Anti-Aging Skin Care Products

The Anti-Aging Benefits of Vitamin A & Vitamin C Skin Care

The skin’s primary function is to act as a barrier against the environment.  The skin is composed of two layers: the epidermis (outer layer) which provides the barrier function, and the dermis (inner layer) which provides structure, strength, thickness, “plumping,” and elasticity.

But as a person ages, the skin is exposed to a number of factors over time that affect structure, function and appearance. Cellular deterioration due to normal aging causes loss of elasticity which leads to wrinkle formation. And exposure to the sun’s UV rays leads to discoloration, lack of moisture, and accelerates the formation of lines in the skin. Exposure to oxidizing toxins (cigarette smoke, alcohol, etc.), as well as beauty and cleansing products (soaps, make-up, shampoos, etc.) also contributes to cellular breakdown of the skin.

In order for the skin to protect and repair itself from the ravages of age, UV sunlight, and exposure to toxins it needs nutritional support. In this article, the anti-aging skin care experts at Tutera Medical in Scottsdale, AZ explain the “science” behind the importance of vitamin A and vitamin C for fighting the signs of aging and maintaining youthful skin.

Vitamin C Anti-Aging Skin Care

Youthful skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). And it is well-known that vitamin C assists in providing antioxidant protection against UV photodamage to the skin. Several clinical studies have shown that vitamin C levels are lower in aged or photodamaged skin. And clinical research also reports that excessive exposure to UV radiation and oxidant stress from chemicals or pollutants is also associated with depleted vitamin C levels in the epidermal layer [1].

Additionally, vitamin C is a necessary component of stimulating elastin and collagen synthesis. Collagen is the protein “building block” of the skin that gives one’s complexion a thick, smooth texture. And elastin is the protein that gives skin it’s tightness and ability to “snap back.”

Recent research has demonstrated that vitamin C may provide significant protection against skin damage from aging and UV damage, in addition to facilitating regeneration of healthy skin. Medical research has established that vitamin C limits the damage induced by UV exposure – due to its radical-generating process and antioxidant protection. Vitamin C also plays an important role in maintaining the skin’s health and appearance by decreasing melanin synthesis (the development of age spots and other unwanted pigmentation), due to photodamage from the sun.

Skin care research also shows that both dietary and topical delivery of vitamin C deliver these benefits to the skin. [2]

Vitamin A Anti-Aging Skin Care

Vitamin A is also an essential nutrient for maintaining smooth, clear, youthful, glowing skin. Vitamin A helps to speed up healing, with counteracts photodamage from sun exposure. Vitamin A also prevents breakouts, support the skin’s immune system, and it promotes natural hydration.

In fact, Vitamin A was the first vitamin approved by the FDA as an anti-wrinkle agent that smooths the appearance of the skin surface and has anti-aging effects. And there is a great deal of clinical research that supports the effectiveness of topically applied vitamin A for anti-aging benefits. [3]

Most women have heard of “retinol” skin care products. But many don’t realize that retinol is a form of Vitamin A – and the terminology can be a bit confusing.

Vitamin A is a “retinoid” – which is a group of fat-soluble substances. Natural – or first generation – retinoids include: retinol, retinal, tretinoin, isotretinoin. Retinol, retinal and retinoic acid have the same biological features as vitamin A. [3]. Second and third generation retinoids (etretinate, acitretin) are synthetic compounds and are not as effective as Vitamin A derivatives.

Vitamin A and its derivatives are among the most effective substances slowing the aging process. Retinoids regulate new cell production and turnover. Retinoids also offer anti-wrinkle properties by strengthening the protective function of the epidermis, preventing moisture loss, and protecting collagen against degradation. [3]

The boost in collagen and elastin production from Vitamin A (retinoids), as well as the proliferation of new skin cells, can help smooth skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinoids also have strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce clogged pores and decrease acne breakouts.

How to Get Vitamin A & Vitamin C to the Skin

Healthy, youthful skin needs high concentrations of vitamin C & vitamin A, which play many roles in the skin, including the formation of the skin barrier, the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis, hydration, and the ability to counteract photodamage and skin oxidation. [2]

But many people do not get enough vitamin A or vitamin C from their diet, due to processed foods and insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables. The good news is that topical (cream or serum) application of vitamin A and vitamin C have been shown in clinical studies to effectively delivery these essential nutrients directly to the skin, where they are needed.

When it comes to vitamin A skin and vitamin C skin care products, no brand understands the importance and benefits of vitamins A & C better than Environ Skin Care. Dr Des Fernandes, thoroughly researched vitamins A and C – and harnessed their power to create Environ Skin Care products.

Environ Skin Care products are primarily designed to correct the chronic deficiency of vitamins A & C that almost everyone suffers from in the exposed areas of their skin. By replacing vitamins A and C every day (along with other essential nutrients, antioxidants and peptides) skin is healthier, more resilient, younger looking and more beautiful.

Environ Anti-Aging Skin Care | Scottsdale, AZ

In order for the skin to be healthy looking, and functioning optimally, one must replenish essential nutrients that are lost daily. 80% of what the skin needs to be healthy are vitamins A and C.

Environ is one of only a few companies in the world with their own dedicated pharmaceutical grade manufacturing facility. Environ is also Swiss Vitamin Institute Certified, ensuring through a third party that all ingredients are of highest standard and accurate percentages. Environ is a highly exclusive pharmaceutical-grade product line –  sold only through practices like Tutera Medical in Scottsdale, AZ who are medically qualified and Environ trained.

Environ Skin Care Products are available for purchase in Tutera Medical’s Scottsdale & Chandler offices.

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1. NIH National Library of Medicine; The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health; Juliet M. Pullar, Anitra C. Carr, and Margreet C. M. Vissers; 2017 Aug; 9(8): 866.
2. 2. Frontiers in Physiology, Role of Vitamin C in Skin Diseases; Kaiqin Wang1, Hui Jiang1, Wenshuang Li, Mingyue Qiang, Tianxiang Dong and Hongbin Li; 04 July 2018.
3. NIH National Library of Medicine; Postepy Dermatol Alergol. Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments; Malwina Zasada and Elżbieta Budzisz; 2019 Aug; 36(4): 392–397.