Oranges can have many positive effects on your skin. Not only does eating them give you a great boost of vitamin A and C, which your skin needs to be healthy, but the citric acid found in an orange’s juices can be used in rejuvenating skin products.
Collagen Production
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which your body needs to make collagen. According to the Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, collagen is a structural component in your blood vessels, tendons and ligaments. However, it is also an important part of your skin. Collagen synthesis naturally slows as you age, and sun exposure over your lifetime can further impair its production, leading to skin damage. Eating a medium orange provides vitamin C and citric acid, both of which can stimulate collagen production.
Acne Prevention
Oranges also contain high levels of vitamin A, which helps your skin protect your body from invading bacteria and viruses. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin A is used in acne treatments. Vitamin C also helps reduce skin swelling, which may reduce the appearance of pimples. The citric acid found in oranges is also part of the chemical group alpha hydroxyl acids, which are powerful exfoliators that remove dead skin cells and cleanse your pores, helping prevent acne.
Aging
Citric acid, part of the alpha hydroxyl acid group, is a key component in skin products that reduce wrinkles and soften your skin. Citric acid, found in oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits, is used in chemical peel products, which remove dead cells to make your skin look younger. Furthermore, when applied topically, vitamin C can increase skin hydration, which reduces wrinkles and adds to a youthful appearance.
Sun Protection
The antioxidants vitamin A and C may also help reverse sun damage, protecting your skin from cancer and other negative effects. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, sun exposure breaks down vitamin A in your skin, leading to skin damage. However, an orange can help replace vitamin A and repair damage. Furthermore, vitamin C has been shown to build immunity to the sun in your skin, helping prevent damage from occurring in the first place.