This article follows on the previous one about good skin care principles, namely cleansing, toning, moisturizing and now feeding. So, how does one feed skin using the GRASS principles of SKINMEDICA?

GRASS stands for:

G – growth factors

R – retinoids (vitamin A)

A – antioxidants (vitamin C & E )

S – sunblock (SPF)

S – speciality treatments (hyper pigmentation, wrinkles, acne, excess skin)

Growth factors are the new trend not only as far as “extended youth” is concerned, but also as a revolutionary skin rejuvenation treatment. From about your mid twenties your skin (and your body) stops producing growth hormone and factors. This obviously leads to the onset of aging, which results in all things going south.

The most obvious effect for the skin is the increase in laxity in collagen fibres. Other factors are also involved, like sun damage (free radicals, UV rays) and inherited collagen “quality”. That’s right; some of your wrinkles can be blamed on your parents!

TNS ESSENTIAL SERUM by SKINMEDICA contains skin growth factors cultured from human skin. Retinoids (retinol , isotretinoin vit A) is the one vitamin group proven to regenerate skin, and when used in different formulations it’s effects are extremely beneficial (see the article on isotretinoin, Roaccutane and Acnetane). SKINMEDICA offers a range of retinols from 0.25 % to 1%. These creams and treatments can be quite aggressive on the skin, so medical input is advisable.

Antioxidants (vitamins C & E) are the skin’s protection against oxidation. Oxidation is a lot like rusting and is caused by free radicals in the atmosphere. Stabilizing the cells in the basal layer of the skin (growth layer) leads to “tougher” skin that can withstand what nature throws at it. Together with Retinols this will give you younger, thicker, smoother and clearer skin.

SPF (sunblock) should by now have its place in everybody’s skin care regime. The damage sun (UV) rays causes is well known. But what factor should we use?  Anything above 15 SPF is sufficient. The difference between a so called 100% SPF and 15 % in sun filter properties is not worth the price difference ….SPF measures the amount of time you can spend in the sun before you burn …15 times longer is surely enough. Remember to apply more than once a day on the face, neck, chest and hands!

Any skin condition that needs extra attention can be treated with a wide range of “special creams” or speciality treatments. Obviously this differs from person to person and again medical input is strongly advised. We hope that this will help you in deciding on which treatment you need and which you don’t. You only have one skin: look after it, protect it and feed it.