top 5 | Skinmedix

5 Superstar Anti-Aging Ingredients

By Skinmedix on January 11, 2013 in anti-aging, beauty, top 5

Meet the super star players of the skin care world – and learn how to make the work for you.

1. RETINOL (a.k.a. the Cure-All)

What It Does: This vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin—sometimes in as little as four weeks. Forms of retinol “are among the best anti-aging ingredients we have,” says Jeffrey Dover, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine.

How It Works: Retinol works so well for skin care because of its molecular size. Vitamin A has long been known to help keep skin healthy and young-looking. However, most forms of vitamin A have molecules that are too large to get through the top layer of skin and into the lower layers of skin to work on the collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are both important components for the prevention of wrinkles. Once applied, the retinol sinks into the lower levels of the skin and stimulates the collagen and elastin. This causes the skin to look smoother and feel firmer.

How to Get the Best Results:
• Pay attention to packaging. Buy it in an aluminum tube or an opaque plastic pump bottle so light and air don’t degrade it.
• Use it at night. The vampire of the skin-care world, retinol works best in the dark.
• Put it on after cleansing. Wash your face with warm water and make sure it’s dry before applying retinol. Then, blood vessels and pores are dilated, making more space between cells for absorption. (Prescription versions, called retinoids, in particular must be applied to dry skin or they absorb too quickly and irritate.)
• Make sure it tingles. If you can’t feel it, it’s not strong enough, says Dover.
• Go easy on your eyes. Dab around the eye area every third night. Retinol is great for undereye crepiness.

Products We Love:

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 / 1.0
Jan Marini Retinol Plus
Neova Matrix Active Retinol
PCA Skin Retinol Renewal pHaze 26
Topix Replenix All-Trans-Retinol Smoothing Serum 5X

2. ANTIOXIDANTS (a.k.a. the Fixers) Continue Reading →

Top 5 Eye Creams

By Skinmedix on August 28, 2012 in top 5

Identifying your eye issues—puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, dryness—is easy. Finding an eye cream that will make them disappear? Not so much. Here’s a list of our Top 5 eye cream sellers this month to help take away the guesswork.

1. Neocutis Lumiere Bio Restorative Eye Cream with PSP – an intensive line smoothing eye cream with PSP and age minimizing actives energizes, which revitalizes and rejuvenates the delicate eye area. Neocutis Lumiere is formulated with 30% more PSP, the most complete protein blend of Human Growth Factors, Cytokines and Interleukins available to smooth and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Treatment Cream – a one-of-a-kind eye treatment that includes a revolutionary bi-mineral complex, copper zinc malonate, to help restore the elasticity around your eyes and reduce the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Revision Vitamin C Eye Complex – infused with restorative and protective ingredients that hydrate, soothe and preserve the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. Eyes are bathed in calming nourishment. Skin appears instantly smoother, firmer and more emollient.

4. PRIORI CoffeeBerry Radiance Eye Serum – This fabulous eye treatment for all skin types smoothes wrinkles to reveal younger, more radiant eyes. The 99.2% natural formula is delivered in a lightweight serum that hydrates, corrects and protects morning and night. Developed by scientists -not doctors – who are considered Anti-Aging Authorities, the same scientists who brought you AHA in 1983, Idebenone in 2004 and CoffeeBerry in 2008.

5. Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes – Specifically formulated for the delicate eye area, this breakthrough formula reduces the appearance of crow’s feet by 33% in 4 weeks, increases skin firmness by 40% and illuminates the eye area for a more youthful appearance. As soon as you apply this product you will feel a tightening and lifting. After one month, skin is smoother, lines are softened. With continued use, you – and everyone else – will notice the difference. The appearance of wrinkles, especially those stubborn laugh lines will be significantly reduced.

What is your favorite eye cream?