Best Anti-Aging Skin Cream

The Magic Anti-Aging Skin Cream

Poof! You are 20 years younger. If only that were true. There are literally thousands of skin creams out there. From infomercials on TV, promises on the internet,  to classy department stores, they all tell you what you want to hear. Unfortunately, they seldom work like advertised because they dont have enough of the key ingredients to make a difference. They are formulated for the “average” person. In this video I try to answer the question by talking a bit about Retinoids, Retin A, Tazorack, Obogi, free radicals, anti-oxidants, and even coffee berry products. If you would like information specific to a product, please just let me know and I will do what I can to help. Just use the comment box under the video.

Celebrity Skin Care Product Endorsements

Celebrities and Skin Care

Do you buy a product simply because you adore the celebrity selling it? Well, that is basically the idea, which is the reason the celeb endorsements are so popular. Not unlike a product, person, procedure, or event skyrocketing to fame once it has appeared on the Oprah Show. While Oprah most likely will not be affected, some ads may have to adjust to a new regulation.

Transparent Advertising

OK, asking for pure transparency in advertising is like asking legislators to always tell the truth. Just cannot seem to happen. However a new regulation proposed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) once adopted, will significantly affect the way advertisers and endorsers operate.  According to Andrew Lustigman, a New York attorney who represents advertisers, direct marketers, media, and Internet companies, the changes are designed to protect the consumer against misleading testimonials and endorsements.

Truth Told?

I would caution anyone from getting their hopes up regarding “real expectations”, however the disclaimers at the end of ads (think drug ads) will likely become more common. Rather just saying “results may vary”, advertisers will be required to describe a “typical” result: the one most likely to happen to you.

Is this a good thing?

Let me hear from you…

Hydroxatone For Skin Wrinkles?

Hydroxatone Better than Botox?

I had to post this review because so many patients asked me “Does Hydroxatone really comparable to Botox?” Usually when something is so highly marketed without much (really none) evidence to support its claims, I ignore it. Then one day one of my readers or a patient asks me  to guide them in their quest for a cream that will compare to Botox. Of course, they are now hearing more and more about Hydroxatone with the marketing hype.

What is Hydroxatone?

Hydroxatone is a compound of Matrixyl 3000 (see post on Matrixyl 3000), Argireline, the trade name for the synthetically derived peptide called acetyl hexapeptide-3, and some ubiquitous antioxidants. Argeline’s claim to fame is simply: Argireline has been shown to moderate excessive catecholamines release. That’s it…as unromantic as it is. It will not decrease wrinkles. The other component of Hydroxatone is hyaluronic acid, in its liquid form, which cannot penetrate past the stratum corneum. However, it may slightly fill up the dead keritin cells in stratum corneum because its (hyaluronic acid’s) ability to absorb water is big. This however should not be confused with hydration for your skin. It doesn’t work that way. Bloating your top dead skin cells does not equal wrinkle reduction. Period.

Can Hydroxatone Compare to Botox?

Really, can any cream compare to Botox? Of course not. Not yet. It is coming soon, however. There is on the horizon a botulinum toxin cream that will have many valid indications. It will reduce wrinkles, sweating, even acne. Stay tuned. You will not miss the introduction. It is not however, available yet, and these claims made by others are simply: claims made to make you notice and purchase, though most likely not worth of your very valuable dollars.

Is Botox Cream Next?

While the cream containing botulinum toxin is coming, it will not be priced as cheap as these faux competitors. Be ready: If you wish to escape the needle, there will most likely be trade-offs. Again, stay tuned!

Hydroquinone Free Lumixyl For Skin Spots

Got Skin Spots?

Hydroquinone free Lumixyl® just may be your new answer to old sun spots (think: age spots, liver spots, etc.).  Lumixyl® is a new proprietary synthetic oligopeptide (an oligopeptide is a protein fragment or molecule that usually consists of less than 25 amino acid residues linked in a polypeptide chain) consisting of a chain of ten amino acids.  Marketed by Basis Medical Technologies, this beautifully elegant, non-irritating, non-scented cream appears to be even more effective than hydroquinone, the usual Gold Standard for reduction of hyperpigmentation or melasma without the use of lasers or light sources.

Is Hydroquinone Cream Dangerous?

Hydroquinone has been pulled off the market in some Asian and European countries. It has been discussed here, but the evidence as to whether or not it is dangerous is somewhat controversial. It also can cause irritation and allergic reactions. According to Neil Sadick, MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPh, “Hydroquinone has had some controversy in the recent past and this product (Lumixyl®) offers a non-hydroquinone alternative that shows good clinical efficacy in treating discoloration without causing irritation”.

Matrixyl 3000

Matrixyl 3000

Carol H. sent an email about Matrixyl 3000.  Here’s Carol’s email:

Bonnie-
I’ve read about Matrixyl 3000 (20%) on the internet. Supposedly, studies have shown it to be effective for decreasing wrinkles, spots, and firming skin. Is this worth buying at $35 per ounce?

Carol,

The peptides found in the 3000 version, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide do have some science behind them that they will increase cell turnover, but by how much is not well known. They have appeared in some products like Stri Vectin. The claims of wrinkle reduction and skin firming my be somewhat valid, in some situations. For instance, if one uses absolutely nothing to increase cell turnover and increase the health of the skin, they may see some slight improvement, since they were doing again, absolutely nothing. It may be an OK place to start. However if one is already rejuvenating the skin with perhaps some alpha-hydroxy acids, antioxidants, or a retinoid, please do not expect a difference. It will simply create another step, most likely redundant.

Don’t expect to see a great reduction in spots. It is difficult to achieve a reduction in hyperpigmentation (brown areas and spots) without a prescription lightener, or at least a pharmaceutical grade (available in healthcare offices) product. In addition, depending upon age, sundamage, and heredity, many brown spots are actually seborrheic keratoses. You can identify these by noticing a dull reflective pattern (more of a matte finish) when compared to light reflection on the surrounding skin. Some of these may also be raised. These spots are difficult to lighten without actual removal and they are the ones that will soak up self-tanner making them appear even more prominent. Good news is that they are benign lesions, aside from the rare “irritated seborrheic keratosis”.

Matrixyl 3000 Pricing

$35.00 per ounce? Probably not unreasonable. It is amazing how many products look like they have more volume but really are only an ounce, or slightly over.

Hope this helps!

Bonnie