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

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