Benefits and Side Effects of l-lysine
l-lysine, in the form of a skincare product, has been found to be effective for treating eczema. Researchers at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea presented findings from their study of 6 individuals with chronic hand dermatitis.
The 6 participants were put on a daily regimen for 12 weeks that consisted of applying an emulsion with 1% l-lysine to the affected area twice daily. After 4 weeks, all participants showed improvement in their symptoms and after 8 to 12 weeks, all were clear of eczema lesions.
Another out of Japan found that l-lysine supplements reduced itchiness and improved general skin conditions in patients with atopic dermatitis.
At the 2010 meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. John Wolf received a Pfizer award for his discovery that l-lysine can be used to treat and prevent recurrent herpes simplex infection.
The amino acid inhibits replication in HSV-1 infected cells without affecting healthy cells and is able to pass through cell membranes, unlike other anti-viral drugs. This means that the amino acid can be taken orally rather than having to be applied directly to the lesion.
l lysine benefits for skin before and after:
Since so many of you have been inquiring about my skincare routine, I thought it would be nice to write down a summary. My skin is very sensitive and acne-prone so finding the right products for me has proved to be quite the challenge. I hope that this post will help some of you who are struggling with your own skin problems.
I went through a couple of terrible skin phases when I was in high school. At some point, I even got blackheads from squeezing too many zits which made me really insecure about my appearance.
Believe it or not, my skin has always been quite clear and without acne for most of my life until a few years back when it started to break out without any apparent reason. I have been to dermatologists, skin doctors and even tried countless of all kinds of creams, lotions, and potions but nothing seemed to do the trick for me.
I’ve noticed a few things after going through a couple of blogs on beauty tips from Korean women: they love their lysine. Apparently, lysine has been proven to be effective in helping with acne breakouts. For me personally, it was quite evident that consuming enough protein every day was the key to getting rid of my acne for good.
Even though I tried all sorts of protein powders and supplements, nothing really gave me better results than just eating more protein-rich foods such as meats and eggs. My skin had never been clearer than when I increased my protein intake and cut down on carbs and sugars.
l lysine benefits for the brain:
To cut a long story short, lysine is an amino acid that has been proven to be effective against hair loss and acne breakouts. Since it can’t be synthesized by our body, we have to get it from food or supplements most of the time. I started taking a lysine supplement in powder form two months ago and I’m very happy with the results.
For those of you who are interested, here is my skincare routine:
I usually use Cetaphil for washing my face since it is made by the same company as cetirizine (the antihistamine I take daily) and doesn’t irritate me as other cleansers do. I don’t recommend using it for removing makeup though.
After washing my face, I take a cotton pad and put on 3 layers of The Face Shop’s Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil – this is the only product that doesn’t irritate my skin and melts away all the makeup.
For moisturizing purposes, I use Avene’s Moisturizing Facial Cream. Avene is a French skincare company that is considered to be one of the best in terms of combating sensitive skin problems.
lysine for skin lightening:
Applying sunscreen before going out is a must for me, no matter the season. Since I live in Europe where it gets extremely hot during summer and even more brutal sun rays, I like to use Eucerin’s Sun Fluid which has SPF 50+ (broad-spectrum protection) and is specially formulated for sensitive skin.
I usually apply all of these products in the morning after taking a shower and my skin is ready to face the day.
Before going to sleep, I use one more product: Avene’s Thermal Spring Water. I put on some cotton pads and press them into my face for a couple of seconds before finally removing my makeup with it. The water is supposed to soothe and calm the skin.
lysine benefits for Fertility:
Some of you might be wondering how I manage to go through all these cleansing and moisturizing processes every day without making my skin freak out. Well, the answer is simple: I don’t use any other product than what I mentioned above… except when I feel like my skin needs some extra care, which is very rare.
I know that there are a lot of people out there who have tried different skincare and makeup products and their skin has never been healthier than after they stopped using them together. Well, I’m not really one of those ‘all or nothing types of people but I do tend to ditch the cosmetics every now and then.
l lysine for acne side effects:
My skin is super oily and acne-prone, which is why I always make sure to use oil-free products. Also, due to my sensitive skin, I have to be very careful with the kind of makeup I wear as well.
Even though it might seem a bit counterintuitive to apply sunscreen before going out during wintertime (when the sun is not really visible), I still do it. Long-lasting protection against UVA/UVB rays is vital for everyone, regardless of whether you are exposed to the sun or not.
l lysine good for cold sores:
Speaking of which… even though sunlight exposure was never my problem, avoiding weather changes has always been crucial for me. During summer, I wear a moisturizer that contains an SPF of 30 or more and a hat when going out in the sun because I’m aware that my skin is at its weakest then.
Also, hats have always been a part of my ‘winter uniform’ – no matter whether it’s cold or not, you’ll always find me wearing one. And if you are wondering why I always wear hats without glasses, it’s because they would slide down my nose otherwise!
For those of you who know me well, you’re probably aware that I don’t use makeup every day even though the pictures might show different. If I have to go out for a business meeting or something, I usually wear a light BB cream instead of my daily moisturizer and sunscreen.
l lysine for skin rash:
I’m not very crazy about makeup and I don’t really like putting on a lot of stuff on my skin (even though I know most people do).
The skincare routine that I’ve been following for many years now has always worked perfectly, even during the time when my skin was at its worst. That’s why I maintain it to this day and I’m going to share it with you.
luscious lips lysine:
• 1st step: I use a toner to remove any extra impurities that may be left on the skin. My favorite product for this is Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution. It does a great job of cleansing my pores and it doesn’t dry out my skin.
• 2nd step: After toning, I put on an SPF 30 cream – mainly because it’s more convenient for me to carry one product instead of two separate ones while going out. My current favorite is Vichy’s Mineral 89 with an SPF factor of 30.
• 3rd step: I always make sure to apply my skincare products in this order – first comes the serum, then the eye cream, and finally, the moisturizer. I use Avene’s XeraCalm A.D Lipidem which is actually an anti-inflammatory lip treatment that can be used by people suffering from acne. It contains 3% dimethicone, an ingredient known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in addition to fighting signs of redness caused by inflammations.
• 4th step: After applying some extra sunscreen to my face and neck areas, I move on to my body and I use a very creamy sunscreen before going out in the sun with an SPF of 30 or more. My favorite right now is Vichy’s Normaderm Pro which is rich in zinc oxide (a mineral known for its antioxidant properties) and glycerin (to hydrate my skin).
• 5th step: For my lips, I use a very nourishing lip balm that also contains SPF and uses ingredients of natural origin to heal and soothe. My current fave is Vichy’s Aqualia Thermal Lip Balm which has a very pleasant texture and smells of vanilla.
As for removing makeup and eye makeup at the end of the day, I always use a product containing oil as it is the best at dissolving all the products. My current favorite is Vichy’s Normaderm Pro Eye which you can wash off with water or wipe away using a cotton pad soaked in micellar water.
In addition to natural ingredients of plant origin, this product also contains caffeine and glycerin – two ingredients known for their soothing properties. They help to reduce puffiness and fight dark circles under the eyes.
lysine Deficiency Symptoms:
• Eyes: I have sensitive eyes and I’m prone to redness, so Vichy’s product works perfectly for me.
• Lip area: If you follow me on Snapchat (username: Renee Magnan), you probably know that my ‘lip area’ is actually affected by dry patches which are very visible. Vichy’s lip balm has been a lifesaver for me, it’s the only product that keeps my lips hydrated all day long.
• Lips: When I’m not wearing lipstick, I like to use creams instead of glossy products because they are very moist and tend to look more natural on the lips. I also love the feeling of rubbing my lips together when I apply them!
• Skin: Just like everything else on your body, your face needs some extra nourishment during the harsh winter days. My current favorite products for this are Vichy’s Mineral 89 with an SPF factor of 30 and Vichy’s Elixir Ultime which contains royal jelly extract.
lysine Benefits:
Caffeine content:
Coffee is known to help reduce puffiness and caffeine is an ingredient that can be found in the majority of anti-aging products. Well, I don’t drink coffee but I certainly know its benefits when it comes to skincare!
Vichy’s Normaderm Pro Eye product has caffeine as one of its main ingredients and it says it reduces the look of bags. I cannot comment on this claim since my eyes are very sensitive, but I will say that this anti-redness product is amazing at reducing the appearance of fine lines around my eyes.
Mineral-rich:
Vichy is a French brand and its products contain minerals and other ingredients that come directly from the earth. I like to use makeup and skincare products made with minerals because they are much gentler on the skin, particularly if you have sensitive skin like me. Some examples of mineral-based ingredients in Vichy’s Mineral 89 include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, shea butter, and mica.
Side Effects of Lysine:
Headache:
I once received a free gift from Vichy that contained 10 samples of their products and I ended up getting a headache after applying the Normaderm Pro Eye because it contained caffeine. So if you’re sensitive to caffeine like me, make sure to patch test and check for any negative reactions after using it.
High blood pressure:
If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, make sure to talk to your doctor before taking supplements containing lysine because they may not be right for you.
I personally never experienced any side effects after applying the Normaderm Pro Eye, but I will warn you that it can cause a burning sensation around the eyes if it gets into them (I learned this from experience).
Top Lysine Supplements:
Fortunately, lysine supplements do not have any major side effects and are safe for most people to take. However, there is one important thing you should keep in mind when looking for these supplements: make sure they contain lysine hydrochloride or lysine acetate because the other forms of this amino acid are not recommended for consumption. I personally buy my supplements from iHerb because they have very competitive prices and their customer service is great.