Oxidative damage shows up on our faces in the form of sun spots, discoloration, wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity and glow. Vitamin C prevents oxidative damage by neutralizing oxygen-free radicals before they can attack the body. Some Vitamin C is available to the body by oral ingestion, but many individuals do not achieve even the minimum daily requirement through diet or supplements. Furthermore, Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, and so must be reintroduced into the body AND skin on a daily basis. Painted Earths scientists and formulators have refined ways to stabilize and deliver additional amounts of key Vitamin C into the skin. Continued research has demonstrated that properly formulated vitamin C combinations work synergistically to provide enhanced benefit. Recent studies show that topical application of optimized Vitamin C combinations can provide up to eight-fold antioxidant protection, up to ninety-six percent reduction of sunburn cells, and prevent the formation of free radicals in UV irradiated skin (sun exposed skin).

Our vitamin C formulations are superior to most of the C products on the market. Due to our use of a uniquely stabilized vitamin C called Stay C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate). Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is water soluble and is a salt form. It is easily bio-converted to Vitamin C by skin enzymes. Ascorbyl Palmitate is the more commonly used form of vitamin C in skin care formulations today. It is more stable, meaning that it will not yellow the product base as quickly. The reason that we do not use the more commonly used Ascorbyl Palmitate is that it is not as easily converted to Vitamin C in the skin.... it remains in the ester form for a longer period of time. This is not optimal as we want the skin to bio-convert the pro-vitamin form and take up the C right away! What good will a vitamin C concentrate do for your complexion and skin cells if it cannot actually penetrate into the skin? So what we are saying here is that the more commonly used Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable but less bio-available to the skin. We use Stay C at concentrations that may turn the base a light cream color over time. That is because vitamin C is active...all vitamins are active and sensitive to light. The main reason the Palmitate version was created was to avoid the yellowing in formulation but really had nothing to do with the skin efficacy. We are only interested in efficacy, and if we have to watch our product turn a light yellow in order to have the best skin care available, well, so be it!!

Vitamin-C is necessary for the production of collagen, the major structural protein of the skin and although visible differences will not be seen for approximately two months, you may notice a visible difference in skin texture, color and tone in as early as a few days. Painted Earths' Topical Vitamin-C products will start to be absorbed by the skin almost immediately. Because these vitamin-C products were developed as a preventative treatment with the goal of protecting the skin from further environmental damage, the skin will benefit the moment the vitamin-C is applied. The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will become less noticeable within two to six months. Individual results will vary, depending upon the condition of the skin at the time of initial use. Research shows that topical vitamin-C offers photo-protective qualities.

Suggestions for use:
Most individuals find the ideal time to apply vitamin-C is in the morning, because during the day you are more susceptible to sun exposure and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate provides photo-protection from UVA/UVB radiation. You can also safely use it at night, as it stays in the skin for up to 72 hours and cannot be washed off. Using our Vitamin C products once a day should be perfect for optimal results. Do not let the slight sting upon application scare you. The high acid levels are necessary in order for the Vitamin C to be absorbed. Other products with AHA's can still very safely be used alongside of our Vitamin C formulations and will actually be greatly enhanced by the addition of these products. Samples are available per your request. The question now remains. To C or not to C?!

Transdermal NanoTechnology

In addition to equipment, science has provided the tools to reduce molecular size to unprecedented levels. The technology now exists to create topical products that can penetrate the stratum corneum and epidermis as effortlessly as an injection.

The skin is waterproof and protects from the onslaught of environmental factors that can be damaging to a person's health. To get through the epidermis, people have traditionally resorted to making a hole via injection. The technology now exists to accomplish the same penetration without punching holes in the skin, but rather by making molecules small enough to enter the body by fitting through the skin on their own, called nanotechnology. Although nanotechnology is novel, it isn't necessarily new. For example, the The Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University in Houston is a noted research center that studies this type of technology.

The mass of molecules is measured in daltons, a unit that equates to the mass of one proton or one neutron. These are atomic particles. Many skin care products measure 20,000 daltons and higher. As treatment products, their effect is minimal. Skin care companies can now make products with a molecular size less than 100 daltons. In effect, skin care products will be able to be introduced into the body transdermally, as if injected, allowing it to work from within the body outward. Products will be able to affect DNA, reprogram damaged cells and turn fibroblasts into raging furnaces, yielding collagen and elastin as easily as a person pops popcorn. Ablative skin care will slowly take a back seat to preferred treatments and topicals that work from within.

Although skin care is beginning to move this way now, in question is how small the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow molecular size to go. This issue centers around at what molecular size an ingredient will be classified as a drug due to its transdermal penetration. In other words, vitamin A in one molecular size can be a cosmetic and in another, it can be a drug.

Also, the FDA will need to determine who can dispense these new formulations if they are classified as drugs. Rest assured, the new generation of skin care products on the horizon will dramatically change the effectiveness and treatment protocols for topical products.

Manufacturers' claims about what a cream or serum can do will be fulfilled. Pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, problematic skin, keratosis pilaris and crepey skin will all be subject to new treatment paradigms.

We are in service to you!!!

1. Retinol rejuvenates the skin. This vitamin A derivative helps skin produce collagen, a natural component of the dermis that gives skin its youthful, full appearance. According to a 2007 study, published in The Archives of Dermatology, 36 participants age 80 and older applied a formula with 0.4 percent retinol to one arm up to three times a week. After 24 weeks, these participants had dramatic improvements in their skin that were "clearly visible to the naked eye," reports dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Yahoo! blog, The Skin Guru. Also, "skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm, " Leesa Suzman writes about the study in Good Housekeeping.
2. Retinol gives skin an overall healthier appearance. Retinol can help reduce discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture. Plus, it can improve skin tone and color for generally younger-looking, even skin.
3. Retinol stimulates cell turnover. Exfoliating is essential for youthful-looking, healthy skin. By removing dead skin cells, new, healthier cells are able to come through. Your complexion also looks smoother and products are able to sink deep into the skin. This way, your skin can effectively absorb potent ingredients. With a pile of dead skin cells on your face, products have a tough time penetrating this top layer and can not work.
4. Retinol addresses acne. While retinol works to reduce telltale signs of aging, it also treats "acne-ridden skin, " dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf. M.D., tells Allure. Adult acne is common, affecting 50 percent of women. Dealing with both aging and acenic skin can be particularly distressing. Fortunately, because of retinol's exfoliating benefits, it can help treat acne. That's because dead skin cells can clog pores and contribute to acne. By getting rid of dead skin cells, retinol improves and prevents breakouts.
5. Retinol is less irritating than retinoids. Also a vitamin A derivative, retinoids are only available by prescription from your dermatologist. Though they are more potent than their over-the-counter counterparts, retinoids are also more irritating to the skin with potential side effects like peeling and redness. Retinol is gentler because it gradually converts to retinoic acid, which is the active ingredient in prescription treatments. Some people simply can not tolerate retinoids. So retinol is ideal for those individuals along with anyone with sensitive or easily irritated skin and those trying retinoids for the first time. Plus, retinol can pave the way to retinoids, because it helps your skin get used to retinoic acid.
6. Painted Earths' Retinol Serum is formulated in a special delivery system that ensures stabilization of the molecule without oxidation and enhances cutaneous absorption of Vitamin A through the epidermis, reaching even the prickle layer.
   
   Most retinol creams and lotions don't work because their levels of Retinol are too low in addition to being formulated in cheap, ineffective delivery systems.
   
   Our serum will absorb deeply into your skin, penetrating into the prickle layer (four layers deep....see below).
   
   Skin layers:
   
   1 - Horny layer (stratum corneum)
   2 - Clear layer (stratum lucidum)
   3 - Granular layer (stratum granulosum)
   4 - Prickle-cell layer (stratum spinosum)
   5 - Basal layer (stratum basale) Retinol serum is necessary for the growth, maintenance and function of the skin, and also prevents premature aging.
   

Want the Perfect Sexy Cat Eye? A cat eye is a sort of a pointed make up line around the eyes to make them seem longer and more vicious. If done properly, a cat eye can completely transform the looks of a woman. It is a dramatic and timeless fashion from Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Jennifer Lopez and of course Angelia Jolie. Want to be able to get a great cat eye makeup look but not sure how to go about it? Alright, you might not master this technique on your first try but with a little practice you're bound to do a great job! A pencil eyeliner is the easiest way to learn how to master this look. CAT EYE MAKEUP TECHNIQUE: STEP 1- Before starting, make sure you have a good canvas to work with. Prepare your skin to maximize the efficiency of your eye makeup application. STEP 2- CAT EYE makeup is all about your EYELINER!!! Have a good dark brown or black pencil ready. You can also use eyeshadow as your eyeliner (softer look) or liquid eyeliner (a little more difficult but more striking effect). STEP 3- Now, apply your base eyeshadow on the entire upper eyelid...can be any color really but if you want a low-key look, use a neutral matte eyeshadow that compliments your skin tone. For a little glam and intensity, use a shimmer shadow or a deeper color such as dark taupe, brown or smokey grey, even black if desired. STEP 4- Get your eyeliner ready! Line your entire upper eyelid as close to lash line as possible. For a soft look: Extend the line slightly in a straight continuous line. Look in the mirror. Touch up and do the other side. For a more dramatic look: Here's the trick. When you get to the end of the outer corner, STOP. Now, extend your eyeliner in a continuous line once again BUT using a slight upwards angle. (I usually like to aim the angle of the line toward the outer edge of my eyebrow.) Touch up if necessary.

How To Make Essential Oils

Have you ever thought about how to make essential oils? There are several techniques of how to make essential oils. Distillation is one of the most effective ways of extracting oils from plants. This method uses steam to capture the oil. Once the oil is captured, the steam condenses and then the water and oil are separated.

If you only want pure natural oil, the distillation method is for you. Because it uses steam, there are no chemicals used to extract the oil. As a result, the final product contains no residue or lingering chemicals, you just get pure natural oil.

The distillation method has three parts to it, so there are three pieces of equipment. There is the retort or still where the steam begins. The second piece is the condenser where vapor turns into fluid. The last piece that holds the water and oil is called the separator.

The plant and the steam come in contact in the retort or still. There are three methods for the water to extract the oil in the distillation method. Two methods are hydrodistillation where the plant sits in boiling water or the plant can sit on a screen above the water using the wet steam method. The third is the dry steam method where the water is in a separate container and the steam enters the bottom of the retort through a pipe.

The heat from the steam opens up the fibers of the plant and the water gathers the oils out. The steam and oil combination then go through the condenser. The condenser can be a copper pipe or tube. Its purpose is to allow the heat to escape quickly allowing the water to condense back into liquid form.

Once the water and oil have turned back into liquid form, they are gathered into the separator. The separator is usually made out of glass. Here the water and oil rest and separate. Once the oil rises to the top, it is bottled separately from the water.

Depending on the type of plant used, the water left over may have some uses. In the example of lavender, the water still contains its sweet perfume. This water, hydrosol, can be used to freshen laundry, linens, or the air.

Being able to make essential oils in your own home is very rewarding. You can do it as a hobby or buy the essential oils. The method of distillation is very effective and produces pure oil.