Month: March 2017

Finally! It's the time of year we can shed the winter layers and show off some skin. While fresh air and outdoor activity are vital to our health and well-being, they can also leave skin exposed to the destructive effects of solar radiation and free radicals. According to the education team at COSMEDIX professional skincare, here are some quick and easy tips on how you can take care of your body's largest organ as we transition into warmer months.

Q: What external dangers threaten my skin during the warmer months?

A: The skin and body change with each season, especially from winter to spring. It is important that we adjust our skin care program to reflect those changes. When spending time outdoors, wear a hat, apply sunscreen and keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fresh water. Geographic location also plays a large part in choosing how we are to take care and protect the skin. The closer to the equator we live, the stronger the sun’s rays.  Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Although we have to be aware of environmental conditions such as pollution and strong sunlight, it is also important to spend time outside away from inside stale air found in offices and homes. Spend more time in the gardens, parks woods or in areas away from road pollution.

Q: How can I restore radiance to skin?

A: Early spring is still a fantastic time to correct the skin through a series of professional programs such as facials and peels coupled with a home care regimen. Look for a skincare professional that offers skincare protocols that are gentle on the skin and not harsh such as chirally correct clinical treatments. One of the most popular peels available is created by COSMEDIX called Benefit Peel. This treatment, along with a home care regimen consisting of a gentle cleanser such as Benefit Clean and a topical serum such as Define, will help rebuild and strengthen skin tissue. The professional product boasts encapsulated retinol, vitamin C, enzymes and anti-inflammatory ingredients, all formulated in a gentle way to effectively restore the skin.

Q:  What additional steps can I take to help prevent skin damage?

A: Beauty begins from within. The immune system is a remarkable mechanism that consistently reacts on our behalf. It protects us from outside interlopers and assists in keeping us healthy. The body should be kept in a state of alkalinity. This can be achieved through a diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidants€”found in fresh fruits and vegetables€”to help boost the immune system and balance the acidic effects of meats, refined sugars, alcohol, soft drinks, artificial colors, sweeteners, coffee, and cigarette smoking. Fifteen minutes of daily walking helps increase circulation, boosts our immune system and increases a positive state of well-being.

 

 

When our bodies are exposed to infection, irritation or injury, inflammation is a natural defensive response. The redness, warmth and swelling we experience are our bodies' attempts to heal and repair themselves when they feel overwhelmed by outside threats. In addition to taxing our internal organs, such reactions have a direct effect on how we age externally, giving way to wrinkles, puffiness and sagging skin. COSMEDIX is here to answer common questions and how to better control inflammation.

Q: What is inflammation?

A: Inflammation is triggered by the following:

• – Your diet is a leading cause of inflammation and some foods such as pre-packaged cleansed food as well as hydrogenated fats, sugar, dairy, carbohydrates and some grains can cause inflammation.
• – Prolonged sun exposure
• – Stress which deranges hormone levels initiating the inflammatory response in the body.
• – Pollution
• – Genetics
• – Products for the skin, hair and nails, which often contain ingredients that cause inflammation, such as glycolic acid, parabens, synthetic propylene glycol, acrylates and ureas.

Q: How do I know if I am suffering from inflammation?

A: Inflammation means ‘to set on fire’ in Latin. When a disease name ends in -itis, it is an indicator of inflammation (i.e. arthritis, dermatitis, gastritis, tonsillitis and hepatitis). Inflammation results when the immune system is activated by infection long before disease or skin conditions are detected.

Additionally, acne is an inflammatory disease, which is why skin becomes red and plagued by blemishes. A strong indicator that inflammation is present includes: any abnormal blood tests, acidic tissue or blood pH; thickening of blood vessels and trouble losing weight; as well as aging symptoms such as wrinkling, brown spots, abnormal tiny red veins, general skin redness and skin sensitivities.

Q: How do I treat inflammation?

A: You are what you eat and drink €” try to maintain a clean and balanced diet that includes organic, fresh, raw and green (the darker, the better) foods as often as you can. Drink at least one liter of water a day. While drinking sodas is highly inflammatory, smoking of any kind is worse. Get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes, 2€”4 times a week, and strength train on the other days.  Have your thyroid gland checked for optimum function as you age. By fighting inflammation you are taking control of your health and beauty.

 

When acne and congested skin start appearing on your face, you can feel overwhelmed about what to do and where to start. Often the first place people start is with harsh manual exfoliators to scrub pimples away. Although this may feel like it works in the moment, this action actually makes things worse. Harsh manual exfoliators can spread the acne-causing bacteria by creating micro-tears in the skin, thus making things worse. Now, exfoliation is essential to solving acne problems, but the right kind of exfoliation is key.

Let's Get Chemical

If you have congested skin, manual exfoliators are great! But for actual acne sufferers, chemical exfoliation is the way to go. There are two categories of chemical exfoliators: Alpha Hydroxy Acid and Beta Hydroxy Acid. Both of these help to exfoliate the skin and rid it of dead skin cells and debris to reveal a smooth and healthy complexion.

The Breakdown

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are water soluble molecules that come from milk sugars or botanical sources, such as fruits. AHAs help to loosen the bonds within dead skin cells to help shed them away. This leaves your skin feeling renewed and refreshed as dead skin cells are sloughed off. What is also great about AHAs is that they also have the added benefit of keeping your skin nourished by helping to hold moisture. Two common forms of AHAs are Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid.

Glycolic Acid is one of the most common forms of AHAs – it has the smallest molecular structure, making it very effective. However, that effectiveness does come with a cost. It can leave the skin irritated as it drives deep into the skin due to its molecular size. COSMEDIX instead uses a chirally correct version of Lactic Acid due to its comparable efficacy. Lactic Acid minimizes the possibility of irritation unlike glycolic acid.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are oil soluble, making them great for acne-prone or congested skin. Instead of loosening the bonds of dead skin cells, BHAs work by diving into the pores to remove debris. Salicylic Acid is the most common acne-fighting BHA and for good reason! This ingredient is incredibly effective in helping to decongest and fight acne.

COSMEDIX often combines AHA and BHA molecules in formulas to help fight the appearance of acne without stripping the skin of its vitality.