Dermatologist Dictionary: Everything You Need To Know About Skincare

Basic moisturizers are now a thing of the past as savvy women (and men) are turning to results-driven, high tech cosmeceutical skincare that actually makes a difference to their skin. When looking for a product to address skin concerns such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea or pigmentation, scientific evidence that proves a product actually works, is where many are choosing to invest their money.

To help decipher your peptides from your retinols and your growth factors from you free radicals, Harley Street Dermatologist Dr Ariel Haus and IMAGE skincare, a pioneering American Cosmeceutical skincare brand, brings you their guide to high-tech skincare terminology…

Cosmeceutical: Skincare products that bridge the gap between pampering beauty creams and prescription pharmaceutical products. Cosmeceutical skin care products contain biologically active ingredients, which have a physiological effect on the skin. Ingredients are high grade quality and products will contain enough to do what it says it will!

Barrier Function: The skin's barrier (the epidermis) is the outermost layer. Its main function is to keep water in, so that the skin is well hydrated and moisturized.

Collagen: One of the most important structural proteins in the skin, it keeps us wrinkle free, and youthful. Think of it as scaffolding for the skin.

Elastin: Collagen’s best friend, these two work together to give skin its natural firmness and bounce, but age and environmental influences decrease our skin’s elastin. Without elastin, sag would be a permanent status! Elastin damage comes heavily from UVA exposure to the skin, so a daily SPF is vital, even in the winter. Mineral (Zinc Oxide/Titanium) is reflective and therefore always a better option when selecting an SPF.

Growth Factors: The communicators that tell cells to reproduce and stay young, increasing the number of healthy skin cells.

AHA/BHA: Two types of acids that are very useful in the fight against acne, exfoliation, anti-ageing, and overall skin maintenance. AHAs (e.g. Glycolic Acid, L-Lactic Acid, L-Mandelic Acid) loosen the bond between dead skin cells that form the surface of the skin, making the skin look smoother and wrinkles less noticeable. They also help retain moisture in the surface layers of the skin. BHAs (e.g. Salicylic Acid). BHAs dissolve oil and are an anti-inflammatory making them great for acne.

Anti-Oxidant: The antidote to free radicals, antioxidants protect cells from damage that causes ageing and even cancer. They can come in the form of synthetic chemicals, vitamins, or foods. For topical anti-oxidant protection, the ingredient to look out for is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C).  Another great photoprotective is anti-oxidant resveratrol grape seed extract.

Free Radicals: A tiny chemical particle that, when activated by sunlight, wreaks cosmetic havoc on the skin. Free radicals destroy collagen fibers and are the number one cause of skin aging and wrinkles. Free radicals can also cause mutations to the DNA found in our skin.

Enzyme: Proteins that help with inflammation, aging, and cell turnover (exfoliation). Acting as an exfoliation agent to break down the surface dead skin cells, they help reduce the size of pores and smooth and brighten skin.

Peptides: Signal collagen production and inhibit muscle contraction. Peptides are small proteins that can penetrate the skin easily and stimulate the production of collagen. Some act like growth factors and stimulate skin cells to make a quicker turnover, like in younger skin.

Retinol: Derived from vitamin A, retinol combats skin-aging by stimulating and plumping up collagen and increasing hyaluronic acid production. Retinol has also been proven to improve skin clarity and texture, promote anti-pigmentation plus demonstrate anti-acne and pore-minimizing effects, all leading to a more healthy and youthful skin appearance.

Stem Cell Technology:  Advanced skincare ingredient that protects your own skin cells, and the DNA within, from free radicals, whilst extending the longevity of the cells.

Stability: To minimize product degradation, cosmeceutical skin care needs to incorporate technology that promotes formulation stability. This prevents the product from ‘going off’ too quickly and ensures that the key ingredients remain active and effective on the skin.

Chirality: Chirality correct actives in skin care mean that the skin recognizes the molecules resulting in greater effect on the skin. It’s like wearing the right glove on the right hand – you wouldn’t put the right hand in a left hand glove.

Article Source:  http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/lifestyle-fashion/stylebeauty/dermatologist-dictionary-everything-you-need-to-know-about-skincare-392459.html

Skin Care Tips To Battle Winter Dryness

When it comes to the effects of dry winter air, it seems few of us are immune. Whether it impacts our hair or our skin or makes our throats scratchy, it seems we’re all in need of a little humidity as the cold rolls in.

Many people count on humidifiers to infuse a dry house with a welcome dose of moisture, but what if that’s not working for you, or if you’re dealing with dry air at the office? When it comes to skin in particular, many people turn to topical solutions.

“I’ve had extremely dry and cracked skin on my hands, and I started dealing with it a few years ago by using the generic form of Eucerin cream twice a day, after showering in the morning and before bed at night,” Bernie Fortune of Des Moines said. “I actually use it all year, but more frequently in the winter.”

Anne Berg of Van Meter has a similar solution. “I make sure I run two humidifiers in the house to keep the air comfortable when the furnace seems to run non-stop, but I also use Neutrogena sesame oil after showering,” Berg said. “During the day, I’ll use Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream when my hands start to dry out at work.”

Claire Celsi and Jill George, both of West Des Moines, bring out the big guns; George moisturizes her skin with a potion intended for another use, and Celsi chooses to get rid of dry skin altogether.

“Believe it or not, I actually use A and D ointment — made for diaper rash — when my skin gets really dry,” George said. “I put it on at night, and by morning, my skin feels so much better.”

Celsi said her “garden-variety” skin responds to Aveeno.

“I’ve found the most effective way to use it is to apply it all over, shower with a loofah, then reapply the lotion,” she said. “Aveeno causes skin to actually slough off if you leave it on for at least 15 minutes before your shower.”

According to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa, topical moisturizers are indeed a good line of defense against winter dry skin. But doctors on the department’s website offer these tips as well to help keep you comfortable as temperatures drop.

Water alone, especially hot water, can actually worsen the problem of dry skinby removing the normal, protective skin oils, and hot, soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree. However, water followed by the application of oil such as a moisturizer — also known as an emollient or lubricant — benefits dry skin, as the oil in the moisturizer helps trap and seal water to make the skin softer, smoother and less likely to become dry, cracked and itchy. So don’t plan to bathe or shower in the winter without moisturizing liberally as well.

Speaking of baths and showers, they should be short— 10 minutes, tops, on winter dry skin — and water should be warm, not hot. Use minimal soap and opt for less-drying options, such as Dove, Neutrogena Dry Skin Formula, Aveeno Cleansing Bar for Dry Skin, Purpose, Basis, and Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Soap. Cetaphil, a liquid cleanser, works as a gentle and effective soap substitute for some people and is especially helpful for cleaning the face and hands.

After bathing or showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel; don’t rub skin dry. Within three minutes of getting out of the water, apply a moisturizer. Bath oil, if selected as a moisturizer, can be directly rubbed into the skin after showering or bathing, but should not be added to bath water since it can make the tub dangerously slippery. Moisturizers should be reapplied liberally during the day and evening when possible, especially to those areas prone to dryness (hands, arms and legs).

Be careful about using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and itch-suppressing creams
or lotions to combat extreme winter dry skin. Many of these products contain chemicals that can irritate or cause allergic reactions. A good general rule: Anything you apply to your skin that causes more burning and itching than you started with probably isn’t a good idea. Consult your physician before continuing to use it.

Try to increase the humidity level
in your home. If possible, look into installing a humidifier to the central heating system of your house. If that’s not an option, invest in a quality portable humidifier, making sure to use it in your bedroom at night.

 Article Source:  http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20131230/LIFESTYLE/312300004/Skin-care-tips-battle-winter-dryness

How To Get Naturally Glowing Skin - Honey & Lemon Facemask

Really easy and quick face mask, for a natural glow without the need of any foundations or concealers. Get the flawless skin you want by using natural products that are both good and kind to your skin. 

Lemon: lightens the skin, reduces the chance of wrinkles. The citric acid contained in lemons exfoliates your skin helping problems of acne too!

Honey: completely natural and free from harmful chemicals, it draws in moisture to your skin helping your skin to keep hydrated and smooth.

The two products together work like a beauty!! Enjoy!

Video Source:  RachelSays2BeNatural

Dry Skin Care - Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Care for Dry Facial Skin (Face Masks for Cleansing and Fairness):

• A good skin is a symbol of good health
• Skin requires as much care as any other part of our body
• Use natural face masks to get glowing and healthy facial skin

Symptoms to look for:

• Dry Skin, 
• Wrinkles easily
• Appears parched
• Ages rapidly
• Flakes often

Causes:

• Lack of oil and moisture in the skin

Natural face mask using wheat flour, turmeric powder and mustard oil: 

1. Take 4 tbsp of wheat flour
2. Add ½ tsp of turmeric powder
3. Add 1 tsp of mustard oil
4. Add water to make a paste
5. Apply the paste on the face taking care to avoid the eyes
6. Leave it to dry for 10 min 
7. Remove the dried mask by scrubbing it with your palms
8. After 30 min, wash off with lukewarm water

Natural face mask using honey and milk:

1. Take 2 tbsp of honey
2. Add 2 tsp of milk
3. Mix well
4. Apply on the face and neck taking care to avoid the eyes
5. Leave it for 20 min
6. Wash off with lukewarm water

Video Source:   http://www.youtube.com/user/homeveda?feature=watch