Vitamin K and Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, have long been known to have non-skin related health benefits, but recent studies have shown that both vitamins have dermatological applications.
"Vitamins continue to be reorganized as having an important role to play in the health of the body," says Dr David Smith, chief researcher at SkinWhite Research Labs. 'New studies have shown that Vitamin K and niacin are beneficial to the skin, particularly for the problems involving pigmentation and dry skin."
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, and studies have shown it to maintain strong bones in the elderly. However, dermatologists have recently found Vitamin K to be successful on the treatment of dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face.
A recent study included two groups, one that applied an under-eye cream containing sunscreen and another that applied an under-eye cream containing a combination of Vitamin K and retinol. An examination of the under-eye colour at the beginning of the study and at the end found a significant lightening in the group using the vitamin K and retinol combination.
Vitamin K has also recently been studied for its effects on reducing bruising following certain dermatological procedures. Those patients who applied the Vitamin K after the procedure noticed a significant reduction in the severity of bruising.
One derivative of niacin, nicotinamide, has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis to retain moisture. In a recent study, topical nicotinamide was applied to the skin for six-days. Following the study, all patients reported softer, smoother skin, less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction in lines.
"The benefits to the skin after application of nicotinamide can be useful for patients with atopic dermatitis, who often experience dry, irritated skin when the disease flares," suggests Dr Smith. "This could be another promising treatment for ageing skin, which often becomes dry and flaky as we age."
Niacinamide, another derivative, has also been shown to be an effective skin lightening agent, especially for skin condition where hyperpigmentation may occur on the face or other visible part of the body. Patients with hyperpigmentation were analyzed by computer and most patients experienced decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness.
Topical niacinamide has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea and any blistering-type disease. Recent studies also noted that niacin and its derivatives have chemopreventative effects. When applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 per cent decrease in ultra-violet-induced skin cancer.
Article contributed by Debra Tan who is a senior product development consultant at Skin White Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, SkinWhite Research Labs is a company that specializes in the formulation of skin whitening products that help to rectify dark skin and pigmentation problems. Please visit their official website for more skin lightening information and tips.
This article may be reprinted in its original form as long as the resource box is left intact and the links live and the article is not to be modified in any way.
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Taking supplemental vitamins for acne to help fight acne is not a new idea. Many people are lacking in the necessary vitamins to maintain a happy, healthy body - and that includes the skin!
Your skin is your body's largest organ. It requires a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals to look and feel it's best. Vitamins A, C, E, K and vitamin B complex as well as minerals such as zinc, chromium and selenium are all necessary. However, in today's 'fast world' inadequate eating habits are the leading cause of vitamin deficiencies. To compensate, you may choose to add a quality multivitamin to your diet.
One of the most beneficial vitamins for treating acne is claimed to be the vitamin B group and in particular, vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid.
Vitamin B5 for acne is causing quite a stir throughout the Internet, There are many web sites competing for your attention. Some claim that mega doses of vitamin B5 will completely eradicate all traces of your acne while others claim that such B5 doses are totally useless and even dangerous.
Who do you believe?
A regiment of vitamin B5 to treat acne is claimed to be second only to treatments based on vitamin A such as Accutane® - but much safer. Accutane® is very effective because it shuts down oil producing glands that cause acne, however, a list of side-effect have created 'bad press' for Accutane®. B5 on the other hand, is suppose to be effective and safe because it increases your body's ability to metabolize oil rather than to stop oil production altogether.
B5 is an essential vitamin and can be found in our everyday diets. Foods such as eggs, yeast, whole-wheat, broccoli and red meat all contain vitamin B5. There is no proof to indicate that taking large doses of B5 to treat acne are dangerous - only opinions.
Programs that suggest mega doses of up to 10 grams or more of B5 each day may be unnecessary. Since vitamins B5 is water-soluble, much of it would be flushed from your system before your body could absorb what it needed. That may be why as many as 20 tablets a day are recommended. Some may find that very hard to swallow!
A program that offers time-released vitamins for acne may be the answer. A lower dose of 2 to 3 grams of vitamin B5 each day, time-released to allow your body to absorb it makes sense. Why take 20 tablets when you can get the same results with 4 to 6? It is much cheaper too!
In the end, the decision to use vitamins for acne treatment will be yours. Supplementing a poor diet with multivitamins will certainly help to improve your skin and your over-all health. Additional vitamin B5, if used sensibly, promises a safe, natural and effective solution to your acne.
Cindy English publishes informative articles and product reviews of today's most popular acne treatments.
Visit the Acne Skin Care Guide. It's the first step to a clearer complexion and greater self-esteem!
© Copyright 2006 by Cindy English
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Acne can sometimes be improved with a regimen of vitamins and vitamin supplements. Vitamins to clear skin are readily available and reasonably priced.
Vitamins to clear skin problems can be found in drugstores or online. You can also find vitamins to clear skin and acne problems at health or vitamin stores.
Some vitamins to clear skin are Vitamin A and Vitamin B-complex. These vitamins to clear skin will help maintain healthy skin.
Vitamin B5 is another one of the vitamins to clear skin. This vitamin plus a cream that contains 20% pantothenic acid by weight should be applied four to six times a day.
Vitamins to clear skin can include Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Vitamin B6 will help with hormonal balance and Vitamin C improves the immune system as well as promotes healing.
Other vitamins to clear skin are Vitamin E and Zinc. Zinc is a mineral that promotes healthy skin and healing. Vitamin E is one of the vitamins to clear skin that is necessary for good skin health.
When you are taking Vitamin E as one of the vitamins to clear skin you should also consider adding 200-400 mcg. of selenium a day. This will help the vitamin E become more effective.
If you thinking about trying vitamins to clear skin you may want to ask your doctor which ones she recommends. Your dermatologist may also have some ideas on vitamins to clear skin.
Vitamins to clear skin can really help improve acne. Find the best combinations of vitamins to clear skin and you may see results within a month or two.
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne skin care products that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
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If you wish to prevent the drying out of your skin or simply to revitalize it and make it more supple and glowing, you need to know not only the right skincare products to use but also the important vitamins you need for dry skin prevention.
Vitamin A - Always remember that having vitamin A is necessary to give your skin a healthy, glowing appearance. When there's an absence of Vitamin A in your body, you are prone to developing dry skin.
Vitamin B - Fair people are especially in need of vitamins for dry skin prevention and one such vitamin that they're usually lacking is Vitamin B. Vitamin B has similar benefits to Vitamin A.
Vitamin C - Popularly known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C has been proven to help rejuvenate the skin, making it look younger and more lustrous.
Vitamin D - Color and appearance, in general, is the main focus of Vitamin D. Be careful when applying any cream or skincare product that contains Vitamin D because too much of it can be quite dangerous for your skin.
Vitamin E - Another antioxidant vitamin, Vitamin E has been proven effective in preventing skin damage. This vitamin is ideal if your dry skin is caused by something else other than the lack of moisture.
Other Health Tips for Dry Skin Prevention
Eat a lot of yellow and orange vegetables that have a particularly high content of beta carotene, which consequently contains Vitamin A. Drink lots and lots of water. Just ask any dermatologist; he'll tell you that drinking water is good for your skin. Avoid excessive intake of alcohol and caffeine; they dry out the skin and rob it of important minerals.
Dry Skin provides detailed information on Dry Skin, Dry Skin Care, Dry Skin Treatment, Dry Skin Lotion and more. Dry Skin is affiliated with Natural Acne Skin Care.
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Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and it is required daily by our body. Lemon, orange etc are the best sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your skin glow and look beautiful and it is not just due to the creams and lotions you apply.
Orange is a great source of Vitamin C and it is recommended for daily intake to keep the skin healthy. Vitamin C also protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. Vitamin C also acts as an anti-aging agent and makes the skin wrinkle free. At least 200 mg of Vitamin C is required daily by our body and consuming one orange would help you meet your daily needs of Vitamin C.
It is good to take an orange than have a glass of orange juice. Vitamin C also helps in healing wounds and making the skin look good and beautiful. Dull looking skin requires Vitamin C for nourishment. It also helps if you have bleeding gums. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps the skin. Vitamin C also helps in to slowing down the degeneration of skin and organs in our body.
Instead of taking Vitamin C pills, it is advised to take fruits and vegetables containing natural vitamins. Fruits have more natural vitamins and fibers than vitamin pills.
Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1649.html
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