Unit 91
The ABC's of Vitamin Enhanced Skin Care
Most of us know that vitamins can work wonders on our skin from the inside. However, many people have yet to realize the benefits of using vitamins on the outside. Below is a simple guide to aid you through the daunting maze of vitamin-enriched products, while making sure your skin get its recommended daily allowance of beauty.
VITAMIN A: helps with fine lines and wrinkles. As some have learned the hard way, attempting to hide fine lines and wrinkles behind layers of make up is a losing battle. Better to improve the condition of your skin with products containing retinoids -- a class of Vitamin-A derivatives. However, due to the lower levels of retinoids in some consumer products, it may take a bit longer to see the desired result.
VITAMIN B: A healthy glow, moisture retention. Vitamins B-3 and B-5 have become popular additions to skin-care products because of their ability to assist in retaining moisture. B-3 is a relatively new ingredient on the marketplace but has demonstrated great promise, offering a milder alternative to acidic elements, which some feel is too harsh for their complexions. B-5 is a more common skin-care additive, and is widely recognized for its (along with Vitamin E) moisturizing ability. It's also good for those with sensitive skin, as some creams made with Vitamin-E have been known to cause irritation.
VITAMIN C: Repairs sun damage. Vitamin C has been one of skin-care's hot sellers for the past several years due to its proven effectiveness as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are a critical natural defense against "free radicals", unstable molecules that age the skin as a result of pollution, smoking and sun exposure. Vitamin C can protect the skin from UV damage caused by prolonged sun exposure by reducing the amount of free radical formation. However ,while it can help safeguard against skin damage and reduce discoloration, it should be used in conjunction with ,not in place of, a good sunscreen.
VITAMIN E: Repairs dry, rough skin. Vitamin-E is another powerful antioxidant that is commonly used in lotions and creams for its moisturizing ability. Though some of the "miraculous" healing claims of Vitamin-E supporters have been exaggerated over the years, it is still widely recognized for its proven ability to help retain moisture in the skin.
VITAMIN K: Repairs dark, under-eye circles. Dark circles under you eyes can make you look old beyond your years. And while getting a good night's sleep is always recommended, topical Vitamin-K is a good additional defense against discoloration under the eyes. Often used as a treatment for spider veins, Vitamin K enters through the pores all the ways to the damaged capillary or artery and helps to clot the blood, thus stopping any seepage -- often the cause of dark circles -- and allowing the tissue to heal itself. In addition to K, Vitamin-C is also known for its ability to diminish dark circles, and using a product (or products) containing both vitamins is a good bet. |