There is something happening in America today that many people are completely unaware of. Ninety eight percent of the skin treatment products in America being used to keep the skin young looking and healthy looking are causing the opposite outcome over time. The reason for this is because all these products contain several hazardous ingredients.

The Aging Process, Protection and Prevention

What happens to skin through the aging process? Picture an apple that has fallen off the tree. How long will it last exposed to the elements? Possibly three or four days? If the apple is picked, protected and kept in a dark, cool, dry place you can possibly get six months out of it. After the age of 18, the skin is similar to the apple that has fallen off the tree. It now requires protection from the elements. The skin is composed of Collagen and Elastin. They make up the strength and elasticity of the skin. Collagen and Elastin production decreases 65% between the ages of 20 and 80 and the thickness of the skin decreases 6% every 10 years. As the skin loses its thickness it also begins to lose its capacity to hold and retain moisture causing it to age more quickly than thick skin.
Wrinkles
In your thirties, skin becomes less resilient as elastin decreases permitting gravity to take hold.
In your forties, elasticity begins to decay, the skin loses its memory and becomes even less resilient.
In your fifties, gravity united with the decline in Collagen and Elastin causes the skin and muscle to start to sag.

Protection and Prevention.
Just as the apple can be protected in a healthy way, so can the skin. Unfortunately, many of the skin care products on the market are adding to the visible signs of aging and skin disease caused by the sun.

Several hazardous Ingredients Found in Many Skin treatment Products

Caution! Have you ever read the ingredients on the back of your skin care jar?

Product ingredients to watch out for are toxic to your nervous system)... the same stuff you put in your automobile ! Mineral oil has absolutely zero nutritional value. It is a known carcinogen (Cancer causing agent) and yet the skin care industry still uses them in lip gloss, lotions, creams, ointments and shampoos. An unbiased study submitted by the Cancer Prevention Coalition in June 2002, contained the following: 'Cancer and health experts just concluded reviews that suggest mainstream cosmetics and personal hygiene products including lotions, soaps and shampoos, pose the greatest risk exposures to the general public. This risk is higher than smoking."

From the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), March of 2001: "In a study of environmental toxins found in the blood and urine, there were surprisingly high amounts of toxic chemicals found in everyday products like perfume, soaps and cosmetics in the people tested."

John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics and moisturizers as the number two cause of aging. The first being direct exposure to the sun.The result is early aging and increased health risks.

Ninety eight percent of personal care products sold in the United States contain mineral oil and other petrochemicals.
You might not be able to see mineral oil on your label because it has hundreds of different names. This refined petroleum product forms a film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed. (sort of like wrapping your face with Plastic wrap everyday.) It blocks the pores and the skin's natural respiration. Mineral oil may also cause allergic reactions and dryness. It traps dirt and bacteria and blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product.

Do a comparison test:

Take two glasses, fill one with baby oil (mineral oil) and the other with water. Let them sit for a few minutes and see what happens. You will find that the cracker in water totally absorbs the water. The cracker in mineral oil does not. It forms a very hard barrier on the surface of the cracker.

What to look for in an Anti-aging Skin Treatment System
There are several ingredients to look for in a anti-aging treatments that will protect the skin from the environment and diminish the aging process and even decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:

-Oil in water emulsion
-Plant nutrients to soften and condition the skin
- Free radical fighting antioxidant vitamins delivered through a system that will allow deep penetration into the skin in order to protect, condition and adjust to the skin's specific needs.
- Vitamin C to promote the production of collagen, elastin, and ground substance(the strength and elasticity of the skin)
-Alpha Lipoic Acid which is an antioxidant that penetrates skin quickly and absorbs into the skin's cells to increase cell metabolism.
-Kojic Acid which is a highly effective, natural skin lightening agent that reduces the appearance of long-term sun and environmental damage.
-Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids Alpha breaks down protein bonds, increasing cell proliferation. BHA with antioxidant properties helps to visibly tighten and smooth skin, and reduce the appearance of brown spots and fine lines.
-Peptides to increase skin thickness. Produces significant quantities of collagen to restore dermal matrix.

Conclusion

Aging is normal, but aging early is abnormal. Using products that contribute to the sun's ability to prematurely age and cause skin disease just does not make sense. if you are one of the many people who are using damaging skin care products you owe it to yourself to spend some time looking for good products that will slow down the aging process and not only give you beautiful skin but healthy skin too.