According to the study published in the “Journal of Nutrition,” it was stated that the women who consume a cocoa beverage have a better chance of having healthy & blemish-free skin.

• Cocoa Beans contain flavonoids, powerful anti-oxidants that protect skin from the various external and internal damages caused by pollution, smoking and sun damage.
• It reduces roughness and soothes the skin.
• Acts as a moisturizer and also increases skin density.
• Increases the blood flow to the skin
• Being the richest source of anti- inflammatory antioxidants it shows symptoms of improving acne.
• Cocoa relieves the stress hormones which in turn soothe the collagen in the skin preventing wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.

New FDA Sunscreen Label requirements

A new ‘Four Star’ label system for 2012

Under the proposed regulation, a UVA star rating would be prominently displayed on sunscreen labels, near the SPF rating.

“For more than 30 years, consumers have been able to identify the level of UVB protection provided by sunscreens using only sunburn protection factor or SPF values,” said Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., Commissioner, Food and Drugs. Under this proposal, “consumers will also now know the level of UVA protection in sunscreens, which will help them make informed decisions about protecting themselves and their children against the harmful effects of the sun.”

With the proposed UVA rating system

• One star will represent low UVA protection
• Two stars, medium protection
• Three stars, high protection
• Four stars, the highest UVA protection available in an over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen product.
• If a sunscreen product does not rate at least one star, FDA is proposing that its labeling bear a “no UVA protection” marking on the front label, near the SPF value.

Lavandou offers a complete line of ‘Full spectrum’ sun protection products to protect you from both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays): Lavandou Sun Protection

Because botanical and fruit extracts contain a multitude of vitamins, amino acids and flavonoids that feed the skin, they can easily ramp up the effectiveness of product or service without the addition of too many ingredients. Several examples of extracts that are rich in these components include the following:

Calendula extract: This extract has properties that make it an excellent ingredient in cleansers for all skin types, especially dry, sensitive and sunburned skin. The cleansing properties of calendula extract are attributed to saponin, a natural surfactant that foams and lathers when agitated in water, calendula extract also contains mucilage, a polysaccharide that has humectant and soothing properties making it a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredient. This ingredient also contains flavonoids, thus exhibiting antioxidant properties.

Ginkgo bilobo extract: This extract can be a useful ingredient in any number of products, expecially leave-on products, such as facial moisturizers and massage oil. It has been studied as an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and sun care ingredient. In fact, the main, flavonoids proven to be effective in treating mature and sun-damaged skin are found in ginko biloba extract. Because flavonoids have the ability to penetrate the epidermal skin layer, they have some effect on the dermal layer as well. This property alone makes ginkgo biloba extract a noteworthy ingredient.

Watermelon extract: Rich in vitamin C and amino acids, watermelon extract is a powerful antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. Becasue of its antioxidant activity, watermelon extract is an effective ingredient for fighting free radicals released by sun exposure. The vitamin C content of this fruit extract also works well to gently exfoliate the skin without the use of physical exfoliants. True to form, this ingredient helps promote skin-cell regeneration, revealing a healthy, glowing skin tone. Watermelon extract lends itself well to both leave-on and rince-off products, including masks, cleansers and moisturizers for the face and body.

As consumers continue to demand natural and organic products, researchers are honing in on the power of a multitude of plant life for their skin benefits. Lavandou is is happy to offer the best in botanical and Organic products:

• Sothys
• Beauty Garden – by Sothys
• YonKa of Paris

When considering which extracts are best suited for your skin, it is important to understand the role various chemicals components play in skin care:

Vitamin A:  Also know as retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate and retinoic acid, is a tried and true anti-aging ingredient. Research has show that when applied topically, vitamin A can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As the skin ages, collagen production decreases, leading to thinner, less taut skin. Viotamin A has been show to increase the production of procollagen, the precursor to collagen production, and glycosaminoglycan, which is known to retain significant amounts of water. Thus, vitamin A aids in the the maintenance of skin structure and moisturization to reduce the signs of aging.

Vitamins C & E: Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that can combat free radicals caused by sun exposure. Free radicals act as scavengers looking to find suitable mates. As a result, they attack structural components of the skin, such as collagen and elastin, which can lead to aging in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. Although vitamin A helps restore the skin post-aging, vitamins C and E are more preventive ingredients.

Flavonoids: Flavonoids are chemical components responsible for giving fruits, vegetables and plants their color. They are also known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Although most cosmetic ingredients merely treat the outermost layer of the skin, studies have shown that some flavonoids exhibit activity in both the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Such flavonoids are excellent chemicals components for anti-aging and after-sun products, providing both short-term and long-term results. This is especially useful in tackling the damage caused by UVA (Aging) rays, which affect deeper layers of the skin, resulting in damage that isn’t immediately apparent.

Amino acids: Amino acids also play an important role in maintaining healthy, youthful skin. They are the building blocks of protein and because human skin is made of fibrous protein, amino acids are essential. The body can produce the majority of the amino acids it needs; however, essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be introduced via ingestion or applied topically. Because proper skin function and development is reliant on amino acids, they play an important role in the delivery and function of other skin care ingredients.

Lavandou is proud to represent the top brands that have developed a complete line of skin care products utilizing the finest chemical components available. Learn more:

• Jan Marini Skin Research
• Cellex-C
• MD Formulations

The peptide explosion began in the late 1980′s, when French scientiest JP Borel and F. Maquart found that the copper peptide pal-GHK (shorthand for the string of amino acids comprising the peptide) stimulated collagen synthesis, improved wound healing and played an overall role in regulating the skin remodeling process. In the late 90′s, another collagen pentapeptide fragment began making news: pal-KTTS. Palmitoyl pentapeptide, its generic name, is currently used in dozens of cosmetic products.

Pal-KTTS became the talk of the town after laboratory studies presented at the 20th World Congress of Dermatology in Paris in 2002 showed it could increase collagen synthesis. Later clinical studies indicated that applications of 3% Matrixyl (the proprietary name of the palmitoyl pentapeptide patented by French pharmaceutical giant Sederma) could significantly decrease both wrinkle depth and volue by as much as 45%. Peptides, such as Matrixyl, have made an important contribution to antiaging skin care.

Jan Marini Skin Care has been one of the leading skincare companies to take advantage of this newly discovered technology within their Age Intervention line.

The Facts:

• 13% of young adults DON’T understand the melanoma/skin cancer link with tanning
• 33% of young adults DON’T understand that limited tanning helps prevent melanoma
• 81% of young adults think tanned skin looks better than pale skin

It’s more important than ever to understand the dangers of sun exposure and the possibility of melanoma. Here are a number of common teen misperceptions about cancer and sun exposure, followed by the facts.

Teens believe: Skin cancer only happens to people over 40.  Fact:  According to the December 2008 issue of Skin & Aging magazine, among young American adults aged 25-29, melanoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the No. 1 cause of cancer death among 15-20 year olds.

Teens believe: Tanned skin looks healthier than pale skin.  Fact:  Tanned skin is actually an indicator that the skin is damaged, so there is no safe tan.

Teens believe:  Tanning beds are safer than the sun because they don’t have the UVB rays that burn the skin.  Fact: Tanning beds can expose an individual to four times the amount of UVA (aging rays) and two times the amount of UVB (burning rays) as a similar period of sun exposure.  People are unable to feel the UVA rays on their skin, but they contribute the most to skin aging and skin cancer.

Teens believe: You only need to wear sunscreen on sunny summer days.  Fact:  UVA rays penetrate through clouds and windows, and are reflected off concrete, asphalt, snow and grass. These rays are present from sun up to sun down, all year-round.

Teens believe:  Wearing sunscreen every day will cause a vitamin D deficiency.  Fact:  The human body only needs 20 minutes of noontime exposure to sunshine a day, on the head, neck and hands, to make about 1000 international units (IU) of vitamin D. Oral vitamin D supplements have been found to be as effective as sun exposue, and the human body does not know the difference between the two.

Teens believe:  You don’t need to use sunscreen if you are naturally tan.  Fact:  All colrs of skin, regardless of race, should be using sunscreen. Naturally darker skin types have a lower incidence of skin cancer, but when melanoma is discovered on darker skin, it is more advanced than on lighter skin.

Early dectection – know the signs:

     A – Asymmetry: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical

     B – Borders:  The borders are uneven

     C – Color:  Varied shades of brown, tan or black are often the first signs

      D – Diameter:  Early melanomas ten to grow larger than common moles.

      E – Evolving:  Chane in any parameter: color, size, shape or feel

  Use only top-quality ‘Full Spectrum’ sun protection as found in all Lavandou sun protection products:

   Lavandou sun protection

The beauty industry has recognized Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup as the top ‘Beauty Choice Award Winner’.

• Best Mineral Bronzer
• Best Moisturizing Lip Product
• Best Full-Coverage Mineral Concealer
• Favorite Cosmetics Line

See Lavandou Skincare for the full selection:  Jane Iredale

The Skin Care Solution

If you are one of the millions who suffer from ingrown hairs and razor burn – you’re in luck.

Say goodbye to ingrown hairs and razor burn with Tend Skin’s post-hair removal formula, available in a new refillable roll-on for easier application. 

Lavandou Skincare is proud to include Tend Skin as one their premier brands. Click her to learn more:  Tend Skin

Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner is a proprietary and spectacular non-prostaglandin eyelash formulation that will give you amazingly gorgeous, dense and lush eyelashes… the eyelashes of your dreams! Marini Lash features a proprietary peptide blend which when combined with other essential factors produces extraordinary eyelash and brow enhancement.

New_MariniLash - Click to view dramatic results!

Marini Lash available in two convienient sizes from Lavandou Skincare, visit Jan Marini skin care