"FUEL" Your Skincare Investment

“FUEL”

BRAHSTON® believes it’s important to create an effective, natural and healthy skincare regimen as early as possible.

Skin Health 

BRAHSTON® groups the main types of skincare ingredients into the following three categories: DEFENDERS, BUILDERS, and RE-FUELERS.

I. DEFENDERS

BRAHSTON classifies DEFENDERS as skincare ingredients that work primarily to protect the skin from environmental stressors, which hurt healthy cells and have a cumulative impact on the signs of aging. 

Sunscreens - Natural and synthetic formulas designed to block the sun’s radiation. Only those products with full-spectrum protection (block UVA and UVB radiation) are adequate. Sun damage is the result of two types of light radiation - Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). Both types of radiation have the ability to cause damage and burn the skin, however, UVA radiation is considered more dangerous as its lightwaves make up about 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth. With longer wavelengths, UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin’s layers than UVB radiation. As a result, UVA causes greater damage to the innermost part of the epidermis (top layer of the skin) where most skin cancers form due to the resulting genetic mutations and DNA damage from the radiation exposure.

Antioxidants - Natural and synthetic ingredients that protect skin against excess free radicals and sun damage. They help correct signs of aging, prevent sun damage and skin cancer, repair damaged cells, and brighten skin’s tone. 

The top antioxidants to look for in your next skincare investment, include:

• Vitamin E;

• Vitamin C;

• Vitamin A (Retinol);

• Lycopene;

• Polyphenols;

• CoenzymeQ10;

• Soy;

• Resveratrol;

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); and,

• Superoxide Dismatuse.

II. BUILDERS

BRAHSTON® considers “BUILDERS” as ingredients that work primarily to exfoliate the skin by breaking down the bonds of dead and old cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface. Builders speed up your skin’s ability to shed dead cells, making way for new and healthy cells to rebuild and strengthen the skin. 

Ingredients that are “BUILDERS”, include:

Retinol (Vitamin A) - Retinol is a catch-all term for Vitamin A. Retinol is an antioxidant but it has a range of beneficial effects on skin’s health beyond assisting in eliminating excess free-radicals. Retinol promotes increased collagen production and cell regeneration - reducing fine lines and wrinkles over time. 

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - Natural acids found in foods such as fruit sugars and milk. AHAs are water soluble chemical exfoliants that target cells in the skin’s top surface layers. Commonly used to fight fine lines and wrinkles, scaring and mild hyperpigmentation due to aging. Some AHAs promote collagen production (Glycolic Acid), while others may also function as antioxidants (Vitamin C).

The top Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to look for in your next skincare investment, include:

• Glycolic Acid;

• Lactic Acid; and,

• L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 

Beta-hydroxy Acids (BHAs) - An oil soluble chemical exfoliant that lacks the humectant properties of AHAs, penetrating deeper into skin. Salicylic Acid is one of the top Beta-hydroxy Acid (BHAs) to look for in your next skincare investment. Salicylic Acid is a natural or synthetic exfoliant commonly used to fight acne by unclogging pores, stimulating cellular turnover and providing inflammation reduction. This ingredient penetrates deeper into skin’s layers than AHAs to also fight the effects of sun-damage. 

The top Beta-hydroxy Acid (BHAs) to look for in your next skincare investment, include:

• Salicylic Acid

III. RE-FUELERS

BRAHSTON® calls skincare ingredients RE-FUELERS if they strengthen and refuel the skin by providing an infusion of beneficial compounds to replenish or substitute for those that become depleted due to aging, lifestyle, and/or environmental stressors.

On skincare labels, popular plant and natural-based sources for RE-FUELERS to look for may be listed as:

• Shea Butter;

• Gotu Kola;

• Cocoa Butter;

• Irish Moss;

• Sunflower;

• Avocado;

• Aloe Vera;

• Jojoba;

• Olive;

• Coconut;

• Algae;

• Hydrolyzed Wheat, Rice, Soy Proteins 

Here are some of the best RE-FUELERS to incorporate into your skincare regimen: 

Hyaluronic Acid - Naturally occurs in youthful skin, connective tissues, and joints as a cushion and lubricant. 

Sodium Hyaluronate - The salt of hyaluronic acid, considered an even more effective moisturizer than hyaluronic acid as your skin absorbs it better. 

Amino Acids - Building blocks of peptides and proteins. They are key components in skin’s ability maintain hydration, texture, resilience and suppleness. About 20 are considered important components of human health. They are divided into non-essential (body produces) and essential (body does not produce). 

Glycerin / Glycerine / Glycerol - Humectant found in all natural lipids. It is found naturally in the skin and functions to lock in water. 

Ceramides - Natural lipids (fats) that help skin retain moisture. 

Sodium PCA - Salt of a natural moisturizer and humectant found in the skin (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid). 

Advice

To maximize your skincare investment, look for products containing these powerhouse, skin-fueling ingredients. BRAHSTON® recommends that you start early, use a few products to address the variety of factors that improve skin health, and stay consistent with frequent use.

For more skincare pro tips, download our No B.S. Guide to Healthy Skin for our 5 Rules to Stay Wicked Fresh!