Sunscreen is the number one product to protect your skin from the aging process.
To date, there is not a criteria in the United States for measuring and labeling the amount of UVA defense that a sunscreen provides. The FDA, however, plans to introduce UVA standards within the next few years.
They would demand that manufacturers assess the sunscreen's ability to screen out UVA with a series of tests, then be given a 1 to 4 star rating; 1 indicating the lowest and 4 the highest among of UVA protection. Any manufacturer that does not meet the minimum requirements would have to label their products "no UVA protection."
In the meantime, for your skin's sake and safety, wear an SPF of at least 15 or higher everyday to protect yourself against UVB. And always be aware that no matter what sunscreen you use, some UV radiation will always get through to your skin. This is why you should still take precautionary measures like seeking out shade and wearing protective clothing.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Stress and Your Skin
For many years, stress has been linked to health issues. Migraines and high blood pressure can be signs that you've got too much on your plate. But, were you aware that one of the first places stress shows up is on your skin?
Whenever we feel overwhelmed or anxious, the pituitary gland is signaled by the hypothalamus, which sends a chemical message to the adrenal glands. This causes the adrenal to produce cortisol, which is a major stress hormone.
Once cortisol enters our system, it communicates with our organs and causes inflammation as a reaction to stress. What this means for the skin is that when a pore is inflamed, it becomes thick and swollen, and is more likely to become clogged. The matrix breaks down when collagen is inflamed and results in a wrinkle. Wrinkles, acne, itchiness and dryness appear with inflammation, and are telltale indicators of what is going on inside.
Our healthy habits are usually the first thing to go when we get stressed. We may eat junk food, skip going to the gym, smoke, or forgo our skin-care routines.
Learning how to take control of the things that are truly under our control - and believe it or not, many stressors fall into this category - is a great help. Preparing for times of stress and giving ourselves a break is the first step toward managing it.
Here are three skin care products that can help undo the damaging effects of life's daily stressors:
1. Moisturizer- it lessens the itch and dryness brought on by stress
2. Retinol- derived from vitamin A, retinol sloughs away dead skin cells and thickens the skin. Also targets acne, age spots, and wrinkles.
3. Glycolic/Salicylic Acid- gently exfoliates the skin, and salicylic calms the skin, especially during a breakout
Whenever we feel overwhelmed or anxious, the pituitary gland is signaled by the hypothalamus, which sends a chemical message to the adrenal glands. This causes the adrenal to produce cortisol, which is a major stress hormone.
Once cortisol enters our system, it communicates with our organs and causes inflammation as a reaction to stress. What this means for the skin is that when a pore is inflamed, it becomes thick and swollen, and is more likely to become clogged. The matrix breaks down when collagen is inflamed and results in a wrinkle. Wrinkles, acne, itchiness and dryness appear with inflammation, and are telltale indicators of what is going on inside.
Our healthy habits are usually the first thing to go when we get stressed. We may eat junk food, skip going to the gym, smoke, or forgo our skin-care routines.
Learning how to take control of the things that are truly under our control - and believe it or not, many stressors fall into this category - is a great help. Preparing for times of stress and giving ourselves a break is the first step toward managing it.
Here are three skin care products that can help undo the damaging effects of life's daily stressors:
1. Moisturizer- it lessens the itch and dryness brought on by stress
2. Retinol- derived from vitamin A, retinol sloughs away dead skin cells and thickens the skin. Also targets acne, age spots, and wrinkles.
3. Glycolic/Salicylic Acid- gently exfoliates the skin, and salicylic calms the skin, especially during a breakout
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