Fountain of Youth Reference

Anti-aging skin care is effective, especially with natural skin care ingredients that focus on the specific concerns of aging skin. Natural anti-aging skin care recipes offer the nourishment that encourages skin rejuvenation and repair while protecting it from additional damage.
Natural facial rejuvenation recipes work with natural ingredients to reverse aging skin by stimulating skin repair, cell renewal, increasing skin moisture, counteracting free radicals, promoting the production of collagen, and enhancing skin protection.
Skin loses tone and often complexion color changes with age. Metabolism becomes sluggish and circulation slows as people age, causing the skin to lack the nutrients necessary for vibrancy. These changes cause facial skin to dry out and sag due to a loss of elasticity. The skin also becomes less able to heal itself.
Molecules known as free radicals add to the skin’s deterioration. Free radicals contribute to wrinkles, age spots, fine lines, and many other anti aging skin care concerns. Stress, smoking, insufficient diet, pollution, and excessive sun exposure add to the presence of free radicals and aging skin. The antioxidants in natural anti-aging skin care ingredients, along with daily use of sunscreen, neutralize free radicals.
Another anti-aging skin care problem is a decrease in the skin’s production of collagen and elastin. The skin’s firmness, suppleness, and plumpness deteriorate with a decrease of collagen and elastin causing sagging, fine lines, and deep wrinkles.
Insufficient diet, a lack of exercise, extreme alcohol consumption, sleep deficit, excessive sun exposure, smoking, and stress all add to the accelerated formation of wrinkles and the need for anti-aging skin care.
There is a remedy to halt or lessen these skin damaging issues with a natural anti-aging skin care plan including natural rejuvenating facial skin care treatments.
An easy anti-aging skin care rejuvenation plan will encourage healing, stimulate natural anti-aging defenses, add moisture, neutralize free radicals, and promote collagen and elastin production. Natural skin care treatment ingredients containing essential nutrients will help with these anti-aging skin care issues. The following natural treatments can fight the signs of aging.
Antioxidants – These powerful anti-aging skin care fighters help to repair and protect skin from free radical damage. Antioxidants stimulate cells and reduce sun damage.
Astringents – Liquid astringents help to thoroughly cleanse the skin and pull tissues together. This tightens skin, reduces the size of pores, and protects against further damage.
Demulcents – Soothing demulcents work to calm irritated and inflamed skin.
Emollients – Emollients work great to sooth and soften dry and sensitive skin.
Exfoliation – New skin cells grow through exfoliation. With the use of a scrub or a natural acid, exfoliating involves removing the outer layer of skin cells, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells.
Humectants – By holding moisture in the skin, humectants aid the skin in retaining moisture.
Moisturizers – Good natural moisturizers add moisture and help the skin seal in its own natural moisture.
If you take the time for natural anti-aging skin care, you will reap the benefits of healing and protection. Natural skin care recipes offer rejuvenating treatments using natural ingredients that proactively address anti-aging skin care issues.

I have noticed that most people talk about their cystic acne in a clinical sense, but don’t really talk about the emotional toll their acne has on them.

Those of us who know what real cystic acne is are so frustrated because we know that washing the skin is not going to solve the problem.  Those of us who have had acne for a while get even more frustrated when we realize that people are going to look at you as though you don’t take care of yourself or you lack personal hygiene when in reality your about 20 times more free of germs than the next guy.

Unfortunate we live in a society where we should feel less secure about ourselves because our skin is bad. The weird thing is that supposedly 80% of the society suffers from cystic acne in adolescence. I have seen people with very mild acne react much stronger than people with worse acne though – and that shows how it does depend on the person generally.  However, I have never encountered a soul who has cystic acne and is completely fine with it. It’s frustrating to be encountered by those blessed with clear skin who tell you that all you need is to wash your face. Acne is much more than a fleeting teen affliction. It is in fact a disorder that really affect ones self-esteem, self-confidence, and happiness, to minimize this only serves to minimize the anguish that many suffer on a daily basis.

The solution for those bad feeling is not easy but you can still try to deal with it. You can have cystic acne and still enjoy your social life. Try to take it as if the acnes aren’t there, and everyone else don’t bother bout your acnes too when socializing.

The Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for neonatal skin care, including a Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS), has been validated by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN). Within the Guidelines, the use of emollients is recommended for infants less than 32 weeks during the first 2-4 weeks. For infants younger than 30 weeks, gestational age emollient use is recommended to reduce excessive transepidermal water loss (e-TEWL).

Over a period spanning three decades, the handling of neonates has radically changed and the new guidelines highlight this growth and development. However, this area of skin care has lagged behind. One concern that remains is the issue of the toxic effects of ingredients found in water-based products like preservatives and fragrances. While it is possible that these may be toxic, this article will present evidence that the current skin care products that contain petrolatum and lanolin may be more toxic and potentially harmful. Further, using a product that is not preserved, yet occlusive, may in fact allow for microorganisms in colony forming units to multiply, thereby yielding systemic implications. The purpose of this article is to further illuminate these issues and to allow for greater understanding and discussion.

Skin is the largest organ of the body and provides protection between the body and its environment. In term babies, while there may be issues related to skin breakdown and infection, the stratum corneum is fully developed and protects the newborn. In contrast, the skin and skin barrier of a preterm neonate is not fully developed.

The skin of a premature neonate accounts for approximately thirteen (13) percent of its body weight. This compares to three (3) percent of body weight for adult skin. The body weight to skin ratio is four (4) times greater in the neonate when compared to an adult. As related specifically to skin care, these characteristics in neonate skin call into account:

• Fluid imbalances

• Percutaneous absorption of toxins

• Tissue injury

• Infection

The structure of adult skin is understood, while embryonic and neonate skin is not fully appreciated. Development of the skin within the uterus is complex and still under investigation. In utero, the skin undergoes two-dimensional growth to cover the surface area of the developing embryo and fetus. Premature neonate’s skin has not gone through full epidermal and dermal epidermal development.

In neonatal intensive care units (NICU) skin care product selection is carefully reviewed. With the risks outlined above, great care must be taken to ensure the wellbeing of the neonate within the first hours and days of life. Care of the skin is one of the most important areas of care for these at risk infants. Currently, NANN and AWHONN recommended a Aquaphor?, a petrolatum-based product as neonate skin care emollient.

In earlier work done at Stanford University, it was concluded that emollient cream moisturizer therapy of premature neonates decreases dermatitis without changing the microbiological flora. An emollient is an agent that softens or soothes skin. This definition is important because just as the standard-of-care has changed in NICUs over the past three decades, the selection of emollients has changed in the pharmaceutical industry.

High-tech silicone excipients have displaced petrolatum as companies have sought ways to improve treatment compliance traced to poor aesthetics associated with petrolatum-based formulations. Silicones are not new to the pharmaceutical industry. They are used in transdermal delivery systems, catheters and specialized medical devices, including pacemakers.

In a test to determine aesthetic benefits of silicone formulas over petrolatum-based formulas, 18 untrained volunteers were impaneled. They were asked to evaluate whether two products present any differences on individual sensory properties. The evaluation was conducted on the panelist’s forearms. Each panelist was asked to evaluate wetness, spreadability, speed of absorbance (not biologically, just feel), gloss, film residue, greasiness, silkiness and slip after perceived absorbance.

Figure I shows the silicone-containing formulation was perceived to be easier to spread and was clearly less tacky before and after absorption. A perceptible film was present on the skin for both formulations but the silicone-containing formulation was less greasy, silkier and more slippery (better lubrication) than petrolatum. The panelist’ perception of higher wetness for the silicone-containing formulation was attributed to its lower oiliness.

In a study conducted at a 48-bed NICU private hospital in Houston, Texas, to evaluate why the rate of systemic candidiasis (SC) per 1000 NICU patient-days increased from 5.1% in 1996 to17.4% in 1997 (a three-fold increase), it was determined that the increase in SC incidences was linked to the use of topical petrolatum ointment (TPO). In this well designed study, the investigators went on to hypothesize that TPO enhanced the adherence of C albicans to mucocutaneous surfaces. Also referenced in the study was a finding by Law S, et al, that unlike petrolatum, skin surface lipids inhibit adherence of candida albicans to stratum corneum.

By way of further examination, let’s more closely examine these two hypotheses. As observed in the Houston study, petrolatum enhanced adherence of C albicans to mucocutaneous surfaces. Petrolatum is known as an occlusive barrier. Occlusion is problematic because while it blocks TEWL, it also blocks cellular respiration necessary for barrier repair. Further, occlusion traps microorganisms under the petrolatum where they can breed in the moisture trapped therein. On the other hand, natural skin lipids, like omega 3-6 fatty acids, inhibit adherence of microorganisms to the stratum corneum.

Studies linking petrolatum to increased incidences of infections in preterm infants is ongoing and demonstrates mixed results. However, long term studies reflect a concern over the use of TPO protocols in NICUs. Petrolatum based ointments, like Aquaphor’s? twenty five year old formula, are the emollients of choice in NICUs. When one considers the changes in the standards of care in NICUs over the past three decades, perhaps now is the time to focus on new technologies in emollients that achieve skin care objectives without the aesthetic, epidermal challenges renders skin vulnerable to chemicals & infection, prevents normal TEWL & gland secretions, inhibits barrier repair, suppresses barrier recovery and reduces the epidermal proliferative response and microbial risk disadvantages of petrolatum.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of high products using molecular height silicones against petrolatum, Nutrashield TM was tested in a wash-off study against Aquaphor? and other leading skin barriers to determine each product’s ability to maintain skin protection after cleansing. As shown in Figure II, Nutrashield performed well against Aquaphor?, and did so while providing a breathable barrier instead of the occlusive barrier associated with Aquaphor? (a lanolin and petrolatum-based product). In clinical trials Nutrashield has proven effective in the treatment of skin breakdown in disordered and damaged skin, encountered in the wound care setting, as compared to previously available products.

Based on the above results, Medline Nutrashield outperforms products containing petrolatum levels as high as 49%, and petrolatum combined with 15% Zinc Oxide. Additionally, both Sensi-Care 2 and Sween 24 also contain Dimethicone as an active ingredient (Sween at 6% versus 1% in the Nutrashield). The extended performance of the Nutrashield is most likely due to the addition of Divinyldimethicone/ Dimethicone Copolymer, which has an internal phase viscosity that is greater than 100,000,000 cst in viscosity. As it is delivered in an emulsion form, it is capable of laying down a thin, but consistent and robust film.

An in-vitro study at an independent laboratory was conducted, to determine the effectiveness of Nutrashield and Skin Repair Cream in reducing e-TEWL. Collagen samples were cut into 4×4 inch squares. Each square was pre-coated with 0.1 g of product. The product was applied by rubbing a finger over the collagen material to simulate actual use for a 20 second period. The product was then allowed to dry for five minutes. Each square was placed over Fisher Payne Permeability Cups, containing 3g of water. The samples were placed in a 37 degree oven and checked every four (4) hours. After 24 hours the cups were removed and a final weight was recorded.

Figure III shows that both REMEDY Nutrashield and REMEDY Skin Repair Cream were effective at reducing e-TEWL without occlusion. Nutrashield provided a fourfold reduction in e-TEWL over the control, while Skin Repair Cream showed a twofold improvement. The objective of topical skin care intervention is not to stop all TEWL, just excessive TEWL.

Skin care for neonates is an emerging science. But, since the reduced risk of infant mortality is paramount, improved emollient treatments deserve thoughtful consideration. Skin care for the high-risk neonate requires knowledge of the unique aspects and physiology of their skin. During the neonatal period many newborns develop preventable, clinically apparent skin problems and many more, especially preterm neonates, experience morbidity caused by compromised skin barrier integrity. Anatomical and physiological differences in the skin of premature and term infants place them at increased risk of skin injury and breakdown. All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, sent out a questionnaire to 482 NICU’s to learn how nurses describe and measure skin breakdown. Of the 45% that responded, it was reported that in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, 21% suffered skin breakdown during the first week of life.

The reduction of microbial contamination and the protection against skin breakdown has been discussed. Another critical factor is TEWL associated with immature barrier in neonates is the rate of TEWL. A Swedish study calculated TEWL in infants 24 and 25 weeks of gestation maintained at an ambient relative humidity (RH) of 50%. The study found that TEWL on the first day after birth (58.4 +/-14.8g m(-2) h(-1) and remained at the same level during the second day. It then decreased significantly to 48.3+/-9.5 at postnatal age of day three. The use of a semipermeable skin care product like Nutrashield will reduce excessive TEWL by as much as fourfold.

Semipermeable dressings have been tested as a method to reduce TEWL in neonates to address skin breakdown and high fluid requirements common in ELBW infants. The studies revealed that semipermeable (breathable) barriers can be used safely on premature infants.

The use of ingredients perceived as “toxic” to neonates has limited the choices within the NICUs. Much of the literature points to preservatives and fragrances as falling into the “do-not-use” category. Both are found in the REMEDY products. Consideration of the potential toxicity of ingredients found in the “recommended” products may not have been fully clarified. This is interesting when one considers that lanolin and petrolatum, forming an occlusive barrier, are recommended. Let’s take a closer look at what is being recommended:

Lanolin originates as a secretion from the sebaceous glands in sheepskin. It is removed from the wool by scouring and high-speed centrifugal separators. Lanolin has had 33 alcohols and 36 fatty acids identified as constituents including aliphatic, steroid and triterpinoid alcohols; saturated nonhydroxylated, unsaturated nonhydroxylated and hydroxhlated acid. Commercial lanolin is allowed to have up to 40 parts per million (ppm) pesticide residues. However, it is not clear who monitors for this compliance.

Animal medicines, which include sheep dips for controlling lice and other parasites on sheep, are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the common sheep dip ingredients is organochlorine (OC). This pesticide is based on the benzene ring with one or more chloride atoms attached and includes; DDT, lindane, dieldrin and aldrin. Other sheep dip pesticides include; synthetic pyrethroids, insect growth regulators, spinosyns, ivermectins and magnesium fluorosilicate. In 1994 in Wagga, NSW, a team of shearers successfully sued woolgrowers for allegedly endangering their health by improperly using chemicals. Shearers are becoming more aware of the potential risks associated with exposure to chemicals (sheep dip), particularly organophosphate group which can cause a serious nervous disorder.

There are about 26 pesticide residues found in commercial lanolin. The combined effect of pesticides acting by a common mechanism can be greater than the individual effect of any single pesticide. Since children are subject to non-dietary sources (like lanolin) of exposure pesticides, it is important to consider total exposure to pesticides from all sources combined. Nine hundred and ninety eight (989) references to lanolin and DDT were found in a Google search, April 2005.

La Leche League International is an important advocate for breastfeeding and their commitment has assured thousands of infants receive the vital nutrients found in colostrum and mother’s milk. While the organization acknowledges that toxins from the environment, including pesticides, show up in breast milk, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, the organization does recommend against topical use of commercial lanolin because of its pesticide content.

Petrolatum is a crude oil/petroleum fraction. Petroleum is a complicated mixture of chemicals, thought to have formed from the decay of ancient marine animals millions of years ago. Most of the constituents of petroleum are hydrocarbon molecules, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms. The hydrocarbon atoms take principally four different forms; paraffins, olefins, cycloparaffins and aromatics. These constituents give us gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, lubricating oils (like mineral oil), petrolatum, asphalt and tar, to name a few.

During the manufacturing process, longer unbranched paraffin molecules are able to join together to form crystalline solids. These solids are called paraffin waxes. With time, paraffin waxes settle out of the lubricating oils and are usually removed. At lower temperatures, shorter unbranched paraffin molecules also settle out of lubrication oil. The semi-solid material that forms in cold lubricating oil is petrolatum or petroleum jelly.

The processing of petroleum into petrolatum removes varying amounts of toxins. The yellowish petrolatum has more residue than that of the white petrolatum. Two of the refining methods include sulphuric acid and earth filtering. The acid treatment and filtering is an old process still used to remove the impurities of the “cake” (petrolatum + technical oils). Another purification method is hydrogenation which pressurizes hydrogen through the hydrocarbons with the help of a specific catalyst.

Once one understands the source of petrolatum and why there is a risk of toxins, one must move on to a biologically more concerning issue. Petrolatum is occlusive. In an article by Fore, it was found that the degree of skin occlusion has an effect on barrier recovery. Occlusive products suppress barrier recovery and reduce the epidermal proliferative response to an abnormal stratum corneum barrier. An occlusive product, like petrolatum, will prevent TEWL and will slow the epidermal maturation and barrier repair. Occlusion of the skin increases the infectious organisms, potentially raising the skin’s pH. Occlusion will also directly increase the pH of the skin. Occlusive products also interfere with cellular respiration and may lead to cell death.

This information presents a powerful message that one may want to rethink the use of lanolin and petrolatum on neonate skin. The use of modern emollients like silicone, combined with natural omega 3-6 fatty acids, barrier-building amino acids and natural antioxidants and vitamins may deserve another look. Water-based skin care products are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be preserved. This keeps them free of bacteria and protects the products from contamination when microorganisms from sources (like unclean hands) contaminate the product in the container as well as during use.

The requirement of preservatives and their use is not well understood. Preservatives are not optional in accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monographs covering the manufacturing of “Safe and Effective Drugs” or cosmetics. A manufacturer is required to perform a twenty eight (28) day preservative effectiveness challenge on its products and maintain a record of such testing for FDA inspections. Further, each batch requires proof that the batch meets microbial challenge requirements. Batches are tested in the tank, prior to filling, and then again at the beginning, middle and end of the filling process. This testing is done to ensure each product shipped is free of microbial contamination.

Since the use and safety of preservatives, especially parabens is under consideration in this article, comments from three regulating bodies are brought forward for consideration.

• The FDA recognizes parabens as a class of preservatives that have been used in a wide variety of foods, drugs, and cosmetics and that they keep products safe from microbial contamination. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require that cosmetics and non-prescription drugs and their individual ingredients must be safe and that labeling must be truthful and not misleading. The FDA can take immediate action to stop the sale of any product that does not meet its high standards. This includes the use of an effective preservative system.

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reviewed the use of parabens in food and other products. The European Union (EU) Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) evaluated parabens in 1994 and established a temporary Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-10mg/kg bw, as the sum of methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens. Further study also demonstrated that nooestrogenic activity took place in-vivo, and that there was no effect on forestomach cells in rats. In a teratogenicity study on 300 rabbits with oral does of methyl paraben, at doses of 550 mg/kg, no evidence of toxicity was found. The panel recognized that this dose far exceeded any anticipated oral dose.

• The Cosmetic, Toiletries, Fragrance Association (CTFA) is the body in the United States and through its Scientific Review Board, reviews all new cosmetic ingredients and assigns their INCI nomenclature (the required language found on packaging for all ingredients). The CTFA first studied the safety of parabens in 1984 and concluded they were safe as used in cosmetics. On November 14, 2004, as part of the normal re-review process, the CIR Expert Panel determined that it wanted to conduct a through review of the literature since the previous report in 1984. The safety of parabens has been once again reconfirmed.

Why then can there be a product that is not preserved? It is best that all products have some protection. However, some products that do not contain water can pass the challenge because microorganisms breed in water. Testing is done without the introduction of water. Consider this: a) an unpreserved product is placed on the skin, b) the product is occlusive, like petrolatum, c) the skin and its moisture, due to TEWL, contains microorganisms that are multiplying and trapped between the occlusive barrier and the skin, d) the skin care product on the skin is not preserved and now, e) a microorganism-rich moisture is being added. What are the consequences? Is there a systemic link and what is the potential sequela?

Toxins will be introduced to the neonate’s environment. They will come from mother’s milk, linens, clothing, human contact and a myriad of other sources. Careful consideration must always be given to the source of toxins and how multiple sources of them will impact the neonate. Product preservatives and fragrance are but two of these sources. The protection against e-TEWL and reducing the risks of systemic infections are worth considering when making neonate skin care choices.

Nutrashield from Medline Industries, Inc. is a semipermeable emollient barrier cream that:

• has excellent wash-off characteristics

• may reduce the incidence of colony forming microorganisms in the neonate population associated with petrolatum

• offers excellent aesthetic benefits including spreadability.

Additional creams and lotions in the REMEDY product line provide semipermeable barriers and nourish the skin37. Further research is necessary to confirm the product’s suitability in NICUs.Article by Darlene McCord, Ph.D.

Kids and adults are not the only ones who suffer from cystic acne. This skin disorder can also be found in your new born baby.

If you see acne or even red spots on the baby’s skin he or she might suffer from acne, however acne on those early ages are also very common so you don’t have to be worry. Researches found out the baby acne occurs when the baby is few month years old and it usually ends when he or she is six month years old.

Babies get acne from several reasons: From the mother’s placenta which contains the hormones, and from laundry detergents that exists in the clothing and beddings. To protect the baby you should also avoid dust, dirty places and direct sun light. When the baby is crying, the blood rushes to the acne skin and can make it even worse. Cystic acne in babies looks very similar to kids’ acne, they appear mainly on the face but it can develop to other areas. Therefore it is very important to keep the skin clean and dry and avoid oily creams.

In most cystic acne cases there is no need to take further action in order to get rid of acne; general clean regime will be enough. However if your baby still having acne six months after the birth, you should consult a doctor, which might give you medical prescription. As stated before baby acne is just temporary phase and usually don’t develop in to severe skin disorder. You don’t have to worry too much; it’s natural to have it those ages.

 

If you watch television a lot, you will notice that there is a great deal of advertising for anti aging skin care products. The reason is that with the population aging, more people are concerned about looking old, thus the need for products that will stall the effects of age on our skin. However, this is not something new that has taken over society.

Even ancient civilizations were concerned with the entire aging process as they had their own treatments to try to stop it.

Obviously, we cannot stop the aging process; however, anti aging skin care products will help you keep your youthful appearance longer than normal. Many people just cannot age gracefully and resort to surgical means to keep their appearance youthful…in a way. Frankly, if you look at someone who has undergone Botox treatments, it looks as though they are completely devoid of expression, almost plastic like.

Thanks to advancements in modern technology, the latest anti aging skin care product on the market are much better than they have ever been. You can find natural products or synthetic products, whichever your preference may be at this time.

However, keep in mind that just because a product is marketed as a good anti wrinkle cream, it does not mean that it actually does anything good for you. Legitimate customer reviews are always a good sign that a product actually does what it says it will. Another test is for you to try the product yourself and form your own opinion.

One of the best anti aging skin care products is actually sunscreen. By protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, you will go a long way in keeping your skin looking and feeling soft and smooth. Do not believe a product that promotes miracles.

Some people have found that a chemical based cream can cause serious side effects. Some people are also allergic to synthetic creams. For this reason, many people are turning to natural products to help clear up wrinkles and facial lines.

In conclusion, choose an anti aging skin care product that works best for you. What works for you, may not work for someone else.

Anti-aging is a bit of a misnomer and I’ve yet to meet anyone who has turned back the hands of time. However, as we age our skin becomes depleted of nourishment and hydration which leads to pre-mature skin aging. Antiaging skin care are formulated to renew and reclaim our youthful appearance.

Through a combination of hydration, protection with antioxidants, and anti wrinkle creams, lotions and moisturizers, those of us in the baby-boomer stage of life can add years to aging or damaged skin.

Antiaging skin care begins with several fundamentals we should all follow together with the use of effective skin care. Diet, fitness and health, together with maintaining proper hydration for healthy cell membranes and a bit of scientific “know-how”, allows us to look years younger, slow or halt pre-mature aging, improve suppleness and smoothness, and somewhat “turn back the hands of time”.

Keeping Your Skin Clean

As simple as this may sound, many skin problems result from lack of proper cleansing. Clogged pores can cause skin rashes, rosacea, blackheads and whiteheads, and prevent the proper irrigation of pores. Dermal layers require adequate moisture and circulation; and nutrition can be hampered without proper cleansing.

As part of a daily skin care regimen, using a facial cleanser in the morning and at night before bed is recommended. Avoid cleansers with harsh surfactants that may irritate the skin – this only worsens the problem and my offset gains from products formulated to treat or protect.

Oily or dry skin may need special attention, but a good, deep cleaning, removing makeup and pat drying are the first best steps towards protecting your skin from aging quicker than you would like.

Hydrating Your Skin

You have probably heard by now that our bodies are made-up in large part of water. Water is the primary component of skin cells, so it holds true that proper hydration is important. Moisture content directly effects healthy cell maturation and development, while improving circulation and delivery of nutrients.

Maintaining adequate levels of bodily fluids is a must. As the doctor says, drink plenty of fluids and avoid liquids high in caffeine and sugar. Caffeine is a diuretic that acts to deplete fluids and sugar is known to increase metabolism, both flushing nutrients and reducing fluid levels. It goes without saying diet and regular exercise and stopping smoking (if you do) are hugely helpful.

Anti-Aging Skin Care

Though anti aging covers a broad topic, to keep the conversation succinct and to focus on the most effective products, anti aging skin care can be categorized into a relatively small group:

 

Granted this is not an all encompassing list, but it covers many of the skin care issues we face as we age. Skin care is fundamentally developed to address symptoms, but effective products can remedy the causes as well. Let’s take a closer look at antiaging skin care and how it can help in our anti aging “quest”.

Wrinkle treatment comes primarily in the form of wrinkle creams formulated to reduce the density and depth of wrinkles. Many provide added hydration that acts to reinforce and provide nutrients to cell membranes – improving the skin’s health, while improving healthy cell rejuvenation.

Argireline and Matrixyl are two of the most commonly used active ingredients. These peptide compounds act similar to BOTOX in that they relax facial tissue – smoothing wrinkled skin and eliminating fine lines. Many are somewhat temporary in nature, though consistent use will aid to further prevent wrinkles.

Common in anti wrinkle eye and face cream, Argireline and Matrixyl are also effective for use on the neck (where my wrinkles started) and on the chest. Hyaluronic Acid is also useful in wrinkle treatment. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. It helps cells retain moisture and acts to plump and smooth. Used as an active ingredient in wrinkle creams, it has a cumulative effect in relaxing and smoothing wrinkles.

Antioxidants skin care should not be overlooked. Free-radicals produced from naturally occurring oxidization destroy cells – and are especially fond of skin cells. Antioxidants are common in many fruits and vegetables – in particular, Green Tea, Idebenone and coffee.

All three have found themselves as popular ingredients in anti aging skin care. Green Tea in particular is promoted in consumables (tea), moisturizers, and topical serum applications. Free-radicals, in a nut shell, lead to pre-mature skin aging and can be accelerated if you smoke or are over exposed to the sun. Using an antioxidant as part of your anti aging program is a great step in the right direction.

I turned 50 last year…mmm…I still feel 30, but I’ve started noticing some things on my skin that I only linked to my grandmother – age spots. As we age melanin pigment in our skin loses its ability to protect from sun damage, thus dark, brown or age spots appear.

Bleaching or skin whitening creams can be effective reducing the appearance of age spots, but should be used with care. Many whitening agents make skin sensitive – and sensitive to the sun. Also, use should be confined to the age spots themselves, unless used in light(er) formulations for overall skin lightening.

Dry skin is the hidden villain of aging. As we age our skin naturally loses moisture, the ability to retain hydration, and this leads to amplifying other skin problems such as, wrinkles, rashes, and psoriasis.

Using a night cream that moisturizes is the best advice. Avoid the sun, drink plenty of fluids, and attempt to eat fruits and raw vegetables if possible. As mentioned, many products utilize Hyaluronic Acid to aid moisture retention. Often found in face applications, it is also used successfully in body lotions and creams.

In the past couple of years, Emu Oil has also become a favorite in anti aging skin care. Emu Oil is known to penetrate into the dermis and subcutaneous skin layers and is super-moisturizer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an antibacterial. It has carrier benefits allowing it to “carry” other anti aging ingredients deeper into the skin – improving their effectiveness. Like Hyaluronic Acid, it can be found in body lotions and creams for the eyes and face.

Enlarged pores create havoc on the face. A result of heredity, clogged pores, or excessive oils, enlarged pores accumulated dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Often they lead to rough skin, bacterial infections, blemishes, swelling and irritation, inflammation, or acne and rosacea.

Daily and effective cleansing usually helps reduce pore size and irrigates bacteria-laden pores. Light use of makeup or using mineral makeup that does not irritate the skin and cause inflammation is recommended.

Many skin care products use either Emu oil or Alpha Hydroxy crystals to clean bacteria and reduce pore size. Both are effective active ingredients and when used in concert, help clean and clear your complexion and make skin pores smaller.

Ah…if you’re still with me, there are just a few items to cover – but, they are the top-three on the countdown list. Let’s start by discussing body firming lotions. Again, I know you’re tired of hearing this, as we age our skin loses elasticity and elastin fiber production drops. So?…well, this causes loose skin.

Outside the more obvious causes of lack of exercise and diet, collagen production and elastin development diminishes. Combined with depleted hydration, you get a one-two punch for loose and sagging skin. To get skin tight, body firming lotions use a complex of ingredients that firm and tighten skin, improve hydration, and nourish for optimal cell reproduction.

Many body firming lotions use Collagen III, Emu Oil, a firming peptide complex, and nutrients and amino acids that act together to firm sagging skin. Particularly useful on the arms, stomach, neck, and legs, these lotions tighten skin while adding moisture.

Spider veins are generally the result of several common occurrences – weight gain, pregnancy, having work responsibilities that require you to be on your feet a lot, or often from sun exposure – especially facial spider veins.

Considered a result of damaged or weak veins and capillaries, spider veins occur when damaged valves allow blood flow to get in, but not get out. Weight gain and gravity complicate the problem and in some respects may contribute to the problem. Anti aging skin care focuses on two results.

One, healing or strengthening the vessel walls. There are several active ingredients considered useful in helping the vessels and restoring healthy walls, but Vitamin k is consider the most effective currently. Two, you can cover them up. Repairing spider veins usually requires a spider veins cream or a spider veins treatment.

In fact, I had several facial spider veins removed from below my eyes and at the top of my nose with laser treatment – the result of too many days in the Florida sun growing up, per my dermatologist. But, I have had great success using a cream enriched with Vitamin K and have experienced measurable and noticeable clearing since use.

But, back to covering them up. Many folks have begun using spray-on pantyhose (men and women) to add some tint and color to their legs as the warmer seasons approach. Many spray-ons are formulated to not run when wet or to give you a weird coloring. Often available in a variety of shades, they can be chosen to give you a hint of color that matches your body without being noticeable.

Finally, whew, stretch marks. Though not necessarily at the top of the anti aging list, they are a common problem that folks like to address, especially as they age and become more “aware” of their bodies or pass through the child-bearing age.

Stretch marks are often result from childbirth, pregnancy, weight loss and gain, and are common among body builders. Simply, stretch marks are just that, marks created when the skin stretches faster that the skin can keep-up. Elastin and collagen are not able to reproduce quickly enough to counteract the stretching and the result is scarred and torn tissue.

Underlying the obvious, stretch marks core issue is elasticity and hydration. There’s that word again. True, though. If you are experiencing weight gain or are pregnant, using a stretch mark cream developed to add moisture and hydration has been shown to significantly reduce or even prevent stretch marks. If you already have them, as the title of this article suggests, there are several options.

Again, a stretch marks and scar creams help increase collagen and elastin fiber production. If used with ingredients that stimulate healthy cell reproduction, consistent, disciplined use can often marks and scars.

An alternative is to use an in-home, soft light laser. Low-level lasers emit light waves in oscillations that have been shown to stimulate cell growth and increase circulation. Used for many applications such as scars, burns, sores, and blemishes, low level “soft light” lasers have been shown effective.

Anti aging is a goal we all have and can be effectively dealt with using anti aging skin care. The reduction or elimination of wrinkles, smoother, softer clear skin, protection with antioxidant products, a firmer, tighter body and the elimination or fading of spider veins and stretch marks is possible with the right skin care products.

Though it’s a lot to consider, a skin care regimen focused on cleansing, moisturizing, and treating will to give you substantial short-term and long-term benefits.

As we age, our entire body undergoes profound changes. Your skin, the largest organ in your body, is victim to the ravages of time, diet and the weather. This simple anti-aging skin care fact is the foundation for many of the products and lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your daily routine to help keep a youthful look and attitude! Below we will talk about the signs of aging, and look at all-natural anti-aging skin care routines easily available for you. Along with keeping your looks, “anti aging skin care” also includes the resistance to sickness. Though anti aging awareness has increased over time, a lot of people are unable to recognize aging symptoms, and therefore are unable to determine if they are in special need of additional treatments. Here is a list of obvious aging signs and symptoms that will assist you to plan and carry out a can-do strategy for anti aging skin care: * Hair loss * Loss of eyesight or hearing * The formation of wrinkles * Menopause The happening of any one of the above symptoms is an indicator for augmented vigilence. Note that we are talking about further measures for skin care, not about starting from scratch. A proper regimen should start well before the symptoms of aging appear. Serious care follows a proper routine much earlier in life (think teens). It doesn’t mean an inflexible adoption of any particular procedure, but just establishing a pattern of thinking and caring about your own body. Consuming lots of water and fruits and avoiding stress are useful habits at any age, and will actually slow the aging process. Water is the best all natural anti aging product on the market and is certainly within everyone’s budget! Once the signs of aging appear, and they will, you should begin additional measures in the form of an anti aging skin care. The market is full of such products. In fact there are so many products, that the choices can be frustrating. Treatments at your local spa are a great way to spoil yourself and receive professional advice and education about how to care for your skin. Getting a facial is a useful treatment that encourages rejuvenation and makes you feel great! Exploring the type and application of cosmetic and makeup products may help you with dry skin or excessive moisture.With age, the skin undergoes significant change. So you should analyze your current procedure to see if it is still appropriate for your age. The issues as you age may not be the acne and oil problems you struggled with as a teenager, so be sure to update any products you are applying so that it is working on the skin care needs you have now. Aging is a normal process and there is nothing that can stop it. All that any anti-aging skin care measures can do is to help delay the inevitable. But you can take steps so that on your special birthday, you look 30, not 50! Using an anti aging skin care product will make you feel better and look better. Read the labels and study the ingredients carefully so that you are using the formulations that will work best for you. And remember to use the most important all natural product–pure water! Drinking plenty of water every day is the most simple way to ensure excellent health and graceful aging! Always keep in mind, your inner beauty is what others see!

Common form of acne problem for women and men is the chest acne, pimples on back, neck and shoulders. People suffer from facial acne due to its increased exposure to pollution and other outer acne-inducing factors. However, people’s bodies may also become prone to acne when the internal factors like hormonal change, genes, and medication are accompanied by perspiration trapped by synthetic clothing. The best way to avoid this condition is to wear natural breathable fabrics, like cotton, in order to induce evaporation of sweat.

Another effective control measure against pimples on chest, shoulders, back and collar areas is the ClearPores Acne Cleansing System. This is a safe and popular acne fighting solution, containing an excellent combination of high quality natural ingredients and free of harsh chemicalsis, such as benzoyl peroxide that may cause skin redness and irritation. According to the pharmacy magazines and medical professionals ClearPores is one of the best acne elimination and prevention systems on the market today.

Doctors may use other types of procedures in addition to drug therapy to treat patients with acne. For example, the doctor may remove the patient’s comedones during office visits. Sometimes the doctor will inject corticosteroids directly into lesions to help reduce the size and pain of inflamed cysts and nodules. Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. Once scarring has occurred, the doctor may suggest a medical or surgical procedure to help reduce the scars. A superficial laser may be used to treat irregular scars. Dermabrasion (or microdermabrasion), which is a form of “sanding down” scars, is sometimes used. Another treatment option for deep scars caused by cystic acne is the transfer of fat from another part of the body to the scar. A doctor may also inject a synthetic filling material under the scar to improve its appearance.

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?

Clean Skin Gently

If you have acne, you should gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as after heavy exercise. Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline and be sure to thoroughly rinse your skin. Ask your doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use.

Using strong soaps or rough scrub pads is not helpful and can actually make the problem worse. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. It is also important to shampoo your hair regularly. If you have oily hair, you may want to wash it every day.

Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin

Avoid rubbing and touching skin lesions. Squeezing, pinching or picking blemishes can lead to the development of scars or dark blotches.

Shave Carefully

Men who shave and who have acne should test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. When using a safety razor, make sure the blade is sharp and soften your beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Shave gently and only when necessary to reduce the risk of nicking blemishes.

Avoid a Sunburn or Suntan

Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. A sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk of developing skin cancer.

Choose Cosmetics Carefully

While undergoing acne treatment, you may need to change some of the cosmetics you use. All cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, moisturizers, and hair-care products should be oil free. Choose products labeled noncomedogenic (meaning they don’t promote the formation of closed pores). In some people, however, even these products may make acne worse. For the first few weeks of treatment, applying foundation evenly may be difficult because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.

Read this anti aging skin care review before you read anymore consumer reviews. Just because a customer says that an anti aging skin care system is effective does not mean that they know anything about the ingredients. That customer might even be an employee of the company.
There’s no way to tell for sure. You know the old saying. You can’t believe everything that you read. There is a good source for an anti aging skin care review, but it doesn’t focus on effectiveness. It focuses on safety.
Over the last several years, there has been a movement to petition the United States government to pass regulations controlling the chemicals that companies are allowed to use in an anti aging skin care system and other lotions and creams. The European Union has already passed similar regulations, but the Bush administration has been resistant to the change.
Organizations like the Environmental Working Group (your best source for an anti aging skin care review and the ingredients in an anti aging skin care system) would like to see cosmetic companies fully disclose the compounds that they use. If you read enough labels, as I have, you will see that everyone has their proprietary names and they aren’t forthcoming about explaining what they contain.
A cosmetic company representative will say that they are “protecting their formula” from being stolen by competitors. But, the truth is that they all have the same access to the same base ingredients. They are simply afraid that if the customer knew what was actually in the bottle, he or she would not buy it.
But, enough of that, let’s talk about some specific ingredients to avoid and those that you should look for, both for effectiveness and for safety. I read a positive anti aging skin care review for the Avon anti aging skin care system. It took some effort, but I finally found a list of the ingredients.
They have a theory that the use of gold, copper and magnesium will “lift” your face and neck. I have read several theories by respected dermatologists concerning the necessary ingredients to improve the skin’s health and fight the effects of getting older, but I’ve never run across this one.
The list of ingredients in this anti aging skin care system reads like a chemistry book. I can tell you that the product is not safe and no matter how positive the reviewer felt, I don’t see how it could be effective.
For an anti aging skin care system to be effective, it should include protein peptides, antioxidants, extracts that inhibit the breakdown of the skin’s proteins, natural vitamin E to prevent age spots reduce fine lines and wrinkles, moisturizing oils that are similar to the skin’s own sebum and light plant waxes to help retain moisture and “seal in” the other ingredients.
It must be properly manufactured or the protein peptides will be ineffective and the vitamins will be unable to penetrate the epidermis. Instead of looking for another anti aging skin care review, why don’t you look for these ingredients and a reliable manufacturer that keeps your health and safety in mind? I think you’ll be glad that you did.

Need a good anti aging skin care guide? Here’s the start. 3 things you shouldn’t do to your skin, and a guide to how good anti aging skin care treatments will improve the look and health of our skin.Whilst you might expect a lot of voodoo and hype about anti aging skin care, it’s not as difficult as you would think. There are some simple steps you can take to improve the chances of your skin looking good and being healthy right into old age. Combine some basic steps with a good quality anti aging skin care treatment and you’re on your way to slowing the visible effects of aging on your body.A few simple steps each day should be a good foundation to good anti aging skin care, and there’s also some things you shouldn’t do too. A basic anti aging skin care guide should be easy to follow. It isn’t necessary to spend hours every day, just follow some simple rules and you’re well on your way to healthy good looking skin, and good health in general. Because the 2 go together.3 Things You Should Never Do To Your Skin.1. Avoid sunburn, or even overexposure to the sun. Whilst a suntan might look good it’s one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Sunlight has damaging UV rays that burn your skin if you’re out in strong sunlight for too long, and this ages your skin and damages it severely. Sunburn is one of the worst things you can ever do to your skin.When we get too much exposure to the sun our skin starts to experience damage to the cells that make up the skin, or dermis, as the scientists call it. This results in the loss of a substance known as hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is a key component of our skin and is responsible for helping our skin repair itself, so we don’t want to burn ourselves, thereby reducing the amount of hyaluronan that is there to repair damage.That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out in the sun, please don’t misunderstand. And any good anti aging skin care guide shouldn’t advocate staying indoors all day. Our bodies need sunlight. Exposure to sunlight helps our body produce vitamin D, and important vitamin. It’s not exposure to sunlight that is dangerous to our skin, it’s over exposure.So avoid direct exposure to the sun from around 1pm to about 4pm, the most dangerous time, especially in summer. Use a good hat and long sleeved shirt. Use sunscreens sparingly, as they can contain chemicals which themselves can be nasty to our skin and in some cases are suspected of being dangerous.2. Don’t eat to ruin your skin. Or your health for that matter. The American diet is one almost designed to age us as fast as possible. Any good anti aging skin care guide should stress the importance of good diet to our skin and overall health. Because remember, the 2 go together.So when you’re tucking into that next burger or pizza, remember that your diet affects your skin’s health, and your overall health. Focus on a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and in particular leafy green vegetables. Spinach and broccoli are particularly good. Take care of your body with good diet (and exercise) and it will function better and look better.A diet high in vegetables improves your levels of anti oxidants that combat the effect of free radicals in your body, and skin.3. Don’t dehydrate your skin. So many of us don’t have enough fluids in our life. Specifically water. In any good skin care routine drinking enough water should play a big part. Our body is made up of more water than anything else, and it needs water taken in every day. Our skin is our largest organ and it too needs plenty of water, and doesn’t respond well to dehydration. Drink plenty of water every day. Make sure it’s filtered water, tap water isn’t so great.There’s 3 simple things you can do to help reduce the effects of aging on your skin, but those 3 on their own aren’t sufficient. A good anti aging skin care guide should also focus on skin care products that work.Make sure you use a good anti aging skin care treatment.Unfortunately you’re probably using skin care products now that don’t work. If you’re using mainstream household name products there’s a good chance they won’t do anything. And they probably contain ingredients that could be dangerous as well.The best skin care treatments are organic skin care products that contain ingredients that come from sources such as plants, rather than the lab. For example products that contain Phytessence Wakame and CoenzymeQ10 are effective and natural skin care treatments that work, and don’t contain nasty chemicals. Both these ingredients are naturally occurring. Phytessence Wakame, for example, is extracted from seaweed, and is packed with vitamins and minerals essential to the health of our skin. And it can help our body retain hyraluronic acid, which is very important for skin health.But don’t be fooled, not all products containing those ingredients are effective, many big companies put very small amounts into their skin care products just so they can list them on the label.So if you’re looking for a good anti aging skin care guide there’s a good place to start. Eat well, drink plenty of filtered water, avoid too much exposure to the sun, and use a high quality organic anti aging skin care treatment that contains some of the best naturally occurring anti aging and skin health ingredients .And you won’t find these in your mainstream big name skin care brands sitting on the shelf of your drugstore.