Back to Basics: Moisturizers

The importance of moisture to the skin is often under-estimated in the skin health industry. While hydrators may not offer a miracle sure, achieving and maintaining skin moisture levels is imperative to the treatment of all skin conditions.

Everyone needs at least one hydrating product, and it is wise to have several options available. The search for appropriate hydrators for your skin type can be challenging since there are so many products on the market. Here are some of our moisturizers:

Restorative Treatment Cream — ideal for dry, delicate, mature skin; not for oily skin

Clearskin — great for oily, acne-prone skin

Sheer Hydration — light, SPF 15; for all skin types

Men’s Total Defense — for all skin types, calming hydrator with SPF 25

Emollience — good overnight hydrator for dry, mature skin

Hydrating B5 Gel — popular, non-greasy hydrator for all skin types; contains Vitamin B5

Hydrator Plus — great for dry skin; with SPF 30

Protecting Hydrator — non-oily; light moisture with a matte finish; with SPF 30

While some evaporation through the epidermis (permeable outer barrier of the skin) is necessary, overexposure to UV rays, extreme temperatures and aggressive product use can lead to barrier dysfunction. Symptoms are dry, flaky skin with a dull appearance. The use of moisturizers will help hydrate the skin and help the epidermis maintain a natural and balanced moisture level.

Contact us for more information about the moisturizers we recommend: 513.772.2442

Latest in Skin Enhancement

Peptides are the newest item in anti-aging skin care, and we’re hearing more and more about them as they gain popularity. Peptides are small proteins that stimulate the production of collagen. The excitement about this product began several years ago when the ingredient, Matrixyl, showed its ability to simulate collagen production in skin.

Collagen is composed of long strands of amino acids and is really the main building block of skin. Collagen gives the skin its smooth and youthful appearance. As we age, these long strands of amino acids break apart, and our skin tends to break down and become wrinkled. When the long strands break apart, they create small chains commonly known as peptides. The presence of peptides signal to the skin that collagen has decreased, and the production of more is needed.

Matrixyl 3000 is one of the most effective peptides and its formulation works to mimic the appearance of the broken-down collagen and causes your skin to naturally react by producing more collagen. It acts like growth factors and stimulates skin cells to make a quicker turnover, much like young skin.

Studies continue to generate news about additional benefits of peptides. The peptide complexes help increase lymphatic drainage and microcirculation by strengthening veins and capillaries. This leads to a dramatic reduction in discoloration and swelling around the eyes. By protecting the integrity of elastin and collagen bundles, peptides help improve skin firmness and elasticity, giving the under eye region a lifting effect and visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Yet another benefit of peptides is the increased molecular communication within the skin, particularly at the junction of the dermis and epidermis. This area where the two layers of skin meet is responsible for the structural and functional integrity of the skin. The dual peptide complex called Syn-Tacks interacts with the most relevant proteins at this junction.

So peptides help firm and plump our skin’s connective tissue. This, in turn, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and our skin appears brighter and tighter.

Ask our staff for more information about products containing peptides!