Experts agree that eating a well balanced diet is essential for healthy skin. Despite the best of intentions, many of us don`t always consume the healthiest foods. And even if we do -the processes of harvesting, packaging, storing, and heating robs fruits and vegetables of much of their essential nutrients. To keep skin is nourished from the inside out, you need the right supplements and topical antioxidants.

Free Radicals and Your Skin
It can`t be overemphasized: free-radical damage is bad for the skin. It causes the support structures to break down, diminishing elasticity and eventually causing wrinkles and sagging. The presence of antioxidants (such as Vitamins A, C and E) in our diet, as supplementation, and in topical skincare products, helps lessen the damage.

A Good Diet Isn`t Enough
The ideal diet includes a good balance of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (like olive oil, fish, flaxseed). However, once eaten, a variety of factors can impair their rate of absorption. For example, medications like antibiotics, birth control pills and antacids cause vitamins and minerals to absorb at a much lower rate. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements - while not a substitute for a good diet - ensures that our daily nutritional needs are being met. For skin rejuvenation, it`s important to boost with extra doses of antioxidants.

How Topical Vitamins Work
In addition to internally nourishing your skin and cells internally, you can deliver antioxidants to your skin via topical preparations. Many sophisticated and potent forms of antioxidant serums and concentrates are available. Based on current research, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and polyphenols are the most effective topical ingredients available without a prescription.

Vitamin C: The Multi-Tasker
Our bodies can`t create Vitamin C and there`s a limit to how much we can absorb from food and supplements. However, when applied directly to the skin, we are able to absorb and retain much more of this potent antioxidant. Vitamin C fights free radical damage, promotes collagen growth and helps reverse sun damage. When formulated with Vitamin E, its antioxidant properties are greatly enhanced - even boosting the efficacy of sunscreen!

Vitamin E: The Helper
Vitamin E works synergistically with Vitamin C to protect the epidermis from the early stages of UV damage. On its own, Vitamin E helps to reduce the severity of sunburn and protects the skin`s lipid balance during cleansing or exfoliating. Because Vitamin E is fat soluble, the skin absorbs and maintains topical Vitamin E, making it effective between applications.

Polyphenols Protect Against Inflammation
Polyphenols are plant-derived substances with antioxidant properties. Also called flavonoids, polyphenols used in skincare include green tea, grape seed extract, and pomegranate. While the jury is still out on whether polyphenols can reverse sun damage, studies show that they play a role in reducing inflammation, and therefore, help repel early signs of skin aging.

The Role of Retinoids
Retinoids (synthetic Vitamin A) like Retin-A or Renova are powerful anti-aging products. Studies show that when delivered through the skin, Retinoids have positive measurable effects at the cellular level. However, they aren`t for everyone. Drawbacks include:

·          Only available by prescription.

·          Can cause major photosensitivity.

·          Irritation and sensitivity - Retinoids are unsuitable for reactive skin types or pregnant/nursing women.

Recipe for Glowing Skin and Optimum Health
Follow these steps for skin that`s beautiful on the outside and well nourished on the inside:

·          Do the best you can with your diet, given your lifestyle. Aim for a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables, fish and lean protein. Keep sugar and processed foods to a minimum.

·          Take a high-quality multivitamin every day.

·          Boost skin benefits with extra antioxidant supplements, B-complex vitamins, and minerals like calcium, selenium and zinc.

·          Consume anti-inflammatory essential fatty acid supplements like fish oil, flaxseed oil, or evening primrose oil.

·          Feed your skin topically with a stable Vitamin C serum that also contains Vitamin E or Ferulic acid.

·          Consider using a serum or lotion that lists concentrated extracts of green tea or grape seed extract as ingredients.

·          Substitute coffee and soda for green tea.

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