What Are The Functions Of Ascorbic Acid In Hair Gel

Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C. In recent years, ascorbic acid has become a popular ingredient in cosmetic products. Vitamin C has a number of positive affects on skin and hair when taken internally, but also provides benefits when applied topically and used in hair care products such as styling gels.

Antioxidant Benefits

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant capable of imparting a wide range of anti-aging functions, according to ThePersonalFormulator. Antioxidants in hair gels benefit the hair by protecting the cells from sun damage and chemicals such as chlorine. Such environmental hazards cause the cell walls to harden or fracture, which causes hair to lose its softness.

Hair Growth and Strength

Ascorbic acid aids in growing hair and making the hair stronger and healthier. Collagen is the primary protein structure for hair. Vitamin C stimulates the growth of collagen, when the hair gel is applied at the roots. ThePersonalFormulator notes that the pure form of vitamin C does not have the right stability for cosmetic applications, so the ascorbic acid formulation used is BV-OSC, an ester of vitamin C. BV-OSC has better abilities for penetration into the cells and for collagen synthesis when used at the scalp and roots of the hair. Vitamin C also improves scalp circulation, according to HolisticOnline. Hair grows and is healthier when capillaries within the scalp receive sufficient blood supply for the hair follicles.

Formulation Functions

The cosmetics database at SkinDeep lists the additional functions of ascorbic acid in personal care products, including hair gels, as a fragrance ingredient and pH adjuster. Ascorbic acid is acidic, which when added to products with a high alkaline level, brings the pH balance to a level so that the hair gel does not cause the hair strands to become overly dry and split or break. The APAC Chemical Corporation notes that citric acid, another name for ascorbic acid, is used as a bacterial inhibitor for food, which would also serve the same purpose in hair gels, providing for a longer shelf life at room temperature.

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