Tag Archive for: SPF

Get Set, Glow: The Secret of Vitamin C

Effective at diminishing the appearance of dark spots , stimulating collagen production, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and boosting overall radiance. Vitamin C is the single most powerful topical ingredient that exists and everyone should be using it within their regimen. Have you ever asked yourself, ‘how does she achieve that glow?’. Look no further because we are about to tell you the secret women have been using for years…. Vitamin C. Hailed as one of the best anti-agers on the market !

Photo via @edgarraw

What is Vitamin C:

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is abundant in vegetables and fruits, particularly in citrus fruits where the Vitamin C levels are the highest. A water-soluble vitamin and powerful anti-oxidant, it helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, which enhances collagen fibers in the skin (hello firmness), fights against free radical damage and contains skin-brightening properties.

How it works

Anti-oxidant

Vitamin C is the single most powerful and multi-functional ingredient in topical products. Loaded with antioxidants, brightening properties and collagen building enzymes, Vitamin C is a true powerhouse ingredient. Topical antioxidants produce much higher concentrations in the skin than nutritional supplements. In fact, applying vitamin C to the skin is 20 times more effective than oral ingestion. Simply applying vitamin C daily for three days can achieve optimal levels in the skin. It is also known that once a topical antioxidant is absorbed into the skin, it cannot be washed or rubbed off. So, even after stopping application, significant amounts of vitamin C will remain in the skin for up to three days.

Collagen Enhancing Properties

Vitamin C’s skin-health benefits are largely attributed to its benefits in supporting healthy collagen. Collagen works hand-in-hand with elastin to support the skin. Basically, it supplies the framework that provides form, firmness, and strength to the skin, while elastin is what gives skin its flexibility. A number of in vitro studies have confirmed that treating human skin cells with a topical vitamin C derivative can stimulate collagen synthesis. In addition to facilitating the hydroxylation reactions involved in collagen formation, vitamin C also stimulates collagen synthesis by enhancing collagen gene transcription. Topical vitamin C may also help preserve existing collagen by influencing the enzymes responsible for collagen degradation.

What to buy

Serums deliver the most bang for your buck as they typically are formulated with the highest concentrations of Vitamin C. A good place to start is with a formula with a minimum of 7% Vitamin C and as high as 15% as this is really the sweet spot in terms of providing proper treatment to the skin and make sure that the Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is listed high up on the ingredient deck – just another indication of the level of percentage within the formula.

One of the best anti-aging cocktails is  a mix of Vitamin C serum+ additional age-defying ingredients

Ferulic Acid: Protects your skin against sun damage and also stabilizes the Vitamin C, preventing it from oxidating (i.e. changing color) which eliminates the treatment.

Vitamin E / Tocopherol: Anti-inflammatory properties and overall skin nourishment

Vitamin B / Niacinamide: Provide brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.

*Try Brightening Elixir by Goldfaden MD

How to use it:

The ultimate youth-boosting skincare protocol involves the use of a regular exfoliator (or retinoid at night as it helps promote cell renewal and allows for the treatment serum to penetrate deep into the skin), followed by a daily Vitamin C serum, protective moisturizer and your preferred SPF of SPF 30 or higher.

Photo via @edgarraw

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Dry/Arid/Desert Climate

Dry and arid desert climates consistently get ranked amongst the worst to live in for the condition of one’s skin. In addition to lifestyle choices like, wearing a hat, sunglasses and sun protective clothing, proper skincare regimen is highly effective in protecting against the issues that arise from this type of environment.

The Issues:

Dry climates dehydrate skin and can invite early onset of wrinkles. With intense sun and high heat, the skin has nowhere to hide. The more sun exposure you have, the more damage you’re doing to your skin. Replenishing hydration and sun protection is extremely important in this type of climate.

The Solutions:

Chose an exfoliation product that targets dead skin cell removal, sun damage and hyper pigmentation. Chemical exfoliators and enzymatic peels target all. Look for Lactic acid (found in Fresh A Peel) as the main active as it actually draws moisture to the surface of the skin, thus preventing additional dehydration and dryness.

Because skin is so prone to dryness in these types of environments, Dr. Goldfaden recommends using anti-aging serums and super hydrating moisturizer. Ingredients such as CoQ10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Retinol keep skin tone tight and toned, while African botanic oils, Baobob, Kalahari and Mongongo deliver Omega fatty acids for extreme hydration.

Always protect the face and body with sunscreen 30 SPF or higher. The sun can be very intense in these types of climate, so sun protection is imperative.

 

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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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