5 Best Liposomal Vitamin C For Your Immunity & Skin Health [UK] 2023

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin best known for supporting and maintaining a healthy immune system. It also functions as an antioxidant and is essential for the growth and repair of tissues throughout your body.

Your body cannot make vitamin C on its own. Therefore, it must come from the foods you eat or dietary supplements. If you’re looking for a vitamin C supplement, you’ve likely come across a potentially more effective (and pricier) supplement called liposomal vitamin C.

But does it really provide more health benefits? And if so, how do you choose the best liposomal vitamin C supplement?

Read on to learn everything you need to know about liposomal vitamin C, including its benefits, side effects, and how to choose the best supplement. Furthermore, we’ll review five of the most popular liposomal vitamin C products in 2023.

How Does It Work?

Simply put, liposomal vitamin C is vitamin C encased within a liposome. Liposomes are tiny, spherical-shaped vesicles made up of one or more phospholipid bilayers, which closely mimic the structure of cell membranes. This enables vitamin C to be easily transported into the cells, where it is ready to be used as needed.

5 Best Liposomal Vitamin C To Buy In UK 2023

Benefits Of Liposomal Vitamin C

Vitamin C, in general, is important because it is a powerful antioxidant required by the body for healthy immune function. It also is needed for collagen production, the protein that plays a role in healthy skin, hair, and nails. 

But when it comes to supplements, liposomal vitamin C generally outshines traditional vitamin C supplements. This is because it is easier to absorb and is more effective at raising your blood levels of vitamin C.

One 2020 study^[8] discovered that liposomal vitamin C from ascorbic acid was 1.77 times more bioavailable than non-liposomal vitamin C supplements.

Liposomal vitamin C also tends to come in forms that are less acidic and gentle on your stomach, such as sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate. This may be especially helpful to individuals who are sensitive to acidic foods.

Of note, even though liposomal vitamin C may be more effective at raising your blood levels of vitamin C, it still works in the same way once it reaches your tissues.

High-dose vitamin C supplements above the recommended dietary allowance are unlikely to provide any additional benefit in healthy individuals. 

However, some research^[9] suggests that while supplementing with vitamin C intake may not prevent you from catching a cold, it can reduce the severity or duration of cold symptoms.

Vitamin C supplementation may also improve wound healing^[10] in individuals with pressure ulcers.

Are There Any Side Effects?

In adults, the recommended dietary allowance^[11] of vitamin C is 90 milligrams for males and 75 milligrams for females. Smokers may require 35 milligrams more per day than non-smokers.

The tolerable upper intake level^[11] for vitamin C supplements in adults is 2,000 milligrams per day. This is the maximum dose unlikely to cause side effects.

In most healthy adults, vitamin C has low toxicity because once the body’s tissues become saturated, absorption decreases and the excess vitamin C will leave the body through urine.

However, a person who consumes too much vitamin C may experience mild side effects,^[11] including:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Abdominal discomfort

Excess vitamin C also has the potential to cause increased iron absorption, often occurring in people with hereditary hemochromatosis.

How To Choose The Best Liposomal Vitamin C?

Here are a few things to remember when choosing the best vitamin C supplement for you.

Third-Party Testing

Dietary supplements, including liposomal vitamin C products, are not regulated by The Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness. This makes third-party testing vital to verify a product’s purity and that its ingredients match the label claims.

Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to purchase supplements from a transparent brand that makes their third-party lab results visible to all potential consumers. 

Third-party testers do not always test for all contaminants, so it is essential to carefully read the lab report to see what was tested for.

Ingredients

When purchasing liposomal vitamin C supplements, it’s always important to read the Supplement Facts label to see what is present in the product.

Most liposomal vitamin C supplements contain very high amounts of the vitamin, which the person taking it may not be aware of. 

While vitamin C is water-soluble and has low toxicity, supplements may contain high amounts of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, or K, which are more likely to reach toxic levels^[12] in the body when high amounts are consistently consumed.

Form And Storage Requirements

Although many liposomal vitamin C supplements come in liquid form, they are also available in powder, tablet, or capsule form. Liquid and powder supplements are ideal if you cannot, or prefer not to, swallow tablets or capsules. 

If you are frequently on the go, you may benefit from a supplement, such as Pique Daily Radiance Elderberry Liposomal Vitamin C, that comes in convenient daily packets.

Of note, many Liquid liposomal vitamin C supplements usually require refrigeration and tend to expire more quickly than other forms.

Lastly, the type of vitamin C in the product is important, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.

Ascorbic acid, commonly found in traditional vitamin C supplements, is highly acidic and more likely to cause digestive upset, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. Other forms, including calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate, are not as acidic and less likely to irritate your stomach.

What Are Other Ways To Get More Vitamin C?

Most people can easily increase their dietary vitamin C intake by consuming more fruits and vegetables. When we obtain vitamin C through whole food sources, we also get vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that can support our overall well-being.

The best dietary sources of vitamin C include:

• Raw red and green peppers.
• Citrus fruits (oranges, orange juice, and grapefruit).
• Kiwifruit.
• Broccoli.
• Strawberries.
• Brussels sprouts.
• Grapefruit.
• Broccoli.
• Tomatoes and tomato juice.

Final Thought

Liposomal vitamin C is a type of vitamin C that’s better absorbed by your body than most other types. However, it comes with a higher price tag and is more difficult to find at your local drugstore.

The best way to boost your dietary intake of vitamin C is by increasing the amounts of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables you eat. Alternatively, you can also take vitamin C or liposomal vitamin C supplements.

If you are considering starting a vitamin C supplement, discuss it with your healthcare provider and/or registered dietitian to find out if it is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

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