1. Wild salmon This fish is an outstanding source of the carotenoid antioxidant known as astaxanthin, (1000 times more effective than Vitamin E), which helps to repair damage from UV rays and keep skin radiant and youthful.  The omega 3 essential fatty acids in salmon also act as powerful, protective anti-inflammatories.

In addition to salmon, mackerel, trout, herring and sardines are also rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids that can protect skin from deadly melanoma and other forms of skin cancer from sunburn.

2. Green tea Along with strawberries, blue and blackberries, apples, and cocoa, green tea is an antioxidant food high in catechins which also protect the skin from UV damage. The deeper and richer the color, the higher the catechin content. The most powerful catechin is Epigallocatechin-3 Gallate (EGCG) which is 100 times more potent than Vitamin C and 25 times stronger than Vitamin E.  Green tea is one of our richest sources of EGCG.

3. Cocoa The ingestion of high flavanol cocoa led to increases in blood flow of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, and to increases in skin density and skin hydration. Dietary flavanols from cocoa contribute to endogenous photo-protection, improve dermal blood circulation, and affect cosmetically relevant skin surface and hydration variables.

4. Tomatoes A study, performed in 2001, looked at volunteers who ate 40 grams of tomato paste over a ten-week period. The group was forty percent less likely to experience sunburn when exposed to harmful UV rays.  But don’t forget to add a little olive oil to insure absorption of the special skin-protecting phytochemicals.

5. Watermelon This summer melon is rich in lycopene, making it a great choice to protect your skin from sunburn and possibility of developing skin cancer.

Lycopene can prevent UV-induced sunburn. It is rich in the aforementioned tomatoes and tomato paste, watermelon as well as apricots, pink grapefruit and red (not orange) carrots.

6. Broccoli Sprouts A member of the cruciferous family, broccoli sprouts contain sulforaphane, which is linked to increasing the skin’s ability to protect itself from cancer. Broccoli sprouts are the richest source of cancer-fighting glucoraphanin, the precursor of sulforaphane.

How do you incorporate these photoprotective foods?

If you have, you’re not alone. Many women go through geographical moves, birthdays in different decades and hormonal fluctuations using the same skin care products. Our skin is never static and neither should the products we use be.

Consider that:

1. Dryness levels change: after age 30, skin’s oil glands reduce their production significantly, and the loss continues as we age.
2. Sun damage: Melanocytes actually  “burn out” at around the 30’s or 40’s, which reduces the skin’s natural defense mechanism to fight sun damage, often resulting in uneven pigmentation (including the very common hyperpigmentation).
3. Skin thinning:  Around age 40, the dermis and the skin’s fat layer start to thin, picking up speed around age 50 for most women. This results in the visible sagging of the skin and the loss of that plump, supple look. Even worse? This loss of the fat layer actually makes skin even more susceptible to damage and abrasion.

Need help deciding which products are right for your skin? Use our 3 Step Product guide based on your primary concern to see our recommendations for your skin.

In fact, time is not your skin’s greatest enemy. The natural aging process gets a tremendous push from these major external factors:

• sun exposure- as evidenced by this recent picture that’s caused a flurry of posts and sharing
• cigarette smoke (inhaled or second hand)
• environmental toxins
• a nutrition-poor diet, especially one lacking in vitamins A, C, E and folic acid; yet high in fat and salt
• excess alcohol consumption
• stress
• harsh soaps or detergent-based moisturizers
• sleep deprivation

How do you guard against environmental factors of aging?

1. Water

When you wake up, enjoy a tall glass of pure spring water. All of the biochemical changes in our bodies take place in the presence of water. To successfully get nutrients in and waste out, we need to be well hydrated. A dehydrated body promotes the development of aging, inflammatory compounds; resulting in puffiness, dry skin and loss of radiance.

2. Face Changing Foods

If your goal is firm, radiant, glowing skin, abundant energy, mental clarity and an overall sense of well-being, these foods are for you. Their unique combinations of healthy fats, high quality protein, probiotics and antioxidant rich carbohydrates help to fight against wrinkles, sagging and loss of tone

• Salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring, mackerel and other cold water fish
• Free-range hormone and antibiotic free poultry
• Eggs from free-range chickens
• Grass-fed, pasture-raised beef or lamb, naturally low in saturated fats
• Complex carbohydrates such as leafy greens, broccoli and oatmeal
• Healthy fats such as avocadoes, olives, extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds
• Fresh fruits such as berries, apples and cantaloupe

3. Scrub-Free

Cleanliness is the foundation of healthy, radiant skin, but don’t overdo it and strip skin of its natural pH balance. Choose cleaners rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C ester (VC) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). These powerful nutrients thoroughly cleanse the skin of impurities without the dryness, redness or irritation caused by more aggressive cleansers. Skin feels and looks clean, soft, supple and radiant.

Avoid harsh scrubs and exfoliators, which can cause inflammation of the skin.

4. Sleep

Get enough sleep – at least seven hours. Adequate sleep will restore luminosity to the skin while improving tone and texture. When we do not get enough sleep, our eyes will appear puffy, bags and dark circles will appear under the eyes, and fine lines and an unhealthy pallor will greet us in the morning. During the waking hours, stress can play havoc with our skin; it is only during the hours of sleep that we can undo these harmful effects.

It is also during the precious hours of sleep that our cells rejuvenate, repairing damage of the previous day. In fact, one of the best-kept anti-aging secrets is a good night’s sleep.

5. Go Green

Enjoy a potent anti-aging “green” cocktail of young barley grass. This pure and powerful powerhouse removes toxins and pollutants while restoring cellular function. Green foods also fight free radical activity, reduce inflammation and support healthy blood flow to all organ systems, including the skin.

Enjoy a cup of green tea after your meal. There is a compound in green tea called theanine that acts as a natural mood elevator and promote feelings of well-being. Because green tea is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, it can help fight inflammation and age-accelerating free radicals, boost the body’s natural defenses, and exert anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.

Do you have any of your own “secrets” to share?

What you will find in this kit:

Tier One – Topical

As a dermatologist, it should be no surprise that Dr. Perricone chose Advanced Face Firming Activator as the topical product. Historically, this formula has only been available through physician’s offices. But now, this revolutionary, patented, proprietary approach to preserving, protecting, and revealing the natural beauty of your skin is widely available.

Nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory, alpha lipoic acid, is brought together with DMAE, a potent antioxidant booster and skin protectant. Combined, these two ingredients protect your skin from degrading free radicals while rejuvenating the most important elements of your natural beauty. The result – a new radiance, lift, tone and smoothness to your skin.

Tier Two – Body Supplements

Perricone Prescription Super Antioxidant Supplements provide the most comprehensive Nutriceutical blend of “health insurance” designed for optimal health. Create healthy and beautiful skin from the inside out with this wide range of essential powerful antioxidants, minerals and phyto-nutrients (plant compounds found to have health enhancing properties).

Tier Three – Anti-inflammatory Foods

The incomparable beauty, health, and anti-aging benefits of following the anti-inflammatory diet is immediately visible in your face. You can expect a new glow, decreased puffiness in eye area, increased contour and an overall radiant, firmed and toned appearance.

But where to start? Included in this wonderful kit is fabulous recipe book, with simple, delicious and easy to prepare meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Using all of Dr. Perricone’s favorite foods, these recipes will delight the senses while taking years off of your face and body.

As an added bonus, a DVD of Dr. Perricone’s award winning TV special The Wrinkle Cure is included! This outstanding program features Dr. Perricone sharing his groundbreaking secrets on how to eliminate unwanted signs of aging both physically and mentally.

Until next time,
Anne Sellaro, Executive Editor

In addition to the complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals recommended by nutrition experts world-wide, (B-complex, Vitamin E, calcium-magnesium, Vitamin C ester, etc.)

Fish for Compliments

Fish is the only natural and significant food source of the healthy Omega 3 fat, EPA and DHA. In addition to eating fish such as salmon and halibut, take plenty of high quality omega 3 fish oil. Luminous, radiant, wrinkle-free skin, improved mental faculties, weight loss, preservation of muscle mass, enhanced absorption of nutrients from foods, and a happy, positive mood are just a few of the benefits accrued by incorporating the omega 3’s into our daily diets.

Back in Circulation

Take alpha lipoic acid supplements because it has the capacity to regulate the production of nitric oxide, which controls blood flow to the skin. When alpha lipoic acid is applied topically, it helps to transform the complexion from dull, pasty, and pale to vibrant and glowing. It will shrink pores, even out skin tone, decrease lines and wrinkles and eliminate puffiness.

Light and Bright

Pycnogenol® also has superior anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal in promoting youthful, beautiful skin and healthy aging of all organ systems. When taken as a supplement and applied topically, Pycnogenol will significantly brighten skin.

Eating foods that are high in antioxidants is the first critical step in restoring radiance to skin. If we start now, by the time the holiday season is in full swing, we will enjoy a radical and radiant transformation.

The holidays are a special time for us. We see family and friends that we may not have seen since last year’s holiday season. Naturally, we want to look and feel our very best. Over the next few posts, I will provide helpful suggestions guaranteed to help you achieve this worthwhile goal.

1. Perricone Prescription Diet

Looking and feeling great start with good nutrition. Now is the time to cut back on comfort foods such as breads and pasta, cookies and cakes, that taste good but wreak havoc on your skin and your weight—let alone your moods.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle is critical when combating dull skin that lacks in radiance. Include lots of high-quality protein for cellular repair, like that found in fish, shellfish, poultry and tofu; low-glycemic carbohydrates including colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains such as old-fashioned oatmeal.

And, perhaps most importantly if you want radiant supple skin don’t go low fat or fat free. Instead choose healthy fats, such as those found in cold water fish (especially wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, sardines, herring, anchovies, etc.), nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Avoid the saturated fats found in meats as well as the ubiquitous trans fats (margarine, shortening, etc.) as these can be pro-inflammatory and have the opposite of the desired effect. Learn to read labels as these trans fats are in everything including the peanut butter found on most supermarket shelves.

This will ensure beautiful glowing skin from the inside out. More tips on supplements and skin care tomorrow.