04 Aug Vitamin C Study Demonstrates Potential for Combating Effects of Aging and Skin Thinning
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Akihito Ishigami Ph.D.
Vice President of the Division of Biology and Medical Sciences
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology,
Japan
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Keratinocyte differentiation is a highly regulated process essential for the stratified structure of the epidermis and must be balanced with cell proliferation. While Vitamin C (VC) is a known cofactor for DNA demethylation enzymes, its specific role in DNA demethylation during keratinocyte differentiation was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate VC’s role in the epigenetic regulation of epidermal proliferation and differentiation using a human epidermal equivalent model to understand how VC affects gene expression via DNA demethylation changes.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: This study demonstrated that intracellular Vitamin C uptake significantly increased epidermal thickness, cell proliferation, and DNA demethylation. DNA microarray and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses revealed that 12 genes related to cell proliferation were significantly upregulated by VC, associated with hypomethylated DNA regions.
MedicalResearch.com: Should clinicians recommend topical Vitamin C – containing skin care products?
Response: Based on this study’s findings, Vitamin C is identified as a promising molecule for developing treatments for epidermal thinning, including conditions associated with aging. The research suggests that VC may be developed for combating the effects of aging and maintaining skin health. However, this study looked at how Vitamin C affects a 3-dimensional cultured human epidermal equivalent model, and while it points to the potential effectiveness of applying VC topically, more investigation is warranted.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Since this study primarily utilized a human epidermal equivalent model, future research should focus on in vivo studies and clinical trials. Validating these findings in living organisms and human subjects is crucial to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical Vitamin C in promoting epidermal proliferation and combating epidermal thinning in a clinical setting.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: Since this study primarily utilized a human epidermal equivalent model, future research should focus on in vivo studies and clinical trials. Validating these findings in living organisms and human subjects is crucial to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical VC in promoting epidermal proliferation and combating epidermal thinning in a clinical setting.
Citation: Yasunori Sato, Ayami Sato, Florence, Akari Kuwano, Yasunari Sato, Hideki Tanaka, Toshiyuki Kimura, Tsuyoshi Ishii, Akihito Ishigami, Vitamin C Promotes Epidermal Proliferation by Promoting DNA Demethylation of Proliferation-Related Genes in Human Epidermal Equivalents
Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2025, ISSN 0022-202X,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2025.03.040
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Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
