The Secret to Healthy, Radiant Skin

As your primary source of health-sustaining vitamin D production, sunshine is one of the single best natural “supplements” around—but that doesn’t mean that more is always better. It’s also true that too much time spent catching rays will ultimately catch up with your health… and that the concern is especially high where your skin is concerned.

For all its benefits in moderation, UV exposure remains the main cause of premature skin aging, ranking above other skin-sapping factors—such as stress, pollution, illness and smoking—as a source of free radicals that can chip away at your skin’s resilience and promote suboptimal immune function. But luckily, boycotting the sun isn’t the only way to keep your skin healthy, radiant and young-looking.

Your first line of defense is a comprehensive blend of carotenoids. Not only do these antioxidant-rich phytonutrients have significant free radical scavenging activity, but they’re also responsible for giving your skin an attractive, rosy glow.¹ What’s more, supplementing with carotenoids—such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene and lycopene—may actively support your skin following UV exposure.² Studies show that ample intake of these nutrients can decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory responses in the skin, while increasing antioxidant activity—resulting in fewer UV-related wrinkles as well as improved skin health overall.^3-11

You’ll find a broad range of carotenoids, along with a host of other health-promoting antioxidants, in CP’s comprehensive daily formula Complete Antioxidant. But while you’re building your skin-saving supplement regimen, don’t forget to stock up on staples like zinc and hyaluronic acid, too.

Research has shown that even with adequate serum zinc levels, zinc levels on your skin may still be reduced—resulting in a number of skin reactions such as dryness, rashes, itching or bumps.¹² What’s more, studies indicate that supplementing with this essential mineral can help to clear your complexion and keep inflammatory responses—as well as levels of natural skin-bound bacteria—inbalance.^13-15

Hyaluronic acid (HA), on the other hand, is a naturally occurring component of your skin responsible for tissue repair and skin hydration. UV exposure and plain old aging can deplete your natural production of HA.^16-17 Supplementation with this critical compound may help to stave off changes like dryness, thinning and sagging—leading to a smooth, firm, well-moisturized complexion.

You can boost your skin’s hyaluronic acid concentrations using an oral form (HA Lozenges) and/or a topical form (Hyaluronic Acid Serum), both available from Complementary Prescriptions®.

References:

1. Stephen ID, Law Smith MJ, Stirrat MR, et al. Facial Skin Coloration Affects Perceived Health of Human Faces. Int J Primatol. 2009 Dec;30(6):845-57.

2. Lee EH, Faulhaber D, Hanson KM, et al. Dietary lutein reduces ultraviolet radiation-induced inflammation and immunosuppression. J Invest Dermatol. 2004 Feb;122(2):510-7.

3. Palombo P, Fabrizi G, Ruocco V, et al. Beneficial long-term effects of combined oral/topical antioxidant treatment with the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin on human skin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2007;20(4):199-210.

4. Lademann J, Meinke MC, Sterry W, et al. Carotenoids in human skin. Exp Dermatol. 2011 May;20(5):377-82.

5. Cho S, Lee DH, Won CH, et al. Differential effects of low-dose and high-dose beta-carotene supplementation on the signs of photoaging and type I procollagen gene expression in human skin in vivo. Dermatology. 2010;221(2):160-71.

6. Heinrich U, Tronnier H, Stahl W, et al. Antioxidant supplements improve parameters related to skin structure in humans. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;19(4):224-31.

7. González S, Astner S, An W, et al. Dietary lutein/zeaxanthin decreases ultraviolet B-induced epidermal hyperproliferation and acute inflammation in hairless mice. J Invest Dermatol. 2003 Aug;121(2):399-405.

8. Heinrich U, Gartner C, Wiebusch M, et al. Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema. J Nutr. 2003 Jan;133(1):98-101.

9. Kopcke W, Krutmann J. Protection from sunburn with beta-Carotene--a meta-analysis. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Mar-Apr;84(2):284-8.

10. Astner S, Wu A, Chen J, et al. Dietary lutein/zeaxanthin partially reduces photoaging and photocarcinogenesis in chronically UVB-irradiated Skh-1 hairless mice. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2007;20(6):283-91.

11. Wertz K, Hunziker PB, Seifert N, et al. beta-Carotene interferes with ultraviolet light A-induced gene expression by multiple pathways. J Invest Dermatol. 2005 Feb;124(2):428-34.

12. Michaelsson G, Ljunghall K. Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, acne, psoriasis and Darier’s disease have low epidermal zinc concentrations. Acta Derm Venereol. 1990;70(4):304-8.

13. Dreno B, Moyse D, Alirezai M, et al. Multicenter randomized comparative double-blind controlled clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of zinc gluconate versus minocycline hydrochloride in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Dermatology. 2001;203(2):135-40.

14. Dreno B, Foulc P, Reynaud A, et al. Effect of zinc gluconate on propionibacterium acnes resistance to erythromycin in patients with inflammatory acne: in vitro and in vivo study. Eur J Dermatol. 2005 May-Jun;15(3):152-5.

15. Yamaoka J, Kume T, Akaike A, et al. Suppressive effect of zinc ion on iNOS expression induced by interferon-gamma or tumor necrosis factor-alpha in murine keratinocytes. J Dermatol Sci. 2000 May;23(1):27-35.

16. Averbeck M, Gebhardt CA, Voigt S, et al. Differential regulation of hyaluronan metabolism in the epidermal and dermal compartments of human skin by UVB irradiation. J Invest Dermatol. 2007 Mar;127(3):687-97.

17. Meyer LJ, Stern R. Age-dependent changes of hyaluronan in human skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1994;102:385-9.