Liposomes, ceramides, peptides …. these are some of the many ingredients that we can find today in cosmetic products and because there are far too many, I have concentrated in the most well known anti-aging skincare ingredients.   Understanding how these ingredients in cosmetic products work and what they can do for your skin will be invaluable and will give a realistic vision when you go in search of cosmetic products.   However, if you are still unsure of which skin care ingredients will be more suitable for your skin, please consult your Esthetician or Dermatologist.   Lipids In an easy way to understand lipids are fats that can't be dissolved in water. There are many types of lipids in the human body. Skin lipids constitute 10 to 30% of the top layer (stratum corneum) and form the "skin's barrier", preventing the infiltration of some substances such as drugs, germs, chemicals...through the skin. Lipids also reduce the loss of water in the skin, protecting our bodies from dehydration. The most well known lipids in cosmetic formulations are ceramides and liposomes .   Humectants Humectants are substances that have the ability to absorb moisture from the air. They are added to many cosmetic products to keep the skin moisturized. Skin care products with humectants are designed to avoid the loss of water in our skin and can help us to delay the appearance of premature wrinkles and fine lines. The most popular humectants used in cosmetic products are glycerin , panthenol and hyaluronic acid .   Peptides Peptides are organic compounds of great importance. Peptides are small chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) which are joined together by peptide bonds. They can be dipeptides, tripeptides …. to polypeptides. Peptides are added to skin care products to help diminish fine lines, wrinkles and stimulate skin regeneration - but in order to be effective, there has to be a high concentration of peptides, without causing any irritation to the skin. The most well known peptides in cosmetic formulations are copper peptides, hexapeptide-3 and pentapeptides.   Alpha Hydroxy Acids Alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHA'S are a naturally occurring group of acids, derived from food products such as citrus fruits, apples, grapes, papaya, sugar cane and milk. Their function is to exfoliate the skin, shedding dead skin cells to improve skin texture. As a result the skin is left feeling softer, more supple with an even tone and younger looking. These skin care ingredients have been used by the cosmetic industry for decades and are widely used as a skin care ingredient in facial peelings. In skin care products the concentration of AHA'S varies from 5 to 15% but research shows this is a low concentration to make a great improvement to the skin. Higher concentrations of up to 70% - like the ones used by Estheticians and Dermatologists will give better results, but the skin will be more sensitive to sunlight and may cause irritations. Sensitive skin should not use these products.   Don't use alpha hydroxy acids together with products containing retinol. If in doubt, always consult with your Esthetician. The most well known alpha hydroxy acids used are lactic acid , tartaric acid, glycolic acid , malic acid, citric acid.   Retinols Retinols are compounds derived from vitamin A and can be found only in foods from animal origin. Retinols are widely used in treating some diseases such as skin cancer and several skin disorders like:   Acne Psoriasis Age spots Sun damage Freckles Aging skin   Retinol is been proved to be very effective in treating aging skin. Topical retinols can penetrate deep in the skin, increasing the turnover of cells. As a consequence the epidermis is renew and collagen production is boosted. Retinols can have some side effects such as:   Skin irritation Skin redness Skin peeling Itching Burning feeling   When using these products always wear sunscreen with a high SPF because retinols increase sun sensitivity. There are different types of retinols, but the most effective ingredient in cosmetic products is tretinoin .   Another anti aging skin care ingredient that is added to many cosmetics is DMAE, which is used mostly to lift sagging skin. DMAE can be found in great concentrations in oily fish like sardines, salmon, anchovies... In the human body can be found in the brain in small quantities and its function is protecting the cell membranes from deterioration. DMAE improves the firmness of the skin and helps reduce the visual appearance of sagging skin. It is frequently referred to as a "face lift in a jar". To discuss your skin care needs, please visit my website: http://www.skinbysharonelizabeth.com or call me at (415)272-5162 ...read more

For thousands of years, people have experimented with the healing and rejuvenating effects of various, naturally occurring herbs, oils and plant life. Over time, some of these techniques have fallen by the wayside, but others have been validated by scientific studies in recent years, leading many cosmetics companies and medical spas to incorporate these all-natural ingredients into their own treatment lines.   Chamomile, a member of the sunflower family, has proven to be an effective, anti-inflammatory skin treatment, while sap from the Aloe Vera plant is frequently used in skin treatments to promote healing and skin rejuvenation. Many popular, modern facial cleansers and anti-aging creams also include ingredients like rose hips, shea butter, beeswax, Jojoba oil, and a veritable grocery list of other fruit-derived or "nature made" components. Even a common, household product like honey—one of nature's best known, ready-to-use substances—is regularly utilized in treatments intended to protect or rejuvenate damaged skin.   Not every botanical ingredient is proven to be safer or more effective than their synthetic counterparts, but many consumers are often more willing to experiment with a "natural" skincare product, and this has led to a boom in the industry. For this reason, it's always important to speak with a skin care specialist, esthetician or dermatologist before starting an organic skincare regimen. They can give you a better idea if a supposedly all-natural cream or lotion is the real deal, or just a marketing ploy.   The same advice applies if you're exploring options in natural make up and mineral makeup—another cosmetics category that has grown exponentially of late. As with botanical skin care products, organic makeup is derived from naturally occurring ingredients and typically prides itself on not using animal testing. In theory, ingredients like Aloe Vera gel, soy wax, and rosewater can improve one's aesthetic appearance without subjecting the skin to the potentially long-term, damaging effects of synthetic chemical ingredients. However, even skin products made from natural botanicals are still chemical solutions, and the jury is still out on just how great the long-term advantages of organic makeup truly are.   Consult with a skincare specialist or esthetician to see what type of makeup or rejuvenating products might best suit your skin condition and type. ...read more

Men are rough and tough, right? So why would any man be thinking about anti-aging skin care for himself? Aren't men supposed to be above all of that "me" stuff? Although that's a common perception, it misses one essential point; Anti aging skin care for men isn't just about looking good. There is no doubtthat more and more men are interested in looking their best. Good care of the skin is as much about health as it is about looks. While men appreciate a reduction in wrinkles, age spots, inflammation, etc., these are just the visible signs of making your skin healthier. Like women, men will also find that their skin will suffer from the ravages of the environment and an unhealthy lifestyle. There are a number of lifestyle factors which can impact a man's skin just as it can impact that of a woman's, with similar results. For example, the impact of excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, in other words too much accumulated sunburn, can be quite damaging to the skin and can result in the formation of skin problems, age spots, inflammation and redness. While it's nice to reduce the symptoms of excess, it's also healthier to avoid these problems in the first place. Keeping yourself healthy is about a whole body approach and involves a good diet, exercise, proper hydration, not smoking and more - all of this will impact on a man's skin just as it impacts on other organs in his body. That being said, there is no doubt that there is a movement among the male population towards looking better. The rough and tough man now wants to look good while being rough and tough, keeping himself looking as good as possible for as long as possible. This includes keeping his skin looking good, reducing wrinkles and lines and redness. For men, just like women, the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin as we age is one of the primary causes of declining good looks. A high quality anti-aging skin care routine for men must address this loss of collagen and elastin by reversing the loss and increasing the stores of collagen and elastin in his skin. Fortunately, there are some excellent skin care products which will help achieve this goal. Another must, is to consult with a licensed skin care professional to develop an anti-aging skin care routine. Facials are not just for women - men will benefit just as much from a peel, microdermabrasion or an ultrasound facial. So, if you're a man who cares about his looks as well as his health, make sure you investigate some of the outstanding anti-aging skin care products and services that are available these days. Even if you're just after better health for your skin, there is no downside to looking good as long as you can, right into old age. ...read more