July
20,
2009
Skin Care Tips from A to Z
Our skin care tips cover everything from A to Z. Anti-aging serums? Check. Zit eliminators? Check. Sunscreen? Check. We've got everything right down to the under-eye cream that makes you look your youngest in this skin care bonanza.
- A: Acne
- B: Beauty Foods
- C: Concealer
- D: Dry Skin
- E: Exfoliation
- F: Facial Hair
- G: Gadgets
- H: Hydration
- I: Injections
- J: Jet Set Beauty
- K: Under the Knife
- L: Lasers
- M: Microdermabrasion
- N: Natural Skin Care
- O: Oily Skin
- P: Pores
- Q: Quick Fixes
- R: Rosacea
- S: Sensitive Skin
- T: Tanning
- U: Under Eye Circles
- V: Vitamins
- W: Wrinkles
- X: Extreme Makeovers
- Y: Younger Skin
- Z: Zzzs
V: Vitamins
By Genevieve Monsma
Photo credit: Jeff Westbrook
Despite their virtues, vitamins and supplements are considered food, not drugs, and therefore they are not regulated by the FDA. Still, it's hard to dismiss the extensive studies being presented within the dermatological community that reinforce the case for their skin-boosting abilities. A recent one in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reported that some people who took vitamins C and E in the long term saw a reduction in visible premature aging.
To know whether you're getting the optimum dosage for your skin type, it can't hurt to seek a professional opinion. What follows is a list of supplements you might incorporate into the daily feeding of your precious face:
Use Antioxidants for Anti-Aging. Vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, and CoQ10 all fend off free radicals in the environment, preserving collagen and elastin (skin's "plumpers") and slowing fine-line accumulation.
"B" Smart About Firm Skin and Fortified Hair and Nails. Even a mild vitamin-B deficiency will show up as brittle tips or slack skin.
Try Omegas for Alpha Smoothness. To calm irritation, consider essential fatty acids (omegas-3 and -6): Recent evidence suggests they can calm psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid. We know it's successful topically. Taken orally, it may also help skin stay moist.
Polish with Probiotics. Lackluster skin may be a reflection of a compromised intestinal tract, says Blum. Probiotics can keep skin radiant by minimizing yeast overgrowth.
Zap Zits With Zinc. To regulate the oil production that can cause flareups, think zinc.
Vitamin brands deemed reputable by the experts interviewed for this piece include Standard Process; Twin Labs; Olay Vitamins; Innate; N.V. Perricone M.D.; Kinerase Multi-Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements; and Weil Nutritional Supplements. Available at health, drug, and online stores.
Use Antioxidants for Anti-Aging. Vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, and CoQ10 all fend off free radicals in the environment, preserving collagen and elastin (skin's "plumpers") and slowing fine-line accumulation.
"B" Smart About Firm Skin and Fortified Hair and Nails. Even a mild vitamin-B deficiency will show up as brittle tips or slack skin.
Try Omegas for Alpha Smoothness. To calm irritation, consider essential fatty acids (omegas-3 and -6): Recent evidence suggests they can calm psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid. We know it's successful topically. Taken orally, it may also help skin stay moist.
Polish with Probiotics. Lackluster skin may be a reflection of a compromised intestinal tract, says Blum. Probiotics can keep skin radiant by minimizing yeast overgrowth.
Zap Zits With Zinc. To regulate the oil production that can cause flareups, think zinc.
Vitamin brands deemed reputable by the experts interviewed for this piece include Standard Process; Twin Labs; Olay Vitamins; Innate; N.V. Perricone M.D.; Kinerase Multi-Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements; and Weil Nutritional Supplements. Available at health, drug, and online stores.
