Are Camu Camu & Turmeric Really Effective Vitamin C Alternatives?

Vitamin C is a powerful nutrient that keeps your body, immune system, and skin thriving. Vitamin C serums have become popular additions in skincare routines, particularly when applied to the face and neck. Moreover, vitamin C has long been known to ward off illness and keep you as healthy as possible. Essentially, vitamin C is a powerhouse nutrient that can keep you healthy and glowing both inside and out.

The benefits of vitamin C range from helping to maintain the integrity of the body's muscles, blood vessels, collagen, and cartilage within bones, to expediting the healing process when the body is injured or ill. Vitamin C is often consumed through a well-rounded and healthy diet, through foods like berries, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, and spinach, but can also be taken as a supplement. Of course, always consult with your healthcare provider before taking new supplements. 

One of the best benefits of vitamin C is its antioxidant properties, which can decrease a person's risk of developing cancer, eye diseases, and other chronic conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Turmeric and camu camu have recently ignited the conversation about how they compare with vitamin C when it comes to both health benefits and skincare regimens. Here's what you need to know about how turmeric and camu camu stack up against vitamin C, as well as how they can be used in tandem for optimal health, wellness, and beauty outcomes.

From superfood to super skincare, turmeric is an ingredient that can provide numerous benefits, and the best part is that it's completely natural. Similar to ginger, turmeric is a root that can be shaved, ground into a powder, or used in other ways. There are plenty of choices for turmeric beauty products, including scrubs, serums, and masks. You can also find specific shampoos to soak up the benefits of turmeric for your hair, especially if you're trying to reduce dandruff. Commonly, turmeric is taken in capsule form as a wellness supplement to fight inflammation. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial capabilities of turmeric have made it a favorite throughout the ages. Quite literally, turmeric has been used for centuries in medicinal, wellness, and beauty practices.

Verywell Health reports further benefits of turmeric including the ability to decrease hyperpigmentation, evenly brighten skin, and help in reducing psoriasis. When combined with vitamin C in a facial serum, turmeric and vitamin C can work together to spike the production of collagen in the skin, reduce scarring and dark spots, and neutralize sun damage. Turmeric and vitamin C in tandem can also decrease the presence of acne, so you may have finally found a natural way to get rid of those zits that have been bothering you since middle school. Used solo or in combination with vitamin C, turmeric is truly a superfood and super skincare ingredient!

Originating from the Amazon, camu camu is another superfood that can have superb benefits on your health and skincare regimen. A sour berry, camu camu can easily be mistaken for resembling a cherry, but it has properties that are far greater than cherries. Like turmeric, camu camu can be crushed into a powder or utilized in its original form. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that camu camu possesses extremely strong antioxidant properties, making it a worthy companion to vitamin C. Additionally, researchers determined that camu camu has anti-inflammatory components that can relieve chronic pain, slow down the aging process, and reduce oxidative stress. Essentially, camu camu really is as super as it sounds!

Camu camu and vitamin C may be one and the same, with camu camu berries having been found to be extremely high in vitamin C, reports Healthline. Due to the inherent vitamin C levels found in camu camu, the berries have antioxidant capabilities that can both protect and even revamp cells after they have been damaged by pollutants and free radicals. The same properties can also aid in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease by eliminating free radical damage to the body's cells. Even if you're a fan of sour treats, camu camu berries may still be a tad too tart to eat raw. Instead, powdered camu camu can be added to culinary dishes, including your morning yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie.