Amatokin
You may have heard of Amatokin refered to as a "stem cell" cream. To clarify, this cream does not contain embryonic stem cells. Instead the technology focuses on using polypeptides and enzymes to 'awaken' the body's own reservoir of stem cells to rejuvenate the skin and make skin look much younger.
The goodskinsite has not yet found any clinical studies we can link to in order to support these claims, but we can tell you that Voss Laboratoreis (the makers of Amatokin) have been involved in on going reserach to help burn victims with wound healing. Their science seems to come from the "right place" and has been shown to help with this kind of serious skin damage. The Amatokin peptide is known as polypeptide #153.
We hope to have reviews in our forums soon to give you an update about the effects of this cream and whether it really is the break-through it sounds like it could be...
Replenix Skin Serum- 90% Green Tea Polyphenols
We thought we would round out our recent group of antioxidant articles with this reminder of the benefits of green tea. We believe that every skin care routine should include a strong anti-aging preventative. Using these in tandem with wrinkle reducers and good sun screen allow the skin time to repair and prevent any further damage. Green tea has several powerful antioxidants, the most abundant polyphenol is epigallocatechin gallate or (EGCG). Other polyphenols found in green tea are epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin 3-gallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EC).
Animal studies have shown these compounds offer protection from skin cancer. Many studies have credibly demonstrated that topical green tea formulations reduce sun damage. Green tea appears to offer sun damage protection by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation caused by UV rays.
Replenix is a patent-pending formulation composed of 90% polyphenol isolates, derived from green tea with potent antioxidant properties, to assist in minimizing free-radical induced sun damage.
We at the good skin site will be watching for the published results of this double-blind clinical study.
Consumption Of High Flavanol Cocoa Improves Skin Structure And Function
CoCoaVia - Dark Chocolate Very High Flavanols - Low in Fat
These are new products from the Mars chocolate company - only better, stronger, faster... This specially formulated dark chocolate beverage and chocolate bar is filled with the same antioxidant compounds that power red wine and green tea - but with much more strength and higher levels.
We (at GoodSkinSite) love dark chocolate and were thrilled to find these most recent positive studies supporting the idea that components in cocoa actually help improve the appearance of women's skin - increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and scaling, and help to support the skin's defense against UV damage.
Here is a quote from one of the many deramtological studies (medicalnewstoday.com) done on the effects of these dark chocolate flavanols on the skin:
This study was supports the positive effects of cocoa on the skin. Two control groups, one group drank a high-flavanol cocoa beverage (329 mg) once a day, while the other group consumed a matched cocoa beverage low in flavanols (27 mg). At three different periods during the 12-week study, various tests were conducted to evaluate skin properties: sensitivity to UV irradiation, skin blood flow, skin structure and texture, and skin hydration.
The women who regularly consumed the high-flavanol cocoa beverage showed significant improvements in these indicators of skin quality, while those who consumed the flavanol-poor cocoa did not have an improvement in any of the measures.
We have so many links for scientific studies - here are a few:
High-Flavanol Cocoa Improves Skin
Long-Term Ingestion of High Flavanol Cocoa Provides Photoprotection
We were able to find the CoCovia dark chocolate bars at Walgreens - and they are great - 100 calories, 3.5 grams of fat - so much less than any comparable dark chocolate bar out there.
Technorati
Heliocare - Oral Sunscreen Protection - Anti-aging properties
"Heliocare® is an oral dietary supplement with antioxidant properties which helps maintain the skin's ability to protect against sun related effects and aging.
Currently Heliocare® (Polypodium leucotomos extract) is the only agent known to provide systemic photoprotection, making it a major scientific breakthrough in sun protection. Although topical sunscreen formulations provide varied levels of protection against UVB and UVA radiation and protect from burning, they cannot completely stop all harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin. Heliocare® works by sustaining the skin's natural ability to deal with sun (UV) related effects and aging.
UV radiation that penetrates the skin can trigger the release of free radicals that affect DNA and the cutaneous immune system."
What we like so much about this supplement are the clinical studies that back up it's claims with science. Along with being a powerful antioxidant, Heliocare helps safeguard your skin from UVA/UVB radiation. It should be used in conjuction with and not to replace sunscreen. It protects you in places that are hard to apply sunscreen to - scalp, eyelids, ears etc.
More about Heliocare's science here: Heliocare
A thread has been started in our forums on Heliocare: go to forum.
Newly Discovered: CoffeBerry Extract - Powerful Antioxidant
It is being mentioned as the most powerful antioxidant yet discovered, and it is neither exotic or hard to find. CoffeeBerry extract contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols that are believed to prevent cellular damage in skin when applied externally, and to boost the immune system when ingested.
CoffeeBerry extract's antioxidant content is five times higher than the most powerful pomegranate's and three times greater than that of the highest-quality green tea-two of the leading antioxidants in skin care. Compared with a potent green tea, CoffeeBerry extract was twice as capable of protecting the skin from UVA damage. It was also better at inhibiting UV-induced inflammation and enzymes associated with melanoma. In tests done at an independent lab, women, ages 35 to 60, with wrinkles, dry skin, and discoloration, applied the cream twice a day for three weeks. The texture and tone of the skin treated with CoffeeBerry extract showed 46 percent improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, 64 percent in overall skin smoothness, and 79 percent in skin hydration.
Revale products are the only available at this time with this powerful extract.
Product Spotlight: Remergent DNA Repair Formula
DNA Repair Formula / Age Retaliator Serum
Age Retaliator Serum - That sounds like fun to me. Here is a quote straight from Remergents literature: "Resurgent, powerful repair serum enabling the skin to recover from past UV damage and stimulating it to resist future photo-damage through natural recuperation."
The October Allure magazine rated Remergent's. DNA Repair Formula one of 11 beauty breakthroughs in the year 2006.
Here are some of it's other qualities listed in it's literature:
- Speeds recovery from past damage
- Encourages the skin's DNA repair mechanism to self-correct
- Reduces the signs of collagen degradation
- Contains Photosomes, Ultrasomes, Roxomes, Evodiox, Thiotaine
I have tried this product and I like it quite a bit. I really do not think enough time has passed to comment on the photosome, roxome action - BUT - it sinks into skin well and does not ball up under sunscreen or other products. Qualities that are key to me. I will keep you posted on progress.
If you have tried this product and have feedback - please share your experience here.
Mexoryl SX - best sunscreen ingredient available - now in US
This has been great news for me. I freckle up like crazy in the sun. Sometimes if I am unprotected - I can feel each freckle burst on the scene, like popcorn popping. For many years I had to purchase sunscreen made in Canada to find a formula with what dermatologists consider the best solar shielding ingredients. The FDA approved the ingredient Mexoryl SX in the middle of last year, and slowly products are being made available here in the US. One of the first is Lancome UV Expert DNA Shield. It is available in spf 20, spf 30 and spf 50.
Another really good bet is the wide variety of concentrations available from Anthelios. This sunscreen has been available in Europe and Canada for years and now recently on drugstore.com
Most skin damage is cause by UVA light. Mexoryl SX has the highest rate of UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) protection. More on the science of Mexoryl SX here.
Philosophy's Hope in A Jar
