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| The Inside-Outside Approach to Total Skin Health |
| Written by Administrator |
| Tuesday, 24 August 2010 20:04 |
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Nothing reveals the state of our inner health like our skin. When we're stressed, dehydrated or hormonally imbalanced, the symptoms can manifest in breakouts, dryness or inflammation. "The skin is a barometer of what's going on internally with our bodies," says Gogi Sangha, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc., a Bay Area-based custom contract manufacturer specializing in anti-aging, OTC and natural- and organic-based skincare products. "The best way to keep our skin looking healthy and young is to take an inside-outside approach." Many skin-friendly nutrients can be found in both topical and oral form. Here are a few of the most effective nutrients from A to Zinc. A to Zinc Skin Nutrients COQ10: With age, the body's natural COQ10 levels start to deplete. UV exposure, stress and poor diet can all contribute to lower stores of this critical energy source. COQ10 produces ATP biological energy inside the cells, enabling cells to grow and divide into healthy new cells. Without COQ10, the body cannot produce sufficient levels of collagen and elastin. Oral supplements can help skin improve on all of these levels as well as aid weight management. Topically, you can find COQ10 (also known as ubiquinone) in many skincare products. It's important to note that the level of COQ10 will play a determining role in its efficacy. Essential Fatty Acids: The typical consumer gets more than their fair share of omega-6 fatty acids through foods like baked goods and potato chips, but these foods lack the vital essential omega 3 fatty acids, which possess natural anti-inflammatory properties and help repair and hydrate skin. Supplements, including fish oil capsules (preferably wild-harvested), borage and evening primrose oils, and foods like flaxseed, salmon and mackerel offer good sources of omega-3 oils. A study published in the March 2009 issue of the British Journal of Nutrition reported that both flax and borage oil increased hydration while reducing inflammation and sensitivity after 12 weeks of consumption. Topically, evening primrose and borage oils can also help keep skin hydrated while soothing inflammation and reducing redness associated with dermatitis, rosacea and eczema. Silica: This trace mineral may be only needed in small amounts, but silica's benefits stretch far and wide to maintain skin elasticity and heal wounds. You can obtain silica from foods, such as leeks, green beans, strawberries, cucumber and mango. Topically, silica is often added to skin formulations to improve the viscosity, texture and feel of a product. Vitamin A: One of the most potent anti-aging actives available, Vitamin A addresses a wide range of conditions, including acne, wrinkles, collagen, hyperpigmentation and dry skin. Most significantly, Vitamin A ensures proper cell turnover and repairs and maintains the skin. Chili peppers, carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes, spinach and cantaloupe all make great Vitamin A-rich food sources, while retinol (without a prescription) and retinoic acid (Tretinoin with a prescription) are the preferred topical forms, says G.S. Cosmeceutical's Sangha. Other retinoic derivatives include retinyl palmitate, or retinyl acetate, and retinaldehyde. While stable, some of these retinoids take a long time to convert to the bioactive retinoic acid form and may be rendered useless to the skin. For that reason, retinol is the most bioavailable form of topical Vitamin A, says Sangha, an expert in retinol product manufacturing. Vitamin B Complex: Biotin and niacin offer the most significant skin benefits among the B vitamins. Biotin forms the very basis of skin, nail and hair cells and without the correct amounts, dermatitis and hair loss can result even with a mild deficiency. Bananas, eggs, oatmeal and rice provide a ready supply of biotin. Topical niacinamide has also gained much attention over the years for its ability to hydrate the skin and give skin an immediate glow. By retaining moisture, niacinamide enables skin to appear plumper and younger in as little as six days. Niacinamide also has anti-inflammatory, circulatory and antioxidant properties and can even help lighten an uneven skin tone. In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 50 women, researchers found that 5% topical niacinamide improved fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, skin texture and red blotchiness. Vitamin C: Vitamin C benefits skin on many levels from brightening and helping generate collagen to reducing free radical damage. In clinical trials, topical Vitamin C, especially when combined with Vitamin E, demonstrated an ability to offer "appreciable photoprotection" against UV damage, according to Duke University researchers. And a 2005 study published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that people who consume Vitamins C and E reduce their sunburns from UVB exposure and mitigate those factors linked to DNA damage within skin cells. Vitamin C-rich foods include bell peppers, guava, broccoli, citrus fruits, kiwi and leafy greens. Topically, Vitamin C is highly unstable and requires formulary expertise to remain stable and absorbent for optimal efficacy. G.S. Cosmeceutical has achieved excellent results working with Vitamin C forms, including pure L-ascorbic acid; esters such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stable, oil-soluble form with excellent absorption and shelf-life properties. Vitamin E: An oil-soluble vitamin, Vitamin E can reduce fines lines and wrinkles, hydrate dry or rough skin and help protect against UV damage. This potent antioxidant is best taken orally in the form of natural tocopherol supplements at 400 mg daily or in foods, such as wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, safflower and sunflower oils, almonds, olives, spinach, tomatoes and avocados. Topically, Vitamin E can help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin due to free radicals and protect against sun damage. In skincare products, look for natural d-alpha tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate to provide the best benefits. Zinc: This mineral plays an important role in skin health, particularly for those prone to acne breakouts. Oral supplements or foods rich in zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate can help regulate sebum (oil) production and proper immune function and may interact with the hormones that lead to acne. Zinc-rich foods include fresh oysters, pumpkin seeds, ginger, Brazil nuts, oats, eggs and pecans. Topically, you'll find zinc oxide in mineral sunblocks to protect against UV light. However, neither this form of zinc nor the zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate forms have demonstrated any significant value in treating acne topically. A double-blind study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that topically applied 2% zinc sulfate demonstrated no effect in improving acne lesions between a placebo group and zinc-treated acne sufferers, though the treated patients experienced significantly greater irritancy. About G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc: G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. is a privately-owned contract manufacturing company. Headquartered in Livermore, California, the company is a leader in providing R&D, manufacturing and warehousing services to physicians, cosmetic entrepreneurs, corporate manufacturers, beauty start-ups and leading professionals in the spa and beauty industry. The company formulates across a broad range of categories, including anti-aging skincare, body care and hair care, organic- and natural-based products, paraben-free cosmetics and over-the-counter (OTC) cosmeceutical products. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
