The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Perricone

I've tried Dr. Perricone products (among countless others) -- NOT a fan.  No, not holding a grudge from when his lip product with the faulty packaging and cap exploded in my purse  -- his products just didn't show me significant results.

BUT the Perricone Diet - while pricey (wild salmon isn't  cheap) -- seems to have lots of positive effects for overall health and appearance of skin.  I've reprinted the diet here at the end of this article.

But first, a warning (not about the diet, but Perricone products):  It seems the Cancer Prevention Coalition is not a fan of Perricone products either.

Based on a January 6, 2010 Skin Deep report by the Environmental Working Group (you can tell I like these guys, huh?), at least 7 of 26 of Dr. Perricone skin products were found to contain nanoparticles, while a total of 25 contain a wide range of other toxic ingredients. 




What the @#%?  Nanoparticles?  

Nanoparticles are little hollow spheres, which deliver the active ingredients to the skin.  They are also called Fullerenes.  Apparently, it's a patented delivery system for his line.

"Nanoparticles, less than 1/10,000 of a millimeter in size, readily penetrate skin, and can invade underlying blood vessels and produce body-wide toxic effects, including brain degenerative disorders, and nerve damage," stresses Cancer Prevention Coalition Chairman Dr. Samuel S. Epstein. 

Wait - back up - did you say NERVE DAMAGE?  BRAIN DISORDERS?

And what the @#%?  Toxins? 

According to Dr. Epstein of the CPC, these toxins include carcinogens such as acrylamide, and carcinogenic contaminants such as ethylene oxide, dioxane, nitrosamines and acrylamide, and formaldehyde. They also include allergens, and toxic hormonal ingredients. Accordingly, the Environmental Working Group rated 25 of Perricone's products as posing "moderate to high hazards." 

So apparently, Perricone is not even labeling his products with this ingredient information and is even  in trouble for making some claims based on his tests that others don't deem to be "scientifically based."

This is HUGE!

Makes sense to Pitch the Perricone products and just settle for the salmon.

Onto the diet -  I've heard nothing but good things about it- like great looking skin, weight loss and feeling more energized, etc.  There are no Perri

This is a 3 day menu. Protein should be eaten first and the salmon should be wild, or at least organic to ensure the fish is free of antibiotics or other chemicals:

Wake Up
8 to 12 ounces spring water

Breakfast
3 egg whites and 1 whole egg and/or a 4- to 6-ounce piece of broiled salmon
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (not instant)
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Lunch
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon or tuna packed in spring water
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Mid-afternoon snack
2 ounces low-salt, sliced chicken breast OR 6 oz plain yogurt.
4 raw, unsalted hazelnuts
1/2 green apple
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Dinner
4 to 6 ounces grilled salmon
2 cups romaine lettuce
1 tablespoon olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
1 cup steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach dressed with a little olive oil
4 oz cantaloupe OR 1/4 cup fresh berries
8 to 12 ounces spring water minimum, (more if desired)

Before-bedtime snack
2 ounces low-fat low-salt turkey/chicken breast OR 6 oz plain yogurt.
1/2 pear or green apple
3 or 4 almonds or olives
8 to 12 ounces of spring water


If you've tried this diet or are inspired to go on it again, please comment!

And remember:  Pitch your Perricone! Or DEMAND your money back!

SUN DAMAGE: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Get ready for your close-up!  If you are in your forties, or even thirties, there is one thing that is an ABSOLUTE MUST.  Run, do not walk to your nearest dermatologist and get a UV photo taken of your face.  Trust me, you’ll thank me later. 

No, the photo won’t be pretty.  It will show all the dreaded sun damage your face has accumulated throughout the seasons – and it can be quite shocking to see - but the good news is, you CAN target these areas and reverse some of the damage.

Here are a few things you can try:

Topical anti-oxidants – Anti-oxidants fight free radicals.  Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E are even proven to boost the efficacy of sunscreen, helping to prevent sun damage in the first place.

Prevage MD contains a rockin’ anti-oxidant called idebenone that helps correct sun damage.  It was found to be more effective than other topical anti-oxidants like the ones I'm sure you've heard of like kinetin, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E.  Idebenone has the highest EPF rating – a rating of how effective an antioxidant is…it scores a whopping 95 out of 100.

You used to only be able to get Prevage MD from your doctor, but it's been creeping up for purchase on SkincareRX.com and I've also spied it at Costco.

Prevage MD contains 1% idebenone.  There is also a version called simply "Prevage" made by Elizabeth Arden.

This product by Elizabeth Arden contains .5% idebenone.  I’m hearing that with both Prevage MD and Prevage, you’ll need to do a sensitivity test, as some people have gotten cases of the rashies with both these products.

Retin A – Prescription Retin A does a great job in helping to actually reverse ultra violent damage to the skin.  The effects are cumulative, but if you keep at it, you may see a decline in sunspots and lines.  Retin-A can be a little irritating to your skin and must be used sparingly, so if you have sensitive skin, you can try a cream with retinol.   Retin A also may make your skin sensitive to the sun, so don’t skip sunscreen with this one.

If your sun damage is severe, you can work with your dermatologist.  He or she may recommend a chemical peel or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light treatment) to help correct damage.

I did a UV photo taken several years back – and boy was I glad I did!  My fab dermatologist found some pre-cancer skin cells on my face!  Stress on the word "pre."

Liquid nitrogen on those cells killed those puppies dead.  (Actually, not as painful as you would imagine.) Then, later, she gave me a chemical peel to help regenerate cells.   A little scary to hear the words “pre-cancer” but can you imagine if I DIDN’T get the UV photo?

Worth WAY more than a thousand words in my book!

Fade Brown Spots and Brown Patches

Ugh, who likes brown spots and patches? These are the nastiest of the nasties when it comes to making you look older. 

I’ve found THE most effective treatment for brown spots is a chemical peel.  But, peels can be pricey.  So, if you are saving pennies, fading your brown spots with a lightening product CAN be done, but this peel-alternative is going to take some time, patience and dedication.  Ready?

I for one am certainly in the market for a new wonder spot-fading product. I’m reading the most effective ingredient for lightening is hydroquinone.  HOWEVER, hydroquinone has been linked to cancer, ochronosis (thickening and darkening of the skin), and blood diseases. In fact, the FDA banned this ingredient in the U.S. in 2001, but still allows products with a concentration of 2%.

So now what?  If you’re old-school, you can go with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, although be ready for the long haul and the smell on the later is pretty potent... so....oh, and exfoliation is said to be helpful in fading these nasties....but...

Here are some hydroquinone-free brown spot lighteners:

DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener

$52.00 for 0.5 fl .oz.

This product contains a blend of herbs and botanicals known to minimize the production of melanin - Kojic Acid and Licorice Extract to name a few.  It also has Glycolic/Lactic acids  to minimize visible hyperpigmentation and increases penetration of lighteners.

SkinCeuticals Phyto +

$78.00 for 1 fl. oz.

This formula contains Kojic Acid and Arbutin which naturally lighten the skin, and has cucumber to cool and sooth. It will also moisturize, as it contains hyaluronic acid, a groovy ingredient which binds moisture to the skin.

Cellex-C Fade Away Gel

57.00 0.8 fl. oz.

Oh, I like how this one states it “DRAMATICALLY” lightens the appearance of age and sun spots.  Another plus is the green tea ingredient.  I’ve tried Cellex-C's HIGH-POTENCY SERUM and loved it, so this one is worth major consideration.  However, the serum is dark colored, so don't let that freak you out.

Where to buy?  Skincare RX has a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on all the above lighteners plus free shipping here: 

Free Shipping On All Orders Over $49!

And….there's more!

Clarins is a great line that has a multitude of innovative, non- hydroquinone skin brightening products to check out….here are a few:

Clarins On-the-Spot Brightening Corrector

$28.00 for .33 oz.

Wow!  It’s a roll-on! Smart.  Kinda like a little emergency stick in case a brown spot pops up.  Contains sea lily and alchemilla extracts to provide optimal protection against dark spots.  Doesn't look like you GET a lot of product for that dough, but just think of the obsessive fun you'll have knowing you have a roll-on that can be applied at any free minute!

Clarins New Bright Plus HP Intensive Brightening Mask

$36.00

Another “Wow” from me, as this product states 97% of women reported brighter and more luminous skin after 4 weeks. It diminishes existing dark spots and helps slow the source of production of melanin.  You leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with water and use a few times a week.

Ingredients include Tamarind fruit acid, Glycolic acid grafted onto Arginine and Bio-Ecolia (all to eliminate dead skin and brighten the complexion).

So -- Brighten Up, Baby!  And say goodbye to brown spots and patches!

10 Tips For Anti-Aging on a Budget

Let's face it:  anti-aging products are NOT cheap - geez, sometimes they aren't even REASONABLE! Sure, we all want the latest and greatest skincare products, but we shouldn't have to SPEND a million to look like a mill.

Here are 10 wallet-friendly ideas to consider from The Anti-Aging Analyst:

1) ALWAYS Ask for Samples

Take it from the sample QUEEN and don't be shy:  TRY before you BUY.   I mean, how do they expect you to shell out hundreds of dollars for a product when you don't know if you'll absolutely love it?  Some cosmetic stores like Sephora are great about this - they will make you a small trial sample of the cream you are interested in.  While you won't get enough product to see dramatic results, you will get an idea if you dig the smell, texture and feel.  Visit your fave cosmetic counter at the department stores and ask for samples.  (Ok, sometimes this depends on the mood of the clerk, but keep trying.) They may even fill a little trial jar for you if you are nice and as long as you don't walk in there with a giant tupperware container.  Tell them you want to try it for a few days at home, or try it overnight and most sales clerks will understand.  Always ask ask ask!

The best way to double your samples?  Take a friend! (Make sure it's a guy or you'll have to wrestle your BFF to the ground!)

The photo above is actually my stash of free samples!  I used to have 3 times as many - but that's the beauty of sample collecting - you get to try products and when you are out of your expensive jars, you raid your trial-sized stash to save money!

2)  Timing is Everything

The 3 little words any skin-care or beauty addict LOVES to hear are:  "GIFT WITH PURCHASE!"

If you time out your big purchases  to giftie time, you can buy what you were going to buy anyway and walk out with some nice extra goodies.  TIP:  One time, during Clinique gift time, I phoned my order in.  Since it was pre-ordered, I not only got the gift with purchase, but they threw in some extra extras like lipsticks and blushes too!  SCORE!

Be in the know!  If you sign up for their newsletter, these guys will give you the heads-up on when they have gift time in your area!  Easy Peezy.

Estee Lauder
Clinque
Lizzy Arden

I've noticed that the same promotional gifts rotate at the department stores, so if you miss one at Bloomies,  a few weeks later Macy's will have the same gift.  Lightbulb moment:  sooo, that also means, if you usually buy a load of products, you can "hold back" and buy just the qualifying amount at one department store, then go to the other a few weeks later and have another giftbag of goodies for the office or to give away to a friend!  Everybody loves a freebie!

3)  Buy Where You Get a Money-back Guarantee

You had an allergic reaction to a product, so tossing it is your only choice, right?  REWIND!   Before you buy, try to get  a handle on the store's return policy - if they have a "no refund policy," at the very least, they should help you exchange your product for another.   CVS and Rite-Aid now have money-back guarantees on all cosmetics including moisturizers.  I've taken back a Perricone lip product to Sephora because the tube was defective and exploded in my purse.  Actually the girl in front of me was doing the same thing!  And we did them a fave by returning it - now Perricone knows that their packaging sucks (or did) and it needs to be changed.  So, keep that receipt! 

Or buy from an online store such as SkincareRX.com which gives a full money back guarantee on all purchases.  You can't beat a guarantee plus free shipping on orders over $49.00!

Free Shipping On All Orders Over $49!

4)  Don't Be a Name Brand Snob

It's the INGREDIENTS that matter, not the name.  You can find low-cost alternatives that have the same ingredients as department store brands.  Try holistic vitamin stores which sometimes have jars of cream with no name - they simply are called "Vitamin C" or "DMAE and alpha lipoic acid cream" or have "off-brand" names.  Even drug stores like CVS and Rite-aid have their own brands of "copycat" formulas of Olay Regenerist for example - if the ingredients are the same, why not?  In fact, it's these CVS and Rite-aid brands that go on sale often for buy one, get the second half off!

5)  Be a Guinnea Pig

Be on the lookout for anyone in need of your face.  Yes, YOU, Sweetie, you are in DEMAND!  Sometimes local companies need women with skin concerns for their infomercials or focus groups.  All you have to do is try their product at home for a few weeks in exchange for an on-camera interview.  I actually got free Restalyne injections (MAJOR SCORE!) and wound up on the Doctor 90210 show all because I answered an ad from a dermatologist on Craig's List!  Goes to show, you just never know!

6)  Good to The Last Drop

Guilty of buying products when the jars and tubes you have at home are still full and fabulous?

Okay, I admit it - me too.  I once had an Emmy gift bag FULL of products but HAD to have something I just discovered at a spa.  It's nice to have choices, but try to resist the urge to buy MORE and try to use up the products you have first.  Patience and buying wisely in the first place is key. Waste not want not...oh, and spend more not.

7)  Make Your Own Products

You don't have to be a chemist to concoct your own slathery goodness in the privacy of your own home.  And if you are addicted to stores like Bath and Body Works or even the smellies at Victoria's Secret, a home recipe once in a while will save you TONS, especially since they want $8.00 for like 4 ounces!

It doesn't seem as complicated as you might think.  Most recipes call for a skin oil (grapeseed oil, coconut oil or almond oil are good choices)  and an emulsifier - usually beeswax- which keeps the oil from spoiling and extend your lotion's shelf life.  Then you'll need some jars or containers and you're golden!

Brambleberry.com sells all kind of lotion making supplies and have tutorials and recipes on their site:

Brambleberry's Lotion Making Page - supplies, recipes, tutorials

There are tons of recipes on-line, or you can get a book from the library, or buy one.  TIP:  Buy a recipe book for a friend and maybe she'll make you a batch next X-Mas!!

 













You might even invite a few BFF's over, split the cost of supplies and make it a fun kitchen laboratory night.  Just go easy on the wine! 

8) Have An Anti-Aging Strategy

Anti-age skincare manufacturers LOVE to tell us we can't live without their product.  Shhh, chances are, we can.  The smart way to purchase is to buy skincare with your lifestyle and skin concerns in mind.  You DON'T have to purchase a full line of toner, cleanser and moisturizer.  Invest the bucks for your problem areas - if your goal is firming, spend a little more on a firming product, and use  less-expensive, good-ingredient cleansers and toners to save.

I like Olay Professional RX a lot because they offer a little "starter kit" -- Olay ProX Professional Anti-Aging Regimen, 3-Piece Starter Kit -- perfect to try without a major major investment (since the bigger sized products are more expensive).  You get:

• Wrinkle Smoothing cream, 1 fl oz
• Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30, 1 fl oz
• Eye Restoration Complex , 0.3 fl oz

At Walmart, this runs about $51.00 for the 3-piece set.  And right now, as I write this, Olay.com has a $20 rebate for a $50.00 purchase until June 30th, so you can grab it for around $30.00.  Kewl.

WAIT!!!  An even BETTER deal ---- Amazon has this for $36.99!!  Take THAT for savings!!  And don't forget the $20.00 rebate!!  Cha-Ching!!



See All Olay Rebate Forms Here












9)  It's All About The Sale!

For drug store products, coupons rule!  Ulta often has great sales and stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx and Nordstrom's Rack have a beauty section, where you can sometimes snag department store brands like Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden and more at deep discounts! 

Here's something you may not know:  COSTO carries lots of Olay, Elizabeth Arden and more.  But, the beauty there, is that you get special bigger packaging or TWO jars for the usual price of one elsewhere.  Girls, they have Strivectin-SD there, which is the cream originally for stretch marks which has been proven to help with facial wrinkles as well as stretch marks.  Oh, and yes, you get TWO tubes for the price of one elsewhere at Costco for $149.99.

 Beauty/Anti-Aging Products Available at Costco

This is INTENSE!  I also see Costco sells Prevage MD for $99.99! Gosh, I LOVE LOVE to save!

10)  Wish List

So you are using your coupons, watching sales, buying generic brands, cutting back on impulse buying, ingredient-comparison shopping, taking advantage of gifts with purchase.  Sheez!  Pat yourself on the back, girlies! You've done a fantastic job!  Now put the last of the big items on your X-Mas or B-Day wish list and receive a little present from a loved one or family.  You DESERVE IT!

If you have a budget-friendly tip you want to share about anti-aging, please write a comment under this article!  Or email me at antiaging.analyst@gmail.com.

FDA Investigating Retinyl Palmitate

I updated my post from last month about sunscreen and wanted to spread the word, in case you only read the original post.

The 2010  Sunscreen Report is now in!  Get the good, the bad, and the ugly on 2010 sunscreen products from the good people at the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit org dedicated to protecting health and the environment.

Yikes!  Just when you were feeling lucky,  most of it is ugly.  They only recommend 39 out of 500 beach and sport sunscreens of this season! That's only 8 percent!

Word is out there's a new red flag ingredient in town --  Stay AWAY from Vitamin A!  Retinyl palmitate - a form of vitamin A - is going under some heavy scrutiny by the FDA.  It  may increase risk of cancer when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.  This is HUGE news, since nearly half of sunscreens on the market contain retinyl palmitate.  The FDA has no conclusive findings yet, but EWG is not giving a thumbs up on anything with this ingredient until the FDA comes out with findings.

Read the updated article "The Sunscreen Bible" and find out the top sunscreen recommendations at: The Sunscreen Bible.

Here's a link to the 2010 Sunscreen Report.  Read the full report, see how your sunscreen rates,  and check out The Sunscreen Hall of Shame and Sunscreen Secrets Exposed!  Give 'em hell, EWG!

Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Report

Murad's Resurgence

Murad is one of my top fave skincare companies. They have a new line out called Resurgence, designed to combat the signs of "hormonal aging." Hey, aging is aging, right?  Well, not exactly. Psychologically, no woman wants to hear that she is hormonally aging.  But Dr. Murad states hormonal aging is just a fact of life: women produce less estrogen in their late 20's to mid 40's during the time leading up to menopause..and yikes, 5 years after menopause, us chickies will lose up to 30% collagen in our skin.  Joy joy joy.

What are the signs of hormonal aging? Well, the basics, really...wrinkles, dull, sagging skin, blotchiness... Thankfully, this product is just what the doctor ordered.  And Resurgence is plant-based, containing ingredients like soy, wild yam and clover flower extracts.

Other kinds of aging include environmental aging (damage from the sun) and genetic aging, which is what we inherit from your parents.  It makes perfect sense to base your anti-aging regimen on the type of aging you are experiencing in order to get targeted results. That's why Dr. Murad is the most sought-after dermatologist in LA, and the world, baby!

I watched the infomercial for Resurgence and Little Miss Joan Lunden is rockin' it at 57. And of course, there's Josie Bissett, now 40 but looking 28...like butta!

Another thing I love about Murad is that the company believes in "whole body" health. They have a great feature on their website where you can get a personalized skincare evaluation just by answering some basic q's about your skin type, skin concerns and lifestyle  and THEN you get a list of the personal skincare, sunscreen AND VITAMIN products that will be best suited to your skin!

Here's the link for Resurgence if you want to check it out - it runs $39.95 for a month's supply.  If you are currently using this product, please feel free to comment or drop me a line about your results at antiaging.analyst@gmail.com!