Pharmacymix.com, Skin Care Pharmacy and Blog Specializing in Anthelios and Mexoryl Sunscreens

How To Keep Your Hands Looking Young

Besides facial wrinkles and age spots, your hands can actually give away your age. And that’s because along with the face, your hands are one of the most exposed parts of your body. Not only do we put them through the rigors of our daily work, but they’re also exposed to damaging environmental influences, such as harsh weather and UV radiation. It’s important to take preventative measures to ward off the premature aging effects of these influences. Today, I’ll describe the benefits of using moisturizers and sunscreens as part of your anti-aging skin care routine for your hands.

Using Moisturizers

It’s common for hands to become incredibly dry when they’re constantly exposed to the weather and sun. If neglected long enough, they can become chapped, cracked, and lifeless looking. In severe conditions, they might become so dry that they begin bleeding. You should be using a well formulated moisturizer repeatedly throughout the day. Whenever you wash your hands, apply it by thoroughly massaging it into your skin. Apply it again whenever your skin calls out for moisture. Ideally, you should try to have access to a moisturizer wherever you are (in your car, at work, and at home).

In addition to emollients, moisturizers can contain antioxidants, skin lighteners and sunscreen. These additional ingredients can protect skin by fighting against damage or helping to reverse some of the effects of aging.  

Protection From UV Radiation

Most people realize that the sun’s UV rays can cause long-lasting damage. Because your hands are constantly exposed, they’re extremely susceptible. Part of the damage is caused by damage due to free radicals, unstable molecules that can speed up the aging process. This damage is accelerated by UV radiation, resulting in the loss of collagen as well as DNA damage and other effects. Your hands should not be neglected from protection with a broad spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays, in particular, can penetrate deeply into the skin, causing wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

Those are the basics of an anti-aging skin care routine for your hands. The important thing to remember is that their constant exposure to the weather and UV radiation makes them extremely vulnerable to cellular damage. Over time, that can cause them to lose their youthful appearance. Below are a few highly-effective formulations that you can use for protection.

Lac-Hydrin Lotion - This exfoliating lotion clears away dead skin cells and will sooth dry, rough and itchy skin anywhere on the body. 

La Roche Posay Hand Repair Cream - For severely dry hands, this moisturizing solution restores the skin’s protective hydrolipidic layer, offering resistance from the damaging effects of the environment.

La Roche Posay Iso-Urea - This formula hydrates and rids dry skin of roughness by restoring the protective hydrophilic film of the skin.

Anthelios Sunscreens - offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection against the sun’s UV rays. There are a range to choose from; apply to hands and rest of body.

How Vitamin E Protects Skin Cells

There are dozens, even hundreds, of ingredients that skin care and cosmetic manufacturers put into their products. And there’s no shortage of claims regarding the efficacy of those ingredients. However, most lack substantial research that includes double-blind, placebo-based clinical studies to support the claims. Vitamin E is one of the few ingredients for which a significant amount of research has been conducted. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant that can deliver a number of benefits to the skin.

Vitamin E is is the collective name for a set of 8 related tocopherols and tocotrientols, with α-tocopherol(also referred to as alpha-tocopherol) being most easily absorbed and used by the body. Today, let’s take a closer look at Vitamin E and how it protects skin cells. I’ll also explain why combining it with a Vitamin C concentration increases its effectiveness. Finally, I’ll describe a few topical applications that use Vitamin E to protect and heal the skin.

Advantages Of Vitamin E

There are several ways in which Vitamin E offers protection. First, as a powerful antioxidant, it helps to protect against free radical damage. Because free radicals cause damage by breaking down collagen fibers, they lead to wrinkles and other long term damage. Vitamin E prevents that from happening. It is also effective for protecting the skin’s outermost layer from early UV damage, limiting the potential for sunburns.

Vitamin E is particularly useful as an ingredient in topical formulations because it can be absorbed into the skin. This helps it to improve the effectiveness of active ingredients that are found in most well formulated sunscreens. Its absorption quality also helps it maintain the skin’s protective barrier by preventing the loss of moisture.

Vitamins E And C: A Potent Duo

Even though Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin cells, it’s even more effective when combined with Vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant. Research has shown that both vitamins can enhance the antioxidative properties of each other. That makes them natural partners for the prevention of cellular damage caused by free radicals. Studies show that they work well together to inhibit lipid peroxidation - a condition that results in the breakdown of lipids.

Topical Application

By preventing the spread of free radicals, protecting the epidermis from UV damage, and increasing the efficacy of active sunscreen ingredients, both Vitamins E and C are potent ingredients. In addition, formulations that include both tend to yield better results than either vitamin can deliver on its own. Following are 3 solutions that use Vitamin E to protect and maintain the cellular structure of your skin.

Reversa Skin Firming Gel - A solution that includes Vitamin E to reduce wrinkles by improving the skin’s elasticity and encouraging the production of elastin and collagen.

Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+ - This extremely popular and effective sunscreen not only contains effective sun filters, but also Vitamin E to further protect skin cells against UV damage. 

Credentials Glycolic Face Creme 8% - Glycolic acid, antioxidants - grapeseed extract and licorice extract plus Vitamin E help to exfoliate skin and calm skin, providing a perfect solution to dry, mature skin.

Toners - Why You Need One

There is an ongoing debate regarding whether the use of toners is necessary for keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy. In truth, a lot of people misunderstand the benefits that toners provide. They’re commonly confused with cleansers and similar products that are supposed to remove excess residue from your skin. Today, I’ll describe the benefits of using toners, so you’ll understand what they offer and why you should include them in your daily skin care routine.

Benefits Of Facial Toners

First, to clear up any confusion, you should be using a gentle cleanser on your skin to help remove face and eye makeup as well as excess oil. That said, cleansers are often not enough. Some cleansers aren’t as effective at unclogging your skin’s pores as toners. As a result, oily skin can still develop blackheads. A toner can cleanse your skin by removing oil, particles, and other material that would otherwise clog your pores.

Another benefit is that they can help support the skin’s natural protective barrier. Some cleansers are harsh and can strip this barrier away. People who have sensitive skin are often susceptible to contaminants and other environmental influences such as pollution. If the protective barrier isn’t left intact, tiny particles can accumulate on their skin. Over time, these particles can cause a reaction.

A toner may also help remove dead skin cells before they build up on the surface of the skin. It does this by incorporating exfoliants that clear away the dead skin cells, preventing them from filling and clogging the pores. Finally, after using harsh soaps or facial washes, the skin’s ph balance can be disturbed. Facial toners can quickly restore the ph balance.

Selecting The Right Toners

Not all toners are created equal. Some are gentle on your skin while others can be overly harsh. It’s important that you use a toner that doesn’t irritate your skin, causing reactions or redness. Also, you’ll want to select a formulation that doesn’t dry your skin in the process of removing excess oil. The following 3 solutions offer a high level of efficacy:

Neostrata Toning Solution - A formulation designed specifically for oily skin, it uses an 8% glycolic acid concentration to remove excess oil and unclog pores while leaving the skin’s protective barrier intact.

La Roche Posay Physiological Solution - Perfect for sensitive skin, this solution causes tiny particles resting on the skin’s surface to bunch together, making them easier to remove. It includes soothing cleansing ingredients that help get rid of impurities without causing irritation.

Reversa 3 in 1 Gel Cleanser - This gentle formulation is a facial cleanser, makeup remover and moisturizer all in one. Rich in humectant glycerin, it lifts away dirt, excess oil and makeup without stripping your skin’s natural lipids.

Are Big Brand Cosmetics Better Than Small Brands?

Billions of dollars are spent each year on cosmetics and most of the sales are driven by the major brands. They spend millions of dollars annually on marketing to help them maintain a continuous presence and spread the word about their products. But, that doesn’t mean their products are better. Cosmetics vary widely with regards to the quality of the ingredients used. The question is, are big brands better than small brands?

Today, we’re going to explore the infrastructure of large cosmetic companies. In doing so, I’ll shed light on how their process might affect the quality of their products.

Marketing Vs. Quality Ingredients

It’s important to understand that all companies, whether they sell cosmetics, clothes, or cars deal with finite financial resources. Large cosmetic manufacturers have a limited budget, portions of which are allocated to marketing, research, and ingredients. They usually devote most of their resources to marketing and advertising in order to keep profits flowing while operating a huge corporation. And while it’s certainly not the case for every big brand or every product produced by a large scale manufacturer, there are two potential problems.

First, there may be less money available to invest in high-quality ingredients. The millions of dollars spent on marketing siphons money away from production. Second, there is constant pressure and temptation to cut corners. This can translate into using lower-quality ingredients or lower concentrations of effective ingredients, both which help to reduce costs. In the end, this balancing act relies on more marketing, to encourage customers to buy cosmetics that could have been manufactured to a higher standard.

Big Brands Are Slow To Adapt

Clinical research is ongoing in the skin care industry. One of its goals is to uncover new ingredients that can be used in cosmetics to offer higher levels of efficacy. This presents another obstacle to large brand name cosmetic companies. Their corporate structure often prevents quick adaptation to new soltuions. Thousands of employees, expensive buildings, layers of management, and expectant shareholders can all contribute to slow changes. As better ingredients are constantly discovered, tested, and used by smaller brands, large companies may find it difficult to respond.

Cutting Edge Cosmetics

One of the advantages of smaller brands is that they’re not hampered by the enormous costs of running a massive corporate structure. They can react to new discoveries quickly, using the highest-quality ingredients in their cosmetics. Smaller companies spend very little on marketing, preferring to allocate their resources to research and production. Good skin care products come from both large and small companies. Gauge the product by its virtues and not because its manufacturer has a massive marketing  budget. Here are three that deliver, regardless of who manufactured them: 

Anthelios SPF 60 Cream with Mexoryl XL - One of the most powerful sunblocks available, this formulation uses Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX to offer broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Green Cream - This high potency retinol cream helps to stimulate collagen production, increase cell turnover, unclog pores and should be considered an integral part of any anti aging skin care regimen.

UltimaSkin Potent C Serum - This formulation is one of our most recent additions and includes a 12% Vitamin C concentration. Not only can it inhibit the spread of harmful free radicals, it also offers protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays.