Vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble vitamin. It cannot be synthesized by our bodies and must be ingested regularly.

Vitamin C - Facts

• is essential for the formation of bone and the tissue that connects other tissues/organs - called connective tissue;
• is related to the absorption of iron by the body and the healing process;
• its deficiency causes scurvy;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding, surgery, smoking increase the body's requirements for vitamin C and represents the risk for a deficiency
• is known as a potent antioxidant - It prevents the oxidation of other compounds by being oxidized instead.

Vitamin C is used as an natural antioxidant, protecting cells against the action of the free radicals. Free radicals are reactive by-products of normal cell activity and in excess is related to illnesses as well as the aging process.

Natural Sources
The daily requirement for vitamin C is not much - just 60 mg - and its excess is eliminated by the body. Some fruits and vegetables are better sources of vitamin C than others. Known rich in Vitamin C are: acerola, rose hips, açaí, orange.

Topical Use
Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that will protect the skin against free radicals and reverse signs of aging by promoting the skin collagen synthesis. It is very unstable once exposed to the air and it needs special care once use in formulations, such as having a very low pH and the association with other antioxidants. For these reasons, its formulations might not be suitable for sensitive skin.

Vitamin C Derivatives - Topical use
While the acidic form of Vitamin C formulations might not be be suitable for sensitive skin, Vitamin C Derivatives might have the same skin benefits of ascorbic acid without the downside. Ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are among the most used vitamin C derivatives in skin care. They are non-irritating and more stable than vitamin C. Unfortunately, it appears that in the concentration used in topical formulations, they do not promote collagen synthesis as much as vitamin C in the acidic form.

I am a super fan of the Vitamin C. I drink natural juices, take 100mg daily and use skin formulations with the original Vitamin C. I complement it with vitamin A, vitamin E - inside and out - and do microdermabrasion to make sure that I'm equally exfoliating the dead skin and showing the new healthy skin layer.

Be good and be healthy!

Vanessa

Vitamin K - Bruises and Dark Eye Circle

In the next posting, we will talk about vitamins, their importance for our health and benefits in formulations to be used on the skin.

Since our last posting we talked about Dark Eyes Circle - in this posting, we will talk more about Vitamin K, natural sources and indications.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, related to blood clotting. The “K” comes from the German word “koagulation” and is essential for the blood clotting process.

There are 2 natural forms of Vitamin K: phylloquinone and Vitamin K2. Phylloquinone is the primary form of vitamin K in the diet found mostly in green leafy vegetables.

Researchs indicate that its deficiency can cause easy bruising and other conditions, including osteoporosis.

Facts about bruises

• Purpura is the medical term for bleeding that occurs beneath the surface of the skin and 'bruise' is a minor bleeding underneath the skin, usually caused by an injury.
• Bruises are formed from clotted blood underneath the surface of the skin. The trapped blood is eventually broken down and reabsorbed by the body.
• Simple bruises from slight trauma can be easily treated with ice, since it constricts broken blood vessels and lessens leakage under the skin. You might still have a bruise, but will be smaller and less painful.
• Spontaneous bruising may occur or a bruise may appear with minimal injury in patients with family bleeding disorders. If you have unusual bruising, inform your doctor.

Natural Sources of Vitamin K

Phylloquinone is the major dietary form of Vitamin K, present in green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, leaf lettuce, swiss chard, cooked broccoli - also in soybean, cottonseed, canola and olive oils, mayonese, hemp seeds, liver and other sources.

Vitamin K topical use
Topical formulations with 5% of Vitamin K are used to decrease the appearance of bruises, dark eye circles and rosacea.

Consult your doctor prior using a formulation that contains vitamin K (topically or orally).

Be good and be healthy.

Vanessa

PS: for clarification purpose the picture is a tree called Tabebuia heptaphylla, which its group of flowers at a distance look like a bruise - besides, I didn't want to post a bruise on the posting... ;^)

Dark eyes circle

The darkening of the area around the eyes makes you look tired, older and unhealthy. Genetics, age, life style, such as smoke, and lack of sleep can contribute to make it worse.

There are many possible factors to cause dark eye circle – ultimately, they are caused by broken capillaries and possibly thinning of the skin. Also, the more dilated the vessels in the eye area, the more it shows.

Like it happens with bruises and varicose veins, when the blood circulation is compromised, the absence of oxygen in the blood causes the oxidation of hemoglobin, changing from red to yellow and finally blue. If it happens inside the capillary matrix of the eye area, you have the appearance of dark eye circle.

Possible Treatments and Cover-up
Considering the skin in the eye area is very thin and sensitive, investing in a good product to use in the eye area is essential. Products include make-up, eye cream, and make-up remover.

Make-up: concealer and shimmering make-up cover the appearance of uneven skin coloration, masking the darkness in the under eye area. Test them in the store prior choosing the best color. Try a color slightly lighter than your foundation or skin color.

Eye Cream: in general contains a combination of active ingredients that will help the circulation in the eye area, moisturizers to improve the appearance of the skin, and agents that cover-up the darkness (make-up effect).

Active Ingredients to consider
Vitamin K - it’s a natural coagulant and it acts in the blood in the micro-vessels. Results are visible in minutes!

Guaraná extract - contains caffeine and it helps to constrict the capillaries in the eye area, diminishing the appearance of dark eye circle.

Other natural extracts, such as Indian chestnut and Ginkgo biloba might improve the micro circulation by strengthening the function of the micro-vessels.

Antioxidants and Moisturizers - will improve the overall appearance of the skin.

Also use make-up remover. It should be alcohol-free to avoid dehydration. If you run out of your make-up remover, use olive oil rather than using soap.

Final thoughts
The skin around the eye is one of the most sensitive areas on the body. It’s important to invest in a good eye cream and to apply products for the eye area, such as creams, make-up and make-up remover using the fingertips in a gentle way.

Be good and be healthy.

Vanessa