I wanted to focus on some of the key ingredients that I use in all of GRAM Skincare products…my Nutra-VÎt Complex^tm.   The three ingredients in my complex are Niacinamide, Glucosamine and Vitamin E.  These three ingredients work synergistically together and have a ton of benefits for the skin when used topically.

The benefits of Nutra-Vît Complex™are:

• Balances skin hydration
• Supports collagen and elastin production
• Aids in wound healing
• Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduces skin discoloration (age spots, pregnancy mask, sun damage)
• Helps prevent the appearance of future hyperpigmentation
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-oxidant – combats free radical damage
• Promotes healthy cell turnover and natural repair process
• Protects skin from environmental aggressors and premature aging
• Helps maintain the natural oil balance

The holidays are coming up and this is the time that we all slip a little with our eating habits. What some may not realize is that our waistband isn’t the only physical side effect – your skin suffers too. So, what should we look for and limit during the holidays?

Drinking Alcohol—Alcohol dehydrates the skin!  This is a direct cause of fine line and wrinkles. A huge misconception is that drinking tons of water the day after drinking and partying will rehydrate skin. Well I hate to burst your bubble, but sorry, that is simply not the case.

Eating Junk Food—Now there is no scientific proof that eating more green leafy veggies will result in better looking skin, but limiting the amount of simple sugars and greasy food will save the waist line and help you feel better. However, the good news is that small amounts of caffeine and chocolate will help the skin because of the antioxidant benefits they provide.

Lack of Sleep—During the holiday season we tend to stay up later preparing for the next party or spending time with family and friends. Not getting enough sleep limits the body’s ability to release the toxins that are stored up during the day. Sleeping allows the body to cleanse itself of the toxins, therefore sleep is a skin-saving technique.

Late Nights—Partying into the wee hours are fun but at what cost to your skin? You get home late from the party and the five minutes you normally take to cleanse and moisturize your face before bed is typically lost. The problem with not removing the days grime, dirt and makeup is that it can clog pores which leads to irritation and inflammation, which is enemy number one to healthy skin.

So during the holiday season remember these simple tips to keep skin looking healthy so you can look great for the next event you’re going to.

Last week I spoke about the importance of understanding the ingredients in your products and how they can potentially cause problems. This week I will be giving you the inside scoop on the most beneficial ingredients available and why they are so incredible.

So, how can you be sure the ingredients on the label will do what the manufacturer says they will do? At SKIN1, it’s a matter of ethics. I don’t just choose ingredients based on a hot new trend or because they’re the newest marketing buzz. Instead, I look for ingredients of the highest quality (which are pharmaceutical grade) and identify those that work synergistically with each other. If the ingredients don’t work together, all you’ll end up with is a bottle full of worthless creamy stuff.

Here is an overview of 6 key ingredients SKIN1 by Dr Gram uses in all products to help fight the signs of aging and keep the number one enemy to healthy skin under control…inflammation.

Niacinamide

ORIGIN: Brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds, and peanuts

IMPORTANCE: It is Vitamin B3, a water soluble vitamin, and the active form of Niacin without the side effects of flushing and itching. It also fights inflammation in the skin. Inflammation causes the collagen and elastin to breakdown which in turn can cause fine line and wrinkles and acne.

Glucosamine

ORIGIN: One of the sources is shellfish. N-acetyl glucosamine, which is a more stable version, is what is used in skincare products.

IMPORTANCE: N-acetyl glucosamine is a substance that inhibits glycosylation of pro-tyrosinase – a key process in melanin overproduction in UV damaged skin which can lead to liver spots and freckles.  It can also help improve skin tone, barrier function and hyperpigmentation.  BONUS: It works synergistically with niacinamide to enhance its anti-aging properties.

Vitamin E

ORIGIN: Avocado, seeds, and wheat germ to mention a few

IMPORTANCE: Alpha-tocopherol is the most used form of vitamin E in skincare. It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, and it protects the skin cells from oxidation by attacking the free radicals caused by sun damage and pollution to name a couple. When mixed with niacinamide and glucosamine they all work synergistically together to fight inflammation…enemy number one to healthy skin!

Apple Stem Cells

ORIGIN: Rare Swiss Apples

IMPORTANCE: Using stem cell technology in SKIN1 products keeps us on the cutting-edge and gives you the best products with the best ingredients to get the best results!

So what do apple stem cells do? They protect the longevity of skin stem cells and fight the aging of the mature skin cells.

Vitamin C

ORIGIN: Citrus fruits

IMPORTANCE: Super anti-oxidant…fights free radicals 10 times better than regular anti-oxidants.

Green Tea Extract

ORIGIN: Green tea leafs

IMPORTANCE: Green tea has several functions but the most important one is to reduce inflammation…do you see a theme with these ingredients? They all fight inflammation which leads to younger, healthier looking skin by fighting the aging process. Green tea works synergistically with sun screens to help reduce sun damage by decreasing the inflammation, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles, and also has antibacterial activity to help fight acne.

The one key thing that all these ingredients do is fight inflammation.  That is the basis of my apothecary skincare line because inflammation is enemy number one to healthy skin!!!

Why should you pay attention to the ingredients on the label? As we’ve become more health conscious, we have trained ourselves to attempt to read and understand the labels on the food we eat. Unfortunately we don’t typically pay the same close attention to the labels of the products we use on our skin. You may not realize it, but it is just as important to your health and safety to know the basic functions of the ingredients that go on your body as well as those that go in it.

What are some common ingredients that can cause harm?

Parabens are very controversial. Although they have been linked to cancer and premature aging of the skin, there is still no conclusive evidence because many study results differ. I, personally, choose not to use parabens in SKIN1 because the risk isn’t worth it especially since there are much better ingredients available. Similar to smoking, if you know there is a risk why do it?

Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in a 2007 report from the British Journal of Dermatology was linked to skin damage and premature aging. The study showed it damages the fibroblast, a cell in the body that contributes to the formation of collagen and elastin, which leads to aging of skin.  Many skincare products use DMAE as their key anti-aging ingredient but at what cost?

Sulfates and Synthetic Fragrances have both been proven to cause skin irritation. The only function of sulfates is to create bubbles in the cleansers we use. The only function of bubbles is to, well, bubble: they have nothing to do with cleansing. Obviously, synthetic fragrance enhances a product’s smell but serves no other purpose. SKIN1 is sulfate and synthetic-fragrance free because there is no reason to use ingredients that cause irritation and only serve a cosmetic purpose.

Vitamin C on the flip side, one of the greatest ingredients, can actually cause harm if not used properly by the manufacturer or improperly used by the consumer. Vitamin C in high concentrations can be lethal to the fibroblast, again, the cell that helps build new skin. Yet at a balanced pH and proper concentration it is not only protective, but can also stimulate collagen synthesis. Be aware though, there is another way you can have too much Vitamin C – the accumulation factor. This happens when you use several products with Vitamin C (i.e. cleanser, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and serum) which results in vitamin C accumulating in the skin and causing more harm than good.

What is the importance of understanding the different quality grades of ingredients?

There are different quality and grades of ingredients. SKIN1 products use natural, organic, and pharmaceutical grade ingredients. I’m sure you have a general understanding of the difference between natural and organic, but what is pharmaceutical grade?  It’s easier to explain if I describe the basic grades of ingredients, which applies to both what we put in and on our bodies. The FDA has designated three grades. From lowest to highest quality and purity they are food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical. Food grade is surprisingly the lowest quality, while pharmaceutical is the highest grade at 97% purity. All ingredients in SKIN1 products are pharmaceutical grade. When I am creating the formulas for SKIN1 I want to make sure that the ingredients are at the highest quality available and that they are safe and effective.

The number one dermal issue I’m asked to help solve is how to properly care for the skin around eyes so as to avoid fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. And it’s no wonder why this is such a hot topic – this problem area can age us far beyond our years!  In order to create a skin care routine as well as identify ingredients that will address the problem, one must understand what actually causes these eye conditions. To give you a better understanding of how I approach eye care, this blog will be touch on both the pharmaceutical side and skin maintenance.

As I said before, to address the problem you must identify its source. Some are a quick fix and others require a little more effort, but it’s worth the energy if it’s going to take years off of those eyes.  Here are the most common culprits and a few tips on how to care for them.

Allergies – Could the issue be related to an allergy? If you think this may be the driving force, enlist the help of your physician to ID the allergen. Next, consult your physician or pharmacist on which OTC antihistamine to take and how to use it properly.

Multi-Vitamins - Most people are deficient in B12 and folic acid due to poor dietary choices. Supplement your diet with a daily multi-vitamin.

Sleep Deprivation – Simple! Get some sleep.

Eye Rubbing - Rubbing the delicate skin around the eye can irritate the skin and break tiny capillaries, causing both puffiness and discoloration.  TIP: When applying products or drying the skin around your eyes pat and dab NEVER rub.

Heredity – You can’t change your DNA but you can help it by using the right products and techniques for your skin type. See below…

SKIN1 by Dr Gram ^TM Eye Rescue is specifically designed with a unique blend of ingredients to revitalize the skin around the eyes and decrease puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Here are the key ingredients and how they get the job done:

Rutin – Eye Rescue is the first skin care product to utilize Rutin, a powerful antioxidant that stabilizes Vitamin C, strengthens capillaries and collagen elastin, and chelates metals from the skin to dramatically reduce dark circles and puffiness. By reproducing stem cells from Buckwheat, the most powerful source of Rutin, I’ve created a natural version that doesn’t oxidize, the reason why it has never been used.

Vitamin K – This ingredient is a vaso-constrictor that contracts capillaries to push the blood out so the dark circles disappear.

Nutra-Vit Complex – The signature Nutra-VÎt Complex^TM works synergistically with botanical extracts to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and decrease discoloration. It is also a super antioxidant that aids in the skin’s natural recovery from environmental damage.

The above tools should be enough to assist you with properly caring for those eyes, but if you still have questions I’d be happy to assist you so please be sure to post them below.  Once again, put your skin first!

Check Out Dr Gram on San Diego Living at 9am this Thursday July 2nd 2009.  That is San Diego CW channel 6.  Dr Gram will be talking about healthy skin, inflammation and how SKIN1 by Dr Gram products will help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy

Product update by Dr Gram

If You’re Considering Chemical Peel…

SKIN1 by Dr Gram has formulated chemical peels that will be ready for launch starting July 2009.  These peels will be for professional use only.  I wanted to write about chemical peels so when you go to your aesthetician you will have a better understanding of what type of peel to choose and how the peel works.

The following series of blogs over the next couple of weeks will provide you with basic information about certain types of chemical peel treatments and the results you might expect.  It won’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances.  It’s just the basics and a little more so you have some knowledge about what chemical peels are and how they work.  Once you and your aesthetician have decided on a specific peel program, be sure to ask about any details that you do not understand.

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers.  Chemical peels are helpful for those individuals with facial or body acne, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation.  The types of chemicals used in peels are phenols, beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).  These can even be combined with fruit peels for more of an exotic peel. 

What Conditions Do Chemical Peel Treat:

 Chemical Peels can be performed on the face, neck, and hands and they are used to:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth
• Treat fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage, hormones, or aging.
  1. All are signs of inflammation and SKIN1 by Dr Gram is geared to fight inflammation.
• Decrease the appearance of scarring
• Help control acne
• Reduce discolorations in the skin
  1. Age spots
  2. Freckles
  3. Melasma
• Improve the feel and look of dull skin color and texture

Deciding if chemical peel is right for you:

A chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons for example to control acne and decrease fine lines and wrinkles.  Although a chemical peel may be used for conditions like removing pre-cancerous skin growths, and soften acne facial scars.  Chemical peels should be performed in a series of 6 and best results if done with a full facial treatment.  After you sit down with your aesthetician and review your skincare needs they will compare your skin to the Fitzpatrick scale and decide which peel is best for your skin type and color. 

Judy from style for free posted a great blog about SKIN1 by Dr Gram.

Click the link below to see the cool new story!!

http://www.styleforfree.com/styletalk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=129567

Click on the link below to see what George Scandalis from Zink Mag and fashionindie.com had to saqy about SKIN1 by Dr Gram.

http://fashionindie.com/the-goods-skin1-by-dr-gram/

Win a SKIN1 Clarifying Mask by Dr. Gram

April 17, 2009 by Cherie Burbach  
Filed under Contests, Women’s Health

What women doesn’t want great skin? It’s the quest of the ages! Well I’ve got a great product you can try FREE. We’re giving away a jar of SKIN1 Clarifying Mask by Dr. Gram.

SKIN1 by Dr. Gram’s Clarifying Mask uses key ingredient sets that work synergistically together to fight blemishes but yet is still mild enough to not harm the skin. Treating the blemish is only one part of the equation, the other part is treating inflammation. Inflammation is enemy number one to healthy skin. For over the past 50 years studies have shown that treating chronic inflammation in the skin can prevent acne and premature aging.

Dr Gram uses Salicylic acid to exfoliate the pores and treat the acne, camphor as the drawing agent to help clear the pores, and sulfur as the antibacterial. It also includes the signature Nutra-Vît ComplexTM which help fights inflammation, balances hydration, supports collagen production, aids in wound healing and decreases fine lines and wrinkles.

Treatment: To be used once weekly for clean clear skin to moderate blemishes (2-5mins) then wash off and twice weekly for moderate to severe blemishes (5-10mins) then wash off. Another great aspect of the clarifying mask is that it can be used as a spot treatment for those angry breakouts. Just use a small dab over blemish and leave on overnight.

Want to win? Leave a message on this post by Sunday, April 26th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky gal the next day.

Go to http://www.blisstree.com/articles/win-a-skin1-clarifying-mask-by-dr-gram/