Beautifully Clean Skin & bones

By Therese Bowen

What do skin and bone have in common? They both require collagen protein. As youngsters we have firm skin and flexible, strong bones and joints. Over time, free radicals and the aging process damage existing collagen and the production of new collagen slows dramatically, compromising the structural integrity of your bones and skin. To be “up in your face” about it, your skin starts to sag and wrinkle. The good news is that there are things you can do to give your body the tools it needs to repair itself.

Cellfood Essential Silica Formula is an excellent formula that provides support for bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue as well as hair, skin, teeth and gums. As we age, we experience a decline in the production of silica. Silica, along with other trace minerals found in this formula, is needed to strengthen bones and increase the body’s collagen production and thereby maintain skin elasticity. Strong resilient bones and firm, smooth skin—that’s what I call win-win.

Vitamin C is an essential building block of collagen. Sailors (and pirates!) learned that eating citrus prevented a disease called scurvy. (Okay, so maybe the pirates wanted the limes for their rum.) Without enough vitamin C, the body cannot produce collagen and all body tissue requires collagen protein for survival. Without it, the body literally starts to come apart, cell by cell.

Pycnogenol, an extremely potent antioxidant—fifty times stronger than vitamin E—also helps support collagen production. Freshlife’s own brand of Pycnogenol comes in a standardized form so you are assured of getting a therapeutic amount in every dose. Pycnogenol enhances vitamin C’s function and extends the life of vitamin E. Now that’s a heavy-hitter. Taking this antioxidant in supplement form will help support collagen growth, but studies show that to have a noticeable impact on your skin, you will also want to apply this antioxidant topically.

Let me recommend some skin-care products from derma-e containing Pycnogenol—Pycnogenol Moisturizing Crème and Pycnogenol Moisturizing Gel, both of which also contain vitamins C, E and A. I recommend the crème for skin that acts dry and the gel for skin that acts oily. In addition to repairing the damaged collagen by selectively binding itself to collagen and elastin fibers located in the dermis layer of the skin, this crème/gel also reduces inflammation, strengthens the capillary system and protects against damage caused by UV radiation. Another benefit is that it can be used by everyone, including most people with sensitive skin. It has been shown to reduce redness and soothe skin that is irritated. Think of it as both an armor and a nursemaid for your face. Both of these products are available at Freshlife. I invite you to stop in the store for samples of these products.

Let me also clue you in to a little “buyer beware” tip. Pycnogenol is extracted from the French maritime pine grown in Southern France. The raw product is a light rust-colored brown powder, which gives skin-care products a brownish-tan color. If you think you will save money by purchasing a drugstore cream claiming to contain pycnogenol, be careful. If the product doesn’t have the characteristic brown color, it doesn’t contain enough Pycnogenol to be effective. Better to put your money into quality products that will yield results. Make every penny count on that beautiful face of yours.

At Freshlife, we constantly strive to bring you the safest, cleanest and most effective products available on the market. Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations. If you have questions or need more information to help you make a wise consumer decision, I am here to help.