Seasonal Tips

Winter Skincare Essentials

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Winter Skincare Essentials

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

 
We all know the winter can be harsh on our skin, which is what makes winter skincare so important.
 
Dehydration is the major concern when humidity drops, as it does, during the cold weather months. There’s a dramatic increase in TEWL (trans epidermal water loss), as the dry air pulls moisture from your face, acne breakouts, and dry, sensitive skin may occur. Fluctuation in temperature creates poor circulation and provides fewer nutrients to the skin. Blood vessels expand and contract which wear down the walls of the vessels, leading to redness and the appearance of telangitasias (small red veins) on the face.
 
The colder weather can dehydrate your skin, leaving it dry and dull looking. Selecting the correct facial cream and serums is extremely important in winter skincare maintenance, and a healthy glowing appearance.
 
Cold air can strip our skin of its natural oils, and adding an extra protection layer is a must. Without this, our skin can get super dry and itchy.
 
Not moisturizing can worsen the appearance of wrinkles. When your skin is dehydrated, lines are even more likely to show. It is important to use ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help to plump your skin.
 
Here are some of my winter skincare essential products, and how to take extra care of our delicate skin.
 
Winter Skincare Essentials
 
Hyaluronic Acid Serum – a 100% Hyaluronic Serum formulation of a pure, high molecular weight concentration. This is not an acid that is use to peel the skin. Hyaluronic is a type of humectant that acts as a sponge, by drawing moisture into the skin to restore optimal suppleness. It is very important in dry climates to layer an emollient over, so your skin’s moisture is not loss into the air.
 
Dry Skin Relief – A pure and natural oil moisturizer combining Squalene (olive oil) with Vitamin E for superior hydration. Dry Skin Relief nourishes the skin and provides the ultimate in moisturization and protection from the harsh environmental elements.
 
This serum helps in preventing dryness and smooth skin by filling the spaces between the skin flakes with droplets of oil, reducing roughness, cracking and irritation by temporarily replacing the first line of skin barrier defense “the acid mantle”. Which by the way is oil not water, so do not be afraid of using good quality oil on your skin. I suffer from breakouts my entire life and this does not break me out. My favorite product!
 
Repair Balm – An occlusive moisture binding product that protects, calms, and aids in healing damaged,extremely dry or inflamed skins. Ingredients contain anti –oxidants, Vitamin A & E to protect the integrity of the skin.
 
This thicker topical balm is formulated to place a physical barrier between the skin and the outside environment. A barrier cream slows the natural evaporation of moisture from the skin and reduces irritation. Typical applied after your cream to lock moisture into the skin but also excellent for winter sport activities.
 
As we begin to show signs of aging, it is partly due to the loss of hyaluronic acid,genetics and vitamin deficiencies. So it is particularly important to visit your skincare professional and receive clinical facial treatments to hydrate, revitalize and restore the glow to your skin. An excellent treatment to receive is a vitamin infused hydrating facial using ultrasonic technology that delivers the correct nutrients deep into the skin, where it is needed.
 
Moisturizing keeps your skin smooth and supple and leaves it with a fresh winter glow.

 

Winter Skincare Essentials

Winter Skincare

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Winter Skincare

Winter Skincare

Winter is here, and for many, this means dry, flaky, red, irritated skin. Do you think that simply layering on an extra coat of heavier moisturizer will do the trick? Think again. Here are the  most common mistakes that people make, and my expert solutions to keep your skin looking its best during the driest season of the year.
 
Over moisturizing with the wrong moisturizer
When the skin is dry and flaky on your face, applying an extra thick coat of moisturizer will surely take care of this, right? Wrong. Your skin is like a sponge, so applying an extra layer of moisturizer may be wasteful, since the can only absorb so much. In addition, for blemish-prone skin types, too much moisturizer may cause congestion, bumps, and breakouts. The solution is to use the right moisturizer with the most effective hydrating ingredients that actually repair the lipid barrier and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
 
Some of my favorite moisturizing products for winter skincare are: Dry Relief Oil, Repair Balm and Restorative Moisturizer. Unlike other types of moisturizing ingredients used in skincare formulations, these ingredients will actually correct the lack of oil and lack of hydration deep within your skin and repair your skin’s lipid moisture barrier to make your skin moist, supple and smooth. And don’t forget to increase your exfoliation. After all, trying to moisturize cells that are already expired won’t get you very far.
 
Not adjusting your skin care routine.
Our skin, like our bodies, is constantly changing. Add in a severe drop in the weather temperature and this will definitely affect your skin. You must make certain that you are using the right products to adapt to your skin’s changing needs. This might include switching from using an AHA face wash to a gentler cream cleansing lotion. You also can start using a serum underneath your moisturizer to give your skin a boost of much needed hydration. If your skin doesn’t feel good, then your routine simply isn’t working and it is time to change it up.
 
 Not sealing in moisture fast.
Did you know that you have a 60 second window after cleansing your skin to seal in moisture while your skin is damp to prevent severe dehydration? Because the air is so dry in the winter, it looks for water wherever it can get it – this means taking it from your skin at its most vulnerable time after cleansing. When you wash your face, your skin is damp with water afterwards and since water acts like a magnet, it will attract water from the deep layers of the skin, and evaporate into the dry air. The result is even tighter, drier skin. After cleansing, when your skin is still damp, immediately apply moisturizer so your skin can stay moist and hydrated.
 
Humidifier for Your Skin.
Loss of moisture is a big concern with winter skincare. As we mentioned, dry winter air draws moisture from wherever it can, through a process called osmosis, and often times it will be from your skin. Using a humidifier helps counteract the drying air so moisture is less likely to evaporate from your skin. Be sure to modify your nighttime skin care routine since the air is driest at night when the temperatures drop.
 
An added benefit of using a humidifier is prevention of spreading the flu.
We’ve all known that a humidifier can ease coughs and congestion, but a recent study showed that a virus is 32% less likely to survive when relative humidity is between 40% and 60%. A home in the winter can drop to a 15% humidity level, but a humidifier can boost this up significantly. An add bonus is using essential oils to also kill viruses and bacteria. Stay healthy this winter!

 

Winter Skincare

 

Cancer and Sunscreen Myths

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Health Coach

I find this article very interesting and a reason to ponder.

Bernard Ackerman, MD, (deceased 2008) was one of the world’s foremost authorities on the subject of skin cancer and the sun, sunscreens and melanoma skin risks. Ackerman’s views excerpted from an article in The New York Times (July 20, 2004), titled “I BEG TO DIFFER; A Dermatologist Who’s Not Afraid to Sit on the Beach”:

The link between melanoma and sun exposure (dermatology’s dogma) is unproven. There’s no conclusive evidence that sunburns lead to cancer. There is no real proof that sunscreens protect against melanoma. There’s no proof that increased exposure to the sun increases the risk of melanoma. The link between melanoma and sun exposure (dermatology’s dogma) is unproven. Many times melanoma is found on unexposed skin. There is no real proof that sunscreens protect against melanoma. There’s no proof that increased exposure to the sun increases the risk of melanoma. According to a June 2014 article featured in The Independent (UK), a major study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that women who avoid sunbathing during the summer are twice as likely to die as those who sunbathe every day.

The epidemiological study followed 30,000 women for over 20 years and “showed that mortality was about double in women who avoided sun exposure compared to the highest exposure group.” Researchers concluded that the conventional dogma, which advises avoiding the sun at all costs and slathering on sunscreen to minimize sun exposure, is doing more harm than actual good. That’s because overall sun avoidance combined with wearing sunscreen effectively blocks the body’s ability to produce vitamin D3 from the sun’s UVB rays, which is by far the best form of vitamin D.

According to a ground-breaking 2011 study published in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that optimal blood levels of vitamin D offers protection against sunburn and melanoma. In the USA, vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic levels. Ironically, vitamin D deficiency can lead to aggressive forms of several types of cancers.

Another key deficiency is Vitamin A. According to Dr. Des Fernades, a vitamin deficiency could lead to skin abnormalities such as sun damge and melanoma. Topical vitamin A is the only known elements that keeps skin health and combats sun-damage.

Elizabeth Plourde, PhD, is a California-based scientist who authored the book Sunscreens – Biohazard: Treat as Hazardous Waste, which extensively documents the serious life-threatening dangers of suncreens. Dr. Plourde provides proof that malignant melanoma and all other skin cancers increased significantly with ubiquitous sunscreen use over a 30-year period. She emphasizes that many sunscreens contain chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC).

So the take away it is extremely important to choice carefully what you buy to apply to the skin. Skin health from the inside out rings true.

We believe everything that defines healthy, beautiful skin is a direct result to the application of topical Vitamin A and  anti oxidant enrich diet.

 

Sources for this article:
http://www.independent.co.uk http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov http://www.vitamindcouncil.org http://www.nytimes.com http://www.faim.org https://www.vitamindcouncil.org http://science.naturalnews.com
Credit: Natural News

Cancer and Sunscreen Myths

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

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Choosing the Right Sunscreen

As the warmer weather approaches, protecting your skin from sunburn and UV damage should be a hot priority. While slathering your skin with any sunscreen may seem like a good idea, many of these lotions are loaded with some seriously questionable ingredients that can induce adverse effects on your skin and body, (i.e., allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and premature aging), and might even increase your cancer risk. Luckily, not all SPF products are harmful, and not all products are created equal.

There are two categories:  Physical Sunblock or Chemical Sunscreens.

Sunblocks contains natural minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that cover the surface of skin to physically block or reflect broad spectrum of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Unless you’re using good quality SPF products, sunblock can be thick and messy to apply; sometimes leaving a white sheen.

Chemical Sunscreens, on the other hand, contains synthetic ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are absorbed into the skin to filter and absorb UV rays. Because it is absorbed, it can lead to skin irritation and other adverse reactions. Plus, the ingredients can generate cell-damaging free radicals when exposed to the sun.

To reap the benefits of sunscreen and sidestep the potential side effects, avoid these dubious ingredients before slathering up this summer:

Oxybenzone This penetration enhancer (i.e., chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin) undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to UV rays. When oxybenzone is absorbed by your skin, it can cause an eczema-like allergic reaction that can spread beyond the exposed area and last long after you’re out of the sun. Experts also suspect that oxybenzone disrupts hormones (i.e., mimics, blocks, and alters hormone levels) which can throw off your endocrine system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 97 percent of Americans have this chemical circulating in our bodies, as it can accumulate more quickly than our bodies can get rid of it.

Octinoxate One of the most common ingredients found in sunscreens with SPF, octinoxate is readily absorbed by our skin and helps other ingredients to be absorbed more readily. While allergic reactions from octinoxate aren’t common, hormone disruption is: the chemical’s effects on estrogen can be harmful for humans and wildlife, too, should they come into contact with the chemical once it gets into water. Though SPF products are designed to protect skin from sun-induced aging, octinoxate may actually be a culprit for premature aging, as it produces menacing free radicals that can damage skin and cells.

Homosalate This UV-absorbing ingredient helps sunscreen to penetrate your skin. Once the ingredient has been absorbed, homosalate accumulates in our bodies faster than we can get rid of it, becomes toxic and disrupts our hormones.

Octocrylene When this chemical is exposed to UV light, it absorbs the rays and produces oxygen radicals that can damage cells and cause mutations. It is readily absorbed by your skin and may accumulate within your body in measurable amounts. Plus, it can be toxic to the environment.

Paraben Preservatives Associated with both acute and chronic side effects, parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-) can induce allergic reactions, hormone disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity. While butylparaben was reported to be non-carcinogenic in rats and mice, but it has been previously suspected that parabens and other chemicals in underarm cosmetics may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer.

In lieu of the skin-penetrating hormone-disrupting chemicals like oxybenzone, the safer sunscreens tended to use non-nanoparticle sized zinc- and titanium-based mineral ingredients, which block the sun’s rays without penetrating your skin. Additionally, here’s what to look for when choosing a safer product.

  • Avoid Spray Sunscreens:These are incredibly popular, especially for kids, but not safe. When sprayed, toxic particles are released into the air, making them easy to breathe in, with unknown health effects. They may also contain flammable ingredients, and there have been reports in which a user received serious burns.
  • Avoid Super-High SPFs: Higher SPF is not necessarily better, just more chemicals. You should be aware that SPF 30 is not twice as protective as SPF 15.

 

SPF 15 protects the skin from 93% of UVB

SPF 30 protects the skin from 97% of UVB

SPF 40 protects the skin from 98% of UVB

Important note: when a vitamin C cream  is applied first, an apparently greater than additive protection is noted against the phototoxic damage. These results confirm the benefit of anti-oxidants as a photo protectant but suggest the importance of combining the compounds with known sunscreens to maximize photo protection.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

How Your Skin Can Survive the Summer

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How Your Skin Can Survive The Summer

Summer time is here!

That means there will be lots of outdoor activities: dining alfresco, time spent at the beach, weddings, pool parties… With all these events, you want to look your absolute best, right? Make sure your skin is ready for the summer season.

While people may second guess having a facial in the warmer months, it may be the best time of year for treatments. You don’t want to skip your skincare routines during the rest of the year, but remember that summer weather means more sweating as well as more exposure to harmful UV rays! That golden tan may look terrific, but at what cost to your skin? Premature aging, wrinkles, sags, brown spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Medical research shows that ageing of the skin is accelerated by the loss of light-sensitive vitamins destroyed by sunlight. These lost vitamins include Vitamin A, together with key antioxidants like Vitamins C, E, pro-vitamin B5 and beta-carotene. These all work to normalize the skin, assisting it to reverse the signs of ageing, and to make it look younger and smoother.

It is essential you take care of your skin, especially during the summertime, while those warm sun rays may feel sensational, the effects of sun exposure may not be as agreeable over time. And every time you go out in the sun, the solar ultraviolet radiation starts a chain of photochemical reactions in your skin, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a nasty type of free radicals. Not that the sun is all bad, of course – it causes your skin to synthesize vitamin D, so limited yourself to 20 minutes a day early or late in the day.

The Sun Depletes Skin Antioxidants

It should probably go without saying that external antioxidant protection must be in place before exposure to the sun, whose action in generating free radicals in the skin occurs rapidly. This is the season to be the most concerned, as most of your spare time is spent enjoying the summer sun. Taking antioxidant supplements (in either capsule or lotion form) after exposure will do little good for the skin, except to replenish the bodies supply that was used up in neutralizing the ROS produced during the exposure.

The importance of having abundant antioxidants in the skin before exposure to the sun is underscored by the observation that solar UV radiation rapidly depletes the levels of antioxidants in the skin.

Here at Advanced Skincare we have put together a few treatments that are designed for your busy summer lifestyle. You will be grateful you took the time to care for your skin.

These 45 minute treatments are truly a skin saver.

Active Vitamin Facial
Facial Toning
Ultrasonic Hydrating Facial