Wrinkle Free Skin

And studies have shown that Aloe vera reduces the scaliness, itchiness, and extent of seborrheic dermatitis; prompts the remission of psoriasis; relieves poison ivy; assists the healing of chronic leg ulcers; and speeds healing after dermabrasion, a technique used to remove acne scars and create wrinkle free skin.

#5 Recommendation for a Wrinkle Free Face: Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

EFAs are an excellent way to create moister, softer, wrinkle free skin. The moisturizing effect of these oils has been particularly evident in my younger patients who already have a high moisture content in their skin, so if you are at midlife, it takes a little longer to replenish your moisture content--in some cases, three to six months.

To ensure that you are getting enough EFAs in your diet, eat foods rich in omega-3s, like ground flaxseed (up to 6 Tbsp per day), raw pumpkin seeds, and cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, or mackerel (up to three times a week). You can also supplement with a high-quality fish oil.

Another form of omega-3s come from krill oil, an EFA complex derived from tiny shrimp called Antarctic krill. Krill oil’s fatty acid and phospholipid content makes it an ideal choice for delivering moisture and hydration to the skin. A clinical study showed that supplementation with krill oil had a positive effect on skin health and appearance, helping to produce wrinkle free skin by improving skin hydration.

I am a big fan of olive oil, not only for its health benefits, but for its beauty benefits as well. But did you know that olives only contain 15 to 20 percent oil? More than 50 percent of an olive is juice…and that juice is a very rich source of polyphenols--amazing antioxidant compounds.

Olive pulp extract is particularly rich in the polyphenol called hydroxytyrosol. Research on people given oral doses of olive pulp extract showed that the antioxidant capacity of their blood plasma increased as the dose increased. And, in animal studies,olive pulp extract has been shown to help prevent UV damage to the skin and help keep skin in its normal, healthy state. I recommend 100 mg of olive pulp extract daily.

One brand you can try is Olivenol from Life’s Vigor.

How did this happen? One day I woke worried about treating the occasional blemish and now I wake up worried about smile lines and forehead creases. When did I switch from needing anti-acne skin care to wrinkle free skin care? (Answer? About three years ago!)

Fortunately, the natural anti aging skin care market is exploding the pure, natural, and effective treatments for anti aging/anti wrinkles. And my two favorite are Organic Natralox and the Revenir system.

What I love about Organic Natralox is that it not only uses safe, naturally derived ingredients, but it is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles 30 to 50 percent in just one month! Plus, it helps minimize the appearance of age spots and other visible signs of aging, protects against free-radical damage, and reduces skin dryness and flaking.

As for Revenir, you can can’t get any more basic and yet high-tech that this. Revenir is a hand-held water device that deliver electrolyzed water solutions to help promote wrinkle free skin. In layman’s terms, you add a solution of pure ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and purified water to your Revenir device to create a powerful antioxidant solution that can penetrate your skin’s barrier all the way to the dermis. This is key, as the vast majority of “antioxidant” creams on the market do not get through even the top layer of your skin, let alone penetrating far enough to reach the dermis, where collagen is produced. Plus, the electrolyzation process used by Revenir increases the strength of the antioxidant solution—up to eight times the normal rate. In other words, Revenir fights free radical damage at the cellular level.

As a result, Revenir has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, soften rough skin, increase collagen and elastin production, and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.

Before telling you about the targeted supplements that you should be using, it's good to know what basic nutrients feed your skin from within and keep it looking healthy, younger, and wrinkle free. They include beta-carotene (5,000–25,000 IU daily), vitamin E (400–2,000 IU daily), vitamin C (1,000 mg daily), citrus bioflavonoids (100–300 mg daily), lutein (5–15 mg daily), lycopene (5–10 mg daily), grapeseed extract (25–50 mg daily), and ginkgo biloba (120 mg daily).

These nutrients work together to provide powerful antioxidant protection, collagen preservation and repair, and a protective internal sunscreen. In a study of 80 postmenopausal women, supplementation with these nutrients resulted in significant improvements in skin density; wrinkles around the eyes, the mouth, and on the forehead; blotchiness; and wrinkles, sagging, and dark circles under the eyes.

You can find many of these nutrients in a good, high-potency multinutrient product, and they are also sold separately at most health food stores and vitamin shops.

• Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulfate, a foaming agent in many shampoos and skin cleansers. (Sodium laureth sulfate is the alcohol form of SLS.) Many sources claim that SLS contains large amounts of nitrates that, when used in conjunction with other chemicals, can form nitrosamines (a kind of carcinogen). But what we do know for certain is that SLS is associated with eye irritation, skin rashes, diarrhea, hair loss, scalp dryness (like dandruff), and allergic reactions. And, according to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, SLS damages your hair follicles, actually causing your hair to fall out!

• Alcohols (Ethyl and Isopropyl) virtually destroy your skin’s pH balance by stripping the acid mantle. In doing so, they also strip away your skin’s defensive barrier, leaving your skin and body open to infection. Alcohols also absorb water, while at the same time dissolving your body’s own natural moisturizers. As a result, they can actually contribute to wrinkles and fine lines.

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.