The skin is the largest organ in your body, comprising several layers of tissues. Skin protects against germs, provides insulation, temperature regulation, and sensation and helps synthesize Vitamin D (a hormone)from the sun. . Years of free radical damage can cause changes in the skin’s appearance. The final result of these age related changes is wrinkling, dryness, sagging, lost flexibility, dullness and poor healing.

The aging process in all areas of the body from brain to toes is a result of decreasing mitochondrial activity. These cells are the cellular power plants that produce energy. As we age this “power plant” slows down and in combination with the detrimental oxidative processes within our bodies causes aging. We cannot live with out oxygen but it also in the long run “burns” us up.

Cells called Fibroblasts produce the proteins named collengen and elastin which provide the underlying support for the layers of skin. As the mitochondrian in these cells dysfunctions they are no longer able to structure the skin and “olaha”,sagging, wrinkles and more. Sun,wind and dryness help the process along. So what can we do about it?

Start with the simple things:  WATER-- drink lots of it, take L Lysine and L Proline that is the least expensive and simplest formula. Then: (1) Use a sun screen rated for both UVA and UVB rays one without the other does not help; and put a cream lotion of Vitamin E on your face under it.

(2) As much as possible use a combination of Matrixyl 3000,ceramides,glycolicand hyaluronic acids, Co Q 10, green tea, promegranate and vitamins E and C used together both orally and topically. AND exercise your face. Yes , it’s a lot so let’s look at each one individually.

The sunscreens need to be qualified by the FDA as Category 1. They should contain Oxybenzone and Avobenzone along with Beta Glucan ( an oat derivative). Using this sunscreen along with daily application of Vitamin E and C skin creams is helpful. The screen should also have zinc or titanium oxide.

If you have dark age spots try Vitamins A, C ,biotin and bioflavonoids.

Matrixyl 3000 is a patented product the helps “lift” or plump up the skin layers. Thereby , minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and creases. Studies have shown that after 8 weeks of topical application the surface area occupied by deep wrinkles shrank by 45%. Skin tone improved by 20% during the same time frame.

Ceramides, found in good skin creams, are similar to those lipids that occur  in skin membranes. These ceramides or lipids maintain the protective functions of the skin’s outer layer.

Co Q 10 helps control “photoaging”. Photoaging produces negative changes in skin color, texture and health caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. CO Q 10 concentrations in skin decline significantly in older people .The loss of this agent is the probable  cause of the increases in skin diseases ( including cancer) and photoaging..A long tern study found a direct link between CO Q 10 levels and the progression of melanoma and its spread to other parts of the body.

Co Q 10 is widely used to counteract the decline in mitochondria energy that causes aging. Oral and topical use of this agent restores deficient levels in cells. It is best known as an anti oxidant for the heart.

 Idebenone or ubiquinol; a cousin of CO Q 10, is stronger and even better at conferring protective effects. It has been shown to produce clinically visible improvements in phototaged skin.

To avert many of the effects of ultra violet light topical applications of green tea, glycolic and hyaluronic acids promote skin texture and appearance. Green tea also enhances the cells’ responses to inflammation and chemicals that can cause tumor growth.