All Natural Skincare Ingredients are Filled with Antioxidants
Monday, July 19th, 2010One of my favorite all natural skincare ingredients is grape seed oil. Let me tell you a little about it.
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, too. Much of it comes from China. You may be aware of all of the issues that have been caused by Chinese ingredients. If the manufacturer does not reveal the source of the resveratrol, I would suggest you choose another manufacturer.
Antioxidants are important, because they prevent and reverse free radical damage, at least to some extent. Free radical damage is one of the causes of wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
Any all natural skincare cream worth buying will contain antioxidants. Ideally, the cream will contain lots of extracts that contain them. Grape seed oil is not my only favorite. I like wakame kelp extract, too. The day cream that I use contains both of those ingredients.
According to scientists, wakame contains compounds that inhibit the activity of enzymes responsible for breaking down the skin’s hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is one of the compounds responsible for the skin’s firmness and smoothness. The amount present in an older person’s skin is less than what is found in a younger person’s. The cause is a pesky enzyme called hyaluronidaise. Wakame kelp extracts take care of the pest.
I also like an all natural skincare ingredient called avocado oil. My night cream contains it, instead of grape seed oil. There are advantages of each one.
Grape seed oil forms a film that keeps makeup from clogging your pores. I have found that nighttime makeup removal is easier when I remember to use my day cream.
Avocado oil has been shown to increase the skin’s collagen content according to scientists. That’s something that I cannot verify, but I do know that when I use my night cream on a regular basis, my skin feels smoother and firmer. I recommend it to all of my friends.
Shea butter is another good all natural skincare ingredient. It’s also in my night cream. It’s a little too heavy for daytime use.
The well known benefits of Shea butter include a reduced risk of acne and other inflammatory conditions. According to scientific evaluations, that’s because the antioxidants in Shea butter also have anti-inflammatory activity.
All of the ingredients mentioned above feel good going on. They leave no trace of greasiness, not on my face or on my pillow.
If you’re like me, you want all natural skincare ingredients because they are safer. My favorites are also the safest.
What is Functional Keratin?
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010What is Functional Keratin? It’s a relatively new ingredient found in some of the best skincare products. This article covers the question in great detail. Let’s start with what keratins are.
Keratins are structural proteins. They are used by the body to make hair, nails and the cells of the skin’s outer layers.
Keratins can be found in animal skins, wool, bird feathers and beaks, claws, horns, hooves, reptile scales, turtle shells and the quills of porcupines. There are two different types; alpha and beta.
Alpha-keratins are the type found in human skin, fingernails, toenails and hair. They are also found in sheep’s wool, the horns and hooves of cattle and the claws of various species.
Beta-keratins are also present in human nails, but not in the skin. They are found in turtle shells, reptile scales, bird claws and porcupine quills.
The toughness of keratins is similar to that of chitin, the main component of crab, lobster and mollusk shells. The main difference between the two building blocks is that chitin is a structural carbohydrate rather than a protein.
What is Functional Keratin derived from? That’s a good question.
Keratins have been used in skincare products for decades. They were derived from discarded animal parts, primarily the hooves and horns of cattle. Cow hide contains it, but it used primarily for its collagen content.
The horns and hooves must be heated to high temperatures and harsh solvents must be used to break them down into a water-soluble globular protein-form that can be added to lotions, creams or other skincare products.
The new type is derived from sheep’s wool, which is softer to begin with. So, the proteins can be softened gently. This allows them to retain their “function” or bioactivity.
What is Functional Keratin good for? There are many benefits.
Bioactive proteins can be picked up and used by the skin’s cells. One of the functions of the keratins in human skin is to absorb and pull in moisture.
So, when Functional Keratin is applied topically and absorbed by the skin’s cells, the cells become plumper. This improves the skin’s firmness. After 18 days of daily use, researchers have seen a 40% improvement in the skin’s firmness.
The ingredient has also been shown to stimulate the production of new cells. This is important, because the production of new cells for the skin’s outer layers slows down with age. That’s why older people have “duller” looking skin. After only 3 days of use, Functional Keratin has provided as much as a 160% increase in skin cell proliferation.
It has proven anti-inflammatory activity, which means it is beneficial for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, rosacea and any condition in which inflammation is involved. It also means that it can be used on irritated or broken skin; something that you cannot do with most anti-aging creams and lotions.
It has proven antioxidant activity and by stimulating the production of new cells, it causes an increase in the potent antioxidants glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Antioxidants fight one of the primary causes of skin aging. That cause is free radical damage.
In most cases, it takes one antioxidant molecule to neutralize one free radical molecule. Superoxide dismutase is an enzymatic antioxidant. One molecule can neutralize thousands of free radicals.
Antioxidants have been shown in clinical studies to reduce wrinkles and reverse sun damage. The extra superoxide dismutase and glutathione will help to light age spots, too.
So, what is Functional Keratin? You might say that it is nothing short of an anti-aging miracle. Click here for info on skin care products with Functional Keratin.
What is Cynergy TK?
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010When this rather new substance hit the market in 2006, it was not clear to many what Cynergy TK was or what it could do for consumers. It is now obvious that Cynergy TK is without a doubt this decade’s most important breakthrough in skin care. Ample science and field results solidly support its success.
Cynergy TK is a bio active form of keratin that supports your skin regeneration. Cynergy TK mainly contains Functional Keratin which is a natural substance extracted directly from sheep’s wool.
New Zealand sheep are among the most prolific wool producers in the world. Not surprisingly, Cynergy TK was originally developed in New Zealand and it is sourced exclusively from selected farms which adhere to rigid protocols of purity in order to ensure premium quality. Cynergy TK is also a cruelty free product and sheep are not harmed in the harvesting process.
Cynergy TK is also the preferred ingredient among top-quality, natural skin care companies. One of the main reasons is that it eliminates the need for individual products that target a specific skin type and often overlap in their purpose. Cosmetics with Cynergy TK protect your skin against further damage from pollutants and sun damage, effectively reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It visibly improves the elasticity and firmness of the skin. It reduces inflammation and redness associated with sensitive skin and improves the radiance and brightness of the skin, giving your face a creamy and more even complexion.
The keratin found in Cynergy TK is a protein found throughout the human body. It plays an essential role in skin regeneration. However, Cynergy TK is unique in the way it makes keratin available for absorption though the epidermis.
Although it is sometimes used in other products, keratin is often de-natured through an industrial process called hydrolyzation. Certain animal byproducts such as feathers, horns and hooves are treated with acids and high temperatures to extract keratin. The final product is of low quality and useless when applied directly to the skin.
The keratin in Cynergy TK has undergone a unique patented process that creates a form of soluble keratin that can be effortlessly absorbed through the skin. The availability of the bioactive polymers in Cynergy TK is constant and complete. The manufacturer has very aptly coined the term “liquid skin” which refers to Cynergy TK’s ability to mimic and restore the functions of healthy skin.
The best news associated with Cynergy TK is that it actually stimulates your own natural collagen production to increase again. In fact, it is proven in clinical trials to stimulate not only the recovery of collagen but also a different skin protein called elastin.
Scientific studies show the Functional Keratin in Cynergy TK encourages new skin cell production. It contains zinc protein complexes, which are useful for both the maintenance and of the skin. It also contains copper protein complexes, which play a critical role in skin health by acting as a gentle healing agent.
As an additional benefit, Cynergy TK increases the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. This helps reverse brown pigmentation in the skin caused by UV exposure and environmental pollutants. Sun damage is, after all, the main reason for aging skin in both men and women.
It is quite apparent that those looking to reap the benefits of the long term use of cosmetics, should look into a natural line of products containing Cynergy TK. It will guarantee visible and palpable results that could not be attained by using any of the standard chemical laden cosmetics found at your local mall. I am quite certain that you will not be disappointed.
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