Skin Care News

Cold Weather = Dry Skin

Posted on October 19, 2009 with 5 Comments

For many of us it only took a matter of a few days as we saw temperatures drop from the mid-60’s to the mid-30’s as colder, drier weather hit us fast.  Chicago, Buffalo, and Philadelphia are being hit with the earliest snow falls on record (even New England played football in the snow this weekend!), and the cold, dry air is drying-out skin just as fast.

With that said, here is a short primer on why our skin gets dry when fall and winter hits.  Well, for one, colder air is

Moisturizing Dry Skin

less dense than warm air.  Therefore, it is unable to hold as much moisture or water molecules.  Cold air - as in “canadian fronts” - often brings with it wind that “wisks” away moisture and tends to dry-out tissue - causing oils and water vapor to evaporate more quickly.

An interesting observation for those who have swimming pools or jaccuzis…as with many folks we know, we cover our pool during the winter.  We keep the pump and filter going, but cover the entire pool with a floating plastic sheet.  I assumed this was to keep the leaves and debris out of the pool and the cleaner.  Well this is in-part true, but I was informed by our local “pool expert” that the primary reason for the covers is to lessen evaporation.  He told me the cold, windy weather would cause as much, if not more, evaporation than the heat and sun during the summer.

Well, that is what happens to our skin!  So, what do what should you do?  Here are a couple of ideas our staff and consultants suggest:

1. Keep your skin moisturized.  While this may seem an obvious first note, it is difficult for most folks to do.  First, you start your day with a hot shower (which depletes oils and moisture), then you go out into the cold, dry air - often windy, too.  So, by the time you get to work or school, you face is tight, and the skin on your hands hurt or are notiably dry and flaking.  The best thing to do is pat dry following a shower and immediately apply a light moisturizing lotion.  We recommend those that contain ingredients like aloe, lanolin and/or emu oil.  Generally an emu oil lotion is not greasy, is absorbed deeply into the skin, and lasts much or most of the day.
2. Stay hydrated - Again, kind of an obvious issue, but for any of you who like to snow ski know, you can easily become dehydrated without knowing it because of the cooler temperatures.
3. Use vitamin supplements - There is a bit of debate as to whether most folks need a daily supplement for their ski, nails or hair.  Personally I think it is a good idea - and there is no evidence that it hurts - none that I know of, anyway.   I believe this especially holds true during the winter.  Our diets change, level of active outdoor activities decline, and our skin and hair are constantly exposed to a barrage of UV rays and cold air.  Help keep your skin elastic and healthy by boosting up on some supplements.

You know your skin best.  What you do during the winter generally has an impact as you enter the spring and summer.  Care should be taken now to avoid wrinkles, dry patches, skin rash, and flaking.  While careful care can be given to protect your skin, a little bit of prevention can help reduce the rate at which your skin ages and helps to keep your complexion smooth and soft.

Treating Sunburn with Emu Oil

Posted on May 31, 2009 with 1 Comment

A few posts back I mentioned Dermal Em sunburn treatment.  Having grown-up in Florida and spending lot’s of time on the South Carolina coast has given me more exposure to the sun than I would like to count.  Plus, as I ‘m getting into my 50’s I’m starting to see the results on my skin - a few spots on my arms and reappearing spider veins on my nose and cheeks.

My family returned Friday from a week at Edisto Beach.  Everyone was tan except for my fair-skinned 14-year-old whose nose was burned, peeling and blistered.  All of us have seen the signs of too much sun.  His blistering had turned to scabs (yuk!) and I was afraid he would continue to pick and get some scarring.

We promptly sat him down and used some emu oil I had in the bathroom.  Voila - 3 days have past and his nose is looking great…still burned and a bit scabbed, but you can tell the healing has begun and a lot of repair is in progress.

I have written a lot about emu oil.  Yes, it is generally unknown as a remedy, but it has been in use for many years “down below” in Australia - where the bird is indigenous.  It is a great product for treating burns, scars, stretchmarks, and lacerations from injury or surgery.  Some folks are unfamiliar with it, but it has become widely used in many skin care and hair care products for its’ ability to penetrate deep into tissue promoting healing and collagen growth.

You might ask why I didn’t use Dermal Em, well because I didn’t have any.  There is some at the plant, but it’s a two-hour drive and we wanted to get my son’s nose healing as soon as possible - hopefully avoiding any infection or further complications.  Besides Dermal Em is emu oil with Vitamin E added and blended with menthol that helps cool the skin providing more immediate relief from sun burn.

Anyway, since this just happened Friday, I thought I would pass on some un-scientific, real-world results from just a couple of days application.  With school out and many folks either heading to the pool, beach or at least more outside activities, it is good to know there is a very effective remedy for treating sunburn.

Using Phytotonine® for Rosacea or Spider Veins

Posted on May 28, 2009 with No Comments

StriMedix-K Spider Vein Treatment

The most common non-surgical treatment for bruises, spider veins and rosacea are creams that contain Vitamin K.  Generally they are pretty highly concentrated and are formulated with other actives such as Aloe, Gigawhite, Vitamin E or Panthenol. 

While combined you get many properties and benefits for vein restoration (better said healed), the objective is to help improve circulation via enhanced valve function, improve wall structure to reduce leaking and permeability of capillaries, and aid in nutrition delivery.

This helps fade clear and heal bruises, spider veins, and rosacea; and helping reduce possibility of recurring symptoms.

Recently, an ingredient developed by Croda™/Sederma™ - Phytotonine® - has been used successfully to supplement Vitamin’s K & E and other formulations.

Phytotonine - Veinotonic effect derived from the synergistic effect of three plant extracts, Arnica, Cypress and Soloman Seal.  By toning the capillary walls and reducing capillary permeability, product normalizes circulation to help eliminate fluids and toxins while enhancing the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells.  Recommended for the treatment of dark circles, puffy eye, heavy legs and rosacea.  Croda/Sederma

As a manufacturer, this opens up a number of opportunites and solutions regarding products for poor venous health and leaking.  As mentioned in the quote above, this can cover severe or deep tissue bruising to darkened circles under the eyes and spider or thread veins.

The greatest benefit in the world of skin care, is that it gives us (consumers and manufacturers) an additional “leg on the stool” for solutions and treatments.  Phytotonine, with its properties of minimizing or reducing fluid build-up, make it an excellent additive for treating puffiness (and associated darkened circles) under the eyes as well as helping or accelerating healing of bruises.

I believe, however, the greatest gain can come from its’ use in spider veins cream.  Why?

1. Treatment options are relagated to sclerotherapy or lasers.  Both are effective, though I consider both limited in treatment area; with lasers, in particular having the side effect of needing some post-treatment healing.  Though considered moderate relative to other cosmetic surgery, cost is high - I believe (~$250-500/visit).
2. Spider veins are prominent, afflict a large population (men and women) and can have a profound affect on a person’s appearance (whether on the legs, nose, face, et al).
3. Many Vitamin K creams and solutions have been proven effective, but it’s nice to have another “bullet in the gun” for improving the breadth and level of efficacy.

Rosacea and spider veins share similar causes and any formula or ingredient that improves a large surface area while addressing the root causes is welcomed.  Increasing capillary health, helping strengthen or repair broken capillary walls or increasing circulation can have a wide-reaching positive effect on the treatment of numerous dermatological ailments.

Dermory ST Breast Enhancement Cream

Posted on May 21, 2009 with 8 Comments

Coincidentally, we had on our agenda to do a review of Dermory ST - a breast enhancement cream that was introduced last year…and, well, one of our staff was watching The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet on FOX and saw the product feateured earlier in the week.

It was discussed along with other enhancement and enlargement products - inserts and a breats pump developed to stretch the skin.  It was featured as an investigation segment showing women optins for enlargement and augmentation without resorting to implants or cosmetic or plastic surgery.  Dermory ST - as reviewed on the program - was formulated to firm sagging and drooping breasts resulting from childbirth, nursing, weight loss or from natural aging.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dermory ST, it is the first (I believe) to use Bio-Bustyl, a polypeptide developed by Croda specifically for enhancing the bust.  Their clinical studies show a substantial improvement in firmness, cell respiration and reduction in skin fatigue.  Bio-Bustyl is also shown to improve collagen synthesis and development and sparks natural hormonal activity to assist “plumping” and firming breast tissue - getting a “perky” and enlargement benefit.

Additionally, it uses several ingredients common to anti-aging skin care - Matrixyl, Hyaluronic Acid and Ale Vera.  One of the more unique charateristics besides Bio-Bustyl is Dermory uses Emu Oil as a “carrier oil”.

While many may be indifferent to using carrier oils, a barrier to effectiveness of natural breast enhancement creams has been their ability to 1) provide adequate efficacy and 2) penetrate the dermal structure deep-enough to do any good.  Emu Oil is transdermal and a natural moisturizer…in affect, carries the active ingredients into the subcutaneous layers increasing firmness.

To summarize feedback from customers and staff, Dermory ST is the only breast enhancement cream using Bio Bustyl, Emu Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Matrixyl and Aloe.  Results are often seen in 7-10 days, but some of the ingredients - Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe - show benefits almost immediately.  It firms and tighten the breast skin removing and smoothing wrinkles, dryness or roughness and is designed to reduce sagging (point down?!) caused and often experienced after pregnancy or losing weight.  It’s ingredients work well for chest wrinkles also.

Efficacy of Argireline® in Wrinkle Creams

Posted on April 20, 2009 with No Comments

In the past several years Argireline® has become a key ingredient in wrinkle creams - providing non-surgical & treatment alternatives to products such as Botulinum Toxin A (BOTOX) or similar agents and peptides.

Manufactured by CenterChem, Inc, Argireline® has been shown effective at reducing wrinkle depth up to 17%  within 15 days using a maximum 10% dosage.  It attenuates muscle contraction, relaxing the muscle and smoothing expression lines, while helping prevent formation of lines and wrinkles.

The Argireline® information PDF further explains its use in 3-10% dosages for skin products targeting removal of wrinkles around the eyes and forehead caused by natural aging and repeated facial movements and expression.  It offers superior efficacy as an anti-wrinkle compound.

The inhibition of glutamate release at mM concentrations is a clear indicator of the potent anti-expression wrinkle activity of this hexapeptide.  CenterChem

Argireline can be found in anti-wrinkle creams and serums in product lines such as Principal Secret, Anti Wrinkle 55, and in Freeze 24/7.