No, I don't mean that singer. I mean the vitamin, the nutrient, the anti-oxidant. Obviously, "awesome" doesn't start with a C. But I couldn't think of a word that started with a C that would appropriately sum up the awesomeness of Vitamin C.

Why Is It So Awesome?

Well, we all know I'm a fan of makin' yourself healthy from the inside out, including what you eat. And there are always a million reasons why. But Vitamin C takes the cake, er, tops the smoothie, with its crazy to-do list. Here's the rundown of how Vitamin C works for you:

• Immunity Boosting
• Fierce Anti-Oxidant
• Essential in Collagen Formation
• Maintains Cartilage and Muscles
• Aids in the Production of New Skin Cells
• Protects Against Sun Damage and Wrinkles
• Aids in Losing Weight

Wow! Talk about an overachiever. Princess Diana reportedly used to take extra doses of Vitamin C before flights to stave off jet lag, while Rosario Dawson ONLY uses Elizabeth Grant's Vitamin C Skincare. Speaking of skincare, let's talk product. In skincare and makeup, Vitamin C has a few aliases and can also be found listed as the following:

• Ascorbic Acid
• Ascorbyl Palmitate
• Magnesuim Ascorbyl Phosphate

Vitamin C in Your Skincare

Got it? Okay. Next lesson: It's best known in the skincare world for improving skintone and texture, treating hyperpigmentation and restoring radiance - which is why it's my bff. My olive skin can look dull and yellow, and I am not about that. Since it's highly acidic, it has an intense exfoliating effect and products containing high doses of VC should only be used during the night, when skin is repairing itself and sun exposure isn't a problem.

Vita-C is also hard to stabilize in skincare products, which is why it can be pricey. And be careful: this fab nutrient undergoes oxidation when exposed to air, thus rendering it ineffective. You'll notice this when the product has a slightly brown or yellowish tint (you can usually see this around the rim of products containing VC).

The Body Shop carries an entire line of Vitamin-C inspired products. My favorites are the Intensive Night Repair, which helps to repair texture so you don't need foundation, and the Energing Face Spritz (a must have!), which instantly makes me look and feel awake. Murad also carries a Vitamin-C line, and their Essential-C Cleanser brings my skin back to life after a harsh summer spent seaside.  Philosophy also carries a treatment, Save Me, for aging skin that contains a mega dose of VC as well as Retinol and Peptides to bring your skin back to life.

Yep. As you can see, I'm definitely a cheerleader for this youth tonic. As you might know, I hate wearing foundation. Radiance is my goal in life, and though I rely quite heavily on my Hot Mama to enhance my natural glow, I'd still like to have the natural glow to enhance! Naw sayin'?

Vitamin C in Your Diet

Vitamin C is water-soluble, making it pretty much impossible to OD on. If you consume too much, your body will get rid of the excess for you; however, that also means our bodies can't store it for long periods of time. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and we need a daily dose. The best sources for Vitamin C:

• Tropical Fruit (Papaya, Guava, Kiwi)
• Red Foods (Strawberries, Peppers, Tomatoes)
• Melons (Cantaloupe, Watermelon)
• Citrus Fruit (Lemons, Oranges, etc)
• Green Vegetables (Spinach, Broccoli)
• Herbs (Garlic, Parsley)

A severe lack of Vitamin C leads to scurvy - yeah, being a pirate is NOT that cool after all. And scope this: studies have shown that smokers with high vitamin C intake have a lesser chance of developing lung cancer AND the FDA is currently running tests determine the effectiveness of an intravenous dosage of Vitamin C as an alternative to chemotherapy for cancer treatment. All the more reason to order that extra mimosa every Sunday morning!