Medical researchers globally agree - you can literally rub years away with fresh Vitamin C. A recent study at Loyola University Medical School revealed that the Vitamin C in fresh citrus fruit can benefit the skin topically in a number of ways: anti-oxidant protection, sunscreen, skin rejuvenation, skin bleach, skin tissue builder, inhibit facial hair growth, and as a treatment for sun damaged skin and acne. Vitamin C also inhibits the formation of concentrations of melanin, the cause of some dark spots on the skin. Vitamin C also assists the skin in the production of collagen, which helps our skin maintain its firmness.

Most experts would have us believe Vitamin C is relatively unstable unless in a dry form. In the presence of air or other oxidizing agents, Vitamin C is easily converted to an oxidized form. They further state, "Vitamin C in its oxidized form is of no benefit for collagen synthesis or free radical scavenging."  According to many company statements, "It actually promotes free radical formation causing damage to collagen, DNA and other vital structures. If skin care products are stored or prepared poorly, Vitamin C may already be oxidized by the time you apply it to your skin." (Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from your body's healthy molecules to balance themselves).

I find this warning about oxidized Vitamin C interesting and amusing. I allowed my mind to wonder about my morning glass of Fresh Squeezed OJ, at $6.00 per gallon, not from concentrate. How long do you think that glass of juice would have to remain out, exposed to the air, and will oxidization occur by the time I finish the juice? I think not! To address experts' concerns regarding stabilizing C; there is no need to stabilize fresh citrus. Do not use spoiled citrus. Perhaps spoiled citrus is what they mean by "unstable Vitamin C."

Ask any doctor (we did) about the hostile environment in the average stomach; free radicals, acids, gas, junk food, and god knows what the chemicals in the food convert to in our stomachs. Vitamin C must be a very resilient element to work in our bodies. First the vitamins must make it through your stomach and into your blood stream. Your red blood cells carry oxygen. Vitamin C is then absorbed into your body to build connective tissue and neutralize free radicals. How can fresh citrus not be stable enough to deliver nutrients to our clean exfoliated skin?

• Free radicals damage the surface of anything they come into contact with. Unchecked, free radicals can cause significant tissue damage and contribute to premature wrinkling.

• Vitamin C has been used as an aid for the healing of wounds, to help boost the immune system, and to help fight the common cold. Recent scientific research has shown that Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that is capable of preventing and possibly even reversing the effects of aging on human skin.

• Vitamin C is known for its importance in the production of collagen. Topical application of Vitamin C has also shown to prevent the free radical skin damage that occurs following exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.

• Exfoliation encourages your skin to produce more collagen, and this makes your skin more firm. It doesn't matter how you exfoliate, manual or chemical. You can use cornmeal in a paste with buttermilk or mix together fresh citrus fruit with sugar. Both will exfoliate your skin.

The staff at Image Research & Communication discovered that lines and wrinkles responded better to a scrub of sugar, cornmeal, fresh citrus, and honey than all of the best selling over the counter anti-wrinkle creams. Image Researchers say, "expect to scrub your skin twice a day with natural scrubs and exfoliate with our fresh citrus formulas for best results." Most prescription Vitamin C skin products begin to produce some results within days. Expect the same results with fresh Vitamin C formulas in about the same time.

Skin care companies state that in order for Vitamin C to work topically, there would have to be large concentrations. Research proves that fresh orange juice, not from concentrate, in a regular diet can help to prevent heart attack and stroke. Researchers did not say only in large concentrations; they said fresh orange juice, not from concentrate, will help keep you from having a heart attack or stroke.

Well, if just fresh orange juice can significantly improve your health inside your body, why can't it improve the quality of the skin from the outside, in? Skin care companies spend a lot of money turning a bag of citrus fruit and sugar into a jar of alpha hydroxy acid. They tell you that it is made from fruit and sugar. It is, and it works just great before they turn it into AHA cream or glycolic acid.