Newsflash: Skin needs antioxidants

In case you weren’t aware, I’d like to share the importance of antioxidants and the benefits not only for your health but also for your skin.

 

Antioxidant beverages are popping up everywhere. You see them advertised almost daily from one juice after another.  Even V8 has a new line of antioxidant beverages.   Not to mention the multitude of network marketing companies that are pushing the health benefits of consuming antioxidants. Some of these are actually very good but the costs are usually pretty high per oz since there are alot of levels that need to be paid with these distribution channels.  You’ll notice alot of them focus on what the ORAC value is for their supplement compared to others with the same shelf space.  Oxygen radical absorption capacity or ORAC is a score card if you will that is used to identify units or value and the higher the value, the greater the antioxidant power.  The average American should consume around 3000- 5000 units per day, however, most of us fall short and consume only about 1000. Over time, this deficiency increases and can contribute to aging, chronic diseases and degenerative cells.  Supplements are designed to boost our dietary challenges.

 

Here’s the newsflash:  Our bodies really do need to consume antioxidants and our skin needs to have antioxidants as well.   Virtually all plants and animals protect themselves from the sun using vitamins C and E except for humans!  Instead we must consume Vitamin C ( Ascorbic Acid) in our diet and apply topically to target the area of protection.   Actually, Vitamins C & E work together – when E becomes oxidized by free radicals (the number one reason our skin ages) it is regenerated in the membrane  by Vitamin C.  Thru the miracle of nature,  these two powerful antioxidants enhance the effectiveness of each other to neutralize free radicals – one of the factors in  aging.

 

 

Another benefit of Vitamin E is that it also  protects skin against pollutants, UV light and has been shown to help reduce skin cancer. 

 

Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis (collagen gives our skin fullness).  Vitamin C also acts as a skin lightener and inhibits melanin production (prevous sun damange results in those brown spots as we age on areas of skin that have been exposed) and protects our skin against erythema (redness) from UVB/UVA exposure.

 

For people like me that live in a State exposed to sun 365 days a year, this is a great reason to apply C & E topically.

 

 

Actually,  most of your concentration of Vitamins C & E are in the epidermis not the dermis and here’s the really bad news,   in aged skin with sun exposure antioxidant levels may be as much as 60-70% lower.   And if you are smoker, your levels will be even worse as cigarette smoke robs our skin of oxygen. (ever notice a smokers skin looks kind of grey – it’s because it’s being starved of oxygen)

 

But don’t despair- there really is good news in all of this!    Your skin does benefit from the combination of Topical Vitamins C & E and these natural products may also protect against skin cancer and photo-aging.  Studies show, to have the maximum benefit of Vitamin C &  E  look for topical vitamins or serums in a concentration of at least 15%-20%  L-ascorbic Acid combined with 1% -5% of D-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) at a pH level of between 3.2 and 3.5. 

 

Remember, even if you are applying topical antioxidants don’t skip the  SPF . This is the best possible combination  to help protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.  And you’re doing your skin the best favor you can because healthy glowing skin never goes

out of style.

Be good to yourself in 2009!

Pam Tirado, President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

 

The Truth About Skin and the Economy

Funny title?  Well, not actually.  Regardless of whether its in good economic times or tougher times, our skin continues to age. We lose elasticity, collagen and develop more visible wrinkles and sagging skin.   Unfortunately, skin and aging doesn’t take a “time off” until things get better.

Don't Let Your Skin Go Into A Depression!

I’ve been around for awhile and have seen a few previous economic downturns.  I can remember back in the early 80’s getting our house refinanced from an 18% loan to a 16.5% loan and we were ecstatic!  That was the going rate for mortgages. And then things continued to get better until mortgage rates were below 10% and went down from there.  It’s a carousel with real estate  - hang on long enough and you’ll see everything come back around.  Actually, that’s pretty true with much of life – fashions included!  So, during these uncertain economic times, stick to the basics when you think about taking care of your skin.  If you need to make cuts with your regular skin care program just be sure you don’t give up your SPF 30 sun protection. Your sun screen will protect your skin from exposure to the damaging UVA and UVB rays – the number one cause of skin aging.  And studies have shown people judge your age by the discoloration on your face and hands verses the wrinkles they see.  When you protect your skin from sun damage, you are also helping to reverse the signs of visible aging.  Look for cleansers, toners, and moisturizers with a lower pH (between 3-6) which will help normalize and protect your skin’s acid mantle -your skin’s first line of defense against fungal and bacterial infections.  Also, look for concentrated products that will last longer.  The more fillers a product has, the faster you will use it up.  Sometimes paying just a few dollars more will result in a product that has much greater effectiveness than the one that is significantly cheaper.  When it comes to skin care products, you do get what you pay for! Keep your routine simple and keep your complexion healthy during this tough economic period of history.  The best thing you can do for your skin is avoid sun exposure and if you are outside, make sure you apply some form of sun protection factor of at least 30.  The economy is going thru some changes and so is your skin but if you stick to the basics you’re going to be OK and still maintain the healthy glowing skin you strive to take care of (even if you had to make a few minor cut backs in your normal routine).  And when you look in the mirror you’ll be loving what you see!

All the best!  
Pam Tirado President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

Parabens – Friends or Foes?

Illustre Essenza Products Are Paraben-Free!

 

Parabens have been used as preservatives since the 1920s. All skin care products including those from the Illustre Essenza  line must use some preservatives and other ingredients that offer anti-microbial and anti-bacterial protection to protect your skin care and other products from having virtually no shelf life.   However, Illustre Essenza choses NOT to use parabens as there are many other options that offer the same level of product integrity like essential oils. 

 

Parabens are used to prevent the growth of bacteria in a wide range of consumer products, including a variety of foods and pharmaceutical drugs. The most prevalent use has been as a preservative in cosmetics, including facial and body cosmetics, skin care products, shampoos and conditioners, sunscreens, antiperspirants and deodorants, colognes and perfumes, and soaps, including liquid hand soap.

 

One of the most widely quoted sources of information on use, exposure and safety of the four most commonly used parabens was published in 1984 in a report authored by Elder (1). This report estimated that parabens were used in over 13,200 different cosmetic products. WOW!  So you see, it’s hard to find products that don’t contain parabens – and this report is over 24 years old.

 

The most common parabens used are: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Parabens can cause allergic reactions especially when applied topically as in skin care products.

 

Parabens have been widely accepted and used because of past reports of their effectiveness as preservatives, their low cost, and rapid excretion from the body (both human and animal testing). However, recently some scientists have raised concerns that further assessment of parabens may be needed. This is based on recent evidence from over a dozen scientific studies indicating that several types of parabens can bind to the estrogen receptor and can cause estrogen-like responses when tested in laboratory animals or in a variety of tissue culture assays (see http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/Bibliography/Bibliography.cfm under EndocrineDisruption Bibliographies).

 

In whole-animal studies, (Please note: Illustre Essenza does not do any testing on animals) the estrogenic effects of parabens were not seen when fed to the animals, but only when applied to or injected under the skin. But, these were short-term, high-dose studies. Little to no information exists on whether use of products with low levels of parabens over many years results in accumulation of parabens in body tissues and whether there are or are not any health effects associated with use of paraben-containing consumer products. 

 

However, research done in Japan has shown that products containing parabens can actually cause the skin to AGE when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Researchers applied one form of paraben, methylparaben, to the skin in similar amounts as found in skincare products, then exposed the skin to a level of ultraviolet rays that average about the same amount of light exposure you might receive on a summer day. The results showed that 19% of the exposed skin cells died (compared to 6% in skin not exposed the parabens). Results also showed three times more lipid peroxide – a substance that speeds up the aging process-in skin cells treated with parabens than in untreated skin cells. Researchers concluded that the use of products containing parabens in combination with sun exposure would lead to a higher rate of wrinkling, dark spots, diminished skin tone and other signs of aging! Boy, the very thing we are trying to avoid – wrinkles, and products that contain parabens can actually accelerate that process!

 

So in summary, because we come in contact with so many preservatives on a daily basis, including parabens, and because studies have shown that these additional stresses on our body can eventually take a toil as well as contribute to aging our skin cells faster, Illustre Essenza products offer a paraben free approach for people that are interested in a more natural and healthier choice for their skin care products. 

 

It’s your skin and should be your very best friend – so take the time to read the label and make a choice to eliminate unneccesary ingredients when you do have more natural options that provide the same level of product effectiveness – just paraben free!

 

 

1. Reference: Five Types of Parabens Detected Intact in Human Breast Tumors

By Suzanne M. Snedeker, Ph.D.

Benefits of Peptides for Reducing Wrinkles

Ultra Peptide Dual Defense Serum

At Luminoso Studios, we have created our greatly effective ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®  skin care products by looking to naturally derived ingredients from organic plant botanicals and extracts.  However all that is natural isn’t necessarily good for you.  Additionally, there are also some synthetic ingredients, such as Peptides, that Mother Nature doesn’t provide us but that are quite beneficial in  providing superior benefits for skin care.  Because of the lack of certain natural and organic ingredients, and the demand for these ingredients, science has been able to recreate synthetically and in many cases enhance upon what can be found naturally – thus preserving our natural resources.

Peptides are one of those ingredients that can’t be found naturally in nature, like Tretinoin (Retin-A), a derivative of Vitamin A. They each have a valuable place in cosmetics and in skin care.  Peptides are a short chain of amino acids which are the basic building blocks of proteins as well as many other different types of organic molecules. Peptides can be created by the digestion of  proteins in our bodies and a lot of these peptides are very rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, making peptides desirable and effective for use as skin care ingredients.  

Let’s focus on two Peptides of particular importance:  Acetyl Hexapeptide -3 also known as Argireline ®,  and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also known as Matrixyl™ 3000.  Acetyl Hexapeptide 3, or Argireline ®, is a member of the peptides family that specifically works to help relax certain wrinkles – especially in the forehead and around the eyes.  Argireline®  also seems to have the ability to help prevent apparent facial sagging as shown in controlled studies. Topically applied, Argireline® is an alternative to treating the same wrinkles as botulinum toxin injections around the eyes and on the forehead. Another benefit is that Argireline® can be used all over the face unlike botulinum toxin (Botox) which has limited treatment areas.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl™ 3000) is a firming and de-wrinkling peptide complex formulated to promote collagen production and repair deep tissue with visible anti-wrinkle efficacy.  It contains two matrikines™, Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR which act in synergy to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance. These peptides display major and significant improvements in elasticity and tone and are  designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and create a tighter, lifted appearance in your skin.

Can peptides replace Botox for the same level of performance in treatment of wrinkles?  Certainly not at this time, however peptides are a viable and valuable alternative that offer anti-wrinkle and firming benefits and the ability to help slow down the degree of facial sagging. For those of you that are opposed to needles in the face (like me) peptides provide a topical skin care option that can be utilized to help address the signs of visible aging- those pesky fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. And with new and more advanced scientific studies underway, the future looks very bright for even more exciting ingredients that can be utilized as powerful tools to treat aging skin topically and thank goodness, do not involve needles to accomplish the job!

Take a look at the ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Ultra Peptide Dual Defense Serum - formulated to help your skin look and feel smoother, tighter, and younger.  With two of the hottest peptides on the market, Matrixyl™ 3000* and Argireline®**, this formula continues to work 24 hours a day to help firm, lift and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles!

All the best!

Pam Tirado
President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

The Beauty of Rocks and Mineral Makeup

ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Natural Mineral Foundations

I fell in love with minerals at a trade show in Vegas in 2001.  I was amazed at how something so inert (well, a  rock!) could be ground into a fine powder and used as a makeup foundation that was both natural -literally made from Mother Nature – and good for your skin due to the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits that minerals provide.  Minerals are not absorbed into the skin like liquid foundations so they can’t clog pores. Instead they rest on the surface of the skin.  So my love affair began! 

It has taken me a few years and a lot of research to actually discover that not all mineral makeup is equal. There are many different brands that offer “natural” minerals and you can hardly open up a fashion magazine without looking at a few different full page color ads – some with celebrity endorsements. 

When looking at the different mineral options make sure you take a few minutes to pick up the label and read about the ingredients in the formula.   Avoid minerals with additives like Bismuth Oxycholoride, Parabens, corn starch or talc.  The Bismuth will add alot of shine to the foundation and can cause severe itching.  Products that contain Parabens have been shown to actually cause the cells to age faster when exposed to UVA and UVB rays – the very thing we are trying to avoid!  Corn starch and talc are used as inexpensive fillers and can clog pores. 

Bottom line – do yourself a favor and read the label.  The fewer the ingredients, the purer the formula and you will be avoiding alot of ingredients that can cause potential adverse reactions.  Your foundation is meant to enhance and even out your skin tone, not give you more to cover up!  Minerals can provide from sheer to heavy coverage, depending on how many layers are applied – which is a definite advantage over most foundations.  Minerals can also provide  additional protection against UVA and UVB rays from the Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide added to the formula.  And last, because minerals are naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial they are very helpful in controlling bacteria on the skin that can lead to breakouts. 

Healthy, glowing skin never goes out of fashion.  Mineral foundations can offer a natural option for improving upon what Mother Nature gave us-rocks!

All the best!

Pam Tirado
President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

Free Bronzer Offer!

Free ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Bronzer

As we round the corner into the autumn months, it’s a great time to replace that natural summer glow with a Natural Minerals Bronzer product.  ILLUSTRE ESSENZA Natural Minerals Bronzers are available in four colors to enhance most skin tones, and are non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores) and offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection with non chemical ingredients Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. With no added fillers, fragrance or preservatives, Natural Minerals Bronzers offer pure breathable coverage that leaves your skin with a very healthy and natural sun kissed finish. 

For a limited time only, get a FREE Bronzer with your $50 purchase.  Simply use “FREE-BRONZER” as your coupon code upon checkout!  Give our products a try – you’ll see for yourself that The Difference Is Real! 

The Forces of Nature and SPF

ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Ultra SPF

There are alot of things in life we have no control over – like the forces of nature that the population of Texas is experiencing with Hurricane Ike barreling down upon the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.  When you have weather coming at you at about 100 miles plus per hour, pretty much all you can do is pack up and get out of the way.  (As a former South Texas gal, I really feel for my fellow Texans right now.)

Now the good news is we also have alot of things that we can control.  Like what we eat – so we feel better and have more energy; participating in regular exercise so we maintain good muscle tone and have a more active healthy lifestyle which is really important as we start to age since good health also represents independence. Brushing and flossing our teeth on a daily basis can help prevent gum disease and even other related health issues medical experts have now discovered.  AND making a choice to take care of our largest living organ – our skin, on a daily basis, by using products that can help to keep our skin clean, hydrated and reduce premature signs of aging like brown spots or other discoloration from sun or environmental damage  and products that can help minimize the appearance of those pesky signs of aging, the fine lines and wrinkles that can make us look alot older than we feel and by regularly applying a superior SPF (sun protection factor) product, like our ILLUSTRE ESSENZA Ultra SPF.

Life has a way of changing very quickly.  We all live in a hectic world and all of us, including yours truly, have taken a few shortcuts along the way.  But since you’re already at the sink brushing and flossing, (at least you should be!)  why not add one or two more steps that will help you maintain a healthier more radiant looking complexion?  I promise you – it won’t add more than a few minutes and the benefits are well worth the effort.  Some things we can’t control,  like Mother Nature, however, taking the time each day for maintaining the health of our bodies is completely up to us.

All the best!

Pam Tirado
President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

Change Is In The Air!

Autumn Is Around The Corner!

Change is in the air.  I feel it moving fast on the horizon.  Not to mention that fall is right around the corner.  And change can be a good thing.   Which reminds me thinking about change, how great Sarah Palin’s skin looks!  She looks like she’s taken really good care of her skin.  I may have to introduce her to our line of moisturizers, because whether she’s in Juneau or D.C., she’s going to need them!  

Think about the last time you did something good for yourself?  Many of us do for others without thinking about taking care of ourselves.Your skin is your largest living organ and your face is usually the first thing people notice about you.  Take the time now to take care of one of your most precious assets – your skin! People ask me all of the time – what they should do if they have limited time or really aren’t that into using a bunch of skin care products. ( I know I have to gasp at that one myself! )

The one thing I recommend to everyone is use your SPF (sun protection factor) daily and use it for the rest of your life.  I recommend a SPF of 30 that provides both UVB (you will burn) and UVA (you will age) protection and preferrably a stand alone SPF, not an SPF in your moisturizer or foundation.  You will be doing your skin the most amazing favor by helping protect it from the accumulated damage that is caused by unprotected sun exposure.  Making this one small change in your daily routine, can have long lasting results!  We offer a great sunscreen product – the ILLUSTRE ESSENZA Ultra SPF 30.  Check it out!

All the best,
Pam Tirado
President, Luminoso Studios, Inc.

Welcome to ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®!

ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Where The Difference Is Real®

Welcome to the official ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® corporate Blog!  We know that you have literally thousands of options when choosing the very best products for your skin, and are inundated with conflicting skin care information – so we’ve decided to take the time to create this resource to keep you posted on the latest accurate anti-aging skin care and mineral makeup product information, up-to-the-minute news, and exclusive insider skin care and makeup tips.  Feel free to comment, post suggestions or questions, or stop by our online home.  We guarantee, you’ll see that The Difference Is Real®. . .