Vitamin C (specifically sodium ascorbate) is sometimes used as an adjunct in acne management, and this use is grounded in scientific rationale, albeit with modest direct clinical evidence. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, wound healing, and modulation of inflammation—all relevant factors in acne pathophysiology. Scientific studies indicate that oxidative stress contributes to acne lesions, and antioxidants like vitamin C might help mitigate this process. Furthermore, vitamin C has been shown in vitro to inhibit Propionibacterium acnes growth and reduce inflammatory mediators, which could theoretically reduce acne severity.

However, robust clinical trials specifically investigating the efficacy of oral sodium ascorbate for acne are limited. Most research focuses on topical vitamin C formulations, which may improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and skin healing but have mixed results for active acne lesions. Oral supplementation is sometimes recommended in combination with other antioxidants or nutrients, but systematic reviews generally rate the evidence as low to moderate quality. Overall, while there is a scientific basis for considering vitamin C as supportive in acne treatment, especially for its anti-inflammatory and skin repair properties, direct clinical validation is limited, so the evidence supporting its use is rated as modest.