April 4 is 'Vitamin C Day': The Current State of Vitamin C Seen Through a Fact-finding Survey
SPIC Corporation conducted a survey of 10,000 people and 50 doctors on Vitamin C. The results showed that Vitamin C ranked first in four nutrient categories, and its purpose of use is expanding from beauty to immunity and fatigue recovery.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 11:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 07:24 (427h 53m after Collected)
SPIC Corporation (Headquarters: Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Takayuki Shibata), which develops 'Lypo-C', established April 4th as 'Vitamin C Day' (C-C Day) in 2018. Eight years after its establishment, the environment surrounding Vitamin C has changed significantly due to the popularization of cosmetic medicine, the expansion of information dissemination by doctors, and an increased health consciousness triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to an awareness survey on nutrients targeting 10,000 consumers, our company conducted a survey on Vitamin C among 1,000 of those respondents who answered that they had consumed supplements or health foods containing Vitamin C within the past year, as well as 50 doctors. Through a comparison with the same survey conducted in 2018, we analyze from multiple perspectives the changes in physical sensations, purposes of intake, and understanding regarding Vitamin C, along with the differences in perception between consumers and doctors. We clarify the current position of Vitamin C, which has expanded into a 'foundation supporting daily health'—how it is positioned among consumers today after being recognized primarily as a beauty ingredient, and how it is evaluated by doctors.
Survey Summary
- Vitamin C achieves 4 crowns again in 2026
Ranked 1st in all categories: awareness, interest, intention to intake, and practice.
- Realization expands mainly to immunity and fatigue
'Catch colds less frequently (21.0%)' and 'Fatigue recovery/prevention (15.4%)' ranked high.
- Intake methods diversify around supplements and meals
Supplements (tablets) were the most common (56.5%). Formats are dispersed into several types.
- Purpose expands to health, fatigue, and immunity in addition to beauty
In 2026, 'Health maintenance (58.1%)', 'Fatigue recovery (50.9%)', and 'Immunity (41.0%)' ranked high.
- Doctors emphasize internal utilization; some areas have divided evaluations
Highly evaluate IV drips and prescription formulations. Evaluations of over-the-counter products are dispersed.
- Consumer understanding has progressed, but depth of understanding varies
Understanding of absorption rates rose to 62.4%. Meanwhile, about 60% are unaware of the necessary intake amount.
Doctors' recommended intake is mainstream at high doses of '1,000mg or more'. The gap in understanding with consumers remains.
■ Vitamin C achieves 4 crowns again in 2026, beating other nutrients
In the 2026 awareness survey on nutrients conducted targeting 10,000 people, Vitamin C took 1st place, beating other major nutrients in all questions: 'Nutrients you know', 'Nutrients you are interested in', 'Nutrients you want to consume', and 'Nutrients you consciously consume regularly'.
In addition to an awareness survey on nutrients targeting 10,000 consumers, our company conducted a survey on Vitamin C among 1,000 of those respondents who answered that they had consumed supplements or health foods containing Vitamin C within the past year, as well as 50 doctors. Through a comparison with the same survey conducted in 2018, we analyze from multiple perspectives the changes in physical sensations, purposes of intake, and understanding regarding Vitamin C, along with the differences in perception between consumers and doctors. We clarify the current position of Vitamin C, which has expanded into a 'foundation supporting daily health'—how it is positioned among consumers today after being recognized primarily as a beauty ingredient, and how it is evaluated by doctors.
Survey Summary
- Vitamin C achieves 4 crowns again in 2026
Ranked 1st in all categories: awareness, interest, intention to intake, and practice.
- Realization expands mainly to immunity and fatigue
'Catch colds less frequently (21.0%)' and 'Fatigue recovery/prevention (15.4%)' ranked high.
- Intake methods diversify around supplements and meals
Supplements (tablets) were the most common (56.5%). Formats are dispersed into several types.
- Purpose expands to health, fatigue, and immunity in addition to beauty
In 2026, 'Health maintenance (58.1%)', 'Fatigue recovery (50.9%)', and 'Immunity (41.0%)' ranked high.
- Doctors emphasize internal utilization; some areas have divided evaluations
Highly evaluate IV drips and prescription formulations. Evaluations of over-the-counter products are dispersed.
- Consumer understanding has progressed, but depth of understanding varies
Understanding of absorption rates rose to 62.4%. Meanwhile, about 60% are unaware of the necessary intake amount.
Doctors' recommended intake is mainstream at high doses of '1,000mg or more'. The gap in understanding with consumers remains.
■ Vitamin C achieves 4 crowns again in 2026, beating other nutrients
In the 2026 awareness survey on nutrients conducted targeting 10,000 people, Vitamin C took 1st place, beating other major nutrients in all questions: 'Nutrients you know', 'Nutrients you are interested in', 'Nutrients you want to consume', and 'Nutrients you consciously consume regularly'.