Skin discoloration such as hyperpigmentation, freckles and age spots can occur from many reasons such as years of spending time in the sun, hormones, pollution, stress and free radicals. Any one of these can cause an excessive amount of melanin to be produced which then causes those dreaded brown spots to show up. To reverse the appearance of these brown spots and reveal your healthier, younger skin DDF has created the Discoloration Reversal-POD. Their sponge like applicator exfoliates and hydrates your skin on the area where hyperpigmentation occurs and allows for deep skin penetration of the new Micro-Radiance Complex so maximum results for a more even-toned skin are achieved.  Available at SkinStore.com

I wrote about retinols previously but what I didn’t do was mention any specific products.  Now that I’ve had the opportunity to try one that I really like I want to pass it on to you.  It’s by a well known company named RoC that has been around for years and has been a leading French skincare brand.  They’ve always maintained a great reputation with their line of skin enhancing and result oriented products.  Their #1 anti-wrinkle moisturizer has been clinically proven to take years off your skin.   Retinol Correxion is a combination of retinols and the latest sunscreen technology containing an SPF 30.  This is a deep wrinkle daily moisturizer that offers broad protection from UVA and UVB rays. Clinical studies have also shown that after only 8 weeks of daily use deep set wrinkles begin to diminish leaving skin healthier and younger looking.  The perfect anti-aging moisturizer and for only 19.99.

With all the articles on skin cancer coming out now that summer is almost here, it’s better to use products that have the sun protection you need, but if they can offer an anti-aging benefit as well like RoC does I’m all over it!  Availabe in drugstores.

When it comes to your night time skin care routine there is one product you must not leave out, especially if you are prone to acne, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.  This must have anti-aging wonder is Retin-A, also known as Retinoids, has been used for over 35 years as an acne treatment then eventually becoming FDA approved for use as a cosmetic product for skin rejuvenation.  Retinol, which is the protein in the cells of Retin-A plays a major role in the development of tissues and organs as well as the immune system.  Retin-A, when applied as a cream or gel produces a mild superficial peel of the top layer of the skin known as the “epidermis” which works to strengthen and thicken the outer layer of skin producing more collagen which is something our body loses as we age.  Retin-A also affects our deeper “dermis” layer causing skin cells to regenerate faster therefore ridding the skin of the old cells and replacing with healthy new cells.  The result is a smooth, glowing and more youthful looking complexion.

Retin-A is a key element in our anti-aging treatment that removes the effects of sun damage, hyperpigmentation and helps to soften wrinkles and improve acne.  There may be some irritation with use on sensitive skin such as redness, drying and flaking.  What’s recommended then is that you combine Retin-A with a moisturizer.  Use consistently to benefit from the results and wear sunscreen daily!

Ok, this woman holding the bottle of esente above is not only the founder of the company but can you believe she is a 50 year old grandmother! Her name is Victoria Nash and if her youthful look is the result of using the esente line of skin care products we all need to give them a try.  

The esente line was created to be both preventative as well as restorative, offering many benefits that are referred to as the “e” factor - eliminating imperfections, enhancing cell function, extracting impurity, exfoliating and many others. 

Science, of course is behind the Physioceutical collection.  Pharmaceutical grade ingredients combined with ocean derived Oligo elements, peptides and other natural ingredients offer tremendous long term benefits to keeping skin beautiful, youthful and radiant. For more information visit esente.com and for your chance to win a free esente sampler just click here to enter. 

Acheiving that perfect tan doesn’t have to involve long hours baking in the sun any longer and exposing yourself to the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.  Now getting that rich golden glow can be accomplished in just a few minutes a day with Boots No7 Shimmer Gel. It’s a great compliment to any makeup or lotion product and can also be used on it’s own.  Leave no body part unshimmered, it can even be added to eyeshadow!

To keep the shimmer looking hydrated and lasting long apply the Naturally Sunkissed Body Moisturizer which helps to maintain the tan color for up to 12 hours.  Boots No7 brought over from London has been recognized for their high quality skin care products at affordable prices and can be found at any Target store or at Target.com.  You definitely don’t want to pass up these sexy skin care products this summer.

It’s amazing to see how much science is starting to play a part in our beauty regimen.  Keeping skin youthful, firm, radiant and of course wrinkle-free is what we are all seeking. Many wonderful result oriented products have made their way onto the beauty scene and as companies continue to research and develop new products we start seeing even better products with faster results. 

One such company AminoGenesis has introduced the power of Amino Acids into their revolutionary new skin care line. Amino acids are known as the essential building blocks of all life, an important and necessary ingredient for cell renewal and collagen production.  AminoGenesis with founder Dr. T. Joseph Lin, Ph.D have developed the first ever amino acid based skin care line focused on nourishing the skin with these ingredients that become depleted from our body over time due to external conditions as well as the natural aging process. 

The skin care line consists of 17 plant-derived amino acids that aid in the production of collagen and elastin.  Amazing results can be seen after only 1 week of daily use!  Click here to see some before and after pictures.  

Products include the Photolagen AGF which is a full strength, non-prescription formula that treats major skin issues such as sun damage, wrinkles, dryness, hyperpigmentation as well as improving the skin’s overall texture and elasticity.  To strengthen and tighten facial connective tissues Tripeptinon was created. Basically a face lift in a jar, this 40 day capsule treatment includes three powerful anti-aging technologies that address surface and underlying skin issues. For the eyes the Counter Clockwise under-eye treatment delivers moisture and nutrients to soothe and refresh; and for total body hydration Cocoon Total Body Emollient uses 17 amino acids to help penetrate the lotion immediately into the skin giving it a healthy hydrated glow.

It’s wonderful to know that science is keeping us beautiful!

Looking for some serious skin care try out the Euoko line of radiance enhancing products to combat major skin issues likes wrinkles, age spots, hyperpigmentation and sagging.  Packed with super concentrated ingredients that have been scientifically studied, this line of products even though pricey with their Extreme White Concentrate Ampoules costing over $700 may hold the key to youthful, radiant skin.  

For some reason a couple of weeks ago I gave up my morning coffee and swapped it for a cup of green tea instead.  I’m not sure how or why this transition took place, I’ve always loved a cup of joe first thing in the morning.  The smell of coffee brewing can make it more addicting then the actual caffeine but for some reason i just didn’t like the taste anymore. This is not to say i will never have a cup again but i find it strange that after years of being an avid coffee drinker the switch to tea happened so easily. 

I am happy to hear however, that switching to drinking green tea has many health benefits such reducing the risk of many cancers.  Antioxidants such as various polyphenols that are high in green tea make this possible.  Green tea also keeps your heart strong and your blood pressure normal and it can takes years off your life by keeping your arteries healthy which will prevent heart disease and stroke.  For those of you who need a metabolism boost drinking 2-3 cups of green tea a day will help to increase calorie burning so you lose weight.  So even if you still want to drink your coffee maybe throw in a couple of cups of green tea.  My favorite - Jasmine Green Tea.  It can only do your body good.

Yes, there is a fountain of youth and it arrived at my front door today in a canister with big black letters that read TOKI.  A japenese product developed by Lanelabs, TOKI means porcelain-like skin and all the women in Japan have it and the women in america want it. 

Toki is unlike other anti-aging products we use since most are a topical cream or serum and cannot penetrate deep into the dermal or lower layers of the skin. 

TOKI is rather a powdered lemon flavored collagen drink that you mix into a hot or cold beverage and drink up to 3 times per day.  It contains Active collagen, Calcium and Mucopolysaccharides that include hyaluronic acid which is produced by the body naturally and gives our skin it’s volume and elasticity, but as we age we do not produce as much.  By taking internally in the form of a drink, essential nutrients are able to travel through the blood stream and into the dermis layer improving your skin’s texture and appearance.  Clinical studies have shown that TOKI can actually diminish fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.  It can also improve overall elasticity of the skin resulting in a more youthful appearance and of course porcelain skin. Sounds good to me - well here I go my first TOKI experience added to my morning green tea… tastes good.  I will keep you posted on my results.  In the meantime click here for before and after pictures as well as additional information.

I started taking this supplement about a month ago called Methylsulfonylmethane or short form MSM.  It’s basically an odorless, tasteless form of natural sulfur that is found in low levels in our body as well as in seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits and cow’s milk.  I stubbled upon it accidently after researching vitamins and antioxidants. From the many articles and forums I read through I found many women that had been able to get rid of melasma after several months of use and even though this hasn’t happened for me yet I have, however, experienced it’s other effects which includes a more even complexion, softer skin and not just my face but I noticed a huge difference on the skin of my heels which became alot softer and less dry and cracked. Another noticable effect was some of my old scars had softened up and became less noticeable.  The daily dose I am currently taking is 1000mg 3 times per day of pure MSM.  It is recommended to start on a low dose and work your way up so your body can adjust to it.  Taking MSM with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will increase it’s effects since they work synergistically together and Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis.

Since MSM is naturally occuring in the body you cannot overdose on it and it is completely safe.  Sulfur can actually help slow down the aging process since it is an essential mineral for the formation of collagen which as we age our body is unable to rebuild damaged collagen so we therefore develop wrinkles.  Our body does not produce enough MSM so taking a supplement keeps a steady amount circulating in our system.  What your body does not absorb will pass through your body naturally. It’s up there with water. MSM is the fourth largest mineral in the body.  It helps the cells to become more permeable and therefore increasing the flow of nutrients to the cells and removing toxins. MSM is called natures “secret beauty mineral” because not only does it make your skin more youthful but it also promotes strong and healthy joints, hair and nails.  I have to say my hair has been growing faster and also looks more glossy since taking this.  MSM aids in detoxing the body and controls acidity in the stomach as well as helps in the production of choline in the liver and has many other benefits I have not mentioned.  Just one more supplement to add to your list of many…

Arbonne, the Swiss company with the result oriented botanical skin care line has just added a few new products to their collection.  Joining the lash craze Arbonne has released their own unique eyelash product - The Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer that will transform your lashes to mass volume, texture and shine.  A conditioning treatment to help promote strong and long lashes.  Next the Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer which includes a blend of nutritional vitamins to tone and smooth out our skin’s imperfections while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles for a flawless matte finish. 

Also now available is the NutriminC RE9 REgain Illuminating Enzyme Peel - an exotic blend of African Papaya and Far East Pineapple that gently exfoliates and purifies the skin for a more youthful glow.  The collection would not be complete without the NutriminC RE 9 REtaliate Wrinkle Filler.  Urgently needed to diminish all signs of unwanted wrinkles and crowfeet.  So say good-bye to aging and hello beautiful skin!