Re: Salicylic acid, willow bark, BHAs, etc

April 10, 2002

Here's an article from medscape on which vitamins and minerals taken

internally help to reduce sun-related skin damage. There are also

some promising topical agents, but they still need extensive study.

Matija

MedscapeWire, 2/28/2002

Few Vitamins Effectively Prevent or Reverse Skin Damage

Warner

NEW YORK (MedscapeWire) Feb 28 — Although many face creams contain

vitamins known as antioxidants, very few are actually effective in

preventing or reversing skin damage, according to researchers

speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting,

being held this week in New Orleans, Louisiana.

" Despite advertising claims, almost all available topical

formulations contain very low concentrations of antioxidants that are

not well absorbed by the skin, " said E. Burke, MD, in her

presentation. " There are 3 antioxidants that have been proven to

decrease the effect of the sun on the skin and actually prevent

further damage: selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. "

Antioxidants are known to prevent agents called free radicals from

damaging cells in the body and the skin. Free radicals are a result

of normal body processes, but they can also be created by exposure to

various environmental factors such as smoking or ultraviolet

radiation from the sun, and can speed up the aging process.

Burke says the problem with applying antioxidants to the skin to

fight aging is that they aren't very well absorbed or only have short-

term effects. But new research presented at the dermatology

conference suggests more effective formulations to deliver 2 of these

antioxidants directly to the skin that needs it may soon be available.

Selenium

The mineral selenium helps protect the body from cancers, including

skin cancer caused by sun exposure. It also preserves tissue

elasticity and slows down the hardening of tissues associated with

oxidation. Dietary sources of the mineral include whole grain

cereals, seafood, garlic, and eggs.

Recent animal studies have found that when selenium is taken orally

or through the skin in the form of L-selenomethionine, it provided

protection against both everyday and excessive UV damage. A study

also showed selenium also delayed the development of skin cancer in

the animals.

Burke says those results are promising, but studies are still needed

in humans.

Vitamin E

Experts consider vitamin E to be the most important antioxidant

because it protects cell membranes and prevents damages to enzymes

associated with them. Natural sources of vitamin E include vegetable

oils such as sunflower oil, grains, oats, nuts, and dairy products.

New laboratory studies suggest vitamin E helps inactivate free

radicals, making them less likely to cause damage. Several other

studies have shown applying vitamin E to the skin can reduce damage

caused by sun exposure and limit the production of cancer-causing

cells.

" For additional sun protection, individuals may consider taking

vitamin E supplements, " said Burke, in a release. " Supplementation

with vitamin E in 400 milligrams a day has been noted to reduce

photodamage, wrinkles, and improve skin texture. "

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most common antioxidant found in the skin. It's also

found in vegetables and citrus fruits. Like vitamin E, vitamin C is

considered important in repairing damaged caused by free radicals and

preventing them from becoming cancerous or accelerating the aging

process.

Because vitamin C is most prevalent in the skin, the skin is the

organ that suffers most from environmental stressors. Smoking, sun

exposure, and pollution rob the nutrient from our bodies, says

Burke. " Even minimal UV exposure can decrease the vitamin C levels in

the skin by 30%, while exposure from the ozone of city pollution can

decrease the level by 55%, " said Burke in a release.

Creating a skin cream that carries a useful dose of vitamin C is

difficult because it reacts immediately when exposed to oxygen.

Several clinical trials examining more stable, effective formulations

are currently under way.

>

> > At our local Wal-Mart, I recently purchased a SUNBLOCK

> > from Neutrogena, for sensitive skin. The only active

> > ingredient listed was titanium dioxide...

>

> I recall checking them out, and it did look good. If I recall, my

> only concern was that it contains Vitamin E (tocopherol), which is

> another one of my personal irritation suspects.

>

> I suspect this topical anti-oxidant stuff is just another marketing

> gimmick. With the exception of Vitamin C -- which we already talked

> about here, and which is clearly irritating in the only form and

> concentration known to be effective to the skin -- I don't believe

> any other topical anti-oxidant has been shown to do anything

> beneficial. I wouldn't think so, understanding their proposed

> mechanism of action. And most if not all are known potential skin

> irritants.

>

> I would think that taking Vitamin C and E in foods or vitamins

would

> help protect the skin along with the rest of the body -- and

without

> the potential irritation.

>

> I don't know. Does anyone?

>

> Marjorie

>

> Marjorie Lazoff, MD

April 10, 2002