Toxic metals at dangerous levels found in lipstick and lip gloss---study

Image Source: greenlivingonline.com

“I entered the cosmetics industry because I wanted more women to use cosmetics made with safe, healthful ingredients.”—Gloria Swanson, actress, clothes designer, and founder of Essence of Nature Cosmetics.

If Gloria Swanson were alive today, she would have been one of the active advocates of a healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to cosmetics use.

Image Source: nytimes.com

Makeup is a crucial touch in projecting an attractive persona, but only when it doesn’t damage the skin or the body. Unfortunately, some researchers at the University of California conducted an analysis of the contents of lipstick and lip gloss. They detected toxic metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five others at levels that could be significantly harmful to users.

The study’s lead author, S. Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health sciences, says: "Just finding these metals isn't the issue; it's the levels that matter."

"Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect in the long term," Hammond adds.

Image Source: ktbs.com

The researchers emphasize that although other cosmetic products may also contain metals at dangerous levels, lipsticks and glosses raise the alarm because they are often absorbed into the skin and swallowed. On this note, the study proponents classify those who repeatedly apply lip color and gloss within the day as excessive users who risk an 87-milligram ingestion of these metals daily.

Pausing and thinking before puckering up for rouge or taking care to choose reputable and reliable brands are sensible moves to avoid long-term effects not just on the skin, but more so on the body’s overall condition.

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REPOST: The skin "talks" to the liver

According to a new study, skin can affect the metabolism of the liver. Read more in this MedicalNewsToday article.

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have discovered that the skin is capable of communicating with the liver. The discovery has surprised the scientists, and they say that it may help our understanding of how skin diseases can affect the rest of the body.

Professor Susanne Mandrup and her research group in collaboration with Nils Færgeman's research group at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark was actually studying something completely different when they made the groundbreaking discovery: That the skin, which is the body's largest organ, can "talk" to the liver.

"We have showed that the skin affects the metabolism in the liver, and that is quite a surprise", say Susanne Mandrup and Ditte Neess, a former student in the Mandrup research group and now laboratory manager in Professor Nils Færgeman's group.

The phenomenon was observed in the researcher's laboratory mice. The Mandrup and Færgeman groups work with so-called knock-out mice, in which a specific fat binding protein called acyl CoA binding protein has been removed (knocked out). Some knock-out mice produced by the researchers had a strange greasy fur, and they had difficulties being weaned from their mother. In the weaning period they gained less weight and showed a failure to thrive. Analyses also showed that the mice accumulated fat in the liver at weaning.

"At first we thought that the fat accumulation in the liver was linked with the fact that the gene was missing in the liver of the knock-out mice. But this was ruled out by a series of studies, and we had to find another explanation", says Ditte Neess.

She and her colleagues took another look at the rumpled and weak knock-out mice. Their fur was greasy, and they had a leaky skin from which they lost more water than normal mice.

"When they lose water, they also lose heat. We therefore asked ourselves whether this water and heat loss could be the reason why the mice accumulated fat in the liver and became weak when weaned from their mother", says Ditte Neess.

To clarify this, the researchers made ​​some mice that lacked the fat binding protein only in the skin. Similar to the full knockouts these mice had difficulties after weaning and accumulated fat in the liver. So this showed that the lack of the fat-binding protein in the skin was sufficient to induce accumulation of fat in the liver.

To get to the bottom of how a defect in the skin "talks" to the liver, the researchers decided to cover the mice with vaseline. This would prevent water evaporating from the skin and thus stopping the heat loss. As a result the fat accumulation in the liver disappeared. But as vaseline contains fat, that could theoretically be absorbed by the skin or ingested by the mice, the researchers were a little unsure if there were side effects from the vaseline. A student proposed to cover the mice with liquid latex, which she found in a local sex shop.

Having covered the mice in blue latex the researchers saw that fat accumulation in the liver again disappeared.

"We believe that the leaking of water from the skin makes the mice feel cold, and that this leads to breaking down of fat in their adipose (fat) tissue. The broken down fat is then moved to the liver. The mice move energy from the tissues to the liver", Susanne Mandrup and Ditte Neess explain.


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REPOST: 3 Bad Habits That Are Making Your Skin Age Faster (VIDEO)

Why do some women's skin age faster than others? Watch the video as Dr. Amy Wechsler explains the process of aging in this Huffington Post article.

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Have you ever looked into the mirror and asked yourself, "How did I wake up with these wrinkles?" Well, you really haven't been paying close attention to your skin. According to dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, aging doesn't happen overnight.

The collagen in our skin slowly breaks down as we grow older. However, there are three factors that can speed up this aging process: excessive sun exposure, smoking and chronic stress. Understanding and eliminating these bad habits can help you to live a more beautiful life.

"I think we should embrace our age no matter what it is -- the goal is to feel and look as healthy as possible," adds Dr. Wechsler.

Watch the video above to find at which age collagen usually starts to break down and exactly how these three factors of aging affect your skin.

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For more articles on skin care, visit this Lift and Glow Pro blog site.

REPOST: How does vitamin C benefit skin?

How does vitamin C help rejuvenate the skin in such a way that its glow and health are maintained? This Fit and Health article reveals the answer.

It's been centuries since British sailors discovered the key to avoiding scurvy: vitamin C. You probably grew up being told that getting enough vitamin C would ward off colds and other ailments, but now the word is out that vitamin C may not play a big part in staving off the sniffles. However, it does have a vital role in maintaining the health of your skin.

Those sailors and others who couldn't get fresh fruits and vegetables suffered bleeding under the skin, ulcers and joint weakness. That's because vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength [source: WebMD]. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself [source: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center].

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage -- free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage [source: University of Leicester].

Research suggests that vitamin C may also reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer [sources: University of Maryland Medical Center, Bouchez]. This doesn't mean you can take vitamins or apply topical vitamin C and then bake safely in the sun, but you can help keep your skin healthy and supple by making sure you get enough of this antioxidant vitamin [source: Bouchez]. Keep reading to learn what foods you can incorporate into your diet to make sure you get the vitamin C your body needs.

Vitamin C Foods Vitamin C can improve your skin, strengthen your immune system, protect against cardiovascular disease and reduce your risk of stroke, and doctors say it's one of the safest and most effective nutrients [source: Zelman]. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means it's easily absorbed through the water in your body. Your body doesn't store vitamin C, so you must replace your supply every day -- excess amounts are flushed out through your kidneys [source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration].

There are plenty of foods that can help you boost your consumption of vitamin C. If you get the recommended nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables, you're probably meeting the minimum daily recommendations for vitamin C -- in addition to many other vitamins and minerals [source: Zelman]. To ensure your diet includes plenty of vitamin C, eat citrus fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, collard greens and tomatoes [source: Bouchez]. Although opinions differ on how much vitamin C your body needs, many doctors suggest taking 500 milligrams a day, which can often be found in daily multivitamins or vitamin C supplements. However, don't exceed more than 2,000 milligrams per day -- too much vitamin C may cause stomach irritation [source: Zelman]. 

You can also apply topical vitamin C to your skin to encourage collagen production and fight free radicals. Look for a facial cleanser or moisturizer that contains the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C to ensure the vitamin penetrates your skin layers [source: Bouchez].

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Skin care: Ten commandments to live by

The summer weather can entice anyone to go out of their house and enjoy the outdoors. But with this come the harsh effects of sun exposure. From dry skin to skin discoloration and sunburn, the effects of the sun on the skin can range from mild to alarming conditions --- therefore, extra care should be given to the skin when a person spends time under the sun.

Image Source: edensoapandcandle.wordpress.com

NBC News shares the ten commandments for keeping the skin healthy and looking great this summer:

1. Using skin protection. Basking in the summer sun without sunscreen or protective clothing is like going out in a battlefield without arms.

2. Honoring the changes of the seasons. Knowing what products to apply on the skin in certain seasons is crucial in achieving maximum protection.

Image Source: blog.mariobadescu.com

3. Buffing the skin. Buffing and exfoliating the skin remove dead skin cells and speed skin regeneration.

4. Engaging in morning and evening anti-aging rituals. Regular skin care routine—one in the morning and another one at night—enhances the skin’s natural beauty.

5. Moisturizing. Moisturizing and hydrating the skin are a must, no matter what time of year it is.

 

Image Source: newbeauty.com

6. Getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has some ill effects on the skin. It releases the stress hormone called cortisol and leaves the skin dry and acne-prone.

7. Not pricking or popping pimples and zits. Popping zits will only spread the bacteria to other areas of the skin, and the skin can develop skin trauma.

8. Loving the whole body. Skin in other parts of the body should also be taken care of. A person should focus not only on the skin on the face, but also on the skin in the lower areas of the body.

Image Source: besskincare.com

9. Exercising. Getting pumped up increases blood circulation and regulates stress hormones, giving the person a beautiful glow.

10. Eating fish, fruits, and vegetables. Eating food rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants keeps the skin smooth and looking young.

Image Source: webmd.boots.com

The summer months require added skin protection. Taking good care of the skin can offer a lifetime of health benefits.

This Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page provides more information on how to protect your skin from harsh elements.

REPOST: The Right Moisturizer for Smooth Skin in Your 30s, 40s, 50s

Even if you're taking good care of your skin, you'll probably start noticing fine lines and wrinkles in your 30s. This Health.com article will help you find products designed specifically for your skin at every age.

Image Source: health.com

Today’s skin moisturizers are worlds better than the one you started using in your 20s. Here’s how to find your perfect product for gorgeous grown-up skin.

In Your 30s

What’s Going On

Luckily, your skin is in good shape, so you don’t have to waste a second worrying about deep wrinkles. However, you might notice fine lines and age spots, says Anne Chapas, MD, a 35-year-old dermatologist in New York City. Also, “women in their 30s may have redness from sun damage or flushed skin caused by rosacea,” a skin condition that often appears for the first time in your 30s, she notes. Another occasional issue? Under-eye circles. (Blame genetics or the stress and sleepless nights this decade often brings.)

What You Can Do...Your morning routine

After cleansing, hydrate and protect your skin with a lightweight lotion that has sunscreen. If you have any unwanted rosiness, look for one that also contains feverfew. “It’s a natural ingredient that reduces redness,” Dr. Chapas says. On mornings when dark under-eye circles are a problem, apply a cream that has caffeine, which helps shrink capillaries so discoloration is less noticeable.

Your evening routine

Now is the time to start using a night cream that treats fine lines and your first age spots. Look for one with ingredients like arginine, an amino acid that helps fade spots, and retinol, which “helps build collagen and reduce fine lines,” according to Dr. Chapas. If you still get occasional breakouts, Dr. Chapas says a prescription-strength retinoid like Retin-A is a good idea because it treats pimples and signs of aging.

Your best Moisturizers

Eye cream with caffeine: Olay Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex ($42)

Lotion with SPF and Feverfew: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizer SPF 30 ($14.99)

Night cream with Arginine and Retinol: Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Night ($19.99)

In Your 40s

What’s Going On

This decade brings lots of happiness—you’re enjoying great sex, and studies show your confidence is high. Unfortunately, all that smiling you’re doing may reveal crow’s-feet and lines at the sides of your mouth.

“Estrogen levels decline in your 40s, decreasing collagen levels and making your skin thinner and more prone to wrinkling,” says Jessica Wu, MD, a 41-year-old dermatologist in Los Angeles. Plus, those spots that looked like cute freckles 10 years ago now may appear larger.

What You Can Do...Your morning routine

By now you probably know that you should apply a moisturizer with sunscreen every morning, but Dr. Wu recommends stepping it up to one that also has antioxidants. “They boost the protective power of your skin, helping to prevent more age spots,” she says.

Your evening routine

At night, use a moisturizing cream that contains retinol, which speeds the exfolia­tion of dead skin cells, giving your complexion its glow back. As for the lines around your eyes? Retinol can help there, too. According to Dr. Wu, most women in their 40s could benefit from using an over-the-counter eye cream with retinol or a prescription-strength retinoid. “Last year, I started using Renova, a prescription-strength retinol cream, to treat the fine lines that I’m seeing around my eyes,” Dr. Wu says.

Your best Moisturizers

Day moisturizer with sunscreen and antioxidants: Biore Dual Fusion Moisturizer + SPF 30 ($14.99)

Eye cream with Retinol: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Eye Cream ($16.59)

Night cream with Retinol: La Roche-Posay Biomedic Retinol 30 ($54)

In Your 50s

What’s Going On

You finally have a little time to focus on yourself. Plus, those healthy habits you have picked up over the years (regular workouts, eating fresh farmers’ market produce) are great for your skin. Still, there is no hiding the signs of a life well-lived. “Your 50s are when you may see deeper wrinkles and a hollowness around your eyes that causes shadows,” says Audrey Kunin, MD, a 50-year-old dermatologist in Kansas City, Missouri, and the founder of DERMADoctor. And menopause (as well as perimenopause) dries your skin and disrupts its ceramide barrier, which can lead to sensitivity.

What You Can Do...Your morning routine

Smooth on a cream (they tend to be more moisturizing than lotions) that has antioxidants and SPF as well as ceramides, which boost hydration and reinforce your skin’s protective barrier. For under-eye discoloration, look for a moisturizing eye cream with vitamin K. “Because you have less fat under your skin at this age, the blue color of blood vessels close to the skin surface becomes more visible,” Dr. Kunin explains. In one study, vitamin K was found to improve the look of dark under-eye circles, perhaps because it helps blood clot, preventing seepage from the capillaries under your eyes.

Your evening routine

There are plenty of ways to describe the dry skin this decade brings—papery, parched—but, no matter what you call it, it’s treatable. To rehydrate at night, smooth on a cream that has rich moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter. And since wrinkles are more apparent on dry skin, make sure your product pick also has retinol. “It builds collagen, which can help make wrinkles less noticeable,” Dr. Kunin says. Another option? Prescription-strength Renova, which contains a more potent form of retinol and a moisturizing base.

Your best moisturizers

Eye cream with vitamin K: Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash ($46)

Day cream with sunscreen and Ceramides: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Cream SPF 30 ($68)

Night cream with shea butter and Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($19.99)

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REPOST: Eva Longoria: “Your Skin Needs Protecting”

What are the risks of unprotected sun exposure? Eva Longoria shares in this Women's Health article the importance of protecting the skin from the sun's harmful rays.

Image Source: blog.womenshealthmag.com

Growing up in Texas, actress Eva Longoria didn’t give sun safety much thought. “Being Latina, you think, ‘Oh, I have dark skin so I won’t get sunburned,’” she says. But now, the star and L’Oreal ambassador wants to make sure everyone is giving enough thought to how their lifestyle choices may put them at risk.

“Melanoma is deadly,” she says. “It doesn’t really discriminate against skin color. You can really get sun damage whether or not you have dark skin or light skin.”

To protect her skin, Longoria wears sunblock and tinted moisturizer daily. If she’s out in the sun, she always wears a hat. “The sun never touches my face,” she says.

Longoria, a L’Oreal ambassador, is promoting melanoma awareness in conjunction with a new L’Oreal campaign that donates $1 to the Melanoma Research Alliance for every bottle of its Sublime Sun products sold this year. The company is also donating $1 to the MRA for every Tweet that includes the hashtag #SublimeSun.

“By being involved in this, I hope people will take away a new awareness of the gravity and the risk involved in being in the sun and then also look at a product and say, ‘I need one with skin protection,’” she says. “That’s what the Sublime line is—it’s all the products you would already use, but it has sun protection.”

Lift and Glow Pro is a fast-acting skin rejuvenation serum that can help bring back people’s suppressed radiance. Visit this Facebook page to learn more about the product. 

The tale of beauty sleep: What good slumber can do to the skin and body

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Women often find themselves juggling a hundred and one things to do, which leads to not having enough time to rest, and in some cases, not having the privilege to indulge in a relaxing sleep. A good sleep involves more than the process of closing the eyes, dozing off, and waking up the next day. It embraces a certain pattern that includes states of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement, which occur in cycles throughout the sleeping time. When the cycles ensue uninterruptedly, people get satisfying sleep. Otherwise, people feel a sense of lethargy the next day.

Aside from the lack of energy to tackle the day ahead, lack of sleep may also result to weight gain. Researches have shown that lack of sleep boosts ghrelin, the amino acid that stimulates hunger. Not getting enough sleep also increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that surges the blood sugar levels in the body. Cortisol may be responsible for aging as it suppresses the collagen of the skin, resulting to wrinkles and dehydration.

Image Source: prevention.com

Suffice to say, a good slumber is in order. Women who want to maintain healthy and glowing skin must consider the positive results of constantly getting at least seven hours of beauty sleep, which include:

- Fewer breakouts and acne. Lack of sleep results to stress, which in turn results to the emergence of breakouts and blackheads.

- Improved skin tone. This WebMD article shares that while sleeping, the skin renews itself. Sleep also assists in proper blood flow; hence paleness and blotchiness are prevented.

- Lighter skin around the eyes. Dark circles, or eye bags, are caused by dilated blood vessels. By getting enough sleep, the eyes become well-rested and blood vessels remain normal.

Image Source: femalefirst.co.uk

Lift and Glow Pro is an anti-aging serum that reduces the signs of aging. Visit this blog for more beauty tips.

Aging and delaying its effects: Tips on maintaining the youthful glow

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.” – Mark Twain

Image Source: stylelist.com

Aging is a natural process, and many women admit fearing the day when their skin would become all wrinkly because of it. Aging can’t be stopped, but its signs can be delayed. Women can start employing basic skincare regimen starting in their early 20s to achieve and maintain a youthful glow. Part of this is the four-step beauty routine: cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting.

However, doing the ‘four-step skincare’ routine does not guarantee an ever radiant skin, especially since there are things women do that actually cause the skin to look old and dry, without them even knowing it. Some of these bad habits include:

Washing the face with hot water. Experts say that hot water strips down the skin’s natural oil. Although cold water may make the person feel chilly particularly when washing the face at night, it’s certainly more beneficial than hot water because cold water tightens the pores.

Image Source: healthcob.com

Rubbing the face with a towel. After washing the face, some women tend to rub a towel on their face to dry the skin. No matter how soft the towel is, rubbing the face with it may cause blemishes to worsen due to the friction, and the bacteria that have bred in the towel may spread to the face. Gently patting the face dry is how it must be done.

Not using a makeup remover. Removing any makeup before cleansing the face is also an imperative. Many women just wash their face with a cleanser without even removing their makeup, an act experts disapprove of. DailyGlow.com shares that the cleanser won’t reach the skin if the makeup is not removed first.

Image Source: webmd.com

Neglecting the eyelids/skin surrounding the eyes. The skin that surrounds the eyes is considered the most sensitive skin in the entire face. Soap or cleanser with a gentle formula should be used when washing the eyelids.

Wearing moisturizer with sunscreen at night. Women are advised to have two kinds of moisturizer: one with sunscreen for day use and one without sunscreen to be used a night. Sunscreen or SPF is damaging to the skin if it is worn 24/7.

Image Source: ehow.com

While aging is an inevitable part of life, women can still maintain their skin’s youthful glow by taking care of their skin from an early age. After all, prevention is better than cure.

Lift and Glow Pro is an anti-aging serum that removes wrinkles, helping its users maintain young-looking skin. For your weekly dose of beauty tips, follow this Facebook page.

REPOST: What causes dark under-eye circles?

Get rid of under-eye circles by trying these strategies from CNN.  Read on: 

    

(Real Simple) -- If your dark under-eye circles aren't quite as adorable as a panda's, you don't have to grin and bear it. Try these (en)lightening strategies to minimize them. 

Your plan of attack depends on the color of your circles. Look straight into a mirror in natural light, then lower your chin slightly to expose the shadows under your eyes. This way, you'll see clearly whether your circles are more blue or more brown. 

Blue circles 
The cause: Blue circles result from oxygenated blood pooled beneath the under-eye skin. Skin here is very thin and almost transparent, so blood shows through. This is more noticeable in the morning: When we've been horizontal for a while, fluids accumulate and the veins expand to hold more blood.

Blue circles may get worse with age. "As we get older, we lose subcutaneous fat, which can mask blueness below the surface of the skin," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center, in New York City.

OTC treatments: There are a few options that work in different ways, though their effects last only a day at most. Topical creams with stimulating ingredients, like caffeine, can constrict blood vessels and temporarily boost circulation; potent hydrators, such as hyaluronic acid, plump the area, pushing the skin up and away from the pooled blood.

Retinoic acid creams thicken the outer layer of the skin to conceal shadows. Another quick fix: products with stainless-steel rollerball-tip applicators. "The cool metal causes vessels to constrict," says New York City dermatologist Eric Schweiger.

Professional treatments: A few other treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use on the rest of the face can effectively treat under-eye circles. One noninvasive solution is a cream with a prescription-strength retinoid.

Blue circles can also be significantly diminished by a treatment called Thermage, which involves a high-tech handheld radio-frequency device. It is nonsurgical, requires no downtime, and is thought to increase the production of collagen, which builds up and tightens the skin.

One session costs about $1,000, and the results last three to five years. Zeichner treats dark circles by injecting a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Juvéderm or Restylane, to plump the skin and hide blueness; the injections can last a year or longer and cost $700 to $900 a pop.

Brown circles 
The cause: Brown circles result from hyperpigmentation, triggered by chronic eye-rubbing, sun exposure, or genetics. They are most prevalent among Asian and African American skin tones.

Real Simple: How to apply makeup well

OTC treatments: Your best bet is daily use of a cream or serum spiked with a skin brightener, like soy or citrus, which can lighten circles over a period of four to six weeks. Avoid hydroquinone, a go-to lightener for sun spots and scars, as most dermatologists agree that it's too heavy-duty for the eye area.

Professional treatments: As with blue circles, there are treatments dermatologists use elsewhere on the face that can also lessen the look of brown circles. They respond well to low-concentration TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels, which exfoliate.

Plan on spending about $100 a treatment, and you may need several over a couple of months. For enhanced results, there are lasers, like the Q-switched or Fraxel, which destroy pigment cells and even out skin tone with a beam of light energy. Most circles lighten after two or three $500 sessions.

Preventive measures 
Reason No. 734 to wear sunscreen: It will keep circles from returning after treatment and can also stop them from developing in the first place. Sun protection prevents skin from both thinning prematurely (exposing blueness) and tanning (getting browner). 

Lift and Glow Pro is a fast-acting skin rejuvenation serum that can help retain people’s suppressed radiance. Visit this Facebook page for details.