BeautyFresh Blog

Beauty Ideas, Tips, Reviews & Hints

Understanding Vitamin A

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Vitamin A’s vital role in the skin is central to the IIAA skincare philosophy, particularly in Advanced Nutrition Programme products. Recently IIAA have received several questions on exactly how and why vitamin A has such powerful skin benefits. To answer these questions, IIAA asked their experts to explain the science behind the so-called ‘skin vitamin’.

Dr Des Fernandes, founder at IIAA

“Every skin cell naturally contains about 91% retinyl esters (mainly retinyl palmitate (3% retinol and 3% retinal and 3% retinoic acid. The only form that makes any change to skin is retinoic acid that acts on the DNA through various receptors. Every molecule of retinoic acid was in the beginning retinyl palmitate / ester. That is the natural pathway – Retinyl Palmitate to Retinol to Retinal and finally to retinoic Acid.

The body carefully controls the levels of the various steps. If there is too much retinol it is converted into retinyl esters, if there is too much retinal, it is converted to retinol to be converted to retinyl esters. There is no limit to the size of the retinyl ester stores. The higher they are, the less likely it is to develop a skin cancer. You cannot build up your ‘store’ of retinol because it is changed to the ester form to keep the retinol at physiologically safe levels.

Whichever vitamin A you put on the skin gets converted to retinyl esters. Every single molecule of vitamin A can only become a single molecule of retinoic acids and that is what works.

The important message is that no matter what form of vitamin A you use, they all go through the same process and provided that they are not retinoic acid, they will be converted to retinyl esters. The higher the storage state is of Retinyl esters, the more retinoic acid we make eventually.

Vitamin A is a most precious molecule and the body controls it exceptionally carefully. Most skins are damaged by light and lose their storage forms of vitamin A. there is less change to the levels of retinol / retinal, but this all ends up with less activity of retinoic acid. Once the stores are filled, the cell starts to work normally again, cancers become less likely etc. However, depleted skin must be slowly re-introduced to good levels of vitamin A. That’s why Start Low – Go Slow”.

Dr Gaby Prinsloo, Medical Director for IIAA

“Vitamin A regulated DNA activity and metabolic process in numerous cells in the skin, and it is essential for normal cellular function. It also aids in DNA repair.

It regulates many genes controlling the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes. This leads to a thicker epidermis, a compact stratum corneum and a smooth skin surface. It controls melanin production in the melanocytes and ensures an equal distribution of melanin leading to even pigmentation.

Vitamin A also acts on fibroblasts, stimulating collagen producing genes to increase the production of healthy collagen, improving the quality of healthy collagen, improving the quality of elastin produced and increasing the secretion of high quality hyaluronic acid (HLA). This restores dermal papillae, improves skin elasticity, decreases wrinkles and sagging and increases hydration of skin. Vitamin A decreases the degradation of collagen by decreasing the production of, and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that can break down proteins).

Vitamin A acts on sebaceous glands, normalising oil production. It improves the immune system in the skin as well as the blood supply to the skin. Finally, retinal esters act as chromophores absorbing and providing some protection against UVB rays.

In addition to the benefits in skin, vitamin A is essential for general body health. It regulates gene transcription leading to healthy growth and development of numerous tissues throughout the body. It is essential for the optimal functioning of the immune system and is crucial to the formation of rhodopsin (visual purple) in the retina which is needed to see in low light.

Physiologically, topical vitamin A and oral vitamin A have the same effect on the skin, but reach it in different ways.

It’s always good to use both oral and topical vitamin a to ensure that we are getting maximal availability of vitamin A in the skin. Topical vitamin A fortifies the skin from the outside, while oral vitamin A feeds from the inside, reaching the deepest layers of the skin, all our skin and it feeds the skin 24 hours a day.”

<< Purchase your Vitamin A today from Beauty Fresh >>

60 capsules

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Vit A+ (60 capsules) – Beauty Fresh

120 capsules

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Vit A+ (120 Capsules) – Beauty Fresh

Super Cleansers

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Crystal Clear #SuperCleansers

Your skincare routine can only ever be as good as the canvas you create to apply it. Crystal Clear have included some exciting actives in their range such as Matrixyl 3000 hailed as the wonder skin rejuvenation ingredient along with vitamins, minerals and crushed precious Ruby.

 

BESTSELLER Soothing Cleansing Gel

25ml and 200ml

Cucumber extract moisturises and soothes, Mineral salts and amino acids revitalise and rebalance while vitamin C and vitamin B are emollient, soothing and hydrating.

  • Perfect for all skin types, especially problematic skin.
  • Concentrated soap free foaming cleanser.
  • Removes even the heaviest of makeup while deep cleansing pores.

 

Wipe Away the Years

25ml and 200ml

Crystal Clear believe that even cleansers need to include active anti-ageing ingredients, which is why they have included Matrixyl 3000 a super peptide in Wipe Away the Years creamy cleanser. Hailed as the wonder anti-ageing ingredient, it provides skin rejuvenation benefits while you are cleansing.

 

Deep Cleanse Gel

25ml and 200ml

Perfect for when you like to feel a good old-fashioned deep cleanse and water combination. Now you can Super cleanse and rebalance your skin with Crystal Clear’ refreshing soap free concentrated Deep Cleansing Gel. Actives such as crushed precious Ruby, Salicylic Acid, Matrixyl and Oxygen Complex leaves the skin with a beautiful super cleansed dewy glow.

Miracle Moisturisers & Serums

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Crystal Clear have created a highly effective range of clinical strength moisturisers that are used within the professional clinic and salon treatments but also clients can continue that professional led treatment approach at home. Available in many different formulations such as serums, gels, creams, oils and moisturisers are absolutely an essential defense against skin dehydration.

 

BESTSELLER No Shine Serum

50ml

Take control of the shine

Crystal Clear mattifying moisturiser provides an effective solution for oily and problem skin. Packed with active ingredients including precious stone Tourmalia to take the shine off oily or problematic skin. This mattifying moisturiser is the perfect daytime moisturiser offering potent triple action relief.

 

YOUR #NOFILTERPOWERSERUM

Pharma Grade Hyaluronic Serum

30ml

 

For when you need a second skin

If you are looking for an instant beauty fix while providing the skin with intense hydration look no further as Crystal Clear’s latest serum on the block achieves results in literally 30 seconds, but not to be mistaken with products that create a glue effect Crystal Clear pure hyaluronic works in several ways. Crystal Clear use a combination of high molecular weight and low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid in the serum which acts like a magnet to the skin. This provides the skin with an instant burst of hydration and moisture-binding power from the high molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid to instantly plump and provide a firming effect. While the low molecular weight can penetrate deep into skin and bind moisture.

 

Skin Repair

25ml, 60ml & 120ml

Crystal Clear Skin Repair moisturiser is one the salon’s firm favourites and is a huge seller. Perfect for both the ladies and the gents this multitasking formula is designed to act as an all-round moisturiser and offers immediate hydration and lasting results, this non-greasy formula is the product of choice for all skin types and ages.

 

  • Clinically proven to restructure the skin.
  • Suitable for all skin types.

Intense Anti-Ageing Moisturiser

25ml & 50ml

Crystal Clear Anti Ageing Moisturiser is like a shot of botox to the skin and delivers an instant hydration hit. Suitable for all skin types especially dry, dehydrated and mature skin. This lightweight but intensive moisturiser, is a perfect choice for skin that needs that little bit more. Packed full of high percentage anti-ageing ingredients such as Matrixyl 3000, Bio-peptides and Synake, hailed as ‘Botox in a bottle’.

 

Protect & Repair SPF40

25ml & 100ml

Crystal Clear Protect & Repair includes highly efficient sunscreens and offers both UVA 20 and
UVB 40 SPF protection. It also contains anti-ageing actives to not only protect but also hydrate. Vitamin E offers excellent anti-oxidant properties while Lupine Extract and Thermus Thermophilis help prevent sunburn, dehydration and ageing. Its photostability offers long-lasting skin protection too.

 

Skin Brightening Complex

25ml, 60ml & 120ml

Skin Brightening Complex is Crystal Clear’s salon professional product and is a clinically proven treatment-based product to treat skin that has lost its radiance or is exhibiting uneven skin tone, sun-damage, age spots, excessive skin pigmentation marks or acne prone skin. Suitable for all skin types and colours.

 

In its clinical trials after one month of use that skin becomes brighter more radiant with excessive pigmented areas diminishing. The skin becomes more homogeneous, brighter and radiant.

 

Rewind 10 Super Charged Face & Neck Moisturiser

60ml

As we age our skin isn’t as resilient to time as we’d like it to be. As the years pass, we lose some of the ‘bounce’ from our skin. The ability to snap back and look fresh and glowing after a long night isn’t the only thing that wanes. Unfortunately, with ageing comes the near inevitability of wrinkles, fine lines and hyper-pigmentation hormonal fluctuations, combine this with any additional sun damage we have, and our age is often betrayed on our faces.

 

Illuminate

25ml & 50ml

Radiance treatment for bright, dewy skin.

Crystal Clear believe that everyone has it within them to shine, which is why they have created one unique formula that solves a wide range of skin problems, to leave you looking youthful and radiant whatever your skin type.

Illuminate Daily Radiance makes the ideal illuminating treatment product as it contains radiance-renewing light reflective particles that instantly wake up the skin and create the perfect base for long-lasting luminous make-up while getting to work on brightening and hydrating the skin.

Matis NEW gift set especially designed for sensitive and reactive skin

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Matis Reponse Delicate Sensibiotic Coffret Set with FULL SIZE free moisturiser

Skincare that works with the skin’s microbiome is one of the biggest beauty trends today, and there is ongoing research on how to use the skin’s microbiome to optimise the efficiency of our skincare products.

The skin’s microbiome is a community of organisms that live on the skin and work as its defence system. Working alongside the skin’s microbiome to support and enhance it results in skin that is soothed, more resistant and relieved.

The Matis Sensibiotic Set contains the Sensibiotic Serum with a FREE full size Sensibiotic moisturiser. The Sensibiotic Serum has 3 complementary actions: –

  • – It rebalances the skin ecosystem
  • – Reduces skin sensitivity
  • – Brings comfort.

An essential product for sensitive skins with a fine and silky texture that envelops the skin with a comforting veil. It offers an immediate soothing feeling and a deep action to reduce sensitivity whilst the tolerance of the skin is improved. Dermatologically tested.

Sensibiotic is a harmonizing treatment enriched in prebiotics, which rebalances the bioflora and preserves the skin barrier. The skin is less attacked, regenerates better and ages slower. The skin is soothed, more resistant, with its full comfort restored. This moisturiser has a soft and delicate texture which envelops the skin in a protective cocoon.