Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Want Brighter, More Glowing Skin?

Who doesn’t want brighter more glowing skin? Sun damage, freckles, skin tone irregularities; we want all these things to just go away so we can have healthy, smooth and great looking skin. On the bright side (literally), there are natural ingredients that will help accomplish this goal.

Some of the newest ingredients in skin care formulations are active plant cells, also called plant stem cells. These are plant cells that have been encouraged to do what they naturally do, only in an amplified manner. For example, “Bright Light” Madonna Lily has been shown to inhibit melanogenesis (the production of melanin that causes tanning, freckles or brown spots). This inherent melanin-inhibiting characteristic has been magnified in the plant stem cell when compared to the original plant.

Alpha-Arbutin, often derived from Bearberry, also disrupts the production of melanin.   Melanogenesis is a long and complicated pathway so each of these active ingredients works on a specific part of the pathway. Therefore, combining these skin lightening ingredients together is more effective. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) has been shown to be a potent melanin inhibitor and also helps support collagen health for smoother skin. Another added benefit of these ingredients is that they inhibit melanin without the dangers of hydroquinone or other bleaching agents.

derma e® has taken these key actives and combined them with Vitamin C that is essential for collagen and elastin tissue regrowth and repair, and long known for its ability to combat hyper-pigmentation issues, as well as being an antioxidant in its own right. Green Tea, also a great antioxidant, was shown in a study in Japan to have significant lightening properties. Green Tea has also been shown to inhibit UVA and UVB radiation damage. 

derma e® has combined effective amounts of these hard working ingredients into our new Evenly Radiant®  product line. These key ingredients are available in a rich moisturizing Night Crème, Day Crème with SPF 15, gentle Cleanser, restorative Toner, oil free Serum, Overnight Peel with Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and finally our Dark Circle Eye Crème.

This Evenly Radiant® Dark Circle Eye Crème deserves further explanation. The dark circles around our eyes are due to stagnation of blood and fluids in this area (root cause is of course internal –allergies play a big part, as does adrenal insufficiency – and a huge issue that very few recognize is our stress-filled lifestyles). So, to effectively resolve this condition we need to use blood moving herbs. The Evenly Radiant® Eye Crème, in addition to the skin-brightening ingredients above, also has clinical levels of Peach Kernal Extract, Yarrow, Pycnogenol®, Arnica and the hugely anti-inflammatory ingredient Canadian Willowherb™. Zinc oxide is also added to give you an immediate lightening of this delicate orbital area and then the hard working herbs will help to resolve the underlying issue over 4-6 weeks.

Of course, I would love for you to resolve the issues that cause the dark circles in the first place. This would involve an intense supplementation program, stress reduction commitment and other lifestyle changes. Again, we have to remember that the skin is just an outward expression of our inner health and it is very difficult to have great looking skin without being healthy on the inside too. 

Yours in health,

Dr. Linda Miles, D.O.M.