Dermajuv complete system wins 2008 Anti-Wrinkle Product of the Year
WrinklesErased.com, a popular web portal highlighting anti-aging products in the wrinkles niche in specific, has selected Dermajuv's "Complete system" as the product of the year for 2008.
Miami Beach, Florida (PRWEB) December 20, 2008 -- A popular web portal, www.Wrinkles Erased.com, has just announced it's inaugural "Anti-Aging Product of the Year." After a group of middle-aged women tried and tested several products, Karla Sutton, the main health writer and consultant for the website, has revealed the results of the first annual product of the year award. In a field-tested anti-aging review of several wrinkle creams, serums, and applications, Dermajuv's "complete system" has been selected as the winner. "We're pleased to have tested many products, and upon completion, everyone seemed to be in agreement that Dermajuv was the product that really posted results this year," said Karla Sutton, a business consultant in the industry, and contributor to the www.WrinklesErased.com website.
Among the finalists for the websites first award were Dermajuv, Dremu "deception, Lifecell, and Revitol. Revitol was the runner up, with Dremu's deception product taking third place. Dermajuv, a new brand who came on just this year in 2008, has made a strong showing online and has posted great results among it's initial customers.
Dermajuv's complete system has had strong reviews posted on several websites, some of them can be viewed here, http://www.wrinkleserased.com/best-wrinkle-cream/?p=3. The complete system eliminates wrinkles, large pores, redness, and age spots with MatrixylR and RenovageR plus the Instant Results of SesaflashR. Currently the company offers this complete system, which includes the original smoothing cream, the age defying serum, and the insant-effect lifting serum, for a limited time price of of $129.99. The company states to use this complete system one time, and after one cycle, the customers are advised to choose the product best suited for their skin's situation, or simply repeat the cycle as needed. This special offer can be taken advantage of by following the below link.
Anti-aging and "looking younger" has been a hot topic for several years. People are always looking for a way to look younger and rid themselves of wrinkles. The market is constantly evolving, and new products are constantly being released. It's important people stay up to date on the latest and greatest technologies so they can save money in their quest to look younger. Botox and other anti-aging methods are becoming unaffordable for many people.
For a complete look of the results and to get up-to-the-week reviews of many anti-aging products, visit www.WrinklesErased.com. Congratulations to Dermajuv, the 2008 anti-aging product of the year.
Yep, it’s that time of year again, and if you’re anything like me, the hedonist in you will spring for only the finest products and services for loved ones and obligatory giftees alike. Certainly, it’s the thought that counts…but what could be more thoughtful than exclusive spa treatments and beauty items that don’t scream “mass production”? Your generosity will be remembered for years to come…
For Once-Removed Giftees: The Top-Notch Bath and Beauty Items at elizabethW The ubiquitous cheap bath set tends to dominate when it comes to stocking stuffers or unoriginal offerings a la the work gift exchange, or obligatory treats for folks you either don’t know or don’t like. Class it up several notches and inspire delighted thank-you notes by ditching Bath & Bodyworks this season and opting for goods from elizabethW, a San Francisco-based boutique that specializes in non-generic bath and body accoutrements for only the most discriminating connoisseurs.
The Pacific Heights perfumery, which has drawn fans like Oprah Winfrey and Christina Aguilera, is the brainchild of Albert Nichols, whose custom creations tickle the olfactory system without aggravating allergies. elizabethW’s atelier utilizes the highest grade of essential oils in the company’s fragrances and bath products, culminating in original collections full of verve and timeless sophistication. Favorites include the signature Eau de Parfum, which comes in 10 tantalizing scents (including the addictive Sweet Tea and the poetic Leaves).
Aside from triple milled soaps, bath oils, and lotions, you can also choose from a dizzying array of “interior essence” products, which range from long-burning perfume candles to aroma bags for your lingerie drawers and closets. Seasonal specials perfect for gifting time include elizabethW’s Twilight Kit, a comforting batch of items especially suited for the insomniacs in your life (including a lavender liner for your pillow, a silk eye pillow, and a CD of classical piano recordings to inspire sweet dreams); the warming Citrus Spice gift set (including a diffuser, room spray, and candle); or a selection of elizabethW cotton/terry single-use bath pouches, which come in eight signature scents and are infused with sea salt for a luxurious exfoliating session or invigorating bubble bath.
For Mom and Dad: Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture at Stillpoint Wellness Center
Aging gracefully is a virtue, and Stillpoint Wellness Center’s facial rejuvenation acupuncture package prove that you can stay beautiful at any age without overloading on Botox and Restalyne. Tautly stretched beauty is so 2000, so if you’re looking for the perfect gift for harried moms and dads, send ‘em to Bina Jangda, the star acupuncturist at Stillpoint Wellness Center, a cozy Cow Hollow haven of nothing but good stuff. Jangda is one of the only acupuncturists in the city to offer facial rejuvenation acupuncture (FRA), a technique that’s been known for centuries but has just started to make a splash stateside.
FRA offers a non-surgical, non-invasive method of reducing aging signs -- the basic philosophy is that, by boosting circulation and restoring balance to the body, the technique can repair the sort of cellular damage that’s directly connected to aging. Paired with consultations on lifestyle (since beauty ain’t just skin-deep), FRA utilizes needles in specific areas of the face, scalp, hands, feet, and legs to increase blood and lymph flow, and also to strengthen the immune system and restore overall balance. You simply recline and relax as the treatment is administered; it typically lasts about an hour and a half and includes ingestion and/or topical application of a special herb formula.
While the sensations aren’t always pleasant, particularly if you’re nervy around needles, Jangda’s personable table-side manner definitely makes for a soothing visit. Individual sessions are available, but in order to really see the results (reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging; tightened pores; and increased collagen production), you’ll want the 10-session package, which has the recipient coming in every few weeks. Just be sure to approach Mom and Dad with extra sensibility; while FRA is incredible (and also results in side effects like sleeping better), getting a gift tag that basically proclaims “You’re getting old” most definitely isn’t.
For Your Rock Star BFF: The Scrubdown at Imperial Spa
No doubt about it -- s/he’s been there for you: through the bad hair days (or eras), the waste-of-skin romantic entanglements, and even the moments of bubbly giddiness when you were on top of the world and needed the perfect wing-woman or man to enjoy it with. Your BFF deserves a little something for all those hours of unpaid counseling, natch. That’s why a trip to Imperial Spa is in order for the guy or gal who’s stood beside you through thick and thin.
For Your Rock Star BFF: The Scrubdown at Imperial Spa
No doubt about it -- s/he’s been there for you: through the bad hair days (or eras), the waste-of-skin romantic entanglements, and even the moments of bubbly giddiness when you were on top of the world and needed the perfect wing-woman or man to enjoy it with. Your BFF deserves a little something for all those hours of unpaid counseling, natch. That’s why a trip to Imperial Spa is in order for the guy or gal who’s stood beside you through thick and thin.
From the outside, it’s little more than a nondescript box, but walk into this traditional Korean spa (whose separate male and female bathhouses can easily give neighboring Kabuki’s a run for its money) and you might begin to understand why so many society l adies swear by the power of weekly visits. Aside from a steam room and hot and cold whirlpools, the spa’s most definitive offering is its red clay sauna, a traditional Korean wellness contrivance thought to boost metabolism, treat inflammation, and remove toxins from the body -- resulting in happy, youthful skin.
And of course, there’s the Purification Body Scrub and Oil Massage, Imperial’s signature treatment, which includes 90 minutes of scrubbing and rubbing. Essential oils mixed with milk and yogurt are slathered onto the skin to rehydrate you, and a hedonistic head massage completes the royal treatment. The communal massage environment (separated by gender) takes a bit of getting used to, but don’t worry -- everyone’s too busy getting pampered to take any notice.
For Your Beloved: The Harmony Couples Massage at Nob Hill Spa
Atop San Francisco’s illustrious Nob Hill, across the street from Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral, and secreted into an alcove (or two, or three) of the Huntington Hotel, the city’s most epicurean spa experience awaits you and that special someone. Nob Hill Spa might make down-to-earth spa-goers a little chary; after all, places frequented by society dames and other high-rollers tend to give a little credence to the neighborhood’s other nickname. But given all the amazing therapists and amenities (poolside service, divine sun deck, sauna and steam room, rain showers, whirlpool, yoga classes, complimentary fruit and tea, fireplaces in all the treatment rooms, and inimitable views of the city skyline, to name a few), the spa’s many accolades start to make a little sense.
It’s the serenity of the place, paired with the impeccable service and healing-meets-hedonism raison d’etre, that has socialites and folks simply in search of the perfect massage coming back for more. Innovative treatments include the Guided Imagery massage (with a soundtrack created by Dr. Martin Rossman and award-winning composer Gary Malkin) and the Alchemy Transformation massage (which utilizes Judith Jackson’s special Alchemy Elixirs, Renaissance-inspired potions with specific intentions and names like Artemis, Venus, and Mercury). But it’s the totally sexy Harmony couples treatment you’ll want to surprise your sweetie with: two 60-minute massages side by side with your chosen one, followed by a three-course dinner at the Big 4 Restaurant downstairs. Despite my own adherence to conscientious consumption this season, the spa’s luxurious pairing of food and massage is enough to win over even the most curmudgeonly of spenders.
For You: The Potent Organic Skincare Products at In Fiore Didn’t think we’d forget you, did you? Never mind the naughty or nice list -- after all the TLC you’ve dispensed to indulgence-deprived loved ones, opening your pocketbook for some fine skincare is certainly in order. The great thing about gifting yourself with supreme skincare is that it’s both practical (warding off crow’s feet is a health issue, people!) and purely sybaritic. Take a walk on the primrose path and visit In Fiore, Julie Elliott’s sinfully scented San Francisco lair, whose offerings have cultivated a ferocious following in both Europe and Japan.
You can brag to anyone who cares to compliment your pores that you’re privy to the beauty secrets of In Fiore (which translates to “in bloom” in Italian); Elliot bases her stuff on the traditional homeopathic therapies of European apothecaries. The boutique’s “handmade couture” runs the gamut from balms to oils, but it’s the skincare you’ll purr over. Elliott’s concoctions are perfect for all skin types, and are purely organic and flower-based, which means you never have to worry about suspect ingredients. Effective treatments include Treate, a silky cleanser that combines aloe vera gel, rose water, and jasmine; Complexe de Fleur, an anti-aging cellular renewal formula with 12 herbal infusions; and Pur, a light-as-air moisturizer with evening primrose oil that leaves a matte sheen on oily skin. There are lots of reasons to buy In Fiore: the products are great for the environment, they promote balanced, dewy skin, and they smell damn incredible. Enough said.
Among other things, the holidays are a time of national dysnutrition: the disease of excess. Dysnutrition happens even in the most developed countries when food is plentiful but the overall diet is based on eating all the wrong balance of foods. Sound familiar? The typical American diet that is high in simple carbohydrates-- white flour, white salt, and processed food--is aging us. We are getting all the bulk without the nutrients, plus adding to our propensity for developing real food cravings. So whether you are a vegetarian or an omnivore, you can start to reverse aging by simply choosing to eat the right foods to keep you full of vim, vigor, and vitality, especially over the holidays.
The easiest way to make sure you are getting more nutrients into every meal, even when you are grazing at the office cocktail party or the neighborhood potluck dinner is by choosing foods that are loaded with spices. Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie. You are taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary by adding color, flavor, vitamins, and often medicinal properties. Here's why:
* Spices and herbs maximize nutrient density. Herbs and spices contain antioxidants, minerals and multivitamins. At the cocktail party, choose the Thai chicken satay stick over the tried and true fried chicken strip.
* Spices and herbs create a more thermogenic diet. Because spices are nutrient dense, they are thermogenic, which means they naturally increase your metabolism. As your metabolism revs higher you will burn more of the food you have already eaten as fuel, and store less as body fat. At the dinner party, finish off the meal with coffee or tea sprinkled with cinnamon, which contains dozens of nutrients.
* Some spices and herbs increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety, so you'll eat less. One study conducted at Maanstricht University in the Netherlands showed that when one consumes an appetizer with half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes before each meal, it decreased their calorie intake by 10-16%. If you're planning a holiday menu, think of starting with a tomato soup sprinkled with red pepper.
* You can eliminate salt. When you flavor your foods with spices instead of salt you'll immediately see health and physica l benefits. Excessive salt intake keeps water inside your body. Once you kick the habit you will no long have excessive bloating and water retention. You'll also lose the salt and salty snack craving. That's because using salt begets using more salt: after a while it's impossible to use just a pinch, because you've trained your brain to require a salty taste for everything you eat. Over time, using spices will also lessen your cravings for simple, nutrient poor carbohydrate snacks because you will not be yearning for a savory, salty taste. Stay clear of the chips and dips and you're doing your brain and your body big favor.
* Spices and herbs have real medicinal properties. Study after study shows the benefits of distinct herbs and spices. One study at MalmA University Hospital in Sweden showed that up to two hours after eating, people who ate cinnamon-spiced rice pudding measured significantly lower blood-glucose levels than those who had eaten the unspiced version. Other studies suggest that cinnamon may improve blood-glucose levels by increasing a person's insulin sensitivity. One 2003 trial of 60 people with type 2 diabetes reported that consuming as little as two teaspoons of cinnamon daily for six weeks reduced blood-glucose levels significantly. It also improved blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, perhaps because insulin plays a key role in regulating fats in the body. So if you start adding spices to your diet now, you might be able to see r eal health benefits in the early months of the New Year.
Every little bit counts, so spice it up! Change your eating habits now, especially if your next meal is a pile of franks 'n blanks or cheeseburger sliders. Choose flavor over blandness every time, and try to incorporate these specific herbs and spices into your diet if you have the following health concerns:
* rosemary and basil for their anti-inflammatory power * cumin and sage for their dementia-fighting power * cayenne and cinnamon for their obesity-fighting power * coriander and cinnamon for their sugar regulating powers * lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaves and saffron for their calming effects on your mood * turmeric for its cancer fighting power * oregano for its fungus-beating power * garlic, mustard seed and chicory for their heart-pumping power * basil and thyme for their skin-saving power * turmeric, basil, cinnamon, thyme, saffron, and ginger for their immune-boosting power * coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper for their depression-busting power
Watching TV all day isn't going to do the trick. When age finally catches up with you, you'll gradually become more incapable of doing things you use to love doing. Plan an exercise regimen where you can do strength, aerobic and flexibility activities to stop aging on its tracks.
Delay the aging process by doing a strength workout every now and then. What strength training does is enhance bone density and muscle mass. Lacking exercise results in the loss college distance learning tone, where your muscles are less capable in sustaining your bones. You may end up developing constant back pain and a bad posture.
The best thing about strength training is that your body continues to burn fat even when you're just sitting down. You get to have college distance learning muscles, tighter skin, amplified metabolism and improved joints. Strength training could be weight lifting, resistance training (pushing against forces), and isometric training (muscle flexing). 2-3 days a week is suggested for strength activities.
Isometric training is one of the more preferred types of strength training because it is less straining especially for those who are just starting to get back on a fitness plan. Isometric training usually involves short repetitions of muscle flexing.
Doing an aerobic workout is the best activity anyone can do to delay the aging process. Anyone from a child to an adult can do cardiovascular exercises. Cardiovascular exercises involve running, brisk-walking, and other exercises that require more endurance than full-on power.
Getting yourself to do an aerobic workout means helping your blood circulate through your body. When blood circulation is healthy, oxygen is carried through efficiently. This enables you to think more clearly, online mba program coordinate your movements and quickly respond. Unhealthy blood circulation may result in faintness, headaches, heart disease and dementia.
To have superior endurance, de-stressing capabilities and blood health, start getting into any regular aerobic activity. At least 20 minutes of aerobic training everyday is suggested.
Flexibility training is an important part of any anti aging exercise plan. Stretching for example is always advised before doing cardiovascular online french course training. Doing flexibility training improves joint health as well as skeletal and muscular function so that you are able to perform different activities with maximum effectiveness.
Doing a flexibility workout minimizes the distress caused by joint conditions and gives way to better physical movement. Just 30 seconds of this type of workout a day enhances movement and flexibility.
Merging strength, aerobic and flexibility workouts in one exercise program can give you the anti aging effects of strength, speed, balance and alertness.
Picture this: You’re by a white sandy beach, sipping frozen iced tea, having a tan, enjoying the sights of a bright blue sky punctuated with cotton white clouds and just basking in this paradise’s warm weather.
I never thought my time in the beach could be better than this. That is, until I tried the spa services at Kai, the newly launched luxury spa of Boracay Regency, the biggest beach resort along Station 2.
Located on the third floor of the Garden Wing side, it’s easy to find this new haven: Just follow the tranquil sound and smell and you will find yourself in a sanctuary made up of 22 rooms that can accommodate 55 people at one time. It is a secret hideaway ideal to those who want quality tranquil time amid the busiest part of the island. Station 2, after all, is known as the party place in Boracay white beach.
‘‘Each room has its own oriental theme. Asia is a continent that has a lot of different cultures and each has its own unique qualities. We used Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Filipino inspirations for our treatment rooms,’’ explains Cathy Velez, Kai’s spa consultant.
These influences are also incorporated to form their own brand of treatments resulting in unique rituals that represent Asian qualities?calm, soft-spoken and composed. You will readily notice that the staff work in harmony.
Banking on six months of training for each of their therapists, Velez stresses that they also use high quality products in all of their treatments. ‘‘We brought in a Steiner-trained therapist to train them. Steiner is a training academy in UK. Our therapists are DoH-accredited as well,’’ she adds.
Before starting the spa session, the receptionist would ask the client to fill in some form to find out if you have any medical conditions or special considerations.
Any client’s spa needs can be accommodated by the various types of available rooms at Kai. From the Emperor’s Courtyard (common room for massages) to Dynasty Hall (for hands and feet treatments) to Facial Verandah (for facials) to Tropical Suites (for body scrubs and massages) to Royal Sanctuary (for Thai massages and Oriental Shiatsu) to Suite Haven (for couples who want to have the romantic rituals package) to Imperial Suites (VIP massage rooms), you will experience preferential treatment as a valued guest.
Kai is the biggest spa along the white beach strip, in terms of rooms and treatments. They have nine types of massages and five types of facial treatments. They also offer body scrubs, body wraps, hand and foot care and packages for couples (perfect for honeymooners or even friends who want to experience the soothing treatments together).
After consulting with the therapist about my options and learning about the Kai Signature Massage (90 minutes, P3,240) I was convinced to try it right away. As I entered the wet room, I was offered to try the dry sauna, hot steam room and whirlpool bath. After that I had a glass of refreshing tea inside the waiting room. As soon as I got settled in the Imperial Suite, I was immediately welcomed with a foot wash.
The foot wash is part of Kai’s unique rituals, one of things that sets the spa apart from the rest. Every treatment comes with this welcoming touch even when you’re just having a facial or hand care treatment.
Before the massage I was instructed to do some breathing exercises (called the chakra breathing).
The Kai Signature Massage is a combination of long and short strokes and moderate kneading. It has slimming effects so it is one of the most sought-after treatments here.
It is unlike any other massages that I’ve tried. The placement of thermal pads all over the body for one is different. The effect of the pads placed in vital points of the body is very soothing. The warmth in every stroke relaxes stiff muscles almost instantly. Without giving instructions to the therapist, she concentrated on my upper back particularly on the left side. Interestingly, that is where my muscles are most tensed. In this particular instance one would appreciate the training that the therapist acquired.
The spa products used on the body are then washed off using warm mittens for it not to leave a greasy after feel.
Their two other bestselling massages are the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage (90 minutes, P3,024), a revitalizing type of deep-tissue massage and the all-time favorite Well-Being Swedish Massage (60 minutes, P2,052).
After enjoying some time in the beach, I decided it’s time to have facial treatment so I headed back to Kai.
The therapist recommended The Green Tea Soothing Facial (60 minutes, P1,890) to cool down my skin. Its special ingredient, green tea, contains anti-oxidants and helps soothe burnt skin as well.
As a client I got the privilege of using Kai’s wet room facilities (dry sauna, hot steam room and whirlpool bath) before having a facial. As a welcoming gesture, I was treated to a nice foot wash again. The facial included the basic processes: cleaning, pricking, moisturizing but I didn’t expect the very soothing effect it had on me. The face and shoulder massage lulled me to sleep. To complement the sensation, combined scents of lavender, sweet orange, lemongrass and peppermint were generously infused into the whole room to inundate the tranquil experience.
Jackie Silver, an expert on Aging Backwards, reveals all of her secrets in her new book "Aging Backwards: Secrets To Staying Young".
Brad Pitt may be aging backwards in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, thanks to the magic of Hollywood special effects, but Jackie Silver, founder and president of Aging Backwards, LLC, does it in real life. She's almost 50 and still gets asked for I.D. to buy wine.
In the movie, Benjamin Buttons’ wrinkles fade and his hair grows thick and lustrous. This doesn’t have to be just a movie illusion, though, and Silver knows how it's really done. Her new book, Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young, is filled with practical tips, secrets and shortcuts for looking and feeling young, covering everything from exercise to best habits to beauty treatments, leaving no aspect of Aging Backwards uncovered.
The book also includes quotes from her personal interviews with some of the industry's top experts as well as stories from her own experiences on her quest to defy her genetics.
"Everyone wants to stay young. I'm here to help make it easier," said Silver, whose book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and on her Web site, http://agingbackwards.com/.
Silver is the Aging Backwards expert on the syndicated television show, Daytime, and also the beauty editor for Clear Channel Radio's Mix 100.7 FM Nancy & Chris Mornings in Tampa Bay, Florida. In addition, she's an expert contributor to Total Health Breakthroughs and BestLifeDesign.com as well as a regular contributor to LifeTwo.com and Health News Digest.
Silver is the Aging Backwards expert on the syndicated television show, Daytime, and also the beauty editor for Clear Channel Radio's Mix 100.7 FM Nancy & Chris Mornings in Tampa Bay, Florida. In addition, she's an expert contributor to Total Health Breakthroughs and BestLifeDesign.com as well as a regular contributor to LifeTwo.com and Health News Digest.
Beauty PR Firm Names the Beauty Industry's Top 10 Ingredients for 2009
previous years the beauty industry transitioned into the importance of being all natural with products ranging from skin care to spa treatments to hair care to cosmetics. In 2009 the focus will no longer just being about who is green or all natural, but about specific ingredients and their benefits. Pierce Mattie (www.piercemattie.com) is known for forecasting trends in the beauty industry, so without missing a beat, the Beauty PR firm names the top 10 ingredients that consumers will hear more about in 2009.
Argan Oil: This incredible skin care miracle, known for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin E with 80% essential fatty acids, has been a beauty secret of Moroccan women for centuries. It can be dually used on skin and in hair for its high level of antioxidants and ability to replenish hair and skin's natural moisture.
Acai: Sometimes referred to as 'The Fountain of Youth,' this Brazilian berry contains antioxidants, amino acids, essential omegas, fibers and protein that positions itself as a formidable fighter in anti-aging products. Acai can be found across the board in skin care, cosmetics and hair care products.
Goji Berries: This nutrient-rich berry, well known as Wolfberries in the Himalayas, has often been called a 'super food' due to its abilities to fight free radicals and boost the immune system. While there are no inherent benefits of Goji in fragrance, that hasn't stopped perfumers from including this sweet yet tart scent into their perfumes.
Baobab: Rich in riboflavin, niacin and vitamins C, A, D and E, baobab has incredible anti-aging properties although you won't just find it in creams and moisturizers, but also in exfoliating scrubs and hair care.
Acerola: Ingredients high in Vitamin C, like acerola, are being used more often due to their ability to even out skin tone and brighten complexion. Skin care brands will be using acerola more to target those who have issues with skin redness and inflammation.
Blueberry: Chock full of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, blueberries are another super food that will be used to fight aging in beauty products. Also known as a 'super fruit,' blueberries have long been known for its ability to revitalize the skin; it was just a matter of time before beauty brands began to incorporate it more into their skin care products.
Probiotics: Last year Pierce Mattie PR termed probiotics a 'buzzword' among beauty brands, but now those brands are delivering more than just buzz with this sister category to Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals. Probiotic skin care will be branded as another 'clinical-like' line of products, which beauty consumers tend to lean towards as science-based.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3: This Cosmeceutical that is becoming found more often in anti-aging products to fight fine lines and wrinkles will be even more prevalent in 2009. Products that contain Palmitoyl Tripeptide-3 will be branded as a temporary alternative to cosmetic procedures.
Myrrh: With the increasing popularity of Ayurveda in the Unites States, this ancient ingredient is also resurging in perfumes and skin care products. The rich royal resin with the slight vanilla fragrance so popular in incense also stimulates circulation and has lifting effects.
Turmeric: A highly regarded ingredient in India, Turmeric is widely known for its medicinal properties. Turmeric will be found in acne-related creams and lotions, as it is an antiseptic and can aid in preventing and removing blemishes. It will also be found in hair removal products as well as in the formulation of sunscreen in more natural products as well.
One thing I refuse to scrimp on is facial cleansers and lotions because I figure your face is your face! Everyone sees it, they don’t quite preserve well over time, and pimples are no longer cute and endearing in your 20s. I originally used the Clarins line, which worked well but didn’t come cheap! When I heard that Target had a new cleansing line that worked as well as expensive products I was hesitant. Target? Sure, they have cute dog beds, house decor and even some clothes, but my experiences with drugstore cleansers, in the past, aren’t pleasant. Well, I went to Target anyway and looked for the new Boots NO 7 products in the cosmetics area.
I was surprised to find out that Boots NO 7 is pretty new to the U.S., however, has been used for over 70 years by women in England. It is their number one brand for skin care, and women have waited hours in line to buy the product. I was excited after hearing this and after browsing through their self-tanners, bath products, anti-aging products and firming lotions, I grabbed the Advanced Hydration Day Fluid, the daily cleansing wipes, and the Pamper and Peel Mask. Immediately upon returning home, I tore open the packages and tried everything. Here’s what I found:
The Advanced Hydration Day Fluid ($14.99) worked well because it went on light and didn’t clog my pores. It managed to keep my skin hydrated throughout the day and on the package it claims to correct the skin’s natural ability to keep itself hydrated. With my sensitive skin, I found this to be an excellent moisturizer!
I was disappointed by the daily cleansing wipes. I wanted to use them to take off makeup quickly before bed when I was too tired to scrub, rinse, etc by hand. I wouldn’t recommend them for people with sensitive skin because they made my face burn for a few seconds and turn an interesting crimson color. I don’t want to completely knock the product because my mother used them every day while she was traveling and liked them a lot, so I guess it just depends on how sensitive your skin is to the ingredients in the product.
I really liked the Pamper and Peel Mask, which is used to revitalize tired, dull skin. I applied the mask with a brush that’s included with the product and relaxed for about 20 to 30 minutes. Afterwards, I peeled it off. Immediately, my skin was softer and healthier looking which made the awkwardness of peeling material off my face well worth it.
The anti-aging and firming formulas are the company’s best sellers. After a documentary about the effectiveness of anti-aging products aired in England, it was found that Boots NO 7’s anti-aging products were by far the best and actually worked to help restore the skin instead of just hiding the problem. Their formulas have been proven to defeat signs of aging in the same way expensive prescription strength formulas do. The Instant Line Filler costs about $17.99. The Restore And Renew formula is highly sought after and can be difficult to obtain in the UK ($21.99.) My mother has tried pretty much all of these products and raves about them.
A prominent anti-aging researcher quit the scientific advisory board of a dietary-supplement maker after spending six months helping to promote a syrup that hints at extending life.
Since August, David Sinclair, a professor at Harvard Medical School, lent his support to a Shaklee Corp. drink called the Vivix Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic, touted as "the world's best anti-aging supplement."
Following questions by The Wall Street Journal about his seeming endorsement of the product, Dr. Sinclair resigned from the board last week and now says his name has been misused in connection with Vivix, which contains the antioxidant resveratrol. Shaklee, based in Pleasanton, Calif., disputes this and says he approved all uses of his name in its advertising material.
Dr. Sinclair's resignation ends a short period in which Shaklee's anti-aging syrup could claim the backing of a prominent medical-school researcher. Few makers of dietary supplements have such an ally.
Dr. Sinclair remains co-chief adviser to Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, now a division of GlaxoSmithKline PLC, which is also studying resveratrol for use as a drug. Dr. Sinclair received more than $8 million when Glaxo acquired Sirtris and the company pays him $297,000 a year as a consultant. A Glaxo spokeswoman declined to discuss Dr. Sinclair or his association with Shaklee.
Shaklee's grape-tasting Vivix concentrate costs $100 for 30 teaspoons, a month's supply. It's made of resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, and other grape extracts. Many supplement companies hawk products that contain the antioxidant, but so far resveratrol has been proven to show benefits only in mice, not people.
"How would you like to feel 25 years younger and live 25 years longer?" asks Shaklee on its Web site.
While Shaklee says the question is rhetorical, such suggestions lack scientific support, some researchers say. "I don't think there's any data that resveratrol is going to be beneficial for slowing aging...in people," said Matthew Kaeberlein, a University of Washington pathologist and former labmate of Dr. Sinclair's at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Roger Barnett, Shaklee's chief executive, says the company doesn't claim that Vivix extends life -- only that it affects certain processes inside the body's cells. The 25-years phrase is "just a question to engage people in a dialogue," he says.
n obtaining the backing of Dr. Sinclair this summer, Shaklee scored a coup. Dr. Sinclair knows resveratrol; in 2006, he led a study showing the molecule could counteract the ill effects of overfeeding laboratory mice. One notable benefit: resveratrol let overweight mice live about 114 weeks on average, compared with 102 weeks without the chemical.
In August, Dr. Sinclair joined Shaklee's Scientific Advisory Board, a paid position, and enthusiastically introduced Vivix to the company's sales force in New Orleans. He joined Shaklee's chief doctor in a joint radio appearance, and his picture and name are often used on Vivix sales sites run by Shaklee's salespeople.
Shaklee declined to say how much it paid Dr. Sinclair to be on the advisory board. Both sides say he didn't receive Vivix royalties.
Dr. Sinclair -- who has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular genetics but isn't a medical doctor -- now says he was misinterpreted. "I have submitted my resignation to Shaklee and exercised my right to terminate my agreement," he wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. "This decision was prompted in significant part by my recent realization as to how my association with Shaklee and my research have been used contrary to the intents and purposes of my agreement."
"To my dismay I have found numerous uses of my name and reputation on the Web and in other media that implies endorsement by me of Shaklee's Vivix product," he wrote. "I have engaged counsel to deal with this matter and have demanded that Shaklee cease using m name."
A spokesman for Harvard Medical School said the school was also reviewing Shaklee's use of Dr. Sinclair's name and references to his Harvard affiliation, which have appeared on its Web site and in promotional videos.
In a statement, Shaklee said that "every implied product endorsement was in Dr. Sinclair's own words and every Shaklee use of his name -- whether in print or video -- was pre-approved by him in keeping with our agreement."
Among other things, the holidays are a time of national dysnutrition: the disease of excess. Dysnutrition happens even in the most developed countries when food is plentiful but the overall diet is based on eating all the wrong balance of foods. Sound familiar? The typical American diet that is high in simple carbohydrates -- white flour, white salt, and processed food -- is aging us. We are getting all the bulk without the nutrients, plus adding to our propensity for developing real food cravings. So whether you are a vegetarian or an omnivore, you can start to reverse aging by simply choosing to eat the right foods to keep you full of vim, vigor, and vitality, especially over the holidays.
The easiest way to make sure you are getting more nutrients into every meal, even when you are grazing at the office cocktail party or the neighborhood potluck dinner is by choosing foods that are loaded with spices. Every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie. You are taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary by adding color, flavor, vitamins, and often medicinal properties. Here's why:
Herbs and spices contain antioxidants, minerals and multivitamins. At the cocktail party, choose the Thai chicken satay stick over the tried and true fried chicken strip.
* Spices and herbs create a more thermogenic diet.
Because spices are nutrient dense, they are thermogenic, which means they naturally increase your metabolism. As your metabolism revs higher you will burn more of the food you have already eaten as fuel, and store less as body fat. At the dinner party, finish off the meal with coffee or tea sprinkled with cinnamon, which contains dozens of nutrients.
* Some spices and herbs increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety,
so you'll eat less. One study conducted at Maanstricht University in the Netherlands showed that when one consumes an appetizer with half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes before each meal, it decreased their calorie intake by 10-16%. If you're planning a holiday menu, think of starting with a tomato soup sprinkled with red pepper.
When you flavor your foods with spices instead of salt you'll immediately see health and physical benefits. Excessive salt intake keeps water inside your body. Once you kick the habit you will no long have excessive bloating and water retention. You'll also lose the salt and salty snack craving. That's because using salt begets using more salt: after a while it's impossible to use just a pinch, because you've trained your brain to require a salty taste for everything you eat. Over time, using spices will also lessen your cravings for simple, nutrient poor carbohydrate snacks because you will not be yearning for a savory, salty taste. Stay clear of the chips and dips and you're doing your brain and your body big favor.
* Spices and herbs have real medicinal properties.
Study after study shows the benefits of distinct herbs and spices. One study at MalmA University Hospital in Sweden showed that up to two hours after eating, people who ate cinnamon-spiced rice pudding measured significantly lower blood-glucose levels than those who had eaten the unspiced version. Other studies suggest that cinnamon may improve blood-glucose levels by increasing a person's insulin sensitivity. One 2003 trial of 60 people with type 2 diabetes reported that consuming as little as two teaspoons of cinnamon daily for six weeks reduced blood-glucose levels significantly. It also improved blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, perhaps because insulin plays a key role in regulating fats in the body. So if you start adding spices to your diet now, you might be able to see real health benefits in the early months of the New Year.
Every little bit counts, so spice it up! Change your eating habits now, especially if your next meal is a pile of franks 'n blanks or cheeseburger sliders. Choose flavor over blandness every time, and try to incorporate these specific herbs and spices into your diet if you have the following health concerns: