Skincare Sleuth » Collagen And Elastin

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.

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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.

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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.

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Achieve Younger, Healthier Skin with Natural Skin Care Products

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:41:59 +0000

One of the all natural skin care products manufactured today is grape seed oil. It is useful as a moisturizer and a shaving lubricant. It is nourishing and soothing when used on the delicate skin around the eyes. The antioxidants it contains can help prevent free radical damage, one of the causes of wrinkles. But, grape seed oil is not the only beneficial ingredient around.

Recent research has focused on protecting the skin against the causes of an aged appearance. The grounds for the focused research is clear. Billions of customers are interested in anti-aging solutions.

Antioxidants are quite effective at preventing aging by rendering free radicals inert. Refined protein complexes like Functional Keratin and protein peptides are also effective. Plant extracts from the avocado and special types of seaweed are beneficial. Some companies have excelled at combining these ingredients.

All natural skin care products available today contain only one or two ingredients at most. Distilled or purified water is often the main ingredient. Water is plainly necessary for blending. But, if the label of ingredients includes only water and one other compound, then you aren’t getting much for your money.

When it comes to each day cleansers, the gentler the product the better. But, even if you use the mildest cleanser, you still need a high quality moisturizer. If you are what some people call a “purist”, you might not want anything that science can provide. There’s nothing improper with that. The best moisturizer you can use is grape seed or olive oil.

If you are willing to use some scientifically advanced all natural skin care products that contain no man-made chemicals or added perfumes, you can look for a moisturizer containing grape seed oil, the active form of the protein keratin and a kind of seaweed named phytessence wakame.

Mixed collectively in lotion-form, those ingredients are soothing and energizing. They help protect against sun & free radical damage. They reduce wrinkles and stimulate the skin’s own rejuvenation processes. They even reduce the depletion of one of the compounds responsible for the skin’s smoothness and firmness. The loss of hyaluronic acid is reduced by wakame kelp.

Many of the all natural skin care products on the market contain hyaluronic acid. Only a few contain wakame.

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Cynergy TK. Liquid Skincare Scientific Breakthrough Rocks the Skin Care Industry!

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:37:50 +0000

Cynergy TK is a proprietary ingredient developed by the Xtendlife Company located in New Zealand. One of the primary components of the formula is a compound called Functional Keratin, which was developed by another New Zealand company. Here’s a little more about the compounds and a look at the benefits seen in clinical trials.

Functional Keratin was created by the KERATEC Company using patented processes that allowed for the extraction and softening of a hard protein found in sheep’s wool. The protein is very similar to that which makes up the epidermis; the skin’s outermost layers.

Most proteins cannot be absorbed into the skin’s layers, which is why creams containing collagen and elastin are largely ineffective. Keratin could not be absorbed into the skin’s cells, either if it were not softened properly.

Most companies that include keratin in their creams and lotions use a denaturalized form of the protein. In order to soften it, they use high temperatures and harsh chemicals that destroy the protein’s function.

One of the main functions of keratin, within the skin’s cells, is to absorb and retain water. This is important for reducing wrinkles and sagging, because moist skin cells are plumper and less wrinkled.

In volunteers using Cynergy TK during clinical trials, researchers saw an increase in the skin’s moisture content of more than 20% and an improvement in the skin’s ability to retain moisture. After 18 days, there was a 14% improvement in moisture retention. That means that the skin cells are absorbing the protein and making use of it.

What’s different about Functional Keratin is that the company was able to soften it, without denaturalizing it. KERATEC has a number of patented processes that allow them to accomplish that feat.

Cynergy TK contains a combination of Functional Keratin and a nutritional hydrolyzed keratin. The two ingredients work together to provide better results than would be seen with either ingredient, alone. Some of the positive benefits seen during testing include:

Increased skin cell production-as much as 160% increase in skin cell proliferation after three days. The average increase was around 140%.

Improved firmness and elasticity-42% improvement in elasticity was seen after 18 days of use

Decreased inflammation-the compound interferes with the production of prostaglandin E2, the primary cause of redness and inflammation in the skin’s cells. The initial studies conducted by KERATEC showed a great improvement in an inflammatory skin condition called detergent-related contact dermatitis

In addition to the benefits listed above, Cynergy TK has unique antioxidant activity. It stimulates the body’s production of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which will help reverse age spots and even out pigmentation.

All Xtendlife skincare products contain a number of unique ingredients, including Nano-lipobelle HEQ10, Wakame kelp extracts and natural vitamin E. These ingredients were selected because of the benefits seen in clinical studies.

Why haven’t you heard of Xtendlife skincare products? They don’t do a lot of advertising. Because of that, they are able to keep their costs down and still include expensive ingredients like Cynergy TK.

Valerie Rosenbaum is an expert author on the subject of anti wrinkle creams. She recommends only natural products that use ingredients like cynergy tk and phytessence wakame. Visit her site to learn which skin care line she uses and recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cynergy-TK—Liquid-Skincare-Scientific-Breakthrough-Rocks-the-Skin-Care-Industry!&id=3242070

3 Common Causes of Lines on the Forehead

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:33:57 +0000

Nobody is happy about wrinkles or fine lines on the forehead, but it seems to be fairly common. There are a number of theories about just why there are so many people with wrinkly foreheads. You should find these theories interesting.

Habitual Facial Expressions

Frowning, smiling, squinting and other expressions that make us human can leave an imprint on the skin. Crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes are known to fade away after Botox injections. Botox is a poison. The type that is used by cosmetic surgeons is a much milder poison that paralyzes tiny facial muscles. Since it works it seems to support the theory about wrinkles being caused by habitual facial expressions.

On the other hand, we make those same expressions throughout our lives, but it is only as we get older that we start to see permanent lines on the forehead. So, there must be something else going on.

Poor Hydration

Poor hydration or excessive dryness has been blamed for stretch marks during pregnancy and sagging facial skin. It is true that many people overlook the importance of a moisturizer. You should pick a good one and use it after every bath or shower. Some of the best moisturizers will help reduce lines on the forehead and other parts of the body, but not simply because they improve hydration.

Stress, Smoking & Sun Damage

When the body is under stress or you don’t sleep well, excessive amounts of the stress hormone cortisol is produced. Cortisol damages collagen fibers. Smoking increases stress, even though smokers say that they do it to relax. It increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, which causes chain reaction that contribute to the production of cortisol.

When the skin’s cells are exposed to cigarette smoke or UV rays from the sun, the free radicals within them become frenzied. Antioxidant molecules attempt to neutralize the radicals, but if the exposure continues, the antioxidants lose the battle. When that happens, the free radicals damage cellular membranes, DNA strands and collagen fibers.

Damage to the cellular membranes may or may not be that important, depending on which kind of cell that it is. If it happens to be one of the stem cells responsible for producing new cells for the skin’s epidermis, then it’s important. Damage to DNA strands means that new cells are not exact copies of old ones. Damage to collagen fibers means, saggy, wrinkled skin. Of all of the theories concerning why people get lines on the forehead and on other areas of the body, dermatologists now believe that free radical damage makes the most sense.

Luckily, free radical damage can be repaired with the right antioxidant-rich creams. Volunteers that used creams containing coenzyme Q10 saw a 30% reduction in wrinkling after only six weeks of use.

The outermost layers of skin are completely replaced every four to six weeks. So, with a little help, you could start to see a reduction in lines on the forehead in less than two months. I think it’s worth the wait. Don’t you?

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 to learn what she uses and recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Common-Causes-of-Lines-on-the-Forehead&id=2485128

Lines on My Forehead – Helpful Tips

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:31:35 +0000

When I started to see lines on my forehead, I can’t say that I was surprised. My mother had them. I have her same high forehead and cheekbones. So, I assumed I was stuck with her wrinkles, too.

Lucky for me, I live in a day and age where technological advancements are curing terrible diseases. That same technology is slowly, but surely trickling down into the cosmetic industry.

There haven’t been hundreds of studies, as there have been concerning cancer and other life-threatening diseases. But, enough clinical trials have been completed to convince me and most other experts. We might not be able to actually turn back the clock, but we can look years younger, without painful injections or other unproven treatments.

I am, by nature, a skeptic. So, all of the suggestions in this article have supportive evidence from scientific researchers. None of the suggestions are, in any way, a risk to your health. In fact, they are actually good for you. So, why not give them a try. After just a few weeks, I saw the lines on my forehead start to fade.

Of course, not everyone will see the results that I’ve seen. I was not a big fish eater. I did make it a point to take a daily multi-vitamin, but, as it turns out, the supplement that I took for most of my life was not of the best quality. In case you’re wondering what fish and multi-vitamins have to do with wrinkles, let me explain.

Fish is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Protein is the primary component of the skin’s cells and fibers. It’s also the primary component of muscles, just in case you were trying to get in shape. Without adequate protein intake, your body cannot perform the regenerative processes need to replace lost and damaged cells and fibers. So, part of how I got rid of lines on my forehead was to increase my protein intake.

Fatty fish is recommended because the omega-3s they provide have been shown to improve the skin’s firmness by 10% or more over the course of three months. Other vitamins, primarily the antioxidant ones, prevent and repair damage done by free radicals. You may have heard of them. They contribute to age-related diseases of all kinds, cause cancer and are one of the root causes of wrinkles.

Increasing my nutritional intake was only part of what I did to get rid of lines on my forehead. I noticed the biggest difference after I started using antioxidant rich creams. The ingredients that the research says to look for include coenzyme Q10, wakame kelp extracts, the protein keratin and plant-based oils like grape seed, avocado and Shea butter.

According to the manufacturers and to the independent researchers, those ingredients stimulate the production of new cells, increase the skin’s collagen content and repair free radical damage. I can’t see those things, because you need a microscope, but I can see that there are fewer lines on my forehead, which is all that I really wanted.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com to learn what she uses and recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Lines-on-My-Forehead—Helpful-Tips&id=2485121

Preventing Aging Skin is Your Best Option

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:00:37 +0000

Instead of wondering what you should do to reverse the signs of aging skin, you should work to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. There are many things that you can do to help your skin look better and hold off the aging process for many more years.

The first thing that you will need is a good skin are regimen. Having a routine that you follow every single day will help you to keep your skin in good shape. Find a good skin cleanser that is gentle for your skin and still cleans the dirt and keeps your pores clear of the harmful bacteria that could be responsible for breakouts. A high quality moisturizer is also important in your skin care routine. Choose a product for your daily moisturizer and a different one that you will use at night. When you are sleeping is a good time to wear a heavier night cream that will take the hours while you are sleeping to absorb into your skin. Also find a good eye cream that will keep the delicate skin around your eyes well moisturized.

Some of the signs of aging will occur when you are not keeping yourself as healthy as possible. This should always include your diet. Your skin requires a healthy diet as much as your body does. Eating the right foods and staying away from junk food will help to promote the right conditions in the body to fight off the signs of aging. Drink plenty of water and make sure that you include antioxidant rich foods in your diet. When you are not healthy, one of the first places where it will be noticed is in your skin. It is important that you have the correct balance of nutrients in your diet to have the healthiest skin.

Another factor for preventing aging skin is the amount of rest that you give your body. Not getting enough sleep will show up in the condition of your skin. Your body needs the recovery time every day to repair itself from all of the environmental abuses that occur during the day. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep and take good care of your skin.

Preventing aging skin should always include sunscreen. The sun can do a great deal of damage to your skin. You should always make sure that you are wearing sunscreen when you will be out in the harmful rays. Try to stay out of the sun between the hours of ten am till three pm when the sun is at its strongest. Sun spots or age spots are one of the signs of aging skin that you can prevent by wearing a good quality sunscreen.

Stick to your skincare routine every day. Your moisturizers and anti aging products have no chance of working if you do not use them. Consistency is the goal when you are developing your skincare routine. You will also not know if the product is providing benefits to your skin unless you use it on a consistent basis. Preventing aging skin is something that you will have to give a priority to. Your skin health is directly related to the amount of care that you give it.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum is a board certified dermatologist who has done extensive research on the way many chemicals used in skin care products do more harm than good. If you have fine lines, wrinkles or damaged skin visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com to find out which skin care products she uses and recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Preventing-Aging-Skin-is-Your-Best-Option&id=1687066

Increasing Collagen For a Youthful Appearance

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:58:32 +0000

One of the most important ingredients in your skin is collagen. As you age, your body will reduce the amount of collagen that it produces resulting in the aging of your skin. When you are trying to improve your appearance and look youthful, it is important that you find a way for increasing collagen in your skin.

Many cosmetic and skincare brands claim that you can apply collagen to your skin. When you do a little more research on the topic, you will discover that it is not possible for collagen to absorb into your skin and have any effect on your appearance. To produce results on your skin, you will have to find a way to naturally increase the amount of collagen in your skin through other methods.

Aging collagen skin can be helped with injections of collagen that is used to fill wrinkles and fine lines. Many women use this method, but it is not long lasting and you will have to continue to have the injections for the effects to remain. If you do not want to take such a drastic step in your skincare treatment, there are other things that you can do.

Do some research on skincare and collagen in your skin. Sites like X-tend Life are very informative about the process of aging skin and the things that you can do for increasing collagen naturally. There are a number of products on the market that will help your skin produce its own collagen and give a more youthful appearance in a less drastic method than injections.

Your skincare routine should begin with your diet and end with natural skincare products that effectively use the body to produce the results that are wanted. There have been some great strides in aging skin research and the ingredients that can be used to be effective. Keep in mind when you are doing research that it is not merely the presence of these ingredients that matter. They must be in the product in the correct quantities to have any effect at all. There are many brand name skincare products that claim to have some of the most cutting edge ingredients in their products, however, when you do more research you will find that there is not a sufficient amount to do anything at all.

Eat a well balanced diet, drink plenty of water, get exercise and rest and make sure that you have all of the information on skincare and you will be on your way to looking great for a long period of time. It’s never easy to watch your skin age and worry about what you can do about it. Good research and a healthy body will help you find the best results.

Increasing collagen is possible if you allow your body to do it naturally. Take a look at all of the information that is available and look for the method that will work for you. There are steps that you can take today to make sure that your skin is in the best possible condition.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum is a dermatologist who specializes in aging of the skin. If you want to protect your skin from wrinkles and fine lines then click here to find out which natural skincare product line she uses and recommends to her patients. She has worked extensively in combating the signs of aging through the use of natural ingredients that help the body repair itself. To learn more about protecting your skin from wrinkles and fine lines then visit her website DefendYourSkin.com today to learn what she recommends.

Finding Answers For Your Aging Skin Problems

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:37:09 +0000

As you get older there are many health problems that you might face. Your skin is one of the areas where you will face difficulties and problems. Aging skin problems could include wrinkling and fine lines, aging spots on skin and sagging skin. There are solutions to these skin problems, but the first thing that you will have to do is become educated on what does work and what will not.

The most effective way to combat aging skin problems is preventative medicine. Before your skin begins to show the signs of aging, you should take care to make sure that your skin is well taken care of. Having a skin care routine that will keep your skin clean and well moisturized is the first priority in preventing the problems that aging skin will face. Develop a routine for your skin that you will do with consistency. Using your skincare products consistently is the most important part of the routine.

Your healthy diet will help with your skin as it ages as well. Keeping your body properly hydrated is a great way to make sure that your skin gets the moisture that it needs. Remember that your skin is an organ and will require you to eat a healthy diet and exercise every day. Proper circulation and good healthy foods will keep your skin in good shape for a longer period of time.

Everyone faces aging skin problems eventually. Make sure that you use a good moisturizer on your skin every day. There should be a moisturizer that you use daily and one that is appropriate for night use. The moisturizer that you use for daily wear and your night cream are two separate products and you should make sure that you find a high quality product for both of these uses.

Natural skincare is one of the best ways that you can make sure that you are doing the very best for your skin. There are many products on the market that claim to be natural but contain harmful ingredients. It is important that you do your research when you are looking for the best products. Find out what ingredients to look for and which ones you should stay away from. No skincare product can be completely natural. There is a certain degree of processing that is required for all products that are used as skincare. Keeping the ingredients as close as possible to the natural plant based ingredients will ensure that you are getting a natural skincare product.

To prevent aging spots on skin and other aging skin problems make sure that you always wear a sunscreen when you are out in the sun. The sun is responsible for many of the problems that are faced by aging skin. The problem that many people have with sunscreen is that they fail to reapply it as often as they should during the day. It is necessary to make sure that your skin is well protected at all times while you are out in the sun. Many of the aging skin problems that people face can be held off for a longer period of time if you are keeping your skin protected from environmental concerns like the harmful rays of the sun.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum is a dermatologist specializing in anti-aging and skin care treatments. If you are interested in nourishing healthier and younger looking skin then visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com now to learn which skin care products she uses and recommends.