Tag Archive for: vitamin c

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Super Botanicals

We hear about them all the time, but what is a super botanical?  A super botanical is a botanical or plant that has two or more health and skin advantages. Super botanicals can be found in a number of plants and botanicals that we can use topically as skincare or ingest for nutrition. Below are a few of Dr. Goldfaden’s favorites!

Gooseberry

  • High levels of Vitamin C
  • Rich in anti-oxidants
  • Anti-aging properties
  • Promotes skin brightening
  • Delivers radiance and flawless complexion

 Where to find Gooseberry:

Vital Boost “Even Skintone Daily Moisturizer”

Grapes

  • Packed with health-promoting nutrients
  • A natural source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, В12, А, С, K and folic acid
  • Contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, antioxidants and enzymes
  • Scientific research suggests that the potent antioxidant compounds found in grapes—called polyphenols—help neutralize the free radical damage caused by sunlight, pollution and smoking on your skin
  • Grape seeds and their oil, grape skin, and grape juice all contain different types of active polyphenols such as resveratrol, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids
  • Grape polyphenols have outstanding antioxidant power, help reinforce microcirculation, and protect your collagen and elastin fibers from breaking down
  • Polyphenols act as a potent inhibitor of enzymes and pro-inflammatory factors that can damage your skin and hasten the outward signs of aging

Where to find grape seed oil:

Fleuressence “Native Botanical Oil” and Plant Profusion Restorative Night Cream

Quinoa

  • Contains high levels of riboflavin which provides elasticity to the skin
  • Works to tone the skin and prevent the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
  • A flowering plant in amaranth family
  • Edible seeds
  • Essential fatty acids which contribute to hydration
  • Contains proteins and amino acids

 Where to find Quinoa:

Plant Profusion Energetic Eye Cream

 

 White Birds of Paradise

  • Increases the appearance of skin luminosity
  • Improves hydration and smoothness
  • A native South African plant
  • In South Africa it is commonly called the crane flower and is featured on the back of the 50 cent coin
  • Helps with the appearance of uneven skin darkness/ dark spots and dull complexion

Where to find Birds of Paradise:

Highest percentage is in Plant profusion Supreme Serum. The entire Plant Profusion collection utilizes Birds of Paradise.

Red Tea

“One of the best health-promoting ingredients I’ve found to help revitalize and rejuvenate the skin. As a matter of fact, most of our products contain a concentrated red tea extract as part of their formula. That may give you an idea of how indispensable I believe this substance is for its ability to regenerate new skin cells, fight the visible signs of aging, and provide potent free radical protection.” Dr. Goldfaden

  • Red tea ( Rooibos) is made from the oxidized and dried leaves of the Aspalathis linearis plant that only grows in one spot on Earth— a tiny, mountainous region of South Africa in Western Cape Province.
  • For centuries the native South African tribes have used this natural remedy to alleviate ailments ranging from infantile colic and allergies to asthma and skin problems.
  • The most important therapeutic aspect of red tea is undoubtedly its powerful antioxidant capacity.
  • Red tea contains some of the most potent natural antioxidants known for protecting your skin from the free radical damage that can cause aging. **vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.
  • Red tea is known to possess 50 times the antioxidant capacity of green tea due to a high concentration of a special enzyme called superoxide dismutase.
  • Red tea also contains potent polyphenols and flavonoids that help heal and rejuvenate the skin.
  • Red tea helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, and dark spots.

Where to find Red Tea:

The highest percentage of Organic Red Tea can be found in our Radical Difference serum and Plant Profusion Regenerative Night Cream.

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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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How to increase Vitamin C internally

“Vitamin C is arguably the most important vitamin due to all its capabilities internally and externally.”

Dr. Goldfaden

Photo via @designlovefest

We know what vitamin C does for your skin, but it is also crucial for your body and that coveted glow! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals, supports the immune system and helps make collagen in the body! Vitamin C has also been shown to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol), ward off heart disease and absorb iron in the body. But here comes the tricky part…Humans lack the ability to produce their own vitamin C. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, a large portion of the vitamin C we ingest gets excreted before our body can actually use it.

How much we need

Men need around 90 mg per day while women need 75mg. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you need anywhere from 85-120mg a day!

How to get it

Oral supplementation:

65-90mg per day should do the trick. Don’t take too much as it can interfere with the absorption of other crucial vitamins and upset the digestive system.

Eating foods rich in Vitamin C:

Red peppers, bell peppers, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, kale and fermented foods as mentioned in Health.com (kimchi or sauerkraut) all rank super high in vitamin C. A diet high in these fruits and vegetables will ensure glowing skin.

 

 

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