Vitamins in Skin Care: How they Help
Experts
have known for some time that vitamins affect the skin. Lack of
vitamins can make skin lifeless, blotchy, dry, or oily. Healthy
skin requires a variety of vitamins to keep it resilient;
specifically, vitamins A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
Furthermore, vitamins E and C (found in citrus fruits and
vegetables) are the simplest form of antioxidant. Antioxidants may
help prevent skin damage from free radicals, a dangerously mutant
form of oxygen that in large doses (from pollution, sunlight,
etc..) can break through the membrane that protects the skin's
cells and cause inflammation, visible lines and wrinkles, among
other damage. Vitamin A may help prevent sun damage and vitamin C
may accelerate skin healing. There is also some evidence that
vitamin C may pass through the layers of skin and help heal tissue
damaged by burn or injury. Vitamin D, absorbed through the skin's
outer layers, may help heal the skin when applied topically,
especially when combined with vitamin A. NuCelle® Skin
Care has a line of Mandelic Marine Complex Products that
contain all of those vitamins to keep your skin looking its best.
For more information, click here.
Vitamin Glossary
Vitamin A:
The vitamin necessary for healthy skin. A serious lack or excess
intake can cause dry, rough skin, among other problems. Synthetic
vitamin A-like compounds called retinoids, such as tretinoin,
applied directly to the skin have been used to treat acne and skin
wrinkling and mottled pigmentation caused by chronic sun exposure.
Used systemically, retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane) and
etretinate treat acne and help to prevent skin cancer in those at
very high risk.
Vitamin C: Also known by its chemical name
(ascorbic acid), this
vitamin plays an important role in healing wounds in the skin and
in preventing scurvy. There is evidence that applying topical
vitamin C will help "rejuvenate" the skin and make it appear
younger by activating the oxidizing influences to which the skin is
subjected. ForVitamin-C skin
care, click here.
Vitamin D:Vitamin D is formed in the body in part
by interaction with sun light. Vitamin D is considered to be an
antioxidant and anticarcinogen, and may play a role in skin
pigmentation. Since it can be absorbed by the skin, applying this
vitamin topically can have an effect on skin's health. Vitamin D is
toxic in large amounts, and megadoses should be avoided.
Sunbathing, however, will not result in an overdose.
Vitamin E:Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It can help
prevent free radical damage. Based on the observation that skin
damage caused by the sun and other environmental agents are induced
by free radicals, there is the possibility that vitamin E may be
effective in preventing skin damage. It is being used in more and
more skin preparations as a way to fend off this damage.
