Does Your Skin Sag?

Posted by Neill Abayon

What really is 'anti -aging' all about ?

Most magazines would have you believe that all you have to do to keep "Father Time" from your door, is to cover yourself with cream. I don't know how many women find that this is the answer, but putting cream on your face certainly cannot do any harm.

I do believe that you are a product of your gene pool, if your mother and grandmother had good skin,then it is likely that this asset gets passed down the generations.

As an "older woman" myself I often wish that I had taken better care of my skin when I was younger.As a teenager of course, I never thought that I would change,skin was just something you had to wash or you got in trouble.

I have tried many different products in many different price ranges,creams to lotions etc and I must say I have not noticed a lot of benefits. I do think however, that mentally I feel better thinking that these treatments are working and therefore making me more confident in my appearance.

My mother always told me to rinse my face after cleansing, with hot water and then to splash it with cold water.She had beautiful skin even when she was in her eighties,so I really think ( now too late)that I should have followed her advice!

I would still recommend this as a nightly beauty routine,as the hot water opens the pores to let any dirt out and then the cold water closes them. It is also a very invigorating feeling.

I have at least one pet peeve when it comes to advertisers of anti- aging products. The women in the ads are nearly always very young, so I would like to see older women using these products, this would relate better to the subject of the advert. Maybe this is just jealousy on my part!!!

Feeling young is as good a tonic as anything out there,we can't change our image , unless we artificially do so,so we should be happy to have our health and to be able to enjoy life.

Eating right and drinking lots of water goes a long way towards the inner"anti-aging" which in turn reflects itself in our outer image.

It is too bad that in our society we are judged on our appearance and not on our experience.So many older people have so much to give to this world, but unless one is young and attractive, does anybody listen ?

CARCINOGENS IN SKIN CARE

Posted by Neill Abayon

On average each of us use between 5-15 products a day from deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, moisturiser, cleanser, foundation, blush, concealer,the list goes on and so do the toxins. None of this would matter if the skin did not absorb 60% of what is applied to it. Unfortunately natural does not mean natural and organic does not always mean toxin free. It is very much up to you, the consumer, to identify which ingredients to look for.

Below you will find a list of the main toxins and what they do. It is not an exhaustive list by any means.

The groups below are separated into Direct Carcinogens, Hidden Carcinogens or Contaminants,

Formaldehyde Releasers and Hormonal Disruptors.

Direct Carcinogens

DEA & TEA

Diethanolamine & Triethanolamine
DEA and TEA can result in the formation of carcinogens in products containing nitrite preservatives. Chemical reactions between nitrites and DEA/ TEA occur during the manufacturing process and while products are stored in their containers forming carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Talc

Talc has been linked with ovaraian cancer particularly when used in the genitalia and inhaled.
Crystalline Silica

Coal Tar Dyes

Used in cosmetics, lipsticks etc.
Blue1
Green3

Para-Phenylendiamine (PPD) (used for temporary tattoos).

Research indicates:

• Linked to cancer in workers and users

• Suspected mutagen

• Associated with allergic reactions

• Can penetrate the skin

• Skin irritant.

Used in hair dyes particularlt dark colours and especially black.

Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Preservatives used instead of parabens

Hidden Carcinogens or Contaminants

Contaminants
Organocholrine pesticides in, lanolin

(Lanolin itself is perfectly safe. But cosmetic-grade lanolin can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and lindane, in addition to other neurotoxic pesticides).
Arsenic, lead in blue1, green 3: in, Coal tar dyes
Dioxane: in, PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols

A wide range of personal care products including shampoos, hair conditioners, cleansers, lotions, and creams, besides household products such as soaps and cleaning products, contain surfactants or detergents such as ethoxylated alcohols, polysorbates, and laureths. These ingredients are generally contaminated with high concentrations of the highly volatile 1,4 – dioxane, which is both readily inhaled and absorbed through the skin. The carcinogenicity of dioxane in rodents was first reported in 1965 and subsequently confirmed in other studies including by the National Cancer Institute in 1978; the predominant sites of cancer were nasal passages in rats and liver in mice. Epidemiological studies on dioxane-exposed furniture makers have reported suggestive evidence of excess nasal passage cancers. On the basis of such evidence, the Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded that "the presence of 1,4 – dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is a cause of concern." These avoidable risks of cancer in numerous personal care, besides other consumer, products is inexcusable, particularly as the dioxane is readily removed from surfactants during their manufacture by a process known as "vacuum stripping."

Nitrosamine Precursors
DEA
TEA
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol

Padmitate O

Formaldehyde Releasers
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
•may break down in products into formaldehyde and also cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines under certain conditions.

Quaternium 15
Diazolidinyl Urea
Imidazolidinyl Urea
DMDM Hyadrantoin

Artificial Colors
Some artificial colors, such as Blue 1 and Green 3, are carcinogenic. Impurities found in commercial batches of other cosmetic colors such as D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, and FD&C yellow 6 have been shown to cause cancer not only when ingested, but also when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal tar colors contain heavy metal impurities, including arsenic and lead, which are carcinogenic.

Hair Dyes
The use of permanent or semi permanent hair color products, particularly black and dark brown colors, is associated with increased incidence of human cancer including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease. There are several natural hair-coloring products which are relatively effective and safe.

Talc
Cosmetic talc is carcinogenic. Inhaling talc and using it in the genital area, where its use is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer, are the primary ways this substance poses a carcinogenic hazard.

Silica
Some silica used in cosmetics, especially amorphous hydrated silica, may be contaminated with small amounts of crystalline quartz. Crystalline Silica is carcinogenic.

Hormone Disruptors

Phthalates Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP or BzBP).

Found in products such as : hair sprays, perfume, nail polishes. Used to soften plastic, skin moisturisers and skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics.

Research indicates:

• Known to cause serious reproductive and developmental effects in lab animals

• linked to premature breast development in young girls and interference with reproductive development in male foetuses

• hormone disruptors

Parabens

A group of artificial preservatives also known as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates – butyl/methyl/ethyl/ propyl/isobutyl paraben.

Evidence shows them to:

• mimic oestrogens in the body

• penetrate the skin and appear in the blood.

• found in breast tumours.

Sodiumhydroxymethylglycinate

Toluene

Found in: lacquers and nail polish.

• May cause spontanious abortion in women exposed to it.

• skin irritant and may cause liver damage

• narcotic in high concentrations

• attacks the central nervous system, eyes, blood, liver, kidneys and skin.

Xylene

Found in: lacquers and nail polish.

Names to watch out for: xylol or dimethylbenzene

• skin and respiratory tract irritant

• may cause liver damage

• narcotic in high concentrations

BHT

Butylated Hydroxytoluene, E321

Used as a synthetic antioxidant.

• Irritation

• Linked to possible behavioural effects and reproductive problems

Propylene Glycol

• Can cause contact dermatitis

• Linked to depression of the Central Nervous System.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

• Skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant

• May damage liver, lungs and immune system

• Some evidence to suggest reproductive effects.

Nine Tips To Keep Your Skin Looking Younger

Writen by Neill Abayon

Anti-aging skin care is very popular in today’s world. Today most people want to maintain their youthful looks through antiaging skin care procedures (and a number of people are successful too). However, anti-aging skin care is not achieved by any magic potion. Anti-aging skin care is about discipline. It is about being proactive.

Although most of the nine tips below are mentioned in other blog posts, it never hurts to continually emphasize some of the most basic steps needed for proactive anti-aging skin care. As you read through the tips below, make a list of two to three items that you can begin implementing today. Once accomplished, add the next two to three items until you have incorporated each tip into your daily routine.

1. Maintain healthy eating habits. A well balanced diet is the key to maintaining a proper body metabolism. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables (raw), they are the best source of fiber and have a very refreshing effect on your body. Avoid oily and fatty food; not only do they lack in essential nutrients but also cause obesity and other diseases which accelerate the aging process.

2. Beat stress. This is probably the most important anti-aging skin care measure. Stress disturbs the body’s metabolism and accelerates the aging process. Sleep, exercise and a relaxing bath, are all good ways of beating stress. Aroma-therapy is also known to bust stress.

3. Drink a lot of water: Anti-aging skin care can’t be any simpler than this. Water helps flush out the toxins from the body, hence keeping it clean and making it less prone to disease. Around 8 glasses of water (per day) is recommended by all doctors.

4. Regular exercise is a wonderful anti-aging skin care procedure. Besides toning your muscles, it also helps in cleaning the skin by flushing out the toxins in the form of sweat. Exercise should be followed by a warm shower in order to completely remove the toxins.

5. Avoid the use of strong, chemical based products on your skin. Natural skin care products are a good option. Use of organic skin care products (home made or commercial) can be a very effective anti-aging skin care measure.

6. Do not overuse skin care products. Excessive and harsh application can prove harmful to the skin.

7. Do not ignore skin disorders; it can lead to permanent skin damage. Try over the counter medication and if that doesn’t help, immediately visit your dermatologist and seek his/her advice.

8. Vitamin C based skin care products are a very popular means of anti-aging skin care. However, these seem to oxidize very quickly (which makes them harmful for the skin). So store them properly. If the product turns Yellowish brown, it means that vitamin c has oxidized and the prodct is no longer suitable for use.

9. Protect your skin against UV radiation. UV rays are known to speed up the aging process. So, a good sunscreen lotion should be a part of your anti-aging skin care routine.

By adopting these simple tips, you are well on your way to more youthful looking skin.

Green Tea: An Effective Natural Skin Care Remedy

Written by Neill Abayon

A recent Science Daily article noted that tea extract can heal skin that has been damaged by radiation. The study was done on cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy that caused skin damage. It showed that the tea extract worked on the cellular level of the skin to reduce inflammation and toxicity. Both black and green tea extracts worked well, although green tea proved more effective, at least in some patients.

This is good news for tea lovers who are concerned about the health of their skin. And even if you are not much of a tea drinker, you can purchase skin care products that contain tea extract to take advantage of its natural properties. There are also a number of health drinks that contain green tea extract as an ingredient, and you could include them in your diet if you prefer.

Of course, the Green Tea Skin Care properties have been known for some time by natural health enthusiasts, but it was not until relatively recently that the scientific establishment has documented findings that agreed with the advice doled out by traditionalists.

Another special property of black and green tea is that they contain natural compound known as catechins, which are natural antioxidants. Catechins are highly present in the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the source of various tea products, including green tea and black tea.

Antioxidants are effective chemical compounds that counter the effects of free radicals on skin. Free radicals, which are highly reactive oxygen molecules, cause damage to the skin proteins that keep your skin smooth and elastic. When these proteins are damaged, your skin becomes prone to wrinkles. Antioxidants are able to absorb and heal the effects of free radicals on skin, and thus slow down some of the visible signs of aging.

The catechins found in green tea and black tea are only one type of naturally occurring antioxidants. Caretenoids, coumarins, and indoles also belong in the antioxidants group and in fact they are all more common than catechins. All of these natural chemical compounds are found mainly in plants. That means that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables would provide your body with a healthy supply of antioxidants that can help you keep younger-looking skin for much longer. Supplementing such a diet with green tea intake can prove even more effective.

Green tea has also been shown to be an effective cancer preventative. Therefore by consuming it you are not only keeping your skin young and fresh, but possibly prolonging your lifetime as well.