Wrinkle Free Face

Did you know that, in Europe, there are more than 400 chemicals that are not allowed to be included in beauty products? However, the United States allows many of these ingredients to be included in cosmetics. That is outrageous!

While there are at least 10 cosmetic ingredients that I personally avoid, five are particularly problematic. They include parabens, petrolatum, propylene glycol, and synthetic colors and fragrances.

Parabens are synthetic preservatives that include four classes—methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl. Many different sources list parabens as “highly toxic,” and even more disturbing is the suggestion that parabens are xenoestrogens, meaning they have an estrogenic effect on your body.

Also known as petroleum and paraffin jelly, petrolatum is a type of mineral oil that is often used to seal in moisture. This is ironic, because petrolatum actually interferes with your skin’s own moisturizing ability. Skin care products that contain petrolatum are often waxy. So, instead of your skin absorbing the product, it just sits on top of your skin clogging your pores, leading to blackheads and whiteheads, and eventually enlarged pores. This is the exactly the opposite of what you are trying to achieve if wrinkle-free skin is your goal.

Propylene glycol is usually a mix of synthetic petrochemicals. In fact, it is found in brake and hydraulic fluid, and is the active ingredient in antifreeze! Manufacturers often include it in makeup to hold in moisture. This is terrifying when you consider that the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) warns users to “avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing” and to “avoid prolonged or repeated exposure.” The reason? Propylene glycol has been known to cause allergic and reactions, and has also been found to break down protein and the structure of your cells.

Synthetic colors are listed as FD&C or D&C colors, such as FD&C Red 6 or D&C Yellow 8. In the case of FD&C colors, the FDA has certified them safe for drugs and cosmetics as well as food, but D&C colors can only be used in drugs and cosmetics. Strange, isn’t it? As if the chemicals in a D&C color that bar it from being used in food aren’t also entering your bloodstream and affecting your body. Interestingly, even the FDA itself recommends that most FD&C and D&C colors not be used in any cosmetic eye products, including eye creams, mascara, eye shadow, eye liners, and foundations.

Fragrance can be a tricky ingredient. For example, the label may not even say synthetic fragrance. In fact, it is more likely to simply say fragrance, perfume, or parfum. And the label “fragrance” does not mean just one ingredient; it can contain as many as 200 ingredients that will likely not be listed!

Natural Beauty Care Products

The key to avoiding these skin saboteurs and striving for chemical-free, wrinkle-free skin is to choose the best natural beauty care products available. Avoid the chemicals and look for natural skin care ingredients such as squalane, jojoba oil, and other natural oils, as well as antioxidants like green tea and vitamin C.

My personal natural anti-aging skin care system includes Ocean Actives Squalane eye cream and Arcona tea tree soap and exfoliator in the morning, John Masters rose water hydrating spray throughout the day, and Trilane anti-aging moisturizer at night. Not only do these natural beauty care products keeps my skin soft and smooth, but I don't have to worry that I am sacrificing beauty for health. And that knowledge alone is enough to keep wrinkles and worry lines at bay!

When I think of addiction, I go right to alcohol or drugs. But one of the most common (and most dangerous) addictions is sugar addiction.

Like most narcotics, eating a diet high in sugar gives you a “high,” and can help to mask negative feelings like loneliness, depression, resentment, or fear. In fact, sugar has opioid or narcotic properties, meaning it acts like an endorphin in your body. But, like any drug, this lift is short-lived, and soon you need more and more sugar to achieve the same effect.

There is also physical withdrawal from sugar. During the SkyLab bootcamps that I run, we break sugar addictions from the onset. And within four to five days, many of the participants experience sugar withdrawal. This can take the form of shaking, anxiety, low energy, and extreme cravings as they come off sugar. And research has shown this detox to be very real.

In a study published in the June 2002 issue of Obesity Research, scientists deprived rats of food for 12 hours, then fed them a glucose solution for the next 12 hours. Withdrawal was then induced using either 24 hours of food deprivation or the withdrawal drug naloxone. In both cases, the rats showed signs of withdrawal, including teeth chattering, shaking, and tremors. Researchers concluded that withdrawal from repeated, excessive sugar intake created symptoms that were similar to those of withdrawal from morphine and nicotine.

Sugar Wreaks Havoc on Female Hormones

Sugar depletes your body of important nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This leaching actually leads to cravings and binges as your body desperately seeks to replenish the nutrients that have been taken away.

It also increases estrogen levels, which can exacerbate estrogen dominance and worsen menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause problems.

Sugar Sabotages Weight Loss

If you have a few extra pounds you have been fighting to lose, then sugar may be the culprit. Sugar is a born enemy of natural weight loss. Sugar contributes to false fat, increases inflammation, and can worsen digestive problems. It also provides empty calories, meaning you tend to overeat sugary, starchy foods without ever really feeling full and satisfied.

So, if you are looking to lose weight, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and regain appetite control, cut the sugar…today!

Sugar Damages Your Skin

Sugary foods overstimulate your sebaceous glands and can trigger excess oil production. They can also contribute to blood sugar imbalances, which can worsen symptoms of anxiety and stress, both of which can lead to breakouts. Who needs acne at our age!

Sugar also has a vasoconstrictive effect, which translates to decreased circulation to the skin. This can lead to wrinkles and sallow-looking skin. So wrinkle-free skin is your goal, then losing the sugar is the best natural skin care program you can find.

Overcoming Sugar Addiction

Beating any addiction can be difficult, and sugar is no different. I have found that the best way to break your sugar addiction is to go cold-turkey. This means no candy, bakery items, sugary coffee drinks, etc. Nada. Nothing.

This will take about five days to completely break. In that time, lean on fruits when you need a sweet treat, and drink lots and lots of water and herbal tea to help flush the sugar out of your system.

You can also try using to of the nutrients Dr. Lark recommends for controlling your appetite and reducing cravings. These include 5-HTP and chromium.

5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter in your brain that influences mood and diminishes hunger. Take 50 mg of 5-HTP twice per day. Take it with half of an apple and 50–100 mg of vitamin B6 to facilitate uptake into the brain.  

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that is necessary for controlling blood sugar and helping to reduce food cravings. Aim for 100–200 mcg of chromium picolinate once or twice per day.

Do you know if you really are post-menopausal? Or are you in early menopause? Or is that wave of heat you experienced really a menopause hot flash or just a passing flush?

Here is a wonderful checklist you can use to determine if you are in menopause, and if the symptoms you are experiencing really are menopause symptoms. The more statements you check off as being true, the more likely it is that you are, in fact, entering this stage of life.

Potential Signs of Early Menopause

• My last period was six months ago or longer (true menopause).
• My periods are lighter, less frequent, and of shorter duration (late perimenopause).
• I’m in my early to mid-40s or older.
• I’m having hot flashes.
• Intercourse is painful.
• My desire for sex has faded.
• I have difficulty achieving orgasm.
• I have frequent vaginal or bladder infections.
• I have difficulty sleeping through the night.
• I’m frequently tired.
• I’m anxious and irritable.
• I forget small details.
• My skin is drier, thinner, and more wrinkled.
• My muscles are losing their tone.
• I leak urine when I laugh, cough, or sneeze.
• I’m gaining weight.
• My joints and/or muscles ache.
• I have itchy, crawly skin.
• I sometimes feel as if electric shocks were going through my body