Anti-aging: natural anti-aging skincare routines

natural anti-aging skincare routines

Anaiti Anti-Wrinkle Smoothing Serum

June 1, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Anaiti Anti-Wrinkle Smoothing Serum is a powerhouse of ingredients that provide long-term benefits to the skin as well as offer immediately visible skin improvements including light deflection to soften the look of wrinkles and fine lines, plus plumping and moisturizing the skin for a youthful, dewy glow. It is suitable for use under makeup or worn alone on a natural no-makeup or low-makeup face.

APPLICATION
The serum comes in a pump bottle; the product is a creamy white. It is not sticky on contact or dry-down, but I try to allow a good 15 minutes before makeup application so the serum can fully soak in and dry well. There is no residue on the skin once it is dry and skin feels naturally soft to the touch. Skin also looks dewy immediately after application, and wrinkles are plumped and seem less prominent. There is a light deflecting property to the serum that makes skin look smoother and more even in tone and appearance.

A little goes a long way: one pump covers the entire face and the front of my throat. Apply it sparingly, no need to slather it on, which is tempting once you see the light reflecting properties of the serum.

INGREDIENTS
The Anaiti combines several active ingredients and soothing moisturizers. I like this dual approach to soothing while treating because my skin stays moist and supple enough to tolerate the stronger active ingredients such as Argireline, Matrixyl, and Renovage. Avoiding irritation during an anti-aging skin improvement regimen is a big plus and a worthwhile thing to find in any skincare product.

The Anaiti serum packs in several ingredients that are typically just seen in very expensive serums. A few of them are:

ARGIRELINE is sometimes called Botox in a Jar because it inhibits muscles that cause expression lines such as squinting, furrowing and frowning. Afraid you will look like an expressionless, vacant-eyed Stepford Wife with a face full of Botox? Don’t be, because there is no impairment of your actual facial expressions.

Research indicates that expression lines are due to muscle contraction, not the movement itself. Argireline mimics the protein that is involved in these involuntary contractions, and can stop the muscle contraction when moving facial muscles. But Argireline does not repair skin or boost collagen; it strictly limits future damage caused by wrinkle-causing contraction movements. Any product with Argireline alone won’t address aging: other ingredients address the repair and collagen production, including Matrixyl.

MATRIXYL kickstarts your skin into “repair mode” by telling skin to send more support to build more collagen and elastin. The layperson’s version of the science behind it is Matrixyl alerts the fibroblasts (the part of the collagen support or scaffolding) to go into collagen production overdrive, which is what it does when there has been an injury to the skin that needs collagen to rebuild and heal.

Meanwhile, the serum has also supplied the “building blocks” like Vitamin C that needed to make collagen, and via other supporting ingredients, it has gotten these building blocks past the surface layer of skin to where the collagen is missing and needs to rebuild. Elastin forms fibrils which act like the mattress springs to give the skin its elasticity and solidity. As we age, we naturally have much less of these collagen and elastin building blocks, so to have them available exactly when the skin is in repair mode is a very efficient way to get an abundance of collagen and elastin, similar to the amounts found in youthful skin. This Matrixyl trick works especially well on improving skin elasticity and wrinkles. I have seen my wrinkle depth significantly improve with the use of the serum. And the best part is the skin doesn’t “catch on” to the fact that Matrixyl is essentially tricking the skin working overtime every time you apply the serum to build as much collagen and elastin as it can, so it always works even if the serum is used twice a day.

RENOVAGE slows down the premature aging of cells. It operates on the deeper level skin issues. The value of Renovage in a product is to fix deep skin layer problems that surface serums and creams can’t reach. These issues include lightening over-pigmentation, reducing redness and improving skin firmness. Over-pigmentation can be caused by dark spots, acne, and scarring. It also works to some extent on undereye circles, depending on why the circles exist. Skin starts to get random brown spots and redness in the early 40’s and sometimes sooner due to sun damage. The results of Renovage take longer than other improvements seen with the serum, as it lessens pigmentation over the course of several months, and helps to start firming the skin in about a month. It firms the skin at the DNA level, a deeper layer of skin that if treated can improve sagging. I don’t have much sagging but do like applying this serum to the drooping areas on the sides of my mouth and around the eye area and a bit on my jawline.

SUPPORTING INGREDIENTS:
The serum contains one of my favorite support ingredients: the dual purpose HYALURONIC ACID. While it is an “acid”, it is not irritating, rather it makes skin soft and dewy without greasiness. It does this by holding a fair amount of water compared to its’ weight, so when I apply it over my just washed damp skin, it plumps the skin, giving a bit of a “lift” and immediately reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The second benefit to Hyaluronic Acid is that this moisture holding property gives it the ability to penetrate deep into the skin, almost serving as a microscopic transport system by pulling active ingredients that would not otherwise pass the skin barrier if they were not within the Hyaluronic Acid moisture content. When collagen-producing ingredients seep deeper into the skin and make collagen at lower levels of the skin which create better support for the “scaffolding” of the face. I’m always happy to see an active ingredient paired with Hyaluronic Acid because I know the Hyaluronic will enable the best results possible.

RESULTS
I like the immediate results of the appearance of dewy skin where wrinkles seem to diminish, and skin looks moist and youthful. Pores There is a light deflecting property to this serum that skin has a glow that is not sticky or fake looking, and it makes pores seem to disappear. Allow time for the serum to dry down before applying makeup.

Actual skin improvement showed in a couple of weeks, notably on my brown spots and wrinkles.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the difference in my skin after using the serum for a while and realizing how the brown spots I had around the top of my cheekbones were making my skin look older, much more so than any wrinkle does. The dark spots created a dull look to my skin, and I am happy to start to see a real improvement that the brown spots easily conceal with just a light powder instead of full foundation.

The depth and width of my wrinkles have improved over time. While the wrinkles are still there, they are lighter, less prominent and seem thinner in width. They appear smoother immediately upon the application of the serum due to the Hyaluronic Acid. The other wrinkle related issue I like about this serum is the wrinkle-prevention action of the Argireline. I often inadvertently crinkle my nose and brow when I am confused, so as a result, the pursuit of my Master’s Degree gives me “eleven lines” on the brow area of my forehead. I doubt I will stop being confused anytime soon, so I am glad to find a non-Botox injection way to pre-empt further deepening of those pesky furrows. I have one expression line on the top right of my forehead that is undetectable when I apply the serum and has significantly improved in general appearance with the consistent use of the Anaiti serum.

Included with the cream is a complimentary eBook entitled How to Use Oil Blends, a PDF geared toward understanding how to use natural oils for beauty purposes. It covers a variety of oil blend recipes ranging from acne skin care to cellulite treatments, eczema, beard care, pre-shave oils, as well as general topics such as how to correctly blend carrier oils and essential oils. An in-depth discussion of hair oils delineated by potential haircare problems is discussed as well.

The section I like best is Section Seven: Face Oils for the face. Washing the face with oil has become more popular within gentle skin care treatment, and oils are even used to gently massage blackheads into self-extraction. I like this approach over the overly drying skin care regimens that used to be the standard of skin care. What oils protect the face from potentially drying anti-aging treatments are discussed as well as and what product pairings are effective.

Anyone interested in this product will probably find interesting the benefits of washing your face with Vitamin C oil regimen for 12 weeks. How to do this at-home anti-aging treatment described in exacting detail in section 7.2

Anaiti Anti-Wrinkle Smoothing Serum

La Deessa Powerful Peptide Eye Serum

June 1, 2016 · Leave a Comment

They could charge much more for this serum; it is very effective. La Deessa products haven’t disappointed me yet: powerful ingredients without causing harsh dryness or redness to the skin. Like their retinol, Vitamin C, and other Le Deessa serums,this Peptide serum cause results of clearer, smoother more even skin the next day and offers long-term benefits. I was pretty excited to see that La Deessa made a Peptide eye cream.

APPLICATION:
There is no scent, and the serum is almost transparent. It applies evenly and smoothly with a consistency thicker than water but thinner than a gel. I found it best to allow about 15 minutes for dry-down before applying makeup, it is not sticky or greasy but does take a while to absorb. I also found out it doesn’t take much product to cover the eye area; one pump is enough for the eyes and the area above the eyebrows, which I like to apply the serum to as well. If I pump out too much (which is easy to do, the pump was a little tricky on my bottle and sometimes squirts product), I also apply it to my temple area. Lightly pat the product on with your pinky.

The serum is primarily intended for the delicate skin around the eyes but can also be used on the face. So I apply serum to areas I would like some support against sagging including my forehead, the nasal fold lines, and the corners of the mouth which tend to droop on me.

THE INGREDIENTS AND HOW THEY HELP ANTI-AGING
The ingredient “Peptide” is frequently included in skin care products but its purpose is sometimes vague. In this case, the Peptide in the La Deessa The Peptide Eye Serum encourages the production of two essential collagens: collagen 1 and collagen 111. Collagen 1 forms the collagen fibers which heal skin problems such as scars, and it builds the dermis layer of the skin. It is a common collagen. Collagen 111 is a complex collagen often found near collagen 1 and is a connective tissue collagen. The Peptide also causes the production of elastin fibroblasts which is the active cell framework that supports collagen cells by giving them a “kick-start” to go into repair response activation mode, as well as supporting collagen structures to keep skin from getting saggy.

Other Active Ingredients
Supporting ingredients can make or break a Peptide serum to help aid in skin regeneration and anti-aging. In addition to the Peptide, there are essential vitamins including A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C & E. Vitamin B’s are becoming more popular in anti-aging skin care, I like them because they fade adult acne scars and brown spots.

Supporting Ingredients
Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid both have short-term and long-term skin benefits. Aloe soothes the skin and penetrates the skin and supports skin cell reproduction. Hyaluronic Acid plumps the skin on contact giving it a dewy look and also helps the active ingredients sink deeper into the skin, which in this case, helps create collagen and supporting structures at a deeper level which results in less skin sagging.

RESULTS: After about two weeks of use, the delicate skin on my undereye area feels stronger, and the lines are less noticeable. Collagen builds over time, and I am to find a product that can strengthen the support of the skin around my eyes without irritating my sensitive eyes.

CONCLUSION: Great product, no irritation or redness, powerful but non-drying. The pump was fussy on mine, but not a deal breaker for me. Good product for a great price.

La Deessa Powerful Peptide Eye Serum

10% Glycolic AHA-Alpha Hydroxy Acid Serum for Chemical Peel-Pro Grade

May 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment

10% Glycolic (AHA-Alpha Hydroxy) Acid Serum for Chemical Peel-Pro Grade

This Serum is a 10% Pro-Grade AHA Glycolic Acid. I started using Glycolic Acid in my late twenties because I preferred to use peels to remove my dead skin instead of exfoliating it, my skin was just a smooth and more even in tone and texture without having to irritate it with grains and scrubbing. I read skin over 30 and sensitive skin respond better to peels than scrubs, and I found this to be true.

I especially like Glycolic Acid because skin doesn’t visibly peel and slough, which can sometimes be uneven and leave behind the partially peeled skin. Rather, with Glycolic Acid, dead skin just seems to melt away, and skin glows. It also helps with acne and blackheads. The reason is that Glycolic loosens the “cement” that binds dry and dead skin, so it just loosens and virtually melts dead skin, but it doesn’t alter fresher skin unless it irritates it with chemical additives.

As much as I love Glycolic Acid, it can sting and make skin red, and the chemical additives in many Glycolic Acids can irritate skin enough that it needs to be washed off fairly quickly. Ideally, if one can leave it on the skin for 10-30 minutes, it makes a huge difference on how much peeling can occur.

I like that the Serum Ceuticals AHA Glycolic has both soothing and treating ingredients in the serum. These help the skin tolerate the Glycolic remaining on the skin for longer periods of time because this can give the best short term smoothness and long term collagen regenerating result. It also does not contain any harsh chemical additives that irritate my skin, so I was able to leave the serum on my skin for a full 30 minutes, which is about 15 minutes longer than I have tolerated any other Glycolic. Like all their products, Serum Ceuticals uses a natural charge to preserve their products, which means it is more powerful with a longer shelf life than other organic/natural AHA’s and causes less irritation than AHA’s filled with chemical preservatives.

APPLICATION
Test a small dab of the serum on your earlobe 48-72 hours before use to see if you get any irritation. I did this step even though I have used AHA’s before.

There is no detectable scent, it is a watery consistency and comes in a bottle with an inverted dropper than only dispenses a drop at a time.

If you have not used AHA’s before, you might want only to leave the serum on about 10 minutes the first time. If you have used AHA’s, check the mirror frequently for redness but try for the full 30 minutes if you can tolerate it. I have sensitive skin and use Retinol but still was able to tolerate it for the full 30 minutes.

First, I slathered the serum on my forehead since that skin is less sensitive. Then I lightly applied it all over my face except the eye area, paying extra attention to some dark brown spots and wrinkles, the nasal folds, and the areas that my pores seem larger on both sides of the nose in the area of my cheek below my undereye bags. I also have some dark brown sunspots on the top of my cheekbones that I made sure had a good layer of the serum.

I didn’t feel any stinging or irritation, but at almost 30 minutes the apples of my cheeks had some redness, but it was not uncomfortable. I washed it off and applied a light moisturizer. If you have the Serum Ceuticals Ceramide, this is a great post-peel product to use to reduce any redness quickly. The redness lasted a few hours, but it was not painful and returned to normal. I did feel some skin exfoliate off my jawline, but mostly it was just smoother and even, especially my forehead. Two whiteheads that were just stuck in my skin and would not come out despite topical medicines expelled while washing the serum off my face and some clogging of blackheads around my nose and cheek disappeared. A pimple that was a just red bump for an extended period shrunk in size. My forehead wrinkle appeared shallow. My skin was very soft. I took two days off and did it again for the full thirty minutes.

I also used this on my hands for the full 30 minutes. My hands show more aging than my face does due to not applying sunscreen on my hands all these years. One treatment on my hands lightened some of the darker skin on my knuckles and cleaned up my chronically dry and uneven cuticles. The lines on my hands do not appear as deep. There was no irritation or redness.

Highly recommended for use 1-2 times a week, does not cause irritation even on my sensitive skin and I could see improvement after the first use. Will continue with the full recommended course and I will be purchasing this AHA again.

I received this item for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Derma Nu Anti-Aging Facial System

April 24, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Want an anti-aging program but don’t know where to start? Then this is a good kit because it has almost all of the heavy hitter anti-aging ingredients amongst the three products. These ingredients address puffiness and dryness immediately, lighten brown spots and acne scars quickly, and since topical Vitamin C increases collagen production, they reduce wrinkles and sagging over time (1-3 months). Sometimes wrinkles look worse due to lack of moisture or darkness within the wrinkle crevice, these issues may improve faster if these issues impact your wrinkles.

A veteran of anti-aging will also like the combination of ingredients that work in tandem to address multiple skincare issues.

This trio of anti-aging products is to be used together: a Vitamin C serum, the moisturizer that goes over the serum and an eye cream. I like that everything I need is together in one set since a good anti-aging program needs all three of these items.

NOTE: The moisturizer does have nut derivatives including Macadamia Oil, Coconut Oil, and Cocoa Butter

THE PRODUCTS IN THIS KIT
Vitamin C Serum: Hyaluronic Acid holds moisture so skin looks dewy and plump. It also helps the Vitamin C reach deeper into the skin. On application, skin feels tighter until it dries. Allow several minutes between applying the serum and the moisturizer to allow both to set properly. Does not sting, no real scent to it.

Youth Regenerating Moisturizing Cream
Vitamin C can be drying, so a good moisturizer on top is helpful, especially when Vitamin C is worn during the day. This moisturizer is semi-thick, (not liquid but not Nivea creme solid) and only a small amount with do the trick, I over-applied the first time. If you have ever used Creme de la Mer, you are familiar with the technique to hold the cream between the thumb and forefinger to allow it to warm up a bit and it will be easier to apply, I found this technique helpful in the application. There is cocoa butter in this and it has a semi-butter-like consistency. It took a while to dry down, so give it some time before applying your makeup. I generally apply it and do my hair, then my makeup to give it time to sink in and set.

Lots of good moisturizing ingredients packed into this including a Who’s Who of softening moisturizing oils including Grapeseed, Macadamia Nut, Flax Seed, Jojoba, Primrose, Rose Hip, Palm, Sunflower, Coconut, Avocado, and Borage Oils. Other ingredients include Co-Q-10 (Coenzyme Q-10), Vitamin B5 (a moisturizer and acne fighter), Aloe (to soothe redness), Arnica (for swelling and inflammation), and Cocoa Butter.

Youth Activating Eye Gel
Specifically addressing eye area needs including increased collagen production needs on the delicate undereye skin and the reduction of puffiness around the eye. This is via the Peptide Complex paired with Hyaluronic Acid to drive the Peptide Complex deeper into the skin. The Peptide Complex is a combination of proteins including MSM and L-arginine. MSM is used for connective tissue and collagen production which help the skin around the eye not sag. L-arginine is a reparative building block of skin that repairs burns and sun damage. There was no smell and it was not sticky to apply. Wait awhile before applying makeup on top of the gel. One pump should cover both eyes but you can apply it to the browbone as well.

SOMETHING I DON’T LIKE
Don’t like that the silver decorative line on the clear cap starts to wear off and ends up as little glitter sparkles that transfer onto my fingers and end up on my face when applying the product. To deal with this I just put some scotch tape on the silver ring.

And as much as I love a powerhouse of ingredients, I do have a some minor skin reaction to the daily use of the nut products, so I alternate this set off with other products during the week. If you don’t have this issue, then this is a great daily anti-aging set.

CONCLUSION
Good set with quality ingredients for both anti-aging beginners and veterans. It really hits all the anti-aging and moisturizing bases.

The only other thing you may wish to add to your regimen is a Retinol Serum at night, but using twice a day Vitamin C Serum is effective as well especially for jump-starting collagen production.

Find it at Amazon.com.

Derma Nu Anti-Aging Facial System

I received this kit for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with the product, leave me a comment below and Iâ€™ll get back to you!