July 18, 2011
It’s important to fight inflammation from the inside out, but topical skin care that contains supercharged ingredients and proven antioxidants is an important piece of the anti-inflammation puzzle, too. There is a whole crop of inflammation-fighting ingredients in skin-care products today. While vitamins are some of the more noted anti-inflammatory agents, these key players also provide excellent skin benefits.
Ginger. Praised for its holistic healing abilities, ginger helps to mitigate the effects of inflammation because of its natural antioxidant properties, which reduce cellular stress.
Ginseng. Boasting more than 25 different antioxidants, ginseng works to regulate the release of enzymes that destroy the skin.
Vitamin C. Orally, vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory, and, when it’s applied to the skin, it helps to fend off free radicals while improving skin clarity, especially dullness, caused by sun damage. Vitamin C products and those that contain derivatives of the vitamin are especially beneficial for preventing sunburned skin.
Coffeberry. The fruit of the coffee bean is said to be one of the most potent antioxidants—three times more powerful than green tea.
Alpha Lipoic Acid. This rather small molecule packs a powerful punch. It affects how the cell is able to protect itself and helps get rid of scar tissue, a result of inflammation.
Mushroom Extract. Traditionally used in Eastern medicine, and becoming more mainstream, some varieties of mushrooms double as powerful antioxidants, scavenging off free radicals.
July 5, 2011
If you love the white stuff — we’re talking sugar, folks — your sweet tooth could be making your skin sag, crinkle, and wrinkle before its time. Blame glycation. That’s what happens when sugar hits your bloodstream, gloms on to proteins, and forms the aptly named AGEs, or advanced glycation end products. AGEs are bad news for your skin. They damage the collagen and elastin fibers that keep it strong and supple.
While scientists aren’t ready to say “sugar causes wrinkles,” docs know from observing people with poorly managed diabetes what out-of-control blood sugar does to skin — and it isn’t pretty. Bluntly put, it causes “premature” aging.
That should be extra inspiration to skip the cakes, cookies, and sugary drinks and fill your plate with wrinkle fighters. Here’s even more: There is plenty of scientific proof that certain nutrients help nourish the fibers that keep skin stretchy and healthy, says Manhattan dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, RealAge expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Step right up to the beauty buffet and serve yourself this way:
- Cover half — yes, 50% — of your plate with fruits and veggies. The antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in plants act like a dietary highway patrol, pulling over speeding free radicals before they can damage your skin’s collagen and elastin. You’ll also get loads of vitamin C this way (brightly colored produce is full of it). That’s great because C is essential for making new collagen.
- Then add extra flavor or crunch by topping your fruits and veggies with nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of olive oil. Nuts and seeds are full of vitamin E, an off-the-charts antioxidant. Since sunlight depletes vitamin E in skin, you need to continually replenish your supply, and the more you get from food — not supplements — the better. While that’s true in general, if there’s any chance you could get pregnant, taking big doses of E is a don’t. It’s linked to heart defects in newborns.
As for olive oil, its healthy fats help skin cells resist wrinkle-causing sun damage.
- Fill 25% of your plate with lean protein. Think fish, skinless white-meat poultry, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and tofu. All give you the good proteins your body needs to make new skin cells and keep up with its own antiaging skin repairs.
- Fill 25% of your plate with 100% whole grains. As in whole-wheat pasta, brown or wild rice, barley, any breads made from 100% whole grains, and more. Unlike the simple carbs in sugar, the complex carbs in whole grains are the kind your body and skin crave. Instead of triggering blood sugar spikes and forming brigades of aging AGEs, whole-grain carbs are full of fiber, which steadies blood sugar. Plus, the selenium and zinc in whole grains help harness the collagen- and elastin-damaging free radicals.
June 1, 2011
Can the fountain of youth—as well as glowing complexion—really be found in what you eat? Doctors have long supported the connection between skin health and diet, but when it comes to getting the right amount and the right kind of foods, what do you eat to help the skin from within? The ingredients below, found in your everyday, favorite foods offer serious beauty benefits.
Melatonin helps fight inflammation and is good for acne, rosacea and eczema. This powerful antioxidant, found in cherries, bananas, tomatoes, oats, rice bran and ginger, helps to scavenge damaging free radicals and fight skin inflammation, which can surface as acne, redness or irritation.
Biotin, found in nuts, eggs, peanut butter, oats, liver and salmon, helps strengthen nails and prevents hair from thinning. Because biotin helps to strengthen nails and hair, it’s beneficial for those suffering from hair loss or thinning hair. In fact, a biotin deficiency may increase breakage and cause hair to become dry and brittle.
Resveratrol, found in grapes, blueberries and red wine, protects against sun damage. It is believed to play a role in preventing photodamage caused by sun exposure (aka sagging, fine lines and wrinkles), as it protects against sun damage and slows the breakdown of collagen.
Vitamins C and E repair damaged skin. Found in citrus fruits, wheat germ oil, nuts, leafy greens, broccoli and kiwi, these vitamins help repair damaged cells. A one-two punch for protecting against sun damage, vitamins C and E are beneficial on their own, but even more powerful together. Vitamin E aids in hydrating skin and protects against free-radical damage, while vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen.
May 31, 2011
Skin that is less than ideal can arise from a variety of different causes, with the main ones being:
Dehydration. Even if you drink plenty of water, if your body is not utilizing it correctly, all of the layers of skin may not receive the hydration needed. Drinking water is the best way to keep the body hydrated. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, add lemon or cranberry to it, which will also provide pH-balancing benefits. Dehydrated skin actually stems from internal dehydration. When the body is deficient in water, the organs become dehydrated, too, as does the skin. If your skin is dehydrated, very fine lines may be present, the overall skin color will be flat and the skin will feel dry and inflexible.
Lack of exercise. If you think that the only benefit of exercise is a better body, guess again. Exercise is also important for your skin because it helps to stimulate the lymphatic system, which keeps everything moving, especially blood. Proper blood flow is essential for both a healthy glow and to fuel the underlying cells so they can function at their full potential.
Smoking. Smoking is extremely damaging to the skin since it depletes the body of vitamin C and accelerates the rate at which collaged and elastin are broken down. It’s no question that smoking is a big factor in causing unhealthy skin. The chemicals in cigarettes suck moisture out of the skin, making it look and feel dry.
Diet. The digestive system and skin have a reciprocal effect on each other. Certain foods positively influence the skin’s behavior. It’s not about what is missing from your diet as much as it is about what you can and cannot address. If you can’t properly break food down, it won’t move throughout the digestive process and can actually cause you to become bloated and the skin to look sluggish. Since the skin is a functioning organ, when not enough vitamins and minerals are ingested to fuel the body, the skin suffers.
The Sun. A top skin offender, the sun is a major cause of unhealthy skin. Repeated sun exposure depletes collagen and elastin from within, making the skin less elastic and thinner, which leads to wrinkles. The sun is a known contributor of dark-colored spots and leathery, wrinkled-looking skin—an obvious sign of unfit and aged skin. The effects of the sun begin when we are kids. It is years later when we begin to see spots, wrinkles and, sometimes, precancerous patches and skin cancer.
January 11, 2011
Just like cutting an apple causes it to turn brown, oxidation affects your skin in a similar manner. As we age, the skin’s antioxidant defense system weakens, losing its capacity to fight the oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are naturally-occurring, unstable extra electrons that seek out other extra electrons from healthy cells, damaging them and creating more free radicals in the process. They cause DNA damage in cells throughout the body—including the skin—leading to inflammation and deterioration of the cells, essentially “rusting” them.
Antioxidants bind to free radicals before they can cause this damage. Vitamin C, for example, prevents this from happening by protecting the cells.
To see for yourself, cut an apple and rub lemon juice on it. Just like it preserves the apple, it can help protect your skin.
December 20, 2010
Statistics show that many of us don’t get a good amount of vitamin D, which can be partially blamed on a healthy habit: wearing sunscreen. It blocks vitamin D as it defends you from sun damage.
However, help may be on the way in the form of a new ingredient that could eventually replace common UV filters found in creams and cosmetics.
According to an article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers found that an ingredient called Uniprotect PT-3 protected against oxidative and UV damage at a level comparable to that of an SPF 20 formula, but it allowed for the production of vitamin D in the skin at the same time.
It may be a while before we see this technology permeate products, so until it’s available, you should continue wearing traditional sunscreen and seek out vitamin D in healthy foods and supplements.
December 6, 2010
Do you know where to find edible antioxidants?
Much has been reported about the value and importance of antioxidants and incorporating them in your diet and beauty products. Free radicals can cause inflammation, damage and disease, and antioxidants are vital because they fight these free radicals.
Think you know where to find antioxidants? You may be surprised where they’re hiding. Here are four unexpected examples…
Vitamin C: You know it’s found in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, but you can also get it from sweet red peppers, plantains, broccoli, kale and potatoes.
Vitamin A: You know it’s found in liver, fish oil and eggs, but you can also find it in pumpkin and mozzarella cheese.
Vitamin E: You know it’s found in nuts and avocados, but you can also get it from ginger, soy-based mayonnaise, and asparagus.
Selenium: This mineral is widely known to be in fish, red meat, chicken, grains and eggs, but you’ll also find it in garlic.
September 29, 2010
BEAUTY WITHOUT BORDERSJAPAN* The Allure: that porcelain complexion *
Secret Ingredients: rice and seaweed
Rice Body Rub: In the old days, rice bran was a substitute for soap. You’d bring your little cotton pouch to the local bath house and fill it up with the bran. Then you’d soak and scrub your whole body, including the face. People still do this. Beyond sloughing off the dead skin layer, rice bran oil is known for its potent vitamin E and other antioxidants that brighten the skin. To see for yourself, fill a pouch with rice bran, and rub your body. If you’re bathing, leave the bag in the tub and let the nutrients seep into the water.
Kelp Face Pack: Seaweed has long been used in Japan as a beauty aid. The best recipe for a face mask requires about 7 ounces of raw seaweed (if you can’t find any, reconstitute the dried kind.) Thoroughly soak the kelp to rinse out the salt; then drain and place in a pan with 16 ounces of water, and cook at a low heat, stirring, for 10 minutes. Next, pour it into blender and make a creamy paste, mixing in a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice once it cools. Refrigerate for three days (freeze what you won’t be using) and apply for 20 minutes.
Sun Style: Ever considered opera gloves for the car? Japanese women are so picky about their skin aside from using the traditional umbrella in the summer, they wear long gloves—past the elbow—when they’re driving. They want to make sure the sun from the window doesn’t age their hands or arms.
AUSTRALIA
* The Allure: wild, luxurious hair *
Secret Ingredients: rainforest plums and desert limes
Kakadu Plum Paste: Aussie hairstylist Kevin Murphy became obsessed with natural beauty as a result of eczema. His favorite discovery is the kakadu plum. The Aborigines have been using it medicinally for 40,000 years. The dumpy little rainforest fruit has the highest known vitamin C content of any plant on the planet. Its antioxidant power saves hair from serious dye-job damage. Try it by mixing one part kakadu plum liquid extract—health food stores sell it (or you can squeeze the liquid from gel capsules)—and five parts virgin olive oil. Apply the paste ASAP post-coloring, and sleep in it before washing out.
Desert Lime Spray: Another Down Under treasure is the desert lime, a plant that flourishes in scorching temperatures. You may be able to find desert lime locally or online in an extract or tea. If so, boil it up and strain it a few times until you get a clear liquid. Once it cools, pour into an atomizer and use it to spray your hair before you work with a hot blow dryer or styling iron.
EASTERN EUROPE
* The Allure: fresh-faced model appeal *
Secret Ingredients: milk, olive oil, egg white, grapes
Milky Skin Wash: Eastern European women are extremely vain. These women have always taken every effort to look wonderful, even in Communist times when so little was available and they had to rely on home remedies. A tried-and-true remedy is milk. We know about Cleopatra taking milk baths. The reason is the lactic acid, which now, we chemically alter for peels. But you can just use a little milk to rinse your cleanser off and it’s great for the skin. If your complexion is dry, she advises, use whole milk; if oily, go for low fat.
Milky Skin Mask: For a more concentrated dose, boil a little milk until it gets a crusty surface. Once it cools, add a teaspoon of spoiled yogurt (leave it out until it gets that yucky look) and mix into a mask you can wear for 20 minutes.
Egg White Oily Skin Lift: A little egg on the face apparently makes an amazing mask for oily skin: Beat a few whites until they’re not tacky, stir in a bit of baking soda, and add some shredded lemon and grapefruit peel. Brush on the mixture and let it harden. You’ll feel a undeniably youthful, fresh lift.
Olive Buff: Women ‘schmear’ themselves from head to toe in olive oil, and stay in it for hours, and when they rinse it all off, the skin is like silk. You just have to be careful because your face can break out.
Grape Splash: The juice of grapes (packed with antioxidants) is also great for your skin. Rub it in, and if you crush the seeds, you’ve got a great scrub, too.
PAKISTAN
* The Allure: silky skin *
Secret Ingredients: almonds, orange peel, watermelon, extra virgin olive oil
Almond Scrub: Like rice bran and grape seeds, the almonds make a good exfoliator. The home remedies really haven’t been surpassed by high-tech microdermabrasion products. As for the coconut oil, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties and may be good for keratin, which the outer layer of skin is made of. You can whip up your own scrub with coconut oil and finely ground shells—if you can’t find the young almonds, use coconut shell (soak first & shred it.)
Scalp Balm: Patients with dry, itchy scalps, should rub on some extra virgin olive oil and wrap their head in a warm towel. The oil is great for the hair, too.
Crushed Orange Watermelon Mask: Another skin secret from her homeland: Take a dried-out orange peel and crush it into a fine powder. Add a little lemon juice, water, or in the summer, mashed watermelon, and apply the mixture on your face for 20 minutes before going out for the evening. It smells good, your makeup goes on easily, and your skin looks so nice and bright.
GLOBAL WATERS
Soak. Soaking is a universal beauty secret we often pass up in favor of the rush-hour shower.In Japan, they worship water. Toji is the word for bathing, and it’s been a traditional therapy ever since the Samurais started fighting. Aside from the minerals and healing qualities of certain waters, an obvious benefit is relaxation—and we know a zen mind can translate to beaming skin. Take a half hour, drawing a nice, warm tub, and throwing in a touch of sake. It’s fantastic for the skin, just don’t drink your bath!
June 23, 2009
This was originally written in December 2008 by Liberty Kontranowski & Pierce Mattie Public Relations.
Argan Oil: This incredible skin care miracle, known for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin E with 80% essential fatty acids, has been a beauty secret of Moroccan women for centuries. It can be dually used on skin and in hair for its high level of antioxidants and ability to replenish hair and skin’s natural moisture.
Acai: Sometimes referred to as “The Fountain of Youth,” this Brazilian berry contains antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein that positions itself as a formidable fighter in anti-aging products. Acai can be found across the board in skin care, cosmetics and hair care products.
Goji Berries: This nutrient-rich berry, well known as Wolfberries in the Himalayas, has often been called a “super food” due to its abilities to fight free radicals and boost the immune system. While there are no inherent benefits of Goji in fragrance, that hasn’t stopped perfumers from including this sweet yet tart scent into their perfumes.
Baobab: Rich in riboflavin, niacin and vitamins C, A, D and E, baobab has incredible anti-aging properties although you won’t just find it in creams and moisturizers, but also in exfoliating scrubs and hair care.
Acerola: Ingredients high in Vitamin C, like acerola, are being used more often due to their ability to even out skin tone and brighten complexion. Skin care brands will be using acerola more to target those who have issues with skin redness and inflammation.
Blueberry: Chock full of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, blueberries are another super food that will be used to fight aging in beauty products. Also known as a “super fruit,” blueberries have long been known for its ability to revitalize the skin; it was just a matter of time before beauty brands began to incorporate it more into their skin care products.
Probiotics: Last year Pierce Mattie PR termed probiotics a “buzzword” among beauty brands, but now those brands are delivering more than just buzz with this sister category to Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals. Probiotic skin care will be branded as another “clinical-like” line of products, which beauty consumers tend to lean towards as science-based.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3: This Cosmeceutical that is becoming found more often in anti-aging products to fight fine lines and wrinkles will be even more prevalent in 2009. Products that contain Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 will be branded as a temporary alternative to cosmetic procedures.
Myrrh: With the increasing popularity of Ayurveda in the Unites States, this ancient ingredient is also resurging in perfumes and skin care products. The rich royal resin with the slight vanilla fragrance so popular in incense also stimulates circulation and has lifting effects.
Turmeric: A highly regarded ingredient in India, Turmeric is widely known for its medicinal properties. Turmeric will be found in acne-related creams and lotions, as it is an antiseptic and can aid in preventing and removing blemishes. It will also be found in hair removal products as well as in the formulation of sunscreen in more natural products as well.
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