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D-Glucosamine
Glucosamine, also known in the chirally correct form as d-glucosamine or by its derivative name n-acetyl-glucosamine, is an amino-monosaccharide typically derived from shellfish, but also can be extracted from vegetarian sources. It is best known as an oral supplement used to treat arthritis because it is effective at reducing inflammation. In the skin is directly utilized for key biochemical functions and as a substrate precursor for the biosynthesis of proteoglycans and polymers like glycosaminoglycans.
Glucosamine has an excellent safety profile and has been shown to have several beneficial effects on skin cells, most notably in the stimulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis (an ultra-moisturizing glycosaminoglycan found naturally in the dermis). Glucosamine has also been shown in numerous clinical studies to reduce inflammation, accelerate wound healing, and improve skin hydration, which in turn visibly decreases fine lines and wrinkles.
It is additionally an inhibitor of tyrosinase activation, meaning that it inhibits melanin production in the skin and is thus useful for treatment of disorders of hyperpigmentation (including “age spots,” freckles, etc). Studies in Japan and the US have shown that this skin lightening effect is enhanced when applied to the skin along with Vitamin B3 (niacin/niacinamide).
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