Showing posts with label Aging. Show all posts

Vitamin A: Features, Benefits, and Why You Need it!



You've heard it one thousand times by now, Vitamin A is the yin to your yang, the chocolate to your peanut butter, the milk to your cookie, the pea to your pod, the wand to your wizard...Vitamin A really is a must-have in your daily skincare regimen. Seriously. We have done a little tweaking to our Vitamin A formulas to better provide your skin with incredible results and keep the largest organ of your body happy, healthy, and youthful but, do you know why our Vitamin A Serums are the absolute bee's knees? Retinaldehyde-liposome (say that 5 times fast)! Let's take a closer look at this patented Vitamin A delivery system.

In the body, we convert Beta Carotene into Retinol, Retinol into Retinaldehyde, and Retinaldehyde into Retinoic Acid, a very detailed process! All of these Vitamin A derivatives serve an important job to the skin but the strongest, most active form is Retinoic Acid. Retinoic Acid is the only ingredient that requires a prescription even though Retinaldehyde has a similar activity level. Both Retinaldehyde and Retinoic acid are 500 times more active than their Vitamin A counterparts! This means we can use smaller amounts in our formulas, but still see BIG results without irritating the skin!

The advantage of using Retinaldehyde, or Retinoic Acid, is that smaller amounts (with much higher activity levels) can be used very effectively when incorporated into a liposome. By doing this, we enhance its penetration (an important factor in the use of Retinols because of their size) and help prevent its oxidation which also occurs with all Retinols. What does this mean for your skin?

This means, your skin's absorption rate is increased by a clinically proven 600%! What?!? 600%... you heard right! Now with our adjusted levels of Vitamin A, coupled with our powerful liposome delivery, your skin will be the belle of any ball (or just the belle of your living room... bathroom... or bedroom, you choose)! Here is a break down of our new Vitamin A's:

Calm: Calm is our level 2 serum, now with a lower percentage of Retinaldehyde to better suit the ultra sensitive. You can still get the wonderful cell turnover benefits of Vitamin A without any irritation!

Correct: Now with a larger percentage of Retinaldehyde, Correct will do exactly what it is named to do, correct aging, uneven skin tone, and reverse environmental damage.

Clarify: Kick acne's butt with this clearing, anti-aging, healing serum. The perfect balance of Vitamin A to scare acne right off your face all while keeping your youthful, healthy glow.

Renew: The "Thor" of our Vitamin A line up. Renew now has extra Retinaldehyde strength for the ultimate anti-aging, skin reviving treatment. Renew is ideal for those who have treatment resilient skin, with the liposome delivery, Renew is capable of penetrating even the most stubborn of skin.

Vitamin A is the one item that EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON needs in their skincare arsenal. This is the one ingredient that treats a wide range of skin concerns and keeps your skin in tip-top shape.  With out unique formulations, your results will surpass your expectations!

Find out where to find your perfect Serum here.

Spotlight: Clear and Clear +




Drumroll ready, curtain's about to open and the spotlight is ready to shine some light on two superstars! Here they come... It's Clear and Clear Plus +! The crowd goes wild!!!

These are two products we simply can't live without, so here's a breakdown to give you a better idea of why they're a must for any skincare routine!

Clear: This topical Harmonized Water contains frequencies of epidermal growth factor, keratinocyte  growth factor,  anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. Meaning, a few spritzes of this on bare, made-up, or post treatment skin will reap some serious benefits. Are you still wondering why you need this?  Well, this topical activating mist aids in driving your serums deeper into the dermis for optimal penetration which means you can make your serums work double time for you for the best results. It also protects your skin from the millions of bacteria and viral jerks floating around in the air.  Use it morning and night after your serum or moisturizer application. Simply spray 3-4 pumps onto your skin and gently press in with your fingertips (clean fingertips that is)!

Clear Plus +: For the serious skincare lover, Clear Plus + will quickly become your BFF. Not only does this product do what Clear does, it's added benefits of:
Radish Root Extract (great for keeping blemishes at bay)
Plankton Extract (binds moisture to the skin... extra hydration for all)!!
Peptides (hooray for anti-aging)!
Green Tea Leaf Extract (gimme those antioxidants) and
Vitamin B-5 (goodbye red, irritated skin)!

So which one is for you? Clear is great for all skin types and all serums. It's a great start to introducing added benefits (like serum penetration) to your skincare routine. Clear Plus + is also for all skin types, it's a great addition to your skincare routine, especially if you are concerned with aging, dry or irritated skin, or blemish prone skin and also works perfectly with any of our serums.

There you have it, an up close look at two of our favorite products that round out a perfect Osmosis Skincare routine.

Learn where to shop here. 

Newness: DIM and Complete


Roll out the red carpet, sound the trumpets, make way for the marching band and fire throwers, and watch out for the balloons! That is the welcome our two new supplement all-stars deserve. We are pleased to introduce DIM and Complete, the perfect additions to our Wellness Supplements. We are so excited about these two, so let's jump right into why you need them in your life!



DIM - DIM otherwise known as Diindolylmethane, which is found in cruciferous veggies (like Broccoli) is kind of like the superman of organic compounds. Let's look at the highlights:

     * Promotes Detoxification of Estrogenic toxins (that come from soy, pesticides, food                              preservatives and chlorine) 
       * Balances estrogen levels 
       * Promotes fat loss and weight maintenance
       *Promotes clearer skin and eases hormonal and diet/stress acne
       *Some studies show that DIM aids in improving immunity to help reduce risk of cancer
       *Nourishes bone health

Needless to say, DIM is a beneficial supplement for both men and women (we do, after all, both produce estrogen).

Complete - The digestive enzyme butt kicker! Complete is, just that... a complete digestive enzyme that mimics the enzymes our pancreas creates. As we age our pancreas slows down making it more difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from our food. So let's look at the Complete highlights:

       *Increases nutritional absorption
       *Improves mood
       *Effectively breaks down food for smooth digestion 
       *Aids in weight loss (when combined with clean eating and exercise)
       *Eases stress on the pancreas 
       *Aids in Acid Reflux relief 
       *Aids in IBS and Bloating relief 
       *Relieves constipation over time

It's safe to say that these two supplements are must haves in your daily wellness plan. Complete should be taken 1-3 times a day with each meal and DIM can be taken 1-2 times a day. You may be asking who should take these supplements? Complete should be taken by everyone, digestive enzymes are an important part of our body's daily functions. DIM is ideal for those with hormonal imbalances, women with PCOS or reproductive organ health concerns, those suffering from hormonal and diet/stress acne, and people who have a high intake of junk food... mmmmmm.... donuts. 

We can't wait to hear about your experience with these new supplements, we know you will LOVE them! 

Find out where to shop here.

Find the Right Cleanser For Your Skin!

Finding the right cleanser for your skin can be tough. There are so many lines out there, with SO many options, it leaves you with your head spinning. We like to think of our skin care routine as simple, easy to manage, and easy to build. Cleanser is the most important part of any skin care routine. It removes dirt, makeup and the daily grime from our skin, preparing it for treatments and hydration. But which cleanser is right for you? We have 3 cleansers, each of which provide different qualities for different skin types. Look at our chart to see where you fit!



When to choose Deep Clean: Your skin gets oily by noon, you have consistent acne break outs, you have acne scarring. This citrus cleanser removes dirt and deep impurities without disrupting the skin's natural lipid barrier. Your skin will be clean, refreshed and bacteria free!

When to choose Cleanse: Your skin is sensitive, you have redness or inflamed skin, your skin is dry, dull, and/or aging. The subtle peppermint scent will refresh your spirit while the SLS FREE formula keeps your skin healthy, hydrated, and radiant.

When to choose Purify: Your skin is discolored, you have both oily and dry skin, you need a detox, you need a gentle exfoliation. This enzymatic cleanser gently exfoliates rough skin and dead skin cells for better treatment penetration.

With only three to choose from your choice is simplified, and easy to make. The results are stellar and your skin will feel and BE clean and ready for action. Each cleanser is created with specific skin types in mind, so take a moment and give your face a long hard look and decide what your skin needs. Then get to cleansing!

Find out where to shop here.



Is your skin AGE-ing?


by Corporate Educator, Jamie Palmer

Unfortunately, yes. All of us are experiencing the effects of aging skin from advanced glycation end
products (AGEs). This results from excess sugar in our blood stream attaching to collagen making it tough and aging it before its time which leads to wrinkles. The sugar-protein bonds form new molecules called AGEs. Over time they become more permanent and affect the ability of our fibroblasts to create collagen and they also produce free radicals increasing the aging process even more.


To help combat AGE-ing one should look to their diet and their skin care regimen. By maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and taking Elevate, excess blood sugar will stay low leaving less available to affect our skin. The food industry has also added AGEs to our diet by adding sugar to food and processing them at high heat. We are introducing the end product into our bodies by consuming things like french fries (yes they add sugar to them to make them tasty), barbequed meats and soda. AGE-ing occurs in our bodies just as it does in our skin and can lead to damaged DNA and disease processes. Elevate contains niacin and AC-11. These two ingredients will help prevent and diminish the damage that can occur from AGEs while reducing excess sugar in the body by fueling energy production. So there is less sugar available to cause damage and ingredients that repair and prevent the damage from AGEs.


Topically certain ingredients can help prevent AGE-ing when used daily. Vitamin B3, niacinamide, has been shown to decrease glycation and thus the advanced glycation end products that wreak havoc in our skin. Many of the Osmosis serums contain niacinamide because it is an important ingredient to support skin health and maintain youthful function.










So help stop AGE-ing in its tracks by taking Elevate and using Osmosis Vitamin A Serums daily. Your skin and body will thank you!

Colour Tips for Aging Skin


by Alejandro Falcon, Artistic Director


I am impressed at how many of our clients are enjoying our Bismuth-Free Pressed Base foundations. They no longer worry about a mineral foundation accentuating their fine lines, wrinkles or that it seems heavy and dry looking. Here are some tips on how to apply Osmosis Colour foundations for that impeccable natural finish.


Mix the Mineral Hydration Mist with Quench moisturizer to increase the level of water for the skin and apply evenly on the face. This combination really plumps up dry and dehydrated skins.


Use the Liquid Foundation Brush with one of the BB Cream Tinted Primers to improve the texture in areas where there is dryness or some wrinkles you would like to disguise. I like using the Dome Powder Brush for better control of application with the Pressed Bases.


Lightly blend the Foundation all over until you achieve a complete coverage. Brushing with downward strokes while applying it on the skin, makes for a flawless finish. Now when you apply your favorite blush and shadows, your skin will appear smoother and younger looking.

Systemic Balance: The Key to Wellness

One of the strengths that we at Osmosis have as a progressive skin care company, is our core philosophy of treating the body and skin as one cohesive unit. Respecting the link between what happens inside our body, and what is reflected on our skin. This evolution of understanding is what sets us apart from the entire industry as a whole. Our bodies maintain an intricate system designed to prevent imbalances that cause us harm and disease. The rub? This system can easily malfunction if we constantly abuse it; the unfortunate thing is we are doing just that on a daily basis, without fully realizing it. Most of the modern diseases that plague our society are not random occurrences, but are the emanation of what we do to our bodies every day. Science is indeed an evidence-based system, but also one based on common sense. Contrary to common assumptions, there is an abundant amount of evidence that the common sense approach of eating right, exercising, reducing toxic overload and maintaining a positive outlook has a direct implication in making us well. This is not a transformative breakthrough in science or medicine, but a return to the fundamental principles that modern medicine was founded on. The truth is that healthy behavioral patterns create an environment where we can shift the genetic code and expression in our favor. Research from the CDC has even proved that those who follow these common sense approaches to wellness, have the ability to curb disease expression, aging and premature death by as much as 50%! I get incredibly excited when I visit accounts across the country, that take the whole body approach to treating their clients. Giving them the tools they need to live a healthier lifestyle. While there is no magic pill or supplement that exists, the right combination of supplements that support the body’s inherent ability to heal, are the perfect adjunct to this type of wellness therapy.

Our collection of Harmonized Waters, Elevate and Restore, utilize technologies that tap into and support the natural function and design of body homeostasis. From energy regulation, to reduction in oxidative stress and powerful immune support, amassing the proper tools and mastering the ability to use them will give you and your clients the ultimate gift of health, longevity and wellness. This is not a select privilege for a few, but an undeniable right for all.  We not only have the power to make an impact on the skin, but lives as well. Care to join on the journey with us? J

Inflammaging ~ Inflamming the Skin for the Sake of Beauty

Inflammation. For the past 30+ years of aesthetic medicine, the industry has fooled you into believing that adding inflammation to the skin in order to induce the anti-aging effect is a GOOD thing. Not only is this mindset antiquated but incredibly archaic as well. In the desire for immediate gratification, we have lost all understanding and respect for skin design and function. Aging is a progressive degenerative process that results from the accumulation over time of unfavorable changes at the molecular and cellular levels. While the complete mechanism of the aging process is not fully understood, inflammation absolutely plays a major role, inevitably linking inflammation and aging.

Inflammation is really the body (and skin's) Catch-22, if you will. Subsequent to trauma or infection, the inflammatory response is the second step initiated, in order activate and complete the healing process. This cascade is designed to eradicate microbial pathogens, stimulate the tissue repair process, and bring all function to physiological homeostasis. In an acute stage, inflammation is VITAL for the body to heal. Without it we would die from a simple cut or the common cold. But in a chronic state, inflammation is the driving force behind not only chronological and biological aging, but degenerative disease as well. Harsh exfoliating strategies, constant barrier disruption, toxic ingredient profiles, all lead to a silent chronic state of inflammation in the skin. Tell tale signs of this are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and ultimately a complete loss of skin function. What actually happens, from a histological perspective, when we constantly keep our skin in a state of inflammation for the sake of beauty, and how does it actually promote the aging process? 

  • Increase in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species, leading to protein oxidation.
  • Damage to mitochondrial DNA. Mutations here prevent ATP (cellular energy) formation, and inhibit proper cell apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
  • Sharp increase in immunosenescence, leading to a rapid decline in the skin's innate and adaptive immune system.
  • Shortening of telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of your chromosomes that are designed to protect them. Shortened telomeres are markers for biological aging.
  • Altering the way your genes express themselves, via epigenetic modification. Scary stuff, especially when it comes to skin cancer.
  • Increase of MMP’s (matrix metalloproteinase), enzymes that destroy protein and tissue.
When we understand what really happens to the skin when in a chronic
inflammatory state, we have to ask ourselves – Why does the industry keep
telling us these methods and modalities are ok?

When it comes to skin care, we here at Osmosis throw fluffy esthetic ideology out the door, in favor of real hardcore science. Why? Well, when it comes to skin, science is all we know, and science is all that matters. With that mindset, we have decided to create the ultimate partnership with the skin, respecting and supporting its structure and function. Give the skin the tools it needs to regain and maintain homeostasis, and it will respond beautifully. Choosing inflammation, as a way to promote anti-aging is something we avoid at all costs, and we encourage you to do the same.
 

Believe us when we say your skin will thank you.

New Year's Resolution ~ Ward Off Wrinkles



Your daily run may be doing wonders for your body, but it can tax your skin.  Sunlight and toxins such as pollution and smoke can unleash damaging free radicals which can increase inflammation in your skin and cause collagen to break down.    Poor dietary habits will manifest in skin stress as well.  But just as you can slow muscle loss with weight-bearing exercise, you can help slow down collagen loss as well.

To Avoid:  Retinoic Acid  and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
Mainstream strategies to treat aging skin often include retinoic and alpha hydroxy acids.  Much of their visible effects are the result of exfoliation and plumping, neither of which is actually helping the skin's aging problem.  In the long run, retinoic acid and alpha-hydroxys do more harm than good.  Damage done to the epidermis will always make it impossible for the skin to maintain itself and it definitely cannot recover losses with the additional trauma and starvation that results.  The amount of free radicals that results from a loss of melanin or an exposed barrier is insurmountable.  As a result, both the epidermis and dermis are worse off, causing skin to actually age faster than if left to it's own resources.

Your Solutions:

Retinaldehyde ~ Vitamin A is an important nutrient that should be supplemented both internally and topically but the type of Vitamin A you choose is very important.  Proven to be 1000 times stronger than Retinol, Retinaldehyde penetrates deeper into the skin, creates an equal amount of collagen and elastin as Retin-A without being irritating or damaging and provides antibacterial properties.  To Try:  Relieve
 


 


Antioxidants ~ Antioxidants are free-radical fighters and key in our defense against numerous conditions.   Look for serums containing superoxide dismutase, catalase, l-glutathione, coenzyme Q10, and R-lipoic acid.  To try:  Replenish. 

 

Understanding Liposomal Delivery

If you are familiar with Osmosis, you know that liposomal delivery is one of the key factors that sets us apart from other skincare lines.

So what is a liposome?

A liposome is a very tiny sphere made up of materials designed to either make ingredients mix better in solution, or more commonly, to enhance penetration through the epidermis.  The liposome backed by the best research is phosphatidylcholine.  The reason it works so well is because it is identical to the material that composes our cell membranes.  Over the years, scientists have devised ways to engineer liposomes for the express purpose of delivering drugs to affected areas of the body to fight disease.  Due to the nature of the liposome itself, molecules that make up the liposome’s membrane communicate naturally with molecules of a cell membrane.  Once this bonding occurs, the contents of the liposome react upon the cell.  In this way, liposomal drug delivery has been particularly effective in battling cancer, because chemicals or drugs can be directed at the site of a tumor to attack cancerous cells or boost healthy cells before cancer has a chance to erode them.
What difference does this make to my skincare?
Everything in your body is made of cells.  There are about 50 trillion cells in the human body and all of them have a similar makeup.

Each cell is protected by a phospholipid bilayer.  The phospholipid bilayer is the major component that forms the cell membrane.  It acts as a gate allowing only certain molecules to pass through into the cell.

FACT:  98% of skincare does not penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis or into the dermis!
Osmosis has revolutionized skincare by delivering ingredients to the deep layers of the epidermis and dermis.  By coating our ingredients with the phosphatidylcholine liposome, product penetration is increased by 600%.  This liposome shares the same properties with all of our “coated” cells.  When used to coat ingredients, it naturally enhances penetration into the cell as well as protects it during the delivery.

The dermis is where the majority of aging and skin conditions occur.  Because of this, deep absorption is critical for true skin transformation.  By increasing the penetration of active and beneficial ingredients to the dermis, you are able to increase your overall skin health!