Over 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.
Natural Skin Care Lines and the Lack of Skin Care Regulations
Monday, June 28th, 2010While there are some excellent natural skin care lines, there are some companies that capitalize on our desire to protect our health. What they claim to provide and what they actually provide are two different things.
Things are different in some parts of the world. But, in the US, cosmetic manufacturers are largely unregulated. Even though creams, lotions and similar items are actually healthcare products, they are still classified as cosmetics.
The advertising terms used by cosmetic companies currently have no legal definitions. A company might use only naturally occurring ingredients. They might make the safest choices to help you protect your health. But, they might not.
Until things change, the only accurate source of information is the label of ingredients. When internet companies do not publish a full list of ingredients, you have to be suspicious about what the products contain. My personal recommendation is this.
Don’t buy anything unless you can read the label of ingredients and you fully understand the possible side effects of using them. Interestingly, the FDA makes a similar recommendation on their webpage for cosmetic users, because of the risk of allergic and adverse reactions.
One would think that natural skin care lines would not cause allergic or adverse reactions. But, many naturally occurring ingredients are allergens. Concentrated plant fragrances are among the worst.
They call them essential oils, hydrosols or herbal distillates. Sometimes they use the name of the individual fragrance. Examples include limonene and lavender. Regardless of what the companies call them, they are concentrated plant fragrances and there are several concerns accompanying their use.
First, they are toxic to the skin in their undiluted forms. The concentration should be less than 10%. Ideally, they would not be included at all. But, there are only a few natural skin care lines that do not contain plant fragrances.
The second concern has to do with the skin’s absorptive qualities. If used on a daily basis, creams or other skincare products containing essential oils can penetrate through the skin’s protective barrier and enter the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, they will be diverted to the liver, where all toxins end up. The liver is resistant to many toxins and can dispose of them easily. Essential oils can damage the liver, especially if used on a regular basis.
They are included in aromatherapy because of the calming effect that some of the fragrances have. Some are good safe household cleansers. Orange oil is an example. But, they should not be included in natural skin care lines.
Some of the fragrances are known to increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. None of them should be used during pregnancy, because they can have an effect on the body’s production of hormones, which could lead to birth defects.
There are some published cases or pre-pubescent boys developing breast tissue as a result of exposure to lavender or tea tree oil. This is due to the fragrances effect on hormone production.
The final concern has to do with pesticide residues. Unless you were buying a certified organic product, you could be exposing your body to pesticides.
While there are many things that should not be included in natural skin care lines, concentrated plant fragrances are among the most dangerous. The best products are free of added fragrances, because the company’s goal is to make them as safe as possible.
The Best Skin Gel for Wrinkles has Natural Anti-Inflammatories
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
The best skin gel for wrinkles is one that is free of cancer-causing substances, toxins, allergens and irritants. That’s not just my opinion. There are many environmental and public safety groups that agree.
Those ingredients should not be included in any kind of cosmetic, but it is particularly counter-productive when they are including in anti-aging creams. Free radical damage and chronic inflammation are among the causes of an aged appearance. Cancer-causing substances and toxins cause free radical damage. Allergens and irritants cause inflammation.
What you want to look for are gels and lotions that contain natural anti-inflammatories and natural antioxidants. Don’t be fooled by the advertising claims. Artificial preservatives are technically antioxidants. But, they are not the antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin’s health and appearance.
The antioxidants that you want to look for include coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E. The particles must be reduced in size in order to penetrate through the skin’s layers. So, look for a “nano-emulsion” form.
Most antioxidants have a little anti-inflammatory activity, but an ingredient called Functional Keratin actually stops inflammation before it can start. The best skin gel for wrinkles is one containing Functional Keratin, judging by the results of clinical studies.
Keratin is a structural protein that is abundant in the skin’s outer layers. One of its primary functions is to pull moisture into the skin’s cells, which is one of the things that accounts for the skin’s firmness.
Excessive dryness is one of the causes of wrinkling. Exposure to sun and wind dries out the skin’s layers sometimes to the point that the moisture cannot be replenished.
Keratin is an ingredient in many creams and lotions. But, most companies use the inactive “non-functional” form. It might feel good initially, but it will not improve the skin’s health or appearance.
The best skin gel for wrinkles is one that contains Functional Keratin, because it can be used by the skin’s cells. The non-functional kind cannot. So, now you have two ingredients to look for when you go shopping. How about one more?
As we age, the skin’s hyaluronic acid content starts to decline. It is hyaluronic acid that keeps the skin looking smooth and youthful.
A type of kelp called wakame has been shown to inhibit the breakdown of hyaluronic acid by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme responsible for the decreasing levels. The best skin gel for wrinkles contains wakame because it allows hyaluronic acid levels to rise and because the kelp contains sulfated polyfucose, which naturally protects against UV damage and other toxins.
No name brands were mentioned in this article, because the brand name really doesn’t matter. It is all about the ingredients included in a product. It might take some research to find a couple to choose from, but if you really want to improve your skin’s health and appearance, the research is well worth your time.
The best skin gel for wrinkles can reduce fine lines and wrinkle depth by 30% or more. What more could you ask for?
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