Take Shelter from UV Rays with Red Algae

by Jamie Palmer, BSN, RN

Red Algae
Porphyra Umbilicalis, or Red Algae, is a simple organism that is exposed to large amounts of UV radiation over its life span.  It is the only living organism that can absorb harmful UV radiation protecting the skin.  You might recognize it as nori when eating sushi but as it matures, it turns from green to a reddish or purple color.  For such a simple organism, it provides a very important function for our skin.  Not only does it have antioxidant properties, this form of algae has a specific amino acid that can filter UVA rays.

UVA rays are the form of ultraviolet radiation that are responsible for causing damage to our skin, forming free radicals, and causing our skin to age with exposure.  Most commercial chemical sunscreens offer limited UVA coverage and protect the skin from UVB rays.  Spending large amounts of time in the sun with a UVB sunscreen makes you feel like you are protecting your skin, but in actuality, you are only protecting your skin from getting a sunburn - aging is still occurring. 

In our physical sunscreen, Shelter, we use Red Algae along with micronized Zinc Oxide to help filter UVA and UVB rays.  Red algae has better SPF boosting capabilities, is safer for your skin and provides long-lasting coverage.  Red Algae is also better at preventing the formation of free radicals from sun exposure protecting our cells and DNA from damage.  When Red Algae was incorporated into products, it was shown to not only provide better UVA protection than chemical sun filters on the market, it also made peoples' skin appear firmer and smoother.  The use of Shelter both prevents and reverses the signs of aging.  If you think that Shelter is only vital for when you are in the sun, think again.  Glass only cuts the amount of UVA when indoors by 60%, still exposing your skin to 40% UVA.  Regardless of your activity or the time of year, protecting your skin from UVA is essential to the fight against aging skin.

With the combination of Red Algae and 13.5% Zinc Oxide to provide broad spectrum ultraviolet protection, hydrating Shea Butter, Macadamia Oil and Kukui Seed Oil, Shelter should be your moisturizer of choice for the daytime.
Education, Sun Protection, UV
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Staying Beautiful and Protected from the Sun

UV Benefits from Mineral Makeup

Robin McGee
President
It takes 7 minutes for UV rays to penetrate the dermis creating skin damage and premature aging.  To help protect yourself from this unfortunate reality, we highly recommend one of the best UV protections made with natural ingredients, Osmosis Colour mineral makeup.  Our mineral formulation, through it's triple milling process offers the highest level of protection by reflecting the harmful UV rays instead of absorbing them.  This significantly decreases UV damage while leaving you with flawless, beautiful skin.


Minerals have a unique ability to adhere to the skin.  Once a full layer of minerals is applied, UV rays cannot penetrate the skin and cause damage.  Additionally, one of the best benefits is that minerals remain protective until they are removed from the skin. 
Therefore, your protection stays in place without multiple applications.


Whether you are in the sun enjoying the garden, beach, sports or sharing time with friends, applying mineral powder can be the best age prevention form of sunscreen for you. Be sure to share them with your family... great for women, men, adults, and children. Dust before you head out and be naturally protected all day.
Colour, Robin McGee, Sun Protection
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Stem Cell & Growth Factor FAQ

What types of stem cells do you use in StemFactor?

We don’t use the actual stem cells in StemFactor.  We use growth factors.  We source our growth factors from adult stem cells that are derived from fat cells. These fat cells are harvested from the subcutaneous fat of healthy adult donors. Once harvested, the stem cells begin a growth cycle during which they generate growth factors.


Are these donors screened?

We use an FDA approved facility that screens all donors to ensure that our donors are healthy.


Are all human stem cells equal? 

No. The health of the stem cells selected/used determines how well they produce growth factors and there are always significant differences in their size and health.  Osmosis selects the most healthy stem cells from the group and then makes another separates ut the bad ones one more time after they have been growing for a while.

Are human Growth Factors identical or do they vary with the individual? 
Growth Factors are identical. The number and activity level of someone's growth factors may vary from individual to individual. 


Does Osmosis use a selection process in choosing "the best" human stem cells for your Growth Factor? 
Yes, we select the best of the best for Osmosis. We continue to isolate on the most healthy and active growth factors throughout the growing process.


Once Growth Factors are applied to the skin how long do they last?

The growth factors that make it into the skin can last months to years from what I understand. The ones that are stuck outside the skin deteriorate within 24 hours in most cases.

Are stem cells are they comprised of many cells or are they a single cell? 
Stem cells are single cells with all of the components of a normal cell including DNA, RNA, mitochondria, etc. Their ability to transform their properties to mimic certain cells is what is unique about them.   

Are Growth Factors comprised of cells? 
No, growth factors are chains of amino acids, also known as proteins. They are manufactured by the stem cells and fibroblasts. The growth factors activate receptors in the skin that start wound healing and other activities in the skin. They can also trigger the recruitment of other cells and cytokines. 
Education, FAQ, Growth Factors,
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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!
Aging, Liposomal Delivery, Skincare
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Unveiling the Sun

The sun gently calls us out of bed in the morning encouraging us to begin our day and slows us down in the evening allowing us to take a moment to enjoy its beauty as it dips below the horizon. This raging ball of fire brings us life and serves as Earth’s primary source of energy.

All radiation is a form of energy, most of which is invisible to the human eye, and various types of light differ in their wavelength, frequency and energy. The sun gives out energy over a broad spectrum of wavelengths producing three main types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. Fortunately for life on earth the stratospheric ozone screens out the most harmful UV radiation, UVC. Even so, what does get through the ozone layer can still cause an array of problems. Both UVA and UVB penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in conditions such as premature skin aging, eye damage (including cataracts), skin cancer and suppression of the
immune system.


UVB is partially blocked by the ozone layer but enough of these rays still pass through causing serious damage. Also known as burning rays, UVB is the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn. It has the ability to pass into the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers and plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and photo-aging. Its intensity varies by season, location, and time of day.

UVA is the longest wavelength and is NOT absorbed by the ozone at all! It accounts for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface penetrating the skin deeper than UVB working its way into the dermis. UVA over-exposure results in DNA damage, skin cancer and accelerated skin aging.

Both UVA and UVB rays can cause damage to your skin. Sunburn is a sign of short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are symptoms of prolonged UV exposure. Melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer, is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the US.


According to the World Health Organization, brief exposure to UV radiation, about 5-15 minutes twice a week, is beneficial in helping the body produce vitamin D. However, the amount of UVA and UVB exposure depends on several factors:
Geography
The sun is directly over the equator so UV rays are strongest in these areas.


Altitude
Higher altitudes have greater UV exposure because there is less atmosphere to absorb UV rays.


Time of Year
The sun’s angle in relation to the Earth varies according to season. During the summer months the sun is in a more direct angle, resulting in a greater amount of UV radiation.


Time of Day
UV is most intense at noon when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.


Weather Conditions
Under cloud cover it is still possible to obtain UV damage to your skin and eyes.


Reflection
Surfaces such as snow, sand, grass, and water can reflect much of the UV radiation that reaches them!

Don’t fret! You can still enjoy yourself outdoors while staying protected from both UVA and UVB year-round, whatever the weather, wherever your locale as long as you provide the proper protection! UVA and UVB rays are mutually harmful so when reaching for guard make sure that you’re getting effective coverage from both types of rays. With Protect, you can find
comfort in knowing that you are providing natural protection against UVA and UVB rays.

--Written by Corporate Educator, Nicole Manion
Skincare, Sun, UV
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