Skincare Sleuth » Skin Care Research

Are Organic Skin Care Products Worth the Additional Cost?

admin — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:19:46 +0000

Organic skincare products are beginning to gain a little part of the billion dollar skin care industry. Organic ingredients cost a whole lot more. In some cases, it is not necessary to spend the extra money.

The primary reason people choose organic has to do with pesticides. Anything that can kill a bug is a poisonous substance. Toxins can gather up in the body over time. They may not be so toxic as to cause acute health issues, but they may lead to future long-term health problems experienced by many aging people.

Many of the ingredients in conventional skin creams are toxic. The label itself says just that! Being warned to immediately call a poison control center in case of unintended ingestion should make you feel uncomfortable about applying it on your skin.

Anything used on the skin’s surface can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Poisons absorbed this way can result in tissue damage, leading to the formation of wrinkles, age spots or even cancer cells.

In the United States, farms have to be certified organic by the USDA, if they want to call their product “organic”. Beauty product companies at times choose plant extracts or vegetable oils as natural skincare compounds. Those ingredients can be USDA certified. But, is certification necessary or even desirable? That depends on the ingredient.

Wakame kelp will never be certified organic, because it is seaweed. While there are many pollutants in our oceans, including pesticides, the concentration tested in kelp is very low. The process of purification used by cosmetic manufacturers would rid the kelp of any toxins.

Wakame kelp has anti-aging properties, anti-inflammatory qualities and a high nutritive value. It would be a shame to lose the benefits of wakame, because they couldn’t find an organically grown variety.

Another ingredient with numerous benefits is Shea butter. You might find a USDA-certified cream containing it, but most manufacturers use the standard grading system. The lowest grades contain numerous contaminants and are extracted from the nuts using chemical solvents. The highest grades contain no contaminants and are extracted using cold press methods.

So, organic skin ingredients are not always needed or even available, depending on the ingredient. There are natural skin care products that are just as safe. Learn about the manufacturer’s philosophy. That should tell you what you need to know.

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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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What’s a Total Skincare Cream?

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:59:45 +0000

What do you look for in a total skin care product? While the companies that use the advertising slogan may have their own definitions, according to top Skin MD, this is what a total skincare cream should be.

It should be compatible with every type of skin: oily, dry, combination or sensitive. It should free of parabens, preservatives and added perfumes. It should not contain known allergens, irritants or toxins.

The skin care manufacturers are responsible for grouping products according to skin type. Petroleum derived ingredients such as petrolatum and mineral oil are not right for any type, nevertheless, they are frequently found in all types of moisturizers, makeup and other products.

They are not actually moisturizing. So they are not good for dry skin. They clog the pores. So they are not right for oily or combination types. They can contain contaminants that irritate sensitive skin.

Artificial preservatives and added fragrances are the most likely culprits if you have even experienced allergic reactions and irritations. Creams should be free of added fragrances. Over time prolonged exposure to too many scented products can exacerbate asthma and lead to neurological problems.

It is completely illogical to risk using creams containing allergens, irritants or toxins. There are safe and effective alternatives.

A total skincare cream should include natural ingredients that are clinically proven to fight every cause of aging skin. Skin aging is not just a cosmetic problem. If you ask your skin MD, they will tell you the visible signs of aging signify that the skin’s health has been damaged.

Despite testing the latest innovative skin care products, researchers have proven that numerous compounds can prevent the damage that leads to wrinkles, sagging and age spots. Sun damage can be reversed when the right creams are used on a regular basis. We might not be able to go back in time, but we can look almost as if we did.

The best anti-aging creams contain antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E. The inclusion of natural vitamin E has an added benefit. When it is included in a product, there is no need to use artificial preservatives.

The active form of the protein keratin has been shown to stimulate cell growth and collagen production while increase the skin’s antioxidant content. Normally, the antioxidant content decreases with age.

So, that’s what a total skincare cream should be. What kind are you using?

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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.

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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

A Hypoallergenic Facial Cleanser Will Help Those With Sensitive Skin

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:59:28 +0000

Generally, someone who has a sensitivity to the cleansers that are used on their skin should use a hypoallergenic facial cleanser to ensure that they do not suffer from the ill effects of products that are full of ingredients that could cause harm. Fragrances and coloring agents can cause some problems for those who have demonstrated a sensitivity to these ingredients.

It is natural to want to use a product that smells great. However, you will be better off if you use your favorite fragrance separately from your skincare products. When you use a cologne or perfume, you are only using it in one small area of your skin where it will not cause much damage to your skin. When a fragrance is used in a skincare product, you are washing those chemicals all over some of the most sensitive areas of your skin. It is important that you use products that do not contain these ingredients and keep the chemicals off of your skin.

When you begin to do some investigation of hypoallergenic facial cleanser products, you will discover that there are many chemicals and ingredients that are typically used in the brand name products that are not really necessary. Many of these ingredients are there to provide a scent, color or texture to the product that you just don’t need. Other times the ingredients are there to provide a preservative to the other ingredients in the product. When you are looking for a hypoallergenic facial cleanser, make sure that these harmful chemicals are eliminated.

The chemicals may not harm a majority of people, but for those who are looking for the best facial cleansers, they are best left out of the ingredients list. Over time you may develop a sensitivity to these ingredients and you will suffer from rashes and a number of other unpleasant results.

There are a number of natural skincare products available that will keep your skin safe from these ingredients. Do your research on the products that will provide the results that you want without the harmful ingredients. You can also look for recipes and tips online that will help you to create your own products if you are concerned about the ingredients that are used in your skincare products. If you have the time to do it, this is a good way to ensure what you are putting on your face.

One of the best websites that you can visit for information on skincare products is the X-Tend Life website. They offer a great deal of information on how chemicals are used in the biggest name brand products and how it can affect your skin. It is an informative website as well as a great place to find some of the best hypoallergenic facial cleanser available on the market.

A hypoallergenic facial cleanser will thoroughly clean your skin without overly drying out your skin. It should be gentle enough to provide cleansing without stripping away all of the natural oils that are in your skin. Moisture is one of the most important parts of keeping your skin in good condition. Make sure that you follow up your skin cleansing with a good quality moisturizer at all times. You should have a different product for your daily wear and a heavier moisturizer that you use at night. For those who have sensitive skin, it is very important that you find the right skin cleansers and products to keep your skin in good condition and looking great all of the time.

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.

The Confusion Over Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment Products

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:34:52 +0000

One simple walk up the skin care aisle of your local pharmacy will show you the number of products that are available on the market for you to choose from. This is where the confusion begins to set in when you are trying to find the best anti aging skin treatment products to use for your skin. The number of anti aging skin care treatment products that are on the market will require you to be well informed if you are to find the right one.

The first thing that you should do, before you even set foot in the store, is some research. There is a wealth of information online that will help you to determine the right products for your type of skin. It is important that you understand what ingredients are good for your aging skin and which ones might cause some harm. Looking for anti aging skin care treatment products will mean that you should spend some time becoming informed.

Many of the sites that you will find online will give you information on the natural products that are good for your skin. The decision to use products that contain natural ingredients is one way that you can be sure that you are not putting dangerous or harmful chemicals on your skin. You might be surprised at home many of these dangerous chemicals are used in the major brands of skincare products. What is touted in advertisements as the best anti aging skin treatment might actually be causing your skin harm.

Look for sites online that show you the research that proves the effectiveness of the ingredients that are used in skin care products. You should also pay careful attention to the concentrations that have been shown to be effective as well. Again, the major skin care brands will claim to use these ingredients, but there is not enough of a concentration to allow the ingredients to actually be effective in their product. When you are armed with this kind of information, you can make an informed decision on the products that you will use on your skin.

Make sure that the anti aging skin care treatment products do not contain extra ingredients that are not necessary. Fragrance is one example of these types of ingredients. The products may smell great and this makes them a very tempting product, but there is no need to add extra chemicals to your skin care products. Fragrance should be restricted to the products that you wear in limited areas on the skin and worn only for their fragrance. Perfumes are only applied to the skin in small amounts to a limited area of your skin. This limits the damage that the chemicals can cause to your skin.

After you have done your research on the proper ingredients that should be used in anti aging skin care treatment products, you will be ready to make a decision on the product that you will use on your skin. Many people buy their products based on advertising and not on quality research. Make sure that you pay more attention to the research and the fine print on your skin care products and less attention to the television commercials. This will allow you to find the best anti aging skin treatment.

Collagen Diet and Anti Aging Skin Care

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:30:13 +0000

Many people are falling for the new collagen diet because they are being promised that it is an easy and natural way for them to lose weight. Others are using ultra-pure collagen because the manufacturers have promised them that the products will cause the collagen in their skin to build back up, and erase the lines and wrinkles that have been plaguing them.

It is the latter followers of the so-called collagen diet that we are going to concern ourselves with here. Although people have been lead to believe that you can be healthier and younger looking simply through the introduction of new collagen into the system what you are being told is not entirely true. While it helps in certain ways it is not a cure all.

What the companies that produce ultra-pure collagen products fail to tell you is that even though they have included the types of collagen that are necessary for adding collagen to your skin there will likely not be enough left after the body has processed the compound to make any noticeable difference in the way that you look.

What the producers of collagen diet supplements sometimes fail to tell you is that the same two types of collagen that are the structural tissue of your skin are also the structural tissue of the walls of both your arteries, and your organs. When the collagen production in your body begins to slow down the collagen in your skin is the first to be depleted. This happens for a very important reason.

Collagen is a tissue that like everything else in your body has to be renewed in order for everything to hold its structure. It is more important for the body to maintain the structural soundness of your organ and artery walls, so the collagen being produced is mainly used for that purpose. The ultra-pure collagen that you ingest will primarily be used for this purpose also.

This is why the collagen diet supplements that these companies are trying to convince you are some type of fountain of youth will not do much of anything to improve the way that you look. If you want to take them as supplements for your internal health then be my guest, but for improving the overall way that your skin looks will take something else entirely.

Instead of using ultra-pure collagen to improve your appearance you should try the anti aging skin care products of a manufacturer from New Zealand. They have put together a carefully selected mixture of keratin proteins, which they call Functional Keratin. What this ingredient does is it greatly improves collagen and elastin production in your skin, which is primarily made up of keratin.

The ingredient improves your skin’s ability to produce new cell formation, which in turn significantly increases the production of collagen in the skin. If you truly want to erase the lines and wrinkles, and look literally years younger, then this is the ingredient that you need to have in your products. Functional Keratin will give you everything that the collagen diet supplements cannot.

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 find out which natural skincare product line she uses and recommends to her patients. She has worked extensively in combatting 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 http://www.DefendYourSkin.com today to learn what she recommends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Collagen-Diet-and-Anti-Aging-Skin-Care&id=1856264

Naturally Remove Age Spots With Pharmaceutical Grade Shea Butter

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:01:09 +0000

If you want to get rid of age spots remove wrinkles, reduce stretch marks, scars and blemishes, there is one ingredient that you must look for. It is called Shea butter. You may think “no”. I’ve used that in the past and it hasn’t worked. There’s a reason why most creams do not work like the ads say that they will.

You may or may not find this surprising. But, big companies are not completely honest, especially in their marketing claims. When it comes to anti-aging products and other cosmetics, they base their claims on one or two active ingredients that are present in such low quantities they could not possibly be effective.

When it comes to Shea butter, they do not use the pharmaceutical grade that is used in some countries to treat wounds, heal eczema, reduce inflammation, heal sunburns, relieve frost bite or take the itch out of insect bites. In the US, it is not considered a pharmaceutically active ingredient. But, if you want to fade age spots remove wrinkles or address the other signs of age, it is very “active”.

Now, in order to provide all of these benefits, you must look for a premium quality product that is prepared using cold press methods. Heat destroys the nutrients found in this natural cream and it is the nutrients that are responsible for its effectiveness.

It is rich in vitamins A and E. Vitamin A creams containing retinol have been prescribed for wrinkle reduction. Retin-A is one of the most popular brands. But, those creams cause redness, itching, irritation, inflammation and flaking. In other words, they are accompanied by a number of unwanted side effects.

The vitamin A in Shea butter is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is non-irritating and non-toxic. It actually has natural anti-inflammatory activity. In large amounts, retinol, the animal form of vitamin A is toxic, which is probably why it causes so many adverse reactions.

The essential fatty acids in Shea butter are virtually identical to those produced by the sebaceous glands, within the skin. Because of this, Shea butter is quickly absorbed and leaves no greasy feeling.

The brand that you buy should not contain artificial preservatives or added fragrances of any kind. It may include other ingredients, but no synthetic chemicals or artificial additives. Natural vitamin E is an effective preservative and it also will prevent future age spots from developing.

There is another important ingredient to look for if you want to fade age spots remove wrinkles and increase firmness. Lost firmness is responsible for sagging and the appearance of deep wrinkles. The sagging is caused by decreased production of new skin cells and elastic fibers. A protein complex called Functional Keratin has been shown to stimulate the production of new cells and fibers. In less than three weeks, it can improve firmness by over 40%.

There are other nutrients that are important to the skin’s health, but if you use a night cream that contains Shea butter and Functional Keratin, you can get rid of age spots remove wrinkles and increase firmness in no time.

Valerie Rosenbaum has found the most effective skin care products available on the market today. Visit DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.