By: Valerie Rosenbaum
Submitted: 2009-10-14 06:22:24 | Word Count: 526
Practically anyone can have beautiful pale skin, if they simply make an effort to avoid the sun. Everyone has some “color”. But, it is exposure to UV rays from the sun that causes the color to darken, because of increased melanin production. You can reverse the process, if you want, with a few simple steps.
Limiting sun exposure is always the first step. Exposure to UV rays increases your risk of cancer, causes uneven pigmentation and contributes to a generally aged appearance. The underlying cause is free radical damage.
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Free radicals are molecules naturally present in the cells of the body. One of their functions is to destroy invading pathogens, like bacteria. But, when exposed to UV rays, their behavior becomes frenzied. They start to attack the cellular membranes and eventually the DNA strands, which can mutate, causing the cell to become a cancer cell.
Researchers have found that as we age, the number of free radicals within the cells increase, while the number of antioxidants, which could neutralize them, decrease. It is essential that we correct that imbalance.
Limiting sun exposure is the first step to beautiful pale skin. Using antioxidant rich creams is the second. Although antioxidants do not have a direct lightening effect, they will reduce age spots, repair sun damage and even out pigmentation with regular use. The antioxidant to look for, because it has proven effectiveness, is coenzyme Q10.
The third step is to look for an antioxidant rich cream that also contains a protein called keratin. It has been shown to stimulate the production of new cells. If sun exposure is severely limited, the new cells will be lighter in color. Within 4 6 weeks, you should start to see a difference.
The fourth step for beautiful pale skin is to look for an antioxidant rich cream that contains the protein keratin and an ingredient called cyperus rotundus extract. Cyperus rotundus is a medicinal plant. The roots have been used for thousands of years to reduce irritation and inflammation, as well as to heal and fade bruises.
In modern times, the extracts have been marketed as anti irritants. Only recently was it discovered that the anti irritant inhibits melanin production by over 40 at a .5 concentration.
When you go shopping for a product, you must be careful to avoid creams containing hydroquinone. It also inhibits melanin production, but is accompanied by an increased cancer risk. You may want beautiful pale skin, but you certainly don’t want skin cancer.
Hydroquinone has been banned from cosmetics by countries in the European Union, but manufacturers in the US are still allowed to use it. It is a common ingredient in expensive age spot creams. Please be sure to avoid it.
There are many things that we may not be able to avoid, such as air pollution and toxins in the environment. But, we can easily avoid creams, lotions and other cosmetics that contain cancer causing agents and other toxins. We just need to be aware that they are there. Now that you know the secrets to beautiful pale skin, you might want to learn more about cosmetic ingredients to avoid. It’s worth your time.
Author Resource:-
Valerie Rosenbaum has spent the last several years researching natural skin care products in an effort to find the best skin care products available on the market today. For more information visit http://www.defendyourskin.com
