Beautifully Clean: Fountain of youth

by Therese Bowen
Freshlife Personal Care Coach

I remember back in my 20’s making some self-righteously ridiculous declarative like, “I am going to embrace my wrinkles and gray hairs and age gracefully.” That’s easy to say when you look like you are in your 20’s. Now that a few decades have passed, the mirror shows a different woman; one that has earned those lines and gray hairs by plowing through piles of life lessons. Thank heavens it is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind because now that those wrinkles have taken up residency in my countenance, I have decided they aren’t welcome, and will not be allowed to stay without a fight.

Nobody can turn back the hands of time and since (sorry to say) there really isn’t a fountain of youth, what can you do to keep your skin youthful-looking as long as you can? Rest assured there are a few little tricks you can pull out of that toiletry bag. The two biggest enemies to youthful skin are dehydration and collagen breakdown. These can be caused by harmful free radicals brought to you complements of pollution, sun damage and stress. It could be your diet and/or your environment. Hard as you try to do the right things in caring for your skin, sometimes things just get in the way to thwart your efforts. When that happens, it’s time to bring out the big guns…hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gelatin-like fluid that acts as a natural lubricant and shock absorbent within the body. Hyaluronic acid is an important part of healthy connective tissue, found in abundance in the eyes, joints, heart valves and skin. When applied topically to the skin, HA acts as a humectant—an ingredient that holds moisture. Hyaluronic acid can hold hundreds of times its weight in water, thereby providing effective skin surface hydration. When skin is adequately hydrated, it naturally plumps and fills in lines, making wrinkles less noticeable.

Vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its firmness and stability. As we age, collagen begins to break down and isn’t replenished as completely or as rapidly as when we were young. Another gift that Vitamin C offers is its ability to act as a natural skin lightener. Vitamin C visibly brightens the complexion by reducing the size and intensity of age spots.

I’m excited to share with you a new topical formula that contains both of these elements, Hydraplenish by Nature’s Way. This lightweight serum can be used under make-up, by itself, or in tandem with your current moisturizing crème. You can feel and see a difference in the appearance of the skin immediately; and with long term use, the Vitamin C will work its magic to improve the firmness and elasticity of your skin.

Just as the eyes are said to be the mirror to the soul, the health of the skin is a reflection of what is going on inside the body. If you really want to amplify the potential of younger looking skin, you may want to consider adding a few supplements to your free radical fighting arsenal. Let me recommend Baxyl bioactive hyaluronan. Taking HA orally will hydrate tissue and help to rebuild collagen from the inside. You will receive an added benefit of reduced joint pain and increased joint mobility (if those pesky issues are also rearing their ugly heads in your little corner of the universe!) The other supplement I strongly suggest is Pureway-C, a patented form of vitamin C with enhanced bioavailability. That means that your body can absorb it more rapidly and thoroughly. One thousand milligrams a day and you will be far better equipped to rebuild collagen from the inside out as well as from the outside in.

So I invite you to join me in the trenches of wrinkle warfare and arm yourself with these anti-aging powerhouses. When you see that bright, firm and youthful looking face staring back at you in the mirror, you will know that you have won yet another battle against Father Time.