The Power of Vitamin D - From our Derm RF

Great post from our Derm RF site that I thought I'd share with you.  I had no idea how much Vitamin D does for you. Worth the quick read:

If you want an “A” in anti-aging this summer, don’t drop your vitamin D supplement just because it’s sunny outside. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets in children, maintains bone density in adults, may inhibit certain cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and possibly lessens the risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis. While it is true that sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you get your daily value of vitamin D from non-sun sources such as vitamin D–fortified milk, orange juice, salmon and other fatty fishes or a multivitamin. The truth is, if you seek your vitamin D from the sun, you’ll soak up a whole lot more than you bargained for, including accelerated aging and an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Retinoids and Peptides – Your Anti-Aging Arsenal

One of the major causes of aging is sun damage.  It’s just not fair, but it’s true.  Retinoids and Peptides should be in your anti-aging skincare arsenal.  This is because they are both effective in treating sun damaged skin AND reducing fine lines and wrinkles.  While Retin-A (retinoid) is the only FDA-approved topical treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, both peptides, Retin-A, and Alpha-hydroxys are shown in many studies to provide a boost to your skin. 

Retin-A (prescription form) and Retinol (over the counter cousin) are about as close to a silver bullet as you can get for fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.  Retinoids normalize cell function, shrink pores, improve cell turnover, and affect the retention and production of collagen. These attributes combined provide you with a powerful tool for improving skin texture, fading sun spots and freckles, and reducing fine lines, acne scars and wrinkles. 

Alpha-Hydroxys and Anti-Aging Skincare

While you can’t control all the elements and how they impact your skin, there are things you can do to postpone the effects of aging and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  If you simply moisturize and use sun protection, some wrinkles will naturally soften or disappear.  The next step is to look to cosmetics and cosmetic procedures to reduce wrinkles.  At the top of the ingredient list are products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), Retinoids (including Retin A), and Peptides.  This post focuses on Alpha-hydroxy acids. 

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) – AHAs are typically derived from food products including glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from sour milk), malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits) and tartaric acid (from grape wine).  Products made from glycolic acid may be more effective as this AHA does a better job of penetrating the skin. 

Aging Benefits of Antihistamines

From the Rodan+Fields DermRF:

Along with April showers and May flowers come allergies, which has most of us battling runny noses and itchy eyes. But allergies don’t just affect the way you feel, they can also affect the way you look. And that’s because over time, constantly rubbing your nose and eyes will accelerate the appearance of wrinkles. The most iconic? The “allergic salute,” otherwise known as the wrinkle that appears across the bridge of the nose due to years of rubbing.

However, by taking antihistamines to reduce the itchy symptoms that trigger all that scratching, you are actually doing your skin a favor and preventing those wrinkles from ever forming. So take a hands off approach to your skin and start thinking of your antihistamine as not only an anti-allergy solution, but an anti-aging one as well!

To fight existing fine lines and wrinkles order Redefine products today from Rodan+Fields or visit our website for more information on products and results.

The Real Deal on Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a fact of life, a sign of maturity (for most of us) and add beautiful character to your face.  Getting them too early or getting too many, however, is something many of us try to avoid.  In order to reduce and reverse the effects of aging, you first need to understand why you get wrinkles and fine lines in the first place. 

Aging and Wrinkles
Although genetics plays a major part in how your face ages and when, environmental factor such as sun exposure, pollution and smoking are major contributors to wrinkles.  The outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis, is the “protector” of the inner layers of your skin.  However some environmental elements, like sun exposure, reach through the epidermis to the inner layers of your skin. The Dermis, the second layer of your skin, is the foundation for your face.  It plays an important role in connectivity, firmness, and elasticity. Over time this layer thins, produces less collagen, and loses its ability to “spring back”, causing the face to wrinkle and sag. As your skin ages, it doesn’t do as good a job at retaining moisture which gives it a double whammy to the wrinkle process. 

Solutions for Sensitive Skin

About 50% of people have sensitive skin concerns.  Some experience skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, while a larger percentage are likely to have a genetic pre-disposition making them more susceptible to the impact of the environment, including stress, climate change, travel, sun exposure, and cosmetic overuse. 

Oprah and the Macro E - In the Press

O Magazine's executive beauty editor put our REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator to the test, remarking that the next morning "makeup glides over my incredibly soft, clear skin."  She also loves the suction power and our electronic DOC-SMART technology and LED display that guides you during the exfoliation.   Used once a week, this hand-held, personal use exfoliation tool sweeps away dead skin cells leaving behind a smoother, healthier-looking and more luminous complexion. The proof is in the filter where you can see the dulling, dead outermost skin cells and debris that have been covering up your best skin. Read the full mention on O Magazine.  Order your own Macro Exfoliator and redefine the look and feel of your skin or enter to win a FREE MACRO E.

The Solution for Blemishes and Acne Scars

Breakouts? Unpredictable? Unreasonable? Unfair? Take control with our UNBLEMISH Regimen. Clinically proven to combat the entire acne cycle, this sophisticated regimen helps unclog pores, clears breakouts and calms your complexion to keep pimples, blackheads and post-acne marks from making an unwelcome appearance on your face—and in your life.

Since many acne sufferers have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the remnant red/brown marks following  a healed blemish, we offer UNBLEMISH Spot Fading Toner. However, if you are one  of the lucky few who does not experience PIH, use our UNBLEMISH Clarifying Toner as an alternative.  Order you R+F Unblemish Regimen today or try our Solutions Tool to find the best products for your skincare concerns.

Summertime - Get Control of Oily Skin

Here is a recent post from the Rodan+Fields DermRF page that you may find helpful -especially if you are looking for ways to get control of oily skin in the summer time: 

As we spring into warmer weather, you might notice that your skin is producing more oil than normal. It’s not uncommon—hot weather triggers an increase in natural oil production. This change is welcome for some, but if you already struggle with oiliness or acne, it’s not exactly the glow you’re going for.

The good news is that you can impact your skin’s oil production with the right skincare. For acne-prone skin, switch from a heavy cream to a light lotion as the temperatures rise. If your skin is oily, switch to an oil-control lotion. And for best results, anticipate your skin’s needs and start the transition early, before your skin has a chance to respond. Now is the time to start preparing for the warm days of summer. - Rodan and Fields DermRF

For a light lotion that works well for any skin type, try Essentials Daily Body Moisturizer.
If you need an oil-control lotion in the summertime, I recommend our Unblemish Oil Control Lotion.
Feel free to browse our site for more information and Rodan+Fields Skincare Solutions.