Prevention Baby Continued

Now that we have thoroughly covered sunscreen.....haha! It's serious stuff! :)

Let's talk about topical antioxidants or growth factor in the am & pm. That completes the topical trifecta for beginners. Easy enough!

                                           

Marketing has made selecting a good skin care product difficult. From Walgreens to Saks, you can purchase "skin care" everywhere. Just because it says Vitamin C serum doesn't mean it is going to work. Formulation, quality and concentration of the active product are a big deal. When purchased from a physician's office you have peace of mind with knowing the concentration is going to be high and of the best ingreident's available. Quality control! On the other hand, OTC products are full of water with a drop of the active ingredient in it, that is probably not the best formulation anyhow. You see how that works? For example, L ascorbic acid vs ascorbic acid. They are both technically forms of vitamin C that are applied topoically. One is able to get in to the skin while the other lies on the surface only!!  

 

Therefore- appropriate antioxidant, applied daytime, under sunscreen can pack a powerful punch.  Add a dash of the ultimate anti aging antioxidant, Vitamin A, and you've got the gold standard. 

Retinoids are reserved for the night. The benefits you get from Vitamin A (retinoids- retinol or Retin A) is quite amazing but it does make you photosensitive. Retinoids fight acne, exfoliate, reduce pore size, reduce fine line & more. 

Noteworthy- Although all antioxidants are helpful, using the most appropriate for your skin type will obviously yeild the most benefit & no worries there, I will map it out for you. Also, it is important to switch it up as your skin changes. I bet some of you have been on the same Clinique line since high school. Believe me! You're not alone. :-)

The best antioxidants and growth factors available and what they do:

1. TNS Essential Serum- my #1 go to for all mature skin types. TNS Essential Serum wins the overachiever award in my blog! It is a dual chamber product containing TNS Recovery Complex that works synergistically with peptides to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of skin; seven antioxidants fight free radical damage; specialty ingredients provide immediate visual smoothing & alpha-arbutin brightens the skin.

 

2. TNS Recovery Complex- Can you tell I like this stuff? This is the one I use, personally. It has the highest levels of patented growth factor blend (TNS®); it improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; minimizes the appearance of age spots and dyspigmentation and enhances skin tone, texture and firmness. For real! Be patient though. It does take your skin some time to grow healthier.

3. Phloretin CF- It provides some added environmental protection against UVA and UVB radiation; stimulates collagen synthesis to improve signs of aging; reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and accelerates cellular renewal to retexture skin & once it is absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen. (if you are sunburnt *gasp* this product will help to heal it faster)

4. Blemish & Age Defense- This stuff is amazing. It is best on adult acne or acne prone skin. I use it in combination with TNS so that I get as much as I can out of my skin care routine. Blemish & Age Defense inhibits excess sebum production; reduces acne causing bacteria; prevents hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation or UV exposure; decongests clogged pores and diminishes surface indicators of age.

5. CE Ferulic- This one feels best on mature skin. Think CE for Collagen and Elastin. This serum is amazing. It provides advanced environmental protection against UVA, UVB and infrared radiation A; stimulates collagen synthesis to improve signs of aging; increases firmness and replenishes lipids to reduce wrinkles an once it is absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen.

So in a nutshell, I suggest that everyone wear (at least, because believe me, we can get more out of topicals! This is for the novice to anti aging):

AM: Cleanse
         Antioxidant or Growth Factor
         Sunscreen that will replace moisturizer

PM:  Cleanse
         Retinol or Retin A

Now, go out and Shine Bright Like A Diamond!!!!!!!!!