Basics of the Skin

On average, you have nearly six to seven pounds of organ covering your body, protecting you from dehydration, oxidation and infection.  This organ, called the skin, has some of the most complex cells of the body. A complete study of this organ can fill as many pages as the novel "War and Peace". This won't take that long.

The two main layers of the skin from the inside out are commonly called the dermis and the epidermis layer. Each is a part of our skin that is not so much a barrier but more of an interface to the environment around us. Our skin health can be maintained by proper diet, lifestyle and by the products we apply topically. Take care of yourself and your skin will take care of you.

The dermis is where the party happens. First is what is sometimes called the hypodermis (subcutaneous) layer with a fatty base that acts as a soft buffer to support nerve endings and blood vessels. This layer attaches to the muscle layer below it. Above that is where all the collagen and elastin is that you hear so much about. Actually collagen is a protein that exists in many forms throughout your body, but in your skin it provides the tear strength to your skin. Elastin provides the...you guessed it, elasticity or the ability for your skin to bounce back to a previous shape when pulled, pushed or pinched. Think of collagen and elastin as the columns that support your outer layer of skin.

The party doesn't stop there, oh no! The dermis houses glands, hair, nerves and blood vessels. It creates a highway for nutrients to the layer above it. Around your hair follicles are stem cells that are the beginning of the conveyor belt for daughter cells that move outward to the upper layer. This is happening continuously and at a specific rate. When the skin is damaged (such as from UV radiation) the rate of cell growth increases. Too slow or too fast and your skin suffers. The result can often become cancerous.

Ever seen what happens to a banana or apple without the skin of the fruit? That's oxidation. The epidermis is the first line of defense to stop or slow the effects of oxidation, infection and dehydration. This outer layer has an acidic level that helps to fight off bacteria and virus. (Please, use a toner to balance your skin pH level after cleansing and washing. It really does help.) If you do without a significant part of your stomach, lung, liver, heart or brain and you may live quite a long time. Some that I know with half a brain do quite well. Do without a significant part of your epidermis and you better kiss your loved ones good bye if you don't get help quick...or your hiney if no one is around.

A little bit about applying skin care products. Pores in your skin are NOT holes that allow your skin to breath, they act as sweat pathways that regulates our body temperature and DO allow topically applied ingredients some access to the dermal layer. But it's not that easy. The ability for a product to absorb depends on a several things. The moisture level of your skin can greatly increase the ability of a product to absorb - the higher the moisture level the better so apply product after bathing or showering. It is especially helpful if the product contains highly moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. The younger the body the more the moisture content so before you get to the Scooter stage go out and get yourself some moisturizer.

The health, or lack thereof, of your skin can play a large role in product penetration. Not always good. This is why some people have sensitivities to ingredients at times, not healthy enough and your skin may allow more absorption. Diabetics or those with psoriasis can have increased sensitivities due to higher absorption rates.

Lipid or oil based products have a higher rate of absorption through the epidermis but can get backed up at the dermis layer, which has more water content at a neutral pH balance. Think oil and water together. Ingredient concentration can help to overcome some of this separation effect.

Beauty really isn't only skin deep, don't be afraid to smile really big. Smile lines add character, they really do. But take care of that organ that we all like to tan or color with cosmetics:
☞  Exercise helps with circulation. Our skin is full of vessels.
☞  A healthy diet brings the vitamins and minerals to your skin from the inside out.
☞    Keep your skin pH balanced to fight off bacteria, fungus and virus.

☞   Apply products that are good for your skin. There are a lot of articles available to describe the different ingredients and philosophies. Choose what you feel comfortable with and/or consult a dermatologist.
☞   Use additional SPF products that protect you from UV-A and B radiation from the sun.
☞  Antioxidants have been shown to help the skin resist free radicals. Consume them and apply them.

Michael Lamb
jeunedage.com or ToBetterSkin.com

Vitamin B for Skin Health

Vitamin B is made up of thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3 or B4), panthenol (B5), pyridoxine (B6), bioin (B8 or vitamin H), folate (B9), and cobalimin (B12). B vitamins have been show to help promote healthy skin, hair and nails. All are water soluble. Vitamin B3 and B5 are the most common found in skin care products so that's what "B" the focus for this article. :)

B3 has been recognized for its anti-aging potential. Vitamin B3 and B5 is being increasingly used in a number of acne treatments, where its wound healing properties has made it an important ingredient.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) is the biologically active form of niacin. B3 increases the rate of skin exfoliation and increases moisture barrier repair. Niacinamide helps rosacea patients with increased skin barrier function to reduce skin irritants. Studies have shown it to be useful in increasing synthesis of collagen and lipids while decreasing inflammation. “Already, topical 4% niacinamide has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of papular and pustular acne in a 4% gel, as well as the improvement of skin cancer and its anti-tumor characteristics”1.  Another study shows that Niacinamide use "revealed a variety of significant skin appearance improvement effects for topical niacinamide: reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, hyper-pigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing). In addition, elasticity (as measured via cutometry) was improved." 2

Vitamin B5 (panthenol) reduces water loss through the skin by acting as a penetrating moisturizer. Here's a bonus! Panthenol can help protect the skin against sunburn AND relieve an existing sunburn! Studies show the Panthenol penetrates the skin and converts to Pantothenic Acid. Pantothenic Acid allows for permeation of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, so that all the goodness reaches the dermis where the elastin and collagen fibers are.

Turns out Vitamin B3 and B5 is pretty good stuff in skin care products:
☞   Reductions in fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmented spots
☞   Dry skin stays supple and elastic longer
☞   Anti-inflammatory and anti-itching effect
☞   Stimulates skin regeneration
☞   Small wounds, scratches, sunburn and blisters heal better
☞   Combine with other ingredients for relief from eczema, psoriasis, skin inflammation and skin allergies.

1 Dr. Draelos, American Academy of Dermatology.
2 Bissett Donald L., PhD, The Procter & Gamble Company, Miami Valley Laboratories, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Michael Lamb
ToBetterSkin.com

Vitamin A for Skin Health

This is the first in a series of topics discussing Vitamins for your skin health. Later topics will include botanical ingredients as well as natural compounds such as DMAE, MSM and CoQ10.

Let's go alphabetical starting with A, Vitamin A that is! It's common knowledge that Vitamin A is good for the skin. Many have found relief from acne by applying serums, lotions and cremes containing Vitamin A. There are two common forms found in consumer products. The most potent form of Vitamin A is called Retinol (Retinol Palmitate). This form is found in meat products and vitamin supplements. In higher concentrations Retinol can be quite toxic. The vegetable form of Vitamin A is beta-carotene and is a non-toxic precusror of Vitamin A (sometimes called pro-Vitamin A) that is converted in the body into retinol and stored in the liver.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty let's summarize what collagen is. Think of it as the glue (it's actually a protein) that holds all kinds of body tissue together. It helps to provide the skin with strength, flexibility, and resilience. As people age collagen degradation occurs, leading to wrinkles. Drum roll please...Vitamin A increases collagen absorption for the skin. Wooo hoooo!!!

OK, bear with me on the science stuff for a moment. There's been some debate as to which type of Vitamin A is best. Retinol Palmitate nourishes the skin and assists in the rejuvenation process that maintains a more youthful appearance. But what about beta-carotene? According to research, "topical beta-carotene has been shown to penetrate well into the epidermis and induced a 10-fold increase of epidermal retinyl esters, which demonstrates that topical beta-carotene is converted into retinyl esters by the epidermis and becomes a precursor of epidermal vitamin A."*  Retinyl ester is what Retinol becomes after being fully broken down. Simply put, beta-carotene (the mildest form of Vitamin A) works great in lotions, serums and cremes to increase collagen absorption!

Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant because it traps free radicals. Free radicals are a byproduct of normal cell function, pollution, and UV radiation from the sun. The free radical bonds to other molecules causing proteins (remember, collagen is a protein) and other essential molecules to not function as they should. This asserts that many of the changes that occur as our bodies age are caused by free radicals.  Luckily, antioxidants can minimize free radical damage.

Increased collagen absorption and the ability to fight free radicals. Vitamin A packs a one-two punch!

*Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. 2004 Sep 13

Michael Lamb

Vitamin A, Retinol Palmitate, beta-carotene, betacarotene, beta carotene, pro-Vitamin A, proVitamin A, Retinyl ester, collagen, wrinkles, epidermis, antioxidant, free radicals, skincare, skin care, serum, creme

How this serum helps with Acne

A great review and how are serum helps many with acne. http://www.twolia.com/blogs/daily-beauty-break/

Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Because Adult Acne came up earlier today, try Tea Tree Oil. Read about it here. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#teatree

Olive Oil for your skin

Olive Oil is really good for you...AND your skin! Check it out here. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#olive

Vitamin C for Skin Health

Vitamin C can help skin heal, say Scientists. http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulation-Science/Vitamin-C-can-help-skin-heal-say-scientists/?c=7G9TJAxUr%2BwyxYi9qyjFvA%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BWeekly

Coconut OIl and Skincare

Coconut Oil packs a punch for skincare in more ways than one! http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#coco

Pomegranate is reeeeeally good for your skin!

Pomegranate is reeeeeally good for your skin!!! Here's a summary. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#pom

Algae for SKincare???

Algae for your face?!?!? You bet!!! Check it out here. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#algae

CoQ10

What is it about CoQ10 that makes it great for skincare? Check it out here http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#coq

Why is Vitamin A / Retinol good for your skin?

Why is Vitamin A / Retinol good for your skin? Do you really know? Click the link for a brief explanation. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#vita

Another gret skincare review

Wow!!! Another good one! http://www.twolia.com/blogs/daily-beauty-break/2009/08/14/the-secrets-in-the-sauce-i-mean-serum/

Primrose for skincare

Primrose in a lotion? Read on http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#prim

Rooibos Tea and why it's great for skincare

What is Rooibos Tea and why it's great for skincare. Read on http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#rooibos

All about Acai in skincare products

Lets talk about the benefits of Acai in skincare. http://jeunedage.com/?page_id=44#acai

New Skincare Products!!!

Yep, I know. It's been a long time since the last post. Product has been released and sales are coming in! Three new products will be available mid-July. Just in time for Cosmoprof!

Here is a breakdown of the new products.

Face and Body Lotion (91% Organic)

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Juice, Cocos nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil, Aspalathus linearis (Organic Rooibos Tea) Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Palm Stearic Acid, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Natural source of DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol), Natural source of MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Camellia sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Extract, Butyrospermun parkii (Organic Shea) Butter, Salix nigra (Organic Black Willowbark) Extract, Daucus carota (Carrot) Oil, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide gum), Citric Acid

Cleanser (93% Organic)

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Olea europaea (Organic Olive) Oil, Aspalathus linearis (Organic Rooibos Tea) Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Punica granatum (Organic Pomegranate) Extract, Carica papaya (Organic Green Papaya) Extract, Ananas comosus (Organic Pineapple) Extract, Carica papaya (Organic Papaya) Extract, Cocos nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Panthenol (Vitamin B Complex), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Rosa mosqueta (Rosehip) Oil, Oenothers biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Daucus carota (Carrot) Oil, Polysaccharide gum (Xanthan Gum)

Toner (98% Organic)

Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Ascophyllum nodosum (Organic Kelp) Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae (Organic Blue Green Algae) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hyaluronic Acid, Salix nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract, Sodium Chloride (Dead Sea Salt), Polysorbate, Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Tetrasodium Edta, Citric Acid

Waiting, waiting, waiting

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Boxes next week, product next week...to be released to the world! I can't wait, but I have to. Still many things to do though. We are already looking at our next product. More good things coming your way!

Sample Packets for Skin Care COMING SOON!

I can't wait! Here they come! At long last the packets are in production. We should have tens of thousands of sample packets to provide to bloggers, consultants, Reps and just anyone that wants to try out our great serum. ETA is in about two weeks according to our contractor.

Don't delay! :)

Either go to our website or comment here.

Box Samples Arrived

The box samples have arrived and let me tell you they look really nice. They have a very classy, yet earthy feel to them. We are going to make a few minor changes and give our approval for full production. I think they are going to be a big hit even without skin care serum in them! :)

The packet artwork is being worked out with our supplier and they will send it to the filling center to make sure the machines recognize the zone for cutting before we place our order for the first 50,000.

Of course all this hoopla over the boxes should not take away from the actual product. It is in the words of one blogger, "a magic lotion". I can only say that when I have used samples it leaves my skin feeling great and seems to clear up my eczema. I really do love this product and am extremely happy with the result. I can't wait to share it with the world!

As always, a full disclosure of the ingredients are on our site. ToBetterSkin.com

Skin Care Box Art work Done Finally

Wow, has this been great! The art work has been finalized after a lot of tweaking. Amazing how far beyond a schedule you can become but totally worth it when you see it all come to fruition.

You must be wondering what is so unique about this box. Well, our box is not only made from recycled materials but is hand-made and re-usable for jewelery, recipes, note cards, whatever you'd like. BUT ALSO, wait there's more! The box contains flower seeds, yep, that's right. It can be buried in your garden with a bit of dirt, kept moist and flowers will grow. How cool is that for a skin care box!

Here we go!!!

It's crunch time! We are ordering our packets and boxes this week. the next four weeks are going to be long as we wait for delivery. Product order will be in two weeks to coincide with the delivery of the packets and boxes. Reviews have been great for those that have tried it.

In cyberspace it is hard to know who is paying attention, who is following all this. Please let us know if you're interested in receiving samples. jeune d'âge skin serum will be all that you expect in a high end product but priced sensibly. WE want to share this with everyone!

Really busy week

This must have been my busiest week since Christmas. Three product managers came in town from the East Coast. Funny how they only come during the winter months.

This blog is not completely related to the skin care business other then that I actually feel guilty for not getting more done outside of my "day" job. I've driven 1,100 miles in 5 working days but still managed at least an hour devoted to skin care sales projections so all is not lost. :)

Hopefully we can order packaging next week. The artwork and Cosmoprof Show ad came out great!


-- Post From My iPhone

Skin Care Serum Ingredient List Back from Lab

We have it! Our ingredient list, or "ingredient deck" in lab speak, just came in from the lab today. YAY! So here it is! And this stuff feels great!

Rose Distillate, Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Emulsifying Wax NF, Acai Oil, Organic Bilberry Extract, Organic Sugar Cane Extract, Organic Sugar Maple Extract, Organic Orange Fruit Extract, Organic Lemon Extract, Organic Cranberry Extract, Vitamin E), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Vitamin C, Phenoxyethanol, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, CoQ10, Beta Carotene (Pro Vitamin A), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Alpha Lipoic Acid, DL- Thioctic Acid, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Carrot Oil, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide gum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid.

I've put a detailed description of each and every ingredient on our website (tobetterskin.com). I think I'm going to have to get back to the lab though, the Cosmetic Grade Acai Oil has some Sunflower Oil to allow better blending. I need to find out where that falls into the ingredient deck. As it turns out Sunflower Oil is also very good for your skin.

Another exciting bit of news! A great blend of a companion moisturizer is in the works.

Stay tuned!

Skin care art work

Now that we have the company logo, brand name and tag line it's all the details that can really bog the process down. Small things can take the most time. I've always said it's the last 5% that can take 95% of your time. It's more true than I ever imagined!

So now we need to finalize the art work for the boxes and the sample packets. Each change is really important as it is a lasting impression. First impressions with a product release are so important and I cannot afford to have this fail! I just can't! My family and mortgage depend on it, oh yea, the mortgage. You know the kind, where your house is worth less than the loan. Yea, that kind. I guess I'm feeling frustrated this morning because my partner is very good at where the talents lay, but getting stuff done that isn't the fun stuff takes way too long in my humble opinion. ARGHHH!

Then there is the case of money. I'm going to really extend myself to get this great product launched. We have Reps excited and wanting to sell already. Several consultants/bloggers are very interested. Once we launch there will be no money until that batch is sold meaning there will be a full 4 to 6 weeks before we have more product. So, the business plan is being worked on day and night, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning so we can approach a bank for a line fo credit. Hope our tax money for the bail-outs are going to come back to us. :)

OK, I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

The art work really does look great so far!

Time to make a record of this. It all started when...

Wow, where do I start? It all started back in...December, was it? As you'll learn, I'm not great with time - when things happened and in what order. Pretty sure it was December anyway. A friend came to me with an idea. This friend wanted to partner with me in a business, what we were going to do was all up to what went through our little brains at that time. Well, on this particular day the idea was based on an experience at a NuSkin seminar.

According to my partner NuSkin had one major flaw in its' presentation of their product. And as it turns out most of the entire industry seems to be ignoring one important thing about most skin care products. They oxidize! Yes, even products with lots and lots of anti-oxidants oxidize in a fairly short period of time. What does this mean? It means that most of those great things that they put in the products anti-oxidant products are useless before you get though with the container. But wait! Don't the put preservatives in?

Well, yes. Most do! Why add a chemical compund to preserve a natural product when it's really not the best for your skin? Another thing to ponder; skin lotions, at least the good ones, are meant to absorb into the skin. This means that along with all those great ingredients come the preservatives working it's way into your lower levels of the skin. Think about it. A typical container is 1 to 2 ounces for a month supply. Over the years this adds up and those chemicals you don't think about are now working through one of the most important organs of your body that protect all others - your skin.

Then there are those natural and/or organic products that don't contain preservatives. But is that good? Well it is meant to be but by the time you open the product it has already begun to degrade.

So what's the answer? Well, you could use Phenoxyethanol which is an organic chemical compound derived from sage essential oil. But even so you will have some degredation. And so, we had a plan...which you will learn more about later.

Our first decision was to make a complete list of the most desirable ingredients on the market, add in some exotic organic and natural products that are packed full of nutrients for the skin and pour them all in a pot in our kitchen and waallaa! We'd have one of the best products on the market! Yea, right? Not so easy. Stay tuned, I'll tell you more...

M