REVIEW ARTICLE
J Cosmet Med 2022; 6(2): 67-71
Published online December 31, 2022
https://doi.org/10.25056/JCM.2022.6.2.67
Review of topical vitamins in photoaging skin
Cheuk Hung Lee, MBBS (HK), FHKAM (MED), FHKCP, MScPD (Cardiff), MRCP (UK), DPD (Wales), DipDerm (Glasgow), PGDipClinDerm (London), MRCP (London), GradDipDerm (NUS), DipMed (CUHK)1 , Kar Wai Alvin Lee, MBChB (CUHK), DCH (Sydney), Dip Derm (Glasgow), MScClinDerm (Cardiff), MScPD (Cardiff), DipMed (CUHK), DCH (Sydney)1 , Kwin Wah Chan, MBChB (CUHK), MScPD (Cardiff), PgDipPD (Cardiff), PGDipClinDerm (Lond), DipMed (CUHK), DCH (Sydney)1 , Kar Fai Victor Lee, MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasgow), FHKCP, FHKAM (Medicine)2 , Kar Wai Phoebe Lam, MBCHB (OTAGO), MRCS (EDIN), MSCPD (CARDIFF)3
1Ever Keen Medical Centre, Hong Kong
2London Heart Practice, Hong Kong
3Perfect Skin Solution, Hong Kong
Abstract
Photoaging is a process of normal skin architecture damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. Topical vitamins have been used to treat these conditions. The authors aimed to understand the mechanism and level of evidence of topical vitamins used to treat photodamaged skin. A range of topical vitamins has been used in cosmetic medicine for many years to treat photodamaged skin. This review article compares their efficacy and level of evidence. This study was a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of different topical vitamins. Keywords including “Photoaging,” “Botanicals,” “Peptides,” “Retinoids,” “Vitamins” were searched on Ovid, PubMed, MEDLINE for relevant studies published on photoaging treatment. There is a wealth of Level I evidence supporting the use of topical retinoic acid, vitamins B and C. There is evidence supporting the use of topical vitamin E although it is mainly drawn from Level IV studies of the evidence hierarchy. Topical vitamins can effectively treat photodamaged skin.
Level of Evidence: I
Keywords: ascorbic acid, niacinamide, retinoids, skin aging, tocopherols, vitamins