Cosmeceuticals

It only makes sense that the trend is to use cosmeceuticals in the branding or advertising in the beauty care division.   How many people will see “ceuticals” in a name and think pharmaceutical and conclude it must have some secret ingredient consisting of a chemical or chemical combination that actually works?  Combining ingredients that have a medicinal or drug type benefit only enhances the sound of a product leaving many to think it will be of higher quality.  It’s a very aggressive market and a lucrative one if you can find that one product that will provide some other benefit aside from concealing or superficially enhancing.

Some of these products tout the claims of containing peptides, vitamins, minerals, growth factors and not to forget, “secret, patented ingredients.”  Just like other natural claiming products, the FDA does not regulate these products so they can make any claim they want but the beauty of the internet is, you can always look up reviews, adverse events and complaints.  However, when reviewing products, always be weary of the reviewer and/or site as these are mostly not true, independent reviewers. 

Some examples of cosmeceuticals include alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, vitamins and antioxidans.

Alpha hydroxy acids are used often in chemical peels.  Products containing alpha hydroxy acids sold over the counter can only have a 10% or less concentration.  Cosmetologists or others licensed, use products containing anywhere from 20 to 30% concentration.  The effect is simliar to microabrasion which is used to minimize fine line while giving a more youthful appearance.   The treatments will take one to three applications and must be repeated every three to six months for maximum benefit.  Doctors can use concentrations between 50 to 70%.  Alpha is best for skin with sun damage and not acne prone.

Beta hydroxy acids differ from alpha is in the solubility.  Alpha is water soluble and beta is oil soluble.  Beta can penetrate into the pores and remove the dead cells that build up over time.  Beta is best used for oily skin proned to blackheads and whiteheads.

Antioxidants are derived from vitamins and attach to free radicals which may help to repair skin damage.

I was curious what the readers on the Oprah forum would state about the best anti-aging cream and although there were only 30 or so responses, more tilted towards olive oil.  The rest varied from Oil of Olay to Arbonne to organic products.   I think I’ll stick with olive oil for now and wonder when it will turn into the next cosmeceutical product.

 

Foods That Make Your Skin Beautiful

Different websites are touting the benefits of eating right on your skin to prevent wrinkles and retain that youthful glow.  I have a friend who at 50, looked AMAZING and actually looked like she was 40.  She credited this youthful, wrinkless, glowing complexion to eating right, drinking plenty of water and taking many supplements.  Either her genes were very good and/or the lifestyle was working because she looked incredible. 

Lycopene from processed tomatoes provides a great source of an anti-oxidant and also helps to ward off cancerous cell formations.  Lycopene, in high doses, flush out free radicals.  Since lycopene is not made in the body, we require products such as tomatoes to acquire it. 

“Researchers introduced Lycopene into pre-existing cancer cell cultures and the Lycopene prevented the continued growth of these cultures. This is pretty powerful evidence that the health benefits of eating a tomato are really quite phenomenal.  It takes as little as 540 milliliters of liquid tomato product to get the full benefits of Lycopene. This means that a daily glass of tomato juice has the potential to keep a person healthy for life.”

Oysters provides zinc which provides that nice little feature of repairing and renewing our skin called collagen.  As we age, we lose that ability.

Blueberries prevent cell damage by also being a source of an anti-oxidant.   In 2004, a team led by a USDA chemist found that this natural anti-oxidant may lower blood levels of LDL which is the “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.  The pterostilbene in blueberries is similar to the chemical Resveratrol found in grapes.  Another claim for blueberries as an antioxidant is the benefit towards slowing down visual loss due to the extract from blueberries.  It’s called anthocyanosides and has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss.

 “A recent study was done in a Boston laboratory by putting one group of young rats on a blueberry-rich diet and another on regular chow. Then the scientist exposed both groups to 48 hours of concentrated oxygen, stirring up in two days the amount of free radical damage that normally takes 20 rat months, or 75 humans to accumulate. Brain cells in the chow group became less responsive to neurotransmitters associated with short-term memory. The brains of the blueberry stuffed rats did not change. He also found that the fruit prevented the kind of short-term memory loss that comes with aging. Blueberries actually stave off declines in brain cell’s ability to send messages to one another.”

Dark chocolate has many benefits to include providing yet another anti-oxidant source.  It increases blood flow to the skin which rehydrates the skin and provides additional sun protection.

Walnuts provides omega-3 and vitamin E which is a natural way to ward off psoriasis and eczema.   Omega-3 fatty acids also provide benefits ranging from better mental functioning to cardiovascular protection to an anti-inflammatory benefits in asthma.

 

Palomar’s Over-The-Counter Clearance for a Home Use Wrinkle Removal Laser Device

With Palomar’s joint venture with Johnson and Johnson being the first company to receive an OTC approval for it’s at home laser wrinkle removal system, the doors should start opening up for more technology.  This multi-billion dollar business is going to be a major player in how the at home systems are going to be transformed.

I just read a story of a consumer watchdog group (Good Housekeeping Research Institute) that tested five hand held anti-aging lights and found there were little effects on wrinkles.  The products include scaled down versions for at home usage used by professional dermatologists for years.

The differents between LED (light emitting diodes) and lasers is  LEDs are tiny light bulbs on an electrical circuit.  They are illuminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material versus a filament like a regular bulb has.  The light has very little tissue penetration unlike laser lights.  Since wrinkles commonly appear deeper into the skin, lasers prove to be more effective.

I can’t wait to see how the Palomar system works.

 

Palomar's Over-The-Counter Clearance for a Home Use Wrinkle Removal Laser Device

With Palomar’s joint venture with Johnson and Johnson being the first company to receive an OTC approval for it’s at home laser wrinkle removal system, the doors should start opening up for more technology.  This multi-billion dollar business is going to be a major player in how the at home systems are going to be transformed.

I just read a story of a consumer watchdog group (Good Housekeeping Research Institute) that tested five hand held anti-aging lights and found there were little effects on wrinkles.  The products include scaled down versions for at home usage used by professional dermatologists for years.

The differents between LED (light emitting diodes) and lasers is  LEDs are tiny light bulbs on an electrical circuit.  They are illuminated by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material versus a filament like a regular bulb has.  The light has very little tissue penetration unlike laser lights.  Since wrinkles commonly appear deeper into the skin, lasers prove to be more effective.

I can’t wait to see how the Palomar system works.

 

Murad Resurgance Update

Okay, it’s almost week three on Murad’s Resurgance and I like it.  My face appears smoother and softer and I think the finer lines might be diminshing a little bit.  I think my complexion overall looks much healther and vibriant. 

The acne treatment is breaking my daughter out even more as well as making her face really dry.  She’s going to quit using it.

 

Murad Resurgence

I finally picked a product to try after Bellaplex.  I did use Bellaplex for three months and did not notice any differences in my skin. 

I’m on week two of Murad’s Resurgence and my skin feels softer and smoother.  I think I’m noticing a difference already with the fine lines under my eyes.  The regiment is easy.  Wash your face, apply a little of the eye serum under the eyes and then apply a coat of the night time repair cream.  The bottles are really small but the amounts go a long way.  I have no idea if it will last until the next shipment.

The costs is $39.95 plus %6.95 for shipping with the membership program.  I prefer to have offers that allow you to cancel online but you have to call for this one.  I also bought the acne program for my daughter but it’s too early to note if it’s working.

This is the product endorsed by Joan Lundon.  Here is their “promise:”

The Murad Promise Here at Murad, we have devoted decades to perfecting the science of skincare and we stand by our products unconditionally. If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with any of our products, simply return them within 60 days of purchase even if they are empty. We would be happy to assist you with a refund or exchange. For details, call 1.888.506.8723.