Skin Care Routine
« Previous EntriesOver the Counter Wrinkle Remedies – Sorting Through the Latest Fads
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Over the counter wrinkle remedies may contain a number of ingredients or only one. Hyaluronic acid has become a popular choice for creams and lotions, but doctors say that it does nothing when applied topically. The reason for its inclusion in cosmetics has nothing to do with its effectiveness.
Hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin and an assortment of synthetic fillers will stretch out wrinkles when they are injected into the deepest of the skin’s layers. The injections are widely advertised. They have different brand names. You have probably heard some of them.
They are available at day spas, dermatologist’s offices and from cosmetic surgeons. They range in price from $400 to $1000 per shot. The immediate effects may wear off in as little as three months. The effects provided by the so-called “collagen boosters” will not appear for several months.
So, if your goal is to look great for your daughter’s wedding, then a hyaluronic acid injection might be a good choice. It is less likely to form hardened nodules under the skin’s surface. It can easily be dissolved with another injection if you don’t like the results. But, if you are looking for effective rub-on wrinkle remedies, it won’t do a thing.
You might say that cosmetic manufacturers are riding the coattails of the injection’s popularity. The companies did the same thing when collagen injections were the “in” thing. They use advertising claims like “safe Botox alternative” or “no needle cure for wrinkles”. The truth is that none of these solutions are cures.
Some creams and lotions are beneficial as long as you use them on a regular basis. Using the term “cure” leads people to believe that you can use it once and never have to bother with it again.
There are effective topical wrinkle remedies, but they must be used on a daily basis for three weeks to three months before you see optimum results. Optimum in this sense means that you might notice some improvement early on, but you will see even more as time goes by.
If you stop using the cream, lotion or gel, the benefits will fade away. It’s kind of like staying out of the sun.
Dermatologists say that if you protect your face from the sun consistently for six months, you will look five years younger. Your skin will look smoother and more even-toned. But, a day at the beach will redo the damage.
Topically applied wrinkle remedies containing collagen or hyaluronic acid are a waste of money, because the molecules are too large to penetrate the skin’s surface. It is true that the skin’s collagen and hyaluronic acid content decreases with age, but that issue cannot be addressed by using a cream or lotion containing them. The key is to protect what is present or stimulate the production of more.
Wakame kelp extract is an ingredient known to prevent the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels from becoming depleted. Functional Keratin is known to stimulate collagen production. Some of the more advanced over-the-counter wrinkle remedies contain both of those ingredients. That’s the kind of remedy to look for.
Mother Nature Offers Solutions for Anti Aging Skin Care Products
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
The ingredients brought to you by Nature for skin care products include effective antibacterials and anti-inflammatories. The Earth Mother has also provided moisturizing, cleansing and anti-aging solutions. Here’s a look inside of Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet.
Acne is one of the most common problems. It affects nearly everyone to some degree at some point in their lives. If you suffer from acne, natural ingredients can help heal blemishes and prevent new ones from forming by fighting bacterial overgrowth and reducing inflammation. Ingredients to look for include active Manuka honey, tea tree oil, jojoba and Shea butter.
Eczema and psoriasis are less common than acne, but they do affect a great many people. Both are inflammatory conditions. Shea butter and Functional Keratin are the treatments of choice, because of their natural anti-inflammatory activity. Functional Keratin actually stops inflammation before it begins by blocking a biochemical pathway through which it occurs.
Everyone needs a daily cleanser. But, most of the cleansers on the market are too harsh. Practically all of them contain chemicals derived from petroleum. Cleansers and even plain tap water dries out the skin’s natural oils.
An ingredient brought to you by nature skin care for cleansing is tea tree oil. Manuka honey bars are also safe and gentle. A good rule of thumb to follow, even if you use a mild cleanser, is to only use a cleanser where dirt or grime is present. Scrubbing areas that are already clean is not helpful. It causes irritation and can do long term damage.
Everyone needs a daily moisturizer, too. People who feel they suffer from excessive oiliness often miss this step. Without it, they are increasing their risk of wrinkles.
An ingredient created by nature for skin care that helps with moisturizing oilier complexions is Maracuja. It helps to regulate the production of sebum, which is the skin’s natural moisturizer. Maracuja is a passion fruit extract.
Another ingredient that balances sebum production is Jojoba. It has been used for many problems that negatively affect the skin’s health. It is more like liquid wax than oil. It moisturizes without causing greasiness and is particularly beneficial as a body lotion ingredient.
Many of the solutions already mentioned are beneficial for fighting the things that cause an aged appearance. Shea butter helps to fade wrinkles, stretch marks and scars. Functional Keratin is sometimes hailed as an anti-aging miracle ingredient.
But judging by the latest research, the most effective solution created by Nature for reversing wrinkles and preventing them is coenzyme Q10. You may not recognize the name. It is an antioxidant present in all of the cells of your body.
There are particularly high concentrations in the heart. But, research has shown that the concentration starts to get lower after we pass the age of 20.
It may take a little longer for the years to reduce the concentration present in the skin’s cells. But, it is known that older cells contain less antioxidant molecules and more free radicals, which sets the stage for aging to occur.
There are many other Mother Nature skin care solutions. Take the time to learn more about them. It’s important for your skin’s health and appearance.
Grape Seed Oil as a Natural Skin Care Treatment
Saturday, June 26th, 2010Grape seed oil is a natural skin care treatment that is readily available and very affordable. Here’s a look at what it and others like it can do to improve your skin’s health and appearance.
Grape seed oil contains essential fatty acids similar to those that combine to create the skin’s sebum, a naturally lubricating and protecting fatty substance. We tend to over-clean, especially our faces, and remove too much sebum. Once the protective substance is removed, there is an increased risk of damage, which can eventually lead to wrinkling.
Grape seed oil helps to prevent wrinkles in several ways. The first is by moisturizing…replacing sebum removed during cleansing. The second is by locking moisture in and keeping toxins out of the pores with it unique filming ability. It dries to a lightweight invisible film a few moments after application.
Third is the antioxidant content. The antioxidants are probably just as important as the fatty acids. They help to prevent and repair free radical damage, one of the primary causes of cellular aging.
Grape seed oil has proven to be an effective natural skin care treatment for repairing the delicate area around the eyes. Elsewhere on the body, it has proven to be beneficial for reducing stretch marks. It supports blood vessel strength and helps to protect against the collagen breakdown typically accompanying the aging process.
Grape seed oil is a source of vitamin E, but the best anti-aging skincare products include an extra helping of vitamin E, because of the unique benefits it provides. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to prevent age spots.
Vitamin E is a “helper” nutrient. It helps prevent vitamin A from being destroyed by oxygen. Vitamin A cream is a natural skin care treatment for acne and wrinkles. The concentrated synthetic acidic form is found in prescription creams for those conditions. But, it is too harsh for most people. The redness, itching and irritation caused by it are too much for most people to bear.
Plants and botanical extracts containing the naturally occurring form of vitamin A are less acidic. They provide the benefits without causing the irritation. Vitamin E helps to ensure that the nutrients are absorbed into the skin’s cells where they can provide the most benefit.
Vitamin E is also combined with coenzyme Q10 to make an effective natural skin care treatment for reversing sun damage and wrinkles. A nano-emulsion containing the nutrients helps to increase the production of collagen and elastin. The emulsion reverses free radical damage and prevents more from occurring when used on a regular basis.
Babassu palm wax, maracuja passion fruit extract, wakame kelp extracts and Functional Keratin are all good ingredients for improving the skin’s health and appearance. Some of the best anti-aging creams contain all of the good ingredients mentioned here. With daily use, they will make a dramatic difference in a matter of weeks. What more could you ask of a natural skin care treatment?