Pure Lycopene v Tomato Extract Skin Creams

The market place is full of antioxidant skincare products that promote their anti-aging benefits. The most studied of these antioxidants are the polyphenols found in green tea and grape seed extracts and the beta-carotenoid lycopene found in tomatoes, guava, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Only the lycopene found in tomtoes is the most accessible because it has the lowest water content and the easiest to commercially obtain. There has been a lot of research published in the medical journals on the health benefits of lycopene. Recently, lycopene containing skincare products are beginning to get a lot of attention. Only one product on the market contains pure lycopene, the others creams contain tomato extracts or dry powdered tomato incorporated into a face cream. The question remains which topically applied cream protects the skin the best against environmental free radicals that are responsible for skin damage and aging. In my opinion, skincare products containing pure lycopene offer the best protection. Clinical studies were performed incubating cancer cells with either pure lycopene or tomato paste extracts for a period of 48 hours. The results showed that the pure lycopene inhibited tumor cell growth by 55% as compared to 35% for the tomato paste group. In general, dehydrated and powdered tomato products have poor lycopene stability. Once these creams come in contact with the air the lycopene oxidizes and is of little benefit. It is very important that the consumer be aware that antioxidants in general, once coming in contact with the air begin to oxidize and lose their anti-aging and health benefits. Creams that protect their antioxidant component either with a liposomal or better yet, a cerosomal envelope guarantee that the lycopene or other antioxidants contained in the cream maintain their potency and do what they are promised to do. In conclusion, I believe the best anti-aging, antioxidant face creams are those containing pure lycopene and not tomato extracts or powdered tomato and that the lycopene in these creams be protected with a cerosomal envelope to prevent oxidation which renders the product ineffective.

Use Sun Protection or Fry Like an Egg

When you think of sun protection, the first thought that probably pops into your head is the sun or the Coppertone baby's exposed hinny. However, did you know that good sun protection protects you from more then just the sun and that your skin is at risk evening the shade or on a cloudy gray day. Did you know a quality sun protection protects you from free radicals in the environment as well?

It is important to wear sun protection to protect your skin from the dangerous ultra violet rays that can lead to skin cancer, burning, and as a defense against wrinkles, however, do you really know what you are putting on your skin. Let's take a look at what goes into the making of sunscreen briefly. Sunscreen contains chemicals such as Avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), Anthelios SX, Helioplex, Oxybenzone, Mexoryl SX, and Tinosorb. These chemical additives are absorbed into the skin and screen dangerous UVA and UVB rays. Depending on the sun protection factor number (SPF) of the product being used, will determine just what percentage of the dangerous rays are being screened from soaking into your skin. The higher the SPF the less percentage or rays can get through. Also be aware of the UVA star rating, which is only presently used in Europe. It ranges from 0 to 5 stars with five being full protection from these damaging sun rays.

The Center of Disease Control has stated that some chemicals such as Oxybenzone which is used as a penetration enhancer that helps the other chemical in sunscreen penetrate into your skin is cause for allergies, hormone imbalances, and low birth weight in babies whose mother's used it during pregnancy. Worse yet, when Oxybenzone is exposed to sunlight it forms free radicals that cause skin cancer and skin aging, the very same things we put sunscreen on to protect us from. So, if you are not comfortable putting chemicals on your body, you may want to consider a natural alternative.

There is a way around having to take risks using products that could actually end up causing you more harm then what they are meant to protect. Using natural products such as Lycopene skincare creams can help your body build up its own defense system against harmful UV rays as well as harmful free radicals. It is derived from tomatoes and is high in antioxidants. When used as a face cream along with a diet high in antioxidants, your body begins to build its own natural skin care protection. You not only benefit by using a natural product that is actually good for you, you can also significantly reduce the signs of aging by incorporating Lycopene skincare creams and natural, organic foods into your diet.

It is not recommended that you stop using other methods of skin protection until after you have been using and incorporating Lycopene in your daily diet and skin care routine for a while. Your body needs a chance to build its defense system, however, if you have already been on an active healthful diet, the first time you use Lycopene skincare cream your skin is protected 100% from harmful sun rays and free radicals externally. After your system builds up its defense mechanism you will no longer have to worry about reapply sunscreen several times a day and you will not have to worry about if you are contaminating your body with a chemical that could eventual possibly kill you. It is nice to know there are healthy alternatives.