The Five A Approach To Better Skincare
Like it or loathe it, all of us want fresh, firm, clear and evenly toned skin, regardless of age or skin color. What it represents is perfect harmony€”skin that is well-nourished, well-protected and balanced inside and out. This is skin that's never seen a blemish, is uniformly pigmented from head to toe and ages a little past its youthful carefree years where proper skin care was an afterthought. For the majority of us, the pursuit of skin perfection is a lifelong struggle. Beautiful skin is readily achieved by focusing on the skin's most basic needs. Recognizing four skin-specific requirements €” fats, proteins, antioxidants and stimulants €” COSMEDIX emphasizes the importance of internal and external nourishment.
COSMEDIX takes a five “A” approach to fulfilling the skin's needs. There are five categories of active ingredients used to treat common skin problems: acids (hydroxy and antimicrobial), vitamin A, amino acids, antioxidants and ascorbic acid. Ingredients in each category are designated according to their principle action
Acids
The primary role of acids is exfoliation. Comprised of alpha, beta and poly hydroxy acids and microbials, common examples include salicylic and lactic acid. These ingredients help the skin shed its outer layer of dead cells, known as the stratum corneum, at a more accelerated rate by dissolving the adhesive links, known as desmosomes, between surface cells called corneocytes. By sloughing away corneocytes, acids reveal the fresher, younger looking skin directly beneath the surface.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A stimulates cell turnover. COSMEDIX combines retinol €” a form of vitamin A €” in a arabino-galactan-protein (AGP) complex made from wine grapes to enhance the rate of turnover while eliminating the ingredient's trademark irritation. As healthy, new skin cells appear, unsightly lines, wrinkles and surface roughness fade from sight. The result is a smoother, suppler, noticeably younger-looking complexion.
Amino Acids
Peptides and growth factors usually come to mind when discussing amino acids. As the building blocks of these and other proteins, amino acids primarily aid in cell repair and skin matrix support. Assisting in wound healing, surface remodeling and collagen production, these ingredients help sustain the skin's extracellular structure. While the body produces its own supply of these key substances, its output dwindles with age. As a result, the skin starts to sag and lose form. By reintroducing such substances topically, we can supplement our internal deficiency and help restore firmness and elasticity to the skin.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are skin protectors. Antioxidants scour the body in search of volatile, cell-crippling agents from UV rays, urban pollution and environmental factors. Free radicals cause the degeneration often associated with sun damage and premature aging. Antioxidants, however, intervene in the process, sacrificing themselves to neutralize the free radical threat and, literally, save face.
Ascorbic Acid
Commonly known as vitamin C, ascorbic acid is among nature's most potent antioxidants. Offering powerful protection against UV-induced free radicals, it encourages healthy wound healing and helps suppress cutaneous pigmentation. It also assists in the manufacturing of collagen, improving skin elasticity and reducing the look of lines and wrinkles.
The Five “A” Approach
COSMEDIX takes a five “A” approach to fulfilling the skin's needs. There are five categories of active ingredients used to treat common skin problems: acids (hydroxy and antimicrobial), vitamin A, amino acids, antioxidants and ascorbic acid. Ingredients in each category are designated according to their principle action
Acids
The primary role of acids is exfoliation. Comprised of alpha, beta and poly hydroxy acids and microbials, common examples include salicylic and lactic acid. These ingredients help the skin shed its outer layer of dead cells, known as the stratum corneum, at a more accelerated rate by dissolving the adhesive links, known as desmosomes, between surface cells called corneocytes. By sloughing away corneocytes, acids reveal the fresher, younger looking skin directly beneath the surface.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A stimulates cell turnover. COSMEDIX combines retinol €” a form of vitamin A €” in a arabino-galactan-protein (AGP) complex made from wine grapes to enhance the rate of turnover while eliminating the ingredient's trademark irritation. As healthy, new skin cells appear, unsightly lines, wrinkles and surface roughness fade from sight. The result is a smoother, suppler, noticeably younger-looking complexion.
Amino Acids
Peptides and growth factors usually come to mind when discussing amino acids. As the building blocks of these and other proteins, amino acids primarily aid in cell repair and skin matrix support. Assisting in wound healing, surface remodeling and collagen production, these ingredients help sustain the skin's extracellular structure. While the body produces its own supply of these key substances, its output dwindles with age. As a result, the skin starts to sag and lose form. By reintroducing such substances topically, we can supplement our internal deficiency and help restore firmness and elasticity to the skin.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are skin protectors. Antioxidants scour the body in search of volatile, cell-crippling agents from UV rays, urban pollution and environmental factors. Free radicals cause the degeneration often associated with sun damage and premature aging. Antioxidants, however, intervene in the process, sacrificing themselves to neutralize the free radical threat and, literally, save face.
Ascorbic Acid
Commonly known as vitamin C, ascorbic acid is among nature's most potent antioxidants. Offering powerful protection against UV-induced free radicals, it encourages healthy wound healing and helps suppress cutaneous pigmentation. It also assists in the manufacturing of collagen, improving skin elasticity and reducing the look of lines and wrinkles.