Topical Vitamin C is an important component of most anti-aging skin care regimens. The amount of collagen in the skin tends to decline with age, an ongoing process that is accelerated by a number of factors like sunlight, smoking, free radicals, and inflammation. As the synthesis of new collagen slows down, topical vitamin C provides one of the most effective ways to boost collagen synthesis and slow its degradation.
In the June 2009 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine, Dr. Peter T. Pugliese, MD stated in his article Vitamin C in Skin Care, “Vitamin C was originally used in skin care products in the form of ascorbic acid. At a 10% concentration and low ph, ascorbic acid has been shown to stimulate collagen, decrease wrinkle depth and have lightening effects on pigmentation. It was thought that a minimum 10% concentration was required but newer information indicate that lower concentrations (5%) may have benefit.” According to other reports, Topical Vitamin C products should be a strength of 0.3 to 10% for optimal effectiveness.
Topical Vitamin C is used in skin care because it is an antioxidant. This means that it is able to neutralize oxygen free radicals. Free radicals over time will damage the skin cells and deteriorate the underlying structure of the skin resulting in changes of the skin’s complexion, sun spots, and wrinkles. The use of vitamin C is a major line of defense in the treatment of aging skin because it is essential to the formation of collagen, mitigates the effects of free radicals, and helps to maintain firm and youthful skin.
The forms of Vitamin C
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucosamine and ascorbic acid are various forms of vitamin C considered stable and effective antioxidants for the skin. Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic Acid is very expensive. Vitamin C is very unstable and difficult to get into a formulation which explains why ascorbic acid skin products tend to be very expensive.
The problem with Ascorbic Acid creams and serums is that because they are unstable, they are oxidized very quickly and once it is oxidized it does not provide any benefit to the skin at all. Even in stabilized formulations there is a risk that before vitamin C cream or serum is used it may be damaged.
The indicator is in the yellowing of vitamin C serum which indicates oxidation. As it undergoes oxidation the ascorbic acid takes on a yellowish tinge, and if there is any yellow discoloration the product needs to be discarded. However, there is a problem with the color check because the first stage of oxidation is colorless, so prior to going a yellowish tinge it can be in an oxidized state that cannot be detected.
The problem becomes more difficult because many vitamin C serums are tinted making it difficult to detect if it is oxidized by visual checking. Best advice is to not to buy tinted formulations of vitamin C.
Packaging is Important
Since Vitamin C is easily broken down by air and sunlight, the packaging is extremely important. To be beneficial, vitamin C should be packaged in tubes, capsules or pumps that do not allow air in unlike jars or clear containers which will render vitamin C worthless.
Benefits
The most effective method for replenishing vitamin C in the skin is to apply it directly to the skin. When topically applied, vitamin C provides a skin-rejuvenating effect by improving collagen synthesis in the skin that slows down with aging, as well as limiting skin damage from free radicals. Applying topical vitamin C to the skin is 20 times more effective than oral ingestion.
Vitamin C is one of the most effective and important ingredients to treat a number of skin problems, including aging skin, acne and pigmentation disorders.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
An Evening with SkinMedica
Recently, I attended an “Evening of Beauty” at Soleil Salon & Spa in Windham, NH. A number of invited guests were in attendance for a featured presentation on their Exclusive Medical Skin Care line, SkinMedica. The speaker was Debbie Neilan, Skin Educator and Sales Consultant for SkinMedica. She was informative and very personable in presenting the physician strength products of SkinMedica. Her style of explaining what SkinMedica ingredients do for your skin was complemented by her professional PowerPoint presentation.
The Soleil Salon & Spa made this evening fun and enjoyable, offering appetizers, sangrias, raffles and giveaways. There was a special 20% discount on all SkinMedica product purchases of $150 or more; in addition, to a 15% discount given with the purchase of a series of three Vitalize Peels. These attractive discounts resulted in nice purchases for invited guests.
Soleil Salon & Spa
Soleil Salon & Spa http://www.soleil-salon.com/ is owned and operated by Luisa Garcia and has been in business over 7 years . Soleil in French means sun. Luisa believes, “It is the sun that gives us light and energy. It is the energy that we put into the services we offer our clients.” She has incorporated her Spanish and Puerto Rican influences in the interior design of the Spa. Warm earthy tones carry you from room to room. The experience is similar to an inviting, beautiful oasis.
She’s created a full service salon and wellness spa committed to beauty and well-being offering professional hair, nails and skin care products. Services include a styling staff featuring latest trends in cuts, fashion, and styles. Asethetics services offer revitalizing facials, body treatments, and eye treatment specialities. A range of massages are also offered along with pedicures services.
SkinMedica
The SkinMedica line http://www.skinmedica.com/ with NouriCel-MD (TNS Recovery Complex) as its core category of products offers a complete line of skin care products. NouriCel-MD is a combination of growth factors that are important to the regeneration of healthy skin. TNS (Tissue Nutrient Solution) is the trade name given to identify products in the SkinMedica line that contain NouriCel-MD. SkinMedica has leveraged this unique technology with other innovative ingredients to create an entire collection of TNS products that provide optimal skin rejuvenation.
Physician Strength
Debbie Neilan introduced us to SkinMedica by explaining what is meant by physician strength in their product line. First, their aesthetic product line is based on the science of the skin’s own healing abilities. As skin ages, elasticity decreases, lines appear and overall appearance is diminished. To counteract these effects, SkinMedica products contain the highest level of active ingredients that work below the skin’s surface to regenerate the health of the skin.
Second, its clinically proven recovery compounds include ingredients ranging from Vitamins C and E to retinol to NouriCel-MD which is a blend of growth factors, soluble collagen, antioxidants, and matrix proteins. The appearance of fine lines are reduced, age spots and discoloration fade, and skin texture and elasticity are improved. Debbie spoke at length on how specific ingredients like peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants help our skin.
Vitalize Peel
Debbie continued her presentation by talking about SkinMedica Vitalize Peel which is a chemical peel that rids dead surface skin. It works by a combination of Alpha and Beta Hydroxyl Acids and retinoic acid. The Vitalize Peel is a treatment that is appropriate for all skin types and has been clinically proven to help reduce the visible signs of aging. Results are cumulative and maximum benefits are seen with a series of three or more peels. This peel can take years off aging skin and is excellent for acenic skin, hyperpigmentation and melasma.
The Feel of the Product
Throughout Debbie’s presentation she took questions, and allowed us to sample products. Her knowledge was extensive, and the guests walked away with an appreciation of how products are packaged and especially labeled into categories for better understanding of their primary purpose. It was a great opportunity for “hands on”! The experience of opening and applying a small drop of serum, cleanser or moisturizer kept everyone engaged. Feeling the texture and smoothness proved very beneficial especially in the number of purchases at the end of the evening.
Evening Highlights
The highlights to the evening were the elaboration on the TNS Essential Serum and TNS Recovery Complex. Both work to transform and regenerate your skin for a youthful appearance.
TNS Essential Serum is an age defense product used to soften fine lines, brighten the complexion and fill surface folds. It’s the first to provide the growth factor serum, TNS Recovery Complex in one chamber and APS Corrective Complex, (a mixture of antioxidants, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients) in the other chamber.
TNS Recovery Complex is a gel formulation containing 93.6% NouriCel-MD to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, diminish the appearance of age spots and dyspigmentation, reduce roughness, and firm skin texture. Its aim is to flood area of skin damage with 110 growth factors!
All of SkinMedica’s products are developed by a dermatologist and bioengineered to work together to enhance the beauty of your skin.
The Soleil Salon & Spa made this evening fun and enjoyable, offering appetizers, sangrias, raffles and giveaways. There was a special 20% discount on all SkinMedica product purchases of $150 or more; in addition, to a 15% discount given with the purchase of a series of three Vitalize Peels. These attractive discounts resulted in nice purchases for invited guests.
Soleil Salon & Spa
Soleil Salon & Spa http://www.soleil-salon.com/ is owned and operated by Luisa Garcia and has been in business over 7 years . Soleil in French means sun. Luisa believes, “It is the sun that gives us light and energy. It is the energy that we put into the services we offer our clients.” She has incorporated her Spanish and Puerto Rican influences in the interior design of the Spa. Warm earthy tones carry you from room to room. The experience is similar to an inviting, beautiful oasis.
She’s created a full service salon and wellness spa committed to beauty and well-being offering professional hair, nails and skin care products. Services include a styling staff featuring latest trends in cuts, fashion, and styles. Asethetics services offer revitalizing facials, body treatments, and eye treatment specialities. A range of massages are also offered along with pedicures services.
SkinMedica
The SkinMedica line http://www.skinmedica.com/ with NouriCel-MD (TNS Recovery Complex) as its core category of products offers a complete line of skin care products. NouriCel-MD is a combination of growth factors that are important to the regeneration of healthy skin. TNS (Tissue Nutrient Solution) is the trade name given to identify products in the SkinMedica line that contain NouriCel-MD. SkinMedica has leveraged this unique technology with other innovative ingredients to create an entire collection of TNS products that provide optimal skin rejuvenation.
Physician Strength
Debbie Neilan introduced us to SkinMedica by explaining what is meant by physician strength in their product line. First, their aesthetic product line is based on the science of the skin’s own healing abilities. As skin ages, elasticity decreases, lines appear and overall appearance is diminished. To counteract these effects, SkinMedica products contain the highest level of active ingredients that work below the skin’s surface to regenerate the health of the skin.
Second, its clinically proven recovery compounds include ingredients ranging from Vitamins C and E to retinol to NouriCel-MD which is a blend of growth factors, soluble collagen, antioxidants, and matrix proteins. The appearance of fine lines are reduced, age spots and discoloration fade, and skin texture and elasticity are improved. Debbie spoke at length on how specific ingredients like peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants help our skin.
Vitalize Peel
Debbie continued her presentation by talking about SkinMedica Vitalize Peel which is a chemical peel that rids dead surface skin. It works by a combination of Alpha and Beta Hydroxyl Acids and retinoic acid. The Vitalize Peel is a treatment that is appropriate for all skin types and has been clinically proven to help reduce the visible signs of aging. Results are cumulative and maximum benefits are seen with a series of three or more peels. This peel can take years off aging skin and is excellent for acenic skin, hyperpigmentation and melasma.
The Feel of the Product
Throughout Debbie’s presentation she took questions, and allowed us to sample products. Her knowledge was extensive, and the guests walked away with an appreciation of how products are packaged and especially labeled into categories for better understanding of their primary purpose. It was a great opportunity for “hands on”! The experience of opening and applying a small drop of serum, cleanser or moisturizer kept everyone engaged. Feeling the texture and smoothness proved very beneficial especially in the number of purchases at the end of the evening.
Evening Highlights
The highlights to the evening were the elaboration on the TNS Essential Serum and TNS Recovery Complex. Both work to transform and regenerate your skin for a youthful appearance.
TNS Essential Serum is an age defense product used to soften fine lines, brighten the complexion and fill surface folds. It’s the first to provide the growth factor serum, TNS Recovery Complex in one chamber and APS Corrective Complex, (a mixture of antioxidants, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients) in the other chamber.
TNS Recovery Complex is a gel formulation containing 93.6% NouriCel-MD to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, diminish the appearance of age spots and dyspigmentation, reduce roughness, and firm skin texture. Its aim is to flood area of skin damage with 110 growth factors!
All of SkinMedica’s products are developed by a dermatologist and bioengineered to work together to enhance the beauty of your skin.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
