Copper peptides, alpha hydroxy, ascorbic acid, nanospheres…ever feel like you need a Ph.D. in biochemistry to choose a simple skin care program? Indeed, the skin care industry is a complex one with consumers spending billions a year for the promise of smooth, youthful-looking skin. While the products on the market are virtually limitless, most dermatologists and aestheticians agree that a good basic skin care program can be broken down into five simple steps:  cleansing, exfoliating, preventing, hydrating, and protecting.

Cleansing, as the name implies, requires a gentle product to remove make-up and environmental grime from the skin.

Exfoliating is the equivalent of polishing tarnished silver – removing the dull, dead skin cells and promoting the regeneration of new skin cells. Today’s exfoliants are gentle enough to be used two to three times a week. The micro granules within the exfoliant should be small, and skin should not be red afterwards.

Preventing refers to the antioxidant serums that are designed to defend the skin from damaging oxygen-free radicals. By neutralizing the oxygen-free radicals, the serums stop the radicals before they can attack and damage the skin. Antioxidant serums also internally calm sun-irritated skin. These skin serums typically include vitamin-rich compounds such as Vitamin C, E, and soy.

Hydrating refers to keeping moisture and/or infusing moisture into the skin. Manufacturers of the higher-end skin care programs insist that the better moisturizers are free of petroleum-based oils, and many companies are now insisting on organically-grown botanical oils for their lines.

Protecting refers to the daily application of sunscreen, the number one practice for beautiful skin according to most dermatologists.  Quality sunscreen products should include zinc oxide, Helioplex, or Parasol 1789 to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide, which conjures images of white-nosed lifeguards, has been significantly improved. Now it delivers blocking properties in a translucent form, making it practical for daily use under make-up. Another new technology in sunscreen is Helioplex, a patented formula of Neutrogena Skincare.  Helioplex has combined two sunscreen ingredients which provide complete and longer term UVA and UVB skin protection.   Not all sunscreens are considered full spectrum so it is important to read product content.

Your homework for Skin Care Science 101:  READ THE LABEL BEFORE YOU BUY!  Is it organic? Is it non-petroleum based?  Does it include antioxidants necessary for preventing skin cell damage due to sun and environmental elements?  Does it include a full spectrum sunscreen?  It pays to know the facts.  While women typically spend hundreds of dollars a year on their hair and nails, they often skimp on quality when it comes to their skin. Drugstore skin care lines may seem like a bargain, but they may “cost” you more in the long run with less than desirable results. Is this a price you are willing to pay?   

SkinCeuticals

At the newly-opened Larimar Med Spa, located adjacent  to Greenlife Grocery, aesthetician Deidre Thompson says their most popular line is SkinCeuticals.  Because Larimar is a medically-supervised day spa, the physician-owners wanted to make sure they chose a skincare line that offered scientific research to back up their claims of fewer wrinkles and brighter and tighter complexions.   Using only pharmaceutical grade ingredients, SkinCeutical’s products undergo an exhaustive peer review process at major medical institutions before they are ever put on the market. “We were really impressed with the scientific abstracts that researchers provided after testing the products,” says Thompson. “However, the real proof is in the glowing skin our customers have attained after using SkinCeuticals consistently for a few months.”   SkinCeuticals also offers products which address specific skin disorders, such as rosacea and hyper pigmentation.   Larimar Med Spa also offers Obagi, another very popular product line which delivers all the components of an effective skin care program. 

Premier Skin Products Available in Chattanooga

A relative newcomer to the Chattanooga market, Arbonne International offers a complete skincare line which it sells through local independent consultants.   Jan Johnston, who started with the company in the summer of 2005, is now National Vice President. She says the company prides itself on using pure ingredients that are not only safe for the entire family but are incredibly effective. The 100% pure botanical Arbonne line was formulated by Swiss cosmetic chemist Pierre Botiglieri, using the latest technology in delivering nutrients to the skin’s many layers.  According to Johnston, Arbonne’s use of nanosphere technology is cutting edge. She adds, “Given the fact that the skin is our largest organ, it only makes sense to pay attention to what we are putting on it.”  Johnston warns, “Anything we put on our skin is absorbed into our blood stream within sixty seconds.”  The company also offers three basic lines: NutriMinC for Women/NutriMen C for men, both anti-aging systems; the Intelligence Line for teens and young adults; and a comprehensive acne treatment program for problem skin.  Because Arbonne wants each and every customer to be 100% satisfied with their purchase, they let customers try the product before they buy. By going to the company website, www.arbonne.com, individuals can link up with a independent Arbonne consultant.

If you want a terrific skin care program from a company with a terrific “green” record, look no further than Eminence, available at Natural Body Day Spa.  Eminence not only pays close attention to what goes into their products, but they also pay close attention to how they manufacture and package their products.  Their ingredients come from all-organic farms, their manufacturing facility utilizes solar and wind power, and their packaging takes advantage of recycled paper content.  “Not only is Eminence a socially responsible company, it produces a superior product,” says Natural Body owner, Kelly Brock. “Our customers come back again and again to purchase Eminence products.”  Its product sound more like something you might want to eat rather than apply to your skin, with names like pink grapefruit masques, lime refresh toniques, and mandarin grapefruit body butter. Natural Body uses the Eminence products for their spa facials, allowing customers to feel, smell, and see results before buying the skin care line.

 

At downtown’s Spa Morrell, owner/licensed aesthetician Monica Dean says they prefer the Methode Physiodermie line of skin care products.  “So many of our regular customers are baby boomers who have unique skin issues,” Dean explains, “and  Methode Physiodermie has a complete line of products which allows me to customize a skin care regime for a particular client.”  Dean says she hopes today’s teens will take advantage of skin care research by taking care of their skin now.  “Baby Boomers have had to learn the hard way that neglecting and punishing your skin during your teens and twenties will create irreversible issues later in life,” adds Dean.

            The complexion of the future looks bright for those follow the five basic skincare rules of cleansing, exfoliating, preventing, hydrating, and protecting.