Tag Archive for: glycation

Sugar is Not So Sweet

Sugar is sweet but not when it comes to the health and look of the skin. Eating excess sugar is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. For starters sugar and foods with a high glycemic number (carbohydrates, fried foods and alcohol) trigger insulin which causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a culprit for acne-prone skin, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Sugar also breakdowns collagen: ie Glycation– when sugar binds to collagen and form AGES (advanced glycation end products ) this makes the collagen fibers hard and brittle which ultimately causes the skin to look old. Glycation equals loss of elasticity and collagen, which equals sagging, dull and aging skin.

Sugar weakens the immune system, dehydrates skin by pulling out moisture, creates a lackluster appearance and can cause breakouts and redness and dryness. So what should you do? Firstly, cut back on your sugar intake. Processed carbohydrates, alcohol and sugar-heavy foods should be limited.

If you’re prone to redness or rosacea and sugar is making this worse, try our Radical Difference serum. This concentrated rehydrating serum helps to rejuvenate the appearance of skin imperfections, illuminate dull skin and reduce the appearance of unwanted red areas to leave skin appearing glowing and vibrant.

If breakouts are your issue, try our Detox collection to get your skin in check and clear. Detox Facial Clarifying AHA Wash is a power-packed foaming cleanser specifically designed to address the appearance of problem skin, by reaching deep into pores and boosting out stubborn dirt and oils. Skin is left appearing smoother, feeling more refined and rejuvenated. Follow with Facial Detox, a purifying mask that works to draw out dirt and pore-clogging debris to reveal skin that looks clear and appears flawless. Facial Detox leaves skin looking even and appearing balanced, cleans blemish-prone skin and minimizes the appearance of pores and soothes and calms appearance.

Learning to balance your sugar intake will assure clean, clear and glowing skin in the future.

 

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Spring Resolutions: solutions to internal + external skin issues



Internal

The Bummer: Breakouts + Irritation

Say goodbye to sugar, it is NOT your friend. Sugar is addictive and present in almost everything! Pay attention to your daily sugar intake. Even that ‘healthy’ green juice you’re drinking may have extra sugar.

Idea!

Dairy intake not only affects the digestive system but also the skin. Try quitting dairy for a month and see how your skin glows brighter.

The Bummer: Dehydration

Watch alcohol intake. Alcohol has dreadful and hazardous effects on the body and skin. Alcohol dehydrates eyes, skin and inside of the body. Alcohol has a bad effect on Vitamin A, B3 and Vitamin C, which are all imperative antioxidants for healthy skin and organ function. Alcohol also affects blood sugar levels and can raise blood pressure.

Good eats:

  • Leafy greens
  • All berries
  • Lettuce
  • Raw spinach
  • Tomato sauce
  • Bell peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Pineapple

The bummers: fine lines, dullness + loss of elasticity

Eating healthy can also reduce pollution effects on the skin and the body. Eating a diet high in anti-oxidant rich foods such as leafy greens and berries and foods high in essential fatty acids (salmon, avocado, almonds) shows on your face as well as internally.

Steer clear of foods that encourage and cause Glycation. The Glycation process, which is basically, sugars (from food and alcohol) breaking down the collagen fibers in the skin and therefore speeding up the aging process. Glycation equals loss of elasticity and collagen, which equals sagging skin. Foods that feed Glycation and cause inflammation in the body and the skin are carbohydrates, fried foods, sugar, fatty meats and alcohol.

External

The Bummer: Breakouts

  • Everyday pollution from industrial soot, car exhaust, the ozone layer, second hand smoke
  • Not washing your face after the gym
  • Not taking off your makeup at night
  • Bad ingredients (Say NO to: PEGS, mineral oil, alcohol, silicone)

Idea:

Exfoliate and detoxify those pores and follow with treating skin with an anti-pollution, anti-oxidant serum. Try our Brightening Elixir!

The bummer: Fine Lines

  • Chronological age- you can help DNA by using targeted skincare products and protecting skin from sun and pollution with SPF and an anti-pollution, anti-oxidant rich serum.
  • Sun damage- Exfoliate, treat with a serum (think Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Ferulic acid) and protect with an SPF.
  • Smoking- just don’t do it! And if you did then follow the steps above to erase the signs. Smoker’s skin is usually dull, gray and showing signs of loss of collagen and elasticity.  Exfoliation followed with a treatment serum can help reverse the damage.

The bummer: Dullness

  • Not exfoliating
  • Dehydration

Idea:

Try our Doctor’s Scrub or Fresh-A-Peel (lactic acid)!

The Bummer: Irritation

  • Overuse of acids and Retinol
  • Incorrect choice of moisturizers

Idea:

Ease up on aggressive acids and treatments. Try a nourishing oil that has brightening effects. Think cold pressed oils full of Omegas fatty acids. 

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Dr. G reports: how pollution causes premature aging + what you can do to stop it

Pollution is a daily reality for most of us. Whether from external or internal sources, we must protect ourselves. A 360 degree approach to overall health includes pollution protectio9n and repair.

Pollution + your skin + and aging

Pollution releases microscopic particles or free radicals that can go deep into the skin and cause damage to otherwise healthy cells. The outcome is loss of elasticity (wrinkles and sagging) and Hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, dehydration, dryness, dark spots, expedited aging, wrinkles, sagging and a deterioration of collagen

Protect + Shield with Lifestyle choices

First and foremost always wear an SPF! Look for anti-oxidant ingredients as they fight free radicals. A few of the most studied and effective anti-oxidants are Red Tea, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Japonica flowers, Water Cress Sprouts, Retinol and Resveratrol. We have a serum launching very soon that incorporates Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin B- specifically for polluted skin protection! Lucky for us Dr.G recently introduced Brightening Elixir– an anti-pollution serum that contains Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Vitamin E!

The Sun is the number one environmental damage for skin. Both UVA/UVB rays are harmful. Protect yourself by wearing a hat and sunglasses. Shielding your skin, head and eyes can help with sun damage and pollution-based aging. Always wash you face to remove the residue and makeup from the day. Remember all the pollution from car exhaust, factories and the weak ozone layer sits on the skin!

Eating healthy can also reduce pollution effects on the skin and the body. Eat a diet high in anti-oxidant rich foods such as leafy greens and berries and foods high in essential fatty acids (salmon and almonds). Stay away form foods that can encourage and cause Glycation. The Glycation process, which is basically, sugars (from food and alcohol) breaking down the collagen fibers in the skin and therefore speeding up the aging process. Foods that feed Glycation and cause inflammation in the body and the skin are carbohydrates, fried foods, sugar, fatty meats and alcohol.

Repair the damage

The best way to repair environmentally damaged skin is to introduce an anti-pollution based skin care regimen- Exfoliate (remove the dead and polluted skin cells), cleanse, treat (serum), seal (moisturizer) and protect (SPF).

Exfoliation is the best method for ridding pores of pollutants. Scrubs can get into the pores and clean them while also removing dead skin cells, bacteria and prior damage. Chemical peels are also a terrific way to exfoliate and remove damaged skin cells.

The most potent and highest regarded pollution fighting ingredients are: Red Tea, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Retinol and Resveratrol. Look for these in serums and moisturizers.

A few healthy choices can save you skin and keep you looking youthful and healthy for years to come!

 

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