Delta-5 Oil: Articles (page 2)

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Starting Young: Preventing Aging Before It Starts

You have a ton of time to plan your future, choose your career, and fall in love when you’re in your 20’s. You do not have a ton of time to decide to start taking care of your skin. The fight against aging can be won, but only if you fight the battle before it begins. If you wait until the signs of aging have already taken hold, you may have waited too long.

The fight against liver spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy-baggy skin should actually start before those signs of aging begin to show.

The way to fight all of those signs of aging in the future is to effectively prevent them before they show up. Thinking so far in advance can be difficult, especially when you have places to go, people to meet, and parties to attend, but how you treat and care for your skin now will set the stage for how your skin will look 20+ years from now. The damage we inflict on our skin over time is cumulative. That means it all collects over time. Preventing visible signs of skin aging is much easier and less expensive than trying to get rid of them.

The process doesn’t have to be difficult. Preparing your skin now to reap the benefits of a glowing and youthful complexion in your later years doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated.

The Importance of Sun Protection

No joke. You’re hearing it yet again. Protecting your skin from damaging UV rays is absolutely vital to preventing damage down the road. You’ve heard it from your parents, you’ve read about it in blogs. Take their word, because they’re right. Without question, sun protection is the best way you can prevent your skin from aging . . . . or at least drastically slow that process down. According to Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, 90% of the visible signs of aging come from unprotected sun exposure.

Your skin is going to go through natural aging changes on its own, but photoaged skin will take on a leathery, lax, wrinkled appearance with broken blood vessels (telangiectasia) and age spots (lentigines). UV radiation causes a shortage of collagen by causing cells to break collagen down, instead of maintaining it.

Sun damage accumulates over time, so protecting yourself sooner, rather than later, is prudent! Your skin care routine should incorporate the daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply 30 if you’re going to be spending any time outside.

Fight Free Radicals Now

All of the toxins that you ingest, environmental pollutants you’re exposed to, and sun exposure you get takes a toll on your skin. These things can result in waste products called free radicals. Free radicals are the byproducts of cellular metabolism and they’re careening around your body looking for another electron, wreaking havoc in their path. That damage can accumulate too, unless you do something about it now.

Free radicals are the unstable byproducts of oxidation, the metabolic process of oxygen metabolism. This is the same process that causes iron to rust and bananas and avocados to turn brown. These free radicals cause oxidative stress by way of cellular damage, making cells vulnerable to decay and pathogens. They damage DNA and mitochondria (part of the basic building blocks for all tissues) which can result in many health problems. Once formed, these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction like dominoes.

Lifestyle choices and environmental factors can drastically increase the number of free radicals in the body, in turn dramatically increasing oxidative stress on the body. Things like eating fried foods, environmental pollution, UV rays, and eating charcoal broiled meats will increase this oxidative stress, but cigarette smoking is, by far, the most potent free radical generator in the body.

Prevent Aging With a Solid Skin Care Routine

Start a solid routine that consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. It doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s the ingredients that are important. Choose your skin care products wisely, and they will work ahead of the years for you. When you care for your skin properly, you’re able to nip any excess damage in the bud and mitigate any factors that contribute to aging.

Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to fight the aging process. You can help your body to nab those free radicals by utilizing a skin care routine rich in antioxidant ingredients to counter all that damage. A healthy diet should be your number one choice, but topical antioxidants have been found to be effective, as well. Look for products that contain antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea extract and pomegranate seed extract, and vitamins like vitamins A, E, and C.

Retinoids (derived from vitamin A) have the added bonus of increasing cellular turnover, allowing younger skin cells to replace older ones.

In the quest to preserve youthful and beautiful skin, SciaEssentials DELTA-5 is an incredible breakthrough. Derived from conifer seeds, it’s anti-inflammatory properties help your skin in a number of ways. Just 24 hours of use can make skin less dry and flaky, enhancing its glow. It works to resolve the damage done by a polluted environment and to reverse harm that comes from the sun. It can help to clear your complexion and reduce redness. It can be easily combined with your daily moisturizer to help to build and protect the skin’s barrier.

A little bit of elbow grease in your younger years in the form of a smart skin care routine can really go far towards combating daily insult. Stick to that routine, and your future self will thank you.

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Aging Skin: When Did That Happen?

When did it happen? Just when did your skin age? It seems like you went to bed a normal woman yesterday, and woke up this morning feeling like a saggy and wrinkly mess.

Well, ok. It doesn’t really happen overnight, though it feels like it! The hard truth is that your skin actually started aging in your early 20’s. Everything you did at that age had a big impact on the condition of your skin now. What you ate, how you interacted with your skin, the environment you were exposed to, and how much you worshipped the sun all had cumulative effects over the years.

When you were young, it felt like you had your whole life in front of you to decide it’s time to start taking care of your skin.

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Fighting Aging Skin Before It Happens

If you’re in your 20’s and early 30’s, now is the prime time for you to begin the fight against aging. The cumulative effects of a pizza and beer diet, baking in the sun, and bad habits like smoking will all collectively start to slowly add up over time. By the time you’re in your 40’s and 50’s, the damage will rear its ugly head in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, liver spots, and more.

The best way to slow the aging process is to try to prevent it in the first place.

Start a solid routine that consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. It doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s the ingredients that are important. Choose skin care products wisely, and they will work ahead of your years for you. When you care for your skin properly, you’re able to nip any excess damage in the bud and mitigate any factors that contribute.

Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to fight the aging process. You can help your body nab those nasty free radicals by utilizing a skin care routine rich in antioxidant ingredients to counter that damage. A healthy diet should be your number one choice, but topical antioxidants have been found to be effective, as well. Look for products that contain antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea extract and pomegranate seed extract, and vitamins like A, E, and C.

Retinoids (derived from vitamin A) have the added bonus of increasing cellular turnover, allowing younger skin cells to replace older ones.

Mixing a skin oil like Sciaessentials DELTA-5 with your moisturizer or foundation can help to strengthen the skin’s barrier, keeping it strong to protect you from the ravaging effects of environmental toxins and pollutants.

Benefits of Combating Aging Skin

If you missed the boat and didn’t protect and prepare your skin when your mother told you to, all is not lost. Starting now, you can take steps to prevent any further damage and help to diminish those first stages of aging. It’s not difficult.

Starting now, changes in your routine can provide you with many benefits, including:

• Clearing up or preventing a blotchy complexion
• Preventing age spots (liver spots/sun spots)
• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Preventing leathery skin
• Retaining your skin’s youthful firmness longer
• Keeping your complexion brighter and younger-looking
• Reducing your risk of skin cancer

Taking Care of Aging Skin

Good skin care, no matter what your age, starts with good habits. That’s especially true now! It’s the basis for a truly effective skin care plan.

The Sun Is Not Your Best Friend

The side effects of the UV rays our skin takes in from the sun are the largest culprit when it comes to causing damage. The sun’s damage to your skin is cumulative, meaning it doesn’t just happen with that one sunburn you got 3 years ago when you fell asleep on the beach. UV damage occurs every time we’re out in the sun unprotected, and that damage slowly adds up over the course of years.

But it’s not too late to prevent further harm. Take steps now by avoiding direct sunlight when you can, covering up your skin, and applying a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed areas of skin. Those steps should be followed through the entire year, no matter the weather, as the sun’s UV rays can still get to you through those dreary clouds.

A Good Routine Is Your Best Friend

Choose your products carefully. Aging skin is thinner and more delicate on the face and hands, so using a non-soap cleanser on those areas is a good idea. Retinol, glycolic acid, and peptides should be a part of your daily vocabulary. Make sure your creams and cleansers contain them.

Cleanse twice daily with a gently cleanser that will help to maintain your skin’s moisture balance, rather than strip it.

Use a treatment serum to smooth out fine lines, then moisturize well. Less active oil glands mean drier skin, so choose an oil-based moisturizer that includes alpha-hydroxy acids to help combat wrinkles.

Here, DELTA-5 really shines. It’s an incredible breakthrough in the quest to preserve youthful and beautiful skin. Not only does it help to strengthen the skin’s barrier, but it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help your skin in visible ways. This oil actually helps to eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles that might be telltale signs of age. It works to resolve the damage done by a polluted environment and to reverse harm that comes from the sun. It can also help to clear your complexion and reduce redness.

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What Does Pollution Do To Your Skin?

Pollution is still a topic of conversation, debate, and argument. It is definitely taking a toll on the environment. That much can’t be argued. But until recently, the effects that pollution has on your skin were unknown. Research is now piling up outlining the negative impact that pollution can indeed have on your skin and what you can do to protect it.

Although your skin acts as a biological shield against chemical and physical air pollutants, the prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of these pollutants could have a profound negative impact on your skin.

“The sun isn’t the only villain, now that we know how damaging pollution really is,” says David Bank, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. A landmark study published in 2014 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that women exposed to increased pollution in urban areas had more dark spots (lentigenes) and wrinkling. Exposure to air pollutants has also been associated with inflammatory or allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Free Radicals and Oxidation

Oxidation is the metabolic process of oxygen metabolism, but it creates unstable byproducts called free radicals. They cause oxidative stress by way of cellular damage, making cells vulnerable to decay and pathogens. This process damages DNA and other important cell components which can result in many health problems. Once formed, these highly reactive free radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes.

Free radicals are also formed as a result of exposure to toxins and pollution. Your body has an ability of fighting them by way of antioxidants, but we get into trouble when there is an overload of free radicals and not enough antioxidants.

How Does Pollution Affect Your Skin?

There is a definite correlation between air pollution and the number of people suffering from skin problems such as acne, hives, and eczema. Air pollution isn’t just affecting skin on a cosmetic level, but poses a very real threat to skin health.

It’s difficult to say exactly which of the many components of pollution is responsible for the skin changes we see. Some of the specific pollutants tested in the lab include Benzo-a-pyrene, urban dust, ultrafine dust, and diesel exhaust. “Surprisingly, the real threat often doesn’t come from these particles themselves; it comes from the chemicals that find a way to attach to them,” says dermatologist Doris Day, MD. Take urban dust, for example. It contains a cocktail of 224 toxic chemicals including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and heavy metals. Day explains, “while the particles of pollution are usually too large to penetrate skin themselves, many of these chemicals attached to them are not.” Another often overlooked pollutant is cigarette smoke, shown to consist of over 6,000 chemicals.

According to Zoe Draelos, M.D., Consulting Professor of Dermatology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and author of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology article entitled “Aging in a Polluted World,” pollution breaks down collagen and the lipid layer in the skin, which impairs skin barrier functions.

Some actions of certain pollutants may be amplified by the presence of other pollutants and with interaction of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), forming other major components of smog.

How the pollutants penetrate your skin differs depending on the nature of the pollutants and integrity of your skin. The protective ability of your skin isn’t unlimited, and problems occur when exposure to environmental stressors exceeds the skin’s normal defense potential.

Combating Pollution on Your Skin

“Simple changes to your beauty routine, such as proper cleansing and using antioxidants every day, can have a big, positive impact on skin,” says Dr. Day.

Laboratory tests have been able to measure not only how your cells react to different pollutants, but also which ingredients can protect them against the negative effects. Using that knowledge, products can be developed to protect against the damage and repair harm done as much as possible.

The good news is that when your skin is healthy, it’s a pretty efficient filter on its own. One of the functions of the skin barrier is to keep things from getting into the body by way of the skin. The human skin does a good job of blocking out undesirable substances and forces like chemicals, pathogens, and sunlight. Practicing good skin care goes a long way towards ensuring you’re as protected as possible.

• Avoid excessive use of perfumes, which can weaken the barrier.
• Avoid hot water, steam, or high heat when possible.
• Don’t overdo cleansing with soaps and exfoliation.
• Stay away from extreme conditions like dry air, bitter cold, and strong winds.
• Use sunscreen religiously.
• Choose skin care products that contain antioxidants to combat free radicals.
• Add in products designed to help alleviate skin inflammation.

A product like DELTA-5 by Sciaessentials is created to effectively improve the skin’s barrier function. It contains linoleic acid plus sciadonic acid, a key fatty acid, to help build and improve the skin’s ceramide structure. Not only that, but it also helps to decrease molecules that cause inflammation of the skin, helping to break the cycle.

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Lupus Erythematosus: What you Should Know

Some consider lupus erythematosus to be one of the world’s cruelest, most unpredictable, and devastating diseases. The symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and always require attention by a doctor.

At least 1.5 million Americans have lupus, though that number could be higher, as there are 16,000 new reported cases each year. It usually directs its vengeance towards women of childbearing age, though men and younger girls can develop it, too. Most people will notice the disease between the ages of 15-44, and women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, an estimated 80-90% of people living with lupus can live a normal lifespan with treatment and followup.

What Is Lupus?

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The immune system is your body’s protector, fighting off foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other germs. With lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system and it cannot tell the difference between real foreign invaders, and your body’s normal tissues. So it creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue.

These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. It can damage any part of the body including the skin, joints, and other organs. It’s chronic, meaning symptoms last longer than six weeks, and usually many years.

What Causes Lupus?

Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes lupus, though they believe it’s the result of a combination of many underlying factors including:

 

• Environment: potential triggers like smoking, stress, and exposure to toxins like silica dust

• Hormones: studies suggest increased estrogen levels could contribute

• Medications: long term use of some medications (hydralazine, procainamide, and quinidine) have been linked with drug-induced SLE.

• Genetics: family history of lupus could put you at higher risk

• Infections: doctors are studying links between causes of SLE and cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, and hepatitis C

 

Symptoms of Lupus

Symptoms can vary, depending on what part of the body is affected. They can appear suddenly sometimes and stay permanently, or just flare up occasionally. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Body aches
• Painful or swollen joints
• Anemia
• Swelling in feet, legs, hands, or around eyes (edema)
• Rashes, including a butterfly rash (malar rash) on the face
• Skin lesions that may include ulcers
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic dry eyes
• Chest pain (pleurisy)
• Sun or light sensitivity
• Hair loss
• Abnormal blood clotting
• Change in color or fingers and toes when cold (Raynaud’s)
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Kidney problems (later in the disease process)

Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) causes problems like high blood pressure, dark urine, and blood in the urine (hematuria).

A wide array of skin and mucous membrane symptoms that range from rashes to ulcers may appear. Often, people with lupus are seen with a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that crosses from cheek to cheek over the nose. Rashes may appear to get worse with sun exposure.

How Does Lupus Affect the Skin?

You may have skin lupus with or without having full blown SLE.

The butterfly rash on the face may be just a faint blush or a very severe, scaly rash. Other lesions may be coin-shaped sores (discoid lupus).

You may develop red, scaly patches or a red, ring-shaped rash, especially where your skin gets sun or other UV light. The sores get worse without treatment. They don’t typically itch or hurt, but can cause scarring and if on your scalp, will cause patches of permanent baldness.

Small, red, coin-shaped areas (subacute cutaneous lesions) are caused by UV rays, too. They’ll probably appear on your arms, shoulders, neck or upper torso in patches. They can darken or lighten the skin where they appear.

Other changes in your skin may also show up in your mouth, scalp, lower legs, and fingers. Other signs of lupus may include:

• Mucous membrane lesions
• Hair loss
• Purplish spots on lower legs
• Color changes in fingers and toes
• Bluish, lacy pattern under the skin

How to Treat Lupus Skin Lesions

There currently is no cure for lupus, though there are some animal studies that show early promise that lupus may be curable. If you have it, you’re likely to have skin issues at some point, but treatment can bring relief.

Often, your doctor will develop a treatment plan involving a number of options to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Suppress your overactive immune system
• Prevent flares, and treat them when they occur
• Control symptoms like pain
• Minimize damage to organs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays by avoiding the sun when you can, covering as much of your skin as possible, and protecting any exposed skin with sunscreen all year long, no matter the weather.

Your doctor may prescribe a topical medication like a steroid cream or gel to clear up the problems. In some cases, a steroid shot may be used.

A new cosmeceutical may be able to impart additional comfort and relieve the cutaneous inflammation associated with the rashes and lesions. DELTA-5 by Sciaessentials is a revolutionary oil pressed from a specially-studied conifer seed and contains the powerful ingredient, sciadonic acid (SA). SA has been proven to alleviate inflammation, aid in repairing the skin’s barrier function, and provide comfort.

This organic oil is easily-absorbed and can be applied directly onto problem areas or mixed with your cream, gel, or makeup base.

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The Stings Of Summer: Bug Bites and Rashes

Treks to the beach, summer cookouts, camping expeditions, family picnics, amusement park galivants, day hikes, night hikes, and late-night campfires.

The joys of summer and all the feel-good warm-fuzzies, smells, tastes, and feelings.

And all of the annoying bites, stings, rashes, itches, and irritations that come along with all of those things.  

You can’t enjoy outdoor summer activities without also being subjected to the forces of nature, and sometimes there’s nothing more uncomfortable or annoying than the itchy rash of poison ivy or the sting from a bee. You can’t fault them . . . . it’s nature’s way of protecting itself.

While the initial contact of a bite or sting may be painful, it is often followed by an allergic reaction to venom deposited into your skin through the insect’s mouth or stinger. It’s how your body reacts to the venom that determines how large of an allergic reaction you suffer.

Symptoms of Insect Bites and Stings

You may not even know that you’ve been stung until the symptoms start showing up. You may notice:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Rash
• Pain in the area which may include the muscles
• Itching
• Heat around the site
• Numbness or tingling in the area

Why Does My Bug Bite Itch and Hurt?

When you get stung, the venom injected into your body causes your immune system to respond. When a non-venomous bug bites you, this may cause a bump to form. You may still have an allergic reaction to the bite. Often, the response will include redness and swelling at the site of the bite or sting. Itching and soreness may come later.

Let’s take a look at two common insects and the trouble they can cause us.

Bee Stings:  Bees jab a barbed stinger into the skin to inject their venom. This may cause pain and swelling around the sting site. Bee venom contains a mixture of enzymes, smaller proteins, and peptides. One of these causes the body to release histamine, causing muscles to contract and inflammation to occur. The mixture of enzymes in venom can also break down red blood cells, induce anaphylaxis, cause venom to spread and create allergic reactions.

Mosquito Bites: Female mosquitoes need to feed on blood. Their mouthparts pierce the skin, suck blood, and inject saliva. Proteins in the saliva causes an immune reaction. Histamines are released, which increases blood flow and white blood cell count around the affected area, causing inflammation or swelling. The histamine also sends a signal to the nerves around the bite, causing itch.

Scratching these spots can actually make the itching worse. The itching is a result of inflammation. Scratching an already inflamed area increases inflammation. It’s a vicious circle.

Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac

Sometimes the body’s immune system can overreact. Urushiol oil from the “poisonous” plants like ivy, oak, or sumac makes its way through the skin where it is metabolized and broken down. Immune cells recognize it as a foreign substance. They send out inflammatory signals (cytokines), which bring in white blood cells, which turn into macrophages. The macrophages eat foreign substances, but they also damage normal tissue, resulting in the itchy inflammation.

Within one to two days of being exposed, you could develop a rash, which will usually itch, redden, burn, swell, and form blisters. The severity of the rash may be related to how much urushiol you’ve touched.

Help For Bug Bites

To help reduce the discomfort of itching and swelling:

• Take antihistamines which can help to reduce inflammation and itching.
• Applying heat may help.
• Apply DELTA-5 Oil by Sciaessentials to affected area(s).

Help For Inflammation From Poison Ivy

• Wet compresses may help with discomfort.
• Apply a topical corticosteroid cream.
• Take an antihistamine.
• Apply DELTA-5 Oil by Sciaessentials to affected area(s).

How DELTA-5 Can Help Summer Stings

Launched in March 2018 after decades of painstaking scientific research, DELTA-5 can both heal and protect. It is a topical oil containing sciadonic acid (SA), a powerfully effective fatty acid that can uniquely reduce inflammation.

Developed from the special conifer seed, it breaks the inflammation cycle by interfering with the inflammatory response cycle early in the biochemical process. DELTA-5 oil has been processed into the highest level of SA commercially available, which is then formulated into a high-grade, stable cosmetic oil.

It also has the ability to improve the skin’s barrier functions, keeping bacteria and other irritants from penetrating the skin and causing even more complications.

Its bioactive mechanism uniquely delivers more than just skin barrier protection. It provides relief from itchy, irritated, red, and inflamed skin. Use it twice a daily on affected areas.

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner: The Big Bad Sun and All Its Glory

People love the sun. They worship the sun. No kidding. They call themselves, literally, “sun worshippers.”

The sun can be considered the source of life, giving vital energy to the earth so that plants may grow, and the circle of life can thrive. People have looked upon the sun as a deity.

Basking in the sun’s glory makes most people feel good. By boosting the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin, it can boost our mood, helping us to feel calm and focused.

In the short term, it seems to make us look good for a little while, too. But that benefit is short-lived and the negative side-effects far surpass the good.

What’s Wrong With the Sun

Sadly, sun exposure is responsible for most of the skin changes that are commonly tied with signs of aging. Research shows that UV exposure is the reason behind 80% of your skin’s aging, showing up as wrinkles, dark spots, and other problem areas, adding years to your looks.

In the short term, the sun’s heat dries out areas of unprotected skin and depletes the skin’s supply of natural lubricating oils. It can also cause burns. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When elastin fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose the ability to go back into place after stretching. It also bruises and tears more easily – taking longer to heal.

Aside from the immediate, obviously-painful sunburn, damage from the sun will not be noticeable until later in life.

Common Types of Sun Damage

 

• Dry Skin:  Skin exposed to the sun can gradually lose moisture and oils, making it appear dry, flaky, and prematurely wrinkled.

• Sunburn: This is nothing to joke about. It’s actually a skin injury that results from a UV radiation burn. Damage can range from painful reddening of the skin to vesicles (fluid-filled bumps) or larger blisters.

• Actinic keratosis: This pre-cancerous tiny bump feels like sandpaper or a small, scaly patch of skin that has a pink, red, yellow, or brownish tint. It doesn’t usually go away unless it’s frozen, chemically-treated, or removed by a doctor. Actinic keratosis develops in areas of skin that have undergone repeated or long-term exposure to the sun’s UV light, and it is a warning sign of increased risk of skin cancer. According to Harvard Health, about 10% to 15% of actinic keratoses eventually change into squamous cell cancers of the skin.

• Cancers: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma lesions develop because of the decrease in the skin’s immune function.
• Signs of Aging: fine and coarse wrinkles, freckles, age spots (sun spots), mottled pigmentation, and sallowness (yellow discoloration) appear as a result of changes to the pigment cells and the destruction of the collagen and elastin tissues. Collagen is the structural protein that supports the walls of the skin’s tiny blood vessels.

Preventing Sun Damage

Preventing damage from the sun is simple: avoid the sun.

That’s easier said than done.

But the hard truth of the matter is that any amount of sun exposure could potentially damage your skin, so protecting yourself is as simple as watching how you prepare for your time in the sun.

• Limit your time outside to when the sun is not at its peak (10am to 3pm).
• Be sure to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above before going outside (preferably about 20 minutes before to allow it time to soak in). A broad-spectrum product will cover you for both UV-A and UV-B rays. You should reapply it every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating.
• Don’t forget your lips! Choose a formula specially formulated for them with a sun protection factor of 20 or more.
• Cover your eyes, too, with UV light protected glasses.
• If possible, wear long pants and sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Read your labels. Some medications can increase your risk of UV damage. Certain skin care products (like those containing alpha-hydroxy acids) can make you more vulnerable, too.

Can You Repair Sun Damage?

While it’s not possible to erase all of the damage, there are some steps you can take to help. For instance, applying a moisturizer to parched skin can help to replace moisture and aid in repairing the skin’s barrier. Applying products and undergoing treatments geared towards helping to smooth wrinkles could reduce the severity. Beta-carotene, retinoids, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy would fall into this category. Once again, a few of these treatments may be effective in relieving your age spots.

Fast Relief of Sunburn

There is one product that stands out from the crowd: Sciaessential’s best selling oil: DELTA-5. The anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects have the ability to soothe and heal your skin from minor sunburn and other types of burns. The healing potential comes from sciadonic acid (SA), which has been said to be more potent than hyaluronic acid, which has been a staple in the beauty industry for years. SA has major anti-inflammatory properties. The tocopherols are deeply moisturizing, allowing the oil to penetrate the skin quickly and deeply for a greaseless effect, leaving you feeling more smooth, supple, and less painful within just 24 hours of use.

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How to Help Dry Skin

Multiple factors can contribute to drying skin: aging, an underlying skin condition, or environmental factors. Whatever the cause, dry skin is annoyingly uncomfortable and itchy and can prove unsightly for some, too.

Dry skin, formally known as xerosis, is fairly common and can occur at any age and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it resolves on its own, and sometimes you need to call in your dermatologist for help.

What Causes Dry Skin?

The easy answer would be that skin becomes dry when it loses too much water or oil. Anyone can get it, though some people are more likely to be affected than others. Some causes or contributing factors include:

 

• Age: Our skin becomes thinner and drier as we age. By the time we’re in our 40’s many people will need to use a good moisturizer every day.

• Skin disease: Those with atopic dermatitis (eczema) as children are more likely to have dry skin as adults. Psoriasis is another one that can lead to very dry skin.

• Swimming: High levels of chlorine can dry the skin out.

• Climate: Less moisture in the air can lead to dry skin.

• Job: People who spend time immersed in water or washing their hands all day can make their skin dry, raw, and cracked.

• Genetics: Researchers at the University of Dundee in Scotland now say that it can be inherited.

 

In addition, it may correlate with other skin diseases or associated with pathological conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, Sjogren syndrome, or malnutrition.

The skin’s outer layer loses its ability to hold together and protect the inner layers beneath it. The inner layers, responsible for most of the skin’s moisture, lose their water through the damaged skin barrier.

Signs Of Dry Skin

Common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:

• Rough, scaly, or flaking skin
• Gray, ashy skin (in people with dark skin tones)
• Chapped or cracked lips
• Itching
• Cracks in the skin, which may bleed if severe

If you’ve had dry skin long enough or severely enough that your skin cracks, you’ll want to be watchful. Cracked skin opens the door for germs to get through and cause an infection. Be on the lookout for red, sore spots, as they may be early signs.

How to Help Dry Skin

Using a good moisturizer can go a long way towards alleviating the discomfort and helping to repair your dry skin. Being diligent with your daily moisturization is essential. “Look for ceramides and lipids in moisturizers, which help build and reinforce the skin barrier,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Dermatology Department at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

If possible, it’s best to avoid anything that may trigger or irritate dry skin such as fragrance. Lotions and creams crammed with fragrance can actually do more harm than good. Look for formulas that contain ingredients like honey and vanilla, and bean-based butters like cocoa and shea for hydration that utilizes non-drying scents.

Many people focus on scrubbing their hands too harshly in hot water, and too often. You can help to mitigate the drying effects by using lukewarm water and a cream-based hand cleanser, then immediately follow with lotion while your hands are still wet.

Along the same lines, harsh cleansers can strip your skin of moisture. Carefully choose your face and body wash to be gentle. That should also go for your laundry soaps and fabric softeners. Opt for gentle, unscented options like All Free and Clear. When scrubbing dishes and cleaning your house, don a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from the harsh chemicals.

Oils like Sciaessentials DELTA-5 have the ability to not only alleviate irritation, but can help to improve the skin’s barrier function. It contains linoleic acid plus sciadonic acid, a key fatty acid, to help build and improve the skin’s ceramide structure. It also helps to decrease molecules that cause inflammation of the skin, helping to break the cycle.

“Hard” water that contains a high concentration of minerals (lead, magnesium, and zinc) can leave a film on the skin that causes dryness. “Heavy metals turn the oils on skin into a thick substance that plugs glands, aggravates conditions like acne and rosacea, and prevents moisturizers from being absorbed into the skin,” says Dennis Gross, MD, a New York City dermatologist.  A home filtration system could lighten the mineral content of water. Making sure your skin care regimen contains chelators like vitamins A and C can help to counteract the coating left behind by hard water.

Forced air, particularly in the winter time removes humidity from the air, making skin feel dry and itchy. A humidifier can help to restore moisture to the air around your house.

If you have extremely dry skin, be sure to consult your dermatologist. It could be a warning sign of a skin problem called dermatitis. This inflammation is better treated earlier, rather than later, as without treatment, it often gets worse.

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DELTA-5 Success Stories: Happy Customers

Whenever a new skincare product makes its debut on the market, typically most of the population waits with bated breath to see if it’s going to take hold and stick around or flop on the ground like a dead fish. After all, who wants to put something on their skin that hasn’t been tried and true.

There’s something to be said about waiting to see how effective a product is and how much other people like it. After all, any salesperson can tell us all about how awesome their newest, latest, and greatest product is, but until we hear it from real people who have actually used it regularly, that just seems like a bunch of smoke and mirrors to us.

In the spirit of sharing, we’ve compiled some of the recent feedback that we’ve received back on DELTA-5 oil by Sciaessentials for you.

Multi-Purpose, Safe Oil

Beauty blogger Cindy Batchelor of mystylespot.net describes a variety of uses she’s found for this powerful product.

“My Anti-aging Skincare Must-have to get rid of the red, zits, sunburn, and wrinkles. This AMAZING all-in-one luxurious high-quality anti-aging skincare product from Sciaessentials not only minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a lovely luminous glow, but it also reduces red, inflamed skin, acne, sunburn, and is super hydrating for dry skin, too! It leaves skin feeling so soft, smooth, and supple for a natural, more youthful appearance! I noticed a dramatic change in my skin after 24 hours of use! The redness and puffiness were completely eliminated and it got the red out of my zit immediately, too. In fact, that annoying pimple was completely gone the next day! It has also worked amazingly-well for moisturizing my super dry skin. DELTA-5 is a must-have for relieving sunburn, too, so I’m FOR SURE taking it with me every time I go to the lake for some boating this summer!

 

It’s really no surprise, given the versatility of this simple conifer-derived oil product.

Thermal Burns

One user detailed the ability of DELTA-5 to alleviate pain following a pretty severe burn:

“This was a pretty bad burn from a hot grill – probably would have been second degree burn.” DELTA-5 was applied twice, two hours apart. “The pain was significant until soon after the second application.” He used ice for the first two hours, too, then no further ice. “What is quite significant is how the pain is completely gone two hours after this bad burn.”

Sciadonid acid, the active constituent in Mountain Cypress oil, has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, as it can aid in the alleviation of pain following injury of this sort. Another user also described his experience with using DELTA-5 for pain:

“While I was cooking chicken in olive oil it splashed on my chest and I suffered a second degree burn the size of a quarter. It was raw, sore, and painful for several hours, disrupting my sleep. I put DELTA-5 oil on the burn consecutively for three days, twice daily. My experience was a faster-healing wound and it appears I may have less scarring on day three. This product is amazing and I will use it in the future for topical wound care, redness, and inflammation.”

SciaEssentials DELTA-5 has been formulated to effectively improve the skin’s barrier function. It contains linoleic acid plus sciadobic acid, a key fatty acid, to help build and improve the skin’s ceramide structure.

Redness & Wrinkles

People are taking notice of the powerful anti-aging effects:

“This product really works. My redness and wrinkles around my mouth look better in one use. Addicted!”

“For the last year, I’ve been using a ‘high-grade’ short-chain hyaluronic acid (HA) once or twice per day. I’m in my 60’s. I surely appear younger than my age. In my opinion, DELTA-5 oil applied on one side of my face shows significant improvement compared to the other side with the HA skin product. With DELTA-5, there was also a noticeable reduction in moderate puffiness near my nose. I’ve also applied DELTA-5 oil to my forehead where I believe there is a definite reduction in horizontal lines.”

Seborrheic Keratosis

Dr. Simon H. Stertzer, MD, renowned Emeritus Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University took notice that the natural oil is 100% organic.

“The DELTA-5 oil seems generally to improve some aspects of seborrheic keratosis in anecdotal clinical observations. In a world where ineffective and toxic skin chemicals, we have reordered another supply of the product online, since it’s as good or better than most prescription dermatological preparations available commercially today.”

Psoriasis, Eczema, & Rosacea

As inflammation plays a key role in the development and progression of psoriasis, Sciadonic acid has been shown to help alleviate symptoms with a two-fold approach: a strengthening of the barrier function, and the unique mechanism of action, interrupting the inflammatory process. It’s incorporated into specific and unique locations, where it displaces pro-inflammatory molecules and rapidly reduces levels of known pro-inflammatory mediators.  

“In 12 hours after one overnight topical application on my palmar psoriasis my plaque, redness, itchiness, and minor abrasion were noticeably reduced.”

“I thought I would let you know that my wife is VERY happy with your product. It seemed to cure her eczema. She is a fan!”

“I’ve had a red patch of rosacea on my cheek that I could not get to clear with conventional medications. After just a few uses of this miracle oil, the redness has greatly diminished, and it’s no longer itchy.”

Scrapes, Cuts, & Wounds

It’s no wonder that DELTA-5 is highly effective at aiding in wound healing and treatment.

“I fell while hiking in the woods and sustained a nasty scrape to my knee. I applied DELTA-5 oil to my knee and the results were astounding. First, the pain went away immediately. Then the redness decreased. Initially everytime I applied the oil, my scrape visibly healed – almost before my eyes! My scrape is now healed and I can hardly believe how well and how quickly I recovered from this injury. I am a believer and will carry this oil in my purse from now on.”

Give DELTA-5 a try for yourself and send us your success story!

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Dealing With Psoriasis: There’s Help

Nothing is more frustrating than looking in the mirror and seeing anything less than perfect. Historically, society has placed a huge burden on us to look a certain way, with a clear complexion.

Fortunately, times are changing, and less emphasis is being placed on perfection, and more on being you. But that doesn’t change how comfortable you are in your own skin. Adding the frustration of an uncomfortable, unsightly ailment doesn’t help matters.

You are not alone. According to current studies, as many as 7.5 million Americans – approximately 2.2% of the population – have psoriasis. According to the World Psoriasis Day Consortium, it affects 125 million people worldwide. That’s two to three percent of the total population.

So what can you do to help yourself?

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells. It’s a chronic disease that often comes and goes. It typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees, or scalp, though it can appear on any location. Some people report that psoriasis is itchy, burns, and stings.

There’s more to this condition than meets the eye. While you’re seeing the result of the disease manifest itself on top of your skin as thick, scaly patches, it’s deep underneath where the trouble is actually brewing.

Your skin is constantly renewing itself. Your deeper layers of skin produce new skin cells that slowly migrate up to the surface to replace the older, dying cells. As the older cells on top come to the end of their life, they are pushed off by the upcoming newer cells and flake off. With normal skin, your body takes about 28 to 30 days to go through this process.

With psoriasis, your immune system is overactive, triggering skin inflammation and causing skin cells to be produced faster than normal. Instead of a month-long process in normal skin, psoriasis sufferers’ new skin cells are pushed to the surface in three to four days.

The body can’t shed the new skin cells that fast, so while new skin cells are being produced quickly, the old, dead skin cells pile up on top of each other. As they accumulate, the thick, red, itchy, flaky patches known as plaques appear.

There are five types of the disease, classified by the varying symptoms. Some people will have one form, whereas others will have two or more.

There’s more to psoriasis than meets the eye, and its development should lead you to your doctor for a checkup. It can often lead to psoriatic arthritis and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s, kidney disease, obesity, depression, and others.

Why Do I Have Psoriasis?

Scientists don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis. They do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. Usually, something triggers it to flare. A combination of genes that send the immune system into overdrive triggers the rapid growth of skin cells.

While anyone can develop the condition, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease:

• Family history
• Viral and bacterial infections
• Stress
• Obesity
• Smoking

How Can I Manage My Psoriasis?

Typically, psoriasis worsens because of a trigger. Understanding these factors may help you identify and avoid these triggers:

• Infections, such as strep throat or skin infections
• Injury to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, a bug bite, or a severe sunburn
• Stress
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Certain medications including lithium, high blood pressure medications, antimalarial drugs, and iodides.

If you can identify and subsequently avoid any of these triggers, you may be able to control future flare-ups.

Can My Psoriasis Be Treated?

While there is no cure, there are treatments available to reduce the inflammation and scales, slow the growth of skin cells, and remove plaques.

Topical treatments include ointments applied to the skin and can help mild to moderate psoriasis. They may include corticosteroids, retinoids, vitamin D analogues, salicylic acid, and moisturizers.

A new oil, formulated with years of dedicated research is showing huge promise in alleviating the inflammation associated with psoriasis. Sciaessentials DELTA-5 utilizes the unique power of sciadonic acid, derived from the seeds of conifers, and is a simple, 100% natural, organic oil preparation that has been shown to produce rapid and radical anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin within the first 24 hours of application.

The oil, which is absorbed quickly, leaves the skin feeling immediately softer, giving the benefit of more hydration with less flakiness and scaling.

Systemic medications could benefit people with moderate to severe psoriasis, or those who haven’t responded well to other treatment types. They could, however, have some sever side effects, so they’re typically reserved as a secondary or last resort and are only prescribed for short periods of time. Medications may include methotrexate, cyclosporine, biologics, and retinoids.

Light Therapy utilizes UV or natural light, which kills the overactive white blood cells that are attacking healthy skin cells (the cause of the rapid cell growth).

Most people are best benefited with a combination of treatments to reduce symptoms.

Eating Healthy For Psoriasis

Food cannot cure or treat the disease, but a healthy diet could reduce your symptoms by providing an environment that doesn’t foster the inflammatory process. Look to eat a heart-healthy diet by reducing your intake of saturated fats, increasing lean proteins, and choosing plant sources high in omega-3’s like walnuts, flax, and soybeans.

Certain foods are known to cause inflammation, so avoiding these may improve your symptoms:

• Red meat
• Refined sugar
• Processed foods
• Dairy products
• Alcohol

Losing weight may reduce the condition’s severity and help to make treatments more effective.

Other Factors

Stress is a well-known trigger for psoriasis, so learning to manage and cope with it may help you reduce flare-ups and ease symptoms. Try aids like meditation, journaling, breathing exercises, or yoga.

Psoriasis sufferers are more likely to experience depression and self-esteem issues, as you’re less confident when new spots appear and the constant cycle of the condition may become frustrating. Find a resource to help handle these issues like speaking with a mental health expert or joining a support group for people with psoriasis.

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What’s the Deal With Preservatives In My Skin Care Products?

There’s been a lot of buzz going around about the use of preservatives in our skin care and beauty products. People can’t seem to come to an agreement as to whether or not preservatives are useful or harmful. While some people are riding the fence with their opinions, many have very strong opinions about whether or not preservatives have a place on our vanity and in our shower.

Let’s take a look at the use of preservatives in the cosmetics industry and see if we can debunk some of the myths.

Why Do Most Skin Care Products Need Preservatives?

Preservatives aren’t always bad, and they’re not always harmful. Preservatives are natural or synthetic ingredients that are added to products to prevent spoilage that could be the result of fungal, mold, or bacterial growth, or undesirable chemical changes that could ruin the product efficacy.

The fact of the matter is that most cosmetics contain water. Wherever there’s water, there’s the danger of mold and bacterial growth. “Preservatives extend a product’s shelf life and stop fungus, mold, yeast, bacteria, and other microbes from growing in cosmetics – especially in humid environments like the bathroom,” explains Bella Schneider, an esthetic scientist and product formulator.

It sounds like a Catch 22, doesn’t it? If facial care products aren’t preserved, they’ll be overrun by harmful bacteria that could give you an infection, or they could break down to a black blob and not be effective any longer. None of that is necessarily desirable. Yet not all chemical preservatives are good for you. So what do you do?!

Not All Chemical Preservatives Are Bad

There are effective preservatives out there that are not harmful chemicals. Chemical preservatives typically work in smaller quantities and do not have the heavy smells and textures that many natural preservatives do. They also wind up being inexpensive and efficient in preventing contamination, making it possible for you to store your products outside of the refrigerator for long periods of time.

Are Natural Preservatives the Answer?

People want to be reassured by things natural and organic. Natural preservatives like vitamin E, glycerin, organic acids, essential oils, and phenethyl alcohol can definitely be effective, but they have to be utilized within very strict parameters. In order to be effective they have to be incorporated in large quantities (upwards of 30% of the product). “Additionally, they can contain a lot of smell or create allergies in clients, they are not cost effective, and they alter the glide, feel and fragrance of the product,” Schneider explained. “They can also increase the cost of production and sale. In general, they are much less practical for both the manufacturer and consumer than synthetic preservatives.”

Still, there are products out there utilizing natural preservatives that are worth taking a look at.

What Preservatives Should You Watch Out For?

Typically the amount of chemical preservatives in cosmetics is minimal. “If the product is ingested or used around areas where it could be ingested – such as the lips, mouth, or underarms, it could be more toxic,” warns Schneider. “Also, prolonged use of certain chemicals can cause adverse reactions, such as rashes or sensitivity, or more long-term health problems, such as cancer.”

There are certain chemicals raising concern. They may remain in the blood after cosmetic use, metabolized, and potentially cause harm. It’s best to avoid anything that includes:

 

• Phenolic acid (phenol): These can cause respiratory issues, coma, fainting, and paralysis.

 

• Petroleum-based compounds (including propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, or polyoxyethylene): They could be contaminated with a chemical that can cause cancer, according to the FDA.

• Phthalates: “These can be absorbed through the skin and accumulated in the body and may promote breast cancer, asthma, ADHD, obesity and diabetes, neurodevelopmental issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development, and fertility issues,” says Schneider.

• Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde, in all its many forms, is a carcinogen. “It can also harm the brain, development in children, and cause allergies, irritation, and asthma,” says Schneider.

• Parabens: Parabens have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function.

 

 

DELTA-5 by Sciaessentials is a new and unique fatty acid (building block of proteins) made from pine seeds that has a tremendous effect on reducing inflammation in the skin. It’s one of those ever-versatile products that can be applied by itself, layered into your normal skin care routine, or mixed with your typical skin care favorites like your CC cream or foundation.

Its beauty is in its simplicity. DELTA-5 has been created utilizing only the powerfully-effective DELTA-5 Sciadonic Acid and tocopherols, boosting both the delivery and preservative processes. Tocopherols are a class of organic chemical compounds that have vitamin E activity. There are several forms, but they’re all collectively and simply referred to as “vitamin E,” and possess antioxidant capabilities, staving off the oxidation process that can plague oil-based products. The 12 month shelf-life can be prolonged even further by storing the smooth oil in its amber bottle in the fridge.

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What? Older Men Are ‘Distinguished’ But Older Women Are ‘Aging?’

Just how did that bunch of ridiculousness ever get started?

For centuries, women have been held to high beauty standards. Maintaining a look as though they regularly drink from the fountain of youth. Diligently slathering on creams and lotions and anti-aging serums. Religiously hiding from the sun. Giving themselves ulcers over every little laugh line and dawning age spot.

On the other hand, men have been revered and celebrated for their age. The older they get, the more “distinguished” they are considered.

Is that really fair?

As a result of all the pressure to remain youthful looking, nubile, and sexy, many women are undoubtedly agonizing over any signs of aging that may appear. In a survey reported in 2013, 90% of people polled think that women are under more pressure to look younger than men are. Men are also considered to be “old” about five years later than women, and “sexier” at an older age.

In fact, most people believe that women are under more pressure to look young than men. People, in general, are very concerned about the effects of aging and how it would affect their attractiveness to the opposite sex. But women, especially, are concerned with how aging will affect them and their careers.

The survey reported that 42% of women aged 50-59 years old said they felt they needed to look young to be successful at work, nearly double the number of men.

Why the Difference?

So just where does this disparity come from?  According to menshealth.com, evolutionary theory suggest that certain age-related cues like baldness can symbolize heightened masculinity and have effects on social standing. People are more apt to look towards someone with some years of experience under their belt when in a crisis. They’ll want to turn toward the person who’s been there, done that.

Evidence shows that women instinctively know this. A Match.com study shows that 72% of women prefer an older, silver-haired man.

Science is definitely at play when it comes to the ways in which men and women age. This may explain why men tend to age a tad bit more gracefully and in later years than women.

Hormones Are At Play In the Aging Difference

Of course. Hormones seem to be to blame for just about everything. We, as women, seem to be able to look accusingly at our hormones for just about everything in life that makes us uncomfortable, unhappy, or stressed out. From our menstrual cycle to menopause to pregnancy mood shifts, it usually starts with hormones.

The difference in how men and women age is really no different. Sex hormones play a major role in the way men and women respond to aging. While men and women have both estrogen and testosterone, men generally have higher levels of testosterone than women, and women produce more estrogen.

Testosterone doesn’t begin to drop off in men until around the age of 55-60. Testosterone has been shown to reduce the degradation of collagen and elastin, two key components of firm, youthful-looking skin, and increase sebum production. As testosterone drops much earlier in life for women, they tend to show signs of aging more quickly. Fine lines and wrinkles will appear earlier than in their male counterparts.

Testosterone is also responsible for facial hair growth. With their face mostly hidden from the sun by grizzle, men aren’t exposed to as many UV rays. It’s the UV radiation that is the biggest contributing factor in visible signs of aging.

Estrogen is also known for its skin protecting abilities. It can promote collagen production and help to maintain an even skin tone and texture. So we should be set, right? Wrong. The sad truth is that women’s estrogen levels tend to decline much more rapidly and sooner than the testosterone drop-off in men.

Times Are Changing

There’s been a progressive movement towards women feeling comfortable in their own skin, regardless of what that skin looks like. The stereotypical young, slender, smooth woman is no longer the icon of beauty. Women are being celebrated everywhere for who they are instead of what they look like. The movement really started to spark with Dove’s viral message: Beauty is a state of mind.

Rather than worrying about trying to adhere to societal norms, women are learning to accept themselves for their own natural beauty. When you have that much confidence in yourself, it’s easy to take care of yourself.

Sciaessentials DELTA-5 oil works to take care of the skin you have. Used by itself or in conjunction with your regular beauty regimen, DELTA-5 can help you maintain good skin tone and provide numerous anti-aging benefits for both men and women.

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Is Delta-5 Safe For Use On All My Pets?

We know that Delta-5 is great for the promotion of healthy skin in humans, but what about animals? How can natural oils benefit your household pets? Delta-5 is a completely organic product that can help dry skin, inflammation, and other skin irritations. Dogs, cats, and even horses are parts of our family, and just like any family member, we want them to be comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Happy Pet, Happy Human

It’s no secret that pets are a great emotional support and source of happiness in our lives. There are so many positive psychological aspects to owning a pet. Our goals are always to properly care for and love our creatures, and maintain a healthy, disease-free companion. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that owning a pet is great for decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol, decreased feelings of loneliness, increased chances for outdoor activities and exercise, and opportunities for socialization. The CDC also talks about how it’s important to keep your pet healthy, so that you remain healthy. A good diet, plenty of exercise, and proper shelter are all important components of raising a healthy, happy pet. Deworming, vaccinations, and flea and tick deterrent are also imperative to your pet’s health, as well as yours. Humans are prone to the same diseases carried by ticks and worms that dogs are. Pets can sometimes carry diseases that humans can catch as well. These kinds of diseases are called zoonotic diseases. In order to prevent the spread of such diseases, it is important to practice good hygiene when handling and taking care of your pets.

Skin Problems Within Cats, Dogs, and Horses

Just like humans, household pets like cats and dogs experience dry skin and other sorts of inflammation and irritants. In fact, humans share 84% of their DNA with dogs, so many of the things that we experience with our skin, dogs are prone to as well. Cats can be prone to a flakey, dry, and dull coat and skin. Dogs and horses can experience these  symptoms, too. What causes these sorts of problems in animals? “Skin and coat can also be affected by diet,” explains Jessica Vogelsang, DVM. Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids play an essential role in moderating inflammation and maintaining the skin cell membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in fish, while omega-6 fatty acids are found in plants. These elements are specifically important in your cat’s diet. Horses are prone to dandruff, which can be prevented with regular grooming, and a healthy, omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet. Just like humans, cats, dogs, and horses are also prone to dry skin and Delta-5 can help with any bug bite, scratch, scrape, or allergy that your pet might experience.

Animals and Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy works on a physical level when it comes to animals, rather than an emotional one like humans experience – there just isn’t the same emotional cognitive ability. When introducing animals to essential oil aromatherapy, it is important to introduce the animal to the scent in a positive environment.  There is some controversy surrounding aromatherapy for animals, however, so it is best to make sure the animal is comfortable when introducing the essential oil. “Let the animal smell the oil,” says Jean Hofve, DVM, in an article on aromatherapy and essential oils for pets, “and watch for signs of acceptance.” She goes on to explain that if the animal accepts the oil, it will continue to sniff and remain in the area. If they reject the scent, they will turn away from the source and often walk away from you. Hofve states, “Dogs and horses, having metabolism similar to humans, tolerate oils better than other animals. Cats and birds are a totally different story.”

How Delta-5 Can Help Your Pet’s Skin

Delta-5 is a safe, natural oil that is derived from the seeds of a conifer tree. Its two ingredients are sciadonic acid and tocopherols – simple! Sciadonic acid aids in decreasing inflamed areas of the skin. While Delta-5 is developed for humans, its creator, Dr. Alan Berger says, “There is no reason that Delta-5, by SciaEssentials, shouldn’t work on your dog.” Dr. Berger studied the mechanism of oil for over 30 years. He advises a drop or two in the affected area, while being careful to avoid the eyes, as it may cause irritation. Whether it be a dog, cat, or beloved horse, Delta-5 is a great option for any itchy skin or irritation that your pet might have, all while being organic, too!

 

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Can Delta-5 Help My Dandruff?

Dandruff: most of us have experienced it or know someone who has. It has nothing to do with hygiene and is nothing to be ashamed of! It’s a very tameable problem.  The itchy scalp and unsightly white flakes are problems that no one wants to deal with. Delta-5 is the best natural oil to help with things like dandruff and an itchy scalp. Children, teenagers, and adults alike are all prone to dandruff. Anyone can be at risk of developing dandruff, but men, young adults, and people with certain neurological diseases (though it is still unclear as to why) are more susceptible to the problem than others.

What Causes Dandruff?

It is important to note that dandruff is not a condition itself, but rather the result of several different conditions. Dr. Alana Biggers says that the exact cause of dandruff is unknown, but there are a lot of possible and likely theories. Irritated, oily skin (or seborrheic dermatitis) is the most common potential cause of dandruff. The affected skin appears red and oily, and is covered in white or yellow flakey patches of skin. This particular cause of dandruff occurs not only on your scalp, but other oily parts of your body as well, such as your eyebrows, side of your nose, and sometimes even your armpits. Another cause of dandruff is simply not shampooing enough. The oils and skin cells from your scalp and hair will build up causing dandruff. A less common cause of dandruff comes from a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. Malassezia exists on the scalps of most adults (weird, but harmless) but will sometimes irritate the scalp, causing more skin cells to grow. When these extra skin cells grow, they will fall off the scalp in flakey, white chunks of skin. Why this irritates some scalps and not others is unknown. There is also contact dermatitis, which is caused by a sensitivity to haircare and skincare products.

 

What Helps Dandruff?

Dandruff is an easily controlled problem, even though the process might take some trial and error. Mayo Clinic lists some home remedies and lifestyle changes that you can easily try:

• Stress management – it’s no mystery that stress can lead to health issues, and that remains true when it comes to your scalp. Even if stress isn’t the direct cause of your dandruff, it can certainly make it worse.
• Sunlight – sun can be good for dandruff, but it is important to remember to be cautious of U.V. rays and sun exposure.
• Shampoo more often – sometimes, that dead skin just needs to be washed away.

Sometimes, the shampoo that you use can be the cause of all your itchy, flakey problems. Alternatively, the kind of shampoo you use could also be an easy fix to any dandruff you may have. There are plenty of dandruff shampoos out there meant to help the problem, such as Head and Shoulders (a particularly common one) or Selsun Blue. The problem with shampoos, though, is that if you have particularly sensitive skin, this could still dry out your scalp.

Dry Skin Vs. Dandruff

 

Dry scalps do not cause dandruff, despite popular belief, but a dry scalp is not quite a healthy scalp, either. Delta-5 provides a more organic solution to the problem. Usually, you can treat dandruff on your own, but there are some scenarios in which there should be cause for alarm:

• Signs of infection – redness, swelling, or tenderness
• If it becomes more severe, and resistant to at-home treatment
• Signs of psoriasis or eczema

Often, dry skin is confused with dandruff, but dandruff is NOT caused by dry skin. So what’s the difference? Both look white and flakey. If you have dry skin on your scalp and other areas of your skin, it is likely that you just have dry skin and not dandruff. In an article on the website Medical News Today, it lists all the ways in which dry scalps can be triggered, including cold temperature, dry air, menopause, contact dermatitis, poor diet, and skincare/haircare products. The flakes caused by dry skin are generally smaller than those of dandruff.

Delta-5 and Flakey Scalps

So how can Delta-5 help your dandruff problem? Well, at its core, dandruff and an irritated scalp are forms of inflammation. While dandruff is not caused by dry skin, Delta-5 helps repair and sooth the irritated areas on your scalp. Delta-5 is an organic, clinically tested, conifer-derived oil that has just two ingredients: sciadonic acid and tocopherols. This produces anti-inflammatory benefits in just one use. Delta-5 can be applied topically, directly to the skin, or can be diluted in your shampoo.  

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Safe Skin Care: What to Avoid

There is an assortment of skin care and beauty information out there on what to avoid chemically, habitually, and health-wise. What is truly best for your skin? Well, we’re here to help break it down for you.

Foods You Should Avoid

Basically, anything processed or with refined sugar is bad for skin and promotes breakouts. Fried foods are a big one and here’s why: the main reason is because of the vegetable oils and how they react when superheated. Once superheated, vegetable oils release free radicals, which then act as toxins, causing the cells to age faster. What does this mean for your skin? Dr. Rhonda Klein, an expert dermatologist, says “Hydrogenated trans fats found in deep fried food will also have a negative impact on your complexion … Deep fried foods lead to excess oil production within the skin”. I’m not saying to never eat fried foods, but just to limit and regulate your intake to avoid unhealthy skin. Sugar is another one to watch. That is not to say you can never enjoy your favorite sweet treat again, but  limit your consumption. Sugar triggers a process in your blood called glycation, creating new molecules called AGEs (advanced glycation end products), according to a journal article by Georgia Soldatos about advanced glycation. Aside from the diseases AGEs may cause, they can also damage cells that keep your skin healthy and clear. Skin can lose firmness, elasticity, and blemishes can start to form. Maintaining a healthy diet is always a good idea for healthy skin. Foods rich in biotin, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, E, and K are a few to take into consideration when choosing a healthier diet. Dr. Janet Prystowsky, a board-certified dermatologist reminds us to watch the alcohol intake, as well. It dehydrates the skin, which could lead to a myriad of problems like blemishes and breakouts.

Chemicals to Avoid

There are so many chemicals in manufactured beauty products that we don’t have a lot of information about, nor are they even FDA approved. So how do you know what to avoid? Organic options are always better when it comes to choosing skincare products, so look for natural ingredients. The Environmental Working Group lists all the chemicals found in certain skincare products that you should avoid:

• Soaps: triclosan and triclocarban
• Moisturizer and lip products: retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and retinol in daytime products.
• Sunscreen: SPF above 50, retinyl palmitate, aerosol spray and powder sunscreen, oxybenzone, and added insect repellent.

Many cosmetic chemicals are designed to penetrate into the skin’s inner layers, according to the EWG’s website, and they do – this isn’t always a good thing when it comes to certain chemicals in skincare products. Preservatives find their way into the body through the skin – and nobody needs that.

Bad Habits Means Bad Skin

In addition to bad eating habits, there are other common mistakes you can make when taking care of your skin. Some more obvious than others, but there might be a few that you don’t even realize you are doing!

• Overcleansing: Dr. Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist says that this common mistake can dry out your skin quick! “It is important to clean your skin in the morning,” she says, “because this allows your skin to retain it’s natural oils. If you notice your skin drying up between washes, do a quick wipe-off of your makeup at night rather than a full cleanse.”
• Too much exfoliation – if scrubs or peels become painful, irritating, or cause redness of your skin, you are exfoliating too much! “Everything in moderation,” Dr. Mamur says. “If you experience any of these symptoms, it means you are removing the natural oils essential to your skin along with the dead skin cells.”
• Sleeping habits: the condition in which you are sleeping is just as important as making sure you are sleeping enough! Your pillowcase collects all sorts of gross stuff when you sleep: bacteria, dead skin cells, oil, and anything you may put on your face at night. This can clog your pores, so it is best to change your pillowcases every couple of weeks. To avoid wrinkles, try using a satin or silk pillowcase, rather than a rough, low thread count, cotton one.
• Skipping the sunscreen: we’ve been told a thousand times – protect your skin from those U.V. rays! Even if you have darker skin tones or are prone to tanning, it’s important to protect your skin from damaging rays that can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, and other unsightly skin blemishes.

How Delta-5 Can Promote Healthy Skin

Delta-5 is a natural oil derived from the seeds of a conifer tree. It is free of chemicals and is a completely organic product that is clinically proven to fight wrinkles, inflammation, redness, dry skin, and blemishes, in addition to protecting the skin against free radicals, promoting younger looking skin, and a glowing, clear, even-toned complexion. The profound effects of Delta-5 were discovered by Dr. Alvin Berger, a lipid nutrition expert. Just place 1-3 drops of Delta-5 on the desired area of skin, up to 3 times daily. Skin can look visibly better in just 24 hours with consistent use, and definitely beats any harsh chemicals you may find in other skincare products.

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5 Ways Nature is Better for Your Beauty

According to a study done by the Environmental Working Group, women put an average of 168 chemicals into their body every day. There are plenty of ways to maintain a natural beauty with the products that mother nature provides us! So many women (and men) resort to harsh chemicals and procedures that can result in lasting damage to the skin and hair that natural ingredients won’t cause. Drinking plenty of water,consuming food with antioxidants, and limiting your sun exposure are all ways you can maintain naturally healthy skin and hair. It’s important to note what kind of natural products you use on your skin, however, because even though they are natural, there are organic substances that can still be abrasive and irritating to the skin. Delta-5is a naturally derived oil that is clinically proven to produce healthy, radiant skin.

Problems With Unnatural Skincare Products

Chemicals that go into beauty products are often not regulated by the FDA, according to Scott Faber, Vice President of Government Affairs at Environmental Working Group. How crazy is it that we use beauty products and don’t even know whether the ingredients are safe? Harsh chemicals and inorganic products can irritate sensitive skin. The right natural products can clear up breakouts, help sun damaged skin, soothe inflammation, and more. Harsh chemicals found in inorganic products can lead to irritation, redness and breakouts, and allergic reactions if you aren’t careful.

You’ll Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Chemicals in beauty products don’t just affect those with sensitive skin. Skin aggravating materials and ingredients can cause skin cells to breakdown and fall apart in any skin type. There are many natural ingredients out there that provide a perfectly safe and organic beauty regime. Dr. Edward Group lists all the ways you can improve your beauty routine with more natural ingredients in an article on the Global Healing Center’s website.

1. Virgin, organic coconut oil is a great facial cleanser, and you don’t even need to add anything to it. It removes the impurities built up on your skin and pores without removing your skin’s natural oils. This is also a great moisturizer, because it promotes elasticity within your skin.   
2. Make your own exfoliant with ingredients found in your kitchen. Combining sea salt and olive oil is a super simple way to both exfoliate and hydrate your skin simultaneously.
3. Using cucumber is another great way to moisturize your skin. Silica is naturally found in cucumber, and is a source of vitamin C (which we all know is great for your skin) and will help create healthy connective tissue. Combining cucumber with organic yogurt makes a great 15-minute facial mask. (Source)

A Healthy Diet Means a Natural Beauty

Hydration, healthy foods, and exercise are all ways that you can maintain a radiant, natural beauty. Not only are these things great for your health in general, but are also ways to promote natural beauty. Dr. Group says, “You are what you eat, and the food you put in your body affects how your skin looks and feels. Healthy, whole, organic food will help you look healthy and whole.” Often, great and naturally beautiful skin comes from within (literally)! Foods that contain antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and vitamins A, C, E, and K are all great ways to generate healthy skin. Biotin (also known as Vitamin B7) not only creates healthy skin, but also hair and nails, as well. The other vitamins listed above benefit all sorts of healthy skin support: regeneration, skin-tissue growth, and smoother looking skin are all results of a healthy dose of these different vitamins. Organic foods, of course, are always better than processed ones and refined sugar.

Avoiding Chemical Exposures: A Scary Side to Beauty Products

In an article printed in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, Julia R. Barrett talks about the harsh realities of chemical exposure and the lasting damage it can do to your skin, and even the rest of your body. She states that in multiple scientific reports it has been found that makeup, shampoos, lotions, and many other beauty products contain chemical components that lack information on the quality and safeness of the ingredients. Some major chemicals to avoid include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), borates, formaldehyde (yes, there are beauty products that contain the same stuff used in embalming mixtures), and parabens, to name a few. The best way to avoid chemical ingredients is to use organic, naturally-derived products.

Delta-5 Can Help Your Skin

Delta-5is an all-natural, clinically tested oil derived from the seeds of conifer trees. It is gentle on sensitive skin and contains none of the harsh chemicals found in other beauty products, as it is a clean, completely organic product. Conifers have been used throughout the ages as a herbal and traditional method of wellness. Delta-5 organically reduces inflammation and signs of aging, while increasing smoothness and overall skin tone to natural radiance. For improved skin quality, Delta-5 is naturally the best oil to use for a healthy, organic beauty.

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What Are Age Spots And What Can I Do About Them?

Age spots. A number of people develop them, but nobody wants them. They show up in all the annoying places: your face, hands, arms, shoulders, back, and basically anywhere that’s prone to sun exposure. Sometimes age spots are just unavoidable and develop as you get up in years. However, those who spend a lot of time in the sun and have paler skin, despite their age, are also prone to developing age spots. Many people have a hereditary predisposition to them too. Delta-5 is here to help! If you are already experiencing trouble with age spots, Delta-5 has skin healing properties that can de-age and lead to younger looking skin. It is truly the best oil to use in the case of skin discoloration and age spots. Delta-5 is an oil by SciaEssentials derived from the seeds of conifer trees. Place just 1 to 3 drops of Delta-5 on the affected area up to three times daily to see younger, more even-toned skin.

What Are Age Spots?

Mayo Clinic states that age spots are small, darkened areas of pigmentation on your skin, and are sometimes known as liver spots (though they have nothing to do with your liver). They are caused by overactive skin cells, and U.V. lights found in tanning beds, as well as the sun can accelerate the production of melanin. Areas of skin with prolonged sun exposure cause this melanin to clump, causing the appearance of “age spots”. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, age spots occur with the expansion of skin with more pigment – often looking like a large freckle. In a medically reviewed article in Everyday Health, Madeline R. Vann, MPH, describes the three different categories of age spots:

• Cherry hemangiomas – These are very common, and not at all linked to skin cancer. They are tiny red dots that appear on the surface of the skin, caused by the overgrowth of blood vessels.
• Lentigines – This is typically what people think of when they think of age spots. They are tan, brown, or black in color, and are flat, freckle-like marks on the sun-exposed areas of the skin. Though they usually aren’t very large, they can appear up to the size of a dime.
• Seborrheic keratoses – These marks can develop from sun-exposure, age, or even hereditary predisposition. They often look raised, or wart-like, and can range anywhere from pale to dark brown or black in color. There is no cause for alarm with this type of age spot, but when melanoma develops on a pre-existing mole, it looks very similar to seborrheic keratoses.

Symptoms of Age Spots and When They Are A Problem

Generally, age spots are harmless, despite their unsightly appearance. If they become darker, change shape or appearance, are painful, itchy or red, you should see a dermatologist. Age spots are not cancerous, nor do they lead to cancer, but sometimes age spots are confused with melanoma which is a form of skin cancer. Some of the physical, emotional, and social reasons for treating age spots include improved appearance, enhanced self-esteem, and promotion of better skin health. (Source).

How to Tell the Difference Between Age Spots and Melanoma

While age spots are completely harmless, some of them may look a lot like melanoma, a fatal form of skin cancer. It’s always a good idea to check with a dermatologist if you are unsure, but there are some warning signs and differences between the two that you can spot yourself. John Wolf Jr., M.D. says that he recommends “a full-body dermatological check up to anyone over the age of 50 years old, and maybe even younger, depending on their family medical history and predisposition to skin cancer. In its early stages, melanoma will sometimes resemble lentigines or seborrheic keratoses.” Dr. Wolf explains that if melanoma develops on normal skin, it appears flat, and black or brown, and will grow out or down. He also says to check for the “ABC’s of melanoma”:

• Asymmetry – the spot keeps growing irregularly, one side often appearing larger than the other.
• Border – an irregular border of the mark is often a tell-tale sign of something more sinister than just a regular age spot.
• Color – marks with multiple colors are usually more suspicious. The darker the color is something to be wary of.
• Diameter – melanomas are generally larger in diameter, but Dr. Wolf warns that this does not always matter; they can be very small in size as well.
• Evolution – sudden changes in the spot, such as pain, bleeding, or irritation, are all causes for alarm. Age spots are painless, while melanomas have the potential to cause pain or itchiness.

How To Avoid Age Spots and Get Rid of Them

Avoiding age spots is all about how much sun exposure your skin gets. Be cautious of what times you are exposed to the sun. The sun is strongest between the hours of 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. It is also important to consider wearing clothing for sun protection. There is clothing specifically manufactured for this – labeled UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). You can avoid sun spots with sunscreen and by avoiding prolonged sun exposure. Some dermatology websites recommend a method of skin bleaching, but there are better, more natural, holistic options rather than exposing your skin to harsh chemicals. The quickest and easiest way to get rid of age spots is through chemical peels and laser therapy, but these procedures are costly and have a high risk of side effects. (Source). Delta-5 provides a clinically proven, all-natural solution to the harsher alternatives. This organic oil will result in younger looking, even-toned skin, and is safe to use on any area with age spots.

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Non-toxic Skincare for You and Your Dog

Our dogs are our family members and we love them as much as any other. We give them the best food, the best toys, the best vet care, grooming, etc. In fact, pet care (largely focused on dogs) has become a multi-billion dollar industry that includes high end retail and specialty shops, doggy daycare, and special doggy-cam systems. We love our canines and will do anything we can to make them happy and comfortable companions.

Taking Great Care of Your Dog

In 2016 Fortune Magazine wrote about this on National Dog Day (August 26). The trends have not changed. If anything, people are even more invested today in the quality of how we care for our dogs. This is not just emotional; there is actually evidence that the better care the dogs receive, the longer and healthier their lives are. (Source). This includes diet, exercise, hygiene, and veterinary care – similar to what helps people live longer lives.

The added benefit of taking really good care of your dog, extending her life and good health, is that it does the same for you. There are a number of studies published, and many articles written, espousing the benefits to human health (both physical and mental) of having a companion dog. Time Magazine even ran with a headline, “Its Official, Dog Owners Live Longer Healthier Lives.”

The Health Benefits of Taking Care of Your Dog

What are the health benefits of owning a dog? “According to a new study of more than 3.4 million people, owning a dog is linked to a longer life. The research, published in Scientific Reports, is the latest in a growing body of research suggesting that canine companions may be good for human health—especially for people who live alone.”

The author of the study, Tove Fall, a dog owner himself, veterinarian, and associate professor of epidemiology at Uppsala University in Sweden, noted that often people who take care of their dogs are prompted to take better care of themselves. The study itself looked at 3.4 million people in Sweden and compared the health of those with dog ownership and those who are dogless. Dog owners were found to have lower risks of death, lower obesity rates and cardiovascular issues across all socioeconomic categories. People with high energy (hunting and herding) breeds in particular, were healthier. This is attributed to the higher energy level required to keep them exercised.

This is not to say that all people everywhere who have dogs are exceptionally healthy, and certainly Sweden has less issues overall with obesity-related disease than Americans do. However, in the aggregate people who take care of their pets well are conscious about their own needs (contrary to the stereotype of the crazy cat lady). There are also enormous psychological benefits that come from pet ownership, especially from bonding with and caring for a dog. In the modern urban centers, these dogs have begun to replace children for some people and are loved as fur-kids or fur-babies. Other people have working relationships with their dogs and use them to hunt, herd, or protect. Either way, they are an important part of contemporary human life, and the more their owners do to keep them fit and healthy, the more they will get out of them in return.

Using Oil to Help Your Dog’s and Your Skin

Your dog has more in common with you than you might initially realize. You know that you share a bond and that you can communicate. You might enjoy the same favorite snacks and have the ability to communicate in an uncanny way. You may even look a little bit similar (there are entire websites dedicated to people who look like their dogs). However, the biggest similarities are at the cellular level.

Dogs, like people, are mammals. In fact, 84% of our DNA is shared with them. This means that at a cellular level there are more similarities between us than there are differences. Like people, dogs have skin, and inside of both of our skins we have many of the the same mechanisms. For instance, inflammation occurs in both humans and canines the same way and is triggered in both by many of the same things. Allergies, scrapes or scratches, and insect bites are three of the commonalities that occur in both of our species the most. And, Delta-5 can take care of all of them.

“Although developed for human skin, there is no reason that Delta-5, by SciaEssentials shouldn’t work on your dog” says Dr. Alvin Berger, who has studied the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the oil for 30 years. Delta-5 is a high quality, natural, non-toxic oil derived from conifers. He advises using a drop or two on the immediately affected area, warning that the only potential for irritation is if it gets into the eyes. “No oil mixes well with eyes though,” he reminds us, “but it is otherwise perfectly safe for topical use on people and pets.”

So the next time you and or your dog get a mosquito bite while you are out on a walk, or get scratched by a stick on a hike, or have an allergic reaction to a plant that contacts your skin, reach for your bottle of Delta-5. Your dog will thank you for it!.

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Alternatives to Makeup: Getting Color in Your Skin

Makeup is an incredible invention by humankind — it allows us the liberty of covering up our flaws or accentuating our assets on demand, giving us full power and control of how we choose to look. If used in excess or incorrectly, it can also very easily be a source of stress or insecurity for users, which makes it a very fine line to walk if you choose to apply makeup regularly. During the summer or in heat especially, it can become very detrimental to your skin’s health to be using certain things like foundation, as the added duress on your glands will only cause more breakouts and clogged pores. Thus, it’s important to know what alternatives exist to applying makeup every day that can promote proper skin health while still creating some of the desired effects that makeup does. Here are some of such things to consider.

Protecting and Strengthening Your Skin

One of the best ways you can ensure that your skin will always look its best is by taking proper care of it in the first place. More often than not, the effects we desire when applying foundation or concealer can be achieved with some good old-fashioned maintenance. Keeping your skin fresh by washing and exfoliating it regularly can make a world of difference, for example. By regularly using a facial scrub, either homemade or otherwise, you can easily remove dead cells on your face and make strides toward getting rid of dullness, dark spots, clogged pores, and acne. All it takes is one good scrubbing a week (or perhaps 2-3, depending on how sensitive or oily your skin is) to bring out more of the evenness in your facial skin and brighten up your tone, something we usually rely on makeup to do.

Likewise, staying hydrated can do wonders for the appearance of your skin. If your skin is generally fairly dry, drinking a lot of water won’t directly fix the problem. It will, however, be a good first step toward a solution, as your skin does use more of your body’s water to hydrate itself when there’s enough water to go around. If you’ve already got that down, hydrating the skin itself is essential to a healthy look. If you have dry skin, any moisturizer or hydrating gel will do. If you have more oily skin, you should look for a lightweight organic gel or lotion formula that doesn’t contain oil to avoid further clogging your pores and causing acne. Finding something completely organic and natural will always work best, as those natural elements and extracts can work in conjunction with our skin’s normal processes. The right formula can leave your skin more plump and healthy-looking, with a glowing and reflective accent to it. Using sunscreen and other lotions with SPF-15 or higher can also help prevent the sun’s negative effects on the skin, like drying it out, building wrinkles, and creating age spots.

Self-Maintenance

While proper care can certainly promote healthier-looking skin in the long-term, there are a few things you can do in the short-term to help bring out some of the qualities in your face that we usually use makeup to enhance. For example, forgoing eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara can leave your eyes needing a bit more help to stand out. To counteract this, you can use your eyebrows to contour that part of your face and frame it in a more attractive way. Some simple touch-ups on shaping can go a long way — take the time to groom your eyebrows so that your brow begins at the inner corner of your eye and your arch hangs distinctly above the outside edge of your iris. Something as simple as this can create a definitive and unique impression of your eyes and face, even rendering makeup somewhat unnecessary to that end.

Similarly, some simple grooming in your lips can do wonders in bringing out their natural color. That color will always suit you best, as it’s what is most easily associated with your body, skin tone, and face, so it can become somewhat unnecessary to layer on the gloss and colors. Simply exfoliating your lips once a week and hydrating them will give them a plump and healthy look — it can be as easy as taking a toothbrush and gently rubbing your lips with lip balm to get rid of all of the dead skin cells lingering. It will bring out that natural color again.

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule (yes, beauty sleep is real!) and proper nutrition are also paramount to healthy-looking skin, as your body can’t operate to repair and replace as quickly if it’s not able to run at peak performance. This can mean eating healthy, getting some exercise, getting enough sleep, and ridding your body of toxins. What’s happening on the inside is directly correlated to what will appear to be happening on the outside.

It can be incredibly difficult to imagine not wearing some kind of makeup every day, but the truth is that it can end up causing more harm than good in the long run if you overdo it or don’t take proper care of yourself. Your skin was made to be the first thing that people can see, and your face is the pinnacle of that. It’s important to remember that you don’t necessarily need makeup to look the way you want to, and that the way you treat your body and your skin can make a big difference on how you feel, with or without it.

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Delta 5 Is the Best Skin Oil for Acne

Oh boy.

Ten years ago if someone told you to use oil on your face to help to treat your acne you would have run screaming from the crazy person.

Five years ago, you would have engaged in an intelligent discussion about why you think they were wrong.

Now, you’re realizing that there really can be medical benefits to using an oil on your face to help ease a variety of skin conditions, acne included. You’ve seen enough and heard enough about all different walks of people turning towards natural oils. These oils have been used for centuries to care for the skin of emperors, queens, and royalty, as well as the common folk. Oils like jojoba and tea tree are being touted for their effectiveness in controlling oily skin, blemishes, and breakouts.

But there’s a recent arrival to the scene that is quickly gaining favor among the masses as a hard-hitting cosmetic oil that can really pack a hard punch when it comes to taking care of inflammation and fighting bacteria that contributes to acne: Delta-5TM Sciadonic Acid.

What Is Sciadonic Acid?

Sciadonic acid (SCI) was first noticed by Dr. Alvin Berger, MS, PhD when he noted that indigenous populations and Traditional Chinese Medicine incorporated the use of conifer seeds in their diet. “In places where these seeds have been consumed, the oils of these seeds have been known for their health properties,” Berger said. His research has confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of SCI both as an ingestible and as a topical preparation.

SCI, at its core, is a long chain fatty acid found in many conifer seeds like junipers and pines. It has a very unique mechanism of action at a cellular level, where it incorporates itself into the middle of the inflammatory process, getting in the way of molecules (arachidonic acids) that are meant to perpetuate inflammation. That means it shuts inflammation down at its core.

What Does Inflammation Have to Do with Acne?

Most people are under the assumption that all acne is caused by bacteria and dirty skin. That’s not necessarily the case. Small numbers of bacteria are actually beneficial to the skin, helping to keep the pores’ sebum production under control. By doing too much in an attempt to dry your already irritated skin, you can actually cause stress, which can trigger the production of even more sebum. When your body is stressed, it releases a hormone (corticotropin stimulating hormone) which also triggers additional sebum production. This is how pores become blocked, though they don’t generally cause acne by themselves.

Chronic inflammation is usually the culprit. Acne inflammation can occur with or without acne bacteria present. Though if bacteria is present, a chronic inflammatory response will turn a molehill (a couple of easy-to-kill bacteria) into a mountain (sending way too many inflammatory chemicals in to deal with the problem), causing the side effects of massive amounts of cytokines which cause collateral damage to the rest of the pore. The damaged pore and the surrounding skin is now red, swollen, and painful.

Stress hormones can also trigger the release of chemicals that will cause the skin to redden and become irritated, meaning bacteria don’t even have to be present for acne to get started. All it takes are lots of the inflammatory chemicals. The problem lies in the fact that many acne treatments also cause damage to healthy skin, as well, which leads to more acne.

Chronic Inflammation and Acne

During chronic inflammation, the inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines will be constantly pumped out by the body. Their job is to break down injured tissue at the site of a wound so that it can repair itself. But with chronic inflammation, this response breaks down healthy tissue too, and at a high rate.

Chronic inflammation is usually linked to unhealthy, inflammatory things like eating unhealthy foods, not sleeping well, and exposing yourself to toxins like cigarettes. If you have acne, it’s likely you may have chronic inflammation, at least to a moderate degree.

Using an Oil for Acne

It has been shown that oils can help to regulate the skin’s sebum production by hydrating your skin and penetrating the surface to deliver key vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. And, an oil won’t clog your pores and make them oilier.

“Most people try and combat congested skin by using harsh, stripping products that remove all oils from the skin,” says Sian Jones, co-founder of Balance Me. “This causes the skin to overcompensate for the reduction of oils by producing even more, which in turn worsens the congestion.”

New York City aesthetician Cecilia Wong puts it like this: “Using the right oil can help balance, hydrate, and prevent the oil glands from becoming too overactive.”

Utilizing innovative technology, SciaessentialsTM DELTA-5 is a unique, anti-inflammatory, eco-friendly fatty acid derived from conifer species taking full advantage of the inflammation-stopping power of SCI. In addition, it contains linoleic acid which penetrates the skin to deliver the SCI, building and improving the skin’s ceramide structure. By decreasing inflammation and strengthening the skin’s barrier function, inflammatory acne can be put to rest.

Utilizing only the specialized mountain cypress seed oil and tocopherols for added antioxidant benefit, the formulation is incredibly adaptive. Use it as a spot treatment for pimples. It can also be added into your favorite skincare products to generate even more effective acne control.

Because of its unique structure, it is more oxidatively-stable, meaning it can be incorporated into products requiring longer shelf life.

Join the ranks of people that are coming to appreciate the acne control possibilities of DELTA-5.

 

• Beauty Blogger Cindy Batchelor of mystylespot.net: “I noticed a dramatic change in my skin after 24 hours of use! The redness and puffiness were completely eliminated and it got the red out of my zit immediately, too – in fact, that annoying pimple was completely gone the next day!”

 

• Emma claims, “My pimple inflammation was reduced the next morning.”

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The Best Way to Combat Scars

Accidents always happen. Be it a child hitting their head on the corner of a table or an adult scraping themselves just a bit too hard, the unfortunate truth is that these kinds of accidents — and their subsequent scars — are a reality we often have to face. Some scars end up being non-problematic, either miniscule in size and appearance or just out of view. Others can cause serious inconvenience to those wearing them for the same reasons or otherwise, so it’s important to know what steps you can take to fight these more inconvenient markings from making a significant impact on your appearance or your life. Here are some ways to look out for potential scarring and how to handle it if it happens to you.

Scar Basics

Scars may come across as nothing more than an inconvenience that happen by chance, but they’re very normal and crucial to the body’s healing process. Whenever the skin is injured, your body produces collagen at an extremely heightened rate in an attempt to close up whatever opening or imperfection has formed. However, the healing material made up of this collagen doesn’t contain the other normal parts of skin, so it ends up looking different as it forms around the wound.

How a scar looks in the end is contingent upon a multitude of other factors, though. The shape, size, and depth of the wound or injury incurred plays a big role in how the scar forms, as every step of the treatment and healing process shapes the tissue that is working to fix you. A bigger wound by surface area will end up looking quite different from the skin around it; likewise, a longer or skinnier wound with some depth will also end up looking fairly different, as the intensity of the production of collagen necessary to completely heal the wound will be up to par with a larger-looking injury. The amount of blood that can get to the area, your skin color, and the thickness of your skin will also play significant roles in the final look of the healed scar.

There are three main types of scars. “Normal” scars are usually fairly thin, small, and flat on the body. They’re the ones that form as naturally to the skin as scars come, and can end up being almost unnoticeable. Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, are usually red, thick, and raised from the skin. Those usually form around deeper wounds, as the excess collagen being produced inside of the wound builds up and sometimes exceeds the injury’s need. Keloid scars often look similar to hypertrophic scars and are also red, thick, and raised, but usually form darker and can expand beyond the contours of the wound. For that reason, keloid scars tend to be more unpredictable or hard to control, and are sometimes hereditary. It’s best to get keloid scars checked out and treated by a medical professional.

Scar Prevention and Treatment

 

Despite the necessity of scarring for the body’s natural healing process, there are ways to stay on top of that process to minimize the appearance and inconvenience of scarring. The best way to do so is to allow the body to do as little work as possible to heal. First is identifying the kind of wound or injury you’ve incurred — if it’s an open wound or otherwise relatively sizeable, it’s wise to go to a medical professional and get stitches. It’s important to stitch wounds as early into the healing process as possible, as doctors worry about germs and bacteria entering the wound and causing infection when closed. It’s also incrementally difficult to stitch a wound once it has already begun to heal partially, so if you’re ever unsure of whether or not an injury will require stitching, it’s best to take a trip to the doctor to find out. It’s also helpful to keep the wound as moist as possible while it’s healing and to make sure it’s clean. In addition, doing things like massaging the wound with vitamin E can help encourage the body to form a less visible scar.

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There are also various products and healing solutions out there that advertise the ability to lessen the impact of scarring on wounds. Unfortunately, most products fall short of being able to actually prevent or reduce visible scarring; however, some products work with the body’s healing process and provide nutrients and supplements that can aid the body in its fixing. Delta-5 by SciaEssentials, for example, uses a concentrated oil made from conifer seeds to fight inflammation. This can lessen the final size and appearance of the scar, working with the body to create a more efficient healed patch. Doing things like overusing hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound, however, can actually slow or impede the healing process by causing too much irritation, so it’s important to make attempts to work with your body instead of against it.

Scarring may be one of the more inconvenient byproducts of the human body’s natural processes and can cause some people serious stress. In the event of injury, it’s important to remember how crucial the body’s healing process is and how important it is to guide that along as smoothly as possible. This can not only help prevent intense or apparent scarring after injuries, but can help your body get back into pique shape as soon as possible afterward.

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How Antioxidants Fight Wrinkles

You’ve heard of antioxidants by now. The term is absolutely everywhere. On commercials. In the news. The magazine on your table. Your favorite blog.

Even if you’ve never paid any attention to the term before or what it means for you, you’ve at least heard it. It’s time you actually start paying attention. Antioxidants can lead to a healthier you. Antioxidants can lead to a more beautiful you.

Antioxidants can combat those fine pre-aging lines, and antioxidants can fight wrinkles.

Antioxidants are your body’s protectors, armed with their enchanted hammer, they are some of the mightiest substances around. They are the epitome of a Thor that you definitely want on your side.

Where Do Wrinkles Come From?

The first wrinkles to appear on a person’s face tend to occur as a result of facial expressions, and most wrinkles tend to appear on the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure, particularly the face and neck, back of the hands, and arms.

The problem starts when collagen and elastin fibers in the skin aren’t what they used to be, thanks to the aging process. Sadly, these fibers are the ones responsible for maintaining your skin’s form and shape. Collagen is the network of supporting fibers that hold things together, and elastin is responsible for the elasticity; the ability to bounce right back. Any time you form a facial expression like smiling or laughing, a crease is formed under the skin. When everything is in working order, the crease immediately smooths back out again and all is right with the world.

When these supportive layers are broken down, the skin becomes weaker and less flexible. It starts to droop, and wrinkles appear.

Factors Contributing to Aging

Ultraviolet (UV) light breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. Exposure through sunbathing, tanning booths, outdoor sports, and working outside greatly increase the chances of developing wrinkles earlier.

A lifestyle that regularly presents your body with toxins will also accelerate the aging process of the skin. Cigarette smoking will reduce blood supply to the skin. Alcohol dehydrates it. Environmental pollutants and toxins can cause damage as well.

Aging Under the Microscope

Free radicals, which are formed when oxygen in the body splits, are a result of either normal metabolic processes or due to an environmental stressor like smoke and toxins. When oxygen splits, it results in single atoms with unpaired electrons (oxidation). Those are “free radicals.” When something happens to cause a molecule to inadvertently lose an electron, the result is a free radical. Electrons do not like to be lonely, so the free radicals are constantly searching for a mate. They careen around our body seeking out other electrons to pair with, resulting in damage to cells, protein (which makes up collagen), and DNA. They will scour the body, raping, pillaging, and plundering.

More simply: Picture rust on a railing or a browning apple after you cut it. That’s oxidation.

This damage leads to inflammation, which the body wants to alleviate.The body’s way of responding to an injury (whether it’s a real wound, or damage done by toxic substances, or the sun) is to replace the damaged collagen. In comes the enzyme, collagenase, which breaks down the old, damaged collagen so that new collagen can take its place.

When we’re young that’s not so much of a problem. We make collagen as fast as it’s broken down. But as we age, our collagen production slows down greatly.

Enter the Body’s Defense Mechanism, Antioxidants

These molecules can safely interact with free radicals to stop the chain reaction before any more molecules are damaged, effectively neutralizing them. Acting as Thor, these molecules step in to inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, and free radicals.

Antioxidants are produced by the body and obtained through the food we eat and are a critical part of the body’s defense system. They come onto the scene and donate one of their electrons, neutralizing the free radical. That free radical’s reign of terror comes to an end.

Antioxidants will help to protect your skin from damage from the sun and other environmental insults. They guard from the inside out. Antioxidants like Vitamins A and C can encourage cell and tissue growth, helping the repair process. This makes them vital to an anti-aging skin care regimen, helping to fight fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidants to Fight Wrinkles

Beauty companies are harnessing the benefits of antioxidants in their products, as well as adding in additional antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea, pomegranates, grape seeds, and more. “The use of topical antioxidants is gaining favour,” says Dr. Patricia Farris, a leading dermatologist based in Louisiana who lectures widely on antioxidants and also consults with the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries on their use. “More and more scientific studies are proving their effectiveness.” Many studies and reviews confirming the ability of antioxidants to be absorbed into skin cells have appeared in medical journals. “Now we know they can be absorbed into the cells of the stratum corneum [the topmost layer of skin] and that is where they neutralize free radicals,” Farris says.

Skin care products containing antioxidants can help to protect against the free radicals’ damage by boosting collagen and elastin production, slowing this process. Antioxidants can’t reverse damage that doesn’t occur as a result of free radicals on the skin.

Best Antioxidants For Fighting Wrinkles

According to DermApproved, these are some of the antioxidants you want to look for when researching your anti-aging, anti-wrinkle skin care products.

• Vitamin E (tocopherol)
• Lycopene
• Green tea
• Coffee berry
• Resveratrol
• Grape seed
• Niacinamide
• Vitamin C

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Wound Healing and Essential Oils

With the trend today falling more towards natural products for treatment of a myriad of problems, great and small, people are reaching for oils. When it comes to treating their skin for whatever ails it, whether that be acne, wrinkles, or a rash, the trend in natural skin care is to “oil up!”

But what should you do if you have a wound? Is it a good idea to apply oil to a cut? A scrape? An open wound? What about a scar? Because regardless of what stage you are in the wound-to-healing process, everyone wants to keep scaring to a minimum.

It turns out if you do your research and homework, there really are some oils that can be beneficial for different stages of wound healing.

Not All Essential Oils Are Equal

You can’t just open up your cabinet and slather on your favorite-smelling essential oil, cross your fingers, and hope for the best – especially when you’re dealing with something like an open wound. Not all oils are meant to be used on open cuts, or to be used without first being diluted.

We’ll talk about a few oils you may want to keep around in your medicine cabinet and in what stage of wound healing they’ll be helpful.

In all cases, proper preparation is necessary. You never want to apply oil over a dirty wound. Gently cleanse the area with a mild soap and water. Dry it well with a soft, clean towel.

If there is any chance that you suspect that a wound is or could be infected, always consult your doctor before treating it yourself. By applying oils over a wound, you could be sealing in bacteria, which would actually cause an infection, slow the healing process, and cause scarring.

Lavender

Lavender is a great, all-purpose essential oil. It can be used for cooking, cleaning, mood stabilizing, sleep inducing, and a whole list of other things. There are also many benefits for the skin, least of all being wound care.

Lavender can be useful if you have a deep cut or wound. Because it has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, it can help to protect the wound against microbes that could cause infections. It can promote cellular growth and stimulate faster healing. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties. Because it can be applied to deep wounds, it may help to reduce the appearance of scars.

This gentle, yet powerful oil can be applied directly to the skin and wounds without the need to dilute it.

Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil has many similar healing properties as lavender, and can also be applied to a deep wound or cut. It’s been proven to help to speed the healing process. Rosemary has the added bonus of helping reduce muscle pain and promote healthy circulation. For this reason, some people recommend it as a good choice for abrasions attributed to road rash.

This is the only other essential oil that does not need to be diluted before applying it to the skin.

Myrrh

This essential oil, familiar from Bible stories, is able to work its magic on skin damage in two different ways. Firstly, it is an antiseptic, so it may help to clean the area and aid in preventing infection. It also can seal the wound, which can promote healing and block out any microbes that can cause damage.

This would be a good oil to reach for when you have multiple, smaller cuts or road rash.

Myrrh must be diluted with a healing carrier oil like aloe or coconut oil.

Helichrysum

Helichrysum essential oil has great anti-inflammatory properties and can support the nervous system, helping to reduce the pain of a wound. It has the ability to stop bleeding and to promote cell regeneration, so it would be a good go-to in the beginning stages of treating a wound.

It also must be diluted before applying to the skin.

Vitamin E (Tocopherols)

Perhaps the greatest controversy surrounds the use of topical vitamin E for

wound care. “Vitamin E is more effective as a skin conditioner and protectant than a wound-healing agent,” says Harold Lancer, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills. “It doesn’t contain any antimicrobials or antibacterials, which are essential for ensuring a wound is healthy and can heal properly.” Smearing it on broken skin could possibly cause more harm than good, since about 30% of people will react with dermatitis when vitamin E is applied to an open wound.

It’s great once the skin has closed to help protect it and defend against oxidative damage, so it could be useful in helping the skin through the process of repair. It’s also “excellent at preventing scar tissue from forming by keeping the skin soft and supple as it heals,” says Lancer.

Aloe Vera

While the aloe plant is 99% water, it does contain two powerful chemicals that improve wound healing. Polysaccharides have been known to increase cellular movement, which leads to faster and more efficient tissue regrowth. Glycoproteins, are a pain reliever and help to control the inflammatory response.

DELTA-5

Unlike the essential oils described thus far, Delta-5 oil by SciaEssentials is not an essential oil, but a true oil consisting of triglycerides. To better understand the difference between an essential oil and a true oil.

Delta-5 oils have been reported to be valuable for aiding in wound repair, as reported in the section entitled, “Cuts, Abrasions, Rashes, Itchiness, and Scars”, on our Testimonials.

As another example, Delta-5 oils may also alleviate the symptoms from both thermal burns and sunburns. See the section entitled, “Thermal Burns, Sunburns”, on our Testimonials page. Beauty blogger Cindy Batchelor (General/Anti-aging section of our  Testimonials page) described the product as an “amazing all-in-1 luxurious high-quality antiaging skincare product” that ” not only minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a lovely luminous glow, but it also reduces red inflamed skin, acne, sunburn, and is super hydrating for dry skin too!” It leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and supple for a youthful appearance and relief from symptoms of dry/burned skin.

 

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner: The Confluence and Synergy of CBD/Hemp Oil and Delta-5TM

Everyone’s got aches and pains and irritations these days. But as we become more well-read and knowledgeable, we understand that taking medications for our inflammation comes with its own unique costs.

Most OTC oral anti-inflammatory medications work in pathways that can cause damage to the gastrointestinal system and liver. Many people worry about the use of prescription medications and are now seeking to avoid them if possible. Those with skin conditions are no different. In many cases, people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis are given steroid creams to help control the uncomfortable itching and dryness that results from the massive inflammation. Many sufferers find that the steroid creams don’t work at best, and at worst can cause a series of serious side effects.

People are turning back their clocks and seeking more natural approaches to their medical needs, just like people did for generations before your grandparents. Management of inflammatory skin conditions is no different as evidenced by the volume of natural and holistic products that are now being sold.

Two different natural oils are emerging in the spotlight as strong hitters when it comes to battling inflammation: Delta-5TM sciadonic acid (SCA), and cannabidiol (CBD). As CBD oil is losing its stigma and gaining favor for a wide variety of troubles, conditions, and personal care, it’s coming into the spotlight as a very viable skin care treatment, as well.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is typically more of a symptom than a disease itself and is associated with pain, swelling, soreness, fatigue, itchy skin, redness, heat, and even gut issues sometimes. In short, it’s your body’s response to a threat. Sometimes that response is good and may just save your life. When you get an injury or an infection, it’s inflammation that brings the healing cells to your rescue to fight off the bacteria and begin the process of healing.

Sometimes our system goes haywire and the inflammation pathway is turned on, but won’t turn off, such as is the case with eczema or psoriasis. With chronic inflammation your body is on high alert all the time because the chemicals that control inflammation won’t abate.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a collection of cell receptors and their corresponding molecules. The receptors (Cannabinoid Receptors 1 and 2) are like locks on the cell surface. The keys to the locks are the chemical molecules called agonists (the endocannabinoids). When the agonist binds to a cell, it gives the cell a message, telling it what to do. Endocannabinoids are messengers that tell your body what to do in response to pain, pleasure and reward, sleep, appetite, immune function, and others. It is believed that when the body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or cannot regulate them properly, you are more susceptible to illnesses that affect one or more of those functions.

What Is CBD?

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that come from the cannabis plant and mediate their effects through cannabinoid receptors. There are many forms of cannabinoids found in cannabis, with CBD and THC the most well-known. While CBD’s psycho-active counterpart, THC, binds directly with the cannabinoid receptors, CBC does not. In a roundabout way, it increases the amount of endocannabinoids in your system by activating a key cannabinoid receptor. For instance, when used topically, it tells your immune cells to slow down and take it easy on inflammation.

In addition to having a direct effect on the inflammatory response, CBD oils contain a high number of vitamins that are also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature, as well as a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help to regenerate the skin’s protective layer.

What About Hemp Oil?

Hemp is a type of cannabis that has had the THC largely bred out of it. There is also a lot less CBD and other cannabinoids in hemp than in cannabis strains that contain THC. Hemp oil works similarly to CBD. A terpenoid (a group of molecules synthesized by plants) found in hemp extract also activates the same receptor as CBD. Scientists believe it can not only help to stop inflammation, but can also prevent or treat ailments like osteoarthritis or arteriosclerosis.

How Does Sciadonic Acid Work?

Delta-5 sciadonic acid is a relatively newly-understood fatty acid derived from conifer seeds. It works on inflammation from a different angle. It competes with arachidonic acid (ARA), one of the molecules that perpetuate the immune response, for a place in the inflammatory cascade. With SCA incorporated into the lipid pool instead of ARA, the inflammatory cycle is interrupted. The molecules that cause inflammation are reduced.

DELTA-5 Oil by SciaessentialsTM is formulated with linoleic acid that penetrates the skin and provides lipids to build and improve the skin’s structure.

Synergism at Its Best

Imagine the possibilities if you combined the inflammatory-stopping powers of both CBD and SCA together, coming at inflammation from two different angles! The powerful combination of controlling the endocannabinoid cycle, and halting the inflammatory incorporation of ARA all at the same time. People suffering from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis may just be in for a world of relief!

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5 Reasons Face Oils Are the Hottest Celebrity Trend

Natural is trendy.

Celebrities, like Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett, who use natural and organic skin care are shouting from the rooftops about the importance of avoiding heavy metals and other toxins found in mainstream cosmetics and skin care. Many are ditching the long lists of hard-to pronounce ingredients for natural alternatives. More and more celebrities are incorporating face oils as a staple in their skin care routines, because oils are very versatile.  

Since the facial oil explosion of options hit the market in recent years, many celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr, have adopted the use of these antioxidant, nourishing oils.

Just why are they turning towards these nectars for their celebrity skin care?

Oils Are the Gatekeepers of Hydration

• Humectants draw water into the skin to hydrate the cells. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are great humectants.
• Emollients soften skin.
• Occlusives trap the humectants and emollients onto skin so it can stay soft and hydrated through the day.

Oils can function as an occlusive and as an emollient.

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, dermatologist, explains that oils “put a sealant on your skin by coating the top layer.” If you load up on humectants first, using the oil after will help to keep the moisture from escaping. Inas Anis, nurse practitioner, esthetician, and anti-aging skin care specialist advises that oils “can be combined with other products to get enhanced effects”. Her favorite combinations are serums (to treat) or moisturizers (to lock in hydration).

Julianne Moore is an advocate. She uses both a cellular renewal day cream with SPF 15 and a face oil to keep her skin protected and hydrated. “I layer them for extra moisture,” she told InStyle. “It soaks right in and never feels greasy.”

Oils Are Full of Fabulous Antioxidants

Antioxidants are molecules that help to protect your skin from damage done by regular metabolism (essentially, life), and environmental insults like sun damage and pollutants. Antioxidants also aid in repairing damage after it’s already happened. And oils are naturally full of fabulous antioxidant vitamins.

• Argan oil is extremely concentrated in vitamins A and E, which work to smooth fine lines and soften skin.
• Marula oil contains up to four times more vitamin C than an orange! Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that helps to fight hyperpigmentation.
• Sunflower oil is also high in vitamin E.
• Rosehip oil is “amazing for protection against environmental damage,” states celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. It’s full of vitamin C to treat dark spots and vitamin A to promote cell turnover, as well as moisturizing fatty acids. Former Victoria’s Secret angel Miranda Kerr says that she wakes up with glowing skin whenever she applies it before going to bed.

Oils Can Be Good for Cleansing, Too

Vargas explains that “oil cleansers break up makeup on the face in a gentle way instead of stripping the skin, so skin won’t feel irritated after.” It sounds pretty hokey to be using an ingredient meant to seal in moisture as a cleanser, but it’s true!

“Warm Bodies” star, Teresa Palmer, uses avocado oil to keep her from getting zombie-like mascara circles around her eyes when washing her face. She claims to use either avocado or sweet almond oils to remove her makeup.

Cate Blanchett creates her own refreshing homemade scrub that includes macadamia oil or olive oil, sea salt, and grapefruit juice.

Even People with Oily Skin Can Use Oil

Quick-drying oils like grapeseed, apricot kernel, argan, and marula are perfect for most skin types.

Many people make the mistake of trying to strip their oily skin of the excess oil. The problem is that the skin “believes” it’s already dry and is producing excess oil to compensate. Trying to get rid of oils may actually cause your skin to generate more, creating a vicious cycle.

Certain oils can actually help to balance your skin’s oil production, get rid of excess oil on your face, and minimize the appearance of pores. If you have oily skin, jojoba is a great choice. “Jojoba tells the body to stop overproducing sebum, thus controlling oily skin,” explains Vargas.

There’s a Facial Oil for That!

No matter what your problem or complaint, you could find an oil that would complement your treatment protocol. Here are just a few:

 

• Acne-Prone Skin: macadamia, jojoba, tea tree, and camellia flower

• Dry Skin: maracuja, argan, olive, sunflower, jojoba, coconut

• Sensitive/Damaged Skin: primrose, argan, yangu

 

Transformers actress Megan Fox talks about making a hydrating post-winter mask by mixing two parts grape seed oil with one part Aquaphor for skin that’s soft and dewy. Actress Aubrey Plaza travels with a balancing face oil blended from jojoba and avocado oils. “It soothes my dry skin after a long flight,” she says. “I add a few drops to my moisturizer.”

Palmer says that avocado oil has the added benefits of getting rid of redness and fading fresh acne scars.

The Next Generation of Face Oils

The new, next generation of face oils have arrived, and they’re proving to pack a huge punch, combining the benefits of a natural oil, with added bonuses like antiaging, evening skin tone, and hard-core blemish fighting abilities thanks to the inclusion of ingredients like retinol. A-listers like Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz are paying attention.

“Retinol products, while effective at reducing signs of sun damage and acne scarring, can also cause dryness and flakiness”, explains Sunday Riley, whose brand of facial oils is touted by fans like Julianne Moore and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

In walks Delta-5 by SciaEssentials. This cutting-edge, 100% natural organic oil has been scientifically proven to have strong benefits in relieving inflammation of the skin. This is attributed to a novel, potent anti-inflammatory component that no other oil on the market has: Sciadonic acid. Derived from conifer seeds, sciadonic acid’s anti-inflammatory benefits have been enjoyed by indigenous peoples through their diets. This mechanism has been studied for over 30 years by the  famous research scientist (who has appeared on Montel Williams and other shows) Dr. Alvin Berger. Now it’s available in a safe, easy-to use oil obtained by completely sustainable resources.

Beauty blogger Cindy Bachelor of mystylespot.net has taken notice.”This AMAZING all-in-1 luxurious high-quality anti-aging skincare product from Scia Essentials not only minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a lovely luminous glow, but it also reduces red inflamed skin, acne, sunburn, and is super hydrating for dry skin too! It leaves skin feeling so soft, smooth, and supple for a natural, more youthful appearance!”

Model Kristina Plisko demonstrates how this amazing oil relieves lines and puffiness under her eyes.

People are taking notice! This next-generation power-house oil is something to watch!

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Lavender Oil and Delta-5: Night Face Oil

It’s no secret that Delta-5 is capable of helping you achieve amazing results for your skin. From reducing inflammation to treating acne, it can do it all and then some. But, did you know that Delta-5 can also be mixed with various other oils to create a multipurpose product that can help your skin with so much more? One thing you may not know is that you can use lavender oil and combine that with Delta-5 to create a soothing night face oil that smells good, calms, and helps your skin stay refreshed and moisturized all night long. Here are some of the benefits of lavender oil and how you can use it with Delta-5 to create the ideal night oil for your skin.

Lavender Oil 101

You may know how lavender smells or what the plant looks like, but how exactly does lavender benefit your body, mind, and your skin? For centuries, lavender has been used for its scent to create potpourri, lotions, and perfumes. It has also been used in teas, various dishes, especially desserts and baked goods, and other beverages for its flavor. Lavender oil, on the other hand, uses lavender’s strong, pleasant aroma and plant properties to relieve stress, trigger sleep, treat respiratory issues, encourage blood circulation, treat the skin, and much more. Smelling lavender in any of its forms can put your mind at ease, relax your body, and help you de-stress during a difficult situation. You can apply lavender oil to your pillow before going to bed each night to encourage sleep, apply a few drops to your skin for additional moisture, or place it in an essential oils diffuser to allow the scent to travel throughout your home or office to create a calming atmosphere.

Lavender Oil and Your Skin

Lavender oil can do wonders for your mind and body, but it can also benefit your skin in a number of ways that you may not have realized. First, lavender oil aids your skin by penetrating deep into your pores to eliminate stubborn bacteria, which can help those who struggle with acne keep their skin clean and clear. Lavender oil can also moisturize your skin and leave its soothing scent to keep you calm and relaxed throughout the day. If you find your skin is frequently red or inflamed, lavender oil can be applied to the skin to reduce redness and return your skin to its natural color. This is also helpful for those with sun spots, age spots, or other discoloration. If you’re looking for a solution that will fill in those pesky fine lines and wrinkles, lavender oil may also be the answer you’re looking for. Because it is full of antioxidants and moisturizing properties, it can add an extra layer of protection to your skin that can help when it comes to reducing the appearance of wrinkles or their development over time. Sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, and other painful or annoying skin conditions can also be calmed with the help of lavender oil.

Lavender Oil and Delta-5

If you enjoy the smell of lavender and want to test its skin-clearing and healing properties, find a lavender oil that will work best for your skin that can be easily paired with Delta-5. Delta-5 can already help reduce inflammation, moisturize your skin, reduce redness, and more, but adding a few drops of lavender oil to the product before applying it at bedtime can boost those abilities. Plus, your skin will be left feeling softer, smoother, and beautifully fragranced with just a couple drops of lavender. Because the lavender scent has calming abilities, applying it with your Delta-5 treatment each night can allow for better sleep, which helps your skin run through its course to refresh and renew itself each night without interruptions.

While there are plenty of other oils that can provide amazing benefits to the skin, lavender oil is one of those special selections that is capable of many things. From making your skin feel softer to treating acne and inflammation, adding it to your skin care routine could lead to many skin benefits. When it comes to providing your skin with amazing benefits, look no further than Delta-5. This all-in-one product can do everything from provide sunburn and redness relief to filling in wrinkles and fine lines. It contains natural ingredients, is scientifically tested to show numerous skin benefits, and works wonders to keep your skin feeling and looking happy and healthy. When paired with a lavender oil at night, this product can transform into a night face oil that will help your skin look refreshed when you wake up each morning. Try it out today!

 

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner. Lipids and Barrier Function

Your skin performs a variety of functions for you that are crucial for your overall health. It helps you regulate your body temperature, keeps things in place, and gives us the experiences of touch (including pain). Your skin protects you against attacks from the outside.

It’s also a protective layer that shields your body from germs, and preserves the body’s internal homeostasis. Just exactly how does it do that? With the Lipid Barrier.

What Is a Lipid?

A lipid is a molecule or compound that is not soluble in water. Think of things like animal fats and plant-derived oils that are “greasy” and don’t mix with water. There are many types of lipids found in the body. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two you may have heard of. Fatty acids are another.

While “lipid” is often used as a synonym for fats, fats are actually triglycerides (a subgroup of lipids).

Where Are Lipids Found in the Skin?

Lipids are found throughout the skin.

 

• Sebum is the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles.

 

• All cell membranes incorporate lipids.
• In the granular layer of the epidermis, free fatty acids, cholesterol, and sphingolipids are released from keratinocytes that are in the process of breaking down into corneocytes.
• Lipids are essential to the stratum corneum layer (the outermost layer) of the epidermis. This is the layer that we are most interested in today.

What Is the Lipid Barrier?

The skin barrier is also referred to as the lipid barrier, since lipids play such a vital role in its function. The skin barrier, or barrier function refers to the outermost stratum corneum layer. It is put together and functions something like a brick wall, as described by Peter M. Elias M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, an expert on skin barrier and epidermal biology.

Imagine the structure of a brick wall:

• The bricks are made up of corneocytes, which are dried out, deceased skin cells that are ready to be shed (dander).
• The mortar is the cement that holds the bricks together. It’s comprised of an intercellular matrix of lipids that surround each corneocyte.

The three major types of lipids making up the mortar are sterols (specifically, cholesterol), ceramides, and free fatty acids. The fact that the fatty acids have extremely long chains of carbon is what makes them so hydrophobic. In order for the barrier to work efficiently, these lipids are organized into specific membrane structures that also must include linoleic acid.

Why Is the Lipid Barrier Important?

As with any good, solid, sturdy brick wall, this barrier is generally impermeable. Only very specialized molecules get in. Almost nothing but water gets out (transepidermal water loss, or TEWL). With healthy skin, water is not massively lost out of the skin, and harmful irritants or microorganisms are not allowed entry, ensuring that healthy skin stays hydrated, firm, and soft.

Without a competent skin barrier, life on terrestrial earth wouldn’t be possible for more than just a couple of hours.

When this permeability barrier fails, the other important functions of the skin fail, too. The ability to withstand injury due to friction, the ability to prevent invasion by bacteria and other microbes, and the prevention of the uptake of foreign materials are all closely tied to the competence of the barrier function.

What Happens When the Lipid Barrier Is Damaged?

There are multiple reasons and causes of a damaged barrier function, but the symptoms are all pretty easy to spot. Dry, flaky, itchy, irritated, or sensitive skin are common signs of a damaged or weakened barrier function.

If any of the three essential lipid classes is deficient or not present in a 1:1:1 molecular ratio, the result is disorganized regions that are “leaky.” They provide an outlet for loss of water from the body and the entry of other molecules from the outside. When the skin is dried out it can become more permeable to irritants and allergens. Once these penetrate the epidermis, they may trigger inflammation, leading to a vicious cycle.

How to Keep a Strong Barrier Function

Since a strong barrier function is the cornerstone to healthy skin, it’s important to pay attention to its care.

• Stay away from allergens and harsh products like irritating chemicals, solvents, or detergents. Even excessive use of perfumes can weaken the barrier.
• Since exposure to hot water, steam, or high heat will strip lipids from the skin, avoid those when you can.
• Excessive cleansing with soap can remove the lipids as well as the natural moisturizing factors in the stratum corneum, decreasing the ability of the skin cells to stay together. Don’t overdo it. Avoid exfoliating too often, too.
• Avoid conditions that cause sensitivity like dry air, bitter cold, and strong winds.
• Protect the lipids from breakdown by using sunscreen religiously and products that contain antioxidants.

If you’re looking to repair damage that has already been done, look for ingredients that will replace lipids that have been lost.

I’ve created SciaEssentials^® DELTA-5^® to effectively improve the skin’s barrier function. It contains linoleic acid plus sciadonic acid, a key fatty acid, to help build and improve the skin’s ceramide structure. Not only that, but it also helps to decrease molecules that cause inflammation of the skin, helping to break the cycle.

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Can a Skin Oil Really Help Rosacea?

Those suffering from rosacea often feel as though there is little they can do to combat their symptoms. Typical approaches may only provide minimal relief for the unsightly red bumps and pustules that can accompany a flare up.

Anyone can experience this condition though it usually affects fair-skinned women of middle age. People developing rosacea frequently experienced lots of acne in the past. While it affects over 16 million Americans, very few people actually know much about this poorly understood disorder before being diagnosed.

For skin to function properly, the outer layer must be in great shape, providing a barrier function to prevent cracking, provide UV protection, and kill microbes. Often, this outer layer is damaged and can lead to a variety of skin diseases like rosacea. When the skin barrier is impaired bacteria, irritants, and pollutants can penetrate into the deeper layers of skin, causing additional problems.

What Does Rosacea Look Like?

People with rosacea often suffer self-esteem issues due to the symptoms they experience.  Symptoms usually start with a tendency to redden or blush more readily, and progress to facial redness, mostly in the central part of the face. The tiny blood vessels on the nose and cheeks often swell and become visible. Many people will also develop acne-like swollen red bumps that resemble pimples. They often contain pus. Sometimes skin may feel tender and hot. A good number of people also experience dry eyes, irritation, or swollen, red eyelids. These symptoms may show up before the other visible symptoms. Some men may experience rhinophyma, or a swollen, bulbous nose. This is a result of thickening of the skin of the nose due to enlargement of the sebaceous (oil) glands. Women may see this, too, though it’s not as common. Over time, many people will experience a permanent redness in the center of their face.

While it generally may wax and wane, sadly rosacea will typically worsen over time. WebMD states that many rosacea sufferers have reported that, without treatment, their condition had advanced from early to middle stage within a year.

Understanding Rosacea at Its Core

Rosacea is considered to be an incurable auto-inflammatory condition. The exact cause is unknown, but it could result from a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Some believe that it is a reaction to a bacteria that is present with an overpopulation of the demodex mite.

Whatever the cause, rosacea develops through a process, simplified as follows:

1. Mast cells (a type of white blood cell) release histamine and stimulate the production of arachidonic acid (ADA).
2. ADA stimulates the production of a host of molecules which play a role in making the blood vessels dilate and become leaky.
3. Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) causes the redness we see.
4. Increased vascular permeability (the ability of molecules to enter and leave the blood vessels) and vasodilation causes white blood cells (WBCs) to leak out of the vessels and enter the inflamed tissue to start the healing process. A type of WBC called a neutrophil is especially seen in high numbers.
5. Fluid buildup, or edema, follows, making the area appear puffy and swollen. The increased metabolic activity associated with the WBC activity also generates heat, contributing to local warmth.
6. The buildup of neutrophils cause the papules and pustules (p&ps) associated with rosacea, and are responsible for promoting additional vascular growth. What you see are the visible WBCs and the impact of their excessive numbers.
7. Over time, the process builds on itself: more blood vessel growth allows more inflammation, creating more blood vessel growth. . . . .

Controlling Rosacea

While there is no cure, often times avoiding triggering foods and beverages can help to keep flare-ups at bay. The consensus seems to be that spicy foods, hot foods, caffeine, and alcohol are all common triggers. So is sun exposure, so protecting your skin from the sun may go far towards avoiding the inflammatory response.

There are a few topical products and other therapies that have provided some people relief. Talking with your dermatologist is an important step in managing your case. They may suggest Brimonidine to tighten blood vessels, azelaic acid to clear up bumps and swelling, or antibiotics like metronidazole or doxycycline to kill bacteria and decrease redness. Some acne drugs may help to clear the skin bumps. Other therapies aimed at reducing the demodex mite population are sometimes worth considering.

Doctors have also found that making proper diet choices or using alternative treatments can often help to reduce or control your rosacea symptoms. Nicholas Perricone MD, dermatologist and author of The Wrinkle Cure, especially advises to eat foods high in healthy fats like cold-water fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Jeannette Graf, MD, dermatologist and author of Stop Aging, Start Living, notes that soothing botanicals and essential oils can help rosacea sufferers.

Cutting Edge Science for Rosacea

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A new and unique fatty acid derived from conifer seeds and developed with cutting edge science, sciadonic acid DELTA-5^® has an acute effect on reducing inflammation of the skin. It has a unique mechanism of action, being incorporated into lipid pools, where it displaces pro-inflammatory ARA, effectively ruining the inflammation cascade.

To more effectively improve the skin’s barrier function, DELTA-5 contains linoleic acid that penetrates the skin and provides lipids to build and improve the skin’s ceramide structure. These benefits are in addition to decreasing the molecules that cause inflammation. DELTA-5 is quite potent in improving and maintaining the skin’s proper barrier function by both reducing inflammation and strengthening the skin’s structure to keep skin moist and smooth.

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3 Things Your Great Grandmother Did That Might Actually Work for Your Skin

During the years of the Great Depression (1930’s), most people didn’t have a whole lot of money to go around. They were scrimping and saving just so they could afford to purchase flour to make bread. Things like medicine were a luxury, and makeup was only a distant pipe dream for the vast majority of women.

Money was in incredibly short supply thanks, in short, to the stock market crash of 1929 and the resultant run on the banks, causing 9,000 of them to fail. Jobs were scarce. Food was scarce. Money was scarce. People learned to master the art of frugality. Free and cheap were common themes.

Those with imagination and drive survived. Your great-grandparents survived on grit, spirit, and will. Creativity saw people turning to natural remedies and treatments for what ailed them or bothered them, since Necessity really was the Mother of Invention.

Women were still held to high standards in regards to maintaining their beauty and appearance, and they invented ways to copy the movie stars as best they could.

Many of their hacks dried up and withered away with the dust. Some for good reason. There were some pretty scary beauty inventions in the early 20th century! Some timeless traditions have carried on, passed down through the generations. Just what makes these skin care gems so tenacious through the decades?

Science tells us there’s a little more than just popular word of mouth involved here.

Witch Hazel for What Ails Your Skin

Witch hazel was originally an herbal remedy brewed by New England’s Native Americans and has been used for hundreds of years to treat everything from bug bites to hemorrhoids. The practice of distilling it was passed down through the early settlers. The E.E. Dickinson Company began selling the clear liquid as a tonic for almost all ills back in 1866, and still produces nearly all the witch hazel used throughout the world. At its peak, the witch hazel industry had dozens of brands competing for customers. What most didn’t know at the time was that many of the brands were all made by Dickinson.

In the 1930’s it was used in tonsorial parlors (barber shops) across the globe to soothe faces after removal of the steam towel. It was sold as a remedy for blisters, burns, backaches, earaches, hemorrhoids, pinkeye, internal bleeding, and wrinkles. It seemed to be the cure-all for whatever ailed you.

As women sought beauty star glamor on a wheat penny budget, tonics, or facial astringents, were used after cleansing cream to ensure that all of the cream was removed. Today, adding a toner to your routine can help to make sure that anything remaining on your skin following cleansing is removed. It’s also refreshing!

The anti inflammatory aspect of a toner helps to slow down the aging process and witch hazel has been shown to provide a myriad of other benefits, including reducing blisters, insect bites, poison ivy, and other inflammation. Our bodies deal with an abundance of stress every day, showing up on our skin as inflammation, puffiness, and sensitivities. Witch hazel’s antioxidant abilities help to curb that. It’s been used for generations as an under eye treatment to reduce puffiness. Just dab a bit under each eye with a cotton ball, being careful not to get it into your eyes.

It’s astringent, killing bacteria, so it’s one of the most effective natural acne treatments available.

Your great grandma probably still keeps a bottle of Dickinson’s witch hazel in her medicine cabinet. Popular products like Ponds and Tucks incorporate it. Skin care producers looking to fall back towards more naturally-proven ingredients, are noting the benefits of utilizing witch hazel in their products.

Tea for One

Rich in antioxidants, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, tea is one of the most powerful and affordable grocery store staples that can be used topically. Tea has numerous benefits for your skin and overall health.

Your great grandmother knows that the caffeine in tea helps to calm puffy eyes. “The caffeine in the tea bags helps with vasoconstriction, or shrinking of the blood vessels, around the eyes, leading to less puffiness or swelling skin,” says dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, creator of Visha Skin Care. Simply wring out wet tea bags and place them in the fridge for a bit. Use them to cover your eyes to decrease inflammation and swelling.

Green tea can help to draw out impurities, reducing the appearance of pores, and give you a healthy glow. Spritz cool green tea or apply it with a cotton ball twice daily.

Some studies have shown that the caffeine in tea applied topically can also act as sunscreen and help to prevent skin cancer. Cold compresses made of tea bags can help to relieve pain and reduce the redness of a sunburn.

Aloe Isn’t Just for Sunburns

Aloe has been used for centuries around the world. It was originally spread from southern Africa and is now native to the Mediterranean region. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Spanish visitors are believed to have brought it to the West Indies. Ancient Egyptians called aloe vera “the Blood of the Gods,” and used it to fight many diseases, fix ailments within the intestinal tract, and protect their skin.

The earliest medical references for the use of aloe vera gel were in the 1930’s when research showed it was an effective treatment for radiation burns. It’s been found to contain a compound that helps to relieve pain. Interest in the plant’s healing powers continued to grow from there.

It contains ingredients that are soothing and antibacterial, and can fight inflammation, redness and itching. Aloe has been found to fight fungal infections and remedy frostbite, psoriasis, and cold sores. It can detoxify your body, especially when taken internally.

And, of course, it’s the first product everyone reaches for to soothe their sunburn, but it’s also been proven to be effective for other types of burns, as well. “Aloe is a very soothing remedy for burns,” Dr. Patel says. “It is a gel derived from the aloe vera plant that contains anti inflammatory agents that can help with burns.” Make sure you use pure aloe and not a fragranced version, and test it first to make sure you’re not allergic. For serious burns, though, you should still see a doctor.

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner. The Inflammatory Cycle and the Role It Plays in Chronic Skin Problems

You repeatedly hear medical advice about breaking the cycle of inflammation. . . .stopping inflammation. . . .getting inflammation under control. . . .and so on. You know all too well that inflammation plays a vital role in the process of aging and how the associated changes take place in the skin.

But just how much do you understand about the inflammation cycle? Are you aware of the role it plays in both wound healing and chronic problems and negative changes?

We’re going to break down the steps of the inflammatory cycle and detail what that process means to your skin. We’ll also touch on a few ways that you can help to control inflammation in your skin.

While over 35 million Americans are affected by inflammatory skin conditions, the process is complex and is not completely understood.

Skin inflammation can be characterized as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation can result from exposure to something damaging like UV radiation, allergens, or contact with chemical irritants like soaps or hair dyes. It can also be the direct result of a wound. Typically, there is little tissue destruction as a direct result of the inflammation. Chronic inflammation results from a sustained cellular response within the skin itself and can cause significant and serious tissue destruction.

Basic Steps in the Inflammatory Process

 

• Exposure to stimulus. This can be UV radiation or something like fragrance molecules or harsh chemicals.

• Skin’s cells produce inflammatory hormones. These cytokines and chemokines attach themselves to specific cells to stimulate production of additional inflammatory signaling proteins.

• Some of these cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), so that more blood can flow to the injured tissue, some activate nerve cells to trigger pain or cause immune cells to migrate into the skin by causing the blood vessels to become more permeable. More blood and tissue fluid in the area results in swelling.

• These immune cells produce more inflammatory proteins, enzymes, free radicals, and chemicals. These chemicals can cause damage to the skin.

 

Basically, when the skin senses an “insult,” it launches a complex campaign to bring an army in to surround the invader and destroy it.

Is Inflammation Good?

Inflammation is actually a very helpful response when there really is a threat to your health. Think about the time you had that little splinter and didn’t even know it until a day later, when the area caught your attention because there was pain and swelling. You had to think back to the time yesterday morning when you leaned up against your friend’s railing and thought to yourself, ‘this deck needs a new paint job.’

The body detected the foreign invader, even before you did. It launched the immune response to surround the splinter, effectively walling it off so that none of the bacteria that it brought in with it would be able to travel any further into the body. White blood cells brought in by the droves through the dilated blood vessels were doing their best to try to eat up the wood and bacteria, creating purulent discharge (pus) and swelling. If you hadn’t dug that splinter out when you noticed the inflammation, the body would have forced it out on its own.

Your body protected you from the foreign invader, and kept any of the possibly harmful bacteria it carried with it from causing damage anywhere else.

Inflammation may just have saved your life.

While most people don’t die from splinters, I hope you understand the point.

What Happens When Inflammation Goes Rogue?

Inflamed skin is irritated skin. It can appear in various ways including itching, burning, and discoloration of the skin. Inflammatory skin diseases are the most common dermatology problems. They range from occasional rashes with mild itchiness, to conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea.

The difference between acute and chronic inflammation is only a matter of timing. Acute inflammation usually lasts six weeks or less and can result from things like acne, sunburn, or allergic reaction.

According to Medical News Today, chronic inflammation refers to long-term inflammation and can last several months to years. It can be the result of:

• Failure to eliminate whatever was causing the acute (initial) inflammation
• An autoimmune disorder that attacks normal healthy tissue, mistaking it for a pathogen that causes disease
• Exposure to a low level of a particular irritant, such as an industrial chemical, over a long period

You typically see it in cases of eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

How to Help Inflammation

There are plenty of treatment options available. Talk to your dermatologist about the best route to take for your condition. Topical creams can prove to be effective, as can oral medications or light therapy, depending on where your inflammation is originating, its severity, and how long it’s been going on.

The potent anti-inflammatory properties of sciadonic acid (SCA) from Mountain cypress seeds have been harnessed into a topical formulation we call Delta-5TM. It is a powerfully effective fatty acid with a unique mechanism of action when incorporated into specific phospholipid pools. It displaces pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (ARA), stopping the inflammatory cascade early in the biochemical process.

Delta-5^® oils have been processed into the highest level of SCA commercially available, which is then formulated into a high-grade, stable cosmetic oil. It has a longer shelf life than most oils. Its bioactive mechanism uniquely delivers more than just skin barrier protection, showing relief from dry, itchy, irritated, or wrinkled skin.

Use it twice a day directly on affected areas, or mix it with your routine skin care products to amplify the anti-inflammatory punch.

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Peeling Cuticles Are Easily Solved

This might come as a surprise, but nails aren’t just cosmetic: they serve a function and they say a lot about your general health. Whether you think of the cuticle as the thin layer that sticks to the nail, or the skin surrounding the nail, peeling can be caused by a number of factors, and it is important both to address the cause of the peeling as well as to maintain health with hand moisturizer and healing oils. In this post, we’ll be talking about the ways your nails can reflect your health and how to keep ragged cuticles at bay. Because honestly, who wants to see a lovely manicure ruined by unsightly and unhealthy cuticles?

What Your Nails Say About Your Health

We’ve all seen the jewelry and hand cream ads, and we know what beautiful, healthy nails are supposed to look like. Pink, uniform, strong and smooth, with clearly defined edges is the ideal. That said, our hands take a lot of abuse. Winter weather and frequent hand washing can dry them. A bad nail biting or cuticle picking habit can prove to be not so pretty, and even painful. According to an article from clevelandclinic.org, nail appearance could have a lot to do with your general health:

“Your nails are a very good reflection of your health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,”  says dermatologist Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.

But what do unhealthy nails look like? Here are some signs of unhealthy nails, which potentially could be indicators of a more systemic health problem:

• Ridges: If they are vertical, or longitudinal, these ridges could be harmless, or the natural result of injury. If they are horizontal, they could indicate a more serious health problem (see Beau’s lines below).
• Discoloration: Nails can become discolored due to infection or fungus, or skin diseases such as psoriasis. Nail discoloration can also be caused by certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs. For example, discoloration can be due to green nail syndrome, a disease of the nail caused by frequent immersion of the hands in water. Yellow nail syndrome (characterized by overly hard, thick, curling, yellow nails) is related to chronic respiratory disorders as well as lymphedema. White nails are often associated with cirrhosis. Color changes are also associated with renal failure, hyperthyroidism and malnutrition.
• Nail clubbing: Clubbing is indicated by a change in the diameter of the nail, and can be referred to as watch glass nails or drumstick fingers. While clubbing can prove harmless, it could also be a sign of lung cancer, cirrhosis or congenital heart disease.
• Horizontal lines/Beau’s lines: These horizontal lines occur when the nail growth is halted, a result of a number of different things, some of which are caused by external factors, and others which could be a sign of a systemic disorder or disease:

“(Beau’s Lines)  usually develop when nail plate growth, which begins in the nail matrix (located under the cuticle), is temporarily disrupted. This can occur with direct injury to the nail matrix; an inflammatory condition such as psoriasis; infection around the nail plate; repetitive picking at the nails or cuticles; or even a manicure. Systemic causes include nutritional deficiencies, illnesses accompanied by high fever, metabolic conditions, certain drugs (especially chemotherapy agents), and diminished blood flow to the fingers (from Raynaud’s phenomenon, for example).”

–Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Harvard Medical School

• Pitting: Nail pitting, indicated by little pock mark indentations on the nail plate, is caused by psoriasis or vitamin deficiency in most cases.
• Peeling cuticles: Can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, nail biting, harsh winter weather, exposure to chemical cleaning agents, excessive hand washing, and even a manicure can lead the cuticle to lift from the nail bed. Cuticles actually have a purpose,   as they are meant to act as a barrier to diseases and germs. Peeling cuticles can lead to infection. There is actually no need to trim your cuticles if they are healthy.

Maintaining Healthy Cuticles

To maintain healthy cuticles, be sure to eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals (eating lots of dark, leafy greens and fresh fruits and vegetables is key), wear gloves when doing the dishes or using chemical house cleaning products, try to limit your use of hand sanitizer (like anything else, use in moderation) and use a moisturizer and cuticle oil on your hands at night. Using a cuticle oil will keep the cuticles soft (hardened, dry cuticles lift from the nail bed, causing them to peel). One effective option is SciaEssentials’ Delta-5TM oil, a naturally anti-inflammatory formula that soothes and protects the skin and nails, preventing peeling cuticles and improving overall nail health.

Delta-5 is made with sciadonic oil, a conifer plant-derived fatty acid, and was identified and developed by nutritionist and biochemist Dr. Alvin Berger. It is an organic, safe and effective way to treat skin inflammation and dryness. It also has anti-aging properties, fights free radical damage, and can improve skin texture and tone in as little as 24 hours.

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Tattoo Removal the Easy Way

Regret.

We all have some. The question is, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to sit there and wallow, or get on your feet and take action?

Tattoos. For many, they’re a rite of passage through their younger rebellious years. Or maybe a phase they were going through midlife. Some use the colorful artwork to show that they stand behind a cause or movement, only to find they change their viewpoint or mind later in life. For some, there is instant buyer’s remorse.

One physician specializing in tattoo removal estimates that about 50% of those who get tattoos later regret them.

Whatever your intention or reasoning was, you may be finding yourself on the verge of a decision to reverse the process and have that giant Harley-riding Granny with flames for eyeballs removed from your neck.

If you’ve done any research you’ve probably found multiple stories detailing the pain of a tattoo removal. One patient describes his pain in comparison to his original tattoo experience. “If I had to compare it directly to tattoo application, I’d say it hurts 1.5x – 2x more than the most painful application spot during my tattoo — my sternum.”

So let’s take a look at exactly what laser tattoo removal entails, and discuss what steps you can take to ease the pain of parting with your ink.

What Is a Tattoo?

Ink is implanted into the dermal layer of skin (underneath your outer epidermis) through a rapidly-moving needle that repeatedly punctures the epidermis, injecting ink below. The dermis is more stable than the outer epidermis, so a tattoo should last, essentially unchanged, for the rest of a person’s life. When you’re looking at a tattoo, the outer layer of skin is like a window; you’re looking through it to the ink beneath.

When you first got your tattoo, there was inflammation at the site in response to the punctures to your skin.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation (lasers) have become standard treatment for tattoo removal because they offer a bloodless, low risk, effective method. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis in a single (for some) or series of visits.

Lasers produce short pulses of intense light that pass through the top layers of skin and are absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The lasers used are selected to run on wavelengths that will only target the tattoo’s pigment, not your own, so there’s no worry you’ll wind up with abnormally-colored skin. The energy from the laser causes the pigment to vibrate and then to shatter into smaller particles that can be scavenged and carried away by the body’s immune system. It’s the speed and heat of a laser that is crucial to cracking the ink particles apart, and the process is called photothermolysis.

Most people need multiple (between four and 10) sessions to break up a tattoo, depending upon the ink used. It takes a long time to complete the process, and each time you return, more pigment is broken up to be removed by your immune system.

There is an amount of pain involved in the procedure, though the amount varies depending upon who you talk to. Some describe the actual treatment as the snapping of a rubber band again and again, others describe the pain as near-unbearable, detailing an experience far worse than the initial tattoo process. Some describe the lingering sensation as similar to a burn or blister.

What Happens Between Tattoo Removal Sessions?

After treatment, the area may seem like a superficial burn wound. You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, whitening of the area, bruising, and blistering. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing.

This acute inflammation can be the most uncomfortable part of the process. You’ll notice by the Five Cardinal Signs of Inflammation:

 

• Rubor: redness

 

• Calor: heat

• Tumor: swelling

• Dolar: pain

• Functio laesa: loss of function

 

 

Tattoo removal technicians and dermatologists recommend handling the site gently, avoiding sun exposure and public swimming pools. They also recommend applying a thin layer of healing ointment for a few days. In the event of blistering, they recommend protecting the area with an ointment for at least 24 hours after blisters have popped.

Perhaps the pain of removal is still worthwhile in the face of the pain caused by a regrettable tattoo.

But there are ways you may relieve the pain and speed healing between sessions. A soothing oil like DELTA-5^® will not only keep the area moisturized and lubricated, but its mechanism of action shows it to be useful in helping to reduce the first four signs of inflammation: heat, redness, swelling, and pain. Preliminary studies verify this relief of symptoms when used in conjunction with related types of acute inflammation. By applying it two to three times daily, you may notice minimization of redness, swelling, and blistering.

Once the skin has completely healed (usually about four to six weeks later), you can move on to the next session. The faster you can heal and move forward, the sooner you can start to plan your next tat.

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Common Causes of Inflammation

Inflammation is the new buzzword of our time, and for good reason. It’s one of the leading causes of an alarming number of diseases, at least when it is chronic. Acute inflammation generally happens when we experience a cut or burn, or have an infection. In that circumstance, the body’s defense is inflammation, bringing increased blood flow to the area to help heal injured tissues. In the case of chronic inflammation, this natural response is magnified and occurs without provocation, leading to a pervasive, damaging response in our bodies. Chronic inflammation can lead to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, even anxiety and depression. This article outlines just what it is that causes chronic inflammation, and what lifestyle changes to adopt in order to keep mind and body healthy. To maintain healthy skin, use Sciadonic’s Delta-5TM oil regularly in conjunction with a conscientious skin care regimen.

Causes of Inflammation

There is no single cause of chronic inflammation, rather there are a multitude of ways to develop it; however, it is treatable via diet, exercise and mindfulness-based practices aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. Chronic inflammation is preventable. It is only when the ongoing inflammation triggers a serious disease that it becomes more difficult to treat. Below are some of the root causes of inflammation.

Foods to Avoid

Diet plays a huge role in the prevention of chronic inflammation. The following list identifies the most common culprits. Cut these from your diet, and you have an instantly better chance of avoiding chronic inflammation and thus a number of devastating health issues:

• Sugar: Sugar is bad for wellbeing on a number of levels. It causes weight gain and leads to mood instability. But did you know that it can trigger a release of inflammatory messengers called cytokines? These cell secretions can have a damaging effect on other cells, and thus on general health.
• Saturated Fats: Saturated fats are bad for health, but not only because they contribute to weight gain. They also can cause fat tissue inflammation, which leads to worsening of health conditions — such as arthritis — due to excess pressure put on the joints. Saturated fat is present in many different kinds of processed foods, meats, full-fat dairy products, pasta dishes and pizza.
• Trans Fats: Trans fats have been modified through the process of hydrogenation so your body isn’t equipped to digest them well. Trans fats are present in all fast foods, processed snack food items, deep-fried foods (doughnuts, too), refrigerated doughs, non dairy creamers and margarines.
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids: Who would have thought that omega fatty acids would be bad for you? Of course, these are omega 6 fatty acids, not omega 3 fatty acids. And, like so many other things, omega 6 fatty acids are damaging if taken in excess. Omega 6 fatty acids are present in oils made from corn, safflower, grape seed, and peanuts. They show up in mayonnaise and salad dressings. In order to avoid chronic inflammation, do not take a general fatty acid supplement. It is preferable to get omega fatty acids via diet rather than through supplements. An excess in omega 6 can trigger an inflammatory response in the body.
• Refined Carbs: These include white flour products such as breads, crackers and rolls, white rice, white potatoes and cereal. All of these are high glycemic index foods that stimulate inflammation-producing chemicals.
• MSG: This additive is meant to enhance the flavor of food and is mainly in prepared Asian foods and soy sauce, as well as soup mixes and deli meats and cheeses. Research on mice indicates MSG damages liver tissue, causing inflammation.
• Gluten: Gluten is a mixture of two proteins found in wheat, barley and rye which some people can not digest well. Most pasta is made from wheat semolina flour, which is why pasta and bread are often taken out of the diet (for both weight loss and to prevent and treat inflammation).
• Aspartame: Reaching for that diet soda? Stop! Aspartame is a toxic chemical that has been connected to a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Long term consumption of the artificial sweetener aspartame (ASP) induced large increments in cortical inflammation and oxidative stress. Choose a low sugar pressed juice instead. It’s actually much more refreshing!

Excess Weight

Excess weight is never good for the body. It puts undue strain on the heart, pressure on the joints and can lead to fatty liver disease. Each of these is an opportunity for chronic inflammation. It is generally avoidable with adherence to a conscientious diet and regular exercise routine.

Stress

Is your boss constantly berating you at work? Perhaps you’ve been fighting with your spouse more frequently. Or are money problems dogging you? It seems that these days, everyone has the opportunity to experience the negative effects of chronic psychological stress. You’ve heard the adage, ‘Stress kills’ — well, it’s true.

Smoking

There are no physical benefits to smoking cigarettes. In fact, there are so many reasons not to smoke that the rate of smoking has gone down in recent years. It exposes multiple body systems (skin, lungs, heart, liver, etc.) to chemical irritants.

Although there are a myriad of ways to provoke an inflammatory response in the body, there are also preventative tools to avoid chronic inflammation and the health problems it can create. Engage in a healthy, low-stress lifestyle if possible, and do things to counteract your stress levels. Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Exercise regularly and spend time in nature. Keep a positive attitude. These things will all help to avoid inflammation-related illness.

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Healthy Skin Is Beautiful Skin

What makes skin ‘healthy’? Usually the answer would be connected to the way the skin looks and feels: smooth, clear, and glowing, with an even tone. How to get your skin looking this way? Start from within, and build outward. By this we mean follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of filtered water, exercise regularly, keep your stress levels down, avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine intake, and use products that will treat your skin concerns without irritation.

Strategies for Healthy Skin

It’s tempting to look to skin creams and serums to improve appearance without taking lifestyle (diet, etc.) into consideration. The truth is that healthy living leads to healthy skin, which looks, ultimately, like beautiful, fresh and glowing skin, as if it’s lit from within.

Don’t get us wrong, though. Healthy living is one thing, and will lead to healthy looking skin. But products and routines are very important, too. With all of the products that are on the market today, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and taken in by the things they promise to do. However, we claim that beautiful skin doesn’t need a lot of expensive purchases, but rather it requires a common sense approach to living and discernment when it comes to choosing skin care products.

Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Skin

When people don’t realize that beautiful skin starts with inner health they focus on treating their skin from the outside in. This approach might garner some positive results, but they won’t last unless you are following the rules of healthy living. They are as follows:

• Eat a balanced diet: This means filling up your plate with whole grains (like quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, and spelt), multi-colored vegetables (dark, leafy greens, zucchini, red, orange and yellow peppers, broccoli, etc.), and lean protein such as wild salmon or halibut. (The omega 3 fatty acids in fish help keep the skin supple.) Using extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter or margarine is a way to incorporate ‘good’ fat into your diet instead of saturated or trans fat (both can lead to chronic inflammation in the body).
• Drink plenty of water: We’ve all heard the adage of drinking eight glasses of water per day, eight ounces each. It didn’t become household advice without good reason — water keeps the skin properly hydrated and flushes out toxins. It also allows the various systems in the body to function efficiently.
• Exercise regularly: This means incorporating at least 25-30 minutes of cardio and weight-bearing exercises into your daily routine. Make it a fun experience by joining a Zumba or Crossfit class, or unwind solo with running or swimming. (Swimming is a ‘perfect’ form of exercise, being both non-impact and a great cardio workout, while strengthening core, back, leg and arm muscles.)
• Avoid excess alcohol and caffeine consumption: Drinking excess amounts of caffeine will dry out the skin and could increase anxiety levels. Alcohol in moderation is acceptable, but its effects on the skin are not helpful  — dehydration, acne and inflammation being only some of the outward after-effects, not to mention what routine alcohol consumption will do to the rest of your body (liver damage, etc.). Either limit your drinking or avoid it altogether.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking, even in moderation, is nothing less than terrible for your health, and for your skin. Have you ever seen a heavy smoker and wondered how their skin got so ruddy and dull? Smoking is one of the leading causes of systemic inflammation, and will not only cause fine lines and wrinkles, but will give the skin a noticeable dull texture and ruddy or gray pallor…thoroughly unhealthy and unattractive.

When you follow these guidelines, you’ll be doing your skin — and the rest of your body — a good turn.

Healthy Skin Care

It’s important to know how to best take care of your skin with the right products. A cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer and SPF should be all you need for healthy skin, regardless of your age. However, the ingredients in these products will need to change a bit as you age. For example, in your 20s, your skin has not begun the process of losing collagen or elasticity, but preventative actions will limit fine lines and wrinkles that generally accompany the natural aging process. Considering this, it’s best to start a skin care regimen earlier rather than later. A gentle cleanser, pH balancing toner, vitamin C serum and light moisturizer with SPF should be adequate for those in their 20s and early 30s. However, as you approach your 40s, a retinoid or retinol cream or serum may be used in place of the vitamin C to combat normal signs of aging.

If you have sensitive or acneic skin, Sciadonics’ Delta-5TM oil is a perfect complementary skin care step. Delta-5 is an extensively-tested, scientifically-formulated, all natural, non-greasy face oil that treats a variety of skin concerns, including but not limited to:

• fine lines and wrinkles
• uneven skin tone due to hyperpigmentation
• dullness
• dry and flaky skin
• dehydration
• lack of elasticity
• acne

We know you must be slightly incredulous at the idea of one product addressing all of these skin concerns; however Delta-5 has garnered a loyal following among many for its ability to treat so many of these issues. Not only does Delta-5 decrease signs of inflammation (from acne to hyperpigmentation to psoriasis to sunburn) but it endows the skin with a healthy glow and smooth, supple texture. See our testimonials to learn more about this breakthrough product, and see the results for yourself. Regular use of Delta-5, along with living a healthy lifestyle, will undoubtedly lead to healthy and beautiful skin. 

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Beautiful Eyes, Beautiful You

The eyes are the windows of the soul, and as such, we need to take excellent care of them, both inside and out. Regular eye exams, a lutein supplement, wearing protective sunglasses and limiting time spent in front of a computer screen will all help you keep your eyes healthy — but what about the skin around the eyes?

Let’s face it, our eye area is often the first facial feature to show signs of aging. Fine lines called crow’s feet or laugh lines, crepiness, puffiness and dark circles are all things we try to treat, whether it be with expensive creams and serums or with cosmetic procedures from botox to facelifts. One of the reasons our eyes are so prone to aging is that the skin surrounding them is quite thin and delicate, and more readily affected by smoking, sun damage, the general aging process, and free radical damage. In this article, we will share with you how to treat the various signs of aging so that you can keep those peepers looking as youthful and beautiful as possible.

Eye Disease Facts

Aging doesn’t just affect the skin around the eyes. It can cause vision loss, and result in certain eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Here are a few relevant facts about eye disease and prevention:

• A family history of eye disease or illnesses such as diabetes can increase your chances of developing serious eye problems later in life.
• By the time you are 65, you should be seeing an eye doctor once each year, at least.
• Excess pressure within the eye can lead to glaucoma, so be sure you are examined for this.
• Normal aging can bring about a ‘cloudy’ lens (part of the eye), a condition called cataracts. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with a clear, plastic lens.
• Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the macula area of the retina which is responsible for sharp central vision breaks down. This condition can lead to ‘wavy’ vision, seeing dark spots or shadows in your line of vision, and loss of ability to see things clearly, even up close.

How to Keep Your Eyes Beautiful

The appearance of the eye area can be affected by dark circles (a form of hyperpigmentation), puffiness, bags under the eyes, and fine lines, commonly called crow’s feet. With age, skin loses its ability to create collagen, resulting in a lack of firmness and suppleness in the face and neck areas. One of the areas hardest hit by this loss of production is the skin around the eyes. This thin skin is more prone to fine lines because of its delicacy and its response to repetitive, everyday muscle movements, such as squinting and smiling.

In some ways, a few laugh lines are unavoidable as we age, but there are certain treatments that will help restore this skin to its more youthful, smooth texture. Delta-5TM oil, developed by Dr. Alvin Berger of Sciadonics, is an organic, eco-friendly, anti-inflammatory, patented formulation made from sciadonic acid, a naturally-occurring, plant derived fatty acid. This unique formula can restore aging and dry or scaly skin as quickly as 24 hours after using. Its anti-inflammatory properties are a perfect antidote to puffiness and under eye bags, and its ability to plump and hydrate the skin leads to a healthy glow. Just read the Testimonials on our website, and see the difference for yourself!

General Tips for Eye Health

The eyes are delicate organs and as such, need to be properly cared for, just like the rest of the body. Here are some tips to help keep your eyes feeling and looking as healthy as possible:

• Get regular eye exams: These should include dilation of the pupils as well as a pressure test as a screen for diseases like glaucoma.
• Eat your vegetables (and fish): Leafy greens like kale and spinach are great sources of vitamin A and lutein, both of which contribute to the health of your eyes. Omega 3 fatty acids are also important for eye health; you can get these from certain fish such as halibut and salmon.
• Rest up: It is important to give your eyes a rest every once in a while, as they work very hard most of the time. To avoid eye strain, limit your time in front of a computer and use reading glasses if needed.
• Don’t smoke: The negative physical effects of smoking are not limited to your lungs. Smoking damages the eyes and can lead to serious eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and blindness.
• Wear protective goggles: It is imperative that you wear protective goggles or glasses when you are working in certain environments where debris might get into the eyes.
• Keep your hands clean: Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, otherwise the dirt and germs on the hands could be transferred to the eyes.
• Watch your weight: Obesity can lead to diseases such as cancer and diabetes, but did you know that too much weight can also put undue pressure on your eyes, potentially damaging them? Engage in a regular exercise routine, and watch your diet.

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner. Does the Order of Ingredients in Cosmetic Products Matter?

Understanding how to read the ingredients list when shopping for skin care products makes all the difference in the world to the choices you make, particularly when trying to make a purchase decision based on product claims.

How Are Cosmetic Product Labels Regulated?

How companies formulate their labels is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In order to provide consumer protection, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 was enacted:

To protect consumers from unsafe or deceptively labeled or packaged products by prohibiting the movement in interstate commerce of adulterated or misbranded food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics.

The cosmetics marketed in the United States, whether they are manufactured here or are imported from abroad, must comply with the labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling (FP&L) Act, and the regulations published by the Food and Drug Administration under the Authority of these two laws.

Typically, ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance (most quantity to least quantity) with a few exceptions:

• If the cosmetic is also a drug, the active ingredients and inactive ingredients are listed separate from each other, each in descending order.
• Ingredients present at less than 1% may be listed in any order after the other ingredients
• Color additives may be listed in any order (after all other non-color additive ingredients)
• If an ingredient qualifies (in accordance with FDA guidelines) as a trade secret, it may simply be listed as “and other ingredients.”

That sounds straightforward enough, but what does that really mean to you?

Ingredients appearing at the top of the list are present in the greatest quantity. Ingredients listed at the end (for the most part) are present in the smallest quantities. The first five ingredients are typically the bulk of the formula and usually include glycerin (a great moisturizer).

Active vs. Inactive Ingredients

The FDA approves ‘active ingredients’ as substances that perform a specific function for a specific condition. Your acne treatment contains benzoyl peroxide, your skin lightening formula contains hydroquinone, and your sunscreen contains titanium dioxide. Those are listed as active ingredients.

Your label gets to be a bit tricky when active ingredients are listed. They’re listed separately at the top under the obvious heading: “Active Ingredients.” The inactive ingredients are listed separately under the just-as-obvious heading: “Inactive Ingredients.” Things may get confusing because in these cases the FDA allows the inactive ingredients to be listed in alphabetical order, instead of in descending order of predominance.

If you’re trying to avoid higher amounts of a certain ingredient, this caveat will make your job a little more difficult. The good news is that not many brands use this format.

What to Watch For

Many people are fooled by product name or description. The only way to really understand the products you’re using is to understand the labeling. Many skin care products appear beautiful, interesting, and appealing, but don’t let that lead you to believe it’ll work any better than its ingredients.

A large number of companies utilize a unique product name or fancy label to highlight ingredients that may only be present in tiny quantities. For many ingredients, those miniscule quantities aren’t enough to have the beneficial effect that you hope for.

Beware of Abbreviated Ingredient Lists

Be really careful when you’re doing your shopping online. Sometimes companies offer an abbreviated ingredient list in their product description. They may only list ‘key ingredients’ or ‘active ingredients,’ leaving the rest out. A very short ingredient list that contains only natural plant-based ingredients would probably be very appealing to you.

One popular cosmetic company lists the key ingredients for one of its products as: green tea, chamomile, and aloe extracts. No other ingredients are listed, leading you to believe there are none. With the soothing and calming appeal, they’re probably hoping you’ll be drawn in by the active ingredients and order the product. The reality is, there’s a good possibility that those three are included as less than 1% of the product. You’ll never know what the other ingredients are until your order arrives on your doorstep.

Allergens or irritants may be included; things you may especially have to watch out for if you suffer from sensitive skin.

Does a Key Ingredient Have to Be at the Top?

The descending quantity rule is generally true, but amount isn’t necessarily everything. An ingredient doesn’t have to be at the top of the list to change your skin.

Skin care expert and founder of the self-named skin care line, Sunday Riley explains, “certain active ingredients only need to be present at .5 to one percent in order to be the most effective, so a little goes a long way! And because so little of the active is needed, it goes at the end of the list.” Think of an acne cream. It may contain one of two very common ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. They are very potent active ingredients that serve to really make the product effective. Because they are so potent, you’re definitely not going to find them at the top of the ingredients list. Not only are large quantities unnecessary, they may actually cause more harm than good!

Collagen-boosting peptides are also effective at low levels, agrees cosmetic chemist Ginger King.

Having a little understanding of how to read an ingredient label when shopping for your skin care products can make all the difference in the world.

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5 Ways Inflammation Impacts Your Skin

Inflammation is the immune system’s response to stimulus. Although inflammation can be attributed to things like cuts and/or other minor wounds or injuries, it may manifest itself in certain skin diseases, including dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Inflammation is also the cause of other chronic diseases that affect the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, active hepatitis, and Crohn’s disease, among others.

This article presents information on the causes inflammation, the disorders associated with skin inflammation, and how to treat inflammation when it attacks the skin. Fortunately, there are treatments for various skin disorders associated with inflammation. One of them is Sciadonic’s serum, Delta-5TM. Delta-5’s main ingredient is sciadonic acid, an all-natural, organic, GMO-free, sustainable pressed oil that is derived from conifer plants. Delta-5 has been scientifically tested over the course of many years and has a profound anti-inflammatory and healing effect on the skin.

Causes of Inflammation

What happens in the body when chronic inflammation hits? This summary of the process of inflammation gone awry is from realsimple.com, where Christine McDonald, a member of the pathobiology department at the Cleveland Clinic, explained:

Ideally we want inflammation to come in, hit hard, and go away…But when those inflammatory chemicals are released on a continuous basis, without any injury or infection to confront, they go from healing damaged cells to harming healthy ones. When it doesn’t turn off, you get chronic, smoldering inflammation that can eventually cause tissue and cell damage.”

In other words, the inflammatory response in the body is a desirable, normal reaction to stress or infection or injury. It becomes damaging and dangerous when the inflammatory response happens with no real impetus, and damages healthy cells because there are no unhealthy ones present. Some of the things said to cause this type of chronic inflammation are as follows:

• Excess weight
• Anxiety and stress
• Mood
• Poor gut health
• Pollutants

In order to avoid potentially high levels of inflammation in the body, eat a properly balanced diet, exercise regularly, keep your stress levels low by engaging in a mindfulness practice like guided meditation or gentle yoga, and maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life. These things will keep you — and your body — more balanced.

Types and Symptoms of Skin Inflammation

Rosacea – Rosacea is an inflammatory response in the skin of the face. It tends to manifest itself in recurring outbreaks, and is linked to genetics (fair skin), reactions to particular foods or alcohol, or responses to medications or cosmetics. Rosacea is fairly difficult to treat, however it can be addressed with topical treatments, such as Delta-5, and with dietary and lifestyle changes (i.e., avoiding spicy foods and alcohol).

Dermatitis (Seborrhoeic) – This type of dermatitis occurs when the sebaceous (oil) glands become overstimulated, leading to scaly and oily patches of skin on the face and scalp.

Psoriasis – Psoriasis is a skin disorder caused by inflammation that results in red patches on the skin that are covered by gray or silver scales. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, including in the nail beds and inside the mouth.

Acne – Many believe acne to be solely related to overproduction by the oil glands, however acne is a form of skin inflammation. Acne can be cystic (deep within the skin layers), or more mild. There are various topical treatments for acne, but a ‘gentle’ warning: Be careful in your treatment of this skin disorder, as too stringent treatment methods can dry out the skin, leading the oil glands to overproduce sebum, therefore continuing the acne cycle.

Eczema, or Atopic Dermatitis – In the instance of eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, the skin on the face becomes severely dry and itchy. Scratching or rubbing to alleviate the itching often leads to scaly, crusting skin that can crack, peel, or leak a clear fluid. Eczema is not contagious.

How to Treat Skin Inflammation

When treating inflammation of the skin, whether it be acne, dermatitis or rosacea, it is important to use an approach that will not irritate the skin further, as most skin inflammation is manifested in irritated, itchy skin. Delta-5 is a patented, effective yet gentle approach to reducing inflammation. Not only does it soothe inflammation, it has anti-aging properties, and can begin working within 24 hours of initial application. You might think that Delta-5 would be greasy, but in actuality, it is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that doesn’t clog pores or cause acne — rather, it can be used as a topical supplement for acne relief. In addition to a clearer complexion, Delta-5 can heal and soothe sunburned skin, give dry or dull skin a healthy glow, help aging and wrinkled skin become hydrated and plump again, and protect the skin against free radical damage that can lead to photoaging. Delta-5 can be used alone or as a supplemental part of your regular skin care routine.

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The Difference Between a Seed and a Nut and What It Means for Your Skin

What is the difference between a seed and a nut? It doesn’t bother you until you stop to ponder it. Then you’re hooked. It’s like the age old debate: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

The good news is there actually is a good answer to this question! But does that answer actually tell us what the difference really means to your skin when it comes to your cosmetics or skin care products?

All nuts are seeds, but not all seeds are nuts.

Say what?

A Nut Is Both the Seed and the Fruit

Let’s start with fruit. Fruit helps to provide stability and protection for the seed from the outside world. It is the dispersal vehicle for the seeds of flowering plants.

A seed is a part of a flowering plant and is typically surrounded by the fruit. It contains the embryonic plant that will develop into a new individual. It has everything it needs to grow except soil and sunlight. The seed can be readily separated from the rest of the fruit. Think of an apple or pear or cherry.

A nut is both the seed and the fruit rolled into one inseparable combination. Nuts are types of fruit, located within a hard shell that encloses it. The shell is indehiscent (not separable) and doesn’t split open to release the seed when it’s ripe. Examples of true nuts are chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts.

True botanical nuts are not to be confused with culinary nuts, which have a much looser definition. Not all of your favorite “nuts” are true (botanical) nuts. (Confused yet?) What some consider to be culinary nuts may actually be either fruits, seeds, or in some cases actual botanical nuts.

Two categories of plants produce seeds that may also be considered to be nuts for culinary purposes: gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Seeds from the ancient family of gymnosperms, are not protected by an outer shell and are left exposed to the surrounding environment, so they are known as naked seeds. Some common types of gymnosperm seeds are ginkgo nuts and pine nuts.

In contrast, seeds of angiosperms are enclosed in what is called the fruit. They come from a plant ovary and any tissues that surround it. Some of the most recognizable angiosperms are Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, and soy nuts.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Nuts

The health and beauty benefits of both true nuts and those considered “nuts” for culinary purposes are well-known.

Walnuts are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Just a handful can boost vitamin B levels, which are responsible for boosting your skin health by keeping age related fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

Almonds are packed with essential fatty acids and protein. They also provide vitamin E, which helps to keep blood vessels dilated to keep the skin hydrated, and fights against problems like acne, eczema, and age spots.

Cashews are known for acne-fighting nutrients. They’re high in selenium which acts as an antioxidant with vitamin E helping to hydrate skin and reduce inflammation. Zinc promotes immune function for healing and cell growth to renew and replenish infected or damaged acne zones.

Pistachios’ antioxidants help to decrease acne growth by controlling blood sugar levels that circulate the acne-causing hormone androgen.

Brazil nuts are power-packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of selenium, which is responsible for improving skin’s elasticity and relieving inflammation like pimples and acne. It also reduces development of free radicals and keeps the skin hydrated.

So, What About Sciadonic Acid (SCA)?

Found in various gymnosperms like pine nuts, conifers, and cycads, sciadonic acid (SCA) is a fatty acid that is unusual in its structure and is showing very beneficial properties when it comes to calming inflammation within the skin.

Lipid chemist Alvin Berger, PhD, founded Sciadonics Inc. after spending decades researching the many anti-inflammatory properties of SCA. His research has confirmed the fatty acid’s anti-inflammatory properties, both as an ingestible and as a topical preparation. It’s led to the promising new oil DELTA-5^®, which is derived from a specific conifer seed: the Mountain Cypress.

Anti-inflammatory Action of SCA

What makes SCA unique is the mode of action it takes. It works very early in the biochemical  inflammation cascade to interrupt the role that certain inflammatory molecules play, competing for their place, so to speak.

Given the fact that peer-reviewed studies are showing it to be effective in fighting inflammation in skin cells, SciaEssentials^® DELTA-5 (named for part of the fatty acid’s molecular structure) can be applied in a variety of situations, particularly as an aid to combat aging. Some suggested uses include:

• Anti-wrinkle
• Skin restoration
• Anti-acne
• Sunburn
• After facial peel
• Assisted healing of scars
• To reduce discomfort after tattooing

The simple formula contains only two ingredients: Mountain Cypress seed oil, and tocopherols. You can’t get much more basic than that. The gentle formula can be used by itself to spot treat problem areas, or can be combined with regular skin care products to enhance their effects by reducing inflammation.

Such a little seed can really pack a big punch!

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner. Eliminating Adhesive-Induced Irritation

Millions of people around the world wear external medical devices and patches: insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and pain relieving patches. These devices provide convenience, relief, and can save lives. Unfortunately they sometimes come with the side effect of adhesive-induced irritation. Skin is a sensitive organ and many people find themselves with irritation that can range from mild to quite severe when adhesives are applied to their skin. This is called irritant contact dermatitis and is similar to what happens when the skin encounters an allergen.

Many people suffer from this and many strategies have developed to combat it. Keep reading for some very good news if you are one of them.

Athletes Also Experience Adhesive-Induced Irritation

The problem of adhesive-induced irritation is not limited to users of medical patches and devices. Millions of serious athletes and weekend warriors “tape-up,” sometimes multiple times a day, to protect or prevent further injury to an inflamed area or joint. Trainers routinely apply a strong adhesive spray to make sure the “tape job” holds up to hours in the gym or on the field. Trainers may apply an underwrap to mitigate or minimize skin irritation. Sometimes this works, but many times it does not.

Patches and devices adhere to the skin via a strong adhesive that is exposed after peeling the covering layer. Most people applying and then wearing patches and devices inevitably discover that the supplied adhesive is not sufficient to keep the device firmly attached to the skin for the required time period. The adhesive must resist water, sweat, and grime and most do not hold up to the rigors of everyday life, much less any sort of active lifestyle.

Strategies to Improve Adhesion Often Fail

Use of external bands and wraps to reduce the likelihood of devices being knocked off by physical contact with an object or another person tends to make the skin surface hotter and more moist. To avoid this discomfort, people may add an additional adhesive to their skin.

Ultimately, most patch and device wearers end up using a strong external additional adhesive to make sure the device stays on firmly. This is a great solution for holding the device in place, but when it is removed (and all devices inevitably are) there is redness, irritation, abrasion (excoriation), bruising, raised skin, and pain around the site, especially at the point of any needle insertions. Anyone who has ripped off a bandaid has likely experienced this to a much lesser extent. Problems to the skin are exacerbated if the user picks at the inflamed areas, leading to the itch-scratch-itch cycle of continued inflammation.

Solving Adhesive-Induced Skin Irritation

One way to mitigate the above problems is with an adhesive remover, chemicals that loosen the adhesive at the time of removal. This, however, comes with a risk that the chemical ingredients may cause further irritation and contribute to inflammation, a common reaction.

Another strategy is to coat the inflamed area with rich healing cream. These creams offer relief, but are often messy, getting on other parts of the body through contact, and on clothes (unless covered, which means applying another adhesive). In the event that a typical healing cream is insufficient, then a steroidal on non-steroidal cream can be applied. Note that there are quite a few other issues that come with this over time, such as the loss of effectiveness, expense, and requirement for a doctor’s prescription.

Another strategy is to apply a barrier film on the skin, and then apply an adhesive to this film, but this is frequently complicated by the reduced effectiveness of the adhesive.

Millions of people each year find themselves wondering if there is an alternative to red, irritated skin. The truth is that while medical science has not created a reliable adhesive that does not cause irritation, there is an alternative to having to suffer.

Ideally, the solution would be a safe, natural product that does not require a prescription and can be easily applied topically to the area of irritation. A readily absorbed oil, Delta-5TM is just such a product. When applied immediately upon removal of an adhesive, the likelihood of suffering anything more than the most minor irritation is almost entirely eliminated. This is an inexpensive and easy alternative that is gentle enough to work on children’s skin when a bandaid has to be removed.

Preliminary evidence suggests that Delta-5TM oil will be of great value to anyone who experiences adhesive-induced irritation and inflammation. Check out SciaEssentialsTM Testimonials for examples of improvement. Look for Daigan’s story.

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Scalp Issues Solved the Delta-5^® Way!

While nothing to be ashamed of, scalp problems leave you feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious. There are a variety of maladies that can affect the scalp ranging from dandruff to seborrheic dermatitis (seb derm) and alopecia (hair loss).

Chances are, if you’ve never suffered from one, you’ve rarely given your scalp a second thought. If you are one of the unlucky ones prone to some of these conditions, you spend time considering your dry, itchy scalp all too often as you exert effort to research and shop and try products that will help to alleviate your discomfort and rid you of some of your symptoms.

What if there were a product to control the root cause- inflammation? Something safe, easy to use, and effective. A product gentle enough to be used undiluted, and powerful and versatile enough to be added to your favorite products to help make them even more effective. Sounds like it might be too good to be true, right? It’s taken decades of research, but Delta-5TM is now available.

In order to understand what makes this product a great choice to use in conjunction with your current scalp malady arsenal, you first need to have a basic understanding of what goes on behind your pesky scalp troubles.

Dandruff

Often accompanied by itching, dandruff is a condition of the scalp that causes flakes of skin to appear. It is not related to hygiene, although it may be more visible if you don’t wash or brush your hair often.

Your skin is constantly renewing itself. As new cells are generated, the top layer of cells dies and falls off. This dander is a normal part of the healthy skin life cycle. When something triggers this process of skin renewal to speed up, patches of dead skin on the scalp can form, coming off into the hair. When they land on the shoulder of your black blazer, it’s embarrassing.

Dandruff, itself, isn’t necessarily a condition on its own. It may be the result of some inflammatory conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap), eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, or tinea capitis (ringworm). It could also be the result of yeast, dry skin (more prominent in the winter time), or your hair care products.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which the top layer of the skin is in overdrive, making too many new cells. This results in a rash of thick, crusted scales. These patches can itch, hurt, crust up, or bleed and may be quite painful. While it affects any part of the body, Dr. Seemal Desai, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, states it is one of the most difficult types to treat.

According to Desai, most of the treatments for psoriasis involve relieving symptoms. Often times, a steroid cream is used to alleviate inflammation. Pointers include not shampooing your hair every day (to lessen rashes) or applying a therapeutic oil cream.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seb derm is a more advanced form of eczema than dandruff and can cause scaly, itchy patches on your scalp that can ooze and scab over. It may worsen over the winter, and the production of excess oil leads to a greasy look and feel to the hair. Many people are affected, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s common in people with oily skin or hair, acne, or psoriasis.

No definitive cause has been identified, though malassezia (a yeast found in the skin’s oily secretion) seems to be the likely culprit. There is no cure, but sometimes medicated shampoos and creams may help with symptoms. If those don’t do the trick, your dermatologist may elect to add a topical steroid.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of the hair follicle caused by a microbe (usually the bacteria, staphylococcus) that find their way inside. Sometimes irritation from shaving, makeup, or clothing can cause the follicles to become inflamed.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) happens when your skin reacts badly to something it touches. A well-known example would be poison ivy, but your shampoo or hair products could also be causes. The result is red, itchy, scaly skin. If bad enough, it could lead to crusty, oozing sores.  

Inflammation of the Skin Is the Common Denominator

What all of these maladies have in common is inflammation. Regardless of the trigger or cause, inflammation plays a huge role in how they affect your skin.

Historically, steroids have been widely used to treat these cases. But more recently, an understanding of the cellular and biochemical events that are involved in skin inflammation has made it possible to develop newer and more potent topical and injectable drugs to treat inflammatory skin problems. Biological response modifiers, or biologics, have been working to settle problems like psoriasis. Antioxidants are playing a role in controlling the inflammatory process, too.

Botanical compounds are being used as anti-inflammatory candidates based on their ability to block key inflammatory mediators produced by the skin and immune cells.

SciaEssentials^® DELTA-5^® Battles Inflammation

DELTA-5 is a natural, unique, conifer-derived oil that can produce rapid and radical anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin in one use. Its two ingredients are sciadonic acid and tocopherols.

Sciadonic acid has the ability to decrease chronic inflammation in the skin by working very early in the inflammation cascade. It competes for a spot with arachidonic acid, which plays a big role in producing inflammatory molecules. Overall, it decreases the levels of the inflammatory molecules.

DELTA-5 can be used topically, either by itself, or in conjunction with other products. It can be applied undiluted to affected areas and is readily-absorbed. That, and it’s simplistic formula make it easy to add into your current products, such as your shampoo.

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Enhancing Your Beauty with 1 Amazing Oil

It is an actual cosmetic and health breakthrough. Sciadonic acid, derived from the seed of a conifer tree, has the ability to reduce inflammation from the inside out. 30 years of scientific research have gone into the production of SciaEssentials Delta-5TM oil. Now available for the first time to the general public and approved for cosmetic use, you will not believe all the ways that it can enhance your beauty.

Topical Delta-5 Benefits the Skin’s Beauty

Used topically, you can feel the oil warming your skin as it is massaged in. Appropriate for use anywhere on the body that is suffering from dry skin, a rash or irritation, a burn, acne, or cut. It is also great for scars, wrinkle control, and as a lip enhancer. The trick to all of this is elegantly simple. Sciadonic acid, which comes in the form of Delta-5, works by alleviating inflammation. Inflammation is the biggest culprit in the appearance of your skin’s flaws and plays a major role in many physical ailments and chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of most diseases facing modern society.

Sciadonic acid (SCI) is a unique, anti-inflammatory, eco-friendly, fatty acid derived from conifer species of plants, consumed by indigenous populations and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was removed from Western diets during industrialization. Dr. Berger has spent the last 30 years studying SCI. Over the course of 22 studies in various rodent- and animal cell models of oral- and topical inflammation, SCI decreased inflammation more than fish oil when compared, with a novel mechanism of action.

SCI and other special fatty acids, [have the] goal of reducing our rampant chronic inflammation. SCI can be used alone or in combination with- other nutritional oils (such as fish oil), anti-oxidants, and drugs- to combat chronic and diverse forms of inflammation and associated symptoms (pain, discomfort, etc.). (Source).

How to Use Delta-5 on Your Skin

When applied topically, 1-3 drops of Delta-5 oil should be placed on the affected area of dry, itchy, red, irritated, injured, or wrinkled skin. The oil can also be used to maintain good skin tone and for anti-aging benefits, up to 3 times a day, as needed. It should be spread evenly in a thin covering over the skin. Scientific research, case studies and testimonials show that this amazing oil will enhance beauty in the following ways:

• It can help to guard your skin against the impacts of pollution and UV radiation and repair damage caused by the environment
• It can prevent fine lines and wrinkles and reverse those and other signs of aging
• It provides anti-inflammatory benefits and can reduce the effects of rosacea and acne
• It can reduce skin redness and make it less dry and flaky
• It can help your complexion and give your skin a beautiful glow

Sciadonic acid has a positive impact on the skin’s lipid layer, which contributes to its overall health and wellness, making you look more beautiful and feel better.

The skin is a very peculiar organ, displaying biochemical and immunological features specific for a compartment continuously exposed to external and endogenous stimuli. Skin lipid composition is a mixture derived from keratinocyte membranes and sebum, including unique compounds such as squalene or specific bioactive sphingolipids, not only providing protection from environmental stressors, but also giving rise to by-products able to trigger, sustain, or terminate cutaneous inflammatory processes. (Source).

Internal Benefits of Delta-5

Many people are combining the oil with other oils and products to increase the benefits they get. This is particularly true when the oil is consumed. According to the National Institutes of Health, “evidence is mounting that omega-3 fatty acids can moderate inflammation in the body and help reduce the risk and symptoms of kidney disease, heart disease and arthritis.” The largest source of supplemental fatty acids comes from fish oil, which when combined with Delta-5 can enhance the effects.

Conifers are pine trees and produce seeds inside of their cones. Those seeds are well known in the health supplement and natural food industries for being very nutritious and having quite a few health benefits. These include:

• Weight loss
• Improvement of cardiovascular health
• Eye health
• Skin health
• Increased immunity
• Respiratory health improvement

Delta-5, which is extracted from conifer seeds, can have these benefits when consumed. When combined with other products that are intended to deliver benefits, the anti-inflammatory properties it carries are added. For instance, CBD oil, which is a THC-free derivative of the marijuana plant, is recognized for its potential help people who suffer depression, anxiety, and certain neurological illnesses. Fatty acids and antioxidants have been shown to have a positive benefit in psychology and in neurology (Source).

Research has clearly established a link between omega-3 fatty acids and general health, particularly cardiovascular health. Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Brain and Neurological Health is the first book to focus exclusively on the role of omega-3 fatty acids on general brain health….Research has established links between omega-3 fatty acids and the developing brain, aging, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. This book encompasses some of the most recent research, including the role of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on hippocampal neurogenesis, substantia nigra modulation, migraine headaches, the developing brain in animals, sleep, and neurodegenerative diseases. (Source)

Nuts and seeds tend to be the best sources, with the highest concentration of omega 3 fatty acids. Delta-5 is no exception.

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Plants Are the Secret of Youth

Anyone who doubts that there are significant health and anti-aging benefits of plants only needs to do a quick google search – the overwhelming evidence to the contrary of their doubt should change their mind. Headlines about the positive benefits of plants are endless.

What the Headlines Say About the Benefits of Plants

 

• “The Perks of Being a Plant Lover” (Healthline, in which the health benefits of indoor plants are illuminated). These include clearing toxins out of the air, increasing the humidity in ways that are beneficial to health, boosting mood, and improving memory.

 

• “How Hospital Gardens Help Patients Heal” (Scientific American, in which the medical benefits of hospital gardens are reported). These include less pain and a shortened recovery time for patients with views of gardens, better patient outcomes for patients with pictures of plants, and improved quality of life for patients who spent time in an actual hospital garden.

 

• “These 8 Inspiring People Prove That a Plant-Based Diet May Be the Secret to Age-Defying Vitality” (One Green Planet, in which famous people’s vegetarian spectrum diets are held up as evidence for their youthful looks and beauty). Included are women in their 60s and 70s and men that are in their late 90s who look decades younger than their chronological age.

 

• “The Potential of Plant Phenolics in Prevention and Therapy of Skin Disorders” (The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, republished by the NIH, in which the medicinal and cosmetic benefits are reviewed).

Evidence suggests that people can benefit from plant phenolics obtained either by the diet or through skin application, because they can alleviate symptoms and inhibit the development of various skin disorders. Due to their natural origin and low toxicity, phenolic compounds are a promising tool in eliminating the causes and effects of skin aging, skin diseases, and skin damage, including wounds and burns. Polyphenols also act protectively and help prevent or attenuate the progression of certain skin disorders, both embarrassing minor problems (e.g., wrinkles, acne) or serious, potentially life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

• “Skin Aging: Natural Weapons and Strategies” (National Institutes of Health, in which virtues of plant extracts for use in cosmetic products are extolled).

The fact that the skin is the most visible organ makes us aware of the ageing process every minute. The use of plant extracts and herbs has its origins in ancient times. Chronological and photo-ageing can be easily distinguished clinically, but they share important molecular features. We tried to gather the most interesting evidence based on facts about plants and plant extracts used in anti aging products. Our main idea was to emphasize action mechanisms of these plant/herbal products, that is, their “strategies” in fighting skin ageing. Some of the plant extracts have the ability to scavenge free radicals, to protect the skin matrix through the inhibition of enzymatic degradation, or to promote collagen synthesis in the skin. There are some plants that can affect skin elasticity and tightness. Certainly, there is a place for herbal principles in anti aging cosmetics.

 

Health Benefits of Plants

These benefits of plants are well known to those who work in the healthcare and beauty industries, whether plants are used to enhance the environment, consumed, inhaled, or applied topically. Scientists, including those working on skincare, and medical practitioners agree that a high value should be placed on certain plants in relation to human health.

Aging is related to health. WebMd is one of the most read and trusted sources of information on all things health related. It is easily accessible on the internet and user friendly. It only publishes information that is verified through peer-reviewed research or well cited and accepted as fact by the medical profession at large. There are articles on WebMD that specifically explain the foods to eat that will keep your skin, nails, and hair healthy and the relationship between a healthy look and beauty. Diets that are high in a rainbow array of colored fruits and vegetables provide a full range of antioxidant loaded vitamins and minerals, as well as compounds that promote the production of collagen and elastin. These all provide your body with what it needs to keep disease at bay, keep your skin healthy and therefore youthful looking with a clear, smooth, glowing complexion. This type of diet has the added benefits of providing you with healthy energy and is the best for maintaining a good weight level and good eyesight. Combining eating plenty of a diverse range of plants and vegetables with staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, keeping your stress under control, sun protection and avoiding cigarette smoke and excessive amounts of dehydrating caffeine and alcohol will help your skin stay younger longer.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Plants

Plants can also help you stay young looking when they are used topically. This is something that the cosmetics industry (a multi-billion dollar per year industry) is highly aware of. Plants enhance cosmetics and make them more effective. And consumers, like you, are aware of this. Most cosmetics products, however, fill up their bottles and vials with ingredients other than the pure goodness of plants. The plant oils and extracts are diluted. This is never the case with Delta-5TM by SciaEssentialsTM. What you get in every bottle is topically safe to apply, concentrated enough to be effective when only a few drops are used, organic, preservative free anti-aging plant oil. When applied to the skin, plant derived Delta-5 is easily absorbed and goes to work immediately to help you look younger and stay more beautiful.

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Blending Plant Oils for Beauty: Try These 3 Tricks at Home

Delta-5^® is an incredible oil that has amazing benefits for the skin. It is a fatty-acid that is derived from conifers. This pure plant oil has proven anti-inflammatory properties that are valuable when used topically, or consumed. When used on the skin, those properties provide benefits such as:

• De-aging
• Anti-pollution
• Anti-wrinkle
• Anti-inflammation
• Free radical protection
• Youth recovery
• Redness relief
• Dry skin relief
• Glowing skin
• Skin healing
• Complexion clearing

What is even more amazing about SciaEssentialsTM signature product, Delta-5, is that it works beautifully when used as an addition to other oils with a purpose meant to enhance your life or your skin. In order to understand how this can work it is useful to know a little bit of the science behind plant oils and their benefits.

Essential Oils vs. Delta-5

While many studies focus on ‘essential oils’ there is just as much science to support those that are not in that category.

An essential oil is not a true oil, but it does contain plant compounds. Those oils are typically used in aromatherapy and do have highly concentrated amounts of aromatic chemicals that are then added to another oil or water to be used topically or inhaled as a vapor. They differ from fixed, or true, oils by that quality in that true oils do not vaporize easily.

DELTA-5 was developed for people suffering from dry, flaky, and inflamed skin. The key ingredient, sciadonic acid (SCA), is a type of fatty acid that has demonstrated positive results in the reduction of skin inflammation, wrinkling, and redness. The oil in DELTA-5 is derived from very specific conifer seeds that are processed to provide the highest level of sciadonic acid commercially available, formulated into a high-grade stable cosmetic oil.

Sciadonic acid, or SCI, is a 20-carbon fatty acid, with three double bonds in a non-methylene interrupted arrangement, in positions 5, 11, and 14 counting from the carboxyl end of the molecule. SCI is found in many conifer (naked/gymnosperm) seeds such as pines and junipers

What are the benefits of sciadonic acid? And how does it compare to other anti-inflammatory products on the market at the moment? SCI has a unique mechanism of action (MOA) in being incorporated into specific and unique phospholipid pools, where it displaces pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (ARA). It thus acts to curb inflammation early in the inflammation cascade. SCI is more oxidatively-stable than fatty acids with more than two methylene-interrupted double bonds, and can thus be added to products requiring a longer shelf life. In about 20 studies with human cells and rodents, SCI was shown to have anti-inflammatory products, both orally and topically. (Source).

Trick 1: Blend Your Own Scar Treatment

In study after study there are cosmetic benefits of plant-based oils when applied topically to the skin. For instance, one study published by the National Institutes of Health demonstrates the scar-healing properties of a blend of plant oils:

A panel of 80 volunteers with non-hypertrophic scars (40) or stretch marks (40) not older than 3 years applied a cosmetic face and body oil for 8 weeks. Compared to an untreated scar/stretch mark region, a blinded investigator as well as volunteer assessments with given observed parameters demonstrated the efficacy of the oil under test.

On the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS), the mean score was reduced on the product-treated area by approximately 5% (P = 0.006). The untreated area remained unchanged. Observed effects by volunteers were more pronounced – Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) giving a reduction of approximately 20% on the treated area, and on the control untreated area a reduction of approximately 6%. The overall product effect of 14% was shown to be clearly significant (P = 0.001). All statements relating to product traits achieved higher frequencies of agreements than of non-agreements and were therefore assessed positively by the volunteers. Highest frequencies of agreements occurred in statements that the test product provides a long-lasting, soft and supple skin feeling (93%); caring effect (87%); and quick absorbance (84%). Agreement was also found for statements that the product improves the skin appearance (61%) and that scars/striae appear less pronounced (51%). Only 17% of volunteers felt the oil had no benefit to the appearance of their scars/striae.

The oil blend under test is effective in improving the appearance of non-keloid scars and striae.

In that study the oil blend included safflower, olive and other plant oils. Aloe vera, vitamin E and rosehip seed oil are all well recognized for their scar healing properties, as is Delta-5.

“Last night as soon as I applied the oil the burning sensation stopped the following minute. When I woke up this AM the amount of scars which were obstructing 50% of my nostril airway had softened up in a way that I was easily able to clean up my nostril. All that is left is the scar which is healing quickly. I applied the oil once more after I cleaned up my nose. Very potent product.”

Daniel M.

Trick 2: Make Your Own Moisturizer

Used as a cosmetic on the face, Delta-5 can be blended with other oils that are known for their benefits instead of using a traditional moisturizer. This will allow you to create your own anti-aging skincare line. Some of the most common moisturizing oils are:

• Coconut oil, which has fatty acids and vitamin E that lock in moisture and have antioxidant properties
• Argan oil, which also contains vitamin E and is lightweight
• Rosehip seed oil, which contains fatty acids and vitamins E, C, D, and beta carotene that not only nourish the skin but help to repair environmental damage, repair scars, and even out dark spots
• Marula oil, which is high in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties that can help acne-prone skin
• Jojoba oil, which helps to balance sebum and acts as an emollient to keep the skin smooth and hydrated

Trick 3: Blend Color into Your Complexion

“I applied a drop of Delta-5 oil to my lips at bedtime. The oil was rapidly absorbed and soothing. In the morning, my lips felt smoother, lustrous, puffed, full, and it brought out my natural color. I don’t even need my lipstick!” – Anna B, 53 year old woman, May, 2018

Delta-5 brings out the color in your lips and skin of your face, as do other oils that can be mixed with it. Those include ten oils that are well known for bringing a glow to your complexion during the winter when you may need it most:

• Avocado oil
• Argan oil
• Coconut oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Jojoba oil
• Lavender oil
• Olive oil
• Rosehip seed oil
• Safflower oil
• Tea tree oil

These tricks allow you to be in control of your own skin care. Try it out and let us know what you find. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Age Is Just a Number, Not a Look

We all know that it is not a myth or a magical unicorn that doesn’t exist. There are some people in the world whose faces seem timeless. You can see the maturity, they are clearly not teenagers, but they also don’t look anything like other people their age do. Their skin is smooth and blemish-free and while you can see creases when they smile those little lines don’t stay when their face is relaxed. These are people that are seriously blessed with good, seriously good, genetics and luck, or are they?

The truth is that most people with exceptionally youthful looking skin have a favorable combination of at least two of the following: genetics, excellent environmental conditions, and great skincare. Very seldom without at least some combination of these factors can people pass for being decades younger than they chronologically are. So what does this mean for you and how can you look fabulous well into your senior years? Education, prevention and SciaEssentialsTM Delta-5TM are your best weapons against premature aging and in prolonging the youthfulness of your skin.

As the National Institutes of Health put it:

Skin has long been recognized to protect the organisms from deleterious environmental (physical, chemical, microbiological) agents, and is crucial for the maintenance of temperature, electrolyte and fluid balance. In addition, skin is a sensory organ, a biofactory for the synthesis, processing and/or metabolism of a wide range of structural proteins, glycans, lipids and it fulfils the requirements of a classic endocrine organ. With accelerating age skin loses its structural and morphological characteristics and as a consequence all its functions deteriorate. This deterioration is enhanced cumulatively by various environmental physical, chemical and mechanical insults. Exposed areas of the body e.g., face and neck suffer the most by the influence of extrinsic factors such as UV irradiation and overexposure of these regions may result in premature skin aging and skin diseases such as non-healing ulcerations and benign (e.g., actinic keratosis) and malignant skin tumors (e.g., basal cell carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma). These processes are augmented by mitochondrial DNA mutations, protein oxidation, disturbed defense against protein macromolecular damage and apoptosis induction. On the other hand, in non-exposed areas e.g., inner side of the upper arm aging is mainly attributed to intrinsic factors, e.g., genetic predisposition and changes in the endocrine environment and reflects degradation processes of the entire organism. (Source).

So how do genetics play into aging?

Genetics and Good Skin

Genetics, your DNA, which you inherited from your biological parents, has a lot to do with how you look and how your body functions throughout your life. Research indicates that this is not only true on the individual level, but it extends broadly to men and women such that there are marked differences in how aging impacts the skin. This is also true for different populations. This is likely due to the fact that male skin is thicker than female skin but females have subcutaneous tissues that are thicker than males in humans and the lipid oxidation differs between the two.

Regarding populations, a study published by the National Institutes of Health makes clear that:

Among Europeans, Asians, Americans, even between countries and cities of one continent, exist different characteristics of skin and skin aging. Several clinical manifestations in scaling, uneven distribution of melanin pigment, wrinkling, sagging, sebaceous secretion have another prevalence, intensity and physiology… And, Skin changes influenced by age and the ethnic difference in the skin features at young and old age can have their basis in different organization of skin surface lipids. This has been partly investigated clinically. One has to remember that barrier function relates to the total architecture of the stratum corneum (SC) and not just its lipid levels. Asian skin is reported to possess a similar basal transepidermal water loss (TEWL) to Caucasian skin and similar ceramide levels but upon mechanical challenge it has the weakest barrier function SC. Nevertheless, several studies indicate that Asian skin may be more sensitive to exogenous chemicals probably due to a thinner SC and higher eccrine gland density. (Source).

So, if your gender and ethnicity direct your aging, what can you do? Figure out what it means for your own skin and then take steps to help yourself.

Prevention and Youthful Skin

If you know that you are genetically prone to diabetes or high cholesterol chances are that you are more likely to pay close attention to what you eat in order to stay healthy. Beauty is a function of health and your skin is a reflection of that. When you are healthy it shows outwardly. Smooth skin with uniform color and a glow doesn’t appear on people who are sick or who have significant damage to their body’s largest organ. But there are many things you can do to give your genetic predisposition a boost. These include:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Eat a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables and lean proteins
• Avoid cigarette smoke
• Minimize your consumption of alcohol and caffeine
• Reduce your stress
• Exercise
• Avoid harmful UV radiation and other environmental hazards
• Use good skincare products

Skincare to Prevent Aging

SciaEssentials Delta-5 is an incredible breakthrough in the quest to preserve youthful and beautiful skin. Derived from conifer seeds, it has anti inflammatory properties that help your skin in a number of visible and tangible ways. Selected by both Nu Skin and Johnson and Johnson as one of the most innovative skin products in 2017, this oil actually helps to eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles that might be telltale signs of age. In addition, just 24 hours of use can make skin less dry and flaky and increase its glow. This is because it is working to resolve the damage done by a polluted environment and to reverse harm that comes from the sun. It can also help to clear your complexion and reduce redness. It is a remarkable product.

Read the testimonials to learn more about how Delta-5 has made a difference in the skin of real people including models, skin care bloggers and people who just wanted to see their redness and wrinkles fade.

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Science of Skin Care Series: Dr. Berger’s Corner. Essential Oil, or Oil Essential for Great Skin?

For years, oil suffered an undeserved bad reputation, leading many people to exclude oils from their diet altogether. Most people didn’t want to use oils topically, either. The fact of the matter is, though, that not all oils are created equal, and certainly not all oils are bad. Quite the opposite, actually.

While there are some oils that you should avoid in your diet, oils do provide nutritional benefit and are therefore included in USDA recommendations for what to eat. To top it off, many oils supply beneficial elements to the skin when applied topically.

I’ve identified and purified a naturally occurring oil that benefits skin by reducing inflammation, wrinkling, and redness, with evidence of de-aging. The revolutionary key ingredient is sciadonic acid. But before we can get into its cutting edge attributes, we should first explore how oils, either topical or ingested, can be beneficial for your skin. Let’s take a look at why some of these oils work and what they do.

Oils Are Nothing New

The use of oils in skin care is nothing new. Oils have been used for centuries in a wide variety of ways, and play an important role in our health and wellness. Alongside honey, olive oil was used by the ancient Greeks to protect themselves from environmental stressors, and used in facial masks to promote a clearer complexion. Cleopatra, a legendary beauty herself, revered almond oil as a part of her beauty rituals. According to Judith Illes, an author who has extensively researched the practices of ancient Egyptians, they had access to and used over 20 different vegetable oils for a range of beauty purposes. Ancient Indians were keen on oil pulling (swishing specific oils in the mouth for 15-20 minutes) for dental hygiene. The list goes on and on.

What Is an Oil?

An oil is a chemical substance that is a thick liquid at room temperature. Oils preferentially mix with other oils, but resist mixing with water (they are hydrophobic). Oils have lots of carbon and hydrogen in their structures. They can be categorized as organic (produced by plants, animals, or other organisms through metabolic processes), or petrochemical (derived from crude oil and its refined components) including “mineral oil”. For our purposes, we will focus on organic oils.

Chemically speaking, oils are a type of lipid, giving them their ability to stay separated from water and a greasy feel. There are many types of lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, waxes, and steroids. Lipids are an essential part of your skin and support the skin’s barrier function.

Essential Oils

Perhaps you are wondering about the difference between a “regular” oil and an essential oil? The difference is significant.

First, it’s important to note that an essential oil is not the same as an essential vitamin or essential fatty acid. Those two are essential to metabolic processes, but the body cannot make enough of them on it’s own, so it’s essential that you get them from your diet or topically. Fatty acids are termed essential when the human body cannot synthesize them at all. Such is the case with linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid. Fatty acids are considered conditionally essential if the body cannot make adequate amounts.

Essential oils are not true oils. They’re highly concentrated hydrophobic liquids made up of volatile aromatic compounds extracted from the leaves, root, or flower of a plant. “Volatile” refers to the tendency of the substance to readily vaporize, quickly changing states from solid or liquid to a gas. The liquid contains the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it’s derived, its essence. They’re divided into two distinct  groups, based on their chemical structure, but all are polar in nature, meaning there is a separation of charge on the molecule. Most essential oils are extracted by distillation (usually with steam), expression, solvent extraction, or absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, or cold pressing.

Essential oils are widely popular for use in aromatherapy with emotional and physical wellness applications. Inhaling the aroma of essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is the part of the brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory. It’s also involved in controlling some unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Some people believe that essential oils exert a physical effect on those systems of the body.

Fixed Oils

Fatty oils or fixed oils are not volatile; they don’t evaporate on warming, and have a different makeup from essential oils. Glycerides (tri-, di-, and mono-) render them non-polar in nature. Their lack of volatility means they leave behind a stain. Fixed oils can be obtained by expression or extraction and are typically derived from nuts, seeds, kernels, and other types of fatty plant tissues.

These oils can be ingested, used as carriers for another important ingredient, or be the primary effective ingredient, itself. Many of these oils have been shown to have beneficial effects for the skin when applied topically, including nourishing, anti-aging, and rash-tempering properties.

SciaEssentials^® DELTA-5^®

DELTA-5 was developed for people suffering from dry, flaky, and inflamed skin. The key ingredient, sciadonic acid (SCA), is a type of fatty acid that has demonstrated positive results in the reduction of skin inflammation, wrinkling, and redness. The oils in DELTA-5  are derived from very specific conifer seeds that are processed to provide the highest level of sciadonic acid commercially available, formulated into a high-grade stable cosmetic oil.

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5 SciaEssentials^® Beauty Hacks You Need This Summer

Summertime can wreak havoc on your skin. This is more true in some climates than in others, but almost everywhere has hotter temperatures and longer days. In some places the humidity added to the heat, along with ozone and pollution, can be exceptionally damaging. This is why it is really important that you take precautions to protect yourself.

Why Your Skin Matters

Your skin is the largest organ you have and it serves a number of important purposes. It is your outer covering protecting you with a water resistant barrier to the external environment and things in the environment that would otherwise harm you, such as the sun’s UV radiation, toxins, germs, and water. It also helps to regulate your body temperature and keep you from becoming dehydrated. It provides sensory input to help you feel temperature, discomfort, and pain and triggers reflexes to keep you safe. It also operates as a place for your body to store fat and water, which despite aesthetics is a good thing, and it makes hormones that support the rest of the body. When the skin is wounded or irritated the body increases blood supply to deliver infection fighting and healing compounds to it. Those injuries also trigger new skin cells to be produced. (Source).

The skin has three layers:

• The epidermis is the outer layer
• The dermis is the middle layer
• The subcutaneous layer is innermost

The skin has different thickness, sensitivity and texture depending on age, gender and how well you have taken care of it and yourself. Men have thicker skin, as do some older people and some people with diseases. The skin on the face tends to be the most delicate on the body.

How Summer Impacts Your Skin

One of the things that happens to skin as you age or suffer environmental damage is inflammation. According to Medical News Today, “Inflammation is a defense mechanism in the body. The immune system recognizes damaged cells, irritants, and pathogens, and it begins the healing process. When something harmful or irritating affects a part of our body, there is a biological response to try to remove it. The signs and symptoms of inflammation can be uncomfortable but are a show that the body is trying to heal itself.” The sun burning you, as well as other environmental factors that you face during the summer, can trigger inflammation. Inflammation and skin aging have a very high correlative relationship. (Source). Thus, protecting yourself from sun damage will not only prevent inflammation, but it will help you to stay healthy, youthful and beautiful.

Keeping You Beautiful in the Summer

The best things that you can do to protect your skin this summer are:

• Always wear sunscreen and protective clothing. There is nothing better you can do for your look, or your comfort, than to make sure that you are not damaged by the sun’s UV radiation. Both UVA and UVB have an impact on your skin in the short and long-term. UVA are long wave rays and UVB short. UVA can penetrate deeply into the skin and may lead to photoaging, immune suppression, and can cause cancer. UVB burns the top layer of your skin and can also lead to skin cancers. The sun’s harshest UVB rays tend to be between 10am and 4pm in most climates and seasons. Any damage done is cumulative without intervention. Full spectrum 30 SPF sunscreens, full brimmed hats and long sleeves and pants can protect your skin. \

 

• Eat a lot of foods with antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that are damaging to your cells. In particular, combining vitamins E and C, which are both powerful antioxidants, are proven to have UV protection benefits when they are consumed in large doses. (Source). Consumption can come in the form of a supplement, but is best for you in the form of whole foods, fruits and vegetables. Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils are great sources of vitamin E and fresh citrus fruit and sweet red peppers are terrific sources of vitamin C.

 

• Limit the amount of time you spend outside on heavy pollution or ozone action days. Even with tons of protective clothing and sunscreen, summer pollution will find its way onto and into your skin. Chances are that even if you do not have sensitive skin you will notice feeling a little off on those days if you are outside too much. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you skin does. Pollution has an impact on your beauty. According to MD Magazine the impacts include increase risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and discoloration. If you do find yourself having to spend time outside in these conditions, it is recommended that you cleanse yourself as much as possible.

 

• Go light on the summer makeup. Health.com recommends that in the summer you swap out your concealer for tinted moisturizer. This will not only help you look more fresh, it will help your skin breathe better and lead to less obvious facial perspiration smears.

Use Delta-5TM. This new and unique fatty acid is derived from conifer seeds. Sciadonic acid, which has significant medical research backing it, has an acute effect on reducing inflammation of the skin. Using two to three drops rubbed evenly across the affected area will have an almost immediate impact.

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What to Do About Stress Inflammation Wrinkles

Among all of the causes of the skin’s aging, stress is probably the least considered by most people. The fact is, though, that psychology, the brain, and the skin’s health are intricately linked and maintaining a stress-free (or at least reduced) life will help you maintain a wrinkle free face. In the event, however, that you are like most people you will find yourself needing to manage stress inflammation and mitigate its effects. When that happens there is Delta-5TM to help you.

Stress and Your Skin

The National Institutes of Health republished a 2014 study entitled Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging, in which there is clear evidence presented of a positive correlation between stress and inflammation and the aging rate of skin. This is a relatively cutting edge field of science in which the fact that there is a link has long been accepted, but the exact mechanism was unknown until this study emerged. Apparently, it goes like this:

Psychological stress arises when people are under mental, physical, or emotional pressure. It develops when the individual perceives that the pressure exceeds his adaptive power. It is perceived by the brain and stress hormones such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), glucocorticoids, and epinephrine are released. This triggers a wide range of physiological and behavior changes and responses that try to adapt the body to the stress. However, if the stress responses are inadequate or excess, they may trigger adverse physiological events…

Recent research has confirmed skin both as an immediate stress perceiver and as a target of stress responses. As the largest organ of the body, skin plays important barrier and immune functions, maintaining homeostasis between external environment and internal tissues. It is composed of two major layers: epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is a continuously renewing layer where basal proliferating keratinocytes gradually differentiate, move up and eventually slough off the surface. The outermost layer of the skin epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), is composed of dead and flattened corneocytes embedded in a matrix of lipids. Corneocytes contain numerous keratin filaments bound to a peripheral cornified envelope composed of cross-linked proteins. While the flattening of the secreted lipids vesicles form intercellular lamellar disks, which then disperse and join together to form multiple, continuous membrane sheets. The dermis is composed of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix which provides elasticity and tensile strength…

Recent findings on how brain and skin communicate with each other, how the skin reacts to the stress by activating the endocrine and immune systems, and the negative impact of chronic stress on skin health….

Stress is known to affect various diseases and conditions, for example, asthma, arthritis, migraines, and multiple sclerosis. Specifically in skin, multiple neuroinflammatory conditions can be triggered or aggravated by stress, such as: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, contact dermatitis, alopecia areata, itch or Pruritus, and erythema….The stratum corneum (SC) plays important barrier functions by regulating epidermal permeability and homeostasis. This protein/lipid barrier creates a surface seal essential for maintenance of hydration and protection against microbial infection. Disruption of the skin barrier function can lead to flaky or dry skin. Alternation of the lipids composition has also been linked to skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Stress can cause detrimental physiological and functional consequences in the skin. In contrast to acute stress, which may augment innate and adaptive immune responses, chronic stress usually suppresses immunoprotection, increases susceptibility to infections, and exacerbates some allergic and inflammatory diseases. This is due to altered stress responses after repeated or prolonged stress termed stress habituation, which reduces HPA axis activation, but also sensitizes reactivity to new stimuli. Aging also has a negative effect on the feedback system, as shown in both rats and human…

Skin aging is characterized by formation of lines and wrinkles, increased pigmentation, loss of elasticity and firmness, and dull skin. It is a consequence of both intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. There are two major theories for aging: the programmatic theory which focuses on reduced cellular life span, decreased responsiveness and functionality, and dysfunctional immune responses; while the stochastic theory points towards environmental damages, focusing on DNA damage, inflammation and free radical formation.

De-Stressing for Your Skin

This should leave no doubt that stress, especially chronic stress, can do significant damage to your skin and that the damage is exacerbated as you age.

If this doesn’t convince you to stop and smell the roses, nothing will. By the way, there is some science behind the impact that smelling roses has on your ability to relax. WebMD has some great tips for relaxation, that reduce stress pretty quickly and therefore reduce the stress related impacts on your skin. These include:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Presence and Mindfulness
• Talking to others about what is bothering you
• Decompressing
• Laughing
• Listening to music
• Practicing gratitude
• Exercise

Delta-5 Is the Best Way to Treat Stressed Skin

For extra help taming the inflammation that stress is causing, which is leading to skin damage you can use Delta-5 by SciaEssentials is an oil derived from the seeds of conifer trees. Seeds are the richest source of oil, storing oils as triglycerides in special structures known as oil bodies. Delta-5 oil is pressed out from these oil bodies. Using just a few drops of this oil on your face per day can make a remarkable difference in a very short period of time.

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SciaEssentials Skin Care for Men

A frequent misconception regarding skin care products is that they are for the benefit of women only. But men have skin care needs too — primarily proper care and nourishment in order to maintain its health. Some men struggle with acne, others from overly sensitive skin and frequent razor burn. And everyone is subject to sunburns — they do not discriminate! Wrinkles don’t either. Delta-5TM, made from sciadonic acid, is a safe, effective, eco-friendly and patented product that both men and women are raving about. This deeply penetrating formula will absorb into your skin instantly, leaving no greasy residue behind. Perhaps the most important aspect of Delta-5 is its ability to treat and banish inflammation, one of the leading causes of serious health issues, including diabetes and cancer. Considering this, Delta-5 is a great choice for dry, aging, scaly, acne-prone or irritated skin, regardless of it being male or female. It is also a wonderful topical treatment for sunburned skin.

Carefully developed and formulated by Dr. Alvin Berger, Delta-5 consists mainly of sciadonic acid, a fatty, long form acid derived from conifer seeds. It has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory properties and protects skin from the free radical damage that leads to premature aging. The results? Younger, clearer, fresher-looking skin that feels moisturized and never greasy. In addition to using Delta-5 regularly, we’ve included some tips that will help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Men Need to Know Their Skin Type

Suggested skin care routines for men are not all that different from those prescribed for women. Some core rules to follow include determining your skin type and treating your skin accordingly. There are five different skin types:

• Normal- Skin is neither oily, dry, or sensitive and generally responds well to skin care product application
• Dry- Skin has a tendency to flake and tighten after cleansing, and feels dry even after slathering on the moisturizer (this is probably due to the failure of the moisturizer to penetrate deeply into the epidermis)
• Combination- Skin is oily in the T-Zone (which runs from the middle of your forehead, down the nose to the chin, making the shape of a ‘T’) and dry on the cheeks
• Sensitive- This skin type has a tendency to become red and irritated very easily, and requires gentle, non-irritating products
• Oily- People with oily skin often have acne because their sebaceous glands produce an overabundance of oil, clogging pores in the process

If you have acne, use non-comedogenic products that will let skin breathe while treating the acne. One of the first mistakes men make when treating acne is to use harsh cleansers and serums that inevitably dry out the skin, sending a message to the glands to increase their production of oil. This may sound counter intuitive, but in order to maintain healthy, clear skin, men need to make sure they are still moisturizing. Acne is inflammation at work, and Delta-5 is a natural, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing product.

Delta-5 also treats dry, scaly skin by penetrating deeply into the layers of the epidermis, leaving the skin feeling soft, supple, and well hydrated. It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, and because it’s so effective at minimizing redness, it’s a perfect product for skin that is prone to irritation. No matter your skin type, regular use of Delta-5, along with other skin care products like cleanser and moisturizer (if needed), will both create and help maintain smooth and glowing skin.

Skin Care and Shaving

Following a single application, Delta-5 begins to heal irritation and redness associated with an improper shaving technique. Perhaps you don’t change your blades often enough, or your shaving cream is too astringent. These things might not seem like a big deal, but they will have a tremendously damaging effect on your skin if you maintain those bad habits. Many men use aftershave that contains alcohol, which can dry out the skin, leaving it red and irritated. Some things to keep in mind if you do shave:

• Always replace blunt or rusty razors, generally after 5-7 shaves
• Use a shaving cream that is formulated for your skin type
• Follow up with a soothing serum or aftershave that does not contain alcohol
• Shave in the direction of hair growth
• Wet the facial hair before shaving to soften it
• Avoid ingrown hairs and razor burn by using a razor with less than three blades

If you follow these simple rules, you’ll soon see (and feel) a change in your skin’s appearance — for the better!

Sunburn Prevention and Treatment

Spending a prolonged period of time at the pool or on the slopes might be tempting, but it’ll cost you dearly later on, when you develop age spots or even skin cancer. To ensure you don’t develop a sunburn, wear sunscreen that will block both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of 30 or higher. Use at least a shot glass worth of sunscreen when applying, and don’t neglect areas like your ears, lips and feet. Remember to reapply every few hours if you are either sweating or swimming, even when using a ‘sport’ formula.

If you are unlucky enough to get burned, Delta-5 will both soothe and moisturize the inflamed areas, allowing for quicker healing.

And for unwanted lines and wrinkles, use Delta-5 as well. Stephen did and had this to say:

“I’ve been using the bottle I purchased last week. For the last year, I’ve been using a ‘high-grade’ short-chain hyaluronic acid (HA; see footnote) for quite some time on my face once or twice per day. I’m in my sixties. I surely appear younger than my age. In my opinion, Delta-5 oil applied on one side of my face shows significant improvement compared to the other side with the HA skin product. With Delta-5, there was also a noticeable reduction in moderate puffiness, near my nose.

I’ve also applied Delta-5 oil to my forehead where I believe there is a definite reduction in horizontal lines. Beginning today, I applied HA to the vertical lines and then applied Delta-5 in the same place after the HA dried — as well as continuing the treatment on the horizontal lines. I will update SciaEssentials as I get more results.” .

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Sunburned? Delta-5^® Can Help

We’ve all been warned: Not only are sunburns extremely uncomfortable and unattractive — they are unsafe. If you’ve ever been to see a dermatologist about a few suspicious looking moles or freckles, or if you have freckles that are from the sun, you know already that too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Of course, this is a worst-case scenario, but all the same, there is a reason why your mom slathered you in Coppertone as a toddler at the beach: Too much sun, and you will burn. Too much sunburn, and you get blisters, a sign of a more severe burn than a little freckle or pink splotch signifies.

So you fell asleep in the sun and forgot the sunscreen — oops! If you’re lucky, you now have a slightly painful, slightly pink burn all over the parts of your body that were exposed. If your snooze went longer than an hour or two, and you have light to medium skin, you might have developed such a bad burn that you developed blistering and pain that does not go away. In this case, you should immediately see a doctor. At their most mild, sunburns can cause peeling and itchy skin that feels hot to the touch. At their worst, they could become nightmarish.

We are here to tell you that in cases of mild sunburn, our clinically-formulated Delta-5 oil is available to help.

What Is Delta-5?

Delta-5 is Sciadonic’s newest and best-selling product, developed by Dr. Alvin Berger. Made from seeds that come from coniferous plants, the oil has incredible healing potential due to the sciadonic acid in it, an acid that has been said to be more potent than hyaluronic acid — and hyaluronic acid has been the beauty industry’s darling for decades. Delta-5 is not only a terrific moisturizer, but deeply penetrates the skin for a greaseless effect, leaving your sunburn feeling more smooth, supple and less painful within just 24 hours of use. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons Delta-5 is so effective when it comes to healing a sunburn is because sciadonic acid has major anti-inflammatory properties. And what is a sunburn if not inflammatory?

Causes of Sunburn

So how do you know that you’re actually truly sunburned? According to the experts at Mayo Clinic, a sunburn is caused by the following:

“Sunburns are caused by exposure to too much ultraviolet (UV) light. UV radiation is a wavelength of sunlight in a range too short for the human eye to see. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the type of solar radiation most associated with skin aging (photoaging). Ultraviolet B (UVB) is associated with sunburn. Exposure to both types of radiation is associated with developing skin cancer. Sunlamps and tanning beds also produce UV light and can cause sunburn.”

Not only that, but you can be sunburned on cloudy or foggy days, as UVA and UVB rays penetrate clouds. If you do get a headache or have confusion and/or blistering, do not wait to see a specialist. You could have developed not just a sunburn, but sun poisoning. The symptoms of sun poisoning are:

 

• Swelling
• Large blisters
• Headache
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Difficulty Breathing or Rapid Pulse
• Fainting
• Dehydration

Risk Factors

Babies and children are more likely to develop sunburns than adults, generally speaking. Those with light skin are also more susceptible to sunburn, no matter what age. If you are on birth control pills, antibiotics or certain other medications, you are at greater risk than if you were not on these medications. Simply spending too much time in the sun can cause sunburn, no matter how light or dark your skin, or how well protected you might be. No single sunscreen can protect you from sunburn if you aren’t vigilant about reapplication and have a time limit on how long you lie in the sun. Exposure during certain peak hours can cause worse damage than others. Generally, if your skin is exposed to the sun after 4pm or before noon, you are less likely to develop a sunburn. Yet, even with this lessening of sunlight, SPF is still very much needed.

Sunburn Prevention

Eye damage, premature aging, skin cancer and lesions are among the complications that could arise if you are regularly overexposed to UVB and UVA rays. Scary, isn’t it? Luckily, you can prevent sunburn by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds.
• Cover up with a hat and some long sleeved swimwear.
• Use sunscreen frequently. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or exercising and sweating.
• Wear sunglasses when outdoors. Choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.
• Make sure to talk to your doctor about potential side effects of all medications you are currently taking. This includes asking about increased sun sensitivity. That way, you can be sure to be extra cautious if needed.

How to Heal Sunburned Skin

In the case of a mild sunburn, there is no better way to soothe and heal your skin than Delta-5, which has also been known to heal other types of mild burns due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects.

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The Natural Way to Get Luscious Lips

Ever seen a lip injection become too many lip injections? It happens, which is the reason for highlighting Dr. Alvin Berger’s latest creation, Delta-5TM. Dr. Berger founded Sciadonics, Inc. in 2016, with the intention of fighting the chronic inflammation so many people experience. Chronic inflammation can lead to myriad health problems, including heart disease, depression, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Many have touted special anti-inflammatory diets to combat the toll inflammation can take on your body. However, inflammation also is the cause of many skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne, not to mention premature aging.

These disorders often result in dryness, redness, and flakiness, causing what can be painful irritation and an overall unhealthy appearance. Delta-5 addresses all of these symptoms, with a unique formula of fatty acids. The most potent of these acids is sciadonic acid, which is a plant-derived oil that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and within indigenous populations. After years of testing, Dr. Berger discovered that sciadonic acid, or SCI, had healing properties that exceeded those of fish oil. This breakthrough prompted him to create Delta-5, an all-purpose, all natural, topical skin treatment that can help heal dry, irritated skin anywhere on the body, including the lips.

Delta-5 Facts

Delta-5 is an eco-friendly, inflammation-fighting powerhouse skin treatment that has been named the most “innovative skin product of 2017” by both Johnson and Johnson and NuSkin. It is an organic product that is both safe and effective. A clinically-tested formula, Delta-5 has proven to take effect as early as 24 hours after using, leaving the skin soft and supple. Dryness, irritation and redness rapidly disappear, earning this product the nickname “the instant skin remedy”. Delta-5 can be used along with anti-inflammatory supplements and medications, as well as with other oils, to create smooth and soft skin. Not only is Delta-5 a healing product, it has numerous anti-aging properties that will leave your skin with a fresh, healthy glow. It is even known to be comparable to and more effective than hyaluronic acid in its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory properties. Delta-5 also helps to heal rashes and minor burns, as well as acne.

How It Works

Sciadonic acid is both a surfactant and an emulsifier. What does this mean in terms of better-looking, better-feeling skin? Let’s start by defining these terms. A product with surfactant qualities allows for better product penetration into the skin. An emulsifier allows oil and water to combine, and is present in many skin care creams and moisturizers. Delta-5 is an oil, and so you might expect it to have a greasy feel to it. However, the oil is specially formulated to penetrate into the skin quickly and efficiently, leaving no greasy residue, but rather simply softer and less ruddy or inflamed skin.

Dry and Chapped Lips

If you’ve ever experienced winter weather, you know that it brings ice storms, more than just chilly weather, and chapped, dry lips. If you’ve ever slathered on medicated lip balms or chapstick, hoping for relief but just not getting it, you need Delta-5. What makes Delta-5 different? It deeply penetrates your skin, leaving it softer, smoother, and less flaky and irritated. Chapped lips are not only uncomfortable, but painfully obvious. This natural, anti-aging formula literally heals skin overnight to reveal a more beautiful pout.

Aging Lips

By middle age fine lines start appearing around the mouth. Not only are the lips themselves thinner and more lined, the space between the nose and the lips becomes lined with previously unseen wrinkles. The demise of the entire lip area is a natural result of growing older, but with continuous use of Delta-5, you’ll notice a positive difference. Wrinkle lines become softer and less pronounced. In conjunction with other anti-aging products, Delta-5 can renew your lips to their fullest potential. Who needs injections when there is a natural way to get luscious, smooth lips?

Sunburned Lips

This innovative product works well to alleviate the effects of sunburn. Although you can use Delta-5 over the entire face and body to help heal a sunburn, the lips are often overlooked. Lips get sunburned just as frequently and easily as the rest of your body, so make sure not to neglect them. Wear SPF regularly, and if your lips do get sunburned, use Delta-5 immediately to soothe and protect them from consequent dryness, itching, and flaking.

In Conclusion

This naturally occurring fatty acid has been patented by Sciadonics, Inc. as an affordable supplementary alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs — which often have numerous side effects — and nutritional supplements, many of which come in formulas that lack the potency of sciadonic acid. Because of its ability to combine with other anti-inflammatory therapies, it has become a wildly popular item. Experience this incredible product for yourself.

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Plant Oils and Your Skin; Beautiful You

There is you. On the surface. That everyone sees every day. Then there is another you. The real you. The you that is waiting just under your skin’s surface to come out and shine. That “you” is more beautiful than the one currently seen on the surface. All it takes to bring out the beauty is a bit of a very special oil. In fact, just a few drops of an oil that originates from a conifer, presented by SciaEssentials^® as Delta-5^®.

What Are Conifers?

Conifers are the group of plants (most people think of trees) that are cone and seed bearing. They are not, contrary to popular ‘knowledge’ always evergreen, but are distinct from deciduous trees which drop their leaves in the fall, going dormant in the winter and producing new leaves when it gets warm. Some deciduous trees have needles that drop. Coniferous trees can be deciduous, dropping their needles in the fall. Some trees, mountain laurels and rhododendrons, for example, maintain broad flat green leaves all year and are neither coniferous or deciduous. (Source).

Conifers are very special and ancient trees that have long been used by human populations in herbal and traditional medicine. The Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism describes them as:

An important factor regarding Conifer medicine is that these persistent little creatures store medicine in their bark and leaves evenly throughout the year. This means that Pine bark and needles are just as ready to harvest for food and tea in winter as in summer. Now, this doesn’t mean that there’s no difference in when you harvest. In the warmer, wetter, lighter seasons, the medicine tends to be a bit sweeter. Both needles and bark are storing up sugars and water for all their worth during this time. For most species one of the best times to harvest bark is late winter / early spring, when you get concentrated medicine with just a bit of sweetness.

The price for this year-round harvest is that the medicine from Conifers is generally a bit rough around the edges. They are often more resinous, and therefore harsher on some of our filter organs (kidneys being the biggie). Not the end of the world, but we mitigate this by either keeping our doses lower, or formulating with more gentle herbs.

It is important to note that the medicinal substances in conifers are derived from the bark, leaves and seeds. Of these, the seeds are the richest sources of oil, storing oils as triglycerides in special structures known as oil bodies. Delta-5 oil is pressed out from these oil bodies.

Conifer Oil and Your Skin

So what do conifers have to do with plant oils and your beautiful skin? The answer lies in sciadonic acid.

Sciadonic acid (SCI) is a unique, anti-inflammatory, eco-friendly, fatty acid derived from conifer species of plants, consumed by indigenous populations and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was removed from Western diets during industrialization.

Extracted from the mountain cypress tree in the form of an oil, Delta-5 goes to work immediately upon application to the skin. Applying just 1 to 3 drops of this oil several times a day will fight inflammation. On skin that is not visibly inflamed this plant oil should decrease signs of aging and increase the natural color, glow, and smoothness of your skin. It softens the skin and wrinkle lines and increases the functionality of the skin’s lipid layer. The oil is highly refined, but essentially pure, gliding easily over skin and readily absorbing into it.

Beauty Benefits of Plant Oils

There is a very good reason for pure plant oils becoming the latest trend in beauty and skincare. Part of this is a cultural return to the basics and a resurgence of interest in all things natural. Their cosmetic functions are well recognized for enhancing beauty and providing relief from common skin conditions. According to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, certain plant oils have “therapeutic benefits… [including] anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the skin, promotion of wound healing and repair of skin barrier.” These are benefits that the skincare industry is paying close attention to as they add more compounds extracted and synthesized from plants into their products to produce better results for skin. This is driving expansion in the international market for plant oils, according to NBC.

When oils and compounds are diluted and added to creams, lotions, and serums, the level of active compound becomes less than when pure oil is applied to the skin. This becomes apparent any time you read the label of a skin care product that is blended. Each ingredient is listed in descending order from highest concentration to lowest. Thus, generally speaking the amount of plant oils and extracts that end up in cosmetics and other skin care products is miniscule especially when compared to pure oil being directly applied. Direct application also assures that when you use the oil you get all of the benefits it can provide without other compounds interfering. This is why Skin Inc refers to plant oils as “liquid gold’ and touts the benefits that our ancestors understood before the advent of modern science.

That is not to say that modern science should be dismissed. In fact, in many ways modern science is making these plant oils even more effective by making sure that the product you get is the most pure, refined, and concentrated it can be – so that as in the case of Delta-5 by SciaEssentials, 2-3 drops on your entire face can make you more beautiful overnight. Emma, who commented about how quickly she had a pimple dry up following application of the oil, agrees: “My pimple inflammation was reduced the next morning.”

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Delta-5^®: The Best Anti-Inflammatory Skin Care You’ve Never Heard Of

What is Delta-5TM? you might be asking yourself. And why is an anti-inflammatory so exciting? Both of these are great questions and the answers are probably going to be life changing for you if you suffer from any skin inflammation – including aging. And let’s face it, we all do. Or at least we did before SciaEssentialsTM entered the beauty scene. First, some background information.

Inflammation and Your Skin

At the most basic level inflammation is the body’s response to something harmful (the immune system fighting back). This causes redness and swelling, and discomfort or pain. Inflammation can be a helpful, short-term issue that happens when you are wounded, sick, or have an allergic response to something (acute). Or it can be long-term and chronic as in autoimmune diseases. (Source). In the case of your skin, inflammation can indicate any number of common disorders* including:

 

• Dermatitis (otherwise known as eczema). This is a group of skin conditions that cause the skin to become red and itchy. According to the National Eczema Association, there are a number of different types, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis.

 

• Rosacea. The National Rosacea Society defines this as a condition that typically appears after the age of 30 and causes flushing and redness on the cheeks, nose, chin and/or forehead that may come and go. In severe cases it can lead to bumps and pimples, thickening of the skin and eye irritation. Women are diagnosed more frequently, but men tend to have worse symptoms.

 

• Psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation, which is a resource for people with this disorder, indicates that most people experience the itching, burning and stinging that accompanies it on their elbows, knees, and scalp and that it most commonly is associated with other serious health issues.

You can also experience inflammation as a reaction to the sun, which most commonly shows up as a sunburn. Sunburn is defined as “an acute cutaneous inflammatory reaction that follows excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).”

 

Aging Skin Is Inflamed Skin

Chronic inflammation is not only associated with disorders, but it is also linked to the skin’s aging. In 2014, three studies were published in two different scientific journals. They indicate the connection between the breakdown of the skin’s functions over time, the skin’s deteriorating appearance, and low-grade/persistent inflammation. The skin is not alone in this aging process; all organs share the same deterioration. However, the skin is your largest organ and it is outwardly visible, making its lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and thinning immediately noticeable.

Along with the visual signs of aging, inflammation also causes the barrier function of the epidermis layer of the skin to break down.

The primary job of the skin barrier is to keep water-rich internal organs from drying out by preventing water loss in dry environments [source: Denda]. Without this protection, the body would not be able to sustain its normal activities, and everything — from major organs down to the tiniest cells — would dry out and die. The skin barrier also acts as a sort of dam, keeping too much water from rushing into the body. The barrier provided by the skin allows just enough water to enter the body without flooding it.

The skin barrier also works to keep other things out of the body. Think about all the elements and substances you are exposed to everyday, such as chemicals, pathogens and sunlight. The human skin does a good job of blocking out all these undesirable substances and forces. And all this happens around the clock, on a level so small you can’t even see it. The skin’s processes are highly complex, and most of them are invisible to the naked eye. (Source).

DELTA-5^® Keeps Inflammation and Aging Away

Enter Delta-5^® by SciaEssentials^®. Launched in March, 2018 after years of painstaking scientific research, this product offers an elegantly simple solution for inflammation impact on your skin. Delta-5^® can both heal and protect – making you more beautiful from the inside of your skin out.

Delta-5^® is a topical oil that contains sciadonic acid. This is a type of fatty acid that can reduce inflammation, wrinkles and redness. The oil triggers de-aging of the skin. Developed from a naturally occurring molecule that is found in a special conifer seed, the effects include the reduction of skin scaling and redness and relief from burns and sunburns. Even more impressive is that the oil may improve the skin’s barrier functions, keeping bacteria and other irritants from penetrating the skin and causing even more complications.

Delta-5^® is natural and vegan. It doesn’t contain any parabens, petrolatum, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. It can be used in conjunction, or even mixed, with other skin care and cosmetics products, like sun-screen. In fact, the more creative you are with its use, the more you should see results that make you and your skin happy.

*There is no FDA-approved study showing evidence of any disease cure or treatment.

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SciaEssentials Delta-5^® is an all in one product that can be used in creative ways: be your own product developer

SciaEssentials Delta-5 is an all in one product that can be used in creative ways: be your own product developer

According to a study by the premium beauty retailer SkinStore, 85% of women apply an average of 16 skincare and cosmetic products every day from eye creams to moisturizers, foundations to brow products. Over 70% of respondents claim this is because they now add extra beautifying steps to their daily routines, using serums, SPF’s, toners, primers, and highlighters to enhance their skin.

Use of Delta-5 can make skincare routines shorter and simpler while reducing dryness, redness, brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles while moisturizing your skin with immediate results that can last up to 24 hours.

It is very trendy for skin companies to add plant oils to their cosmetic products.

Although we have only launched a single pure oil product Delta-5 oil can be used alone, or combined with other existing products to improve many situations. Consider using Delta-5 oil alone or with:

• Lip products or on nude lips for chapping, healing, and to create shine
• Lashes in mascara to provide thickness and volume without fallout; and luster when the mascara is removed
• Facial Foundation and airbrushing products for coverage and improvement in the skin
• Clays for detoxification and cleaning of the pores
• Sunburn prevention products and after-burn products
• Post-treatment products to speed up recovery after peels, dermabrasion, and exfoliation
• Skin brighteners to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Anti-pollution products
• Anti-acne products
• Anti-redness products
• Anti-wrinkle products
• Products to decrease under-eye bags.

Let us know of the exciting results you achieve!!

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Oil Cleansing: A Way To Get Deeper Penetration of Delta-5^® Oils?

Oil cleansing: massage the oil of your choice onto your face and leave for a few minutes. Then wet a washcloth with hot water, wring it out and apply it to your face until it cools. The steam opens the pores and allows the oil to really clean them out. Wipe your face clean with the cloth, then rinse with cool water to close the pores.

The above technique was developed as a means of cleaning the pores with oil. Perhaps the strategy above could be used to increase penetration of our Delta-5^® oils? Please give it a try…