is a group of compounds made up of tocopherols and tocotrienols.

Tocopherols act as antioxidants.

Glutathione converts into glutathione peroxidase, an important enzyme which prevents oxidative damage Our liver actually forms the Vitamin E in our blood, but it needs food sources with Vitamin E to do so.
Our bodies make its own glutathione supply.

Taking glutathione pills and supplements does not raise the glutathione levels in blood.

Good food sources of Vitamin E include wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, and peanut butter.

Vitamin C boosts glutathione levels in the blood

Vitamin C and glutathione have a unique relationship. Vitamin C reduces glutathione back to the active form. In its active form, glutathione will regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized state.

Compounds that have Vitamin E activity (tocopherols) also rely on Vitamin C to regenerate back to its active form.

Why is the link between Vitamin C and glutathione levels important in skin lightening?

It’s important because scientists have found out that the way our skin balances between its lighter pigments (pheomelanin) and darker pigments (eumelanin) depends on glutathione, L-cysteine and the TYRP1 enzyme.

Since Vitamin C has been scientifically proven to boost gluthathione levels in the blood, we can say that Vitamin C helps to lighten skin color.

1) Glutathione

Glutathione is found in almost all raw fruits and vegetables. Cooking destroys most glutathione, but that doesn’t really matter. Because although glutathione is found in many fruits, vegetables, and meats, our stomachs and intestines ability to absorb glutathione is very poor.

Speaking of which, please do not be fooled by “gluthathione skin whitening pills”. Glutathione pills and supplements cannot raise the glutathione levels in your blood. They will only serve to make you poorer.

To raise the glutathione levels in our blood, it is better to eat foods that is high in glutamine instead, such as lean meats, eggs, wheat germ, whey protein and whole grains. These will stimulate the liver so you can produce more glutathione naturally. Glutamine is one of the known precursors of gluthathione production. High doses of Vitamin C will also boost our natural glutathione levels, so supplementation with Vitamin C is important if you want to lighten your skin. Glutathione and Vitamin C show a strong, functional interdependence in vivo.

Note: You can be deficient in glutathione if you take Tylenol (acetaminophen) regularly or in large amounts. Doctors treat emergency cases of acetaminophen toxicity with high doses of N-aceytlycysteine (NAC), which raises glutathione levels in the blood.




2) L-cysteine

L-cysteine is an amino acid found in most high-protein foods including yogurt and whey protein. Good vegetarian sources comes are onions, garlic and broccoli. The L-cysteine derived from N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) helps to boost our liver’s production of glutathione. L-cysteine also helps synthesize proteins, taurine, coenzyme A, and inorganic sulfate.

3) The TYRP1 enzyme (or Tyrosinase-related protein 1)

Sounds scary, I know! But all you really need to know is that this is the genetic part of the whole skin lightening discussion. Our  TYRP1 gene provides instructions for making the TYRP1 enzyme. The functions of this enzyme are still unclear but it is involved in the production of melanin. It’s likely that this is where our genes come into play in determining the color of our skin.

Mutations in the TYRP1 gene has been linked with oculocutaneous albinism.

Individually, none of these factors decides our skin color. All three play a part.

Enemies of Vitamin C: pollution, smoking, alcohol, diabetes

If you smoke and drink, chances are your Vitamin C levels are lower than people who don’t. And while we’re at it, do you live in a polluted area? That’ll do it too.

Studies have shown that drinking large quantities of alcohol will lower the amount of Vitamin C in your blood plasma and make you excrete vitamin C through urination. Smoking and general pollution will also lower the level of Vitamin C in the blood. Having diabetes will also reduce your body’s Vitamin C levels.

What does all this mean? Should I take Vitamin C to lighten my skin?

Yes, yes, and yes! If want to lighten your skin by internal means using supplements, detoxing or changing your diet, Vitamin C supplements are essential.

Dosage

You should take a high dose of 1,000 – 3,000 mg of Vitamin C daily either through supplements or fruits. A mixture of the two is best. Spread out your intake of Vitamin C throughout the day for maximum effectiveness.


References and Further Reading

Extracts of clinical studies on Vitamin C’s relationship with gluthathione levels

CS Johnston, CG Meyer and JC Srilakshmi Department of Family Resources and Human Development, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287.

We examined the effect of supplemental ascorbic acid on red blood cell glutathione. Subjects consumed self-selected vitamin C-restricted diets, and, under double-blind conditions, ingested placebo daily for week 1 (baseline), 500 mg L-ascorbate/d for weeks 2-3, 2000 mg L- ascorbate/d for weeks 4-5, and placebo daily for week 6 (withdraw). Mean red blood cell glutathione rose nearly 50% (P < 0.05) after the 500-mg period compared with baseline. However, the increases in plasma vitamin C and red blood cell glutathione were not correlated (r = 0.22). At the 2000-mg dosage, mean red blood cell glutathione was not significantly different from the value obtained at the 500-mg dosage.

Objective: The objective was to determine the ability of vitamin C supplements to modulate the concentration of glutathione inhuman lymphocytes.

Results: At baseline, the mean (±SD) concentration of plasma ascorbate was 19.5 ± 7.2 µmol/L, 22.5 µmol/Lbelow the median of normal distribution. The ascorbate concentration in plasma was linearly associated with that in lymphocytes (r= 0.53, P < 0.001). On supplementation with vitamin C, lymphocyte ascorbate increased by 51% (from 16.7 ± 4.9 to 25.3 ±6.9 nmol/mg protein; P < 0.001) and was accompanied by an increase of lymphocyte glutathione by 18% (from 22.5 ±4.5 to 26.6 ± 6.5 nmol/mg protein; P < 0.001). After placebo, the ascorbate and glutathione concentrations fell to near baseline concentrations (17.1 ± 5.4 and 23.5 ±6.4 nmol/mg protein, respectively). No significant interaction was observed for sex and smoking status. Finally, the changes in lymphocyte ascorbate after supplementation were strongly associated with changes in lymphocyte glutathione (r = 0.71,P < 0.001). The association suggests that every 1-mol change in ascorbate is accompanied by a change of 0.5 mol in glutathione.

Conclusion: Vitamin C supplements increase glutathione in human lymphocytes

Vitamin C Is an Essential Antioxidant That Enhances Survival of Oxidatively Stressed Human Vascular Endothelial Cells in the Presence of a Vast Molar Excess of Glutathione. From the Departamento de Fisiopatología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160C, Concepción, Chile, the §Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 297, Santiago, Chile, the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263, the ||Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Casilla 653, Concepción, Chile, and the **Instituto de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile.

Extract: Human endothelial cells acquire and maintain elevated intra cellular concentrations of AA through a combination of overlapping mechanisms that directly impact their interaction with blood cells and their resistance against oxidative stress.Our present data provide definitive evidence for functional cooperation between vitamin C and glutathione in providing endothelial cells with strong antioxidant defenses. Maximal antioxidant protection was observed only when both antioxidants were simultaneously present, indicating that both antioxidants are needed for cell survival against oxidative stress. Most importantly, AA concentrations in the micro molar range were fully effective in increasing antioxidant protection in the presence of a 10-fold glutathione excess.This is an important finding because any analysis about the role of vitamin C in antioxidant defense should consider the evidence that the content of glutathione of most human cells and tissues exceeds, sometimes by more than one order of magnitude the respective concentrations of vitamin C.

Conclusion: Vitamin C is required for survival of endothelial cells containing elevated glutathione concentrations

Extract of a study linking pheomelanin and eumelanin to L-cysteine, glutathione, and tyrosinase-related protein-1

Cysteine deprivation promotes eumelanogenesis in human melanoma cells

Melanocytic cells can produce two types of pigment, pheomelanin or eumelanin. We used two types of human melanoma cell lines to explore the regulation of pigmentation by biochemical and enzymatic studies. These two cell lines were previously designated as either pheomelanotic or of mixed type when cultured in a medium rich in cysteine. We analyzed the effects of L-cysteine depletion on melanin synthesis and the involvement of the tyrosinase-related proteins in the production of both eumelanin and pheomelanin.

Cultures were exposed to L-cysteine concentrations ranging from 206 to 2.06 microM, and the following parameters were measured: tyrosine hydroxylase activity, intracellular L-cysteine and glutathione concentrations, eumelanin and pheomelanin formation, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 and -2 mRNA levels. Extracellular L-cysteine depletion significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity and promoted both eumelanogenesis and visible pigmentation in both lines. In contrast, pheomelanogenesis was increased only in the pheomelanotic cell line. Whereas eumelanogenesis was apparent upon L-cysteine depletion, tyrosinase-related protein-1 expression was not induced in the pheomelanotic cells, and tyrosinase-related protein-2 expression remained unchanged.

Thus, tyrosinase-related protein-1 mRNA expression seems to be concomitant with eumelanogenesis when the L-cysteine concentration is high, but does not appear essential for eumelanogenesis at low L-cysteine concentrations. The mechanisms governing pheomelanin to eumelanin balance are dependent on L-cysteine, glutathione, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 expression, but none of these factors alone appears to be dominant in directing the synthesis of a particular type of melanin.

Conclusion: The mechanisms governing pheomelanin to eumelanin balance are dependent on L-cysteine, glutathione, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 expression, but none of these factors alone appears to be dominant in directing the synthesis of a particular type of melanin.

Effect of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and L-cystein applied in vivo on brownish guinea pigs

The effect of simultaneous administration of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), L-cystein (Cys) and vitamin E (tocopherol) on the melanogenesis in vivo and in vitro was studied. Forty-eight brownish guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups as follows: VC group, VC+Cys group, VC+Cys+VE group and control group. They were given these vitamins by oral administration every day. UV-B exposure (0.384 J/cm2) on their depleted back skin was done at the day 8, 10, 12, 15 17 and 19. After UV-B irradiation, vitamins were administrated further 3 weeks. The luminosity score was measured using a Color Reader CR-11 (Minolta, Co) and the numbers of DOPA-positive melanocytes of their back skin were counted. B16 melanoma cells were incubated with VC, N-acetyl cystein (NAC) and VE. After 4 days of incubation, cells were harvested. The melanin contents and the tyrosinase activities in cells were measured.

The luminosity score in the VC+VE+Cys group was higher than those in the other groups. The numbers of DOPA-positive melanocytes of guinea pigs treated with VC, VE and Cys were significantly decreased compared with those in VC group. In B16 melanoma cells, simultaneous treatment of VC, VE and NAC was the most effective to decrease the melanin contents and to inhibit tyrosinase activity.

Conclusion: Vitamin C, Vitamin E and L-cystein given to guinea pigs lead to lighter skin (i.e. greater luminosity).

Glutathione taken orally has negligible effects on the body

Witschi A, Reddy S, Stofer B, Lauterburg BH.Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bern, Switzerland.

When the plasma glutathione concentration is low, such as in patients with HIV infection, alcoholics, and patients with cirrhosis, increasing the availability of circulating glutathione by oral administration might be of therapeutic benefit. To assess the feasibility of supplementing oral glutathione we have determined the systemic availability of glutathione in 7 healthy volunteers. The basal concentrations of glutathione, cysteine, and glutamate in plasma were 6.2, 8.3, and 54 mumol.l-1 respectively.

During the 270 min after the administration of glutathione in a dose of 0.15 mmol.kg-1 the concentrations of glutathione, cysteine, and glutamate in plasma did not increase significantly, suggesting that the systemic availability of glutathione is negligible in man. Because of hydrolysis of glutathione by intestinal and hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase, dietary glutathione is not a major determinant of circulating glutathione, and it is not possible to increase circulating glutathione to a clinically beneficial extent by the oral administration of a single dose of 3 g of glutathione.

Conclusion: It is not possible to increase the body’s glutathione levels by taking it orally.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E’s protective effects against sunburns

UV radiation causes acute adverse effects like sunburn, photosensitivity reactions, or immunologic suppression, as well as long-term sequelae like photoaging or malignant skin tumors. UV radiation induces tissues to produce reactive oxygen species, eicosanoids and cytokines. Inhibition of these mediators might reduce skin damage. Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and d-alpha-tocopherol have been found to be photoprotective in some in vitro studies and animal experiments.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the protective effect of systemic vitamins C and E against sunburn in human beings.

METHODS: In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, each of 10 subjects took daily either 2 gm of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) combined with 1000 IU of d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) or placebo. The sunburn reaction before and after 8 days of treatment was assessed by determination of the threshold UV dose for eliciting sunburn (minimal erythema dose [MED]) and by measuring the cutaneous blood flow of skin irradiated with incremental UV doses against that of nonirradiated skin.

RESULTS: The median MED of those taking vitamins increased from 80 to 96.5 mJ/cm2 (p < 0.01), whereas it declined from 80 to 68.5 mJ/cm2 in the placebo group. Cutaneous blood flow changed significantly (p < 0.05) for most irradiation doses with decreases in those given vitamins and increases in the placebo group.

Conclusion: Combined vitamins C and E reduce sunburn reactions.

218 Replies to “How taking extra Vitamin C lightens skin”

  1. hello guys ………..plz me …….i was a fair skin girl but i dnt knw wht happen i started losing ma colour…….i m really worried ……i m thinking to take vit c but vit c wont work alone so wht should i take wth vit c……..i thing to remember i was fair before ……..
    this likas papaya soap actually workes……..??????plz help me plz………….

    1. Well, first of all, if your desperate to change your complexion, and if your worrying about it, NOTHING is going to lighten you. Calm down! Take a deep breath, its ok, your beautiful :). The first think you need to do, if your not already, is drink lots of water, drink green tea if you like it, take about 2000-5000 mg vitamin C a day with lots of water (i cant stress how important water is) and if you want, take some other skin lightening supplements, and use likas papaya soap. But, like i said you HAVE to believe that its working.

      Now, my regimen is green tea, 3000mg vit. C, 1200mg NAC, and Glutathione, thats IT! No special soaps, or creams or anything. I’ve taken those before along with chemical peels, likas soap, sun protection, hydroquinone, salt baths, etc. and got some results (not much), and I’m lighter NOW with just taking a few supplements (without sun avoidance and protection) than i was when i was using everything i could think of. The difference was that I KNEW it would work. I focused on my goal complexion, and I’m getting lighter everyday. When i reach my goal, I’ll be sure to post before and afters. Good luck to everyone, and I love you all! Peace!

      1. Just a heads up; you should ALWAYS wear sunblock even if your skin is as chalky as a chalkboard. ….Not those green ones. Because your at risk of sun damage/ skin cancer.

        Anyways, same goes for people with oily skin for moisturizing. Prevents pre-aging wrinkles. If it gets TOO oily use oil absorbing sheets, but still moisturize. Your skin will really thank you in the future for both ^tips^.

        Kay, that’s all people. Stay fabulous.

      2. what glutathione are u taking? im taking metathione, is it ok? i thought u said taking glutathione pills or supplements does not increase the glutathione levels in our blood?

      3. I agree with ur suggestion Erin 🙂 but could you pls tell me the name of of the tablet (vitamin c) which we have to take. becouse as of now i am having celin 500 mg (vitamin c) so is this a right tablet for skin or not?

        1. Yeah that’s the right amt!! Take at least 4 caps a day. (i.e you are having 2000mg/day). When having, just even out each caps(500mg) for the eitire day.

      4. Dear Erin,

        I am suffering from the same condition. I was light in colour few years ago but now my skin is pretty dark. Can you please help me I am quite depressed lost all my confidense!!!!!!!!! I have researched alot about NAC and Vitamin C supplements. However, I am not sure which brand is good so can you please suggest what brands your using? that will be very good if you can share the brands of NAC and Vitamin C.

        thanx

  2. i am so confused i had been taking 3000mg of vitc a day no result yet i wanna know should i go
    for powdered form to see result or tablet form works..
    and also confused like what regime to follow like confused with so many reviews like (3000mg vitc + 1200 NAC+ 1500Mg vit e+ 600mg alpha lipoic acid) and some one also mentioned like to follow ( 3000mg vit c + 1200mg NAC + pycnogenol 300mg)… I am confused which one to follow and also really really scared of the side effects coz i had side effects by just having 3000mg of vit c had a bad UTA problem for while .. still very much intersted in lightening my skin but scared it would harm my health.. so i am really intesrested in simple yet effective skin whitening regime please give me geniune reviews with the right dosage of above supplements.

  3. 3000mg of vitc + 1200mg of NAC + Vit e 1200mg +600mg alpha lipoic acid is this the right regime to follow without side effects for a day….. coz scared of having NAC 1200mg and VIT C 3000mg will this give any side effects.

    1. try taking a deep breath. the thing is that whitening regimes work differently for differently people. some people respond to things better while others don’t. take a look at allaboutskinlightening. obviously people are telling you their own regime and that works for them but it may not work with you. there is not a perfect formula, if there was wouldn’t everyone be the skin color they desire right now?

    2. hi am brown skin and r trying to get lighter i bought( vit c ,vit e and glutathione) .but am currently taking( calcium pills ,hair and nails vit and folic acid ).can i continue to take those pills together with the new set which is( vit c,vit e and glutahione)??? and still get lighter would the other pills effect my result ? i live in the usa where can i get the soap LIKAS PAPAYA SOAP AND NAC

  4. hi, I just bought a 30 capsules of UNO Glutathione, I want to try It because I want to achieve a lighter skin color. I am using a Vitamin C and E and fish oil until now, and now I’m very excited to add Glutathione for my skin lightning. I’m so happy for the results of Vit A and E and fish oil, It helpd me so much. I dn’t hve much pain even I work the whole day. my skin get lighter.

  5. Hi Hessa, I really need your help. I’m getting married in a weeks time. I haven’t been well and have tanned a lot recently. I was wondering whether you know of any kind of quick fix. I’m kind of desperate, don’t really know what to do.

  6. Hi
    I want to really get lighter in a month time. I plan on buying those supplement tomorrow. Do u have an idea where I can buy 1000-1500mg glutathione in south Africa? Or can Vitamin C do the work within a month?

  7. I’ve been using the mask daily. It seems to have helped a little but obviously wasn’t expecting miracles given the short time period. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much else (safe) that I can do. Thanks for your help.

  8. hi every one……

    in short….
    i took glutathione pills for a month with vitamin c pills .. n that too empty stomach for good results……
    i surely got a bit improved skin BUT….thats right that glutathione doesnt get absorbed from gut….the things that actually work in these pills is alpha lipoic acid and vitamin c which improved skin….
    so its use less to spend too much money on such pills…

    i have also now shifted to other drug regimen.consisting NAC and vitamin c….with much less cost

    i will again tell about my results here after a month..
    take care all n have a good health.

  9. Hello I am a brown skin african american woman I do take high dosages,of vitamin Cs I also take L-Glutamine pills along with it and yes it has,made me lighter. I took them because I have an uneven skin tone of dark spots on my body and I did not like it i.wanted my skin to be even. Just by taking vitamin Cs and glutamine pills quickly in weeks even days I started seeing my spots go away and my complexion is lighter and I brighter looks healthier. It worked for me its a bettee way instead of taking glutathione pills which might not work anyway. Im also healthier now my muscles and immune system is great. For those of you who would,like to try I highly recommend vitamin Cs good luck to you guys 🙂

  10. We do not get Glutathione pills in India. Will taking vitamin C pills along with Glutamin pills work? If so which vitamin C and which Gutamin pills are good. Please let me know. I am very desperate to have a lighter skin tone.

    1. hey dint you read above….. glutathione pills are jz marketing funda….. you will not be benefited by them.. rather take its building blocks.. as stated above.

  11. Dont use L-Glutamine you will get heart problems,

    ONLY vitamine C and glutathione pills , and protect your skin from sun and use sun protecter SPF 50+ and drink water, and use Glutathione lotion
    and eat more vegitable

  12. Hi if you wish to get rid of the dark spots which i have successfully managed is use ORIGINS spot remover. its around $12 and it takes around six weeks to clear the spots you just need to apply on the spots at night it has a tingling effect but very effective. good luck

  13. Hey pls I need to ask d best brand of vitaminc to buy.I just bought puritans pride vit c,I aslo need to know if am to take it on a empty stomach or with plenty of water…am dark in skin colour and I need to know how long it wil take for me to get lighter…reply please anyone..thanks

  14. Hi,i’m trying to get whiter for Cosplaying (Japanese Anime thing) and i was wondering if drink 1 – 2 Carton’s of Orange Juice a day will help lighten? I’m not talking about the 1 litre ones o_o….I have a very brownish skin (i’m not indian) and i only tend to look white under certain situations….and does anyone know a good brand to use on those annoying pimples?

    1. you can use argan oil.. very effective to people with skin problems, especially acne/pimple problem.. wash your face with any kind of mild soap then put argan oil all over your face and neck befoou re bedtime.. it really works, just be patient ok? by the way, be sure that you are using only 100% pure organic argan oil.. hope this helps!

    1. The cheapest way is to get pure Vitamin C powder at a health food store. A big bottle will cost about $8-10, and one teaspoon will contain 2-2.5 grams of Vitamin C that you can add to water and drink.

  15. hi to all just concerned why hitler lost the war lol very insightfull reading and its good to hear we all want lighter skin so… if you are realy interested then i consider the following 1.drink only bottled water 2. keep record of urine ph levels and drink vineger if to alkyline or baking soda if to acidic 3.eat only vegitables and wheats bread being staple for vitimin c storage 4.fasting will add to a pale complection and also l tyrosene will lighten skin pigmentation for visible affects 5. cover body with dark cloths and you should be pale yeah and dont worship idols lol.

  16. hi..
    I m taking 1000-2000 mg of vitamins c pills since last month..
    but i don’t think it effecting my skin..I aslo need to know if am to take it on a empty stomach or with plenty of water…am dark in skin colour and I need to know how long it wil take for me to get lighter.
    thanks

  17. Trying NAC 1200 & Vitamin C 2000, my research shows it will do a decent job, plus Likas Papaya soap to bring in the new lighter skin. I’ll update in a couple weeks also taking MSM and of course sunscreen.

  18. I m geeting married in the month of april and I m dark brown in colour pls can u suggest me for skin whitening i m really in need of ur suggestion pls help me out

  19. hi.
    I m taking 1000-2000 vit c tablet(celin) per day.
    But i don’t think it working on me..
    So plz can you tell me best vit c tablets.
    Can u plz tel me the best vitamin c tablets with work on my skin.
    Rpy ASAP

  20. no, i don’t thnk so…
    I m also taking celin from last 2 month..
    But i doesn’t see any effect of it on my skin..
    Try to use another vitamin c.

  21. ahm try using lemon , apply it in your darker skin , NOTE: u should do it everyday, EVERYDAY, 30 minutes before taking a bath , see? it’s ALL natural no side effects no need to worry , it’s worthit 😀

  22. I started taking Vit C1000mg tablets 3xday and vit E 200iu 2xday after reading your article last year october. I can tell you I’m now one shade lighter. My hands used to be darker than any part of my body and wouldnt want to touch my face in the presence of other people as they looked like they were not mine. I’m so happy with how they look now, they are gradually becoming lighter. I started swallowing them whole and couldnt see any results after 3 months. I then started to dissolve them in water overnight for the morning dose and soak the midday dose in the morning and so on, and the results were great. I take them on empty stomach before a meal for good absorption. They taste like lemon water, they are drinkable. Dont expect quick results, be patient, just take them as a food supplement as they benefit the body in numerous ways. The truth is, they will lighten your skin.

    Hope this helps. Good luck,

    1. Norma

      I have been taking daily doses of 3g+ vitamin C for two months and one week now, but there is no change in my hyperpigmentation or skin tone yet; anxiously awaiting.

      Were you one shade lighter by four months? Did you continue to take the pills and get lighter still?

      Please reply.

      1. Dee

        I wrote to Norma regarding this, but received no reply. Can you tell me, did you get lighter using vit C? If so, how long did it take?

    2. Norma so do u think I should dissolve them, and that I should take them on an empty stomach? ?? Because I’ve been taking 2000 vit c for a month now but still no results. ..

  23. Hi i have been taking Gluthamine pills for about 4-5 months fromivorycaps at the start i saw my skin did start to get lighter but i was also taking vitamin C with the Gluthamine pills.Im starting to beleive that my skin becoming lighter was due to the vit C as the Gluthamine does not work anymore and im not really taking the vit C religiously like i do with the Gluthamine. i am now going to cut out the Gluthamine and stick to the vitamin c i do believe its a money making scam ive spent atlest £200 already but even though i know its not working i feel reliant on it which i don’t understand maybe its because i feel so insecure about my colour im not sure.but does anyone know a more appropriate alternative for the Gluthamine pills which is safe?
    i saw someone also commented the l-Glutamine can give you heart problems is this true?

  24. I am reading in disbelief …you all cannot feel that insecure with yourselves…I a really dark (Caribbean ) and had no urge to bleach my skin…gosh I am sad for you all..

    1. I’m in agreement with you. It is sad,to read all these posts, so many young people that are so unhappy with themselves.

      1. I was super sick with osteomyelitis. I have mega allergies my doctor ordered long term super high vitamin C IV’s weekly for many months, when it was over my skin was like three shades lighter I looked white my sister was like wow, you look so beautiful you could model! Suddenly, I was being treated, like a star!
        Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, African, Hispanic women most want lighter skin. My Indian friend told me that she would love to fairer, it would help her in landing a bigger role in the movies. Do you recall the actress, Paltrow wore a fat suit in Shallow Hal, and she decided to wear it out in public and she was treated so badly she could not believe it! She walked into a hotel and no one wanted to make eye contact with her, She said,
        “I felt humiliated because people were really dismissive.” Well, that is how racism works too, you feel the sting, when you out you get tired of it , it is hateful, rejection, so mean and hurtful. I’m treated a lot better if my skin is few shades, lighter. Why is that? Because ignorant, mean people are racist and were raised by some retards that lack sophistication that taught them this disregard for others based on skin colorr. I think being lighter gets you better jobs, work on better bigger projects, recognized in fields, more likely to date hotter guys and more likely to get lead role in play, and get a better table in restaurant, and the list goes on . I did not make this way, but this is the way it is in the place we live and if you live in place that is not like this you are lucky! Sure you can say, who cares accept me this way, but you will feel the dismissiveness and the sting.

  25. Iam taking 600 mg Vitamin E & 500 mg Vitamin C daily. It doesn`t made any result after 1 month. Do I increase the mg of Vitamin C for lighten my skin colour? Kindly advice, How much mg will take to lighten the skin by one month….?

  26. hi, i am jitu i get so much sweat on my face that’s why my skin become darker in summer my skin get much darker than winter what should i do to stop sweat on face & my skin visible more fairer

  27. hey! its me sana,
    I really like your way, how you explain every thing so well.
    By reading your useful information i learned alots of good things.
    thanks 🙂
    I need to know one thing? my age is 21years old..and my height is 5.9, I was taking normal meal every day but now i drink lots of water with fruits n fresh vegetables.
    I’m also taking vitamin c supplements about 2500mg daily, the one which i found in a pharmacy store coz i live in china, and there is a language barrier,
    Well, what would you suggest me to get lighter skin?
    Should i take more amount of vitamin c?
    or any other suggestion? i will be very thankful to you..
    I’m waiting for your reply 🙂
    please reply as soon as possible..

  28. I remember once I invested in eating carrots ! (oh I’m South African by the way). My skin became brighter, if not almost orange. I’m not dark, so I guess The carrots worked well. I take it that Vitamin C does work. I read that it kinda inhibits malinin production. So you can get lighter by taking Vit C. Applying lemon on my skin also made me pale,yellow, or light ! Yah. But i did not put sunscreen on so i lost the lighter shade! I did all this when i was 14 or something.(because i wanted to see if eating orange things would really make me ‘orange’..and it did.i was a silly kid :D). So I can say from experience that citric fruits work ,therefore Vit C will make you bit lighter. Hope this helps.

  29. Hi everybody.. Since 4 to 5 years i have been having psoriasis all over my body and even it if is being treated that left many dark spots or dark patches all over my body! I am unable to wear any short sleeve blouse or skirt even if the psoriasis is not here since 5 years!

    I really wish to know how can i eliminate these dark patches as that is really affecting me socially! I hardly go out (only office) and i hardly get out of my room once i am back home, as i am scared of people seeing me in that state. Anyone has any suggestion, please do reply me! Thanks .

  30. Is it safe to take 3000mg of vitamin c a day? I haven’t had any side effects from it however I’ve read some things and it is a lot more than RDA. I took it in the past and it worked really well, then I stopped, went back to my original colour and now nothing seems to be happening … Are there any other supplements that can help?

    1. Hi Samina, I’ve taken 5,000mg of Vitamin C and above a day with no issues. I’ve found that my body uses up a lot more when I’m sick/healing/tired/stressed/eating poorly. So Vit C will go to fixing all of that stuff first, and then work on the less critical bodily functions (eg skin). Hitting “bowel tolerance” with Vitamin C will tell you that you’ve taken enough Vit C for now.

  31. you all need to love the color of your original n natural skins. Stop that steriotypical thot that white skin is supreme. We’re not in the 17th century anymore were your color of yo skin depics your life-style as well as success and respect. God has a beautiful reason for making you who you are! Stop trying to look like other people, just be yoself and happy in skin and other people will respect you. Because whatever you try esp. These so called medication regimez to whiten yo skin, when you stop you will soon go bac to yo original skin color. Believe it or not.

  32. What does NAC means what kind of suplements are they? Can you explain to me please. I’m taking Vit C right now how long will I see results I want a lighter skin

  33. hi,i have a wheatish skin tone,my face is pale and duller in tone ,i want to have one tone fairer face and body.after going through all the statements ,reviews and feedback im sorta confused whether to take vit c solely or with other vitamins,precusors of glutathione and other supplements to whiten my skin?

  34. hi.. hessa.. how long will it takes to see the result of those vit c, vit e, & etc. when you start taking those said medicines?
    pls.. i need your reply. hope you can answer me.

    1. Skin cells replace themselves about every 30 days, so you can use that as a guide — though it’ll be different for each person.

  35. I have been taking 500mg reduced Gluthathione with 3000 mg of Vitamin C for a month. There has been no lightening effect on my skin but my hair and nails grew really fast in this 1 month. So I suppose it has somewhat positive effect. I don’t know if Vitamin tablets will work…? I’ll try to swap for power vitamin C 5000 mg a day if that makes any difference – I shall post my experience in 2 months.

  36. Ladies if you will begin using your essential oils and the carrier oil you will see a big difference. After cleansing with my
    oils I then I moisturizer with my oils. Iay a hot cloth on my face and pat 2 times. In other words Open your pores after cleaning, add moisturizer and hot cloth 2 times to soak those oils in your skin. I’m telling you I have been doing this two weeks now and I cannot believe my skin. It’s changing daily for the better. Sooo supple and clearer.

  37. Hi.. m a 23 years old girl. I used to be fair in complexion till 16. But after that my exposed areas face, hands and feet got darker. I think due to sunburn. I used sunscreen creams but was of no use. will limcee 500 n evion 400 help me in getting my original colour. M getting married within 6 months. Please suggest me. N in what amount should i take..???

    1. You should exfoliate and take vitamin c and vitamin e together. If its possible also take NAC supplements. You should search the Internet for appropriate amounts of each supplements. Read the studies on Google scholar. Also use some good exfoliant or a lotion that contains alpha hydroxy acids and use consistently till marriage. Also regularly use vitamin c serum, I have seen great results in just two days, my pimples are gone! Its unbelievable. Try all these very consistently, nothing happens overnight, or in two or three weeks unless u are very lucky. Six months will be good for you to see complete effects.
      Also buy kojie san or likas papaya or diana stalder skin whitening soaps and use consistently, they alone can make u very fair.
      And also take pure fish collagen supplements, they work like magic on skin. And dont forget to search the Internet for the doses etc. Good luck:-)

      1. I would be careful with skin lighters on the face , some of that stuff like Koji I would be very cautious because of mushroom, equals a fungus do your own reserach

        I would stick to what to tried and proven Vitamin C and glutathione twice daily with vitamin E I think that helps a lot . Take collagen builder as a supplement to really glow. flax seed oil cold pressed supplement makes your skin sooooo soft and supple

    2. Also, I don’t think just eating a single supplement can help too much or as much as u are expecting, so start doing multiple things together and with research.
      And do consider bi weekly or fortnightly facials at salons, skin whitening facials, they will help you get rid of tans.

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