Archives for November 2023

Learn Why Your Skin Looks So Tired And What You Can Do About It

November 30, 2023 by Charlene Bollinger Leave a Comment

Did you recently pull an “all nighter” for work or school? Do you have sleep apnea or are you prone to waking up several times throughout the night?

Whether it is just a temporary thing or ongoing, if you are suffering from lack of sleep there is a good chance that it will show on your skin—and especially on your face.

Luckily, there are fast, easy ways you can help your skin look and feel refreshed while you get to work on getting a good night’s sleep!

How To Tell If Your Skin is Tired

If you are finding yourself dragging through the day, odds are so is your skin. Skin can especially show the effects when lack of quality sleep is ongoing. Here are a few telltale signs that your skin may be hinting for more rest:

You have bags under your eyes.
The skin around your eyes is puffy.
You have fine wrinkles (or more pronounced fine wrinkles) around your eyes and in general.
You are more prone to breakouts, acne, rashes, and skin infections.
Your skin just looks lackluster, sallow, or “dull.”

Interestingly, it’s not just you who will notice that tired look on your face. Apparently, others can also pick up on it. A 2017 Swedish investigation found that those who had restricted sleep for just two days appeared less attractive and also less trustworthy to others. (1)

A Note About “Beauty Sleep”

The fact is that, just like other organs in the body, your skin needs overnight hours in order to regenerate and recover. There is a reason why they call it “beauty sleep” after all!

During this time, the body is not encountering added stressors such as excess sunlight, toxins in the air, and other assaults that it may encounter during the course of a busy day. While we sleep, our skin has time to rejuvenate as it gets rid of dead skin cells and creates new ones to rebuild collagen and other needed substances. When the skin does not have enough time to do all this, it can often leave it more sensitive and prone to outbreaks, rashes, and irritation.

Of course, The absolute best way to fix that “I-just-need-to-get-some-sleep” look is to actually get some sleep. Yes, I know. This statement is so obvious it is almost a crime to mention it. But before you walk away from this article in frustration, just hear me out!

If all you did was stay up late binge-watching your favorite show as a one-off event, no worries. Just be sure to get a little extra shut eye the next evening and you should be golden.

If, however, you are one of the 50 to 70 million Americans who have a recognized sleep disorder (according to the American Sleep Apnea Association), then the recommendation for more sleep is definitely easier said than done. (2)

Consider these very common causes of sleep related issues that affect millions of people each year:

Too much caffeine
Too much sugar
Too much alcohol
Hormone imbalance
Emotional stress, anxiety, and PTSD
Certain medications
Certain conditions, such as respiratory infections, allergies, and nocturia (nocturia is also known as “frequent urination” and is often related to hormonal imbalance) (3)
Certain sleep-related conditions, such as teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome
Chronic pain
Being overweight (4)

If any of the above sound familiar to you , I strongly encourage you to get back on track regarding your sleep priority number one. Yes, sleep is that important! In fact, it is one of the three “must have” factors (besides adequate nutrition and movement) that are absolutely essential for good health. Getting to the root cause of sleep disturbances is worth it for your good health and the vibrancy of your skin no matter what your age. (5)

Four Ways to WAKE UP Tired Skin

To reiterate, getting back on track with sleep is definitely the best thing you can do to get rid of the bags under your eyes and those extra wrinkles. At the same time, there are ways to revive tired skin naturally by being proactive and providing your skin with the nutrients, moisture, and healing it may be lacking. This is where the natural, wild-crafted substances within CHARLíS Luxury Skincare can really shine!

#1 Don’t hide tired-looking skin behind extra make-up.

I know it can be tempting to cover up that pale, tired complexion with extra foundation, concealer, or so-called blemish removing products. You may be able to get away with it for a little while. In the long run, however, doing so may cause more harm to your skin.

Slathering on more substances, especially with the face, will cover up pores which were designed to help the skin breathe. It will also give an already worn-out system even more chemicals to clean up. Remember that we are what we eat, and this means what we “ingest” through the skin. A recent study published in the journal of the American Public Health Association found that the skin may absorb up to 60 percent of the toxins with which it comes in contact. (6)

Speaking about the hazards of commercial cosmetics, also consider that there are very few laws out there to stop potentially harmful ingredients from making their way into your favorite cosmetics. This means that that extra concealer you are considering using could contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, triclosan, heavy metals, parabens, and phthalates. Long term side effects of these chemicals include neurological issues, hormonal imbalance, and cancer. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued warnings regarding certain cosmetics that were found to contain asbestos. (7)

#2 Give your face a good cleaning.

Instead of covering skin up, why not let it breathe? By giving it a little extra cleansing, you are removing the dead skin cells that would have been eliminated while you were sleeping and allowing skin to take in needed oxygen.

In addition, the connection between lack of quality sleep and higher systemic inflammation is pretty clear. Of course, this means inflammatory conditions on the skin as well. CHARLíS Daily Facial Cleanser contains 100% non-GMO, organic, and wild-harvested substances such as aloe vera and Canadian willowherb that were designed by nature to lower inflammation on the surface of the skin as well as soothe, relieve and help repair in the deeper layers as well.

At the same time, CHARLíS Breath of Life Oxygen Face Serum contains several unique ingredients to help infused the skin with energizing and life-affirming oxygen. First, there is perfluorodecalin, a fluorocarbon and derivative of decalin that acts similar to red blood cells in that it both delivers oxygen to healthy cells as well as helps to maintain oxygen balance. Breath of Life also contains apple stem cells, which have been proven to uplift and renew tired skin while protecting it against agents of stress (such as lack of sleep).

#3 Add extra moisture.

Ever wonder why lack of sleep shows up so glaringly on your face in the form of dark circles under your eyes and wrinkles that look like the Grand Canyon? The answer is dehydration. On those days when the night before you just didn’t get as much sleep as you wanted (or needed), make sure to give your skin the added moisture it needs.

When it comes to rehydrating, CHARLíS Daily Revitalizing Moisturizer is a product like no other. Creamy, smooth, and silky with a fresh citrus scent that is appealing to both men and women, Daily Revitalizing Moisturizer contains a trifecta of rich, healing oils in the form of all-organic safflower seed oil, argan oil, and theobroma grandiflorum seed butters. I recommend extra applications throughout the day and whenever you need it for those days when lack of sleep has left your skin dry and/or sallow looking.

#4 Inoculate yourself with “heavy hitting” skin-healers for overnight relief.

When the day is finally done and you are about to lay your head on your pillow again for (finally!) a good night’s sleep, be sure to give your skin that extra support in the form of CHARLíS Restorative Anti-Aging Overnight Serum. The name pretty much speaks for itself here. Amongst the many ingredients that work synergistically to restore and renew tired, worn-out skin overnight is sodium hyaluronate. This substance was made specifically to repair and replenish dry skin by repairing compromised moisture barriers.

CHARLíS Luxury Skincare: For Tired Days, For Lively Days, For Every Day!

Remember—the absolute best remedy for tired skin is a good night’s sleep! And whether you wake up “bright eyed and bushy tailed” or the night before has left you feeling not quite yourself, you can always rely on CHARLíS Luxury Skincare to help your skin stay fresh and lively naturally every day!

Reference:

(1) Negative effects of restricted sleep on facial appearance and social appeal
(2) The State of Sleep Health in America
(3) Nocturia
(4) Association between sleep disorders, obesity, and exercise: a review
(5) How Much Sleep Is Enoug
(6) The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water.
(7) FDA Advises Consumers to Stop Using Certain Cosmetic Products

Vitamin C: Why You Need It for Healthy, Beautiful-Looking Skin

November 15, 2023 by Charlene Bollinger Leave a Comment

We all know that vitamin C is good for us, but why is it so important for the skin especially?

Here is everything you ever need to know about vitamin C, how it is used for overall health, and why it is absolutely vital for repairing and maintaining your skin health naturally!

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an organic compound and an essential nutrient. Unlike many other vital substances, the body cannot make vitamin C. It must be obtained from outside sources such as food, supplementation, or topical application.

Don’t worry, I will go over all the ways you can get enough vitamin C for vibrant, young-looking skin. Before we get into that topic, however, let’s take a look at some vital roles which vitamin C plays in the body as a whole.

First of all, vitamin C is vitally important for both gut and immune system health. It provides support for “epithelial barrier function,” according to a 2017 study done at the University of Otago in New Zealand. (1) The gastrointestinal epithelium, a part of the digestive system, is vital for the absorption of nutrients. It is also a protective barrier against pathogens.

In addition, vitamin C plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the immune system itself. C tends to build up in certain cells of the immune system, including neutrophils and lymphocytes. As an antioxidant, it has the ability to maintain balance on a genetic level. There is also some evidence to suggest that the presence of ample vitamin C in the immune system helps in the production and deployment of both B and T immune system cells. (2)

Vitamin C deficiency is linked to lower immune function, higher systemic inflammation, and higher risk of respiratory infection. (3)

In addition, research shows that C may help prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, and COPD. (4) Studies in Denmark have shown that people who eat fruits and vegetables which are high in vitamin C have a significantly lower risk for heart disease. (5)

If all this wasn’t enough, getting enough vitamin C can also prevent cancer. As an antioxidant, C is known as a “quick-change artist.” Whenever it discovers a mutated or malignant cell, it converts into another substance called DHA, or dehydroascorbic acid. As DHA, it will be accepted into a cancer cell. Once inside, it changes back to ascorbic acid, where it will make quick work of killing the mutated cell. Amazing! (6)

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many roles vitamin C plays for overall health. For example, ascorbic acid is also vital for eye health, to maintain strong bones, and also, of course, for the skin!

Vitamin C for Skin

Perhaps the most important role C plays in the body is in the creation of collagen. Nowhere is this more important than in your skin. Just as collagen holds everything together in the body, vitamin C holds cells together during collagen creation, since it is essential for both collagen synthesis and storage. (7) In fact, without C, the body cannot make collagen at all. Vitamin C catalyzes hydroxylation, the process of adding hydrogen to oxygen. This is one of the first steps in the detoxification process as well as the first step in the creation of collagen for use in the skin and in the body in general. (8)

Vitamin C Depletion and Malabsorption

In my earlier article about collagen, you may recall that collagen levels tend to reduce by 1-2% each year after age 30. (9) Because of C’s link to collagen production, it is extremely important to eat a whole foods diet that includes lots of sources of vitamin C.

But sometimes merely increasing intake is not enough. Malabsorption occurs when a person has difficulty taking in nutrients from food. With malabsorption, it doesn’t matter how much vitamin C you intake through food or supplements. Much of those vitamins will simply get flushed out of the body.

As a side note, when malabsorption goes on for too long, a person can run the risk of becoming malnourished. Both malabsorption and malnourishment amongst older Americans is on the rise. (10)

When it comes to the health of your skin, low vitamin C levels and malabsorption of C can lead to:

slow wound healing
easy bruising
dry skin
wrinkled skin
skin rashes (low skin immunity)
scurvy-related skin conditions (11)

What You Can Do to Up Vitamin C Absorption

Like declining collagen levels, just because it is the norm doesn’t mean it has to happen to you! Here are four ways you can improve the absorption of essential vitamin C for the health of your skin and your whole body:

#1 Change Your Diet. Absorption of nutrients occurs in the gut, so making specific changes to heal gut-related conditions is paramount if you want vitamin C absorption to improve. Get plenty of probiotic and prebiotic foods, take in lots of healthy fats, and, of course, consume lots of vitamin and nutrient rich veggies that will naturally be high in vitamin C.

#2 Stop Smoking. If you smoke, stop now. A major report based on the NIH’s NHANES II survey of over 11,000 participants found an inverse relationship between vitamin C levels and cigarette intake. The more cigarettes a person smoked in one day, the lower vitamin C levels were in the body regardless of dietary intake. (12)

#3 Don’t Overdo the Sun. Vitamin C is so important for skin health in large part because it saturates the upper layer of the skin called the epidermis. Ascorbic acid is also a powerful antioxidant (as we mentioned earlier) and this means that vitamin C also has the ability to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. In fact, in the 1980’, the late research pioneer Linus Pauling was the first to call out vitamin C as a major protective agent against carcinoma. (13)

That being said, vitamin C in the epidermis can only protect so much. While a little bit of sun each day is actually a very good thing for vitamin D production and more, you can definitely overdo it. A study conducted at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that sun overexposure can adversely affect collagen production, in large part because too much sun means that C has to work overtime. Collagen levels in people with sun-damaged skin were roughly 20% less than in those who did not have sun overexposure, according to the Mt. Sinai study. (14)

#4 Use the Power of Plants to Revitalize Skin Topically. Finally, one of the most powerful ways to replenish and revitalize your skin is to use vitamin C topically. And the best way to do that is by using vitamin C-rich formulas based on organic herbs and plants.

That’s where CHARLÍS Luxury Skincare comes in. If you are new to CHARLÍS and our ToxinFree© line of one-of-a-kind luxury skincare products, then you are in for a treat. Our formulator Linda Chae (founder of the ToxinFree© label) has designed all of our products using dozens of wild-harvested plants and herbs. Many of these were carefully selected because they provided a whole food, full spectrum source of vitamin C.

CHARLÍS products use the power of C found in citrus and other plant substances to provide your skin with protection, detoxification, and healing. Here are some examples:

Bergamot Peel Oil. Bergamot is a member of the citrus family and contains high C content as well as monoterpenes for cleansing, toning, and healing. It is great for irritated skin and can also revitalize melanin production. Bergamot peel oil is found in the CHARLÍS Nourishing Anti-Aging Toner.

Grapefruit Peel Oil. Grapefruit not only contains high C content, but also another substance called AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid. Both C and AHA are heavy hitters for cell renewal. Because of C’s antioxidant power, grapefruit is considered a strong healer for acne conditions. Grapefruit peel oil is found in the CHARLÍS Breath of Life Oxygen Serum.

Aloe Vera. Aloe vera contains high amounts of C, E and A vitamins as well as beta-carotene. This makes aloe a strong anti-inflammatory which can also help with dry skin, burns, and acne. Aloe vera has also been shown to boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity. (15) Aloe vera is found in the CHARLÍS Restorative Anti-Aging Overnight Serum.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. Last but not least, I am excited to tell you about a state-of-the-art form of vitamin C that we have included in our luxury skin line. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a “lipid-soluble” C and one of the most absorbable forms available. It is also very stable, so it naturally stays fresher longer in the bottle and on your skin. The CHARLÍS Nourishing Anti-Aging Toner has been specifically formulated to include Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.

Support Your Skin Naturally with Vitamin C!

Here at the CHARLÍS Collection, we are committed to helping you experience amazing-looking, healthy skin, and there is perhaps no other natural substance that can help you do that than vitamin C!

CHARLÍS products work 100% naturally and with your own skin’s healing mechanisms through the miraculous properties of plants. Our formulations are non-GMO, wild-harvested, and 100% independently lab-tested to maintain the purest quality possible.

Experience the CHARLÍS Collection and feel the skin-revitalizing power of vitamin C today!

References:

(1) Vitamin C and Immune Function
(2) Vitamin C Promotes Maturation of T-Cells
(3) Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial
(4) Vitamin C and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update
(5) Vitamin C Benefits May Protect Us Against Heart Disease—and Lower the Risk of Early Death
(6) Effect of vitamin C and its derivatives on collagen synthesis and cross-linking by normal human fibroblasts
(7) Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin C and Skin Health
(8) How Stuff Works- Ultimate Guide to Vitamin C
(9) Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin
(10) Causes of malabsorption in the elderly
(11) Vitamin C and Skin Health
(12) The influence of smoking on vitamin C status in adults.
(13) Effects of intake of L-ascorbic acid on the incidence of dermal neoplasms induced in mice by ultraviolet light
(14) Collagen alterations in chronically sun-damaged human skin.
(15) The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review

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