THE SCIENCE behind vitamin K

Dark circles under the eyes, redness and broken capillaries are some of the most unwanted effects generally associated with aging. Many believe that these skin conditions are mostly caused by fatigue, sun exposure and stress. Although these factors can certainly accelerate aging, many studies suggest that their main cause is improper blood clotting. For this reason we formulated ESPECIAL K toning mist with FSS Vitamin K Liposome, a unique plant based cosmetic ingredient that provides the nutrients required to promote proper blood clotting utilizing a modern encapsulation technology for enhanced delivery to the skin.

On occasion blood travels too fast through the capillaries’ narrow diameter, which may lead to some of the blood leaking out and pooling around the eyes. The body has mechanism for oxidizing the excess blood which consists of enzymes breaking down all parts of red blood cells, including hemoglobin. When hemoglobin is broken down it changes to a blue, almost purple color which becomes visible through the thin layer of skin found around the eye. This is where the dark under eye circles come from. However, as we age, the skin under the eyes tends to thin out making the veins below the eyes even more visible.

Vitamin K, also known as phytonadione, is a fat-soluble vitamin created by the liver to ensure proper blood clotting while enhancing capillary strength. Its relation to the circulatory system has been parlayed into its use as an ideal cosmetic ingredient to help diminish vascular conditions that emerge as skin imperfections such as dark circles under the eyes, redness from rosacea, and broken capillaries.

A new application for Vitamin K was identified in 1993. Gas6 is a vitamin K-dependent protein that appears to be a cellular growth regulation factor with cell-signaling activities. Gas6 is important in diverse cellular functions including cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and protection against apoptosis. For this reason Vitamin K is often used in skin care applications to promote healthier and younger looking skin and in hair care applications to provide intense therapy to the scalp.

A small-scale in-vivo study showed the benefits of applying a product containing 1% vitamin K to shorten the amount of time that skin is reddish-purple after a pulsed dye laser treatment. This further supports the benefits of this distinct nutrient to reduce inflammation and promote healthy looking skin.