ANHYDRA PURE VITAMIN C 20% +MSM+HA.
Face and Body Cream
STRENTGHENING AND BRIGHTENING CREAM
The highest concentration of Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid, available in the market (20% L-Ascorbic Acid + 10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) is now available in a waterless formula (ensuring that the formula stays clear and potent). Enhanced with sustainable organic olive-derived Squalene and Vitamin E for more intense brightening and rejuvenation.
This daily formula enhances radiance and protects against photoaging damage and pollutants while promoting brighter, firmer skin. Pharmacist-formulated with unique key ingredients of the highest quality and proven efficacy to greatly improve the durability and appearance of your skin.
HOW TO APPLY
After facial cleansing, apply 2-4 pumps of VitaLife Formulas Vitamin C Perfecting Cream to any area of the body where skin tone or bruising is present. Perform this application morning and night prior to applying any other creams or lotions.
Use of Topical Ascorbic Acid and
Its Effects on Photodamaged Skin Topography
Chronic Insults to the skin such as those caused by UV light, ozone, cigarette smoke, pollutants, and other natural and synthetic environmental stimuli lead to cumulative damage and can result in photoaging and “heliodermatitis.”1 Chronic UV sun exposure leads to clinical changes in the skin such as laxity/tone, roughness, dryness, sallowness/yellowing, pigmentation, telangiectasia, and wrinkles.2 Reactive oxygen species such as free radicals unquestionably produce oxidative damage in skin. Ultraviolet light contributes directly to photodamage, not only by generating reactive oxygen species but also by depressing antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are necessary for neutralizing reactive oxygen molecular species. Ascorbic acid has been shown to have antioxidant effects as well as a role in collagen production.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
PROCEDURES
Twenty-eight healthy volunteers were enrolled in this 3-month, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study. Coded, unmarked treatment preparations were randomly as signed to the left and right sides of each subject’s face: one containing the active agent, topical ascorbic acid (Cellex-C high-potency serum; Cellex-C International, Toronto, Ontario), and the other, the vehicle serum (Cellex-C International). The primary composition of the active and vehicle serums in this study included L-ascorbic acid, tyrosine, and zinc (active); and bioflavonoid, hyaluronic acid, and water base (vehicle), respectively. These formulations were matched for color, feel, and pH. Three drops (0.5 ml) of each formulation were applied daily over the randomly assigned hemifaces for 3 months. Treatment assignments were not disclosed to subjects, clinicians, or personnel involved in analyzing the skin replicas. Treatment bottles containing 3.7 mL of serum were given to the patients, and bottle counts were recorded to evaluate appropriate patient compliance. Sequential clinical analysis and patient questionnaires were performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. In addition, optical profilometry measurements of silicone rubber casts33 were taken from identical sites at the lateral canthal (crow’s feet) areas. Standard photographs were taken at baseline and at the end of the study (3 months).
The specific clinical parameters evaluated were fine wrinkling, tactile roughness, visual dryness, coarse rhytids, telangiectasia, laxity/tone, pigmentation, keratoses, and sallowness/yellowing. Each of these parameters was graded on a 0- to 9-point scale (0, none;1-3, mild; 4-6, moderate; and 7-9,severe). Reference photographs were used to standardize grading criteria. Overall investigator scores were compared with baseline and graded as excellent (much improved), good (improved), fair (slightly improved), no change, or worse. Patient self-appraisal questionnaires rated the degree of improvement (much improved, improved, slightly improved, no change, or worse) and reported ad verse effects (burning, stinging, redness, peeling, dryness, discoloration, itching, and rash).Standard photographs were taken at baseline, including anteroposterior and left and right oblique views to facilitate subsequent clinical evaluations, and at the end of therapy for comparison. Optical profilometry analysis was performed on skin surface replicas of the crow’s feet region, comparing baseline with end of-study specimens.
Silicone skin surface replicas were taken from the periorbital crow’s feet region at identical sites bilaterally by the same technician.
The periorbital region was cleansed with alcohol before application of the adhesive rings and silicone impression material (Silfo; CuDerm Corporation, Dallas, TX). Precise application of the adhesive replica locating rings was aided with caliper measurements to ensure consistent distances from reference points of the lateral orbital canthus and superior auricular tragus. This, as well as use of reference close-up Polaroid photographs with adhesive rings properly placed for each subject, facilitated relocating these sites for subsequent end-of-study comparison samples. The center hole of the adhesive rings was placed in the area of interest with the orientation of the ring tab facing out ward, toward the ear. With the patient in a supine position, a thin layer of Silfo silicone impression material was applied over the bounded area of the ring and allowed to polymerize over a 3- to 4-minute period, after which the ring was lifted from the skin together with the replica. Each specimen was labeled with the date and patient’s identity.
Reactive oxygen species such as free radicals unquestionably produce oxidative damage in skin. Ultraviolet light contributes directly to photodamage, not only by generating reactive oxygen species but also by depressing antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are necessary for neutralizing reactive oxygen molecular species. Ascorbic acid has been shown to have antioxidant effects as well as a role in collagen protection and production.
It has been proposed that ascorbate influences quantitative collagen synthesis in addition to stimulating qualitative changes to the collagen molecule. Ascorbic acid is necessary for the formation of prolyl hydroxylase, an enzyme essential for producing a stable collagen molecule. In addition, ascorbic acid is necessary to form lysyl hydroxylase, an enzyme necessary for cross-linking one collagen molecule to another, providing tissue strength. Free radicals or reactive oxygen species created from endogenous (physiologic) sources such as mitochondrial electron transport chains and exogenous sources
such as UV light exert an “oxidative stress” on the skin, which damages the DNA and/or protein. Ascorbate is the main water-soluble, nonenzymatic antioxidant. Ascorbic acid interacts with a variety of free radicals intracellularly and extracellularly and is one of the most efficient antioxidants in aqueous compartments.
Humans are one of the few species that require dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid for survival; our bodies do not produce this necessary vitamin. Without ingestion, ascorbic acid would be mostly depleted after 3 weeks. The minimum daily requirement for ascorbic acid is 200 mg. Unfortunately, UV light exposure depletes up to two thirds of cutaneous ascorbic acid stores, and oral ingestion is ineffective in achieving adequate cutaneous replenishment. Cutaneous levels not obtainable by ingestion, however, can be reached with topical application. A unique formulation of topical ascorbic acid consisting of L-ascorbate, tyrosine, and zinc has been shown to provide more than 20 times the amount of ascorbic acid found in normal skin. Ascorbic acid stereoisomers D-ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid exist, but the body can use only the L-ascorbic acid form.
Ascorbic acid is notoriously difficult to stabilize, and this has precluded its use as a general topical cosmetic ingredient, until now, as we (Specialty Formulations) have perfected a method of stabilization of L-ascorbic acid. This allowed pharmacological levels of ascorbic acid to penetrate directly into the skin by topical application and to effect antioxidant and collagen stimulation. Zinc is necessary in this process.
Steven S. Traikovich, DO
