Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for skin as well as the rest of the body.  It’s absolutely necessary for normal skin and bodily functions, cannot be naturally synthesized in humans and must be provided externally. Skin itself has various critical roles in overall health including protection from dehydration and infection, and its appearance is an important reflection on general well-being. The epidermal layer of skin is responsible for most of its barrier function and includes many cells, particularly keratinocytes. In contrast, the lower dermal layer is composed mainly of fibroblasts that secrete the major component of the dermis, collagen...

Most people realize that stress affects critical organs like the heart and the brain, but what’s not as well known is how stress affects other important organs including skin. In fact, scientists are now learning more and more about the affects of stress on the skin and how skin stress can affect the body in general (systemic affects). There are many different types of stress that can affect the skin including from environmental sources such as UV radiation (UVR) from the sun, low humidity, or air pollution. Some forms of environmental stress like UVR and air pollution result in oxidative...

1 out of 3 adults in the United States report being sunburned, and 1 in 8 Americans tan indoors.  Sunburn results in skin redness (erythema) that develops during exposure to the sun and increases one hour following exposure peaking 24 to 48 hours after exposure.  The degree of sunburn is affected by many environmental factors including heat, wind, and humidity, and sunburned individuals can experience symptoms that range from mild redness to painful erythema with swelling (edema) and blistering.  Individuals who are severely sunburned can also experience systemic reactions including fever, chills and dehydration.  Fair-skinned individuals are the most susceptible...

The skin barrier, composed of lipids and essentially dead cells (corneocytes) in the upper layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum), plays a major role in protecting the body from numerous insults including microbial invasion. However, when compromised, the skin’s immune system is activated to defend the body from further damage and infection. Skin immunity involves the skin microbiome (collective set of microorganisms on the skin), antimicrobial peptides (short chains of amino acids) and a variety of signaling molecules that activate or suppress certain immune cells such as dendritic cells (including Langerhan’s cells), macrophages, neutrophils and mast cells.  When damage and/or...

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that can result in serious itching (pruritus), lack of sleep, embarrassment and psychological stress. The lifetime prevalence of eczema has increased worldwide for the past 30 years, and recently the prevalence for adults was estimated to be approximately 10% of the population.  Viniferamine® skin and wound care products contain potent anti-inflammatory small molecule ingredients that can help decrease pruritus including the beneficial polyphenols oleuropein, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from olives, grapes, and green tea, respectively, as well as the important small molecules, melatonin, and L-glutathione. In addition, dipotassium glycyrrhizate from licorice,...

Exposure to the sun can cause UV-induced damage to DNA in skin cells resulting in inflammation known as sunburn. Skin contains molecules that absorb UV radiation such as DNA and other chromophores. The absorbed energy is then re-emitted as harmless, longer wavelength radiation or cell-damaging thermochemical reactions involving free-radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative stress. Viniferamine® skincare products, including Renewal Moisturizer, contain ingredients that counteract oxidative stress such as oleuropein, resveratrol, EGCG, melatonin, and L-glutathione. Oxidative stress typically results in inflammation; various ingredients found in Viniferamine® skincare products decrease inflammation including the beneficial polyphenols oleuropein, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from...

Poor hand hygiene including a lack of hand washing and hand sanitizing, contributes to a substantial amount of the gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory tract infections that comprise a majority of infectious diseases. In contrast, good hand hygiene has been linked to a decrease in infectious disease incidence. In fact, hand hygiene is the single most important measure in decreasing healthcare-acquired infections and is a commonly recommended infection control and prevention measure for reducing the risk of influenza infection in healthcare and community settings. Moreover, due to an unexpected increase in emerging infectious diseases and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant...

Hand dermatitis is one of the most common problems encountered in dermatology with a prevalence possibly as high as 50% or greater in certain occupations. The discomfort associated with hand dermatitis frequently results in a decreased quality of life. In fact, hand dermatitis can be debilitating for many years.  Dermatitis (or eczema) is inflammation of the skin, characterized by itchy (pruritic), red, weeping skin with vesicles and/or crusty patches. The risk factors for hand dermatitis include frequent hand washing, chemical exposures, and wet-work environments contributing to a higher prevalence in specific occupations including healthcare professionals and food industry employees.  Several...

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine bound with beta-glucoside linkages. It’s quite large (naturally) with a molecular weight as high as 5 million kDa, and due to its large size and positive charge, HA is capable of binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. HA belongs to a large family of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that comprise a substantial portion of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is composed of molecules (secreted by cells) that provide structural and biochemical cellular support. In addition, the presence of HA in tissues stabilizes other ECM components. HA is found in...

We all worry when a wound seems to heal slowly. When wound healing is slow or impaired, the risk of infection and serious medical complications increases. Wound healing is vital for replacement and repair of tissue to its functional state. Viniferamine® skin and wound care products including Renewal Moisturizer and Silicone Barrier contain vital ingredients that enhance wound healing including phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids. The normal wound healing process is divided into four overlapping phases of coagulation, inflammation, cell migration-proliferation, and tissue remodeling. This complex process involves the interplay of different cell types including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells....