Overview of Cosmeceuticals
While making healthy lifestyle choices makes a big difference in the appearance of skin, skin care products can help correct imperfect behavior. Cosmeceuticals are among the most advanced members of the skin care family. They are topical products that have properties and effects of both cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
A product of sophisticated research and development, cosmeceuticals are an important weapon in the fight against aging caused by free radical damage. Effective anti-aging cosmeceutical ingredients include:
Polyphenols
Byproducts of the body’s oxygen use and other natural processes, free radicals are unstable molecules with a missing electron. They attempt to become stable by taking an electron from other nearby molecules. This sets off a chain reaction as each successive, unstable molecule attempts to stabilize itself. The aftermath is misshapen and broken molecules that weaken cell structure and damage the body and skin.
Antioxidants protect cells by neutralizing both internal (e.g. stress and metabolism) and external (e.g. sun damage and pollution) forces that cause free radical damage. Polyphenols are and especially potent variety of plant-derived antioxidants with many potential health benefits resulting from their ability to fight free radicals.
Good sources of polyphenols include berries, wine, olive oil and, in particular, green and black tea. All teas from the Camellia plant have about ten times the polyphenol content of fruits and vegetables.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is another powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy cell function, boosts skin’s radiance, and minimizes enlarged pores and surface imperfections.
Every cell in the body contains ALA. It powers the body’s functions by converting glucose into energy, and also works as the ultimate antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals and combating aging.
One reason ALA is so effective against aging is because of the role it plays in resisting glycation. Glycation is the result of a sugar molecule bonding to a protein or lipid molecule without the controlling action of an enzyme. Glycation impairs the functioning of biomolecules.
As humans age, the number of glycated proteins in the body increase. Evidence shows that ALA blocks or reduces the process of glycation. It also protects proteins already exposed to oxidative stress, therefore reducing effect of aging on the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.
ALA works to:
- Moderate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve skin texture
- Reduce pore size, puffiness, imperfections, and discoloration
DMAE
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) provides both long-lasting and instant anti-aging benefits to your skin and body, even contributing to an “anti-aging face lift” in the right concentrations. DMAE occurs in the brain in small amounts to facilitate the synthesis of a neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
For the skin, Perricone’s patented DMAE:
- Provides contouring benefits to skin losing elasticity
- Lifts, tightens, and tones skin
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
When applied to the skin in a cream or treatment, DMAE can help the skin to renew itself and maintain a healthy moisture balance. DMAE cream improves skin’s elasticity as the DMAE renews and restores skin cells. Because acetylcholine in involved with muscle activity, DMAE creams also help firm the skin by working to stimulate increased tone in the muscles behind the face.
Neuropeptides
Neuropeptides are small, protein-like molecules that neurons use to communicate with each other. They influence the activity of the brain in specific ways and are involved in particular brain functions such as:
- Analgesia
- Reward
- Food intake
- Learning
- Memory
When used in skin care products, these special molecules boost production of collagen and elastin and increase circulation. Neuropeptides can have a number of positive effects on the skin including:
- Surface renewal of the dermis
- More toned, supple, and resilient skin
- Lines and wrinkles smoothed
- Diminished appearance of sagging or crepey skin
Perricone M.D. Cosmeceuticals
Dr. Perricone’s Neuropeptide Facial Conformer is a cutting edge cosmeceutical product. It includes patented anti-aging technologies in the form of DMAE, phospholipids, and neuropeptides.
The strong and non-invasive active ingredients in the Facial Conformer work synergistically with an anti-inflammatory diet and supplementation to:
- Firm skin
- Improve elasticity and texture
- Diminish deep lines and wrinkles
- Re-energize and hydrate skin
After six of use, over 80 percent of users reported improvement in photo damage and/or reduction in lines and wrinkles. The Neuropeptide Facial Conformer represents the sophisticated nature of cosmeceutical products by using modern pharmaceutical technology to work toward impressive results in the health and beauty of skin.
[...] Cosmeceuticals [...]
I HAVE OILY SKIN IN MY 40′S AND AM LOOKING FOR A FACIAL TREATMENT PRODUCT. I DON’T WANT TO SHINE LIKE I DO NOW BUT I DON’T WANT TO OVER DRY MY SKIN BEING IN MY 40′S THIS MIGHT CAUSE MAJOR LINES AND WINKLES AT MY AGE. I WANT TO PUSH BACK FATHER TIME & HAVE HEALTHY SKIN. I TRULY BELIEVE TESTING THIS PRODUCT WILL GIVE ME THIS SO PLEASE CHOOSE ME! THANKS!
I would love to be one of the “80% of users” reporting a reduction in lines and wrinkles. PICK ME! Thanks.
I am 62 years old and of course, thanks to healthy eating and supplements do not look it. I have used several products of yours and find them superior to other products on the market. I believe in taking supplements and eating foods rich with antioxidants BUT I further believe that you need proper skin treatments to work with the other parts of your regimen. I would love to test products to keep my skin healthy and young looking.
I prefer Polyphenol Skin Drops alone as I don’t wear make-up on my fair skin and they add a slight tint of color to my skin.
[...] acid, when used as a topical solution, can help reduce cellular inflammation. When combined with DMAE, which helps to firm and tone skin, alpha lipoic acid can reduce surface oil and acne without [...]
[...] from skin care products containing anti-inflammatory ingredients that aren’t harsh or drying. DMAE is a great ingredient for the oily portions of your skin, especially when contained in a toner. Then, for the dry [...]
I work a stressful 40 hr week job. I then go home to take care of both my elderly parents. Both job and care giver has taken its toll on my face. I look beyond my age of 58. In fact I think I look older than my 84 year old mother. I would love to use a product that could reverse some of the premature aging.
[...] Perricone Cosmetics‘ Cold Plasma’s formula works according to your individual, unique needs through biochemical individuality – a self-selection process charged by phospholipids, that help direct needed nutrients where they can be effectively used through the cell membrane. This also means, if any of the ingredients aren’t needed, they just won’t be utilized. [...]
[...] Perricone Cosmetics‘ Cold Plasma’s formula works according to your individual, unique needs through biochemical individuality – a self-selection process charged by phospholipids, that help direct needed nutrients where they can be effectively used through the cell membrane. This also means, if any of the ingredients aren’t needed, they just won’t be utilized. [...]
[...] lip plumper from Pericone cosmetics is different because it does more than its name implies; its potent ingredients work to restore [...]
[...] into your daily routine is to choose a foundation with SPF like No Foundation Foundation from Perricone cosmetics. In addition to delivering the benefits of its active ingredients and acting as a superior [...]
[...] you like the “no makeup” look? Have you tried Dr Perricone cosmetics? Share you thoughts in the comments [...]
[...] damage is applying sunscreen, such as the non-chemical sunscreen in No Foundation Foundation from Dr. Perricone Cosmetics, one of the most effective treatments for sun damage is vitamin C [...]
I have very fair skin and mac-up always looks fake. I would love to try your product no foundation, foundation
thank-you
Sylvie Sevigny
[...] there are a number of Perricone MD cosmeceuticals that are perfect for treating redness so you can avoid further [...]
I have had trouble with unbelieveably large pores since I was a kid and have tried everything to fix them. The effects of your moisturizer looks to be my best solution. Please pick me!
Shame on you Dr. Perricone! your nanpparticles are hazardous to the brain and akin to asbestos!! its no wonder you didn’t endorse the Safe Cosmetics Act!!
You can find a list of common cosmeceutical ingredients and benefits at:
http://www.gscos.com/glossary-of-terms
Hi Jones,
Thank you for commenting on the Perricone blog.
We don’t specifically use nanotechnology in current product; but there are nano-sized particles inherently in the physical sunscreen ingredients we use, since the particle size distribution is a range.
Note on zinc oxide sunscreen, it is in a lotion (concern is more around inhalation) and is designed to stay on top layers of skin in order to act as a physical block. It doesn’t make sense for physical sunscreen ingredient manufacturers or us as cosmetic manufacturers to make ZnO and TiO2 sunscreens penetrate past the surface layer or they wouldn’t work.
I started using your Firming Facial Toner last Christmas. My daughter purchased it but it caused her skin to break out. She asked her dermatologist and she told her she was allergic to one of the ingredients – soooo I started using it. What a difference. I have used RETIN-A every night since the mid 80s and because my skin has always been dry, it started peeling and 25 years still peels. I have three areas on end of my nose that has required freezing every year as they peel continuously. Well, using your product, my nose healed within the first week of use and has not required treatment since using it. I am now able to use Retin-A Micro 0.1% without the peeling. I am thrilled after all these years to find a product that helps the pH of my skin. I would be happy to sample your other products that works well with Retin-A. I am 69 years old and do not have a wrinkle on my skin. Thank you.