Multivitamins and Skin Care

How Multivitamins Help Your Appearance

Is the condition of your skin a major concern for you as far as the signs of aging go? Do you want to stop the wrinkles, keep your skin smooth and your pores refined?

If you said yes to these questions, pay attention to what you put into your body as well as to what you put on your skin.

Why?

• 1. Your skin is the body’s largest organ. As such, it needs sustenance from within as well as topical care.
• 2. November is National Healthy Skin Month. Read some medical experts’ tips for promoting and maintaining healthy skin.
• 3. Take a daily supplement containing antioxidants, minerals and glycosaminoglycans and your skin can be 20 % smoother and less wrinkled in just 12 weeks.

Yes, you read that right. Your skin can be 20 % smoother and less wrinkled in just in 12 weeks according to a study to be published in the December 2009 issue of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

Researchers at the Skin Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand assembled 60 women and assigned them to two groups. Each took one daily supplement pill a day.

One group was given a placebo, while the other took a skin supplement manufactured by Australian nutritional supplement manufacturer Blackmores. The Blackmores pill contained several antioxidants, glycosaminoglycans and trace amounts of minerals.

20% Smoother More Refined Skin in Just 12 Weeks

Before the study, skin smoothness was directly measured with a computerized UV-light video camera scan (Visioscan). As well, the skin’s topography replicated on a silicone gel mold (picture a peel-off skin mask that comes off in one piece) was indirectly measured using a computerized light meter (Visiometer).

The two groups had equivalent skin smoothness on average to start.

After 12 weeks, skin smoothness was measured again using the two objective and mathematically precise measures. The placebo group scored a 1.7% increase in smoothness while the treatment group scored a 21.2% improvement.

In addition, the treatment group perceived a significant reduction in fine wrinkles, skin roughness and pore size while the placebo group did not perceive such improvement in skin health.

The Ingredients to Look for to Keep Skin Healthy and Younger-Looking

If you live in Australia or thereabouts, you can buy Blackmores Radiance daily skin supplement which contains all of the ingredients cited in the study.

A Blackmores product was used in the study.

Antioxidants

• Coenzyme Q10
• Beta-Carotene
• Grape Seed Extract
• Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract)
• Green Tea Extract
• Vitamin E (D-Alpha-Tocopheryl)

Minerals

• Zinc
• Selenium

Glycosaminoglycans

• Fish Proteoglycan Extract*

* Composition is approximately 50% protein and 50% Glycosaminoglycans (Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate and Keratin Sulfate)

If you don’t live Down Under and want to replicate the regime used in the study, check the daily supplement(s) you currently take. You may already be taking many of the ingredients.

Overall you want a cocktail of the best antioxidants, a healthy dose of Glycosaminoglycans (Radiance contains 105 mg) and small amounts of the trace minerals Zinc and Selenium.

Check with your doctor before beginning any new supplement program.

This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.