Drug treatments These are mainly used for genetic hair loss caused by hormones and are applied topically. A prescription lotion – minoxidile marketed as Regaine – helps in 60% of female cases to stop further loss but very few report … Continue reading
In clinical trials hair-loss patients taking 18,000 international units of vitamin A in the form of retinol, along with 70mg of L-cysteine and 700mg of gelatin, were thought to suffer less hair loss.The B vitamins are important for healthy hair … Continue reading
Recent clinical trials proved the effectiveness of a non-drug, DHT-inhibiting treatment for androgenic baldness (hereditary male pattern baldness). The formula contained saw palmetto berry, plant sterols and other botanicals and was shown to be a viable natural alternative to prescription … Continue reading
Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxident
This is a combination of Vitamin C with palmitic acid (a fatty acid derived from palm oil) which is more easily absorbed by the skin. It is a powerful antioxident which can help skin heal, particularly skin which has been … Continue reading
An antioxident which is applied to the skin to neutralise free radicals. Topical Vitamin C encourages collagen production and repair. But can burn and irritate the skin as well as loosing its potency when exposed to the air.
Deritivatives of Vitamin A such as retinyl palmitate and retinly linoleate have gained popularity with manufacturers becausethey are thought to work like Retin A but with less irritation.
Green and black tea both contain polyphenolic acid which fights free radicals and is increasingly used in skin care.
A retinoid used in the treatment of psoriasis and acne. It works by keeping the pores clear, lessening redness and reducing the size of the affected area.
One of the beta hydroxy acids (see above) that is used in anti-ageing creams.
Contains a derivative of Vitamin A. It is manufactured in a cosmetic base under the trade name Renova by US Ortho Pharmaceuticals. It has found to be less irritating than Retin A. Both should be used sparingly.
A derivative of Vitamin A widely used in anti-ageing creams. First used as an anti-acne cream and still only has official approval for this use. The downside is that users need to wear sun-block and it can irritate the skin … Continue reading
Extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine contains antioxidents which neutralise free radicals and assist in stopping the breakdown of two main elements in the skin – elastin and collagen.
These are made from plant extracts – bilberry, pine bark, grapeseed – and are antioxidents which can be applied to the skin in creams to combat free radicals.
A member of the fruit acid family also used for brightening the skin but is better tolerated by those with rosacea or dermatitis.
A free-radical scavenger found in some red fruit and vegetables including tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, red guava and red grapes.
A form of Vitamin C that destroys free radicals.
A polysaccharide found in the body’s tissues and used as a moisturiser.
Include glycerine, sorbitol, squalene and urea
Enzymes are a type of protein and some skin care products include those from plant sources such as the pineapple (bromelian) and papaya (papain) to exfolitate the skin.
Contains collagen, linolenic and oleic acids and promotes the growth of healthy skin tissue.
Part of the skin’s connective tissue and in topical creams helps keep moisture in.
An antioxident close to Vitamin E in structure, CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance present in every cell of the body. It also occurs naturally in a number of foods, including organ meats, soy oil, sardines, mackerel and peanuts. It … Continue reading
A natural constituent of skin. Collagen in creams acts a humectant encouraging moisture to stay within the skin.
A natural constituent of the skin that assists in its condition