Skincare Sleuth » Coenzyme Q10

Simple Solutions to Increasing Skin Firmness and Elasticity

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:28:22 +0000

Scientists and consumers both are aware of what the causes of wrinkles are, so there ought to be a simple solution on the market that will rejuvenate our skin to the firm, supple form it once had.

It doesn’t make sense that we are able to walk on the moon and unravel the secrets of human DNA, but cannot find a solution to fine lines and wrinkles other than antioxidants. Do you think something is suspiciously wrong with this situation?

Antioxidants included in natural skin care products are the answer to repairing your lines and wrinkles caused by noxious free radical activity, and there are quite a few anti-aging skin creams that contain natural ingredients for this reason.

Antioxidants reduce the risk of damage free radicals can cause to your chemical structures. They also assist in healing any injury done to your chemical structures that resulted in wrinkles forming.

The other major causes of wrinkles include the loss of elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid because of the destructive actions of certain enzymes.

The steady decline in elastin and collagen output means that at some point loss is going to overcome the rate of creation, and then wrinkles and skin loosening will occur. Skin care product formulas typically don’t offer a solution to these two problems.

I know that you are probably thinking that there are formulas available containing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acids, and that these formulas are already addressing this issue.

But what conventional cosmetic companies don’t want you to discover is that the molecular denseness of our skin tissues and polymer is so great that it is impossible for us to absorb these compounds through topical applications. Any increase must come from within.

One company has solved this problem by developing Cynergy TK protein complex/enzyme synthesis, Rigin facial masks and a reduced form of CoQ10 called Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10. These components create a surge in the body’s own creation of collagen and elastin. The company uses Phytessence Wakame kelp extract and grape seed oil to prevent the degradation of the newly formed tissues.

This company is the only one that took a serious look at the causes of aging, and found a solution to each of them.

Related Blogs

Answers to the Most Common Anti Aging Skin Care Questions

admin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:12:56 +0000

Do you have a skin care routine that works? Which steps are unnecessary? What products should be avoided, because of their toxic nature? Will using a skin firming cream help? Let’s discuss the honest answers to these questions.

Cleansing and moisturizing are an absolute must. Though many manufacturers recommend toners, exfoliants and other products, they are largely unnecessary. In fact, if they contain certain ingredients they may actually be hazardous to your health.

Alcohols dry out your skin and can lead to the formation of age spots. Plastic bead based exfoliants may cause scratching and inflammation. These plastic beads are also a environmental problem, because they are not bio-degradable or recyclable.

Cleansers with sodium laurel sulfate are detrimental to anyone with acne. It may actually be harmful for everyone. Research suggests it can enhance the growth of tumors.

The Environmental Working Group recommends creams with natural compounds and using a lower number of products. The addition of fragrances can create a toxic product because it is impossible to determine which of the nearly 4000 chemicals used to create the fragrance are included in the product. Have you thought of using a collagen supplement?

Ingredients like oatmeal and olive oil are excellent all natural daily cleansers. In an ideal world, every monthly skin care routine will include the use of a deep cleansing mask to clear the pores and absorb excessive oils.

Kaolin and bentone gel are extracts from clay that can absorb dirt particles without scratching or irritating the skin. They are not suggested for daily use, because they will dry out the skin when used too often.

The best moisturisers contain plant-based oils, not mineral oil. Certain plant oils are very comparable to those naturally present in the skin, which means they are highly compatible and promptly assimilated. It is the inclusion of mineral oil that causes people with oily skin to stop using moisturizers. Plant-based oils don’t lead to that greasy feeling.

It is important to apply a natural moisturiser after every shower and on your face after you remove your war paint at night. There are usually specific moisturizers for use in the day, and others that are better suited for overnight use.

All natural cleansers and moisturisers are the keys for any natural skincare regimen. Safe all natural products will lead to longer life and more beautiful skin.

Related Blogs

Latest Research on Skin Care with Phytessence Wakame

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:33:04 +0000

A plant-based skin care compound named Phytessence Wakame was recently discovered to contain fucoxanthin, a carotenoid. Carotenoids are well known to be useful when topically applied or consumed. Here’s what the latest research on wakame has shown.

The most recent experiment was conducted in Japan. Although wakame has spread throughout most of the world’s oceans, it was originated in the Sea of Japan. It has a long history of use as a food item and a beauty preserver.

When eaten, wakame is considered filled with nutrients. It contains essential vitamins and minerals including iodine, thiamine and calcium.

When applied to the skin, kelp has been known to protect against sun damage and ease burns. Contemporary scientists have been able to isolate the traits that make it a useful anti-aging ingredient for use in natural skin care creams.

Fucoxanthin is the most recent discovery. Japanese researchers found that it acts as an anti-inflammatory, which is helpful for lowering skin redness and irritation. It blocks the activity of a variety of enzymes that cause hyperpigmentation, which makes it perfect for getting rid of age spots. It also blocks an enzyme that breaks down the skin’s hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is included as an ingredient in numerous skin care products, but the benefits are measly according to dermatologists. The skin’s hyaluronic acid content does decrease with age, which contributes to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles But, hyaluronic acid molecules are too large to penetrate into the skin. So, it provides little or no effect. The same is true for those people using a collagen supplement.

Since the enzymatic activity responsible for lost hyaluronic acid is inhibited by wakame, it can reverse one of the primary causes of wrinkle formation.

All carotenoids have antioxidant activity, which means they avert free radical damage. The molecular damage caused by free radicals can eventually lead to the formation of wrinkles or even skin cancer, depending on the specific mutation.

So, this ancient Japanese beauty secret can do lots of things for skin health and maintenance. You will find the ingredient in some of the high quality natural skin care products.

Related Blogs

Discussing Toxic Skincare

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:15:01 +0000

Looking for information about toxic skincare ingredients? Recent studies performed by the Environmental Working Group, perfumes are a major issue.

Environmental Working Group tested seventeen brand name perfumes and found a total of 38 chemicals that were not on the label of ingredients. This is because manufacturers don’t have to list fragrance ingredients, because they are thought to be “trade secrets”.

Unlisted chemicals included hormone disruptors and allergens. The vast majority of them have never undergone safety testing or review.

Companies are not required to prove that the ingredients they use are safe. It is only after numerous adverse reactions are reported by dermatologists that a chemical “might” be taken off of the market. Simply being informed and choosing the best all natural skin care creams, can these toxins be avoided.

Diethyl phthalate is one of the hormone disruptors not listed on labels, but identified to be in most added fragrances by the EWG. It has been linked to sperm damage.

An artificial ingredient known as musk ketone accumulates over time in fatty tissues. It is unclear what type of harm the ketone can cause, but other unsaturated ketones are known toxins. A relatively tiny dose of 7 milligrams can kill a full grown adult if swallowed.

Other toxic skincare ingredients include parabens, PEG (polyethylene glycol), triclosan, SLS (sodium laurel sulfate), triethanolamine and mild acids that are designed to strip away the skin’s outer layer. Those compounds will usually be listed on the label. So it is conceivable for the consumer to make an good choice before purchasing.

But the only way to avoid the toxic chemicals in fragrance ingredients is to stop buying products with added fragrance or perfume. This is difficult because everyone likes to buy things that smell nice. Selecting natural skin care products is the best way to find a safe alternative to toxic skincare.

Most experts feel that a touch of perfume on the neck or behind the ears is safe. It is a different matter when the cleansers, creams, shampoos, deodorants and other skin care products we use every day on a large section of skin contain added fragrances.

Daily exposure to all of these projects and the toxins they contain may be hazardous to your health. They are unlikely to cause immediate effects, but they could lead to chronic, life-threatening or seemingly age-related illnesses.

I hope this information about toxic skincare ingredients helps you make more informed choices. I always suggest natural beauty products that contain wakame kelp. Google it to find out more.

Related Blogs

Natural Wrinkle Treatments with CoQ10 and Wakame Extract

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:45:52 +0000

An anti-wrinkle treatment containing alpha hydroxy acid will increase your risk of sunburn. The FDA began mandating that cosmetic companies label products containing them with that word of advice in 2002. Yet many people fail to read the labels. The products continue to sell and consumers continue to suffer.

Sunburn doesn’t just cause temporary discomfort and redness that damages your appearance for a short while , it also increases your chances of developing both wrinkles and skin cancer. It just doesn’t make good sense to use anti wrinkle creams that could increase your risk of wrinkling, especially when there are compounds available that help to protect the skin against sun damage.

I’m not talking about sunblock. While it may be necessary to use a zinc oxide or other broad spectrum sunblock on an occasional basis, the value of using products containing sunscreen on a daily basis is questionable at best. It could actually be hazardous.

If you follow the latest cosmetic world news, you know that scientists have seen an increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency over the past few years. The cause, they conceive, is sun block containing cosmetic products. By blocking UV light, sunscreens also interfere with the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D.

The best wrinkle treatment available right now (once again, according to the researchers) is one that contains coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is one of the compounds mentioned above that helps protect against sun damage. Another is wakame kelp extract.

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant found in each and every cell in your body. The amount present in the heart starts to decline once we reach twenty years of age, which is why it is often suggested as a nutritional supplement for the heart.

The amount present in the skin is quickly depleted during exposure to UV rays from the sun, which is why scientists began to speculate whether or not it might be helpful as an anti aging skin care products. The development of wrinkles is frequently blamed on the sun’s harmful rays, but it is the free radicals that cause the wrinkling of the skin.

Wakame kelp extract contains many different anti-aging nutrients. If you want the best wrinkle treatment, look for one that contains it and COQ10.

Related Blogs

Best Inexpensive Wrinkle Creams Contain Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E & Cynergy TK

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:35:52 +0000

In order to find the best inexpensive wrinkle cream, you need to learn about which ingredients are effective and which ones are cheap “inactive” fillers. There’s no point in using products that contain mostly inactive ingredients. They are a simple waste of money, no matter how little they cost. So, here’s what you need to know.

Least Expensive, But Beneficial

Vitamin E is one of the ingredients that have been highly recommended for skincare problems of all kinds for many years. Until recently, most people were unaware of why it was beneficial. They just knew that it worked.

Now, we can say without a doubt that vitamin E works to protect against and possibly repair wrinkles, because of its antioxidant activity. Antioxidants prevent and repair free radical damage, which is one of the major causes of all of the signs of aging. Natural vitamin E is more active than the synthetic form, but it costs a little more.

More Expensive, More Beneficial

Since people have varying opinions about what constitutes an affordable price, the best inexpensive wrinkle cream might contain coenzyme Q10, but it is generally more expensive than vitamin E. It’s also more effective.

Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 applied topically for three months reverses overall sun damage and wrinkles by 30% or more. It also improves the skin’s moisture content, which makes you “look” better. Moister skin is firmer.

The best combination, according to research, is one that includes nano-particles. These tiny molecules can penetrate through all of the skin’s layers neutralizing free radicals and repairing damage along the way. The better products contain nano-particles of coenzyme Q10, natural vitamin E & Cynergy TK.

Most Expensive, Most Beneficial

Whether or not you can find it in the best inexpensive wrinkle cream depends on your definition of expensive. But, the most beneficial ingredient, according to research, is Functional Keratin.

Functional Keratin contains a protein that is very similar to that found in the skin’s outer layers. In studies, the protein has been shown to stimulate the production of new cells and fibers, reduce inflammation, repair free radical damage, fade age spots, and improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity by 42% after 18 days of use. So, if you want the most effective product, you’ll look for that ingredient.

Cheap Ingredients

Petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin are what you will find in the cheap products. If you are trying to find the best inexpensive wrinkle cream, you’ll want to avoid those ingredients.

Synthetic vitamin E, as mentioned above, is a cheap ingredient. You may have to do a little research to find out what kind of vitamin E is included in the creams you are evaluating. Typically, if manufacturers are using the natural kind, they will mention that on the label. If they don’t say, you can assume it is synthetic.

How much can you expect to pay for the best inexpensive wrinkle cream? Prices vary, but you should be able to find the best ingredients for a little more than $20 per ounce.

Valerie Rosenbaum is an expert author on the subject of natural, anti-aging skincare products. She recommends only natural products that use ingredients like cynergy tk and phytessence wakame. Visit her site DefendYourSkin.com to learn more about which skin care products she uses and recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Inexpensive-Wrinkle-Creams-Contain-Coenzyme-Q10,-Vitamin-E-and-Cynergy-TK&id=3241875

4 Effective Tips on Fading Age Spots Naturally

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:49:47 +0000

Any fair-skinned person that has spent a bit of time outdoors wants to know how to fade age spots. What follows is a step-by-step program that will help.

Stay out of the Sun

Staying out of the sun is always step one, because the spot was most likely caused by UV rays from the sun. UV triggers the production of melanin. Melanin is actually a hormone responsible for the skin’s color. Sometimes, the melanin producing cells or melanocytes become damaged. So, instead of even production, you get “uneven” production and clumping. It’s not unlike a freckle.

If you protected the area completely from UV, it might start to lighten on its own, in eight weeks or so, but maybe not. It really depends on how much damage has been done to the melanocytes. But, regardless, the first step for how to fade age spots is to stay out of the sun. The best way to do that is to wear protective clothing, like a hat with a wide brim, or to use a sun block containing zinc oxide. Other sun-screening ingredients are not as effective.

Avoid Smoke and Pollution, if Possible

If the spot was not caused by the sun, the most likely cause was smoke or environmental pollutants. These things would not naturally trigger melanin production, but they can cause the production of free radicals, which can damage the melanocytes.

Free radicals can also lead to skin aging. People that smoke cigarettes look older and have more wrinkles than those who don’t. Not only are these two steps important for how to fade age spots, but they will also help insure that the spot does not return.

Check the Ingredients in Your Skincare Products

Petroleum based alcohols, such as ethanol, methanol, isopropyl and denatured alcohol, can cause hyper-pigmentation when applied directly to the skin. These are relatively common ingredients in cleansers, aftershave and some other health and beauty aids.

Use mild, all natural cleansers and moisturizers. The moisturizer that you choose could be the key step in how to fade age spots.

Use a Good Cream

There are a number of natural ingredients that even out pigmentation. If you want all-over whitening, look for cyperus rotundus extract. Don’t buy hydroquinone. It’s not safe, no matter what some sources say and it can make the problem worse.

If you simply want to even out pigmentation, follow the steps above and use a night cream that contains Shea butter, coenzyme Q10 and bioactive keratin. Each of these has been shown in separate studies to even out pigmentation, reduce brown spots and reverse sun damage.

In addition, these ingredients will improve firmness and moisture content. They will reduce wrinkles and sagging. They will improve your skin’s health, in many ways. If you haven’t always been as good to your skin as you could have been, it deserves some good treatment, for a change.

So, that’s how to fade age spots in four simple steps. Be patient, it will take a few weeks, but the effect should be permanent.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them like Phytessence Wakame. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Age Spot Lotions That Even Out Pigmentation Naturally

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:48:41 +0000

The disadvantage of age spot lotions is that can lighten any part of the skin that they touch. This means that you could still end up with uneven pigmentation. Why not instead look for a cream that will even out pigmentation on your face or body. This article looks at the natural ingredients that have been proven to even out pigmentation and make the skin look younger, at the same time.

No matter your skin type, you should be using a moisturizer on your face and body every day, right after you shower. What’s the reason?

Showering strips away the skin’s natural moisturizers. Even plain tap water, without any cleanser strips away protective oils. Dry skin looks older and more wrinkled. If your moisturizer contains the right ingredients, it will even out pigmentation, reduce wrinkles and improver moisture content, as well as firmness.

If that sounds like more than you could expect, then you are used to cosmetic companies that make grandiose claims, without any real basis. But, you really can expect age spot lotions to de-age your skin. The latest research has proven it.

One of the ingredients that you must look for is coenzyme Q10, just be sure that it is natural COQ10 and not synthetic. Some scientists might argue, but there is no way that a synthetic nutrient could be as effective as a natural one.

Research has shown that coenzyme Q10 repairs sun damage and that’s what age spots actually are. They aren’t related to your liver or even how old you are. They are melanin clumps caused by overexposure to the sun.

When you are out in the sun, UV rays cause an overproduction and excitement of free radical molecules within the skin’s cells. Research has shown that levels of COQ10 are quickly depleted as the molecules try to neutralize the free radicals, before they can damage the skin cells and collagen fibers. But, if you continue to stay outdoors, without protection, they lose the battle.

Most age spot lotions do not repair free radical damage. They simply inhibit melanin production, which is why they lighten other areas of the skin. Creams containing a special formulated all natural coenzyme Q10 can repair free radical damage, as well as preventing further damage from occurring. They have been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve hydration and soften.

If all that you want to do is fade the spots, please be careful when you are shopping for age spot lotions. Many of them contain an ingredient called hydroquinone. Lots of sources will tell you that’s a safe ingredient. But, if it’s safe, why has it been banned from skincare products manufactured in the European Union? It has been banned, because it is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

A safer ingredient, that also inhibits melanin production, is a natural extract from a plant called cyperus rotundus, nut grass or Motha. Hopefully, you see that you have many choices, other than hydroquinone age spot lotions. Take my advice and shop for safe all natural ingredients. In the long run, you’ll be glad that you did.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Eliminate Brown Age Spots Naturally

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:02:11 +0000

Eliminate Brown Age Spots Naturally
By Valerie Rosenbaum

Nobody wants to see the appearance of brown age spots, any more than they want to see wrinkles or sagging. Luckily, we live in the time that we do. Scientists have shown us what compounds will effectively prevent and repair the signs of age. And, no matter where they are in the world, they are readily available for order over the internet.

One drawback to internet ordering is that some manufacturers do not completely disclose all of the ingredients included in the product. At least when you are shopping in a store you can easily read the label of ingredients, along with any warning labels. My advice is this.

Don’t order anything unless the manufacturer fully discloses all of the ingredients. If you don’t know anything about an ingredient, look it up at “Skin Deep”. That’s a cosmetic safety database created by the Environmental Working Group. The database can also tell you about whether or not the company conducts animal testing. They rank products strictly according to safety, not effectiveness, but people that use the product are able to write a review for it. So, it is very helpful.

An ingredient that is often recommended for fading brown age spots is hydroquinone. Skin Deep lists hydroquinone as a probable carcinogen; a cancer-causing agent. It’s also a common irritant and allergen. A safe alternative to hydroquinone is Extra-pone Motha Root Extract.

It’s a plant extract that acts to inhibit melanin production. The spot that you see is actually a melanin clump, something like a freckle, but usually larger. Melanin is produced by cells deep within the skin in response to UV radiation from the sun. But, as time goes by, those cells don’t work so well and that’s why you sometimes get brown age spots.

The Motha Root is found just about everywhere, it’s a very common weed. But, only a German manufacturer produces the extract for use in skincare products. Testing has shown that their formula inhibits melanin production by over 40% at a .5% concentration. How long does it take to work?

As a single ingredient, it could take some time. Inhibiting melanin production means that the new cells that are created that day will be lighter in color, but it takes time for them to work their way to the surface. It might only take 28 days if person is under the age of 30. For the over 40 crowd, it could take as long as 8 weeks. Luckily, there are other compounds that help speed up the process.

If you want to see brown age spots fade quickly, as fast as it would happen in a younger person, a compound called CYNERGY TK should help. CYNERGY TK contains the protein keratin. In its most active form, it has been shown to increase skin cell production by as much as 160%.

With those two ingredients, consumers have reported seeing a significant difference in just two weeks, depending on their level of sun exposure. The only thing that will fade brown age spots more quickly is laser treatment or freezing and that can cause scarring. Just remember to read about all of the ingredients in a product, before you buy anything.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes people should only use products that are clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Age Spot Hand Cream – What to Avoid and Compounds to Look For

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:01:12 +0000

Age Spot Hand Cream – What to Avoid and Compounds to Look For
By Valerie Rosenbaum

If you’re looking for a hand cream for age spots, there are some things that you need to know. All of the products that are available on the internet are not safe. If you live in the US, the ones in your local drugstore might not be safe either. Reading the label of ingredients is the only way to be sure that you are getting something effective that will not do more harm than good.

Ingredients to Avoid

Hydroquinone is top on the list of ingredients to avoid. Its inclusion in cosmetics has been banned in the European Union, due to a cancer risk that may accompany its use. Not worried about cancer?

There is a possibility that using a cream containing hydroquinone will make the spot darker than it is today. It has been known to stimulate, rather than inhibit melanin production. That is likely due to the free radical damage that it causes, which is why it also increases a person’s cancer risk.

A very expensive hand cream for age spots contains hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids. They have been recommended for everything from acne to wrinkle removal. The main effect that they have is to break down the hyaluronic acid bond that holds on the skin’s outermost layer. This is supposed to cause the spot to peel away.

It is highly unlikely that the spot is only on the surface. If it is and you avoid the sun, it will go away on its own in about 6 weeks time. That’s how long it normally takes for the skin’s natural rejuvenation processes to replace that outer layer.

A hand cream for age spots that contains glycolic acid and hydroquinone is very likely to cause increased pigmentation. It will also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Obviously, these are not good choices.

Compounds to Look For

The root of the cyperus rotundus, a medicinal plant, has been used for centuries to relieve skin irritation and minor burns. Recent studies have shown that it also inhibits melanin production. Extracts from the plant can be found in some of the better “all natural” hand cream for age spots. There’s just one warning.

Anything that inhibits melanin production will lighten the entire area to which it is applied. Unless you want to lighten the color of your hands, you might want to look for a moisturizer that contains functional keratin and coenzyme Q10. They might not work as quickly as cyperus rotundus, but they should work.

Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, has been shown to reverse sun damage by over 30% after six weeks of use. Since the spot is essentially sun damage, it should work for that, too.

Functional Keratin is an anti-aging ingredient. Benefits that accompany the use of creams containing it include reduced wrinkling, improved firmness, reduced inflammation, improved moisture content and a reduction of brown spots caused by the sun or environmental pollutants.

It may be a little harder to find a hand cream for age spots that contains those ingredients, but if you want something safe and effective, you need to take the time to look for one.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products should be clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and would like some simple, natural solutions.