Those who cope with eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) know how frustrating the condition can be. Symptoms can range from mildly annoying to painful. Making matters worse, although it’s thought that eczema results from a disruption of the body’s immune system, doctors have been unable to determine the root cause of the disorder. We do know that there are several environmental influences that can provoke it, and there are effective methods for treating it. But, treatments are limited to reducing the severity of the symptoms rather than curing the condition. Today, I’ll describe the symptoms that are common with eczema. Then, I’ll explain the treatment strategies that are often used to provide comfort to those who suffer from it.

Common Symptoms  

Eczema can manifest in a number of ways; some symptoms are mild while others are painful and unsightly. They can include severe itchiness and burning, patchy rashes, areas of skin that are visibly inflamed, and cracks and fissures in the skin. The itching that accompanies eczema can often be so severe that it disrupts sleep. And in some cases (often with children), scratching the affected area can cause bleeding or oozing.

The condition is not exclusive to particular areas of the face or body. It can affect any area of skin, though it’s commonly found on the arms, legs, hands, feet, and facial area. This may be due to the fact that these areas are often most exposed to external factors that trigger the symptoms.

Potential Treatments  

While eczema still lacks a cure, there are several strategies to treat the symptoms. First, because eczema is caused in part by very dry skin, it’s important to take precautions that will help skin retain moisture. This can include the use of soothing emollients along with products that deliver a source of antioxidants. Eczema is often provoked by certain triggers such as long, hot baths or showers,laundry detergent, clothes, and even certain types of jewelry. If you can isolate the triggers, try to remove them so you’ll limit your exposure.

Also, keep in mind that bar soaps can be excessively harsh on your skin and can exacerbate the symptoms related to eczema. Use a cleanser that won’t irritate your skin. Keep skin hydrated and if that doesn’t help, speak with your dermatologist regarding the use of a cortisone cream or other prescription options. While you can purchase some cortisone creams without a prescription, their effects are often limited. One note of caution: if you choose to use them, limit their application because they can thin your skin over time.

Eczema is a frustrating condition made worse because a cure has thus far evaded doctors. Keeping skin moisturized and using gentle cleansers can help. While there are a range of solutions that work, both friends and customers have had good success with these two products:

Iso Urea Body Milk - A hydrating moisturizer with Shea Butter and urea, a natural moisturizing factor (produced by the body and found in skin) that can provide comfort from dry skin while preventing water loss.

Lipikar Surgras Bar - This lipid enriched cleansing bar cleans without harshness and is enriched with shea butter to moisturize.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.PharmacyMix.com.

Classified by the FDA as a wound-healing agent, LYCD (also called Biodyne), is a skin respiratory factor that helps skin cells to promote the healing process through the uptake of oxygen.

Patented by Dr.Sperti in 1939, he named it Biodyne because it stimulates healthy cell growth. The word Biodyne comes from the Greek words bios (life) and dyne (force).

The Theory of Cell Injury  

When cells experience injury or destruction, some will produce hormones which stimulate cellular multiplication so that the tissues heal. Dr Sperti’s group, who discovered Biodyne, found that they were able to isolate three distinct substances from the dead tissue.  

Those that accelerate the cellular metabolism of sugar
Those that stimulate growth and reproduction
Those that stimulate cell reproduction.  

Collectively, these substances were named Biodynes.

Further research at the University of Cininnati demonstrated that biodynes could be extracted from heated yeast cells. This type of biodyne is called Live Yeast Cell Derivative (LYCD) and contains nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, nucleic acid and other gene products. The active ingredient has even been isolated as a protein fraction containing a mixture of several peptides one of which is a peptide fraction that stimulates wound healing. Biodyne is known to be biologically active on skin cells. Cinical studies from the Cincinnati Burn Unit and Oregon University School of Medicine show that Biodyne speeds wound healing in burns and post surgically.

Biodynes (LYCD) are also known as Skin Respiratory Factor and Tissue Respiratory Factor.

Can LYCD Relieve Puffy Eyes?

Though not clinically proven, anecdotal evidence suggests that LYCD can help to relieve puffy bags under the eyes. And some individuals report a reduction wrinkles. LYCD is found in the version of Preparation H sold in Canada. It was removed from the US formulation several years ago, where it was replaced by phenylephrine, an ingredient that can be highly irritating to the eye area.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com.

If you were to read through skin care ads, you’d be convinced that cosmetics companies spent far more time coming up with catchy slogans and new phrases than in actually developing products that worked.

Stem cells. Gene therapy. Immune protection. Growth hormone. The latest concepts in science are making their way into ad campaigns for beauty products.

Last month, for example, advertisements for the Olay Regenerist line of face treatments tout the company’s “Aquacurrent Science” as a skin care technology “that helps reverse the look of lines and wrinkles.” According to promotional material, the technology was inspired by the discovery of aquaporin water channels (pores that conduct water in and out of cells) for which Dr. Peter Agre won a Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Meanwhile, from L’Oréal comes Skin Genesis. The line includes a gel cleanser that offers “cellular level cleansing,” according to magazine advertisements.

Are marketers trying to dupe us into buying products with claims we can’t understand? According to representatives from L’Oreal and P & G Beauty, their products do work. Olay Aquacurrent Science includes products that use a form of vitamin B to increase water concentration in the outermost layer of the skin. In other words: it helps moisturize the skin. “Cellular level cleansing” in the  L’Oréal Skin Genesis line,” refers to the “action of promoting cell turnover at the surface level”. In other words: it helps exfoliate the skin.

“There is a tremendous increase in the number of products that use DNA, growth factor and stem cells in labels or marketing claims,” said Taya Tomasello, a senior beauty analyst at Mintel International Group Ltd., a market research firm. This year, beauty companies introduced 311 face products that promise to work on skin at a “cellular level” compared with 116 face products that make more generic anti-aging claims, according to Mintel’s new products database.

“You see ‘cellular’ and you think, ‘this is really going to help with my anti-aging,’ ” Ms. Tomasello said.
Medical-sounding affixes like bio-, micro- and pro- also abound (think biologic, microscopic and probiotics). Some terms found last week at cosmetics retailers and in fashion magazines included: “biomolecular” eye cream; “microtechnology bio active” foundation; “pro-collagen” serum; “microsmoothing” face serum; and a “bio-stimulating” night cream with “microlift.”

Industry analysts, scientists and consumers offer a variety of theories for the increased use of such jargon: it lends face creams the air of high technology; it helps distinguish one product from a myriad of others; it helps justify the price tag.

Laure Rittié, a research investigator in dermatology at the University of Michigan, said that simple skin physiology could account for the fancy microbiological-sounding claims on some beauty products. She explained that dead cells compose the very top layer of skin and that any product (even a washcloth or sandpaper) that exfoliates the dead cells, exposing underlying skin cells, might call itself regenerative, multicellular or biologically stimulating.

So what’s the take away from this? A marketer’s job is to sell us their product. And if they pepper their products with words we don’t understand, hoping to convey youth, beauty, science, positivity and renewal, their ultimate goal is to to get us to buy. Be prepared. Understand the ingredients and the science behind the claims and you won’t be fooled by slick ads with terminology you can’t understand.  

Read the full article here.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.PharmacyMix.com.

Moisturizers play an important role in helping your skin retain moisture, allowing it to look healthy and feel smooth. But, many people misunderstand how moisturizers work and mistakenly think they’re useful in all situations. Today, I’ll describe a few things about moisturizers that may surprise you. In doing so, you’ll be able to choose the right formulations to protect and care for your skin.

Moisturizers May Be Inappropriate  

A lot of people believe that moisturizers are appropriate for everyone. Continuous advertising and claims made by cosmetics manufacturers contribute to spreading this misconception. In truth, emollients are not appropriate for certain skin types. People who have naturally oily skin should avoid heavy cream or lotion-based moisturizers. Even though they can replenish dry skin with lipids while sealing in moisture, they can do more harm than good on oily skin. If applied generously, they can clog pores, leading to blackheads and other conditions. In short, if your skin is naturally oily, you may not need to use a moisturizer.

Moisture Can Dry Your Skin  

While it sounds like a contradiction, it is possible for your skin to be exposed to too much moisture. This can happen through recurring long showers and baths, ultimately causing your skin to become dry by breaking down the skin’s intracellular matrix. This protective covering helps to keep skin cells healthy.

A delicate balance must be maintained between the changing humidity and varying levels of evaporation of the water within the stratum corneum. Excessive soaking and moisture can interrupt this balance, causing your skin to become dry. This same effect can occur when using moisturizers excessively.

Beneficial Ingredients May Be Ineffective  

A lot of cosmetics manufacturers promote their products by noting the inclusion of certain ingredients (shea butter, fatty acids, cholesterol, water-binding agents, etc.) that are known to have a moisturizing effect on the skin. However, the efficacy of these products depends upon the concentrations in which these ingredients are included. That is, there has to be enough used to make any difference.

Your Skin Still Needs Sun Protection  

Moisturizers alone cannot effectively protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. They’re useful (on most skin types) for replenishing necessary lipids and fatty acids while helping your skin retain moisture. But, you also need a well formulated sunscreen that offers wide-range protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

If your skin is very dry, the following formulations will prove valuable:

Lipikar Baume Body Balm - a non-greasy formula that includes a high shea butter content (20%) to soothe dry and irritated skin.

Iso Urea Body Milk - a moisturizing formula with 5% urea and shea butter that provides comfort while smoothing the rough feeling of intensely dry skin.

Finally, don’t neglect to add a sunscreen to your regular routine for protecting your skin. The sun can still cause damage even if you’re using moisturizers. Anthelios sunscreens offer considerable protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin store at www.PharmacyMix.com.

A lot of attention has been given to grape seed extract over the past few years. Grapes are a known source of antioxidants and when consumed, have shown the ability to inhibit the damage that may be generated by free radicals. Because the oxidation process caused by free radicals can lead to wrinkles, the properties of grapes are thought to be an effective solution for reducing them. As a result, many cosmetics manufacturers have responded by adding grape seed extract to their skin care lines. Today, I’ll describe what we know for certain about grape seed extract along with its potential as an anti-wrinkle ingredient.  

UV Rays, Free Radicals, And Wrinkles  

First, a quick review of how wrinkles occur. There are a number of factors that lead to wrinkles and fine lines, including hormone production levels, UV exposure, and free radical damage. When a person is exposed to excessive UV rays, pollution, and other elements, the oxidation of free radicals may accelerate, resulting in a breakdown of collagen fibers. Over time, this can lead to the development of wrinkles.

Consumption Versus Topical Formulation  

When consumed, grapes are a rich source of antioxidants, which are known to prevent free radical damage. The theory behind grape seed extract is that by including it within skin care products, consumers can benefit from the antioxidant properties of grapes. As a result, the damaging effect that free radicals have on the skin is inhibited, preventing wrinkles and fine lines.

The question is whether applying a topical formulation that includes the extract is as effective in delivering the antioxidants as consuming grapes. To date, there are few documented studies based upon rigorous clinical testing. The studies which have been conducted either lack a large sample size, or don’t offer a clear comparison of results before and after the application of the topical solution. This is not to suggest that including grape seed extract in cosmetic products doesn’t work. It only suggests that there is a need for more rigorous testing.

Proven Efficacy Versus Potential  

Even though the use of grape seed extract in topical formulations has not been proven as a preventative measure against wrinkles, it has potential. We know that grapes provide useful antioxidants such as proanthocyanidin that are potent antioxidants. Studies have shown some benefit in reducing tumors and healing wounds in mice. However, whether this translates to benefiting wrinkles in human skin is unclear.  Though we know that grape seed extract will afford antioxidant activity in skin care products, we’ve yet to see reliable data regarding its usefulness in helping to eliminate wrinkles.  

There are some very effective skin care ingredients that can benefit skin. These include Vitamin C, retinol and sun filters, amongst others. If you want to try products containing grape seed extract, then do. Just don’t buy into the hype that it’s the next miracle ingredient.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.PharmacyMix.com.

There are many skin care products that contain vitamin K. Product manufacturers claim that it can provide a number of benefits including reducing the severity of dark circles underneath the eyes, helping eliminate spider veins, and eliminating bruising that results from laser treatments. Topical vitamin K is not considered a drug, so  advertisers don’t have to provide evidence that their claims are valid.

There have been studies performed to test the efficacy of vitamin K, and it can deliver some benefits to skin.  

Getting Rid Of Dark Circles  

Dark circles under the eyes can occur as a result of many influences (contrary to popular belief, fatigue is not the most common cause). These influences can include sun damage, heredity, an hormonal imbalance, deterioration in the dermis, allergies and atopic eczema. A study that was published in 2004 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology suggested that vitamin K could be beneficial in helping reduce the appearance of dark circles. In that study, a topical gel that included a 2% concentration of vitamin K was used by nearly 60 people to treat their dark circles. After 8 weeks, nearly half of the test subjects reported some level of improvement.

The gel used in the study also included other ingredients (such as antioxidants and vitamins E and C) which could have had an effect either on their own or in conjunction with vitamin K. Since vitamin K was not isolated, evidence of its efficacy can be considered inconclusive. That said, the number of participants who noted improvement suggests that vitamin K may have helped.

Post Laser Treatment  

Pulsed dye laser treatment is often used to eliminate warts, spider veins, and other vascular lesions. These laser treatments can result in bruising that is caused when blood vessels hemorrhage. In 1999, a group of doctors at the University of Miami School of Medicine conducted a double-blind study that tested whether vitamin K could be applied as a topical cream to reduce bruising. The results from that study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, suggested that post-laser treatment bruising was significantly reduced as a result of applying the topical cream.

Realistic Expectations  

In the end, evidence that supports the efficacy of vitamin K as a topical treatment for dark circles and post-laser treatment bruising is available, just not in substantial amount. Evidence does exist and more rigorous testing would be beneficial. If you do suffer from dark circles, then you may wish to consider an eye cream like Neostrata Dark Circle Serum which contains vitamin K and retinol as reported in clinical trials.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.PharmacyMix.com.