April 2007

The HUGE market of skincare available (and it grows daily) is making it increasingly more difficult for the consumer to debunk and digest what their needs are and what they should be using.

Cosmeceuticals is a name given to skincare products that have more pharmaceutical grade ingredients or higher percentages of ingredients which are not available in over the counter products but sold in physician’s offices or skin care centres.

Our skin care needs change as our age does and ingredients play different roles.  Still the most important product we can put on our skin is SUN PROTECTION, at every age, even on cloudy days!!

In our 20’s our skin is at it’s peak.  Our focus should be on sun damage and what the future of our skin will be.  SPF protection should be worn daily. Light moisturizers are important at this stage of aging to keep the skin hydrated. 

As we enter our 30’s the effects of sun damage begin to emerge.  Skin dehydration also becomes more apparent.  Cell turnover starts to slow, exfoliation helps speed up cell turnover.  The addition of multivitamins are key at this age.  Topical preparations are more effectively absorbed, less than 10% of vitamins that you swallow make it to your skin.  Peptides, vitamins A,C & E help normalize the epidermal skin structures and work to fight free radicals.

In our 40’s, the skin gradually thins as collagen and elastin production further slows.  Deeper wrinkles start to appear and cell production continues to slow.  Depletion of hyaluronic acid (water binding) means the skin looks less plump or dewy.  Richer eye creams are in order to help hydrate the fragile under eye area.  Heavier night creams to increase humectants (moisturizing factors) with A,C, & E, and peptides.  Matrixyl and Argireline are the newest in the market place and designed for wrinkle reduction. 
Visiting the 50’s - hopefully you have maintained your skin care until this point and not just starting it.  Collagen and elastin break down and cell turnover slows significantly.  Muscles slacken and weaken and leads to sagging.  The richest in hydrating creams with peptides and vitamins will give you softer more supple skin.  Strong antioxidants and weekly masks for moisture, hydration and vitamin therapy.

The subject of skin care and ingredients is a large topic.  This article in its entirity can be seen soon on our website. 

For consultation please contact us at 504 4156.