Vitamin C and Zinc work to repair and protect the skin from the inside-out, helping the skin to repair, regenerate and heal more efficiently.  They also help to strengthen the skin's resistance against infections.

Clinical studies have shown that taking zinc supplements can help to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of herpes outbreaks.  This is attributed to zinc's ability to enhance cell mediated immunity.

Vitamin C and zinc both have wound healing properties and Vitamin C is vital to the production of collagen (a fiber that connects and strengthens connective tissue, such as the skin).

Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids help your body to absorb and utilize Vitamin C more efficiently. They also offer resistance to infection, are a natural antioxidant, free radical destroyer and immune booster.

Clinical studies have found that combining Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids can inhibit the formation and bursting of the blisters.  This gives you the advantage of fighting the outbreak before it even begins.

Bioflavonoids enhance the body's absorption of Vitamin C and help to improve and prolong its effect.  For this reason, Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids should always be taken together for best results.

Arginine

Arginine (also referred to as L-Argininr) is a nonessential amino acid, meaning it can be manufactured by the human body and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. Arginine is required by the herpes virus to grow and become active.

Lysine

Lysine (also referred to as L-lysine) is a natural amino acid that restricts the herpes virus from becoming active.

Once a person has contracted herpes or cold sores the virus will remain in the body.  Most of the time when herpes symptoms are not present on the skin the virus remains in a latent (inactive) state in the central nervous system, where it does no damage.

When the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin.  This is when you begin to notice symptoms and soon enough a cold sore or herpes outbreak may be on its way.

Lysine restricts the herpes virus from becoming active.  It does this by interfering with its natural "food" source, Arginine, an amino acid that is required by the virus to replicate and become active.

Lysine can be taken daily to counter-react the growth and activity of the virus and to help prevent outbreaks altogether. During an active outbreak, the dosage can be increased to assist the body in clearing the infection quickly.

Lysine is also beneficial in relieving the itching, tingling, redness, pain and burning sensations that often accompany an outbreak.