In today’s skin care environment, you don’t have to give up results to go more natural. Rhonda Allison has always been a steward of the planet, creating products that are pure and fresh, with natural colors and scents using only the highest quality of preservatives. Our formulas have always partnered natural ingredients with scientifically developed compounds to reflect a healthy, more youthful skin. Using the science of chirality and a cosmeceutical approach, I have learned over the past 15 years it is not only the active ingredients in a formula that matter, but the base these ingredients are in, how they are delivered to the skin and the overall preparation.
Along this thought, I wanted to share my overview on some of the more cutting edge ingredients used in my top 10 skin care “must have” products.
90% of all wrinkles is caused by sun damage, so protection is essential. My experience and my research has shown that natural physical blocks of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide offer the safest approach to healthy sun care. An SPF of 30 blocks 97% of UV rays and when that high of an SPF is achieved with a natural, non-irritating ingredient such as Zinc Oxide, the skin is getting nourishing support. Partnered with extracts of algae to reduce inflammation and supply the skin with energy and an herb complex of Sandalwood, Corktree Bark and Barley to retain moisture in the skin, we have an ideal defense against sun exposure. Use a broad-spectrum sun protector that is chemical-free and reduces trans-epidermal water loss (a contributor to the aging of skin). Remember, a healthy skin is a hydrated skin!
Most people under cleanse and over moisturize. If you really want to see a change in your skin, look for potent actives in your cleansers such as Glycolic Acid Polymer, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and Green Tea Extracts. It is vital for skin to be squeaky clean in order for skin to accept important nutrients and other nourishing support.
Scrubs are an important, yet often over looked part of cleansing - giving skin a refined polish to replenish and stimulate skin. Allowing the skin’s surface to become more absorbable while giving your face valuable exfoliation is necessary to slow down the aging process. This important step will leave skin luxuriously supple, gently lifting away dead skin cells with ease and leaving skin refreshed and hydrated. Though how that is achieved is critical because many users over-scrub and tear the skin. Granulars from natural pumice, purified sea algae and natural jojoba beads offer effective skin exfoliation safely.
A great toner will do what the name implies – get your skin toned and in shape! You will want to use lotions and toners enriched with actives and nutrients for specific effects such as Resveratrol which has tremendous antioxidant properties, age reversal support and the ability to reduce inflammation. Other ingredients such as Bellis Perennis (Daisy Flower Extract) may be used specifically for brightening the skin or Salicylic Acid for controlling sebum production. Spritzing toners with Cucumber Oil or Grape Seed Extract may also be used throughout the day to hydrate the skin, to soothe and cool while providing antioxidant and moisture support.
Eyes reveal the beauty within – don’t let them reveal your age. Our eye products must be gentle for use around delicate eye tissue and yet active enough to diminish fine lines and other concerns. Balancing ingredients such as Spin Trap (free radical support), Hexapeptide (wrinkle relaxer) and Retinol (collagen synthesis) will aid in overall skin regeneration.
Whatever your skin problem – be it acne, premature aging, dry skin, discoloration or darkened skin; a good corrective will be able to address the problem! They are layered into a clean, dry skin, enabling them to work deep into the pores for maximum effect. Like lotions and toners, you will want to look for very specific ingredients to meet each skin challenge. For example, Kojic Acid is an effective inhibitor of melanin for pigment control and lightening skin tone while Palmitoyl Tripeptide boosts collagen production for younger looking skin. A Salicylic Retinol will improve the skin’s water barrier and rejuvenate and strengthen all skin types and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) will encourage cell regeneration resulting in healthier skin. Another important ingredient to look for is Sea Buckthorn Oil that will promote tissue regeneration and treat such issues as Rosacea and sensitive skin. Mandelic Acid (the gentle rejuvenator) benefits all skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation, acne and photo-aging.
Regeneration and Moisture Support
You want a moisturizer that will get under your skin! Look for creams and serums that melt into the skin to plump and hydrate from within, while benefiting the skin with essential growth factors, vitamins, antioxidants and peptides. Powerhouse ingredients such as Thermus Thermophilus Ferment will reduce pigmentation, wrinkles and blemishes while Algae Extract will energize the mitochondria of skin cells and increase cell turnover for suppler, healthier skin. Marine Oligopeptides provide skin with amino acids needed to increase collagen and help the skin retain moisture where PBN (Spin Trap) encourages molecules that sequester free radicals and supports the reversal of skin aging.
Unmask your skin’s potential while you renew and pamper the skin with ingredients that will balance, purify, clarify, strengthen and moisturize. You will want to use products that contain such ingredients as Phyto-Nutrients which are incredibly rich in antioxidants, providing potent anti-aging value that fights against free radical damage and aid in building healthy skin tissue. Or Pumpkin Extract and enzymes, which contain a wide spectrum of Vitamin A, dissolving surface cells to give the skin a smooth polish. Wasabi Extract will offer antibacterial and antimicrobial support while stimulating and increasing blood flow to the skin!
Skin Peels
Skin Peels are one of the best ways to kick start any skin renewal process. Peels remove the outer layer of dead skin cells resulting in an improvement of tone and texture. They may also be beneficial with skin that is sun damaged or suffering from hyperpigmentation, rosacea or acne. Since everyone’s skin is different, with even your own skin changing over time, your therapist can create a treatment plan customized just for you such as the Baby Boomer Peel or Melanin Lift Peel. Chirality plays an important role with many acids, as does the process to prepare them. Valuable treatment room acids are Salicylic, TCA, Retinol, AHAs and Azelaic. Remember, post care and sunscreen is essential for a positive outcome!
Post-Treatment
With the popularity of microdermabrasion, waxing, and skin peels; post-care treatment is not only necessary, but soothing and beneficial to the skin. I strongly recommend products that contain Epidermal Growth Factor to promote cell renewal and help with wound repair, Shea Butter to soothe and lubricate dry skin, Hydrocortisone and Willow Herb to prevent itching and other natural ingredients such as Butcher Broom Extract to reduce inflammation. The use of such ingredients will speed up healing, prevent water loss and insure a healthy outcome from your procedures.
I could go on and on about important, vital cosmeceutical ingredients that the mainstream has not even begun to talk about yet. Rhonda Allison Clinical has been a pioneer in the industry offering many of these ingredients for more than 15 years, such as Epidermal Growth Factor, Kojic Acid, D-Boldine, Resveratrol, and Spin Trap. We will continue to stay abreast of new science and discoveries, but are careful to not fall into the frenzy of “buzz” words just for the sake of something different.
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