VITAMINS AND YOUR SKIN

As vitamins are vital for good overall health, they are just as important for a healthy skin. Oftentimes the skin is the last organ to enjoy vitamins as the vital organs will absorb them first. For this reason it has become a necessity to apply vitamins directly onto the skin.

Popular topically applied vitamins:

Vitamin A: The normalizing vitamin, which brings balance back to the skin. A phenomenal vitamin to repair photo-aging, hyperpigmenation and acne. Also a fantastic antioxidant.

Vitamin B3: The perfect vitamin for an aging skin due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Also very effective in the treatment of hyperpimentation, preventing the distribution of melanin (brown, red colour pigment) to keratinocytes (normal skin cells found in the epidermis).

Vitamin B5: Soothing and moisturizing. Suitable for even the most sensitive skins.

Vitamin C: Vital for collagen production in the skin, in fact if you don't have vitamin C, your body can not make collagen. As human beings we can't manufacture our own vitamin C, so it is imperative that we get it from our diet or apply it topically on the skin. A six week deprivation of vitamin C will lead to scurvy. A fantastic antioxidant working alongside vitamin E. Effective in the treatment of photo-aged skin, hyperpimentation and wrinkling.

Vitamin E: Powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin K: Anti-inflammatory and healing, perfect to use post aesthetic treatments.

Vitamin C is creating a new buzz in the skincare industry. Herewith some facts on using a vitamin C serum:

1. Are all serums containing vitamin C effective?

No the efficacy of the product all comes down to the concentration of vitamin C, the quality of vitamin C and type of vitamin C. The packaging of the product also needs to be airless and lightless to ensure your vitamin C stays fresh and stable till the last drop. The pH for the product also needs to be below 3.5 for optimum penetration and conservation of vitamin C.

2. When should your vitamin C serum be applied?

A serum must always be the first product to go into your skin, so apply it morning and evening prior to your moisturizer and sun protection.

3. Invest in a serum containing the following types of vitamin C

[if !supportLists]• [endif]L-Ascorbic Acid:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Antioxidant action on superficial epidermis (skin layers)

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Intense anti-radical against the effect of UVB rays

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Activation of collagen formation in the skin

[if !supportLists]• [endif] Ascorbyl Silanol:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Combination of Silanol and vitamin C

[if !supportLists]• [endif]For superior anti-radical and anti-aging actions due to a deep penetration of vitamin C

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Cell resistance against free radicals

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Restructuring of dermal tissue (deep layers of the skin)

[if !supportLists]• [endif] Ascorbyl Ester:

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Double age defense as it limits collagen degradation and the proliferation of melanin

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Optimum protection against free radicals generated by the UVA rays

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Synthesis of collagen

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Limiting melanin production

4. What is the function of vitamin C in the skin?

Humans can't make vitamin C so it is imperative to supplement. Within 6 weeks of deprivation of vitamin C, a human will develop scurvy. Vitamin C is key to the manufacturing of collagen in the body. A smoker for example will age 10 years quicker than a non-smoker due to the lack of vitamin C in a smoker's body. It is believed that one cigarette will deplete the body of 15 mg vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C can lead to premature aging, a build-up of skin cells in the pore leading to breakouts and a weakening of blood vessels.

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Pre-mature aging skin

[if !supportLists]• [endif]To prevent aging

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Photo-aged skin

[if !supportLists]• [endif]Dull devitalised skin, mottled pigmentation, lines and wrinkles

[if !supportLists]• [endif]People having aesthetic treatments, i.e. Skin needling and Chemical peels