Is Vitamin A effective an Anti-Ageing ingredient?

Vitamin A is a term for the many related compounds which are also known as retinoids. The vitamin A family is almost as extensive as a big Greek wedding. It includes retinol, retinal or retin-A, retinoids and naturally occurring vitamin A. 

Vitamin A and its derivatives are one of the most misunderstood and controversial ingredients. It's implicated in liver toxicity, birth defects and cancer. On the flip side, vitamin A is touted as a miracle skincare ingredient that you shouldn't be without. Whilst vitamin A is essential to our health and well-being, too much of anything can cause issues.  

What makes vitamin a so effective as an anti-ageing ingredient? 

Vitamin A and its derivatives are known as the gold standard when it comes to incredible skin rejuvenating ingredients. They have more anti-aging skin benefits than just about any other compound. Dependent on the strength and formulation, retinoids work through the mechanism of inhibiting the enzymes that break down collagen and increase cellular turnover, resulting in a softening of fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin A can also work to fight acne by dissolving surface oil and diminishing pores, as well as evening out the skin tone by fading dark spots and reducing pigmentation. In short, vitamin A in the correct dosage and formulation, can give you a rosy, glowing complexion.

BETA-CAROTENE OR PROVITAMIN A

Provitamins or natural precursors of vitamin A include alpha carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. They are a precursor to vitamin A, which means it converts to vitamin A in the body. 

The retinoic acid slow-releases as the retinol in the formula is converted into retinoic acid within the skin. Beta-carotene is known to combat and prevent skin disorders like acne, eczema and psoriasis. It can protect against melasma by affecting the production of skin pigment. It’s a powerful antioxidant and can also protect against sun damage and assist with wound healing, as well as soothing dry and flaky skin. 

RETINAL (RETINALDEHYDE)

Retinal or retinaldehyde is the aldehyde form of vitamin A and is purported to be the most effective for your skin. It’s the transitional form of A and is created in the conversion of retinol to retinoid or retinoic acid.  It can assist with minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s less commonly used in skincare formulations, as this form can be irritating even at very low doses. It should be using sparingly and slowly introduced into your night time routine.

For more consultation and information related to skincare you may contact KEMPS Skin Clinic, Vaishali Sec.-4 , Ghaziabad.

How to Choose the Right Face Serums for Your skin

Face serums are used as potent enhancements In skin care. These products are formulated with greater amounts of active ingredients and because they are generally lighter than your traditional face creams, they can penetrate your skin deeper to truly make a difference. These are applied daily as the last step before moisturizing your skin, these products are versatile and can be used in various ways:

it may be  added to moisturizers, night creams, and masks to enhance their potency, used as a spot treatment for problem areas or utilized as a standalone hydrating gel for oily skin. With continued use, serums offer visible results that may not be realized with most creams and lotions alone. Crafted to target common skin concerns, here are some of our top face serums to try. 

FOR FINE LINES, WRINKLES & SAGGING: The best anti-aging face serums out there feature ingredients that speed up cell turnover and improve your skin’s elasticity. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, help fight free-radical damage that leads to premature aging. Some also offer skin-firming benefits, making lines and pores less visible.

Serum used: Anti-Aging Serums

Key Ingredients: Retinol, antioxidants, peptides and stem cells

FOR DARK SPOTS AND LARGE PORES: Enhanced by ingredients like aloe, lemongrass, and licorice, a radiance-boosting serum gives you a more even complexion while reducing the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. And when used daily, a multipurpose lactic acid treatment gives you smoother, more radiant skin, so get ready to receive endlessly compliments.

Serum used: radiance-boosting Serums

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, licorice, lemongrass and aloe vera

FOR DRY SKIN: Hydrating serums offer a two-pronged approach to restoring your skin’s moisture level. First, they repair your skin barrier to prevent moisture loss. Then they bind and seal moisture to your skin. Use this to boost the effects of your moisturizer, or try it alone if you have oily skin.

Serum used: Hydrating Serums

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids, ceramides and niacinamide

FOR REDNESS-PRONE SKIN: Designed to reduce redness, itch and burning sensations usually associated with reactive or intolerant skin, calming serums are generally mild, formulated with antiseptic botanicals and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Also made without potential irritants.

Serum used: Calming Serums

Key Ingredients: Herbal extracts, chamomile, aloe and calendula

FOR LOSS OF FIRMNESS: For skin that’s lost its resilience, reach for a collagen-boosting serum that features the restorative properties of peptides. Known for its ability to refine tone and texture, peptides also improve firmness and elasticity, unveiling a revitalized complexion.

Serum used: collagen-boosting Serum

Key Ingredients: Peptides, human growth factors, sodium hyaluronate and glutamine

 FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION: Depending on the active ingredient, brightening serums work by either inhibiting some steps along the melanin pathway (different ingredients inhibit different steps along the pathway, not just production) or by accelerating cell renewal, improving skin tone and texture and illuminating a dull complexion.

The serum used: Brightening Serums

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract and alpha hydroxy acids

For more skin related issue you may contact at KEMPS Skin Clinic, Vaishali Sec-4, Ghaziabad. Book a prior appointment for a better experience.

Why Vitamin “C” is important for aging skin?

Vitamin C is a vital and multi-functional ingredient for glowing skin and a radiant complexion. It can assist in helping the skin’s ability to heal itself and minimise scar formation. Normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, which supports collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection.

As we age, our levels of vitamin C and collagen production decrease. So, if you’ve been on the fence about this key ingredient, here are five very important reasons why it should be included in your skincare routine:  

1. Best antioxidant:  Antioxidants are substances that have the capability to provide protection against oxidative stresses by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. I like to think of them as the relative you try to avoid at a family gatherings but you just can’t escape them, they follow you around until they have you cornered. Because of their instability, they can damage other molecules found within our cells like proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. 

Free radicals are generated through our metabolic processes and accelerate as we age and our defence mechanisms decrease. They're also generated when our skin is exposed to UV radiation, toxins and pollution which leads to accelerated ageing as our cellular structures become more prone to damage.
This is where Vitamin C saves the day. It works in two different ways to counteract the damaging effect of free radicals: As an effective scavenger, it provides electrons to neutralise free radicals and it regenerates vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels in the skin.

2. Its promotes collagen synthesis:  Collagen and elastin are the primary structural proteins of the dermis that provide strength, support. and elasticity. As we age, collagen and elastin production begin to slow down leading to the first visible signs of skin aging and wrinkle formation. Vitamin C assists in promoting and influencing collagen synthesis as well as creating changes in the collagen molecule aiding the overall appearance and suppleness of the skin. It has the ability in reducing fine lines and wrinkles leaving you with naturally youthful appearing skin.

3. Reduce photo damage : Vitamin C can also reduce photo damage due to its ability to regulate collagen synthesis. On its own, Vitamin C is not a sunscreen. It doesn’t absorb light in the UVA and the UVB spectrum in the same way as a sunscreen can, but it can assist in limiting the damage induced by UVA and UVB rays of the sun due to its antioxidant function. 

Topically-applied combinations of vitamin C and vitamin E are more effective in preventing photo damage when they are combined in a formulation. Our Vital C Elixir also contains a specific extract derived from Knotgrass that works on protection from IR (infrared) damage from the sun. 

4. Anti Pigmenting agent: Vitamin C helps reduce skin discoloration and pigmentation. It’s able to target stubborn skin discolorations like redness, hyperpigmentation, and under-eye circles. Vitamin C helps to brighten the complexion making your skin appear more radiant and healthy.

As we age, our skin is characterized by hyperpigmentation or age spots where the skin appears darker in colour in comparison with the normal surrounding skin. This occurs when an excess of melanin forms deposits in the skin. They are most frequently found on the backs of the hands and the face.
Topically-applied vitamin C has the cosmetic effect of fading of dark spots and brightening the skin. When combined with liquorice root, it has an even greater effect on reducing the visible signs of hyperpigmentation.

For more skin related query you may contact KEMPS Skin Clinic, Vaishali, Sec-4 Ghaziabad where you find the solution for your all skin care needs.

What is Collagen and why it’s important for skin?

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein found in our bodies and our skin. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It is the major component of connective tissues that make up several body parts, including tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. Collagen has many important functions, including providing your skin with structure and strengthening your bones  It’s literally the glue that holds us together. It acts as the foundation for your bones, teeth, muscles, skin, and pretty much all other connective tissues. Collagen makes up more than one-third of your total protein and works to firm your skin and strengthen your bones.

Collagen is rich in the amino acids or building blocks otherwise known as - glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline - that help your body to make new collagen. There are at least 28 different types of collagen but types I, II, and III form around 80-90% of the collagen found in your body. 

Types I and III - provide structure to your skin, muscles and ligaments.

Type II - is found in cartilage and the eyes.  

The type of collagen that keeps you looking youthful is found in the middle layer (dermis) and makes up nearly 80% of your skin. It works together with elastin to strengthen the skin and help it snap back into place when stretched. Think of it like a tightly coiled spring mattress that gets saggy with age and use.

WHY DO YOU NEED COLLAGEN?

Your body naturally produces collagen every day but as we age, collagen production gradually slows down. At around 25, the enzyme collagenase that’s found in your skin, breaks down collagen faster than you can make it. Every year thereafter, you start losing between 1-2% of your collagen. By the time you reach your 40's, you've lost 30% of your collagen supply. If you were to view your skin under a microscope you would see the fragmentation of the collagen network in the dermis - aka lines and wrinkles.

There are also other extrinsic and intrinsic factors at work that contribute to skin aging- ultraviolet (UV) rays from sun exposure, smoking and cross-link glycation from sugar and inflammation. These all activate enzymes that degrade your collagen fibers.

WHY YOUR SKIN NEED COLLAGEN?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, tasked with holding your entire body together, much like glue. You find it in the connective tissue in your skin, hair, joints, bones, muscles and more. Collagen is one of those rare things that really can help you age backward. All those pricey anti-aging treatments at your dermatologist’s office, like lasers and ultrasounds, work by stimulating collagen. It makes up nearly 80 percent of your skin, found in the middle layer called the dermis. Collagen works together with another protein called elastin to strengthen the skin and help it snap back into place when stretched.  

Other factors working against you? Sun exposure and smoking. Ultraviolet (UV) light and tobacco smoke activate enzymes that degrade collagen fibers.

 “These chew up the collagen and the elastic tissue, and as a result that can cause some sagging and some age-related damage,” says by Dr. Manju keshri, Senior Dermatologist KEMPS skin clinic.

For more detail you may contact KEMPS Skin clinic and book prior appointment for better consultation related to skin care.