FutureDerm.com

Perspectives from a future dermatologist

Wish You Could Take a Pill And Improve Your Wrinkles?

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Photo source: GNC.com

…Now you can, albeit modestly so. Dermatologists in South Korea have found in a placebo-controlled study that the following mixture consumed once/day reduced the appearance of crow’s feet by an average of 15% in 108 people in 12 weeks:

  • vitamin C
  • vitamin E
    • The FDA recommends 22 IU/day (about 15 mg/day) for women, and 29 IU/day (about 20 mg/day) for lactating women, not to exceed 1500 IU/day (about 1000 mg/day).
  • pycnogenol
    • Recommended/upper intake limits have not yet been established.
  • evening-primrose oil (shown above)
    • Recommended/upper intake limits have not yet been established.

According to the April 2008 issue of Allure magazine, the pill is only available in Korea. However, “the combination blocks collagen-destroying proteins and increases collagen production…And each component is available separately and they can be taken together,” according to researcher Jin Tae Hong of Chungbuk National University, who was involved with parts of the study. Hong adds further, “Decreasing sun exposure is [still] the best way for young women to prevent wrinkles.”

If anyone tries this combination, be sure to let me know how it works out for you! :-) Keep in mind that previous research has shown that orally ingesting antioxidants is slightly more effective than topical application of antioxidants, but that the greatest effect has been shown when antioxidants are both ingested and topically applied.  So keep up the healthy diets/supplements and the skin care and the sun protection!  :-)

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March 30th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Anti-Aging Treatments, Cosmetic Dermatology News, Edible Skincare | one comment

Follow up: Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum vs. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

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As you can probably tell from this blog, I am an avid fan of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($103.70, Amazon.com), and I have been using it religiously every morning since I was nineteen years old.  (I am now twenty-three.)  In my February 13, 2008 blog post, I wrote about a possibly cheaper new alternative, Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum ($68.00, Cellbone.com), which contained the same amount of vitamin C as Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, half of the vitamin E, and added 5% idebenone.  I promised to write a comparison of Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum and Skinceuticals CE Ferulic after using Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum exclusively for a while, and was gently reminded to do so by a reader this morning (thank you, thank you!)  And the verdict?

As far as I can tell, no difference, except the smell :-)

Upon first switching to Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum, the first difference I noticed between it and Skinceuticals CE Ferulic was the smell, which I wrongly associated with an unintended high alcohol content.  However, inspection of the ingredients in both products (listed below) shows that both products contain hydrating alcohols.  The difference turns out to be that Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum contains menthol, while Skinceuticals CE Ferulic does not, which was the source of the smell.  Once I realized that, the smell didn’t bother me anymore.

I honestly noticed no change in my skin after using to Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum, which, in my opinion, suggests that it is a reasonable alternative to Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.  Once, a few years ago, I was without Skinceuticals CE Ferulic for a week, and I thought my skin seemed drier and less smooth.  However, after switching to Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum, my skin was every bit as clear as when I use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.

So which is better?

I honestly think I am going to alternate between the two products for a while, until I get a definitive answer on which one is better, from research or otherwise.  Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum is obviously cheaper, and contains idebenone, which I love.  After all, because the exact pathway by which each antioxidant acts is not clear, using a variety of antioxidants is an oft-recommended way to protect yourself from unwanted free radical-induced damage.  On the other hand, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic contains no idebenone but does add ferulic acid, which stabilizes the rather unstable L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in solution.  In addition, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic contains 5% more vitamin E, and vitamin E together with vitamin C has been documented to have some pretty incredible effects.

Basically, if I were already using a night cream with idebenone, like Prevage, I would use only Skinceuticals CE Ferulic during the day.  However, being a college student, I certainly love saving money with Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum and getting idebenone there too.  After using both, I don’t visibly notice a difference, so the choice is clearly yours.  :-)  Let me know if you have any additional insights!

Ingredients in Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced C-Serum

Water, L-Ascorbic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propylenglycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc Sulfate, Bioflavonoides, Idebenone, Alpha Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica, Menthol

Ingredients in Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L-ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Alpha Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate

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March 30th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Anti-Aging Treatments, Antioxidant Treatments, Best Products, Best Products, Product Reviews | one comment