What’s in a Beauty Cream?

People in the world spend millions of dollars on skin care.  This competitive market has produced an extensive array of products. What do some of them actually contain?

Retin-A

Retin-A is a prescription drug, also known as tretinoin, belonging to a family of skin care medication called the retinoids. A vitamin A derivative, it is used for treatment of acne, blackheads, whiteheads and hyper pigmentation.  Retin-A medication comes in different concentration for different purposes and skin types. When applied, your skin becomes more sensitive during that period.

The main purpose of Retin-A is to exfoliate, stimulate the development and growth of new skin cells, including collagen and improving skin texture. Retin-A is also mixed with other bleaching agents to remove pigmentation on the skin (especially effective when used together with microdermabrasion).

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)

AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids), derived from fruit and milk sugars are widely used by dermatologists and aestheticians as peeling agents. Similar to microdermabrasion, AHA such as glycolic acid (from sugar) or lactic acid (from milk) are exfoliants, commonly used for smoothing out wrinkles and reducing the appearance of scars.

AHA is the most effective in concentration of 6-8% at pH range 3-4. Being acids, it can irritate the skin, producing side effects such as rash, redness and swelling. AHA products over the counter must not contain more than 10% concentration, beyond which only certified professionals are allowed to use.

HA (Hyaluronic Acid)

HA (Hyaluronic acid) is a complex substance found in the dermis and epidermis that maintain the amount of moisture in our skin. This is what gives skin its firmness and fullness by holding water and allowing nutrients to reach our cells. However, this element gradually recedes over time and the loss is known to be as high as 50% by the time we are 50 years old.

People buy anti ageing creams containing HA in order to compensate for this loss, hoping to reduce acne scars, wrinkles, sagging skin and rehydrate the skin.  It is a good alternative to collagen due to its ability to produce skin plumping effects. Found also in medical applications, it is used for treating eye disorders, arthritis and other joint ailments.

About Sunscreen

I was not taught to use sunscreen when I was younger. In fact if I remember correctly, I used it for the first time during an outing. My friend was slathering her limbs and urged me to do same.  For once, my skin did not get sunburn easily as it usually did. Many people I believe are like me. Either they don’t know the importance of sunscreen or they don’t bother.

Come to think of it, how many children, teenagers or school athletes use sunscreen anyway? Not to blame them because to healthy and lively youths, skin care is the last thing on their minds. They are in their prime years where skin condition is tiptop.

Looking around at others who are outdoors jogging, kayaking and cycling, how many of them use it? Even those who had, did it work according to their expectations and what amount sunscreen is deemed enough?

Sunscreens come with an SPF (sun protection factor) rating, giving an indication of how long you can stay under the sun without getting sunburn. For instance, if your skin turns red after 10 minutes in the sun, then SPF 15 allows you to remain in the sun for 15 times more or 150 minutes before your skin turns red. In general, the higher the SPF number, the better protection you have.

So, say you are making your way to a nearby grocery store or waiting at a road junction to cross the road on a hot day.  SPF 15 is adequate but if you are going for activities like swimming or surfing that require few hours under the sun, SPF 30+ is good. This is the time when you should be using generous amount of sunscreen on your body. As a guide, experts have recommended at least one ounce be used for the whole body.

When you apply sunscreen, get it done it at least 15 minutes prior to going out to ensure the organics are properly absorbed and activated. After that, reapply every two to three hours because many sunscreens are not photostable (they degrade when exposed to sunlight).

Since studies shown that more than 75% of sun exposure is inadvertent, caused while carrying out our daily chores, it seems logical to use it frequently. However, there are researchers claiming that chemicals in sunscreen could generate free radicals in the presence of sunlight, causing skin cells to mutate leading to skin cancer.

I supposed balance is the key. Even if you use correctly and religiously, remind yourself that sunscreen will reduce sun exposure but cannot eliminate it. Confine your exposure to sun to early mornings or late evenings. Using umbrellas, hats and staying indoors during the hottest time of the day are some of the best ways to protect your skin.

Knowing Melasma

Melasma is a skin discolouration condition that is characterised by irregular brown patches found usually on the face, especially on areas like cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. It can affect anyone, but more commonly women than men because nine out of ten people who suffer from it are women.

Causes of Melasma are due to genetics and changes in hormone levels, which explain why pregnant women, those on birth control pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy are associated with this condition. Other than that, brown skin people like Asians and Latin Americans are more susceptible to Melasma because their melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) are more active than those with lighter skin tone.

Sun exposure is a dominant factor in triggering this condition, where UV rays stimulate the melanocytes, inducing them to produce more melanin that leads to darkening of the skin. By protecting yourself through the use of sun screen, you are preventing damage being done to your skin.

Other than cosmetic concerns, Melasma does not cause any health problems. For treatment, visit a dermatologist for prescription creams and close monitoring of the condition.  Those who use bleaching creams, chemical peels, laser treatment may be useful but sometimes complications may arise and further aggravate the condition.

As the saying goes; Prevention is better than cure. The key to prevention is to avoid the sun and apply sunscreen when outdoors, even when there is no sun. It is not within your control if you are genetically predisposed to it but at least do what you can to minimise and reduce the appearance of Melasma.

Eczema – Causes and Remedies

Eczema is a skin condition where the top layer of skin, the epidermis is inflamed. Symptoms of eczema include dryness, itchiness, rashes, patches of flaking and scaly skin. It can affect anyone from a baby to an adult and the severity of the condition varies, depending on the type of eczema.

People have come to conclusions that eczema is hereditary as many people with eczema usually have a family history of such condition. Sometimes, Eczema is triggered by an allergy to certain substances. It could be due to food like peanuts, prawns or other things such as dust, pets and chemicals. Eczema is also caused by temperature for hot weather or body sweat is more likely to cause an eczema breakout.

No matter what, there are ways to bring the condition under control.

Firstly, having a good skin care routine will definitely help. Taking 2 to 3 showers on a hot day keep the skin clean and free of pollutants. Next, moisturise using natural products so as to minimise contact with irritants, keeping your skin soft and smooth at the same time. If your eczema condition is severe, applying steroids and antihistamines to treat the skin will alleviate the condition.

Another way is to avoid the source of allergy (if you know what cause it). If you are allergic to certain food and wanted to find the underlying cause of your condition, start keeping track of what you eat. Pay attention to the symptoms or how your skin reacts to the food. Meanwhile, try to have a balanced diet so as to ensure your skin get all the nutrients it needs. If you have been searching for healing foods to treat eczema, click here.

One of the reasons for eczema flare ups is when irritants or synthetic chemicals come into contact with the skin. Therefore, remember to always wash your newly purchased garment before you start wearing. This is to get rid of whatever dirt, dust or chemicals used on the garment during manufacturing process. If you have sensitive skin or a more severe case of eczema, wearing organic clothing is even better.

Start using environmentally friendly and natural products such as detergents and soaps so as to protect your skin from harmful chemicals. Some cosmetics and perfumes have chemicals that could trigger eczema, so be careful especially if these products contain alcohol.

Avoid the sun if possible and wear sunscreen when outdoors as the searing heat could irritate and damage the skin. Since temperature can cause flare ups, drink lots of water during hot weather.

The above mentioned are some of the many ways to treat eczema. Most important of all, be stress free and know that a cheerful and positive outlook would help to keep eczema at bay.

Ways to slow the ageing process II

3. Avoid Stress -

Many people felt stressed at some point or another. It could be a work related problem, a relationship crisis with loved ones or having the inclination to meet expectations from others or themselves.

Since we can never eliminate stress, we have to manage it properly because of its adverse effects on our skin.

Stress is characterised by an increasing heart rate, rising blood pressure and rapid breathing. The blood flow is being diverted away to the muscles and the heart giving us a paler complexion because blood is what makes the skin glows. This reduction in blood supply causes the skin to flake as the skin cells are unable to renew themselves as quickly as they should. Read more »

Ways to slow the ageing process

We all know that as we aged, it is impossible to turn back the clock unless we turn to botox or cosmetic surgery to reclaim our youthful looks. But think again, it is possible to stop time without having to go under the knife and at the same time keeping your bank balance healthy.

Here are some great tips that help you achieve youthful skin.

1. Avoid smoking -

Ranging from bad breath, teeth discolouration, gum diseases to lung cancer, the after effects of smoking are apparent, thanks to all the publicity through anti smoking campaigns and advertisements.

Needless to say, smoking is bad both for your skin and health. In fact one of the top causes of skin damage is smoking.

If you smoke, don’t be surprise that you look older than you actually are as smoking accelerates the ageing process and add years to your body  through the following: Read more »

What is Shea Butter?

Shea Butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea trees, found in Africa. It is obtained and prepared without using chemicals. The nuts are cracked, pounded and boiled in waters to extract the fats. After extraction, the fats are cooled and solidified at room temperature.

It is an ivory solid which melts quickly when apply to the skin and it penetrates the skin easily.

It is used widely in the cosmetic and food industry because of its remarkable properties. Known to be a super moisturizer and emollient with anti-inflammatory properties, it is effective for treating skin irritations and conditions such as burns, rashes and eczema and so on. Read more »

Knowing Your Skin Anatomy

Our skin holds our body together, regulates our body temperature through sweat and gives us the sense of touch and pain.

What exactly makes up our skin structure? Our skin is made up of 3 layers, the top layer being the epidermis, followed by the dermis and then the subcutaneous layer. Each of these layers has their own functions.

The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin. The topmost layer of the epidermis is made up of dead skin cells which will be shed off every 3-4 weeks and be replaced by the lower layer of new skin cells from below which are gradually pushed upwards.

The second layer of skin is called the dermis, a complex tissue framework Read more »

Effective care for your skin type

Compared to other parts of your body, do you know your face is more gentle and delicate?

Even then, are you aware that the optimum pH of your skin is only about 5.5? Well, the reason for the slight acidity of our skin is that it is part of our body’s natural defense against viruses and bacteria.

Babies and children are more susceptible to skin infections as their pH level is neutral at 7.0. When we grow older, we have more hair on our bodies, our sebaceous glands and sweat glands become more active to improve our body’s defense against harmful substances and other pollutants. However, as we aged, our skin pH increases again and weakens our skin.  Read more »

Men’s Skin Care

In this beauty conscious society, more and more men are taking pains to care for their appearance and improve their grooming habits. They pay more attention to their skin and want to feel better about themselves.

Good skin not only gives men the assurance that they are healthy but it also upped their confidence level as they can impressed upon others at workplace.

The demand for men’s skin care products is on the increasing trend and there is a lot more information on how men can take care of their skin as compared to twenty years ago.

Gone are the days when skin care was just a woman’s concern. Today, skin care is no longer considered a feminine thing and men are allowed to indulge their skin without any shame or guilt. If it is a natural thing for women to take good care of their skin, why not for men? Read more »