Your mother’s wrinkles may not be the best predictor of how you’ll age. A study involving identical twins suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age. Factors such as divorce or the use of antidepressants are the real culprits that cause facial aging.

Researchers obtained comprehensive questionnaires and digital images from nearly 200 pairs of identical twins. The images were reviewed by an independent panel, which recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings.

Study subjects who had been divorced appeared nearly two years older than their siblings who were married, single or even widowed. Antidepressant use was associated with a significantly older appearance, and researchers also found that major weight gain or loss played a major factor, too.

In sets of twins who were less than 40 years old, the heavier twin was perceived as being older, while in those groups over 40 years old, the heavier twin appeared younger.

The presence of stress could be one of the common denominators that caused facial aging. The researchers also suspected that continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use could account for sagging.

Sources:

Eurekalert February 3, 2009

Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryJournal

Interestingly, this article is published in the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the study’s author, Bahaman Guyuron, MD, is also one of their member surgeons, so the study may have some ulterior motives.

As Dr. Guyuron said, “Our findings put science behind the idea that volume replacement rejuvenates the face.”

In other words, plastic surgeons can use the finding that fuller faces appeared younger after age 40 as “proof” that injectable filler plastic surgery procedures can make you look younger. Already, more than 1.5 million such procedures were performed in 2007, according to ASPS statistics.

But to me, the REALLY interesting part of this study has nothing to do with going out and having your face injected with fat in an attempt to look a few years younger. Instead, what struck me was the finding that your life experiences shape the look of your face as you age, far more  than your genes do.

People who had been through the stress of a divorce looked nearly two years older than their married, single or even widowed twin. Those who used antidepressants also appeared significantly older. The researchers attributed this to the drugs causing continued relaxation of the facial muscles, which led to sagging, but it could also be that those taking antidepressants were under some type of psychological stress.

For those of you who are regular readers, you’ll know that this lends further credence to the emerging and incredibly interesting field of epigenetics, which centers around the notion that environmental factors such as stress and your diet influence the expression of your genes.

And it is the expression of your genes — NOT the genes themselves — that dictates whether you develop certain diseases or age prematurely.

How Stress Shapes Your Genes

Parents often joke about how their grey hairs all magically appeared after their kids were born. Likewise, if you’ve ever watched someone go through a divorce or other emotionally trying time, they can seem to age 10 years in a matter of months.

Even if you’ve faced just a few stressful days in a row, you’ll often be able to see it written all over your face.

These are prime examples of the toll stress can take on you physically.

As proven through the massive genetic study, the Genome Project, each one of your genes can create up to 30,000 proteins, any and all of which can create a different outcome. So the fact that you may have a genetic “predisposition” for facial wrinkles, for example, does not mean that you are doomed to develop a face full of wrinkles during middle-age.

There is something that either activates or suppresses your genes, and research by Bruce Lipton, PhD., a forerunner in the field of epigenetics and The New Biology, has shown it is often related to your mind.

In other words, whether you are mentally stressed or able to maintain a more positive outlook can influence the expression of your genes, and thus directly impact how you age.

Consider a study done back in 2001, which assessed how quickly the skin of medical students could recover from having a piece of sticky tape applied to it. What they found was skin recovery seemed to be directly linked to stress levels — with high stress during exams associated with a decreased ability of the aggravated skin to return to normal function.

They concluded that stress lessens your skin’s ability to function properly, heal wounds and fight disease, and could put you at an increased risk of skin diseases like psoriasis or dermatitis.

Meanwhile, scientific data has revealed that extended exposure to psychological stress could speed up the aging process of your cells and cause them to die at a faster rate than normal.

Taken as a whole, what this means is your body’s ability to resist and adapt appropriately to both internal and external stresses is essential for good health, and the hallmark of aging is your body’s inability to withstand stress, which then starts to degrade it.

The solution, therefore, to preventing premature aging and having a youthful appearance on the outside is to effectively deal with your stress, and teach your body how to best tolerate it. This is great news, as it means that you have the ability to directly influence the way you age, simply based on your mental outlook.

Top Tips for Effectively Dealing With Stress

The key is not getting rid of stress completely, as we all face stressful situations from time to time (even exercise is a form of stress), but rather adjusting your body’s ability to tolerate the stress. Here are my top tips for doing so:

What Else Can You do to Look Younger?

Focusing on the bright side of life is only one key way to keep a fresh, youthful appearance.

One of the most important strategies you can possibly do is to optimize your vitamin D levels by appropriate sun or safe tanning bed exposure. If this is not an option then taking an oral vitamin D supplement is the next best option. But if you take this route you must be sure and have your blood levels tested as there are simply too many factors to predict what the correct dose is unless you measure it.

Vitamin D controls about 2,000-3,000 of your genes and can radically improve every system in your body — including your appearance. If you use the preferred UVB exposure to optimize your vitamin D levels you need to know that it is important not to overdo it. You only need enough exposure to turn your skin the slightest pink.

Additional exposure will not increase your vitamin D level but it will increase premature aging of your skin. So be careful and prudent out there.

As I said earlier, it is also helpful to pay attention to what you’re eating, and this one is so important it bears repeating. By consuming large amounts of whole, unprocessed, healthy raw foods that are loaded with antioxidants, you can help to slow down the speed at which signs of your real age show up.

In fact, one of the reasons I started vegetable juicing is that I would see 75-year-old women in my practice who looked like they were 40 years old with virtually no facial wrinkles. Most of them were doing large amounts of juicing and led healthy lifestyles.

Juicing is actually a great way to get more raw veggies into your diet, as long as you fine-tune your vegetable selections based on your nutritional type, and if at all possible, aim to buy organic, locally-grown vegetables that are in season.

It’s also important to cut back on sugar. Diets high in sugar increase free radicals and oxidative stress, and leads to signs of premature aging.

And the sooner you start to make these positive changes — to your stress levels, mental outlook and your diet — the better. Whether you’re young or old, this healthy lifestyle will help keep the signs of aging away, or at least slow them down considerably.

Winter and dry skin may seem inseparable…

Air humidity is down, you’re living in artificial indoor heat, and the harsh outdoor elements ravage your skin so it shows early signs of aging – even if you’re hardly ever outdoors.

Are those moisturizers safe for your skin, or are they hiding bizarre ingredients – toxins ready to sabotage your health… and your beauty?

Five Tips to Make You Quit Singing the “Winter Dry-Skin Blues”

1. Hydrate your entire system with lots of water and high anti-oxidant green tea. During winter there’s a tendency not to drink as much due to cool temperatures. You may want to bring your water to room temperature to encourage drinking more. Or enjoy more warm green tea, like the Royal Matcha Green Tea sold elsewhere on this website.
2. Eat a healthy diet of mostly raw foods, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which produce a hydrating effect from the inside out. Winter might be a good time to increase your intake of Krill oil also, for its omega-3s.
3. Take a revitalizing bath – in warm water, not hot! Himalayan salt baths are rejuvenating, and help dry skin to slough off. Hot water is damaging to your skin, so stick with warm water.
4. Wear gloves when you go outside. Sure, you’re ‘just’ running from your car to your office, but gloves will help protect your hands from winter’s ravages.
5. Moisturize daily with non-clogging organic moisturizers such as coconut oil or body butter. These nourish your skin instead of clogging it, as many toxin-impaired moisturizers do.

Why do I stress organic so much?

Because what you don’t know – or even what’s intentionally hidden from you – really can hurt you.

Continue reading to discover just how dangerous many moisturizer ingredients can be – even some very high-end (expensive) ‘spa’ products.

Be sure to check your products against the list of dangerous ingredients that follows.

Who’s Watching Out for You?

When it comes to the beauty industry, anything goes…

And money reigns supreme. Which means that it’s caveat emptor – “buyer beware”. You need to be the captain of your own ship and know what’s in the products you use.

If you thought the FDA was watching out for you…

Well, let’s just let that idea blow off right now. They let the cosmetic industry, including skin care products, police itself (your tax dollars notwithstanding). The list of people trying to help you out is surprisingly small — almost non-existent.

Currently, there are estimated to be more than 10,500 cosmetic and personal care products on the North American market. Of those products, the Environmental Working Group estimates that 99% of the products contain one or more ingredients that have never been evaluated for safety.

Who’s responsible for this Mess?

The cosmetic industry and their love of loopholes. Some of the biggies are:

• “For Professional Use Only” – This phrase allows cosmetic companies to remove harmful chemicals from their labels.
• “Hypoallergenic” – No actual testing is necessary to claim that a product is “hypoallergenic”, “allergy-free” or “safe for sensitive skin”. Neither the FDA nor any other regulating body even requires the companies to prove these claims.
• Harmful Chemicals – Unless they are intentionally placed in the product, harmful chemicals are not required to be listed. It’s no shocker that you never see these.

What Can You Do?

The cosmetics industry is a $50 billion a year business (in the US alone). They spend a remarkable $2 billion a year on advertising.

Even more appalling than that is the amount of chemicals you place on your skin every year. Women who use makeup daily absorb, on average, 5 pounds each year.

As with the Vioxx debacle, the FDA cannot actively act on a product until after it has already severely injured or killed many people. And because the cosmetic companies are motivated by their profits, they won’t be pointing out the dangers of their products to you any time soon. Your only solution is to rely on your own skills of investigation.

Always Avoid Applying Potential Toxins To Your Skin…

Many people – even those who carefully select organic or gourmet foods to eat choose skin care products that can do serious damage to their skin.

Now, realize that I’m not suggesting you’d intentionally apply toxins to your skin. You simply may not realize the extent to which many common skin care products contain suspect ingredients with unrecognizable or unpronounceable names.

Do you ever put things onto your skin that you wouldn’t think of eating? I hope not…

You see, I believe that what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream and integrated into your body’s tissues. A number of these potential toxins have estrogen-mimicking effects that can wreak havoc on all your good health intentions.

And there are other potential problems too…

Why Do So Many Skin Care Products Use These Potentially Hazardous Ingredients?

Simple answer: because they’re cheap, readily available, and easy to dilute.

Are they in the products you currently use? It’s time to check. Go grab your containers of skin care products and check them against the following …

So, having read the above, do you really think it’s OK to put these things on your skin?

No?

I don’t think so either.

Besides avoiding these hazards, there are some other steps you can take to create that young-looking skin you really want…

What Can You Do to Keep Your Skin Looking Healthy?

First of all, if you’re doing many of the things I talk about elsewhere on this website, you may have already noticed a major difference in the way your skin looks — as well as other aspects of your health.

Eating according to your nutritional type with plenty of fresh raw organic foods in your diet, and getting enough omega-3 fats are ways to improve your health on many fronts…

And need I mention exercise? Through exercise, your skin detoxifies impurities from your system – what you know as perspiration.

But beyond that, here’s a critically important issue you need to be aware of…

Just 5 Minutes Per Day Gets You on the Road to a More Youthful-Looking, Vibrant Face

Every day of your life, pollution, grime, and dust attach themselves to the surface of your skin.

If you don’t take a couple minutes daily to cleanse your face and unclog your pores, your skin may look sluggish — instead of at its bright and shining best.

Cleaning your skin is important, just like keeping your internal organs clean and healthy is.

But here’s a caveat…

Take Your Own Hippocratic Oath for Skin Care (“First, Do No Harm”)

It may seem like a cliché, but there are things you can do to prevent damaging your skin. Many of the visible signs of aging are caused by external factors that you can at least partially control.

These actions may be the easiest and least expensive things you can do to prevent damage to your skin, gain a more youthful appearance, and build a strong foundation for your pro-active natural skin care. Not to mention, creating a buzz about your new looks.

Please be aware that skin damage doesn’t always involve pain or immediate visible change, and can often go unnoticed for some time. But the cumulative actions you begin taking today can also improve your skin slowly over time. So get started today doing these simple things:

• Avoid or minimize damage from hot water and chlorine. Although taking baths and showers may seem like it’s health-promoting and relaxing, your skin may disagree – especially if you have chlorinated water, which is almost certainly the case (unless your water comes from a well).Chlorine causes oxidative damage. The hotter the water, the more potential for damage – because the rate of chemical reactions increases with temperature. Hot water may cause your skin to age faster.So what can you do? Adjust your water temperature to be a bit cooler, limit your showers to one per day, and decrease your soak time in the bath.
• Use gentle and safe skin care products – organic whenever possible. Your skin absorbs it all. Don’t compromise your health and the health of your skin by using potential poisons.
• Be very sure to remove your makeup each evening. It’s a really bad idea to flop into bed, leaving makeup – not to mention environmental grime – on your face while you sleep. Take a couple minutes to remove it, and you’ll find your face looking and feeling younger.
• Sleep on your back.Gravity creates a downward drag on your skin all day. Give your skin a break at night. By sleeping on your back, you reduce gravitational pull on your face. If you press your face to your pillow, you will likely experience increased puffiness in the morning.
  (Sleeping on your back reduces gravitational pull on your face. Be sure you remove your make-up before sleeping. Leaving it on during sleep creates extra stress on your skin. Use botanicals from nature for a nutritional approach to your beauty.)
• Don’t smoke… for your general health’s sake, and for younger looking skin. Smoking causes free radical production, which is one cause of the signs of aging.
• If you will be in the sun for extended periods of time, use sunscreen with safe and effective ingredients, such as Mercola Natural Sunscreen.
• Limit exfoliation to twice per week and use a gentle exfoliator. Exfoliation refreshes your skin’s surfaces and brightens your appearance as it removes dead cells from the surface of your skin. But if you exfoliate too often or too aggressively, you risk damaging living cells.
• Apply your skin care products to warm skin in order to help your skin appear healthier. This maximizes absorption. If your skin is cold, use a warm towel to warm your skin.
• Never pull or rub your skin. Apply your skin care products gently, and lightly tap for a few moments to help your skin absorb them. Rubbing stretches your skin and can promote sagging and wrinkles. (Note: This principle includes leaning your face on your hand while sitting at a desk, which also stretches your skin.)
• Don’t expect overnight changes. Even if you start doing everything right today, don’t be discouraged with seeming lack of progress tomorrow.It may take a month or even two to three months to notice changes. Plus, it’s quite possible that others will notice your increasingly youthful-looking face before you do.Remember: it took years to get where you are today, so show patience when expecting changes and improvements.

Now that you’re taking these practical steps as well as choosing not to use dangerous and damaging products on your skin, let’s explore your skin care alternatives – organic food products from nature’s storehouse.

Nourishing Botanicals for Your Skin’s Healthy Appearance

Whenever you apply skin care products, it is ideal to use products from nature that nourish your skin the same way you nourish your body. Look for products that encourage rejuvenation and work synergistically with your own skin to support its efforts toward a healthy appearance.

The potentially dangerous ingredients listed above concerns me greatly. And you know me to be passionate about changing the existing health paradigm. So it should be no surprise that I considered it imperative to locate a wholesome source of skin care products for you.

Last year we introduced USDA Certified Organic Body Butter, which has been enormously popular.

But Body Butter was hardly a complete skin care line. So we’ve been working diligently to find additional skin care products to promote your skin’s healthy appearance …

Nature’s Skin Care – For Outer Beauty that Looks and Feels Healthy

It’s hardly a secret that plant foods nourish your body. For years, I’ve heartily encouraged you to eat plenty of raw, uncooked foods directly from nature for your best health and wellbeing.

Applying skin care products that are derived from these foods is a smart and natural way to make your skin appear both healthy and beautiful … to make your face feel and look as vibrant, radiant and flawless as your healthy body does.

My new USDA Certified Organic Skin Care line uses organic ingredients straight from nature’s storehouse to promote both your natural beauty and a healthy appearance. After all, why strive to make large health improvements in your life, only to compromise them when you cleanse and moisturize your skin?

Now you have a smart alternative available that does everything you want it to … promote young- and healthy-looking skin with vital phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Top quality ingredients from around the world — like acai juice, green tea, sea buckthorn oil, cupuacu butter, and more…

First, let me introduce my brand-new USDA Certified Organic Skin Care line-up – just four quick daily steps for your more youthful appearance and healthy living…

• Daily Step 1. USDA Certified Organic Citrus Cleanser – Revitalizing – twice daily.
• Daily Step 2. USDA Certified Organic Chamomile Toner– Purifying – twice daily
• Daily Step 3. USDA Certified Organic Sea Buckthorn Anti-Aging Serum – twice daily
• Daily Step 4 – Morning. USDA Certified Organic Cupuacu Day Moisturizer – Antioxidant – mornings
• Daily Step 4 – Evening. USDA Certified Organic Acai Night Moisturizer – Rejuvenating – evenings
• Twice weekly after cleansing. USDA Certified Organic Sugar Exfoliator – Refining Face Scrub – twice weekly

As you might imagine, there are a large number of ingredients in these six different products.

However, it is important to understand that, they’re all natural or organic, so they skip the additional (petroleum-based, suspect) chemicals that are in the vast majority of skin care products.

Multiply Your Skin Care Benefits

My USDA Certified Skin Care line will provide you with incredibly comprehensive benefits when you apply it as a total package to supply the wide spectrum of nutrients to your skin. Each product complements the rest to maximize your skin’s healthy and youthful appearance.

As mentioned above, you’ll want to demonstrate a degree of patience just as you would when improving your diet. Consider this your skin’s diet for nutrition.

But over the next couple of months you may be surprised by what others are saying about your amazing good looks. Some who notice might not mention anything, but they will likely think about it.

And now you can be prepared with your new more beautiful face for all your upcoming holiday parties and family get-togethers.

Why ‘Organic’ Ingredients?

It’s important to use only ingredients that promote your healthy appearance without doing any potential harm whenever possible.

You eat organic foods to avoid many of the chemicals in commercial foods. Now you can do the same for your skin. This is important because what you apply to your skin invariably winds up in your blood.

“Certified organic” means agricultural products are grown and processed per the USDA’s national organic standards … then certified by USDA-accredited state and private certification organizations.

There is a specific process – and a price tag – to becoming certified.

Set standards must be met and extensive paperwork filed to verify that those standards are met. Certifying agents then review applications for certification eligibility.

Qualified inspectors conduct annual onsite inspections of organic operations, observing their production and processing practices to see if they’re in compliance with organic standards…

But in general, your product ingredients are the pre-eminent issue. Do they qualify as food? Are they organic, and free of potentially harmful pesticides?

We use ingredients that the USDA permits in its certified organic food – using the same standards for these items as for those items that are intended specifically for human consumption. And we proudly list every ingredient in our products – hiding nothing – so you can examine them for yourself.

All to give you another option to stay healthy.

So now, just check out this sampling of food ingredients from the new Mercola USDA Certified Organic Skin Care line that enhance both your healthy appearance and your beauty…

Astounding Natural Beauty – Compliments of Nature

You’ll probably recognize a number of the ingredients in this skin care line … things like apple juice, apple cider vinegar, green tea, aloe vera, coconut oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, and vitamin E.

But we didn’t stop there…

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using volatile plant oils to promote relaxation and wellbeing. There is much ongoing research into the interrelationships between psychology and fragrances.

Mercola Organic Skin Care products utilize aromatherapy ingredients to contribute to your peaceful relaxation, energize you, and much more.

Take a look at some of these key organic aromatherapy ingredients in the Mercola Organic Skin Care line, and the astonishing ways they promote your skin’s healthy appearance and your overall wellbeing:

• Sweet Orange OilA valuable herb that originated in India.This essential oil is refreshing, fruity, tangy – as if you’ve just peeled a fresh juicy orange. It lifts your spirits at the same time it calms you. Its light and airy aroma is cheering, refreshing and uplifting, at the same time contributing to your tranquility.I’m sure you know oranges are rich in vitamin C. They also contain bioflavonoids like hesperidin that continue the work of vitamin C. In other words, the hesperidin complements the antioxidant effects of vitamin C.But the oils found in the orange peel also contain a phytonutrient called limonene which does some remarkable things for you, like providing antioxidants.The oil of the sweet orange is rich in nutrients that promote skin rejuvenation … plus its refreshing, fruity scent is uplifting and cheery — at the same time as it leads to tranquility.

  Sweet orange oil is considered an excellent skin tonic and supports rejuvenation, so it has an important role to play in Mercola Skin Care.

  You’ll find sweet orange oil in Mercola Skin Care Organic Citrus Cleanser, Organic Sea Buckthorn Anti-Aging Serum, Organic Cupuacu Day Moisturizer, and Organic Sugar Exfoliator.

• CalendulaCalendula is a versatile herb with fiery red and yellow petals, similar to a marigold, although a different variety from the marigolds you commonly see in gardens.Calendula dates back to the days of the ancient Egyptians. Yet even today it remains one of the most popular herbs for supporting healthy-looking skin. When mixed with other oils such as olive oil, calendula becomes even more nourishing.It’s widely used to moisturize and soften all skin types, rejuvenate your skin and reduce the appearance of the natural signs of aging.Relaxation is an additional benefit of calendula.

  You can enjoy the spicy-sweet bitter-warm aroma of organic calendula in Mercola Organic Skin Care toner, anti-aging serum, and night moisturizer.

• LavenderLavender is the most popular and widely-used essential oil, enjoyed by both aromatherapists and individuals. It’s very versatile, with many different uses.Lavender’s smooth and sometimes sweet floral aroma has a definitive calming effect, helping you forget about everyday stresses in your life.Try it in Chamomile Toner and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer.Lavender is widely used and widely treasured for its skincare benefits and calming influence. Check it out in the Mercola Organic Skin Care toner and night moisturizer.
• ChamomileChamomile is considered by many to be the world’s most soothing herb. Its sweet, herbal and fruity scent promotes relaxation.Not only that …it also soothes your skin. And it’s generally regarded as safe — with few or no known side effects.Constituents include the bioflavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin.Chamomile is included in the Mercola Organic Skin Care cleanser, toner, and anti-aging serum.

But these aren’t all the special ingredients in Mercola Organic Skin Care products. In fact, this is just a fraction of the story…

In My Opinion, Plant Oils are Far Superior to Petroleum Oil

Not only do you receive benefits from aromatherapy – you also obtain natural and refreshing plant oils and butters that your skin will delight in.

No petroleum products allowed … because I want you to look and feel at your greatest each and every day of your life, to fulfill your purpose and to enjoy all the people and events of your life. And you can do that by using true nutrients that help keep your skin looking its best.

Let’s look at a couple of these special, exotic oils here – more details will follow on each individual product page.

Discover Today How the Many Marvelous Qualities of Sea Buckthorn Oil Promote Your Youthful-Looking Skin

Legend has it that before the 12th century, certain Greek warriors released some weak horses to die, but they came back looking better than ever.

The turn-around was traced to the whole berries of a scrubby shrub called Hippophae rhamnoides, which means “tree that makes the horse shine”.

Native to Russia, northern China and northern Mongolia, sea buckthorn’s seeds produce thick reddish-orange oil with the viscosity of syrup.

Since its discovery, it’s been revered for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties. And no wonder …

Sea buckthorn seed oil is an absolute powerhouse of nutrition. It provides protein, plus over 100 nutrients, such as linolenic acid, vitamins E and A, carotene, polyphenols, flavonoids, and trace elements including iron, copper, manganese, and selenium.

Moreover, scientists are always on the hunt for antioxidants. They found a real gem in sea buckthorn oil.

Sea buckthorn – nicknamed “tree that makes the horse shine” because weak horses sent out returned quite revived after eating their berries – offers you a powerhouse of nutrition for skin rejuvenation. Sea buckthorn is found in Organic Sea Buckthorn Anti-Aging Serum and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer.

Its rich content of flavonoids, glucosides, phenols, terpenes, vitamins E, A, and C, beta-carotene, and trace elements (iron, zinc, selenium, manganese) are all antioxidants with very low molecular weight that neutralize free radicals. Collectively, they are even far more beneficial than alone.

Comparing Sea Buckthorn to Other Skin Creams

Experts compared sea buckthorn oil with five frequently used skin creams. They found that the free fatty acids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, phosphatidyl, vitamins E and A, and carotenoids were many times more beneficial in the sea buckthorn seed oil than the other products.

These components are not acting individually, but are well coordinated, supplementing and reinforcing each other to promote your best-looking skin. Therefore, the antioxidant property of sea buckthorn seed oil is not simply the sum total of its individual elements, but the synergistic effect of all of them working together.

Free fatty acids are easily absorbed by the skin. Linoleic acid promotes tissue rejuvenation. Hydrocarbon preserves your skin’s moisture, softens and lubricates your skin, keeping it smooth and fair.

Sea buckthorn oil is also an antioxidant.

It is reported to be a very effective anti-aging agent, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and reduce dryness, and generally decreasing the appearance of the signs of aging,

Sea buckthorn’s record for rejuvenation makes it a welcome ingredient for natural and organic anti-aging and skin care products. And that makes it perfect for the Mercola Organic Skin Care products Organic Sea Buckthorn Anti-Aging Serum and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer.

Cupuacu Butter – The ‘New Kid on the Block’ in Skin Care

Cupuacu butter is rapidly gaining attention as an exceptional moisturizer, with remarkable water absorption, rich content of sterols, and overall nutritive benefits.

Cupuacu is a small tree from the chocolate family that’s native to the northern Amazon in South America. The fruit is about the size of a cantaloupe, and is prized for its creamy, exotic-tasting pulp.

The fruit, which ripens in the rainy months of January through April, is used to make jam, fresh juice, ice cream, and tarts. It is by far the most popular fruit in the Amazon.

Like chocolate, the fruit has a large center seed pod, loaded with “beans”. Unlike cocoa, however, cupuacu does not contain caffeine.

Cupuacu’s seed pod looks like chocolate, but without the caffeine. Many consider it to be an effective anti-aging ingredient. Check it out in Organic Cupuacu Day Moisturizer and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer.

Cupuacu butter is softer and creamier than cocoa butter and has a mild aroma. It absorbs water more effectively than lanolin (used in many skin care products).

I believe it provides protective benefits against UV-A and UV-B over-exposure. It also offers high levels of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids, plus its rich phytosterols, give it the ability to promote skin elasticity and improve skin moisture.

Its incredible creaminess promotes a special softness and smoothness to your skin, and boosts its natural moisture and elasticity.

Cupuacu is believed by many people to be stellar for its help in reducing the appearance of the signs of agingu … making it a perfect fit for the Mercola Skin Care line products of Cupuacu Day Moisturizer and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer.

More Breakthrough Secrets from the Amazon Rain Forest

Another exotic rain forest berry, the acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry, was recently proclaimed the “World’s #1 Super Food” on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

The Yanomami Indians harvested and revered the acai for centuries as a food that “holds unique power” (as reported by NBC Today on 5/13/2003). By that, they referred to the energizing properties of both its fruit and oil.

Acai berries were announced as the “World’s #1 Super Food”. Shouldn’t it be part of your skin’s care?

During the past three to five years, the acai was discovered by the Brazilian elite and then North Americans, who ate the fruit as a frozen slush.

These small purple berries – each with one large seed – dangle in clusters from the 25 foot high acai palm tree in its native Brazil, and other parts of Central and South America.

Acai oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the acai berry, and is deep golden to light brown with a mild yet pleasant fruity aroma. When the berries are picked, they’re processed under cold and air-free conditions to yield the freshest, purest oil possible.

Acai possesses an amazing nutrient profile … an impressive combination of omega-3, omega-6 and omega 9 essential fatty acids, phytosterols, vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, E, and C, minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and potassium, and essential amino acids.

Vitamin C is famous for its immune support properties, but did you know it can help rejuvenate and revitalize your skin?

What’s more, acai oil is rich in anthocyanins, phytosterols and phenols, which are also antioxidants.

In fact, its content of anthocyanins is reported to be an astounding 10-30 times higher than the anthocyanin content of red wine grapes.

But these facts alone aren’t what made acai the “World’s #1 Super Food”. It’s the ORAC value of the acai – its antioxidant value. acai is a more potent antioxidant than mangosteen, prunes, pomegranates, cranberries … nothing even comes close. The acai berry boasts the highest per unit value of antioxidant power (ORAC) of any edible fruit in the world.

Acai oil’s rich array of nutrients, anti-oxidants and other benefits make it a remarkable ingredient for use in anti-aging personal care products. Studies indicate that the phenols in acai oil act as antioxidants.

Acai is an excellent emollient and an effective moisturizer to treat dry skin and help reduce the appearance of the signs of aging. It also absorbs into your skin quickly.

You can enjoy the superior nutritional benefits of acai oil in Mercola Skin Care Organic Cupuacu Day Moisturizer and Organic Acai Night Moisturizer. Use them both for a your personal beautification benefit.

But there’s so much more to discover in this nutrient-filled skin care line…

Complete Anti-Aging Package

Your Complete Anti-Aging Package includes six products in our USDA Certified Organic Skin Care Line designed to give your skin an astounding overall anti-aging boost.

This package includes your daily cleanser, twice-weekly exfoliator, daily toner, anti-aging serum and two daily moisturizers – intended to help you turn back the clock on the appearance of premature signs of aging, like dry skin.

These products utilize organic botanicals from around the world to provide support for your skin’s most youthful appearance.

What’s more…

They do all that without any potentially damaging petrochemicals and estrogen-mimicking ingredients.

Just check out these six fine products and what they can do for you…

Organic Citrus Cleanser is a pure and mild rejuvenating cleanser that protects and nourishes your skin… just as a new parent protects and nourishes a newborn baby. And gently too, so your skin keeps a youthful appearance that defies its years.

Organic Sugar Exfoliator softly removes the outer layer of dry or flaking skin, leaving your face smooth and radiant – and using all organic and natural ingredients that you already know and trust. Ingredients include raw cane sugar, olive oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, cucumber extract, and the pleasant invigorating scent of sweet orange oil.

Organic Chamomile Toner gently removes extra “stuff” from your skin with the help of subtle aromatherapy oils — to leave your face feeling slightly tingly and totally refreshed. Toning is essential for removing dirt, make-up, and oil that your cleanser might miss. It’s a critical step in caring for your skin.

Organic Cupuacu Day Moisturizer provides you with nature’s best botanicals from around the world, ready to help you wake up, get you energized, and promote a grand start to your new day. This anti-aging and deep moisturizing day cream uses true food-based ingredients for your skin – plant foods used effectively for centuries.

Organic Acai Night Moisturizer rejuvenates your face and skin while your body is experiencing deep sleep and rebuilding for another day. Promoting skin rejuvenation while you sleep is a smart part of your overall anti-aging skin care strategy. Food ingredients from the world over combine to bring you a deeply satisfying moisturizer with profound benefits for your skin.

Organic Sea Buckthorn Anti-Aging Serum offers a critical application of deeply nourishing botanicals for your most youthful appearance. It’s brimming with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and much more… to help your skin appear stronger and provide it with the tools it needs to reduce the appearance of the natural signs of aging. Regular use will help improve your skin’s texture as it nourishes your cells. Eight extraordinary ingredients contribute to its powerful anti-aging effect.

Step 4: Applysunscreen ‘O’ magazine ran an article in November 2006 featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists (check it out here ). Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters. 

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don’t use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an ‘active ingredient’: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789

Prevention
The best way to prevent skin damage in any case is to avoid episodes of excessive sun exposure. The following are some specific guidelines:
• Use sunscreens that block out both UVA and UVB radiation. However, do not rely on them only for sun protection. Also wear protective clothing and sunglasses.
• Avoid exposure particularly during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM when sunlight pours down 80% of its daily UV dose.
• Avoid reflective surfaces, such as water, sand, concrete, and white-painted areas. (Clouds and haze are not protective and in some cases may intensify UVB rays.)
• Ultraviolet intensity depends on the angle of the sun, not heat or brightness. So the dangers are greater the closer to the summer-start date. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, UV intensity in April (two months before summer starts) is equal to that in August (two months after summer begins).
• The higher the altitude the quicker one sunburns. (One study suggested, for example, that an average complexion burns at six minutes at 11,000 feet at noon compared to 25 minutes at sea level in a temperate climate.)
• Avoid sun lamps, and tanning beds or salons. They provide mostly high-output UVA rays. Some experts believe that 15 to 30 minutes at a tanning salon is as dangerous as a day spent in the sun. People should not be misled by advertising claims of “safe” tanning or promotions offering unlimited tanning.
Sunscreens. The use of sunscreens is complex and everyone should understand how and when to use them. The bottom line is not that people should avoid sunscreens or sunblocks, but that they should always use them in combination with other sun-protective measures.
Protective Clothing. Wearing sun-protective clothing is extremely important and protects even better than sunscreens. Special clothing is now available for blocking UV rays and is rated using SPF ratings or a system called the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) index, with 50 UPF being the highest. (According to one study, this is a very reliable indicator of protection.) The clothing is expensive, however. The following are some tips for anyone:
• Everyone, including children, should wear hats with wide brims. (Even wearing a hat, however, may not be fully protective against skin cancers on the head and neck.)
• People should look for loosely fitted, unbleached, tightly woven fabrics. The tighter the weave, the more protective the garment.
• Washing clothes over and over improves UPF by drawing fabrics together during shrinkage. An easy way to assess protection is simply to hold the garment up to a window or lamp and see how much light comes through. The less the better.
• Everyone over age one should wear sunglasses that block all UVA and UVB ray.
Chemical Tanners
Some research suggests that melanin and dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredients in many self-tanning lotions, may help filter out UVA and UVB radiation and so be protective against sun damage. More research is underway. A preliminary study funded by the National Cancer Institute found that people who received numerous daily injections of melanotan-1 (MT-1) before going in the sun or a tanning bed tanned more quickly and showed fewer signs of sun-related damage. MT-1 is a synthetic version of the hormone melanin, which helps produce the skin’s natural pigment.
Sunscreen Guidelines
In choosing a sunscreen, look at the ingredients. Preparations that help block UV radiation are sometimes classified as sunscreens or sunblocks according to the substances they contain. In general, sunscreens contain organic formulas and sunblocks inorganic formulas. However, the term sunblock is used less and less as sunscreens increasingly contain both kinds of ingredients:
• Organic formulas contain UV-filtering chemicals such as octocrylene, octyl salicylate, homosalate, and octyl methoxycinnamate (block UVB), avobenzone-Parsol 1789 (blocks UVA), cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate (blocks UVB and small amounts of UVA), oxybenzone, benzophenone-3 (blocks UVA/UVB). People should look for a wide-spectrum sunscreen that contains combinations of these ingredients and filter both UVA and UVB. Of note: para-amino benzoic acid (PABA), once a popular ingredient, is now used infrequently. It is not known if they have the same effects. PABA may actually break down in the presence of UV exposure and release harmful oxidants. And many people have an allergic reaction to it. Some products contain PABA derivatives, such as padimate O or octyl dimethyl PABA.
• Inorganic formulas contain the UV-blocking pigments zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Zinc and titanium oxides lie on top of the skin and are not absorbed. They prevent nearly all UVA and UVB rays from reaching the skin. Older sunblocks are white, pasty, and unattractive, but current products use so-called microfine oxides, either zinc (Z-Cote) or titanium. They are transparent and nearly as protective as the older types. Microfine zinc oxide may be more protective and less pasty-colored than microfine titanium oxide.
Inexpensive products work as well as expensive ones with the same ingredients. Unfortunately, there are still no standards for sunscreens, and even those claiming UVA protection may offer very little. In one study, the average UVA protection from a wide range of brands was only 23%. In fact, the average protection on brands not making the claim was 37%!
Organic formulas and inorganic microfine oxides do not protect against visible light, which is a problem for people who have light-sensitive skin conditions, including actinic prurigo, porphyria, and chronic actinic dermatitis. Inorganic sunscreens that protect against visible light and are still cosmetically acceptable are now available in Europe, but not yet in the US.
Calculating the SPF
The sun protection factor (SPF) on all sunscreen labels is a ratio based on the amount of UVB (not UVA) radiation required to turn sunscreen- or sunblock-treated skin red compared to non-treated skin. For instance, people who sunburn in five minutes and who want to stay in the sun for 150 minutes might use an SPF 30. The formula would be: 30 (the SPF number) times five (minutes to burn) = 150 minutes in the sun.
Protection offered by sunscreens may be classified as follows:
• Minimal: SPF 2 to 11.
• Moderate: SPF 12 through 29.
• High: 30+. (Although some sunscreens claim SPFs higher than 30, the added protection at such higher levels is insignificant.)
SPF Levels by Age Group
Certain groups should have higher or lower SPFs depending on age and other factors:
• Although sunscreens are safe in most toddlers and children, they should not be the first and only lines of defense. In fact, experts are worrying that by relying too much on sunscreen and not providing other protective measures, parents may actually be increasing their children’s risk for melanoma. All young children should be well covered with clothing, sunglasses, and hats as the first line of defense against sunburn. Children should be kept out of the sun during peak sunlight periods. Sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than six months without consulting a physician.
• Older children and adults (even those with darker skin) benefit from using SPFs of 15 and over. Some experts recommend that most people should use SPF 30 on the face and 15 on the body.
• Adults who burn easily instead of tanning and anyone with risk factors for skin cancer should use at least SPF 30.
Timing and Amount of Application
Sunscreen or sunblock should be applied liberally as follows:
• Adults should include sunscreen with a daily skin regimen, even if going outdoors for only a short time.
• Apply a large amount to all exposed areas, including ears and feet. To achieve protection as indicated by the sunscreen’s SPF, experts recommend half a teaspoon each for the head, neck, and each arm and a teaspoon each for the chest area, the back, and each leg.
• Apply initially 30 minutes before venturing outdoors for best results. (This allows time for the sunscreen to be absorbed. Then reapply every 15 to 30 minutes while being in the sunlight.
• Also reapply each time after exercise or swimming. (Choose a waterproof or water-resistant formula even if activities don’t include swimming. Waterproof formulas last for about 40 minutes in the water, whereas water-resistant formulas last half as long.)
• Insect repellents reduce sunscreen SPFs by up to one-third. Use higher SPFs and very liberal application when applying both.
Possible Hazards of Sunscreens, Sun Avoidance, or Both
When used generously and appropriately, sunscreen products and sun avoidance help reduce the severity of many aging skin disorders, including squamous cell cancers. There are certain concerns, however.
Sunscreen Use May Not Protect Against Basal Cell and Melanoma Cancers and May Even Increase the Risk. Although sunscreens help prevent squamous cell carcinomas and other skin disorders, sunscreens do not appear to provide protection against melanoma and some basal cell cancers. In fact, some studies have reported a higher association with sunscreen use and these skin malignancies, though not all studies report such negative results.
The reasons for this possible increased risk are unclear, though some theories include the following:
• Until recently, many sunscreens blocked only or predominantly UVB rays and not UVA, the more deeply penetrating rays now known to be especially dangerous. Studies then may not have reflected the effects of the broad-spectrum sunscreens now available, which block both UVA and UVB.
• People who apply sunscreens may feel safe and stay out longer during high sun-exposure hours than is safe. Even if a person doesn’t sunburn, UVA rays can still penetrate the skin and do harm.
• People may not put on enough sunscreen. In fact, according to a 2002 study, people generally apply only 20% to 60% of the recommended amount, which can provide significantly less protection than the given SPF.(Of note, a 2003 study reported that when applied at the recommended amount, a broad-screen sunscreen prevents DNA damage from UV exposure. However, omitting it even once resulted in significant cell injury.)
Sunscreen Use May Increase the Risk for Health Problems Related to Sunlight Deficiencies. There is some major concern that underexposure to sunlight, due to the use of sunscreens or sun-avoidance measures, may produce other health problems, such as the following:
• Vitamin D Deficiency. Vitamin D is only found in a few foods, such as fortified dairy products and fish, but it is primarily manufactured as a chemical response to ultraviolet B (UVB) sunlight. A medical literature review published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer reported that UVB rays may outshine dietary supplements for building the body’s vitamin D reserves. Without an appropriate mix of diet and supplements, vigorous sun protection measures may increase a person’s risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for prevention of rickets and osteoporosis and some cancers, including melanoma. People who need to avoid sunlight and whose diet is low in foods that contain vitamin D should check with their physician about taking supplements. People with darker skin are at higher risk for deficiencies from sun protection than those with whiter skin. (Note: vitamin D is toxic in high doses.)
• Other Cancers. Although sunlight is implicated in skin cancers, it is also associated with lower risks for breast, prostate, ovarian, and colon cancers. Some protection against these cancers may be related to vitamin D production by sunlight.
• Depression. Many people suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), a form of depression that generally occurs in winter and is associated with exposure to less sunlight.
The bottom line is that some sunlight is important and even necessary for a healthful and high-quality life. Some experts recommend that adults may benefit from daily moderate tanning (20 to 30 maximum minutes of exposure during lower-risk hours) over a number of days to slowly build up pigment in the skin.

Don’t pull and rub your skin. Aging skin has been under attack by UV rays, stress and carbon monoxide so don’t stress it more by pulling on it.
Don’t forget to moisturize. While it’s a myth that wrinkles are caused by dry skin, moisturizing can improve the appearance of lines by temporarily plumping them up. Dennis Gross, MD, the creator of MD Skincare, swears by lotions that contain ultrahydrating hyaluronic acid and essential fatty acids (also known as EFAs). Look for these in Gross’s MD Skincare Auto-Balancing Moisture Sunscreen SPF 10: 

Don’t want to pay that price? NYC dermatologist Amy Wechsler calls Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($11) one of her all-time favorite skin products. 

Also try Aquaphor Original Ointment, touted as a ‘miracle’ cream: 


Extra tip: Moisturizers are best used on damp skin. They lock the moisture in. Gross doesn’t use tap water when washing skin because of harsh minerals found in many city water sources. Instead, he rinses off with Evian water.
Don’t ignore your neck and chest. The neck and chest are first to show the signs of aging (they have fewer oil glands than the rest of your body), yet most of us ignore them. Look for moisturizers that have age-fighting ingredients like vitamin A (retinols), kinetin, copper or vitamin C.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. This is a no-brainer. You’ve had it ingrained in your head since youth, but seriously, even in winter it can take just 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to damage the skin. Here’s a list of great sunscreens, including what I believe to be the best sunscreen in the world. By the way, it’s a MYTH that 80 percent of your lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, according to the April, 2006, issue of O Magazine. Katie Rodan, MD, adjunct professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, says in O that this myth stands officially debunked and studies indicate we get only 23 percent of total UV exposure by age 18. Of course it gets worse as we age. So you CAN prevent sun-induced aging by wearing sunscreen.
Don’t tan. Even if wrinkles haven’t shown up yet, you need to stop tanning now because they will. Once signs of aging appears, you’ll be spending a lot of money to reverse it. So if you do have sun damage? You can reverse the damage with photorejuvenation such as pulsed light treatments. Many spas and dermatologists provide these pricey fixes. 

One word of warning: Once you start an anti-aging regimen, you have to keep it up. The effects of acid peels, AHAs, moisturizers — all the anti-aging products that remove dead skin cells and make skin look plumper — won’t last forever. You have to maintain them.

People with oily skin have a tendency for zealous cleansing in effort to get rid of the sheen. The result is skin that feels taut and tight. This is actually NOT good. Be careful of cleansers with alcohol which will strip skin of its essential oils. Skin that feels taut and tight after cleansing is a clear sign that you may be over cleansing or using too harsh a cleanser for your skin type. Some effects of over cleansing include:

•    Rashes. Products that should sit on the skin (think sunscreen) will permeate skin if skin’s natural barrier is damaged.
•    Adult acne. Cleansing your skin more than twice a day can trigger a panic response and send your oil glands into overdrive. Plus, if moisturizers don’t soak into the skin — instead sitting atop skin — then you may be prone to acne.
•    Seborrheic dermatitis (flaking red scales around the scalp & on the t-zone).
The key here is balance. You want your skin to feel ‘dewy’. Taut & tight is bad, dewy and moisturized is good