WE'D ALL LOVE TO HAVE A "MAGIC PILL" — ONE THAT FIXES ALL THAT AILS US (OR AT LEAST ANNOYS US) AND MAKES OUR LIVES PERFECT. THAT'S PRETTY UNREALISTIC, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHERE YOUTHFUL SKIN IS CONCERNED, HELP CAN BE HAD SIMPLY BY MAKING USE OF THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENTS.
Supplement your skin Dr. Baumann says key ingredients to look for in OTC supplements include coenzyme Q10, lycopene, vitamins C and E, green tea and alpha lipoic acid — and these are good, safe ingredients with a proven track record. So, just how do these supplements help your skin?"Antioxidants fight free radicals," explains Dr. Baumann. "Free radicals cause damage to skin that leads to loss of skin collagen resulting in wrinkles." Coenzyme Q10 is a good example. "It's an effective anti-inflammatory and helps fight skin aging." But there are some keys to what you take, and how you take it. For instance, Dr. Baumann explains, "Coenzyme Q10 is hard to digest — that's why you need to take at least 200 mg to 400 mg" to get an effect. It's well-documented that the positive effects of antioxidants isn't just hype — and that they're readily available not only in the foods you can eat, but also in easily taken oral preparations. Too good to be true?
But it's not a magic bullet. "It's important to remember that antioxidants prevent aging — they do not get rid of wrinkles you already have," she points out. In a nutshell, be an educated consumer, ask your dermatologist questions, and make the decisions that best meet your personal needs. After all, it's your skin! |
