Your Princess Guide to Skin

Written by Penna Thursday, May 07, 2009

Sections - The Beautiful Princess

Princess Penna, Inc. tells You EVERYTHING you need to know from A to Z

A. ANTIOXIDANTS
The Pac-Men of skin care, antioxidants- such as vitamins C and E, beta-caratene, and those within green tera and grape seed- gobbled up the free radicals produced by factors like sun exposure, pollution, stress, and cigarette smoke, neutralizing their skin-weakening powers. Dermatologists trumpet the virtues of the face-saving ingredients, both as part of a healthy diet that reinforces tissue from the inside and as a key step in a daily skin-care regimen.

B. BODY BRUSH
An age-old cellulite buster, a dry, natural bristle body brush raises blood flow to the epidermis, revs up lymphatic drainage, and exfoliates dead cells.

C. COLLAGEN
Along with elastin and hyaluronic acid, collagen provides the mesh framework that keeps skin plump, lifted, and wrinkle-free. A strong, fibrous protein, collagen is amultitaking antiager. In addition to preventing collagen breakdown by diligent daily application of SPF, you can help your body generate more of the good stuff by using topicals: Ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C are proven collagen-builders.

D. DHA
The active ingredient in self-tanners, DHA (dihydroxyacetone, if you want to get technical) reacts with the uppermost

layer of dead skin cells, truning them brown. Results last about a week- less, if you exfoliate.

E. ESSENTIAL OILS
Plant-derived oils, such as sandalwood and rose, can create the aroma behind your beloved eau de parfum and offer countless remedies: De-stress instantly in a lavender-infused bath; dab on tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, to banish breakouts.

F. FAT
It may be loathsome when you're trying to squeeze into your skinny jeans, but facially speaking, fat is a major ally in turning back the clock. When injected, the springy cells plump the complexion, pushing out wrinkles and lifting sagging skin (plus, doctors harvest the fat cells from the butt and thighs- a win-win situation).

G. GRAPES

Grapes are the main source of the antiaging powerhouse resveratrol. When taken internally, this ingredient triggers health effects similar to a low-calorie diet and is believed to yhelp prevent diseases including cancer and diabetes, as well as ward off weight gain and increase endurance. Gound within the skin of the fruit, resveratrol offers several complexion benefits when applied topically- amped-up collagen production, protection from UV damage, and defense against loss of elasticity.

H. HUMECTANT
By dreawing water from the air and skin's surface, humectants keep the underlying cells bouncy and moist. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most widely used; others include glycerin, urea, and panthenol.

I. ICE
Sure, it soothes a twisted ankle, but ice- or a chilled cloth or stratigh-from-the-fridege-mask- is also the best way to calm overstressed skin (and depuff undereye bags). Cool compresses constrict capillaries, forcing blood, redness and inflammation away from the skin's surface.

J. JUICE
Grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes make more than thirst-slacking, vitamin-packed beverages. Fruit acids, part of the family alpha-hydroxy family, have also proven to be brilliant exfoliants (citric and malic acids are two popular varieties). Unlike scrubs, which physically slough off dead tissue, fruit acids break apart the bonds holding together old cells in surface-dulling clumps. This action also encourages theformation of new cells, which not only makes the complexrion radiant and fresh, but also evens tone and minimizes hyper-pigmentation.

K. VITAMIN K
Found in dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, vitamin K helps build strong bones. Applied topically, it repairs broken blood vessels, zapping dark circles and accelerating bruise healing.

L. LINE FILLERS
From Restylane to CosmoDerm to Zyderm, fillers (made, respectively, of hyaluronic acid, lab-produced human collagen, and bovine collagen) are injected under skin to erase lines and restore fullness. Needle-phobes should opt for creams and cosmetics that mimic the look with optical light diffusers.

M. MINERALS
Big news in makeup, mineral formulas consist of natural substances like zinc oxide, ultramarine, and titanium dioxide. Since the particles don't penetrate skin, they offer coverage with a low risk of irritation.

N. NIACIN
A derivative of vitamin B3, niacin helps the digestive system convert food to energy and assists nerve function. But skin-care gurus love it because niacin breaks down into nicotinic acid, which stimulates the release of leptin, a harmone that's been shown to reduce hyper-pigmentation. Applied twice a day, a niacin-enriched product could fade brown spots and other discoloration over time, and since it's gentle, niacin is well-suited for delicate faces.

O. OIL
When it comes to creating the perfect skin cream, water and oil trly do mix. It's the ratio of these two ingredients that makes some textures feel thick and other slip on light and airy. But not all oils are created equal. Occlusive versions such as mineraloil lay on the skin's surface to create a protective barrier, while lighter formulas like jojoba seep into skin's cracks and crevices.

P. PH BALANCE
Harsh cleansers and sugary snacks are just a few of the factors that can upset skin's normal pH (4.0 to 5.5), causing flaking. To hit the reset button, forgo intense acid peels, chomp green veggies, and rehydrate with lotion.

Q. QUICK FIX
Makeup artists know how to wake up lackluster skin in minutes without a drop of foundation. Apply a moisturizing mask (or just a rich cream) with gentle, three-minute facial massage. The process relaxes muscles, acceleratesmicro-circulation, and plumps lines to create a smoother surface and a temporary- but convincing- glow.

R. RETINOIDS

These chemical compounds are derived from vitamin A and assist in regulation cell growth. Available over the counter (Retin-A is the prescription version), retinoids are often used to reduce the appearance of lines since they're so effective at getting skin cells to rebuild collagen and elastin. This rapid turnover can sometimes trigger sensitivity, however, so most cocs suggest starting eith retinoids every other night until skin adjust s to the new ingredient.

S. SLEEP
Most studies recommend seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night for optimal health and beauty benefits. This is a time for full-body regeneration and skin repair, soderms often tell patients to apply treatments such as retinoids and pigmentation-reducers before ebbed, giving ingredients like glucosamine, which treats spots and lines, the ideal conditions usnder which to work their magic.

T. TEA
Whether brewed as soothing beverages or added to a daily skin cream, these antioxidants superstars (the most potent include green and white teas, along with Argentinianyerba maté) also contain large amounts of poly-phenol, a known antiager . These types of tea have been scientifically proven to defend against the formation of certain cancers when sipped daily, and there's evidence that they fight free radicals,minimize UV effects, and repair damaged cells when applied to skin.

U. UV BLOCKERS
The best lotions provide full-spectrum coverage by shielding against UVA and UVB rays. Look for labels listing avobenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.

V. VITAMINS
Just as a rainbow-color diet supercharge your energy level, your skin requires a full range of vitamins to keep up its glow. When mixed into your favorite treatment, vitamins play a major role inimprotant skin functions such as speeding up healing, minimizing hyperpimentation, and boosting collagen.

W. WATER
Up to 60 percent of our body is made of water, so it's no surprise H2o plays a major role within the skin. When cells are adequately hydrated, they're able toward off signs of aging, such aswrinklkes , loss of elasticity, and inflammation, thereby promoting a dewy glow and clear complexion. To amp up your skin's moisture level, slather on a hydrating cream (most products contain water as their first ingredient) while skin is damp and load up on essential-fatty-acid-rich foods containing omega-3 andlinoleic acid to help maintain tissue's water content from the inside.

X. X-FACTOR
Your friend's miracle cream is your oil spill? Your sister loves retinoids, but you can't tolerate them? Call it the complexion X-Factor: variations in tone, pore size, texture and sensitivity that mean no product is one-size-fits-all. The best face-saver for you is the one designed for your skin type.

Y. YOGURT
Low levels of lactic and alpha-hydroxy acid make plain yogurt an ideal DIY exfoliant (leave on for five minutes, then rinse) even for those with sensitive skin, while its probiotic content beats bad bacteria effectively on the skin's surface just as it does within the body.

Z. ZINC
Dandruff-fighters have relied on zinc-based shampoos for decades, but the mineral's many skin care uses- as an anti-inflammatory that clears up eczema, regulates oil production, and kills off pore-clogging bacteria- are a relatively recent discovery.