Five Fast Vitamin K Facts
Vitamin K is popular in under-eye creams because it can lighten infraorbital darkness,  AKA under eye circles. It is most beneficial for circles with a blue or brown undertone.
- Vitamin K reverses the calcium deposits in elastin fibers. These deposits harden and cause wrinkles.
- Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation.
- Vitamin K is also called Phytonadione on ingredient listings.
- Some dark circles are caused by weak vessels that allow blood near the surface of your skin. These circles have a blue, purple or brown undertone.
- Topical application of vitamin K cream prior to an in-office procedure strengthens blood vessels. Stronger blood vessels means less bruising after surgical or laser treatments.
What to look for in a Vitamin K Topical
Vitamin K is most effective as part of a team instead of a standalone K cream or gel. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed topical Vitamin K works best when paired with retinol, Vitamins C, E, and the Bs. (1)
If you use prescription retinol, apply the retinol first and then the topical K product.
Choose a product with enough Vitamin K to be effective. The study used a 2% Vitamin K concentration.
REFERENCES
Mitsuishi, T. , Shimoda, T. , Mitsui, Y. , Kuriyama, Y. and Kawana, S. (2004), The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3: 73-75. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00070.x
Martina Beake says
I love Vit K products but I never knew how they worked. Thanks!
Style Chicks says
Our pleasure!!!!!!!!!! We love digging into the science of why beauty products work!
Ainslee Whitney says
I was applying my Retin-A and my Vitamin K in the wrong order. Whoops! Now I know. 🙂
Style Chicks says
I think all of us have had many experiences like that. 🙂
Elaina Sadler says
My whole family has purple-toned under eye bags. Glad there is something that works – I thought I just had to cover it up and live with it.
Rene Wortham says
Now I’m going through all my creams and looking for Phytonadione. 🙂