SUPER SKIN IN FOUR SIMPLE STEPS

While we can all appreciate a good concealer or botox, ignoring the underlying problems by covering them up is no answer. Truly beautiful skin can only come from a good basic skin care routine.Clear, beautiful, healthy skin doesn’t just ‘happen,’ it comes effort and a good skin care routine. Surprisingly, many women today rely on cosmetics and surgical procedures to hide or repair the damage that has occurred from years of improper skin maintenance.

Most dermatologist and skin experts recommend consistently following a daily skin care routine. This does not have to be complicated or time-consuming.  Your daily routine can be performed in as little as five to ten minutes.

Four Simple Steps

* Cleanse
* Tone / Treat
* Moisturize
* Protect

A typical skin care routine includes the following steps: washing/cleansing, toning / treating (optional depending on skin type), moisturizing and sun protection.

Optimize for your skin type
The steps of the basic routine should be adjusted to fit your skin type. Your skin type may change with the season, diet and age. Skin tends to be oilier in the summer and drier in the winter. Menopause often brings about a change from oily or normal to dry skin. Conversely, a shift from a low-fat diet to that rich in certain fats (particularly essential fatty acids) may turn dry skin to normal. Skin pigmentation affects the degree to which you need sun protection. While sun damages any skin, the damage is far less in dark-skinned people. Conversely, fair skinned people need to be particularly meticulous about sun protection by minimizing sun exposure, choosing an effective sunscreen and applying it frequently and consistently.

Depending on your skin type, you may want to use your routine once in the morning and again before you sleep. Those with dry and/or sensitive skin may do better with once a day washing/cleansing while moisturizing two or more times a day. Exfoliation, to remove excess oils and prevent acne or blackheads, is also recommended in some cases, but exercise caution as daily exfoliation may be excessive and can lead to chronic irritation. Exfoliation once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Younger skin, like that in your 20’s and 30’s will have a fast natural epidermal turnover may need little to no exfoliation.

Cleansing
Cleaning facial skin is even more important than cleaning your body. Your face, unlike your body, is exposed to elements all day long. Dirt, pollution and oil from hands all accumulate on the epidermal layer and can clog pores and cause acne eruptions or inflammation. Like all skin care products, the best cleanser for you will be determined by your skin type. If you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, you may benefit from an oil-free gel cleanser or one containing salicylic acid. Mature or dry skin will do best with a cream cleanser to help retain moisture. Once your face and neck are cleansed, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your skin lightly with a towel.

Toning / Treating
Toning can consist of using a store-bought toner, astringent or simple Witch Hazel. Toning or treating will balance the ph level of the skin and remove any residual dirt or oil not picked up from your cleanser. For those over the age of thirty, adding a well-selected treatment or two with scientifically proven active ingredients can further improve your results. Treatment can mean anything from skin rejuvenation products, skin discoloration items and oil absorbing agents to applying medicines for acne or eczema. If you suffer from multiple skin conditions, select an initial treatment aimed at the broadest improvement and then fine tune things from there.
Be aware of applying products to un-cleansed skin as the penetration of active ingredients will be greatly reduced. If you cleanse, moisturize and then apply advanced products, the penetration of active ingredients may still be reduced because the moisturizer has blocked some the entryways.

Moisturize
Moisturizers are essential to keep skin cells plump and hydrated. Hydrated skin will show fewer lines, wrinkles and imperfections. Even if you have oily or acne prone skin, you may still need some hydration. Look for gel-based moisturizers or lightweight formulations. Many medications and treatments appropriate for dealing with acne or oily skin automatically are drying. Don’t make the mistake of drastically drying out your skin until it is a challenge to repair. During the fall and winter months your skin may be even more vulnerable thanks to reduced humidity from indoor heating and excessive hot showers or baths.

Apply your moisturizer when your skin is clean, warm and still slightly moist. Since many active treatments have moisturizing ingredients, you may be able to skip a separate moisturizer. If you feel that you need additional moisturizing, wait a few minutes for the active treatments to absorb, and then apply your favorite moisturizer over it.

Protect
Wearing sunscreen or sun protection EVERY DAY is the proven best way to block harmful UV rays and diminish formation of wrinkles, skin discolorations and to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. A good UVA+UVB sunscreen should be applied on top of your moisturizer or other treatments as a final step of your routine whenever sun exposure is expected.  Sunscreens come in a wide variety of bases, from those meant for oily skin to hydrating versions. Those with sensitivities to chemical sunscreens can choose natural Zinc Oxide formulations. Protective clothing can also now be improved thanks to new laundry treatments with UV protectant for widespread areas of the body mistakenly thought to be protected by your clothing.

Some skin care products or cosmetics contain added UV blockers, but they may not be enough, using a separate, specially formulated sunscreen is proven to be more effective.

And that’s it! Cleanse, Tone / Treat, Moisturize and Protect. Use these four simple steps to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. For a lifetime of skin care that can help leave your skin looking its very best, see your healthy skin as a clean canvass upon which to paint any improvements.

Author: Rachelle Dupree
Vivoderm Natural Skincare

Why Should I Look Out For Parabens and Sulfates? (Pt 2 of 2)

Why Should I Look Out For Parabens and Sulfates? (Pt 1 of 2)

Many consumers today have spent vast amounts of money to improve their appearance. Cosmetic surgery  and the topical skincare industry are multi-billion dollar businesses.  It’s a simple law of economics that the higher the demand, the more skincare manufacturers will flood onto the marketplace. When demand for cheap, readily available products is high, quality ingredients tend to take a backseat over inferior, more accessible ones.

Many consumers today have spent vast amounts of money to improve their appearance. Cosmetic surgery  and the topical skincare industry are multi-billion dollar businesses.  It’s a simple law of economics that the higher the demand, the more skincare manufacturers will flood onto the marketplace. When demand for cheap, readily available products is high, quality ingredients tend to take a backseat over inferior, more accessible ones.

Many skincare products are unfortunately rushed to market to meet this demand without any real consideration to research and development. Most of the budget may go into the marketing of the product. On the surface everything looks great. The bottles and jars that the creams come in look appealing. The magazine advertisements are glossy, complete with a youthful looking model or a well known celebrity who may not even use the products themselves. But underneath the jar lid, one can typically find un-pronounceable ingredients chemically formulated to “imitate” their natural predecessor.

It seems incredible, but many skin care products are loaded with ingredients that actually harm your skin over time. Some of the more controversial preservatives used in recent years are called PARABENS.

WHY ARE PARABENS BAD?

According to Wikipedia, “Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.

Their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with their low cost, the long history of their use, and the inefficacy of natural alternatives like grapefruit seed extract (GSE),[1] probably explains why parabens are so commonplace. They are becoming increasingly controversial, however, because they have been found in extremely low concentrations in breast cancer tumors (an average of 20 nanograms/g of tissue). [2] Parabens have also displayed the ability to weakly mimic estrogen (a hormone known to play a role in the development of breast cancer).[2] No causal link between parabens and cancer has been established, however.[3]”

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report “Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?” reported that the chemical preservatives called parabens—methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates)—displayed estrogenic activity in several tests.

This means that these chemicals mimic your body´s own hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. These disruptors interfere with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid—virtually every system in your body. The EPA also stated that “continual introduction of these benzoates (parabens) into sewage treatment systems and directly to recreational waters from the skin leads to the question of risk to aquatic organisms.” Scientists in Europe found other endocrine-disrupting body care chemicals in the bodies of fish that humans are eating, and in human breast milk.

Many organic and natural skincare practitioners claim organic herbal medicinal tinctures made from high quality organic herbs and organic grain alcohol are shelf-stable for around two to three years. These include foods considered by the FDA to be “self-preserving” and containing no preservatives, such as: honey, maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and wine.
According to one organic website, a self-preserved 100% organic moisturizing body oil made from organic sunflower oil, organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, organic peppermint oil and organic spearmint oil can have a shelf-life of up to 18 months. While this is HALF of its chemically-based brothers and sisters, some are finding those states to be more than palatable.

The Natural Skincare Authority lists, tea tree oil thyme essential oil, grapefruit seed extract, bitter orange extract among some of the alternatives to synthetic preservatives.  Contrary to popular myth the decaying process is natural and happens with or without preservatives. In reality, preservatives serve only to delay the inevitable. Skin care products (just like food) do not and should not last forever. If left for long enough they will deteriorate and go rancid.

Simple actions like storing your natural/organic products and recipes in the refrigerator will help extend their shelf life (naturally). Taking the time to understand what you are buying and spreading on and through your skin can result in a healthier, happier, longer-lasting you.

1. a b von Woedtke T, Schluter B, Pflegel P, Lindequist U, Julich WD (1999 June). “Aspects of the antimicrobial efficacy of grapefruit seed extract and its relation to preservative substances contained”. Pharmazie (Greifswald, Germany: Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst Moritz Arndt University,) 54 (6): 452–6. PMID 10399191.
2. a b c d Harvey PW, Everett DJ (2004). “Significance of the detection of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in human breast tumours”. Journal of Applied Toxicology 24 (1): 1–4. doi:10.1002/jat.957. PMID 14745840.
3.  Golden R, Gandy J, Vollmer G (2005). “A review of the endocrine activity of parabens and implications for potential risks to human health”. Critical Reviews in Toxicology 35 (5): 435–58. doi:10.1080/10408440490920104. PMID 16097138.

Anti-Wrinkle Creams – The Hidden Truth

Wrinkles are a very common and prominent sign of aging. They are an indicator towards the decline of the fullness of your perfect beauty. Women are more concerned about the appearance of these fine lines on the skin and pray to get rid of them. There are a variety of creams, gels and lotions available in the market that claim to help you out of your wrinkled skin. Those annoying folds and pouches on the skin can be really irritating and every lady deserves to get a helping hand for them

There are various types of anti wrinkle treatments available in the market. You must choose wisely according to your skin type and severity of wrinkles. If you are having wrinkles and pouches because of your age, you need to use different type of products from those who are having these wrinkles due to other reasons such as bad eating and lifestyle habits. Most anti wrinkle products tend to only hide the appearance of lines on the skin rather than completely curing them. The small molecules and particles of the cream penetrate the skin and temporarily give an effect of a more taut and re plumped surface. They tend to hide the cracks and lines of the skin and help it look younger.

To choose the right sort of skin rejuvenation products; One must look for anti-wrinkles that have ingredients like AHA’s, peptides, antioxidants, retinol and vitamin C and E. Besides these primary measures, a good skin doctor can help you battle wrinkles. There is nothing better than a personalized and custom made skin care treatment, because every case is different and should be treated differently. So if the wrinkle problem does not seem to be age related, and if the creams and gels and lotions are not doing any good to you, then you know what you need to do.

Anti-Wrinkle Creams – Choose According to Your Skin Type!

Anti-wrinkle creams can significantly reduce the premature signs of aging provided quality creams are selected that are rich in essential constituents. There is no evidentiary support that can back up these products as different skin types respond differently to such products.

Ingredients of any anti-wrinkle product must be checked out prior to buying. Skin aging problems need to be tackled with utmost care in order to achieve the desired results. Anti wrinkle products cannot treat your skin altogether but can significantly help you to battle out these signs of aging. Your anti-wrinkle cream must comprise of AHAs, hydraulic acid, retinol and essential antioxidants which ensure wholesome skin care.

First things first, know your skin type. If you have a soft, tender and really sensitive skin, go for mild and gentle creams that do not cause any skin irritation unlike some other creams that are available today. Don’t go for cheap anti-wrinkle creams which often contain harmful ingredients that can cause irreparable damage to your skin. Try to do a thorough research prior to buying any cream. Expert advice from a dermatologist would be a welcome move.

Oily skin needs to be treated with water-based products which can dampen their skin with necessary moisturizers thereby preventing excessive oil secretion. You must make sure that your anti-wrinkle creams do contain adequate levels of glycolic acid which exfoliates the skin in an effective manner. The presence of Aloe Vera, tea tree oil and other healing herbal constituents can surely enable you to fight wrinkles. Other than creams, various herbal wrinkle treatments can also be considered that can produce desired skin results.

Mature skin conditions cannot be ignored as with growing age, your skin needs extra care and pampering. Adopt a daily skin care routine that can significantly take care of such growing age problems.

Are You Considering An Anti Wrinkle Cream?

Now as a matter of fact, not all anti wrinkle creams work. There are many creams that occupy a prominent place in many beauty stores. There is a staggering amount of population that has used these creams and benefited from them. The same is not true with just any anti wrinkle cream. A cream must contain essential anti wrinkle properties to be in a position to actually reverse the wrinkle process. As a layman you might not know what these ‘Essential anti wrinkle ingredients’ are. Some popular and valuable anti wrinkle components are discussed in the following lines.

Matrixyl is known to penetrate deep into the skin and fasten up collagen production. Haloxyl and hexapeptide-3 are two other effective wrinkle remedies. Retinol and CoQ10 are valuable antioxidants and must be present in an anti wrinkle cream. AHAs and ALAs ought to be present as well. If the cream has Aloe Vera and avocado extract, it can’t get any better.

An anti wrinkle cream to be called effective must promote the production of new skin cells. It should be essentially non-toxic and non-greasy. It must fight wrinkles and furrows from within rather than their temporary concealment. It must be able to make sagging skin firm. The anti wrinkle cream that you choose must capitalize on bioavailability. It should help the facial skin to get rid of all visible scars and blemishes. All in all it must invigorate the skin and make it look as soft as that of a baby’s.

When it comes to anti aging or anti wrinkle creams, one should not settle for anything less than the best. An effective anti aging formula must contain 0% chemicals. It is better to get hold of an all natural anti wrinkle cream. That is sure to leave the skin happy and content. Natural skincare is at the pinnacle of all forms of skincare.

Turn Back the Clock with the Right Anti Wrinkle Cream

How many times have you considered getting shots of Botox? Ah! We know, wrinkles are frustrating but there are many easier options to combat them. Anti wrinkle creams capture a major cosmetic market share. Effective anti wrinkle creams contain carefully chosen ingredients that help to even out skin folds. Cosmetic science shows that there are certain constituents which can actually bring about a marked improvement in skin texture. If the anti wrinkle cream contains such ingredients, yes, you may expect a breakthrough difference in your appearance after persistent usage.

Most anti wrinkle products plump up the facial skin thereby producing an impression of a wrinkle-free skin. This plump however has a temporary term. The effect of such creams withers gradually with time. There is another set of creams that works to increase natural collagen. This is a rather effective approach towards achieving long term benefits. Wrinkles come out as a result of reduced collagen production and if something can lead to collagen reactivation, what better? This approach is a really safe approach since it throws no side effects.

Experts hold that ingredients which stimulate collagen production do not easily seep down into the skin. It is therefore suggested that you treat your skin with steam before application of such ingredients. This will enable deeper penetration as a result of clear pores.

People who are on some form of medication and also those who have a sensitive skin must not forget to check the ingredients. Products that contain allergic constituents must be avoided.

It is generally seen that over the counter anti wrinkle products do not work. You must not fall for non prescription drugs, whatsoever be the reason. A dermatologist will not kill you, for Heavens’ sake! Go and see a skin care expert as soon as possible to find answers to all your skin disorders!

Are Anti Wrinkle Creams The Last Resort?

People with wrinkles resort to anti-wrinkle creams because they have had been sick and tired of trying all other possible measures. Anti-wrinkle products are alluring and sound promising. The stores out there are overflowing with anti-wrinkle creams. Now, God only knows which ones of these are genuine and effective and which ones are not!

Almost all anti-wrinkle creams take time to show visible results. They require regular and continued usage and any discontinuance in between messes up everything. In a way these creams ‘hide’ the outwardly lines and do not pay any heed to the deep rooted cause of their appearance. So, you may say that actually the very concept of anti-wrinkle creams is superficial!

The most important fact you must set right in your head is that no cream, of whatsoever brand, can vanish wrinkles. That is just not possible for anti-wrinkle creams to achieve. You can a wrinkle free skin, in the true sense of the term only by undergoing a facial surgery or something alike. If the list of ingredients show the presence of copper peptides, vitamin E and Vitamin B6, Aloe Vera, CoQ10, AHAs, plant oils, retinol, matrixyl, almond oil, GLA, botanical extracts, oatmeal, chamomile extracts amongst other important ingredients, there are great chances the cream will work. These ingredients should not only be present but these should be present in sizeable amount.

Ever wondered what makes wrinkles appear only on the facial skin? This is because it is the face which has to bear the atrocities of the weather as it remains exposed all the time. So, if the facial skin is covered in intense weather conditions (for it cannot be covered all the time), chances of forming eye wrinkles are considerably reduced. A UV protector sun glasses and sun screen lotion should be two must wear-ons when you decide to step out of the house!

What Should You Do To Make Your Wrinkles Run For Their Life?

Do you want to regain your youthful skin? Are you one of those zillions who are battling facial wrinkles? Is your facial skin sagging? Are you frustrated? Well, there is nothing to get frustrated. Aging is a phenomenon that has to happen to everyone. If it is wrinkles in particular that is the cause of your worry, you will be delighted to know that there are countless anti wrinkle creams floating around. If you have already tried them and got no significant result, maybe you didn’t pay much attention to the ingredients of the cream before purchasing it.

Peptides and retinol should form a substantial portion of the anti wrinkle cream. The cream must also contain enough antioxidants and vitamins. Topical application of these essential skin nutrients helps a great deal in battling wrinkles. It will be a better option if you choose natural anti wrinkle products above commercial ones. Natural anti wrinkle facial creams make use of botanical extracts to shoo away lines and deep furrows. Herbal creams are the safest as the user does not have to worry about the side effects. Natural skincare products are readily available in beauty stores. You should not have much problem hunting for them.

Some people use baby oil on facial skin to get rid of wrinkles. They must have thought that being baby oil, it would work gently on the skin. Baby oil, however is generally not recommended to be applied on facial skin. You may however use it on the remaining body to hydrate it. Baby oil would not be as effective a formula to treat mature age lines and wrinkles.

Avoid too much touching and playing with wrinkled skin. It is already too weak to be played with. Unnecessary pulling and squeezing may aggravate the whole problem. Be as gentle with your facial skin as you can!

Anti-Wrinkle Benefits of Green Tea

What is Tea?

Tea is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes (the portion of a plant stem between nodes) of the plant that are prepared and cured by various methods. “Tea” also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water.

Tea is known for its stimulant qualities largely attributed to caffeine. Today, herbal teas are known to have many health benefits, preventing a variety of conditions, from heart disease and cancer, to gum disease, skin aging and weight loss. The major types of tea include black, green, oolong and white, differing by the method of harvesting and processing.

The beneficial properties of tea are attributed to polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to the subtype called catechins. Polyphenols or catechins are better known as antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to skin and body by attacking healthy cells. Green tea has more catechins than black tea; white tea is almost as rich in catechins as green tea but is different in composition and less well studied.

So How Is Green Tea Good For My Skin?

There have been number studies of skin benefits of green tea. One of these studies show protection from skin cancer by demonstrating topical green tea formulations can reduce sun damage.(1) Another fascinating study in 2003 was conducted by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology. His findings determined green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells at the end of their life cycle.

A quote from Dr. Hsu’s paper explained, “…we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.

Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratoses.” (2) Dr. Hsu went on to comment he was “so surprised” to discover EGCG actually reactivated cells that had migrated toward the surface of the skin to ‘die’.

Green tea appears to manipulate sun damage protection by fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea enhances sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. To boost sun protection, apply a green tea formula under your sunscreen to elevate the level of sun protection. It is best to combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea (which some chemical sunscreens might do, especially in sunlight). You can also look for green tea in natural soaps, and other facial cleansers.

Topical green tea is also very beneficial for sensitive skin types by reducing inflammation and irritation in the skin. Wrinkles, skin sag and other signs of aging have been shown to benefit from Green tea. The tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols slow down signs of premature of aging

Use green tea at home to boost your skins health, appearance and reduce signs of aging by freezing freshly brewed green tea as ice cubes and use them as a toner. Let them start thawing first before applying directly to the face to avoid irritation. You can also drink green tea or take green tea extract in capsules to benefit from the anti oxidant properties. The polyphenols will reach your skin via the bloodstream in sufficient amounts.

Using green tea in your skincare routine has definite proven benefits to slow skin aging, reduce acne and protect your skin from cancer among many others. Just be aware of the products you choose. Like most antioxidants, green tea polyphenols are oxidized and can lose their active constituents when exposed to air.

By Tiffany Oney and Rachelle Dupree

References:

(1) Green Tea Polyphenol Treatment to Human Skin Prevents Formation of Ultraviolet Light B-induced Pyrimidine Dimers in DNA (2000). Santosh K. Katiyar, Anaibelith Perez and Hasan Mukhtar. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 6, 3864-3869, October 2000.

(2) Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2003). Stephen Hsu, Wendy B. Bollag, Jill Lewis, Qin Huang,Baldev Singh, Mohamed Sharawy, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and George Schuster. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics. First published on March 27, 2003; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.049734

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