Maybe we need to go back to the “first-things-first” method. Sure, we all know that we need face care products to keep our facial skin maintain its radiance. However, not everyone knows which the right product to buy.
With a number of products and brands out there that you can buy, what are the things that you should keep in mind? Here, we have listed products that you should be using to keep your skin healthy. You can also find which ingredients it should contain to give your skin a nice glow.
MOISTURIZER
Aside from diamonds, this product should be a girl’s best friend. See, this product is a perfect anti aging solution because it helps in releasing your skin’s youthful glow. However, if you choose the wrong one, your skin will be prone to breakouts, or you’ll experience skin irritation.
Oily skin- use an oil-free lotion.
Dry skin- thick cream with hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
NEW PRODUCTS
There’s nothing wrong with experimenting and trying out new products. Just make sure that you test one at a time. You must also remember that if you’re using a new product that has ingredients which can cause irritation, you should keep your cleanser basic and do without antioxidants and exfoliation first. A plain moisturizer should be used too. Be sure that when you test it, you apply the new product on the side of your neck first, so that you can cover it up easily when irritation occurs. If there is no reaction in three days, you can use it on your face.
OIL PREVENTION
During the day when you look in the mirror, you’d find your skin oily. How to prevent this from happening? You can use products such as a mattifying moisturizer with SPF, powder foundation, and the best innovation ever–oil blotting sheets.
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According to the study published in the “Journal of Nutrition,” it was stated that the women who consume a cocoa beverage have a better chance of having healthy & blemish-free skin.
Cocoa Beans contain flavonoids, powerful anti-oxidants that protect skin from the various external and internal damages caused by pollution, smoking and sun damage.
It reduces roughness and soothes the skin.
Acts as a moisturizer and also increases skin density.
Increases the blood flow to the skin
Being the richest source of anti- inflammatory antioxidants it shows symptoms of improving acne.
Cocoa relieves the stress hormones which in turn soothe the collagen in the skin preventing wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.
Vitamin E rich FoodIntake of Vitamin E slows the process of aging.
If you include vitamin E in your diet, you are bound to have a healthy and glowing skin. It is known to wrought miracles to your skin and make you look young. Vitamin E has a series of organic compounds that consists of various phenols. It is known as a fat soluble vitamin with very strong anti-oxidant properties. There is no doubt that vitamin E slows down the process of aging as it works as an anti aging antioxidant. So, if you want to fight back the sign of aging and look young, add vitamin E in your diet to get amazing results. You can add it to your diet as natural food or as supplements.
The skin care industry is currently worth $2 billion worldwide, and that amount is only expected to increase with the rapid industrialization of China and India through the next decade. With that said, countless new skin care ingredients, formulations, and technologies are introduced each year – making it difficult to analyze them all, much less distinguish the next retinoid (gold standard in anti-aging) from the next laureth sulfate (known irritant).
Recently at the 22nd World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, Procter & Gamble presented promising research on extracts from turmeric, a known anti-inflammatory agent used in India and Ayurvedic Medicine for 4,000 years. I personally became interested in turmeric in 2009 when my mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer. In my efforts to help improve her health, I read Dr. David Servan-Schrieber, M.D.Ph.D.’s much-acclaimed Anticancer: A New Way of Life, about treating cancer with improved nutrition and exercise. In the studies cited within the book, turmeric was consistently at the top of the nutrient list in alleviating inflammation and eradicating cancer tumor formation of numerous types. I immediately purchased turmeric supplements for my mother. And while I am sure her recovery has had much to do with the world-class care she has received, including surgery and subsequent BCG treatments, I like to think that her use of turmeric aided somewhat as well.
Turmeric has not previously been included in skin care formulations because of its intense color, strong odor, and limited stability. However, Procter & Gamble scientists announced that they have been able to use purification and enrichment methods to extract tetrahydrocurcumin, a solvent-extracted turmeric derivative, for use in their future skin care products. The products, which will be released at the end of this year, are under the label of “-omics,” referring to the fact that the scientists have also studied how select genes affect specific skin proteins (see below for more information).
The Studies
In research presented at the conference, two double-blind, well-controlled studies using turmeric were introduced. In the first, 89 patients aged 40-60 were treated on one side of their face with a cream with 4% niacinamide (similar to Olay Regenerist) for 4 weeks, while the other half of their face was treated with a cream with 4% niacinamide and 0.5% tetrahydrocurcumin. After 8 weeks, experts found a 50% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in patients who used 0.5% tetrahydrocurcumin plus niacinamide, compared to 20% with niacinamide alone.
In the second study, 186 women aged 40-65 were split into three groups. The first group used a regimen consisting of a basic cleanser and one daytime moisturizer containing 0.5% turmeric and 6% niacinamide; the second used 0.5% turmeric, 6% niacinamide, and SPF 15; and the third were subjected to a control. Over the course of 4 weeks, 72% of the women using the turmeric and niacinamide noticed a measurable improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, compared to negligible amounts of the controls.
Turmeric also has been proven to have potent antioxidant activity, as has been shown in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, amongst numerous other sources. It has also been suggested by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., amongst others, that turmeric may boost the skin’s sun protection when applied under sunscreen, but this suggestion has not (to the best of my knowledge) yet been substantiated in any published, peer-reviewed research as of yet. Still, given that other potent antioxidants have been shown to have this effect, like vitamins C & E and pomegranate, it is certainly possible turmeric can join this elite group.
What You Can Do Now
Before Procter and Gamble releases its “-omics” products, there are several other products on the market today that contain turmeric. These include:
Super by Nicholas Perricone SPF 15 Sun-Kissed Tinted Moisturizer ($42.00). Does it contain turmeric? Yes. Is it likely to be in a 0.5% or more concentration? Given its very low placement on the ingredients list, no. But if you’re the impatient type who doesn’t want to wait for the Procter & Gamble line to premiere, this is one source.
Source Naturals Turmeric Supplement ($25.77 for 100 softgels). Given that research has found eating an antioxidant ingredient is more effective than topically applying one, this is probably the best way to get turmeric right now. Turmeric has been found to have numerous other effects when ingested, including the reversal of aflatoxin-induced liver damage in research published in Cancer Letters; anti-cancer activity, also through Cancer Letters; and to protect against DNA damage from free radical peroxidation, as shown in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. It has also been suggested that turmeric may help patients lose weight, due to its stabilization of blood-sugar levels, keeping you feeling fuller somewhat longer. I’ve taken the supplement in the past, and I would say it might decrease appetite 10-20%; nothing significant for me, but a definite effect. If you take the supplement with a full glass of water before you eat (or, even better, with a glass of water and a piece of fruit!), and you’ll eat far less and really feel full for hours. With that said, be sure to check with your physician before beginning this or any other supplement or diet regimen!
Bottom Line
Turmeric is a can’t-miss new ingredient. Of those I have read about coming out this year, only turmeric is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wrinkle-fighting, wrinkle-preventing agent that may boost sun protection to boot. (!) Take it in supplement form and apply it topically, and it’s likely you’ll look and feel better – just be sure to check with your physician first!
Do you have a favorite skin care ingredient or supplement? Let us know in Comments, or write to us on the FutureDerm.com Facebook page! All fans’ comments and questions are currently getting a response, and we would love to hear from you! :-)
In preparation for my own video blog segment (debuting June 17!), I’ve been watching more online videos in my spare time. This one, featuring the facial changes of a man, JK Keller, every day for 8 years, made me wonder: What exactly makes someone appear older? And what can be done to delay or prevent the process altogether?
1.) UV light-induced skin damage (perhaps the most prominent).
2.) genetic factors;
3.) telomere shortening and chromosomal alterations;
4.) free radical generation (in excess of free radicals necessary for normal metabolism).
1. UV Radiation
UV radiation generates free radicals, which turn on matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes). In a 1996 study by Fisher et al., it was found that UV exposure increase MMPs (and hence collagen production) in three steps, as mentioned in Dr. Leslie Baumann’s Cosmetic Dermatology. One, UV exposure increases the production of the transcription factor c-jun. Two, the “extra” c-jun combines with another transcription factor already present in high concentration, c-fos, to produce activator protein, AP-1. Three, AP-1 activates the MMP genes, which produce collagenase, gelatinase, and stromelysin-1. It may further be noted that there are twenty-three human MMPs, and MMP-1 has been found in studies to be the MMP responsible for collagen degradation. And, similar to how natural antioxidants keep free radicals in check, the body naturally produces Tissue Inhibitors (TMPs) to keep levels of MMPs down. Unfortunately, however, as people age, MMP activity increases, while levels of Tissue Inhibitors (TMPs) decrease.
Matrix metalloproteinase activity can be stopped in two ways. The first is to prevent their production. This is best done with a sunscreen with high UVB protection (UVB has been directly liked to MMP production by Fisher et al.) Fortunately, the best UVB protection is easy to find: look for the sunscreen with the highest sun protection factor (SPF), a direct measure of UVB protection. The second method is to stop the degrading activities of the MMPs. According to Dr. Wexler, there are several substances that act as MMP inhibitors (MMPis): epigallocatechin-3-gallate (a derivative of green tea), retinoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), beta-carotene, DHEA (though this is controversial), polysaccharides, vitamin E, and vitamin C, and flavonoids. Research has shown all of these inhibit MMPs and increase TIMPs. Patricia Wexler’s MMPi Skin Regeneration Serum, available at Bath and Body Works stores, uses MMPis to inhibit MMP activity in skin cells by more than 80% (statistic from drpatriciawexlermd.com).
What you can do: Wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (I prefer 50+, even though there’s about a 0.8% difference per mg/cm2!) each and every day. Avoid UV light as much as possible between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Stay protected on the airplane if you travel (UV light is incredibly strong on planes). And if you’re going to the beach, keep reapplying sunscreen at least every 3 hours!
2. Genetic factors
Skin aging is the result of genetic, as well as environmental, factors. In several lower species, genes that contribute to aging have been identified, and it is believed that corresponding genes may play a role in aging of humans.
What may delay these factors of aging: Studies in mice have shown that caloric restriction increases the life of the mice and the expression of sirt1 genes, which code for sirtuins that may be responsible for prolonging the life of cells by turning off unnecessary gene expression.
In human skin, caloric restriction has also been proposed to decrease contact dermatitis, decrease free radical formation, and potentially preserving the softened, youthful state of collagen by decreasing the formation of advanced glycation endproduct glucosepane. Still, even though most Americans are now overweight, aalways talk to your physician before beginning any sort of diet regimen.
3. Telomere shortening and chromosomal alterations
Telomeres are repeated patterns of DNA sequences (TTAGGG) found at the end of chromosomes. With each round of DNA replication, telomeres shorten. Older adults have shorter telomeres compared with younger adults and children; when telomeres reach a certain shortened length, the cell is no longer able to divide, and cell death occurs. In fact, according to this study, the size of telomeres found in adrenal (kidney) chromosomes shortens by about 0.24% per year of human life. The telomere theory of aging is also supported by patients with Werner’s Syndrome, a rare disease in which aging is accelerated. Although an enzyme, telomerase, is able to make telomeric sequences to replace shortened sequences, and the introduction of telomerase into retinal epithelial cells and fibroblasts has been shown in this 1994 study by Bodnar et. al.to regenerate telomeres, telomerase is also reactivated in cancer cells, and so the introduction of telomerase into normal human cells to fight aging is not in fact a sound therapy at all.
Other chromosomal alterations reported by Dr. Susan C. Taylor in Cosmetic Dermatology include a defective DNA helicase, which is the enzyme used to uncoil DNA prior to each round of replication. It has been found that a mutation in DNA helicase is responsible for Werner’s Syndrome and the premature aging symptoms that result. In another disease resulting in accelerated aging, progeria, a misregulation of mitosis has been identified as the major cause.
What you can do: Not much. It has been found that two people of the same age may have vastly different telomere size, but little difference in their apparent skin physiology. Apparently, 0.001 mm does not measure the same in everyone on a DNA scale! With that said, no skin care technologies or therapies have ever been proven to delay the shortening of, or to regenerate, telomeres.
4. Free radical generation
The free radical theory of aging has existed since the 1950’s by Denham Harman. The theory essentially states that free radical processes cumulatively lead you to age. Free radical generating processes include UV exposure, environmental pollutants, and smoking, and also mandatory processes, like respiration and metabolism. As respiration and metabolism are necessary for life to continue, it is impossible to eradicate free radical production in the body completely. For this reason, it has been proposed by deGrey in Ending Aging (amongst others) that free radicals are a natural byproduct of life that should not necessarily be neutralized with antioxidants. According to Dr. Jeannette Graf in Cosmetic Dermatology, newfound technologies like “spin traps” have been developed to eradicate only the rare free radicals that are created when an aberrant electron “spins” out of its orbit. (Spin traps, being developoed by Dr. J. Carney and his associates, are not yet available in skin care products.)
What you can do to prevent free radical generation: Most experts emphatically recommend the use of topical antioxidants, with support from numerous nutritional studies that demonstrate eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables helps to prevent aging and certain diseases. As topical application of an ingredient results in a maximal absorption of about 33% of the ingredient, according to this 2002 study by Briggs et. al., so applying topical antioxidants and consuming them through the diet should have synonymous effects. In addition, while studies at MIT have suggested that oxygen free radicals do not contribute to a shortened lifespan, another study has demonstrated that oxygen free radicals can damage the DNA of cultured skin cells. As such, free radical-induced aging seems to be one of the only causes we can treat: eat a diet rich in antioxidants and apply a multitude of topical antioxidants to eradicate free radical production.
To eat as many antioxidant-rich vegetables as possible, according to this 2006 study by the American Botanical Council, vegetables were found to retain 80% of their raw antioxidant capacity when steamed, but just 30% when boiled. Also, of 27 vegetables, those with the highest antioxidant capacity were artichokes, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli, red chicory, red chili, and yellow pepper, so eat up!
Turns out this video has been the culprit of a phenomenon known as “lifejacking,” in which users are tricked into clicking links that mark the clicked site as one of your Facebook “likes.” These likes then show up on your profile and Facebook News Feed so your friends can see the link and click it, allowing the vicious cycle to continue.
In Summary
It seems many of the visible signs of skin aging really can be delayed with vigilant application of sunscreen, rigorous ingestion and topical application of antioxidants, and the use of retinoids and other skin care ingredients that stimulate the skin to renew itself. The same thing that makes aging so tricky – the fact that it happens so gradually – can be used to your advantage as you do just a little every day to delay, prevent, and even reverse a few signs of the process.
What are your favorite anti-aging tricks? Let us know in Comments below, and be sure to visit the FutureDerm.com fan page, where all questions are now answered!
Because botanical and fruit extracts contain a multitude of vitamins, amino acids and flavonoids that feed the skin, they can easily ramp up the effectiveness of product or service without the addition of too many ingredients. Several examples of extracts that are rich in these components include the following:
Calendula extract: This extract has properties that make it an excellent ingredient in cleansers for all skin types, especially dry, sensitive and sunburned skin. The cleansing properties of calendula extract are attributed to saponin, a natural surfactant that foams and lathers when agitated in water, calendula extract also contains mucilage, a polysaccharide that has humectant and soothing properties making it a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredient. This ingredient also contains flavonoids, thus exhibiting antioxidant properties.
Ginkgo bilobo extract: This extract can be a useful ingredient in any number of products, expecially leave-on products, such as facial moisturizers and massage oil. It has been studied as an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and sun care ingredient. In fact, the main, flavonoids proven to be effective in treating mature and sun-damaged skin are found in ginko biloba extract. Because flavonoids have the ability to penetrate the epidermal skin layer, they have some effect on the dermal layer as well. This property alone makes ginkgo biloba extract a noteworthy ingredient.
Watermelon extract: Rich in vitamin C and amino acids, watermelon extract is a powerful antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. Becasue of its antioxidant activity, watermelon extract is an effective ingredient for fighting free radicals released by sun exposure. The vitamin C content of this fruit extract also works well to gently exfoliate the skin without the use of physical exfoliants. True to form, this ingredient helps promote skin-cell regeneration, revealing a healthy, glowing skin tone. Watermelon extract lends itself well to both leave-on and rince-off products, including masks, cleansers and moisturizers for the face and body.
As consumers continue to demand natural and organic products, researchers are honing in on the power of a multitude of plant life for their skin benefits. Lavandou is is happy to offer the best in botanical and Organic products:
When considering which extracts are best suited for your skin, it is important to understand the role various chemicals components play in skin care:
Vitamin A: Also know as retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate and retinoic acid, is a tried and true anti-aging ingredient. Research has show that when applied topically, vitamin A can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As the skin ages, collagen production decreases, leading to thinner, less taut skin. Viotamin A has been show to increase the production of procollagen, the precursor to collagen production, and glycosaminoglycan, which is known to retain significant amounts of water. Thus, vitamin A aids in the the maintenance of skin structure and moisturization to reduce the signs of aging.
Vitamins C & E: Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that can combat free radicals caused by sun exposure. Free radicals act as scavengers looking to find suitable mates. As a result, they attack structural components of the skin, such as collagen and elastin, which can lead to aging in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. Although vitamin A helps restore the skin post-aging, vitamins C and E are more preventive ingredients.
Flavonoids: Flavonoids are chemical components responsible for giving fruits, vegetables and plants their color. They are also known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Although most cosmetic ingredients merely treat the outermost layer of the skin, studies have shown that some flavonoids exhibit activity in both the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Such flavonoids are excellent chemicals components for anti-aging and after-sun products, providing both short-term and long-term results. This is especially useful in tackling the damage caused by UVA (Aging) rays, which affect deeper layers of the skin, resulting in damage that isn’t immediately apparent.
Amino acids: Amino acids also play an important role in maintaining healthy, youthful skin. They are the building blocks of protein and because human skin is made of fibrous protein, amino acids are essential. The body can produce the majority of the amino acids it needs; however, essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be introduced via ingestion or applied topically. Because proper skin function and development is reliant on amino acids, they play an important role in the delivery and function of other skin care ingredients.
Lavandou is proud to represent the top brands that have developed a complete line of skin care products utilizing the finest chemical components available. Learn more:
The peptide explosion began in the late 1980′s, when French scientiest JP Borel and F. Maquart found that the copper peptide pal-GHK (shorthand for the string of amino acids comprising the peptide) stimulated collagen synthesis, improved wound healing and played an overall role in regulating the skin remodeling process. In the late 90′s, another collagen pentapeptide fragment began making news: pal-KTTS. Palmitoyl pentapeptide, its generic name, is currently used in dozens of cosmetic products.
Pal-KTTS became the talk of the town after laboratory studies presented at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology in Paris in 2002 showed it could increase collagen synthesis. Later clinical studies indicated that applications of 3% Matrixyl (the proprietary name of the palmitoyl pentapeptide patented by French pharmaceutical giant Sederma) could significantly decrease both wrinkle depth and volue by as much as 45%. Peptides, such as Matrixyl, have made an important contribution to antiaging skin care.
We get the question all the time: ‘What is the difference between the products sold at mass retail outlets and the Professional Skincare products’? The short answer is: MARKETING. This question comes up more often when the economy is weak and rightfully so as there is a notable gap in price points between the mass retail products and the Professional product lines.
The question was presented to Dr. Claudia Aguirre and her answer was a little more in-depth: “The answer is yes. Although we cannot speak for every company out there, generally, mass market brands are more sensitive to pricing and will therefore use cheaper or fewer active ingredients. For example, a mass market brand will opt for a very low concentration of an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to avoid potential issues with irritation in the general population. Professional products are sold with the added benefit of a thorough skin analysis and education from a professional skin care therapist. Therefore, these prescribed products will have higher levels of actives that will deliver results to those clients in need. Furthermore, some ingredients are very expensive and inevitably bring up the total cost of the product. Peptides are a great example. Mass market brands will either have no or very low concentrations of synthetic peptides, compared with professional lines that devote a greater amount of the formulation of these target-driven ingredients.’
Professional skincare lines, who have professionals assisting individuals with products to match their specific skin type and specific concerns, have products that maximize the active ingredients for maximum results. Something impossible to do for the uncontrolled distribution channels at mass. Products that make a visible and tangible difference on the skin are in demand. Mass market brands tend to be more ‘beauty-oriented” and rely heavily on marketing.
