Skin Care; Supplements, Remedies, and Active Ingredients for Skin Maximum Protection

Supplements that claim to give you prettier,younger, firmer and smoother skin are popping up everywhere at the moment. Can you really eat your way to better skin with only a handful of pills?

The skin gets little of the nutrients from the food you eat
It is obvious that what you eat affects your body and thus your skin. Although it is important to eat healthy, but the vitamins and nutrients we eat are carried out to the skin in a small degree. The body transports them to what it sees as its main organs first, the skin comes far down the ladder. The researchers have found over the last few years of research, is that the skin takes up vitamins faster and more efficiently when you rub them on your skin (topical).

Cosmetic supplements
There are many different supplements series on the market with different claims about how they will appear on the skin. Many of them are designed specifically to counteract aging, which are often based on powerful antioxidants such as lycopene from tomatoes and polyphenols from white tea, along with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that should work in synergy to improve the skin. Some are also based on marine ingredients, which must as a consumer have to be a little more aware of any allergies. Some supplements can cause blemishes if you have an oilier skin type.

Money out the window
If you are careless with your daily skincare and diet in general I would say that the purchase of such supplements is throwing money out the window. Such supplements will only supplement a healthy skin if you have a daily skin care routine tailored to your skin, just to mention using at least SPF 15 in your moisturizer every day. 80-90% of skin aging is caused by UV rays and supplements to prevent aging without UV protection on the skin will be completely wasted!

Research
Research on such claims and products varies. However, a test panel of women gives their subjective feedback. Alternatively, one must use the measuring devices that measure skin before and after a period of that particular supplement.

What results you achieve depends as well on your general health and lifestyle, because the supplements is absorbed better by the body if you are fit and healthy and absorb nutrients normally. So before eventually buying it in a nutritional supplement for your skin, follow these general tips for a healthy and beautiful skin:

Diet
* Limit alcohol, caffeine, chemical additives, salt, saturated fat, sugar and smoking.

* Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic.

* Eat some seeds, nuts and cold pressed oils each day.

* Drink at least a liter of water per day, either in pure form or as herbal tea or juice added.

Supplements
* Use a general multivitamin / mineral supplements of good quality, plus additional antioxidants - vitamins A, C and E.

* If you're prone to dry or sensitive skin, take extra supplements of 200mg of gamma linoleic acid (GLA).

Moisturizing cream
* A cream should contain significant amounts of vitamins A, C and E vitamins in a form that can be absorbed into the epidermis (ascorbicpalmitate, retinyl palmitate, tocopherol acetate).

Other Recommendations
* Avoid strong sunlight and use at least SPF15 to protect your skin against skin damage UV rays.

* Cleanse your skin with a mild oil-based cleanser, not soap.

* Get enough sleep.

Can the older home remedies could still have its place in modern skin care? Will yesterday's remedies and wisdom still have some value in a market flooded with effective tech -developed skin care products? Let's take a look at some of the old wives' advice to see if actually works.

Apply warm vegetable oil on dry and cracked skin
Hot vegetable oil on dry skin will certainly make your skin softer. Sweet almond oil is one of the most common oils. This is a light oil containing vitamins, minerals, glycosides and proteins, and it works for most types of skin, particularly dry and itchy skin. Apricot kernel oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin A. Since it is easily absorbed into the skin, it fits well for early aged, dry and irritated skin. Avocado oil has been used in home medicine as an aphrodisiac. This is very rich oil which is absorbed well in the skin and which contain vitamin A, D and E as well as lecithin and potassium. It is often used for people with dry and aging skin and for those who are struggling with eczema and psoriasis. It is also effective in treating skin that has sun and climate damage, as the skin is often dehydrated and malnourished. Avocado oil is also said to have regenerative and moisturizing properties. It is ideal as a nourishing mask or you can also add a few drops in your bath water and soften the whole body.

Cucumber or tea bags on your eyes counteract tired and swollen eyes
Cucumber Juice is said to have been used in Cleopatra's skin care. Cucumber has a cooling and soothing effect on your tired and swollen eyes, and is often used in eye products too. Personally, I try cucumber slices in the face at a spa, I did not think it was particularly pleasing and I noticed no difference in the skin.
Tea Bags: The effect depends somewhat on what tea you use. The use of chamomile is common, and a cold tea bag on your eyes will have some of the same cooling and soothing effect cucumber. Chamomile contains an active substance called bisabolol that is very soothing to the skin.

Vaseline on eyelashes to get them to grow
No, it has no effect. It can however give you swollen eyes and whiteheads.My grandmother used honey on irritated and sunburned skin. There is much research to show the honey active substances that have wound-healing and antibacterial properties. Honey is used so much in skin care products, also to provide moisture.

If your skin is dry and you are prone to eczema, eat fish!
This is a very good advice that has survived the test of time. Omega fatty acids in fish are wonderful to nourish skin cells and prevent dry, flaky skin.


Put toothpaste on the zit!
We’ve all tried this one or sometime during puberty and achieved varying results. While toothpaste is not in itself remove the zit so many toothpastes contain menthol which cools the skin and relieves inflammation.

Lemon juice on your skin will lighten age spots
The effect is not powerful enough to give visible results, although lemon actually contains vitamin C which has a lightening effect on the stains. My grandmother believes she can make great skin care products at home, and that it is unnecessary to spend money on buying cosmetics.

You may want to make skin care products at home, but it is very important to note that this will then be fresh, without preservatives, such products must not be stored but used immediately , otherwise you're left with products that have high bacterial content and where the active substances are oxidized. Several of the substances we eat has documented effect on the skin, but these active substances are usually developed and adapted together with other substances to produce results in skin care products. So although homemade products can cause skin feels softer and looks clearer these will not be able to provide results on skin problems such as lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and acne.

Certain foods can actually do a skin condition worse, such as the rich oils from avocado and olives add an oily skin more oil and make it fatter, and trigger breakouts. Moreover, it is important to be aware that even if one uses the “fruits and vegetables" on skin they can react to it.

Today's technology and old remedy
The fact is that many of the substances used in modern skincare products originated from ancient remedy, tested and adopted what was available as raw materials, especially from plants, fruits and vegetables.

Have you ever thought about the products you use actually has an effect on your skin problems? In a market overrun by products that do everything from removing wrinkles to reduce pores, there are many claims that do not measure up. Fortunately, there are products that work, you just have to look for the right ingredients. Here is a list of several of them, and what characteristics they have.

Ingredients that counteract and prevent aging
This is probably the category of products where claims do not reflect the results, but there are actually ingredients in the right formula can accomplish best outcomes.

Sunscreens
Sunscreens guarantees effective protection against aging and other effects of sun damage. Do you use products with high UVA and UVB protection daily?You’re sure to look younger than your sisters who do not protect their skin.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Good UV filters are: Titanium dioxide,avobenzone,octinoxate, octisalate and oxybenzone.

Peptides - these are also found naturally in the body and consist of amino acids (such as proteins). They stimulate the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. These are fibers and ground substances which staytight, providing the fullness and moisture. The amount of these compounds decreases with age, as ingredients that can stimulate the production will thus counteract wrinkles, slack tissue.

Other peptides stops the formation of a “toxin" in the skin called advanced glycation end products (AGEs); this is a by-product of a reaction between free sugars and proteins (collagenfibers) that cause wrinkles. The peptides that stop this byproduct will thus counteract the breakdown of the skin and prevent wrinkles.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Peptides which stimulate collagen production: Palmitoyl pentapeptide, palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and palmitoyl tripeptide-5. Peptides that fight AGEs: Arginine - lysine polypeptide.

Vitamins - Vitamins A and C are found naturally in the skin and supplied through the diet. They are part of a complex system of antioxidants that protect the skin against damaging reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals = ROS). Topically applied vitamins workquickly, and monitors the skin against UV - made ROS and airborne toxins can also reduce the signs of premature aging.

Vitamin A
The skin is converted to retinoic acid Vitamin A before it can be utilized in the cells, so the vitamin effective in treating both aging and acne.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Retinol, retinyl palmitate

Vitamin C

• Protects skin cells and the skin's support structure from UV related damage
• Reduces inflammation
• Promotes collagen production
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Increases the effectiveness of sunscreens

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
L - Ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside

Anti- enzyme technology for aging– the plant-based substance that contains powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols contained in the tea. In addition to acting as powerful antioxidants, these drugs will also inhibit the skin's own degrading enzymes and thereby prevent aging. These enzymes task in the skin will usually be linked to the maintenance and repair of tissue, but with age as they become more active and break down more tissue than they build up.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Good examples are white tea (camelliasinensis) and genistein from soy beans.

What ingredients work on the pores and blemishes?
Effective ingredients against impure skin has long been recognized by both the medical and cosmetic industry, but that it is possible to influence the skins pore size has first been documented studies in recent years.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
African Enantia bark - one of the most exciting and effective ingredients in studies in combination with panthenol and vitamin E has been shown to reduce the pore size by as much as 36%. Salicylic acid (salicylicacid) approved by the FDA as a prescription agent that is safe and effective in the treatment of acne is classified as a keratolytic (dissolves blockages) ingredient. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory, which is very advantageous for inflamedacne. Sulfur (sulfur) has antibacterial, keratolytic properties.

What works on age spots?
The most important thing you can do to reduce age spots is to use a high sunscreen and stay in the shade. In addition, there are a plethora of active ingredients with proven efficacy. These drugs will inhibit the formation of pigment in several different ways, thus lightening the dark spots. For faster results, use a complete treatment system for pigmentation every day for at least 2 months. Such a system of products designed to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation, all without damaging the skin health.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Some effective ingredients with proven efficacy are oligopeptide-34, niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin C and glucosamine.

What works for dry skin?
This skin type is often confused with dehydrated skin (moisture -poor). Although moisture poor skin is a skin condition that can affect all skin types, dry skin most susceptible to moisture poor skin naturally. It produces too little fats to lubricate the skin so the skin loses moisture easily. This means that dry skin requires ingredients that provide both moisture and nutrients as well as protect the environment.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Moisture Binding substances - water binding properties found naturally in the skin. With aging comes a natural decline in the ability to retain moisture (decrease in hyaluronic acid). Hyaluronic acid is the most moisture binding ingredient that holds up to 1000x + own weight in water. There is a direct connection between water content and hyaluronic acid in skin.
Lipids - this is nourishing substances that add dry skin what it lacks, and is protective in a weakened skin barrier. Example of good fabrics for dry skin is hyaluronic acid, honey, aloe, evening primrose oil, avocado oil, sunflower (Helianthus), and cucumber oil (borageofficinalis).

Exfoliating ingredients work on all skin problems
Exfoliating ingredients work effectively on just about any skin problems. This is because the exfoliating ingredients support the skin's natural shelling (desquamation) and thus helps to remove dead old cells and reveal new fresh. This effect has a positive effect on aging because the skins own cell renewal slows down with age. They work on pores and blemishes, because the exfoliating ingredients dissolve sebum and blockages in follicles, and pigment spots, because the pigmented cells easily detach from the skin.

What should I look for on the product's ingredient list?
Hydrocyanic acid – lactic acid , salicylic acid , citric acid
Vitamins - Vitamin A ( retinol )
Enzymes - papain (from papaya ) , bromelain (from pineapple) .
Mechanical - rice grains, oatmeal
Acid-free emollient ingredients - urea glycolysates algae, yeast extract, Glucosamine, urea.