Tag Archive for: Anti-Aging

Our Summer rescue secret weapon. Discover Retinol.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, which can be derived from both animal and plant sources(carotenoids). Retinol in some topical form is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Wherever it is derived from, topical vitamin A plays a major role in maintaining the youth of your skin by boosting the process of cell regeneration. Vitamin A and its retinoid analogs stimulate skin cell renewal by increasing the rate of cell division. Through its powerful action as a signaling agent, vitamin A stimulates the binding of epidermal growth factor to your skin cells, thereby encouraging new cell growth. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth. In addition, vitamin A actually thickens your epidermis, which becomes thinner with age, and also improves the elasticity of your skin. Try our Wake Up Call or Fleuressence for a boost of Retinol.

“Liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and spinach are among the best places to find  vitamin A. We derive ours from carrots.”

Dr. Goldfaden

Why you need it:

  • Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Increases collagen production
  • Delivers an overall tighter, firmer, plumper appearance to the skin
  • Retinol will not negatively affect younger skin
  • Helps prevent the signs of aging.
  • Carotenoids = Vitamin A in fruits/plants is “Pro-Vitmain A” and delivers similar effects
  • Retin-A has been prescribed and used by teenagers battling Acne with no negative side effects. It is crucial however, to always wear an SPF if you’re using Retin-A or a retinoid product.

 

 

 

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Post Sun Skin Tips, Dr. G reports

Summer weather has arrived and it can be very tempting to get a little sun. Sometimes a little sun can turn into a bad sunburn. Protect yourself by always wearing an appropriate SPF, hat and sunglasses. Below are a few post sun steps to ensure you stay healthy and hydrated all summer long.

PS: Don’t forget to reapply SPF after swimming!

DON’T: take hot showers: Hot showers can be dehydrating to skin in general, especially after a Summer of being in the sun because the effects can be even worse (i.e. premature aging, stronger definition of fine lines, to name a few). The next time you hop in, turn the water temperature down about 10 to 15 degrees, and don’t take more than two showers a day.

 DON’T: Don’t use photosensitizing ingredients on the skin during the day. Certain ingredients in these types of products can react adversely on your skin in sunlight, which makes skin susceptible to burning more easily and causing lasting sun damage. Stay clear of retinoids, acids, fruits acids, topical steroids and differin creams, which can enhance sensitivity. Opt to use these products at night only.

 DO: Thirst Quenching Treatments: In order to effectively get your skin back in tip-top shape, Vitamin C is your answer. Vitamin C visibly brightens the skin and improves the overall look and tone of the skin. Power-packed vitamins including, Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Ferulic Acid also help hydrate, brighten, soothe, and improve the overall tone and texture of the skin.

DO: Double up at night. Skin cell regeneration is slightly higher at night making it a crucial step to apply products with active ingredients in the night as your skin is able to absorb the active ingredients in skincare products better since active ingredients are less effective when exposed to sunlight.  In addition, your skin would not have to compete with the other products you apply like makeup or sunscreen to fight the UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements in the day. Layer up a potent packed repairing treatment (powerful nighttime ingredients to look for include: peptides, retinol, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Don’t forget to layer an extra hydrating moisturizer on top to ensure supple, plump hydrated glowing skin.

 DO: Exfoliate. Exfoliating the face, neck and chest is key after a summer day of sun and sunscreen. The upper layer of skin gets thicker, harder and drier and pores can be clogged by sweat and sunscreen residue. Removing the surface layers of dead skin, oil build up and grease will give a dewier look and helps to produce more collagen, allowing skin to look more plump.

DON’T: Get sunburned. If you do try a few at home soothing steps. Cool compresses and baths are effective for cooling down the skin and inflammation that accompanies sunburn. After a bath make sure to later your body in a hydrating lotion or body oil. Look for soothing, anti-redness and anti-inflammation ingredients such as aloe, red tea, cucumber, oatmeal, chamomile and cornstarch.

Dr. G recipe: Keep cornstarch ice cubes in the fridge this summer to help calm red or sunburned skin. Mix cornstarch with water until dissolved then pour into ice trays and freeze. Pop them out if anyone gets too much sun or heat.

 

 

 

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Is the city ruining your skin?

We all know the common skin culprits when it comes to breakouts what the causes including,  bacteria and oil, hormones, and certain foods or medications. Have you ever thought about where we live to be some of the main contributing factors to some of our skin woe’s?

Big City Skin – The Issues:

Pollution

According to Dr. Goldfaden, pollution and smog in big cities can clog pores, but also lead to dryness in the winter. Additionally, the free radicals in the ozone layer of smog can cause premature aging, such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity, and those who live in highly polluted urban areas are at higher risk of developing eczema and rashes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Vitamin D absorption

Atmospheric pollution has been shown to block the absorption of UVB needed by skin to make the Vitamin D so crucial for our overall skin health and proper functioning. “This is where vitamin D comes in: rates of cell division and differentiation are triggered by growth factors and other molecules that are controlled by the presence of vitamin D” say’s Dr. G. If adequate amounts of vitamin D are not available, your epidermal cells won’t differentiate optimally. As a result, the outer layer of your skin may become thinner and more fragile.

The Solutions:

Imagine all the pollution, dirt and bacteria that cover the face after a day outside in a city. Free radicals are attacking form every angle breaking down skin cells causing loss of elastin and collagen in the skin. Detoxifying products are crucial to ward off free-radical damage on the skin and keep skin looking flawless, bright and blemish-free. A detox cleanser is imperative. Look for an acid based cleanser to eradicate surface layer bacteria, dirt and oil. The use of a  bi-weekly pore-clarifying mask can be helpful as well to keep pores free of gunk, dirt, oil and bacteria which lead to breakouts.

Protect + Repair: Dr. Goldfaden’s advanced brightening and antioxidant serum helps to protect against photo-aging and free radical damage, while leaving skin hydrated and radiant.

Smoggy and polluted climates also call for serums and moisturizers that target environmental damage and almost shield the skin. Look for powerhouse Vitamin D as an ingredient! A great option to try is our Vital Boost moisturizer, a daily skin-boosting and antioxidant-infused moisturizer with a powerful dose of Vitamin D.

 

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