Choosing the Right Type of Vitamin C For Brighter Skin Results

Hola, and welcome beautiful FALL BREEZE!

Fall is a great time to support yourself in the renewal taking place in and around you.

The lymphatic system and your skin are working hard to slough off the layers of stagnant skin.

Don’t have time in these cray cray times to book a facial?


I HEAR YOU, so let's chat real quick about the best two part skin ritual to add right now as we transition seasons.

I know, in a new age of beauty, women like you want to know what's in the bottle and that it meets the standards of being solution based and effective. 

As a product formulator, I love the science of skin care ingredients, and today I'm briefing VITAMIN C - and what to look for. 

Because it’s damn confusing out there - and I can almost guarantee - many women are over-paying for their brightening solutions.

Face it, research studies find it's helpful in some ways, but also VERY
OVER-HYPED in other ways.

Here we GLOW >>>

Vitamin C - The debrief.

First thing first.

Before you reach for any product, make sure you're getting the BIG C in your diet!

Our body and skin have certain enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These protective systems also include plenty of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E.

As these antioxidants are constantly being used up, they're also constantly needing replenishment: the foods that you eat provide a consistent supply of these important chemicals.  (That's why the antioxidants in your food are so critical to healthy skin.)


These foods make their way from your digestive system, to your blood supply, and from there to the tiny blood vessels that supply your skin. They then diffuse into the epidermis and dermis, where they protect your skin from free radicals.

That's the "inside-out" approach, now here's the critical part to know when applying vitamin C to the outer.

The Proper Vit C Formulation Is Critical

Just because it contains vitamin C, doesn't mean that it will be effective. 

FACT ONE:
Vitamin C is a water-soluble molecule, and …

FACT TWO:
your skin barrier is meant to repel water.

This is why I invest in cell deep LIPOSOMAL Vitamin C Ester in each Evoq formula.  These are fatty acids that are bioavailable to enter your cellular matrix for high efficacy and performance.

Why Fatty? 

Great question!

Vitamin C is a sure bet to quickly oxidize.   

In the presence of light, heat, and even oxygen, vitamin C quickly starts to destabilize, turning your high price investment into something far less effective.

IN FACT, some researchers are even concerned that an unstable vitamin C molecule can actually create MORE skin damage.

So, how do you protect your invested
Vit-C?  

1. Opt in for lipid based vitamin C. 

2. Then, make sure the product is protected from light, heat, and oxygen.

Get naturally BRIGHTER in just TWO STEPS  
Exfoliate and Renew with Evoq

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Sea Pearl 3-in-1 Micro-Polish

Unlike most exfoliation products on the market, Evoq's Sea Pearl Polish will not damage delicate capillaries and pores and is completely safe to use on a daily basis if needed.  I took rich sea pearls and incorporated them into a blend of isotonic sea water, food grade algae  and aloe vera gel to help soothe and protect the skin. 

FYI: Abrasive walnut and apricot exfoliators tear the skin, leaving your barrier leaking it's hydration and damaged over time.

Simply mask for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub with your fingertips in a circular motion and to let the rich algae base do the work – in other words, no need to exert a lot of pressure. RINSE!

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Brighten and Glow with Evoq’s
O2 & Vit C Serum

With just a few drops, restore firmness and reveal glowing skin with Vitamin C Esters that repair cells, brighten dullness, and eliminate dark spots.

High Performance Ingredients

Botanical Stem Cells of Narcissus and Madonna Lily- Reduce skin discoloration by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes, which can create dark spots.

Vitamin C Esters- Gently brighten skin to reduce dark spots and scars, and regulates oil production.

Liquid Oxygen(Perfluorodecalin)- Decreases the look of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin’s volume.

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HOW EVOQ SKINCARE IS DIFFERENT

ORGANIC + BIOAVAILABLE  + BIOMIMETIC

Due to the mineral content and weight being identical to the human skin and blood - algae is amongst the most compatible ingredients, allowing all layers of the dermis to readily absorb high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, calcium and essential protein chains to plump and boost collagen and firm and prevent wrinkles.  Be proactive and preventative - It’s worth every drop - your skin will be left fresh, dewy, and renewed.

Look Younger While Living Longer (a plastic surgeon's perspective)

As a beauty and health professional, I get all types of questions form our guests about what I think about botox, lasers and potential natural alternatives.  While I am not here to position my opinion (every case is personal and individual), I thought this podcast would help add to the conversation on botox, skin health and "aging" tactics. 

The Episode

This episode explores the question of how we can maintain a naturally youthful look as we get older. Brett — a New York City oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in both non-surgical and surgical cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the eyes and face — shares some remarkably practical advice on everything from the most extensive procedural options, down to the simple steps one can do themselves, starting today, that can make a tremendous impact.  

Check out this podcast hosted by Peter Attia showcasing Brett Kotlus, MD.  I've also left the show notes to skim through the chit chat. 

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The Discussion Outlined

• History of medical training that led to Brett’s current interests [5:00];
• What changes occur that make skin look older over time? [8:00];
• How to avoid the “unnatural” look associated with cosmetic surgery [17:00];
• Facial augmentation, fixing eye-bags, and picking the right provider [22:15];
• Common botox mistakes, and how to do it right [37:30];
• Protect and rejuvenate your skin with these 3 main tools [46:30];
• Latest trends in cosmetic industry, botox, cryolipolysis, the various forms of facials, and PRP [1:05:00];
• Importance of picking a provider you trust, rather than a device you want [1:31:30];
• Future of the cosmetic field [1:33:00]; and
• More.

Dont miss our awesome discount below to get started NOW on healthy, long term aging to cover all the fundamental levels of the dermis and its critical regenerative abilities.  

You can find all show notes and the PODCAST HERE. 

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My Final Comments

On a professional level in the skin industry, it's a delight to see Brett commenting on UV protection, the power of the RIGHT kind of vitamin C (although I much prefer C-Ester due to it being enveloped in fatty acids to travel deep and deliver), and more education on the great tactics of Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP).

Really, the critical piece to capture on healthy aging come down to drinking plenty of water, quality nutrition, fresh air with doses of healthy sun, moving our body for detoxification and ridding old negative thought patterns.  

In closing, here are my top HIGH POWERED skin solutions with levels of actives need for true skin transformation - when used consistently.  

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I'm OFFERING a limited time discount to get you started. 

ENTER ' GREATSKIN ' and you'll receive 15% off your order!

 

SEA PEARL EXTRACT­ 

Works to slough away dull epidermal cells and reveal a brighter, more luminous complexion.

ISOTONIC SEA WATER­ 

Infuses skin with essential minerals and trace elements needed for healthy skin.

SHEA BUTTER + SUNFLOWER

Protects skin from everyday toxins and promotes cell renewal, while soothing dryness, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis with Vitamins A and E.

View fullsize

 

BOTANICAL STEM CELLS OF NARCISSUS AND MADONNA LILY­ 

educes skin discoloration by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes, which can create dark spots. 

VITAMIN C ESTERS

Gently brighten skin to reduce dark spots and scars, and regulates oil production.

LIQUID OXYGEN ­ 

Decreases the look of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin’s volume

 

HIBISCUS SYRIACUS, RUTIN, & IRIS PALLIDA STEM CELL EXTRACTS­ 

Plant­ based stem cell extracts stimulate cellular turnover, giving skin a younger, fresher look and feel.

SODIUM HYALURONATE­ 

Locks in moisture to plump up wrinkles, leaving skin looking firmer, and helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines.

NANNOCHLOROPSIS ALGAE EXTRACT (OMEGA­ 7 FATTY ACIDS)­ 

An anti­-inflammatory extract of algae that reduces redness and calms irritated skin.

 

HIBISCUS MALIC ACID

Natural acids increase cell turnover to support fresher, younger, smoother looking skin.

MARINE CRISTE EXTRACT OR “SEA RETINOL” 

Patented Sea Retinol visibly smoothes wrinkles and creates a radiant complexion.

LIQUID OXYGEN (PERFLUORODECALIN) 

Decreases the look of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin’s volume and improves the look of dark circles over time.

 

25% NON­-NANO ZINC OXIDE 35 SPF­ 

Reduces visibility of skin damage by eliminating free radicals that increase the risk of skin cancer. Safe for the whole family. 

VITAMIN D3 (CHOLECALCIFEROL)­ 

Traditional sunscreens block natural intake of vitamin D but our Primer is infused with it to offset what your skin doesn’t take in on its own.

SUNFLOWER SEED (VITAMIN E)

­Naturally a UV absorbent, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and lightens dark, under­eye circles and scars.

Can Lemon Juice Help Lighten and Brighten Your Skin?

  YOU BET  it can, but let me explain how and why.....

As we approach the age of 30, our body tends to unleash creeping  inadequacies  within our skin and outer appearance.   Dark spots, age spots, hyper-pigmentation, an uneven skin tone, and many other skin pigmentation conditions have a specific reason of manifestation.  Aging is commonly blamed for being the main cause for skin blemishes, but the reality it is only partially true.  While it plays a part, it is not one of the primary causes.

Three Cause and Effects of Skin Blemishes:

• UVA rays- The most common cause of  skin conditions is too much exposure to direct sunlight without protection.

Most people will begin to develop these spots when they are middle aged or later in life, so yes age is involved, but the underlying cause is overexposure to UVA rays throughout your life.

When your skin is exposed to UVA rays, it produces an excessive amount of Melanin, which when you are younger gives your skin the appearance of an overall even tan. As we become older this Melanin has a tendency to clump together in areas that have been over exposed to the sun, and that is why such a high percentage of these conditions are located on visible skin.

• Skin trauma- There are many skin pigmentation conditions that are linked to trauma of the skin.

Some common skin traumas include acne damages, infections, wounds, eczema, contact dermatitis, and certain reactions to skin care products, all of which can cause skin discoloration.

• Genetics- A persons genes play a role in how susceptible they are to developing skin blemishes. Also, skin conditions such as freckles, moles, acne, and melasma (which is often caused by hormonal changes when taking birth control or during pregnancy) rely highly on your genetic make up.

Here is the GOOD NEWS!  In most cases, you can fade these areas of skin, and regain a your complexion just by using all natural techniques and recipes. Lemon juice happens to be one of the most common ingredients found in many of these recipes.

Why Lemon Juice is So Effective

As you may or may not know, lemon juice contains tons of Vitamin C, which is among some of the purest natural antioxidants that there are. Antioxidants that are this pure have been scientifically proven to reduce the amount of melanin that is produced when applied to your skin and used regularly.

If you currently have a skin lightening regime, then you probably know that exfoliating your skin on a consistent basis is an important aspect to achieving a lighter skin tone. Exfoliation is the process of removing old, dead skin cells that are attached to a fresh, new layer of cells that lie below. These cells die off daily, making your skin appear dull, so it is important to eliminate them and reveal the glowing layer of cells that awaits below.

There are five Alpha Hydroxy acids that possess the characteristics needed to break the bond that holds your dead skin cells to your fresh cells, and citric acid is one of the five that carries these characteristics.

Therefore lemon juice should most certainly be included in your natural exfoliation recipes because it carries a very high level of citric acid!

Recipes to try at home:

Skin Lightening Mask

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon tomato juice

1 tablespoon cucumber juice

1 tablespoon sandal wood paste

Mix all ingredients into a paste, apply to face, and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize. This can be done 2-3 times a week.

Skin Lightening for Dry Skin

1 tablespoon powdered milk

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 drops of essential oil

Mix ingredients together, apply to affected area of skin and let sit for 20-25 min. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and moisturize.

Natural Exfoliation Recipe

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 egg white

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix ingredients well, using your fingers massage the mixture in a circular motion onto your skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize. This can be done two times a week. For sensitive skin try once a week.

Remember…whatever you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body! It’s best to choose safe and natural skin care to help prevent parabens, sulfates and other cancer causing ingredients to enter your bloodstream!

“As much as 60% of topical skin-care products are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.” Says Dr. Nancy Lonsdrof, M.D. an lowa-based physician. “They should be consumed with the same prudence that we use to choose our breakfast cereal.” – April 2006 issue of Women’s Health Magazine.

Related Articles:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2300114_use-lemon-lighten-skin.html

http://blog.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/2011/04/06/enough-vitamin-c/

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Lemon-to-Lighten-Your-Skin

http://www.naturalnews.com/035614_lemon_juice_toxic_chemicals_home.html

Thank you: References by guest post  Paul Miller.

Glutathione, a Key Antioxidant and Anti-aging Factor

Did You Know?    Your Cells Can Produce Super Anti-Oxidant Enzymes

According to Dr Joe McCord, who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine four times, our cells have the ability to produce super anti-oxidant enzymes that can each eliminate up to "one million free radicals per second, every second, 24 hours a day", without being depleted!  This makes all other plant based anti-oxidant products pale in comparison - because one molecule of a plant derived anti-oxidant only eliminates one free radical molecule and they are both eliminated in the process.

Everything that eats has to go to the bathroom, including our body cells, and every cell that lives on oxygen has the byproduct of free radicals.  Our cells have a gene that can be "switched on" again so they can produce the same levels of super anti-oxidant enzymes as a healthy 20 year old, which is the same levels as found at birth!

The single most important factor in this understanding and slowing down of aging, is in the area of free radicals. Free radicals are reactive molecules found in the body.  They are produced by cells every time food is metabolized, by the immune system to fight infection, and by various types of toxins that one can be exposed to in day to day life.  Free radicals are unstable and their goal is to become stable by acquiring an electron. This results in a deleterious chain reaction. As one free radical becomes stable, another free radical is formed. This can be a real problem and eventually lead to accelerated aging and disease when the electrons grabbed, to stabilize free radicals come from cell membranes, mitochondria, DNA, and so on...

Substances called antioxidants, neutralize free radicals by donating their own electrons. Antioxidants normally come from our diet, but if our diet does not provide the body with specific vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients we will have difficulty quenching free radicals and we will experience oxidative stress. In other words, free radicals start outnumbering the antioxidants and start doing damage to the body.

Just as oxidation causes an apple to turn brown when exposed to air and metal to rust, oxidation causes the body to age. And poor dietary choices aren't the only contributing factors of oxidative stress. The following is a list of factors that impact levels of free radicals and the ability to deactivate their destructiveness:

* pollution,

* drugs,

* radiation,

* stress,

* trauma,

* injury,

* burns,

* and infection by viruses and bacteria.

There are many antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like selenium and zinc, but the most powerful antioxidant of all is glutathione. An endogenous or intracellular antioxidant, it is found in every cell of the body. Other antioxidants are exogenous, meaning they come from outside sources, ie the food we eat. Glutathione, however, is manufactured within the cell using specific building blocks or precursors from food. The reason the glutathion is the key cellular antioxidant is that when other antioxidants become imbalanced after the loss of one of their electrons, glutathione neutralizes the danger and recharges the antioxidants by donating an electron. These spent antioxidants can once again go about their job protecting the body.

Results of a new peer-reviewed study published online in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine clearly demonstrates that the synergistic impact of the active ingredients used in the formulation of Protandim(R) dramatically increases the body's production of glutathione, a key antioxidant and anti-aging factor, as well as increases important antioxidant enzymes

Dr. Joe McCord, a co-author of the study, commented, "The results of this study may change how we view aging and the factors that impact healthy aging. Notably, glutathione, which is of particular interest to many disease researchers, was increased more than 300 percent with Protandim. Glutathione plays a key role in the immune system and when glutathione levels drop, a person's ability to fight disease also decreases. In addition to the findings on glutathione, the study also shows that Protandim delivers an antioxidant benefit to the body that exceeds those provided by vitamins E and C."

McCord added, "Contrary to popular belief, our bodies don't actually rely upon the intake of vitamins, such as C and E, to maintain proper antioxidant balance; rather we utilize a complex network of antioxidant enzymes to maintain health and protect against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is damaging to our bodies in that it is a major contributor to aging, weakened immune function, and over 200 diseases. In fact, the use of direct antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, as an effective way to reduce oxidative stress has been largely discredited in the past few years. Under some circumstances, vitamins such as C and E can actually promote oxidative stress rather than relieve it. Protandim(R) reduces oxidative stress by enhancing the body's entire network of antioxidant enzymes."

The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Colorado Denver and Ochsner Medical Center and illustrates that all five of Protandim's active ingredients contribute synergistically to the composition's activity, allowing it to work at low, pharmacologically attainable doses of each. Even low doses of Protandim were shown to induce human cells to increase their production of many antioxidant enzymes, and other anti-aging factors.

Learn more here about Glutathione and Protandim!