Sun-Loving and Safe Skin Health

With summer finally here, it’s hard to resist the sun’s warm invitation to soak up your daily dose of vitamin D3.  It feels good, it looks good and, better yet, it's good for your health too, right? But too much of a good thing, could be harmful with sun exposure being associated with dangerous skin cancers like melanoma.

Sun-Blocking Solutions

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and covering up with UV-protective clothing are wise choices, but what about sunscreens? Recently, sunscreens have taken some heat for containing toxic ingredients that get absorbed into the skin. So while you’re trying to protect from UV-generated free radicals, you may be soaking up radicals of a different kind when you apply sunscreen creams.

You’re probably thinking, “Oh great, if sunscreen is bad, now what do I do to stay safe in the sun?” Well, keep in mind these concerns about sunscreen creams are based on new science, so it is not altogether clear yet whether these sunscreen creams are causing more harm than good. From what we do know now, it does make sense when looking for a good sunscreen to watch out for the ones that use many synthetic chemicals and opt for a more natural mineral-based filter like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

Consider eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to supply many of the vitamins and minerals your skin needs for optimal health. Vitamin K2 found in foods like egg yolk, cheese and butter, supports bone health, cardiovascular health and the skin. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene and vitamins C, E, and A, found in colorful fruits and vegetables, aid in blocking the sun’s UV free radicals that can harm skin cells and lead to sun spots or age spots, and skin cancer.

Get to Know the Skin You’re In

Skin is the body’s largest organ - the dermis. The pro-hormone DHEA has been found to be produced and metabolized in the skin. According to medical research done by Dr. Fernand Labrie, it was found that most hormones in post menopausal women are metabloised from DHEA in the skin. DHEA is also a base for skin oil or “sebum.” The body’s derma layer is constantly regenerating and quite absorbent which means it can take in both nutrients and toxins. Did you know that when you apply DHEA cream to your skin the risk of both chemical and UV carcinogens is reduced? Furthermore, the combination of coconut oil, vitamin E and co-enzyme Q-10 (found in Twist25’s DHEA cream) helps skin look and feel hydrated and helps fade keratoses, also known as “age spots” or “liver spots.”

Vitamin D3 is the Sunshine Vitamin.  It is the only vitamin the body produces in the skin or dermis from exposure to sun light (UVB).  Yet with today’s indoor living, clothing that covers most of our skin surfaces, and the use of sunscreens to reduce the risks of skin cancer, many people are deficient in Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 has many hormone-like functions.  It is an important pro-vitamin helping the body to utilize other nutrients. 

According to MedicalNews Today, “the energy from the sun changes a chemical in the skin to vitamin D3, which is then carried to the liver and the kidneys where it is made into active vitamin D.” But what if practicing sun-loving skin safety means you’re not getting enough? Per Medical News Today, “The Vitamin D Council states that the vitamin is important for muscle function, the respiratory system, cardiovascular function, brain development, and it even has anti-cancer properties.” Additionally, vitamin D3 increases the absorption of calcium–crucial for good bone health, especially as we get older. So if you think you’re not getting enough vitamin D3 from sun exposure, consider a vitamin D3supplement. But remember, sunshine on the skin in moderation is good for you!

Find the Right Skin Care Routine

You may have a regular skin care routine for your face, but consider a whole-body skin care routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated or long. To make it easy, try these four steps:

1.     Cleanse – Use an exfoliating sponge or loofa to wash with a paraben-free gel cleanser.

2.     Moisturize – Consider using coconut oil as a hydrating moisturizer. Read more about the wonders of coconut oil for the skin here.

3.     Protect – Find a mineral-based sunscreen that is right for your skin type.

4.     Supplement – Include Twist 25 DHEA cream,  Vitamin D3 and vitamin ADK capsules in your regime to lessen the appearance of “age spots” and assist in balancing derma layer hormones. To read more, checkout this article about Healthier Skin with DHEA Cream.

Have a safe and healthy summer. Remember, it’s the little things we do each day that all add up to make a big difference!

Healthier Skin with DHEA Cream

More and more people are discovering reasons to use DHEA cream. But of the many good things DHEA does, in the absence of any dangerous or harmful effects, there's one that's especially alluring…or attractive shall we say! DHEA has been shown to improve the health and appearance of the skin. Indeed, this is based upon results of numerous medical research studies. So there is a logical reason why using Twist 25 DHEA cream (that also contains coconut oil, vitamin E and co-enzyme Q-10) keeps the skin looking youthful, soft, well hydrated and vibrant while it also reduces risks of both chemical and UV carcinogens and fades age spots.

So, how does DHEA cream improve the skin? There are many ways. First, DHEA is a base for “sebum”. Sebum is otherwise known as skin oil. Sebum helps to keep the skin supple. It also has antimicrobial properties that keep irritations at bay. The end result is skin that's a lot brighter, more hydrated and healthier looking.

In a clinical study conducted in 2000, researchers noted that DHEA appears to help the body produce collagen. Collagen is a protein important in connective tissue that gradually deteriorates as we age. As the skin is depleted of collagen, it loses its elasticity and starts to sag and wrinkle. To make matters worse, collagenase enzymes speed up the process of collagen decline begins. DHEA appears to not only help the body produce collagen, but also helps to inhibit the production of collagenase. With regular daily use, Twist 25 DHEA cream helps the body maintain strong healthy connective tissues by supporting healthy collagen in the dermis yielding healthier, more youthful looking skin.

Additional research, in a 2008 Canadian study, reinforced the findings of the 2000 study. In the 2008 study, researchers noted that DHEA cream appears to help the body "switch on" special genes that are responsible for collagen production. At the same time, the presence of DHEA cream seems to reduce the expression, or effectiveness of genes that are associated with the production of keratinocytes. This is noteworthy because keratinocytes make the skin rougher and even cause it to form calluses. Therefore, it appears that regularly using DHEA cream can help the body keep the skin smoother and softer.

These facts are why we recommend using Twist 25 DHEA cream on your face, neck and hands. Additionally, DHEA cream also reduces the risk of both chemical and UV carcinogens; and DHEA also fades keratoses or “age spots” or “liver spots.”

When you take all of these things into consideration, it's easy to understand why DHEA cream can help people have healthier, younger-looking skin. Unlike so many skincare products, the benefits of DHEA cream are backed up by medical research and science.