DERM AOX and Glycation, Latest Buzzword in Skin Care

La Roche-Posay's new DERM AOX ($55) is an anti-aging product designed to slow the skin's aging process, iron out wrinkles, and restore radiance. It's formulated with Carnosine, a molecule stemming from diabetes research, to inhibit the glycation process and help maintain skin suppleness. It also contains Pycnogenol, a powerful antioxidant, to neutralize free radicals and vitamins E and C to help restore skin structure, smooth skin texture, and increase radiance.

The first thing about DERM AOX that caught my eye was the term "glycation." I knew it only through its relationship to diabetes (very technical - Google it if you are interested). Along comes La Roche-Posay with its new DERM AOX, and it spotlights glycation as a factor in skin care. Glycation is already a "happening thing" in Europe - many of us are behind the curve in the U.S.

Glycation occurs when the naturally occurring sugar molecules in the skin bond to a protein or lipid molecule without the controlling action of an enzyme. The resulting glycation process impairs the functioning of biomolecules, weakening the structure of skin at a cellular level and leading to a loss of firmness and a greater opportunity for wrinkling.

Glycation was noted in the U.S. by cosmeceutical genius and celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Frederic Brandt. Dr. Brandt published a book, named 10 Minutes/10 Years, which looks at ways to target advanced skin glycation. He launched a Lineless Anti-Glycation Serum in March 2007. There is an interesting interview with another expert, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, on sugar and its adverse effects on the skin at this Discovery Health link. The dermatologists are onto something!

Back to DERM AOX. Here is what La Roche-Posay has to say about its benefits.

• Slows the skin aging process - inhibits the glycation process by 33% and reduces oxidative stress (oxidation) by 49%
• Smoothes wrinkles - 77% of test patients demonstrated a significant reduction in the appearance of crow's feet
• Restores radiance - 90% of test patients demonstrated a significant improvement in their skin's radiance
• Fresh, hydrating gel serum
• Paraben-free, non-comedogenic
• Suitable for all skin types
  
• Hypoallergenic

I have been using samples of DERM AOX and find it promising. A friend, a total skin care junkie, has been using it for weeks, and she is ecstatic. She has very sensitive skin and is disturbed by her minor wrinkling and uneven skin tone. She reports that DERM AOX is working.

You can find DERM AOX at the CVS Healthy Skincare Stores or order it from La Roche-Posay's Web site.

Photo courtesy of La Roche-Posay

La Rouche-Posay's Nutritic Lips

Billed as "transforming care for very dry lips," this little wonder-product is a fabulous lip balm for everyone's lips - whether dry or just normal. For those of us with dry lips or lip balm addictions, Nutritic Lips ($10-13) helps prevent chapped lips and all of the unpleasant symptoms that go along with them: peeling or flaking, sensitivity, thinness, and other discomforts. When I eat Thai food, I prep my lips with this and then apply as needed to experience the wonderful hot, flavorful food without the burning lips that go with it.

What's in it? The ingredients include shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, black currant seed oil, apricot kernel oil, and other fruit oils. There is no overt fragrance, which is delightful. I don't want my lips to taste or smell like a food court. It also feels good - lightweight and not at all greasy, waxy, or sticky.

I buy my Nutritic Lips at the CVS Healthy Skincare Store near me. You can also purchase from Amazon, SkinStore, and other Web sites. If you like Nutritic Lips, you might want to check out the other Nutritic products, including the Nutritic Cream and Nutritic Emulsion. You can read more at the La Roche-Posay Web site or find out about La Roche-Posay's fabulous sunblock at Best Things in Beauty's review of the fabulous Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen.

Photo courtesy of La Roche-Posay.

Sunblocks for Use under Makeup

Is there a perfect sunblock for wearing under makeup? I think we now have two! The timing is right for this posting, since most of us are spending more time outside for summer. Both offer UVA and UVB protection.

La Roche-Posay's Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid is billed as a sunblock for normal to combination skin. I have dry skin and find that, with a moisturizer boost over the top, it works for me too. This sunscreen does what it says: provides up to five hours of sun protection without making you feel greasy or like you have weights on your skin. The sleek packaging is functional - just "shake" the bottle to mix the ultra-light fluid, which instantly melts into your skin and leaves a matte finish. Perfect under foundation for a day at the pool or beach and no clogged pores! The active ingredients are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone. A must-have for summer. You can buy this new sunscreen at CVS online or in stores for $27.50.

My second pick is Clarins UV Plus with an SPF of 40. The Clarins product also has a wonderfully light texture and leaves skin smooth and matte. Pricier than the Anthelios 60 product, it may suit those who want an 8% titanium dioxide mineral-based block. There is a little "ball" or something inside the bottle to help you mix the product while shaking before use. I have used this sunscreen for years and can attest to its effectiveness. It does not irritate my "reactive" skin. The price is $42.00. You can find the Clarins product at Sephora or at department stores.

The only downside to these sunblocks is that the containers are small. For daily use, you will be purchasing them often!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and CVS.