Most people know that collagen loss is one of the reasons we start to look older.  Collagen is a structural protein, responsible for the skin’s firmness and opacity.

The cosmetic companies would have us think that reducing the visible signs of age is as simple as applying some animal collagen to the skin’s surface.  If you’ve tried it, you know it doesn’t work.

There are two reasons it doesn’t work.  First, collagen molecules are too large … Read Full Article

The most important is to moisturize, and repeat.  In fact, you can repeat that as many times as you like to make up the difference between the number of tips provided here and one hundred.

I have seen people spend thousands of dollars on anti-aging treatments of all kinds.  They spend hundreds of dollars on various skincare products.  They try different name brands, use exfoliants, toners, masks and concealers.  The product they overlook most often is a moisturizer.

Dermatologists agree on this subject.  Failing to use a good moisturizer is … Read Full Article

You might be concerned about the safety of the ingredients cosmetic manufacturers use.  While questioning the safety of cosmetics is always a good idea.  It is easy enough to avoid common allergens, irritants and toxins.

Most allergic reactions are caused by artificial preservatives and fragrance ingredients.  Other irritants include petrochemicals, petrolatum, colors, excessive alcohols and mineral oil.  You can tell whether or not a product contains toxins by looking for … Read Full Article

The oils of grape seeds contain the antioxidants vitamin E and resveratrol.  Vitamin E has long been recognized as beneficial to the skin’s health.  Most creams and lotions contain the ingredient, but most companies do not use the naturally occurring form.  Synthetics are cheaper.

Resveratrol has been written about in scientific journals and talked about on television programs.  It is one of the most potent antioxidants that have been found.  Some manufacturers list resveratrol as an ingredient.

You never know where that resveratrol comes from if grape seed oil is not listed, … Read Full Article

Grape Seed Oil

Grape seed oil can be used for cooking.  Some chefs like it because of its unique “filming” ability.  It forms a film over the pan and the vegetables being cooked.  This allows them to use less oil.

When applied to the skin, the film acts to hold moisture in.  The benefits of use may include reduced wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.  It can help improve circulation.  Because of its antioxidant activity, it protects against free … Read Full Article

What everyone needs is a good moisturizer.  A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland showed that plain old tap water strips the skin’s protective oils.  Doctors call the oils sebum.

Sebum provides protection, but also starts to smell bad, if it is not washed away on a regular basis.  So, bathing is necessary.  It’s just as necessary to follow each bath or shower with the use of a good moisturizer.

When you go to compare the moisturizers on the market, you will see … Read Full Article

Active Manuka Honey

Active Manuka honey can be found in some of the better body lotions, nighttime facial creams, under eye gels and deep cleansing masks.  The benefits have to do with the antioxidant and the antibacterial activity.

Antioxidants of all kinds are beneficial to the skin’s health and appearance.  They prevent and sometimes repair free radical damage, which dermatologists believe to be the primary cause of wrinkles, age spots and other visible signs of aging.

The antibacterial … Read Full Article

Nothing worked as well as Retin-A for people who could get beyond the unwanted side effects.  Those include redness, itching and irritation.  Burning is yet another side effect many people experience.  The burning is usually the hardest for people to deal with.

They may be able to deal with a little redness or even some itching, but burning is another issue entirely.  It’s painful.  The natural reaction is to want to rinse it off as quickly as possible.

No one is sure why Retin-A … Read Full Article

Scientists have suspected for many years that antioxidants might be the most effective anti-aging ingredients of all.  A lotion containing them might not be the proverbial fountain of youth, but it might be the next best thing.  Of course, it all depends on which antioxidant is included in the product and how it is formulated.

The reason that antioxidants were chosen to repair damage … Read Full Article

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance very similar to a vitamin which is an intrinsic part of every cell in our bodies. It is found in greater quantities in the mitochondria (a membrane enclosed organelle that generates the energy necessary for the cell to stay alive).

The amount of CoQ10 in our cells decreases as we get older as well as when we are under stress. As a result, our cells lose their capacity for renewal, which is an important requirement for healthy skin.

Scientists have recently discovered … Read Full Article