Vitamins for Skin

Chromium - For acne. Chromium reduces skin infections.

Zinc - Zinc aids in healing of the tissues and helps prevent scarring.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E has been shown to play an important role in protecting skin from environmental and oxidative damage. It's also an excellent remedy for dry skin.

D-Panthenol - substance that is readily converted into vitamin B5. It is known to help the skin repair damage.

Hyaluronic acid This is a natural moisturizer that already exists in our skin naturally and surrounds the collagen and elastin fibres. As we age, we produce less hyaluronic acid in our skin, making our skin less resilient and pliable. Hyaluronic acid is used in many moisturizers and can also be injected by doctors into the skin.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) Helps exfoliate surface skin cells to reveal, newer, younger looking skin Ceramides These are lipids that help to prevent moisture loss through the skin. Consider skin moisturizer supplements as well.


Retinyl proprionate A special form of Vitamin A (retinol). It is part of a class of retinoids. It can improve the appearance of sun damaged skin by reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, skin roughness and appearance of age spots. It is a larger molecule than retinol, which is often referred to as the pure form of Vitamin A.

Retinoic acid A derivative of vitamin A and has been used in the treatment of acne. It has been known to increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles, but it can have unpleasant side-effects such as extreme sensitivity to sunlight, with increased reddening of the skin and peeling. Dermatologists sometimes prescribe it for severe sun damage. Some cosmetics may contain small amounts of retinoic acid derivatives, which have some hydrating effects.

Lipisomes Lipisomes (lipids or fats) are filled with active ingredients and carry these ingredients to where the skin needs it the most.

Your Nail Problems Solved

We all know that beautiful, strong, well-groomed nails are the finishing touch for a chic look. And they're no problem if you were born with perfect tips.

But for most of us, pesky nail problems make the perfect manicure just out of reach. To help you fix your biggest nail woes and be on your way to gorgeous hands, check out our solutions.

The problem: Your nails break, peel, or just won't grow. The culprit: While the length to which your nails will grow is largely genetic, skipping growth-enhancing nail products can make the problem worse.

The solution: According to Skyy Hadley, manicurist and owner of As U Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, New Jersey, nails need combination treatment to grow their longest and strongest.

"Use a nail protein for one week, then a nail strengthener the next. Alternating the two will build nail strength," she explains. And, of course, be gentle with your tips: Avoid using them as tools or soaking them in water for too long.

The problem: You have white spots dotting several nails. The culprit: Some attribute these common white spots to calcium deposits or vitamin deficiencies.

But they're more likely caused by "stress, trauma to the nail, too-strong polish, or pregnancy," says Hadley. The solution: The only way to treat the spots: Allow them to grow out. In the meantime, keeping your nails polished will help camouflage the spots.

The problem: Your polish chips as soon as you apply it. The culprit: Oil or other debris left on the nail plate before applying polish. Even the tiniest swipe of moisturizer can cause nail polish to chip and peel.

The solution: Clean the nail plate before applying polish. "Use pure alcohol," suggests Hadley. Or try a nail cleaning product like Seche Prep ($5 for one ounce); both methods cleanse and dehydrate the nail, making polish stick better.

The problem: Your cuticles split and hurt. The culprit: Cutting them! "When you cut your cuticles, you expose them to bacteria and make them likely to split," says Hadley.

What's more, bacteria can cause painful infection. The solution: Lay off the cuticle nippers. To help nurse cut or split cuticles back to health, Hadley suggests applying a conditioning cuticle oil that contains Vitamin E and tea tree oil to soften and heal. Use the oil once or twice a day until cuticles are soft and healthy again.