The mirror tells me that my face is blotchy in some areas. Pigmentation, my dermatologist tells me. Jars of bleaching cream somehow helped to lighten them but very minimally. I would resort to applying a concealer during the day and heavy foundation during big events.
Knowing that I am on the lookout for new products to improve the condition of my skin, friends came up with suggestions. I only want to use products that are clinically proven backed by years of research and have natural ingredients with no harmful chemicals. A doctor once told me that that the less chemicals we apply on our skin, the better off we are health-wise. He recalled that at age 29, he experienced aching joints. He was young, athletic, and healthy, so what was he doing wrong? He noticed that the only thing different from his usual daily regimen was spraying himself all over with body cologne that his mother gave him. He stopped using the cologne and the aching joints disappeared. “Anything you apply on your skin seeps through your bones, muscles, and organs so be careful in choosing skin products,” he warned.
Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. Adults carry some 8 lbs. or 2 sq.m. of skin. Encyclopedias tell us that the skin is made up of many layers of ectodermal tissue, which guards the underlying muscles, bones, and internal organs. It is one of the most important parts of the body because it interfaces with the environment and is the first line of defense against external factors. It plays a vital role in protecting the body against pathogens and excessive water loss. We must always take good care of our skin so it takes good care of us.
There are so many new products on the market, but what caught my interest were the ones with stem cells or stem cell enhancers. Our skin is made up of epidermal stem cells, but we need to enhance or aid their regeneration as we advance in age because their ability to repair the skin declines. It is not surprising that the potential role of stem cell rejuvenation in anti-aging has received so much attention.
Barbara Green, noted pharmacist and VP of clinical affairs of Neo Strata, wrote a number of articles that recommend skin products that have stem cells from plants. An interesting discovery is the stem cell from a Swiss variety of apple, which is very powerful in smoothing away wrinkles and crow’s feet, and improving the healthiness of human stem cells. This apple variety, Uttwiler Spatlauber, is famous for its ability to be stored for a long period of time without getting shriveled. It is also noted that this apple is rich in phytonutrients that help maintain the vitality of the skin stem cell.
It seems that the health benefits of apples go far beyond their nutritional values. In my research, I found out that Neo Strata has creams that have as their active ingredients stem cells from plants. For example, apple stem cell extract is one of the ingredients found in their Cellular Restoration Cream and Intensive Eye Therapy Cream.
From Barbara Green’s articles, I listed the following ingredients and their benefits that I should look for in buying products:
• Super antioxidants such as Chardonnay grape seed extract, vitamin A, vitamin E, pomegranate, berry extract — they fight and neutralize free radicals. Free radical formation occurs continuously in cells as a result of exposure to external sources such as UV radiation, environmental pollutants, and industrial chemicals.
• Peptides — they help slow facial aging by stimulating new collagen, reducing dark circles under the eyes, and lightening unwanted spots.
• Swiss apple stem cell extract — slows the process of cellular aging by protecting and extending the life of the skin’s own stem cell.
• Glycolic acid — clinically proven to increase collagen production, plumping and filling the skin so that wrinkles are smooth inside out.
• NeoGlucosamine — inhibits tyrisinase, a key enzyme to melanin production by reducing the appearance of skin discoloration like age spots.
• Retinol — increases cell turnover, diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increases clarity.
• Hyaluronic acid — acts as a natural moisture magnet.
• Caffeine — helps deflate puffiness under the eye.
I chose three new creams from Neo Strata’s for my 2013 skin regimen:
1) Cellular Restoration Cream which has the apple stem cell extract, peptides, grape seed extract, extracts of pomegranate, blueberry and acai, and glycolic acid. This cream is formulated to synergistically restore skin’s essential cells, rebuild the deep skin matrix, and reduce oxidative damage for skin that is firmer, more lifted, and vibrant.
2) Intensive Eye Therapy which has apple stem cell extract, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and NeoGlucosamine. All these ingredients combined are supposedly powerful enough to smooth crow’s feet, lift and firm sagging skin around the eyes, reduce dark circles and other discolorations, deflate puffiness, and make the eyes look lifted, brighter, and younger.
3) Pigment controller, which has NeoGlucosamine, retinol, Alpine plant extracts, vitamins C and E. This will lighten my skin blotches.
Using all multi-action products together as a skincare regimen will supposedly deliver optimal results. Clinical studies showed 91 percent of women observed increased firmness and clarity after a month of usage. I will have to be more patient with the pigment controller, which has to be used for 20 weeks. Seems like a long time, but if it gives me the desired results, it’s well worth the wait. With the apple stem cell as their active ingredient, my skin will be on its way to rejuvenation.
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