Vitamin K and Skin

There are many skin care products that contain vitamin K. Product manufacturers claim that it can provide a number of benefits including reducing the severity of dark circles underneath the eyes, helping eliminate spider veins, and eliminating bruising that results from laser treatments. Topical vitamin K is not considered a drug, so  advertisers don’t have to provide evidence that their claims are valid.

There have been studies performed to test the efficacy of vitamin K, but evidence is not substantial.

Getting Rid Of Dark Circles

Dark circles under the eyes can occur as a result of many influences (contrary to popular belief, fatigue is not the most common cause). These influences can include sun damage, heredity, an hormonal imbalance, deterioration in the dermis, allergies and atopic eczema. A study that was published in 2004 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology suggested that vitamin K could be beneficial in helping reduce the appearance of dark circles. In that study, a topical gel that included a 2% concentration of vitamin K was used by nearly 60 people to treat their dark circles. After 8 weeks, nearly half of the test subjects reported some level of improvement.

The gel used in the study also included other ingredients (such as antioxidants and vitamins E and C) which could have had an effect either on their own or in conjunction with vitamin K. Since vitamin K was not isolated, evidence of its efficacy can be considered inconclusive. That said, the number of participants who noted improvement suggests that vitamin K may have helped.

Post Laser Treatment

Pulsed dye laser treatment is often used to eliminate warts, spider veins, and other vascular lesions. These laser treatments can result in bruising that is caused when blood vessels hemorrhage. In 1999, a group of doctors at the University of Miami School of Medicine conducted a double-blind study that tested whether vitamin K could be applied as a topical cream to reduce bruising. The results from that study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, suggested that post-laser treatment bruising was significantly reduced as a result of applying the topical cream.

Realistic Expectations

In the end, evidence that supports the efficacy of vitamin K as a topical treatment for dark circles and post-laser treatment bruising is available, just not in substantial amount. Evidence does exist and more rigorous testing would be beneficial in determining whether or not vitamin K does truly deliver. If you do suffer from dark circles, then you may wish to consider an eye cream like Neostrata Dark Circle Serum which contains vitamin K and retinol as reported in clinical trials.

In addition, rely upon tried and test skin care products to improve the appearance of your skin while slowing down the signs of aging…

Green Cream – A high potency retinol that stimulates collagen production, tightens the skin, and diminishes wrinkles, resulting in a smoother look.
Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+ – A fragrance-free, non-comedogenic spray that can be used on all skin types to provide broad spectrum protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Hydraphase UV SPF 30 – A moisturizer plus complete SPF 30 sunscreen which will protect skin and simplify your skin care routine.�