11 Jul 2008

Timeless beauty Taking care of yourself through the years

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Timeless beauty

Feeling the test of time? Who isn’t?! Whether you are in your twenties or your fifties, here are some anti-aging tips and products that will keep you in your prime.

1.) “Sunshine on my shoulders”

… makes you old. Your mother was onto something when she slathered you with SPF 50 before allowing you to play in the sun. Sunscreen is absolutely essential for preventing aging, and of course, skin cancer. It is the number one thing you can do to ensure beautiful skin in the years to come. And don’t even think about hopping into a tanning bed! They are just as bad for you as baking in natural sunlight.

If you aren’t comfortable resembling Snow White, try a self-tanner like Clinique Radiant Bronze Face & Body Tinted Self Tanner. It has a built in SPF 15, so you get two products in one.

2.) Moisture, moisture, moisture!

As we age, our skin loses its natural oiliness, so it’s essential to replenish with a daily moisturizer. Use one day and night to keep your face fresh. Even if you are prone to oily skin or breakouts, you should still use a light lotion, as doing so will help balance out your skin.

Juice Beauty makes a great oil-free moisturizing gel that won’t clog pores or lead to acne. As an added bonus, it’s made with all organic ingredients, so you can feel good that not only are you taking care of your skin, but you’re doing something helpful for the environment too!

3.) Put down the pack.

You’ve been lectured countless times about the dangers of smoking, but if all the statistics on lung cancer and heart disease don’t scare you into quitting, perhaps vanity will. Smoking sucks the moisture out of your skin, gives you telltale wrinkles (including those above your upper lip), clogs your pores, and gives you a sallow complexion. Yuck!

4.) Chill out!

Nothing ages our appearance quite like stress. Anxiety can lead to acne and cold sores, as well as frown lines. So do some sun salutations, go for a walk, read a feel-good book, or simply practice some deep breathing to alleviate your racing mind.

5.) Sip softly.

If the recent research on the benefits of a daily glass of wine has you ordering Pinot Noir by the case, take heed. A cocktail a day is fine, but drowning your liver in alcohol is not. Doing so dilates the blood vessels in the skin and depletes the body of vitamins and minerals. Alcohol is also a major skin diuretic, so if you do have a drink, chase it with a big glass of water.

6.) Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Dry, brittle hair is one of the major tell-tale signs of aging. Similar to their skincare counterparts, anti-aging hair products work to put moisture back into the strands, making it softer and shinier. Y serum is a new product from Nexxus that sets back the clock and brings new life to your hair.

7.) Blueberries, soy beans and fish oils, oh my!

If you’re still not hip to antioxidants, get with the program! Face of Estee Lauder Gwyneth Paltrow seems to defy time, and it’s largely due to her antioxidant-rich macrobiotic diet.

But you can do more with these goodies than just eating them! Products containing antioxidants neutralize free radicals that come from the sun as well as air pollution. The Youth As We Know It is a product line from Bliss that is jam-packed with these helpful little guys. From cleanser to toner to eye cream, they’ve got you covered.

10 Jul 2008

The Best Sunscreens

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Sunscreen May Be More Effective When Nanoencapsulated

Research recently published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science shows nanoencapsulated sunscreens to be more effective, helping guard skin against sun damage.

Nanoencapsulating sunscreen agents may make them more effective and reduce the potential for allergic reactions, suggests a new report.

According to research published in this month’s International Journal of Cosmetic Science, encapsulating the active ingredient in a sunscreen can stabilize the compound that might otherwise alter in form when hit with solar radiation. The scientists, led by Dr. Manuela Vettor from the University of Pavia, Italy, investigated the effect of nanoencapsulating octyl methoxycinnamate (OCM), a common sunscreen agent that is known to change from a trans to a cis form when exposed to sunlight.

This photoinduced change can significantly reduce the SPF of the sunscreen and finding ways to increase the photostability of such agents is crucial to the industry. Furthermore, the cis form has been known in rare cases to illicit an allergic reaction in consumers, according to the scientists.

Encapsulating reduces photodegradation

Vettor and the team coated the OMC in a poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) polymer and found that, when encapsulated, the compound was less likely to degrade from the cis to the trans form.

Furthermore, the stabilizing effect of the PLA encapsulation was dependent on the concentration of the OMC. When the sunscreen agent was in low concentrations (0.66%) the stabilizing effect was 36.65% but when the concentration of the sunscreen was higher (5%) the stabilizing effect increased to 70.8%.

Vettor and the team then tested in vitro the SPF values of the encapsulated OMC against the free OMC and placebo nanocapsules and found that encapsulating the OMC did not decrease its protective power.

Commenting on the results the team concluded that, “PLA nanoencapsulation is a suitable strategy to improve the stability of OMC without reducing its protective power.” In addition, the researchers found that including the PLA-encapsulated OMC into formulations did not affect their storage properties. Formulations containing the free OMC behaved no different than those containing the coated ingredient after being stored for six months at room temperature.

Extension to include UVA radiation

The team’s current research investigates only the effect of the nanoencapsulation on OCM, which is a commonly used UVB filter, but research is underway to examine the effect the same technique may have on UVA filters.

Furthermore, research needs to be done to identify the positive effects that encapsulating may have on UVA and UVB filters when combined, in order to fully capitalize on the potential of this technology to protect against the entire spectrum of UV damage.

Full Article

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09 Jul 2008

Great Skincare Lines That Protect the Skin

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Skincare lines you will love

As the weather changes, your skincare routine should change too. Look for beauty products that cleanse and combat oil, while also protect your skin from the sun and elements. These skincare lines offer cleansers, moisturizers and other skincare products that are ideal for the summer.

Bioelements

The Bioelements line is a favorite of makeup artist Tifanie White. She is the makeup artist to many celebs including American Idol’s Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler, as well as Martie McGuire of The Dixie Chicks. Tifanie White’s favorites include the Bioelements Moisture Positive Cleaner, a rich lotion cleanser with a mild foaming action that contains aromatherapist oils. She also loves the Bioelements Recovery Serum, a silky serum that gives an exceptional smooth-as-glass finish. “What a beautiful product,” says Tifanie, “it always gives a glow.”

Your Face: An Owner’s Manual

Know the Skin You’re In

Back to Basics

Which spa skincare products are right for you?

Aveda B. Kamins BABOR Decleor Dermalogica Dr. Brandt Dr. Hauschka Eminence Epicuren

Hylunia IS Clinical Jurlique MD Formulations MD Skincare® Murad Obagi Pevonia

Phytomer Repêchage® SkinCeuticals Sothys YonKa®