May Skin Care in Focus

The Power of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a great ingredient for many skin types. It’s a wonderful antioxidant to help combat the damage of UV rays and free radicals. Vitamin C also plays a key role in collagen production and repairing tissue. The Aestheticians at Osmosis love using our certified organic MultiVita Serum from Phyt’s, a potent aqueous cocktail of vitamins and minerals to repair and firm skin. Here is a little background to understand the benefits of antioxidants like vitamin C and how they can improve your skin.

Going back to basic chemistry, all atoms have a set number of electrons in their outer ‘shell’. Atoms are considered stable, or inert, when the proper number of electrons is present. Free radicals are missing one or more electrons in the outer layer. A small amount of free radicals are normally present in nature and our bodies. Unfortunately, pollution and increased UV exposure from a weakened ozone layer have significantly elevated the occurrence of free radicals. Free radicals are searching to 'steal' an electron from another atom, causing a chain reaction of degradation in cells and tissues. This is a major cause of sun damage, premature aging and diseases like cancer and diabetes.

Antioxidants can neutralize a free radical by 'donating' an extra electron, thus ending the destructive chain reaction. The most common antioxidants are vitamins A and C which are easily processed by our bodies. Vitamin C is especially effective at stabilizing free radicals caused by pollution and smoking, and it helps maintain vitamin E in an active form- these vitamins work even better together! The drawback with vitamin C is that it breaks down easily, losing its effectiveness, and is difficult to deliver to the deeper layers of the skin. Many vitamin C creams and serums sold in large stores have been around long enough (from manufacturing, shipping, storage, then finally placed on the shelf) that the vitamin C is minimally effective or even rancid! The way vitamin C is formulated and packaged makes a huge difference in its effectiveness.

Vitamin C also helps reduce the formation of free radicals by preventing the oxidation of water soluble molecules and fats which can deteriorate the skin on a cellular level and decrease the flexibility of collagen and elastin fibers. Since vitamin C is vital for healthy collagen fibers, it also supports the body to encourage healing to injured or aging tissues. One of our favorite products is Phyt's MultiVita Serum, rich in vitamins A,C, and E and the minerals potassium and magnesium. It also packs a full 21 amino acid to strengthen the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. Designed to be used morning and night before your moisturizer, this water-based serum will help lift and firm the skin and give you a healthy dose of antioxidants to help protect throughout the day and repair UV exposure while you sleep. This vitamin C serum comes hermetically sealed in glass ampoules so the antioxidants are as fresh and as active as the day it was made. When you crack it open, you’ll notice an amazing aroma of fresh organic acerola fruit extract which is full of vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 along with carotenoids and bioflavonoids.

The article Something New Under the Sun, by Mary Rose Almasi, states that if free radicals are “left unchecked they can cause inflammation in the body which over time may harm DNA and lead to skin and other cancers.” With the arrival of summer and increased sun exposure, we recommend boosting your skin care regimen with vitamin C to help protect your skin from premature aging. The MultiVita Serum is a key player in our anti-aging Zen Harmony Facial. We also now offer the MultiVita Serum as an Enhancement to any of our other facials for $20 to get a therapeutic level of application – 4 times the amount you would use at home! Because this is a water-based serum, this is a great addition for younger or oily skin types as well as mature or dry.

During the month of May we are pleased to offer the MultiVita Serum at 10% off in our boutique and $10 off the Facial Enhancement. Call our Reservations desk at (707) 823-8231 to book your favorite facial with our potent Vitamin C Serum Enhancement for the ultimate pre-summer skin care experience.

Sources:

Hass M.D., Elson. Staying Healthy with Nutrition.Celestial Arts 1992

Whole Living: July/August 2010. Something New Under the Sun, Mary Rose Almasi, p. 52

"Sunblock", UCSF School of Medicine,
 www.dermatology.ucsf.edu/skincancer/General/prevention/Sunscreen.aspx

"UV Information", Skin Cancer Foundation, www.skincancer.org/understanding-uva-and-uvb.html