Vitamins: The cure for sun damage?

The cosmeceutical industry tends to capitalize on consumers’ belief that vitamins provide health benefits. If the media promotes a particular vitamin or mineral as healthy, a new face or anti-aging cream promising youthful results is sure to follow. The reality is, the most common ingredients in these products are created from vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E.

When it comes to reversing the signs of aging, are these vitamins all they’re cracked up to be?

Get the facts
Laboratory studies and clinical trials have shown the effects these vitamins have on our skin. The results indicate:

Vitamin A

• Increases collagen production
• Increases the thickness of skin, thereby reducing wrinkles
• Slows skin cancer development
• Treat sun-damaged skin, or photoaging

B Vitamins

• Increases collagen production
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• May help reduce sun-induced skin damage

Vitamin C

• Increases collagen production
• Has antioxidant properties that theoretically may protect skin from sun damage

Vitamin D

• Increases the thickness of skin, thereby reducing wrinkles

Vitamin E

• Has antioxidant properties that protect our skin from sun damage – especially if applied prior to sun screen, before going in the sun
• Regulates collagen breakdown

Although vitamins do benefit your skin, they are not nearly as abundant as you may have thought. Clearly, vitamin A offers the best results in the treatment of photoaging. The vitamin A derivative, retinol, is available over-the-counter, and retinoic acid is available with a prescription. Both provide good results, but the best anti-aging regimen involves prescription medication and a trip to the dermatologist. However, vitamin E, when used prior to sunscreen and before exposure to the sun, will also effectively protect you against photoaging.

One ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging and skin cancer. You can have fun in the sun, just be smart about it. Wear sunscreen!