Pharmacymix.com, Skin Care Pharmacy and Blog Specializing in Anthelios and Mexoryl Sunscreens

Glutathione: Can It Lighten Skin?

Glutathione is an antioxidant derived from amino acids. It can be synthesized by all cells in the body and neutralizes free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds. It also helps to keep Vitamins C and E in their active forms. Glutathione has also been shown to help detoxify foreign substances (including carcinogens); it also plays a role in the immune system and other metabolic reactions including protein synthesis. Because it is not well absorbed when taken orally, it is difficult to supplement with glutathione.

When it comes to skin care, you would think that topically applied glutathione would make sense. It is after all, a potent antioxidant. Despite this, studies have shown that as with oral consumption, that glutathione is not well absorbed when applied topically. And, there are no published studies regarding its efficacy as an ingredient in skin care treatments. Still, a recent search on the internet uncovered a range of products, both oral supplements and topical preparations claiming to help lighten skin.

A potent antioxidant, yes. But, until we can figure out how to get glutathione absorbed into skin, this is one ingredient you should probably pass on.

Antioxidants: Their Importance In Skin Care

If you know a bit about skin care, then you’ll know that antioxidants are one of the fundamental ingredients to incorporate into a skin care regimen. But why?

Skin ages due to a number of factors, free radicals being one of the major contributors. Highly unstable (therefore, highly reactive) particles that are capable of damaging cell structures, free radicals are generated daily during normal living. Exposure to UV rays, pollution and anything else that challenges the skin may result in the production of free radicals.

Antioxidants are ingredients that can help to minimize some of the damage caused by free radicals. However, keep in mind that this assumption is based on indirect vs direct research. One of the challenges with applying antioxidants to the skin is their unreliability – they can be unstable if not prepared properly, they may interact with other ingredients or they may not be absorbed adequately.

Antioxidants may be water soluble (Vitamin C, glutathione and selenium for example), fat soluble (Vitamin E, Vitamin A and CoEnzyme Q10, for example) or a combination of water and fat soluble (Alpha lipoic acid, some polyphenols (as in green tea) and flavonoids for example). Their solubility affects where they exert their action. Water soluble antioxidants work primarily in the intra and extra cellular fluid; fat soluble antioxidants protect fatty membranes. However, both types are necessary for adequate antioxidant protection in the skin.

Instead of getting hung up on one particular antioxidant, strive for a combination. While you will find research to back up the use of most antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E along with green tea have the most research to back up claims associated with their use. For this reason, you may wish to stick with these.

Here are some products to consider:
Reversa Antioxidant Booster Serum – green tea, Vitamin E and B-glucan protect against environmental stress
La Roche Posay Active C or La Roche Posay Redermic – 5% active Vitamin C (plus madecassoside in Redermic) battle free radicals
La Roche Posay Derm AOX – Vitamin C combines with pine bark extract and carnosine delivers antioxidant and anti-glycation protection.

Musings…On Health

Last week, as I waited to pass a kidney stone, I had plenty of time to contemplate the things that really matter in life. If you’ve ever had the misfortune to pass a kidney stone, then you’ll know that it’s no walk in the park. The pain that accompanies a kidney stone is described by sufferers as the most excruciating pain you can imagine. If you’ve ever been in childbirth (I have) by my take it’s a definite close second. One major difference – at least with childbirth, there’s a lovely reward at the end.

I was diagnosed with kidney stones after pain necessitated a visit to our local hospital emergency room. Sent home with anti-inflammatories and heavy duty pain killers, I was advised to drink plenty of water and wait for the stone to pass. Kidney stones less than 9mm in size (mine was confirmed at 4mm by a CAT scan) are usually able to pass on their own. And, as long as there aren’t any complications – infection, bleeding, etc, most stones will pass on their own anywhere from 1 day up to 1 month.

At home, between relatively lucid moments, I experienced episodes of pain that lasted several hours, slightly numbed by my potent medications (thank you modern medicine!). Days spent laying on the couch with my hot water bottle and a strong dose of ‘feeling sorry for myself’, ended at the 5 day mark when my stone finally passed.

During my downtime,I could think of nothing else but being well again. Spring fashions and my favorite foods (yes, even chocolate and red wine) held no appeal. An overflowing laundry hamper, a messy house and unmade beds passed unnoticed. Truly a lesson learned – very little matters when ones’ health is at stake. Here’s to yours.

All About Aloe Vera

Because of its medicinal use in herbal medicine, aloe vera is also known as the medicinal aloe. While there have been many studies conducted with aloe vera, some of the research is conflicting. Can aloe vera benefit skin?

There is some evidence to suggest that aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans. The benefits are thought to be related to various components of aloe vera.

While the species is thought to have originated in Southern Africa, aloe vera is now found all over the world. The leaves are thought to contain two different fluids:

• A yellow/green sap that is exuded wherever the green surface of the leaf is cut is an irritant containing aloin, a latex-like compound. Preparations containing aloin are not generally found due to an FDA ruling that bans its use in over the counter preparations. Most aloe vera products today have minimal amounts of aloin (it is often removed during the manufacturing process)
• A transparent fluid exuded by the inner leaf wherever it is cut or crushed, is soothing and said to promote healing.

Like many cosmetic ingredients, the claims for aloe vera, surpass the evidence available to support it. Despite this, you can find aloe vera in lotions, creams, yogurt, beverages and even some desserts. Aloe vera juice is used to relieve digestive complaints. It may be found in personal care products including make-up, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, etc.

There is evidence to support aloe vera’s use in the healing of first to second degree burns. And, it may be useful in the treatment of genital herpes and psoriasis. Aloe vera extracts have demonstrated antifungal and antibacterial activity making it possibly useful in wound healing where it can help to reduce the chance of infection.

Like most ingredients with hyped benefits, aloe vera can’t possibly live up to its claims. However, it has been shown to be helpful as a water binding agent making it useful when added to moisturizers.