For combination skin, Citrus Wash continues to be a favorite- and its no mystery as to why. Formulated with Vitamin C Ester, the Citrus Facial Wash is excellent for brightening skin and imparting an instantly visible radiance to freshly cleansed skin. Gentle and non-drying, this cleanser is makes removing impurities and makeup one easy step. Another great benefit from the Vitamin C Ester in this formula is that this cleanser actually helps to prevent the appearance of redness and blotchiness as well as improve tone, clarity and texture, unveiling skin’s natural radiance. And don’t forget about the DMAE, which is added to provide firming benefits by improving facial muscle tone, enhancing contour and diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Click here to purchase Citrus Wash.
Vitamin C is critical in the production of collagen. Without this vital protein, our bodies would literally fall apart. Collagen not only holds our skeleton together, but it also attaches muscles to our bones and helps maintain the proper position of organs and skin. Vitamin C ester, taken internally, hinders the production of the chemical arachadonic acid, which causes inflammation and can also play a part in the formation of psoriasis and the micro-scarring that leads to the formation of wrinkles. In considering skin care products, opt for Vitamin C Ester over conventional Vitamin C. Firstly, vitamin C can be acidic and tolerated poorly by some skin types. Secondly, and most importantly, when considering ingredients in topicals is the solubility of the nutrients. Vitamin C Ester in Dr. Perricone’s formulations has been joined to a fatty acid derived from palm oil, in what’s known as an ester-bond. This is key as it renders the vitamin C ester non-acidic and enables it to penetrate the outer fatty layer of the cell, the cell membrane. This is important because it means that the Vitamin C ester is actually able to penetrate the skin and go to work, repairing the visible signs of aging. Vitamin C Ester products are excellent for: Which Vitamin C Ester products do you use? What results have you noticed? Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Wow, I look tired”, even though you know you’ve been getting enough sleep? What you might be noticing are dark circles under your eye area, and lack of sleep isn’t necessarily the culprit. You could actually be dehydrated, not tired. To revive tired looking eyes follow these tips: What are your eye reviving tips? Have you used more or less the same skincare products that you’ve always used? 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: 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. 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 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? One bright, sunny August morning, I had taken a particularly long run. By late afternoon, my face had turned bright red from painful sunburn. It occurred to me that since vitamin C was a powerful antioxidant, perhaps it would also act as an anti-inflammatory to help resolve the burn more rapidly. That night, I made a solution of vitamin C tablets in water and patted my face. At first it stung, but the discomfort subsided and I was able to sleep. In the morning, the burn was definitely better. The swelling and redness had gone down, if not disappeared entirely. Another portion of my body where I didn’t use the vitamin C was still quite red and tender. The vitamin C had definitely helped, but had not relieved the discomfort entirely. The vitamin C solution showed potential, but there was still work to be done. Several years later, I returned to the use of vitamin C with a new approach. I reasoned that the solubility of the vitamin C molecule (L-ascorbic acid) interfered with its anti-inflammatory effects. Ascorbic acid, the natural form of vitamin C, is water-soluble. Ascorbic acid cannot penetrate the surface of the skin, which repels water-soluble substances. The acidity of the vitamin C also diminished the anti-inflammatory effects. Ascorbic acid lives up to its name. It is very acidic, which can be irritating to the skin. Then there is the problem of potency. Ascorbic acid is fragile and unstable and it breaks down rapidly. When formulated into a solution, ascorbic acid loses its strength within twenty-four hours. I set out to find a form of vitamin C that would be non-irritating, fat soluble, and retain its strength in skincare preparations. VITAMIN C-ESTER My search led me to a compound known as vitamin C ester. It is composed of the basic vitamin C molecule joined with palmitic acid—a fatty acid derived from palm oil. Vitamin C ester is completely non-irritating and can even be used on an open cut without causing stinging. This in itself was a quantum leap from the burning and irritation caused by topical ascorbic acid. More important, vitamin C ester is fat soluble, making it easily absorbed by the skin and the cell plasma membrane. The antioxidant power of vitamin C ester at the cell plasma membrane provides key protection at a critical time. Research done by Procter & Gamble scientists found that vitamin C ester is absorbed more quickly and achieves levels six to seven times higher in the skin than ascorbic acid. I tried vitamin C ester formulations on sunburns. This time, I got the results I had been looking for years earlier in my simple ascorbic acid experiment. Using a UV lamp, I created small sunburns on the forearms of test subjects. I supplied half of the group with a cream containing vitamin C ester and the other half with the same cream without the fortification of the antioxidant vitamin. Within a day, the burns treated with vitamin C ester were less red. Those managed with the other cream stayed red for days. Today, my patients use vitamin C ester–fortified cream at night to repair the damage inflicted by the daily doses of free radicals in their environment and diet. I have seen patients who have spent twenty years enjoying outdoor activities without sun protection who now have premature lines, wrinkles and discoloration on their faces. After using vitamin C ester for thirty days, the improvement was remarkable. Their skin glowed and the crow’s feet were diminished; in some cases they actually disappeared. Many of my patients also enjoy the use of Perricone discounts to make the creams less expensive, allowing for more to spend on their favorite activities. What do you do to soothe your skin when you get a sunburn? Take Heart In my experience as a physician, I can categorically state that the majority of my women patients do not realistically assess the fact that they have a serious risk of cardiovascular disease. There is a very popular, (although completely erroneous) concept, that heart disease is more of a male disease. In fact, the opposite is true. After menopause, the risk of heart disease in women becomes comparable to the incidence in men. When we consider that the majority of women will spend one-third to one-half of their lives in post menopause, we can see that heart disease is a very serious threat, to health, well-being, and even life itself. Leading Cause of Death Conversely, only about one-third of younger women with heart disease die before the age of sixty five. However, it is not on most of our radar screens. Instead, there is a tremendous awareness among women, well-fostered by the media, of the threat of breast cancer. While this is a threat, it palls in comparison to the mortality rate of heart disease, which kills 10 times as many women as breast cancer. “C-ing” the Light So what to do? Follow an anti-inflamatory diet, get your antioxidants through diet and supplements, take supplements like Vitamin C ester, Omega-3, and pursue a healthy exercise regimen. Q: I used to have normal-combination skin (face), with minor problems such as a few monthly breakouts and blackheads in the nose area. However, when I turned seventeen my breakouts increased and my skin became oilier. I tried a product containing 5% benzoyl peroxide and ended up with severe redness. My skin actually looked like it was burned, and I developed a rash of tiny pimples all over my face. So I stopped using everything except cleanser and toner for three days, but the rash and redness persisted. Now, three months later, the redness is gone but I still have the rash – and I’m still suffering from breakouts! To make matters worse, I live in a hot and humid climate, which seems to exacerbate the problem. Benzoyl peroxide is popular ingredient in many over-the-counter acne medications, but as you have discovered, it can cause intense irritation in some cases. Read labels and avoid this ingredient in the future. It is not the fine lines and wrinkles that give the face an aged appearance. As we age, the muscles in the face begin to elongate and subsequently sag. Sagging, drooping muscles are the true hallmark of an aging face. Sugary, starchy foods causes an inflammatory response that results in the glycation of collagen in the skin and all other organs. This lays the foundation for the birth of wrinkles, sagging muscles, and loss of tone, elasticity and resilience. Eat Your Way to Firmer Skin Food: The build up of dead cells on the skin will also exacerbate dull looking skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that is rich in antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C ester or pycnogenol. Next, purchase a small sea sponge at the natural foods market. These natural sponges will help gently exfoliate the skin without being too harsh. The small ones are about the size of a lime, while the larger ones are more grapefruit sized. Reserve the small sponge exclusively for the face. In the shower, dampen the sponge with warm water, add the cleanser and gently wash the face and neck. Rinse thoroughly. Already, you will see a new glow to the skin. 
Skin S.O.S: Vitamin C Ester
How to Revive Dry, Tired Eyes
Same Old Routine?
5 Secrets to Beautiful Skin
The Accidental Discovery
Heart Disease And Women
February is National Heart month, a time when our thoughts turn to protecting this all-important organ.
Heart disease, in its many manifestations, is the # 1 cause of death for woman aged sixty-five and over.
Unfortunately, women are at a disadvantage (compared to men) when it comes to treating or even recognizing heart disease. CNN recently reported the findings of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which stated that women may not be diagnosed or treated as aggressively as men.
However with proper guidance, a few simple tests and lifestyle changes, we can significantly decrease this cardiovascular risk.
Scientists and physicians now recognize that heart disease is mediated by inflammatory chemicals. This should come as no surprise to Perricone readers, as I have long held inflammation to be at the base of most diseases. Dr. Perricone Q&A – Rashes On The Face
We need to approach your problem from the inside out. A three-tiered program (anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, and topicals) is critical in the fight against acne. Your first step should be to study the list of anti-inflammatory foods on our website and incorporate as many of them as possible into your daily diet. In addition, study the list of “bad” foods and avoid them. In your case, I strongly recommend you follow the Three Day Diet, but extend it to five days. You may find this will greatly alleviate the rash and the breakouts. In terms of topical treatment, I suggest you use a mild cleanser twice a day and DMAE toner pads three times a day. Don’t forget the right nutritional supplements, especially B vitamins and antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C, E, alpha lipoic acid, DMAE, and others available in the supplement section of our website.Secret #4: Rejuvenate Your Facial Structure
What we eat can help determine how young (or old) we look. You’ve heard me speak repeatedly of the anti-aging benefits of a diet rich in antioxidants. Protein is not just an important component of an anti-inflammatory diet is of major importance in stimulating cells to repair themselves. Since we cannot store protein in our body, we must take in high quality protein every day. If our protein supply is inadequate or depleted, the body is forced to feed upon itself, resulting in the breakdown of both tissue and muscle. When we don’t get enough protein, and we combine that with a diet of high-glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance. This ongoing lack of protein is first notable in the face. The sharp, contoured cheekbones and crisp jaw line begin to lose definition.
Seafood, tofu, eggs, lean poultry
Anti-Aging Supplements for Skin:
Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE, Chromium, Vitamin C, Vitamin C Ester, SiliconExfoliate For That Radiant Glow