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Coffee
Ahhh … coffee. The world runs on coffee. We drink it (sometimes too much), but can we put it on our skin? And if we do, what will happen? I always want to know if there have been any formal studies on skin care ingredients. I search these studies out and then try to determine if they have any meaning. Topical application of coffee extract has been studied, not a lot, but what has been done shows promise. Where Does Coffee Come From? The extract comes from coffee berries which…
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Retinoids
I think we may have found the fountain of youth, at least as far as our skin’s appearance goes. The vitamin A family, or retinoids, just may become your best friend like it is mine. It goes by many names including retinal, retinol, retinaldyhyde, retinyl palmitate, and retinoic acid. Our body has the ability to turn any of these forms into the others but retinoic acid is the active form and the one proven to fight lines and wrinkles and stimulate collagen. Retinoids have been studied and used for greater…
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Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is a large sugar molecule that is found naturally in our bodies. It is a key component of connective tissue and provides cushioning and lubrication for our joints and eyes. The largest quantities are found in our skin. It has an incredible ability to retain moisture and can bind over 1,000 times its weight in water! As we age our bodies slowly produce less and less hyaluronic acid which translates to dehydrated, dull, lackluster skin. I want youthful bouncy skin. So, can I…
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Green Tea
One of my favorite things to do every day is drink green tea. I love it, especially with jasmine. I’ve been drinking it for years and I don’t think I could go a day without it. I wanted to know more about it: it’s origins, its benefits, and most importantly, can I put it on my face? Green tea is a popular beverage especially in Asian countries, although for one reason or another, it’s not as popular as black tea. Green tea, black tea, and oolong tea all come from…
