Striving4Zen

Astaxanthin

How it works: Combats singlet oxygen, one of the strongest ROS (free radicals), which directly damages biological lipids, proteins, and DNA.

Visible results: Prevents future UV damage. Diminishes fine lines and improves elasticity

Studies: A clinical study at Creighton University demonstrated that astaxanthin can eliminate free radicals 6,000 times more effectively than vitamin C, 800 times more than CoQ10, 550 times more than vitamin E and green tea, 75 times more than alpha lipoic acid, and 20 times more than beta-carotene. For more on astaxanthin.

Where to find it: Astaxanthin is a staple of Nicholas Perricone MD products and of Kenneth Mark MD.

Carnosine

How it works: A natural amino-acid that is a potent antioxidant. Australian researchers claim it can extend the HayFlick Limit, the number of times our cells will divide and reproduce.

Visible results: It prevents the cross-linking of collagen and other proteins, one of the causes of wrinkling and loss of elasticity.

Studies: Recent studies suggest this ingredient may also act as a natural anti-glycation molecule. Glucose based cross-linking degrades proteins and creates Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs), which are, in turn, responsible for leading to many age-related illnesses. Test tube experiments have shown the dipeptide to effectively protect proteins from cross-linking, to protect cells from AGEs. For more on carnosine.

Where to find it: Osmotics products and GloTherapeutics

Teprenone (also called Renovage)

How it works: Stabilizes telomeres so that at least they won’t shorten and signal cell death. Maintaining telomere length extends the Hayflick Limit (the # of times a cell replicates) by one third.

Visible results: Prevents the onslaught of fine lines

Studies: Researchers on telomeres won last year’s Nobel Prize

Where to find it: Skinn Wrinkle Night Balm, Jack Black’s Protein Booster, YBF’s new Boost. and Babor.

SNAP-8

How it works: A neuropeptide that stops facial muscles from moving and causing expression lines. SNAP-8, created by Kinerase, is being marketed as the second generation of Argireline, and is said to be 30% more effective. Our skin is naturally full of neuropeptides, but as we age, the count drops. While Botox smooths wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles through an injection of a solution derived from the botulism toxin, topical ‘Botox’ alternatives attempt to phone in the request to the cells to do the work themselves.

Visible results: Prevents the onslaught of fine lines.

Studies: None that are independent. For more on SNAP-8 and other neuropeptides

Thanks!

Labels: anti-aging, Ingredients, skin care

1. Start at the end where preservatives are listed. Try to avoid:
   
• Words ending in “paraben”
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidsazolidinyl urea
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)
  
2. Next, check the beginning of the ingredients list. Here you’ll find the soap, surfactant, or lubricant that has been added to make the product work. Try to avoid ingredients that start with “PEG” or have an “-eth” in the middle (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate).
   
3. Finally, read the middle ingredients. Here you’ll look for some common – but not essential - additives that may bring excess hazard: fragrance and dyes. On the label look for “FRAGRANCE,” “FD&C,” or “D&C.”

Thanks to the EWG!

Labels: environmental working group, EWG, Ingredients, living holistically, personal care, skin care, toxic

The average adult uses at least 7 skin-care products a day--cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, and serums included. That's a lot of stuff!

To prevent ingredient overload and reduce irritation, Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, advises limiting your skin-care routine to only those items that contain no more than 10 ingredients apiece.

According to Draelos, the fewer ingredients there are in a product, the less likely it is to cause a problem.

"And always wait at least five minutes between each application," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "Otherwise, you'll dilute the effects of the previous one."

Spread out your morning skin-care routine so your serum has time to sink in before the last hour of the Today show.

Source

Labels: Ingredients, KISS, skin care