I created this website to help you learn how to select products that will improve your skin's health and appearance. You will also learn about ingredients that are ineffective or downright dangerous.
Independent unbiased studies have confirmed that some compounds are effective for delaying or reversing the visible signs of aging. Most studies are conducted by the cosmetic companies responsible for the product. It is safe to say that those studies are biased.
Manufacturers are not required to prove the safety of a cosmetic ingredient before releasing it to the public. They are not required to prove the ingredient or the complete formula is effective.
The claims made by cosmetic companies typically refer to one or two ingredients in the formula. Whether or not those ingredients are included in the right form or the right concentration is anyone's guess.
Some of the most popular ingredients provide no benefits at all, because they cannot penetrate through the skin's surface. Their popularity has to do with misinformation and misunderstandings.
Collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are examples. You will see them listed on the label of many anti-aging creams and lotions.
Many people know that the amount of collagen present in the skin decreases with age. This is one of the things that leads to thinning and causes the skin to become more transparent. Loss of collagen is a major cause of dark circles under the eyes.
The production of collagen and elastin fibers decreases with age. This leads to sagging skin and increases the risk of wrinkles.
You cannot increase the amount of collagen in the skin by applying it directly. You cannot promote the growth of elastic fibers by applying collagen and elastin. The molecules of the structural proteins are too large to penetrate. The ingredients provide no benefit.
Many people are aware that the skin's hyaluronic acid levels decrease with age. Hyaluronic acid plays a role in the production of new skin cells. It is needed to maintain the skin's moisture balance. It is the glue that holds epidermal cells together.
Low levels of hyaluronic acid are another cause of dark circles under the eyes. It is also a cause of sagging, roughness, uneven texture and tone.
Dermatologists have said that hyaluronic acid does nothing when it is applied to the surface. Once again, the molecules are too large to penetrate.
Part of the reason for the popularity of these ingredients has to do with their use as injectable solutions. The injections do nothing to benefit the skin's health. They improve the skin's appearance by plumping it up or stretching it out. Wrinkles disappear as the skin become tighter.
Collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are not dangerous, just ineffective. Many of the ingredients in popular anti-aging creams could be dangerous.
They should be avoided, because there is no good reason to use them. There are always safer alternatives. The cosmetic industry favors them simply because they are cheap.
Here is a list of some of the most hazardous ingredients and the safe alternatives.
- Hydroquinone -- found in age spot creams and skin whiteners. Banned in Europe due to an increased cancer risk among users. Extrapone Nutgrass Root is a safe alternative.
- Retinoic acid -- found in many anti-wrinkle creams, including the prescription products. The ingredient is an acidic synthetic form of vitamin A. It is known to cause redness, itching, burning and inflammation, as well as birth defects. Plant extracts containing a natural form of vitamin A are safe alternatives. Shea butter and avocado extract are examples.
- Parabens and other artificial preservatives -- common causes of allergic reactions. Parabens are known to disrupt the body's natural production of hormones. They have been found in breast cancer tumors and could have been a cause of tumor growth. Natural vitamin E is a safe and effective alternative to artificial preservatives.
- Fragrances and perfumes -- the most common cause of allergic reactions. Many fragrance ingredients are toxic to the central nervous system. Body lotions and facial creams should be free of added fragrances. Essential oils like rosewater and lavender can be used in small amounts as perfume.
- Padimate-O, oxybenzone, benzophenone and other chemical sunscreens -- may actually contribute to skin cancer by penetrating into the skin and causing free radical damage. Safe alternatives are mineral-based organic sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
This is by no means a complete list. Ethylene oxide, mineral oil derivatives, acid peels, plastic micro-beads, triclosan, polyethylene glycol, ethanol, methanol and isopropyl alcohol, DEA, MEA and TEA should all be avoided because of a possible cancer risk or because of the damage they can do to your skin.
Now, let's look at the good stuff!
After all of that, you might be thinking that no product is safe. There are actually many safe cosmetics on the market today. The number of safe products is continuing to grow as consumers learn about the risk and demand safer alternatives.
Of course, not all of the safe alternatives are effective. But some of them can . . .
- Reduce wrinkles
- Improve firmness
- Fade age spots
- Fade scars and stretch marks
- Even out pigmentation
- Soften rough skin
- Reverse sun damage
- Moisturize without causing greasiness
- Prevent and reverse free radial damage
According to dermatologists, free radical damage is the number one cause of all the visible signs of aging. Other causes and contributing factors include
- Decreased production of new skin cells -- causes the skin to become thinner
- Chronic inflammation -- causes redness and cellular aging, damages and degrades collagen fibers
- Low levels of hyaluronic acid
- Collagen loss
- Decreased production of new elastic fibers
No single compound can address all of those things. But there is one that addresses practically all of them. It is called Functional Keratin.
Functional Keratin is an active protein formula that can be absorbed and used by the skin's cells and fibers. It is nothing short of an anti-aging miracle. Here are the benefits seen in clinical trials.
- Improved firmness
- Improved moisture content
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
- Decreased inflammation and redness
- Increased production of new skin cells and fibers
- Increased antioxidant activity
Antioxidants are the body's natural defense against free radical damage. Functional Keratin has been shown to increase the amount of two important antioxidants, glutathione and superoxide dismutase. This will help to reduce age spots and even out pigmentation.
Functional Keratin is non-greasy. It can be used by all skin types, without fear of breakouts or adverse reactions.
Now, we need to do something about the loss of hyaluronic acid.
Research has shown that wakame kelp extract inhibits enzymatic activity that would normally break down hyaluronic acid. Phytessence wakame is the ingredient to look for. After just a few days of use, the skin's hyaluronic acid levels will start to rise naturally. The result will be firmer, more youthful looking skin.
By increasing the skin's moisture content and firmness, many wrinkles will disappear. But some people suffer from wrinkles caused by sun damage. Only one compound has proven benefits for reversing sun damage and wrinkles. That ingredient is nano-lipobelle HEQ10.
Nano-lipobelle HEQ10 is a patented formula containing tiny nano-particles of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E. Because the particles are so small, they can penetrate through all of the skin's layers to neutralize free radicals and reverse damage that may have occurred years ago.
So, the three ingredients you need for younger looking healthier skin are…
- Functional Keratin
- Phytessence Wakame
- Nano-lipobelle HEQ10
Only one brand of anti-aging skincare products contains all three of those ingredients. The brand is Xtendlife.
Xtendlife provides facial creams, body lotions and under eye serums for men and women. Each product has been carefully formulated to provide the best results possible in the shortest period of time.
In clinical tests, a 40% improvement in firmness has been seen after just 18 days of use. There is an immediate improvement in the skin's moisture content. Because of the consistency of Functional Keratin, fine lines seem to disappear right away.
Xtendlife products are reasonably priced. They contain no allergens, irritants, toxins, added fragrances, colors or artificial preservatives. They are safe, all natural and effective. You can try them at no risk. They are guaranteed to satisfy.
I've been more than satisfied with Xtendlife products. I am very happy with the results and I am sure that you will be, too.
The Xtendlife website provides more information about each of the ingredients mentioned here, as well as many others, both good and bad. Visit today to learn more about how to make your skin healthy and keep it that way…for life!