Ingredient Spotlight: DMAE

DMAE

So, for today's Ingredient Spotlight I'm actually going to refer you to one of my competitor's blogs (gasp!).  I wanted to provide you all with some information about DMAE and it's wonderful benefits and who better to learn from than Dr. Perricone, who has been one of the leading researchers of this wonderful ingredient.  You can find his blog here.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  Dr. Perricone is very well respected and his products are highly coveted.

Of course, SimplySkin Rx has included DMAE (and alpha-lipoic acid) in our night cream and our clients have experienced great results with the combination of these ingredients.  If you want to check out our take on DMAE you can find it here.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Ingredient Spotlight: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

What does it do?

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant- which prevents aging caused by oxidative damage.  It has been called the "universal antioxidant" because it is soluble in water and oil, which means that it can penetrate all components of our cells and provide better protection against free radicals.  It also boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants.

Are there side effects?

Unfortunately, this is an ingredient that can cause irritation on some people's skin if it is being used in proper strengths.  To get the wonderful anti-aging results you will need to use it in a 5-10% concentration.  The best way to avoid irritation is to start slow (this is a universal rule with new skincare products) and increase your usage as you are able to.  Your skin will most likely develop a tolerance to any irritation unless you are truly allergic to the ingredient.

What about oral supplements?

There are many ALA supplements on the market and I'll address those while we are on the subject.  In your body, ALA is a component in glutathione production, and glutathione removes toxic substances from the liver.  ALA has also shown promise in treating diabetic neuropathy- which is also due to it's glutathione connection.  It provides antioxidant protection for your body-which we have learned is increasingly important.  There are several other proposed benefits of ALA, but there is not a lot of quality research to support many other benefits.  ALA is naturally occurring in meats and some vegetables, but it would certainly be a great supplement to consider based on the antioxidant benefit and the fact that it is both water and lipid soluble.  An oral supplement can provide some benefit for your skin as well, but topical application will give you the best skincare results.

Which SimplySkin Rx Products have Alpha-Lipoic Acid?

We have a 5% concentration of ALA in our Refine Night Cream.  This concentration is strong enough to give you great results, hopefully with minimal side effects.  We've combined it with other beneficial anti-aging ingredients that we will be sharing with you over the next few blog posts.

Niacinamide

Ingredient Spotlight: Niacinamide

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3.  It is related to Niacin, which people have been taking orally for many years to treat high cholesterol levels.  Only recently have quality studies began to surface that tout the benefits of niacinamide on the skin.  More research is being conducted and we expect the use of this substance to significantly increase over the next few years as companies begin to take notice of this great ingredient.

How can it benefit my skin?

Most of the benefits come from this compounds antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  This ingredient has been studied in comparison with clindamycin for acne and was proven to be as effective as clindamycin with fewer side effects.  This is huge because bacteria are becoming more resistant to clindamycin so we need more options to treat acne than just antibiotics.

Niacinamide has also been shown to increase ceramide production in the skin which leads to increased moisturization.  It acts as an antioxidant to decrease oxidative damage (which causes many of the signs of aging).  Finally, niacinamide decreases red blotchiness of the skin- which is my favorite property of this wonder-ingredient.

Are there any side effects?

Unlike most ingredients that actually work, this ingredient has an extremely low side effect profile.  It is tolerated very well in most patients, even in higher concentrations.  There is always a chance that you could be allergic to this ingredient, but even that is very rare.  If you do experience side effects, discontinue use and let your physician know if it is severe.

Which SimplySkin Rx products contain Niacinamide?

Our Prime Day Lotion contains a healthy dose of niacinamide.  We also have niacinamide in some of our professional spa products that can be found at The French Door.

Retinol

Ingredient Spotlight: Retinol

Over the next few weeks we will be spotlighting some of our favorite ingredients in skin care and educating you on the way that they work and any side effects that they cause.  Stick with us and you will know all about what you want to incorporate into your skincare routine- feel free to ask questions or give suggestions for topics that you want covered.  

We'll be starting with Retinol because it is our FAVE ingredient--why?--because it imparts the most dramatic results for aging and blemishes while also having general health benefits for your skin.  

So, what is retinol/retinoids?

Retinol/Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A and you may see it listed as several different names.  Below is a list of names for the prescription and non-prescription versions.

Prescription:  Retin-A (Tretinoin), Differen (Adapalene), Tazorac (Tazarotene)- there are also many combination products that have a retinoid as one component, so this is not an exhaustive list

Non-Prescription:  Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinaldehyde

How does it help with Blemishes?

Retinoids help to open pores and prevent clogging.  They also decrease excess oil production in the       skin.   

How does it help with Aging?

Retinoids increase skin cell turnover, which is a natural process that slows down as we age.  It also increases the quality of the new skin cells that are being formed- they are more rounded and even.  One of the biggest benefits of retinol is that it can increase collagen production, which gives our skin its elasticity and resilience.  

How does it keep your skin Healthy?

     Retinoids are antioxidants that decrease inflammation and protect the skin from oxidative damage.  They possibly can protect the skin from certain types of skin cancer- though more research is needed in this area.  Retinoids can also decrease photo damage from the sun.  There are other skin conditions that benefit from retinoids such as rosacea and psoriasis- consult your physician for more information about this.

Do I need Rx or OTC?

     The answer to that is determined by your skin condition.  Prescription retinoids are much stronger and they also have more side effects (it's a trade-off).  If you have severe acne or if you have not taken good care of your skin for many years, you may want to start with the prescription version.  Otherwise, start with the non-prescription version and work your way up.  Retinoids have side effects and you can develop a tolerance to them so it is best to "start low and go slow" when using them.

What are the side effects?

     The most common side effects are dry, flaky skin, red bumps and itching.  These side effects are generally experienced during the first 2-4 weeks of use or increased dose and will usually go away after your skin has adjusted.  For this reason, I often recommend that people start out using a retinoid every 2-3 days and then increase that frequency when they are able to.  The photo above represents a more severe reaction that is possible when you first start using a retinoid; most people that have a reaction will not respond to this noticeable degree but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like.  Retinoids also cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so always wear a sunscreen (which you should be doing anyway!).

When can I increase my dose?

     If you are using a prescription retinoid, your physician will direct you on when and how to change your dose.  If you are using an over the counter product, you can increase your dose if you are no longer experiencing side effects and if you do not feel that you are getting the same benefits as you did when you first started using a retinoid.  To increase your dose, you can either add an additional retinol containing product or you can use your product more often.  (I have recently added a retinol serum to boost my dose- this serum will be available soon via our website as I know some of my clients are needing a boost too).

Who should not use retinol?

     Do not use retinol if you are pregnant or nursing.  Also, some people cannot tolerate retinol in any strength- they experience a red bumpy rash that does not go away or is severe.  If you experience this type of rash you may want to consult your physician about other beneficial skin care ingredients.

Which SimplySkin Rx products contain Retinol?

Prime- A Day Lotion contains a 1% concentration of retinol.  This is on the lower end of concentration, but it is in a proprietary formula that is designed to penetrate deeper into the skin.  Our goal with this formula is to provide a "middle of the road" dose of retinol in a formula that is less likely to cause irritation.  We still recommend that you start slow when using it and increase your usage as you are able.  Looking for more retinol?  We have added retinol 1%, 2% and 3% serums to our website that you can use to boost your dose as needed- photos will follow soon.

Healthy Habits

Habits….now there's a word I detest.  We all know that is important to establish good habits in our lives and that it is unfortunately easier to form bad habits.  When it comes to your skincare routine it is all about establishing good habits.  You need a routine that is easy enough to stick with and that gives you the results to keep you motivated- which is what we have established with SimplySkin Rx.

Keeping your skin beautiful and healthy is all about good daily care over a long period of time.  Sure, there are ways to reduce the damage that has been done to your skin, but it is far better to prevent it in the first place.

What are your best and worst skincare habits….I'll share my worst.

When I get stressed out and really tired, I skip my nighttime skin routine.  It usually goes like this: I fall asleep on the couch watching TV or reading and I then convince my husband (Lee, also SimplySkin Rx partner) to give me a piggy-back ride to bed because I'm just too tired to walk (and let's face it, I love the attention).  Then, I can't go to the bathroom to do my skincare because I've just made the biggest deal about not being able to walk to bed.  So I'm stuck….with my makeup still on (GASP!) until morning.  I always regret it, and my skin angrily protests the neglect with some sort of blemish.

My best skincare habit is weekly exfoliation with my Renew mask.  It has made the most visible difference in my skin and I'm so pleased with it that I'm considering taking it a step further with a professional peel.

Ok, I've shared my best and worst….what are yours?

Five Great Summer Hats

The sun is shining and the temperature is rising (in most of the United States anyway).  It's that wonderful time of year where you long to be outside after a long short winter.  As you head out, make sure you are protecting your skin from the sun.  Of course you want to wear sunscreen, but you might want to add a hat as well for additional protection and as a fashionable accessory.  We love hats and thought this would be a great opportunity to do a little pre-shopping to inspire you.  Here are 5 Great Summer Hats and the links to their respective websites.  Happy Spring Everyone!

1.  I love this hat because it provides shade for your face AND neck while still being stylish and compact.  It is also an inexpensive choice which is even better.  You can find it at Zappos, and they have a great return policy so you are sure to be pleased!

http://www.zappos.com/product/7612889/color/9272

2.  I adore Kate Spade and this sun hat from her spring collection has me salivating!  It is a fun color combination and it looks like it would pack well in a suitcase for a trip to the beach.  That wide brim will block a lot of UV rays, keeping your face young and fresh.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kate-spade-new-york-garden-society-sun-hat/3256568?origin=category&resultback=2403

3.  Who doesn't love a Fedora?  They're fedorable….ok, bad joke.  But seriously, I love the shape of this hat and the white/black color combo can be worn with so many different outfits.  It's a great find from Target and very economical.  However, I'm sure you can't squish it up and pack it in a suitcase- but with a hat this cute you'll probably just want to wear it whilst you travel.

http://www.target.com/c/women-accessories-hats-scarves-gloves/-/N-5xtbn#?lnk=nav_t_spc_1_inc_1_2

4.  This is the ultimate wear anywhere, go anywhere, matches everything hat.  You can fold it and pack it and it will look just as nice with your Sunday dress as it will with your beach attire.  If you are really creative you can tie some ribbon around it to match your outfit.  

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/accessories/scarvesglovesandhats/PRDOVR~74503/74503.jsp

5.  If you enjoy outdoor sports you will want something more compact like a ball cap.  This one is a little more fashion forward than your run-of-the-mill ball cap and it also wicks away sweat and keeps you cooler than a standard cap.  

http://www.rei.com/product/828104/salomon-xr-hat-womens

Becoming The After

Becoming the After….what does that even mean?  Well, aren't we a little obsessed with makeovers of any sort; home, fashion, hair, fitness and beauty?  I love the idea of transformation, the idea that you don't have to be stuck in a rut, you can change.  Today I am reflecting on what my "After" would be in various areas of my life and how would I get there.  I'm also challenging you to reflect on your "After"- how can you be your best you?  I would love to hear your comments on the subject and in the meantime I'll share some great "Afters" to inspire you!

Home Makeover (and a great blog!)

The Nester

Ok, so I'm sure that the painted brick is not for everyone- but I adore it!  And that copper awning and the new double front door make it look so welcoming.  Lush green grass and simply elegant landscaping finish off the makeover.  I think this is so inspiring because the "Before" was so mundane and typical- it could be in any neighborhood in any town in America, and the "After" is just so special and unique.

Fitness Makeover

The 21-Day Total Body Makeover

So here's the thing about this 21-Day Makeover- I love it and I hate it.  I don't want to insinuate that you can completely change your body in 21 days and I think that we all know that fitness is about a lifestyle change.  However, having said that, I love that this 21-Day plan gives you a starting point to getting in shape or it can renew your current fitness plan.  Also, 21-Days is completely achievable and it is enough time to see some results-which will empower you to keep on the right track.

Fashion Makeover

Who doesn't love the fashion montage scene from The Devil Wears Prada?  Her "Before" reminds me of a time that in my life when I just didn't take care of myself- I distinctly remember sitting in my hairstylist's chair about 6 months after the birth of my daughter and thinking "What happened to me?!?".  I was dressing sloppily, not taking care of my skin and going WAY too long in between haircuts.  That was the point at which I started my journey to my "After".   I started taking pride in my choice of clothing, getting my haircut on time (mostly) and researching skin care and makeup techniques.  I also got back into exercising regularly and attempting to eat right (which is a constant battle for me these days).  I'm certainly not an advocate of pure vanity and I don't think that the way you look defines you.  There are many other facets to all of us that are much more important than our outer appearance, but for me, the way that I take care of my outer appearance does say something about the way I feel inwardly.  So, how are you going to get your "After"?