This is a re-post from 2006
Your Skin & YOU! (你的皮膚和你。請自己翻譯)
Nǐ de pífū hé nǐ. Qǐng zìjǐ fānyì
May 24, 2006
Let's Embrace the Skin We're In!
Dear Brandy,
No matter where you live, you’re probably experiencing warmer weather, longer days, and more
opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. And, you may be looking forward to special “summer time”
events which for me include lawn parties, time by lovely San Francisco Bay, family picnics, and
long walks in my favourite garden.
This season also means that the time has come to shed the layers of clothing we’ve been wearing
and to show more skin. While for some this is a welcomed relief, for others, it is a reason for
concern.
Let’s be honest. Once we reach a certain age, our skin simply isn’t as toned or smooth as it used to
be. This doesn’t mean our skin can never again have its youthful glow, it just means that we may
need to take advantage of a few skin care secrets.
Today I’d like to share some “insider information” you can put to use, starting today, to help
ensure that your skin is at its best and that you have the confidence to wear sleeveless tops,
bathing suits, Capri pants and all of the wonderful summer fashions you enjoy.
Do you have wrinkle worries?
Several years ago a colleague shared with me a secret nutrient that can help you get rid of the
appearance of wrinkles. I’m such an avid fan of this unique product that I have my 85-year-old
mother using it and her skin is almost ageless and absolutely gorgeous.
It’s called Squalane (pronounced squa-LON) and when you apply it topically, you put back into
your skin the nutrients it needs to regenerate and look naturally younger and healthier. Squalane is
also an antioxidant, so it gives you extra protection against skin-damaging free radicals. And
you’ll feel its soothing effect instantly because it actually lubricates the skin, rather than just
“sitting on top” like so many moisturisers with synthetic ingredients.
One of the main reasons I love Squalane is because it’s the same ingredient found in sebum, a
compound found naturally in your skin that keeps it soft, moist, and young. It’s also found in
nature – notably in shark liver oil. In fact, the very best source comes from deep-sea sharks that
live in the clean, non-polluted waters of Tasmania.
For years I’ve recommended Squalane from a company called Oceana. Not only do they use
Squalane from the waters of Tasmania, but their product contains 99.5% pure deep-water
squalane, along with a delightful touch of natural lavender oil.
The feedback I’ve heard from women using this product has been phenomenal! Many women
have told me that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles have faded and that their skin looks
and feels smoother and softer. Others have said that it soothes their dry, irritated skin and has
worked when other products have failed. And, perhaps most encouraging, are the notes I get from
women who simply say that with help from Squalane, they feel more radiant and more beautiful
than they have in years!
Most women use Squalane on their faces, hands, and neck. And, especially during the summer
months, many also use it on their arms and legs.
Are you agonizing over age spots?
As we age, many women notice the appearance of age spots, also referred to as sun spots. Years of
sun exposure can cause these red or brown patches of skin on your face, neck, hands, arms, or
almost any other part of your body. Because so many women are bothered by them, especially
during this time of year, I searched the market to find just the right product for our skin.
While doing so, I came across a lot of information about glycoalkaloids. These plant compounds
work by slipping into the rough, scaly skin patches and triggering the release of enzymes, thus
starting the ex-foliation process.
As you know, skin ex-foliation is a naturally occurring physiological process that involves the
sloughing of old skin cells to reveal new skin cells. Sometimes, however, this process needs a bit
of assistance, especially when we reach a certain age and our skin becomes drier than it used to be.
So I was thrilled to find a product that contained the right amount of glycoalkaloids, one that
would naturally diminish the appearance of sun spots and age spots, while doing no damage to the
most sensitive skin.
The answer was found in a product called Skin Advantage. This exclusive formula contains
unique glycoalkaloids from a particularly potent species of Australian plants. You apply a very
small amount of this gel to the rough, dry patches on your skin and within a few weeks, you
should notice a remarkable difference.
I also suggest to women concerned about age spots that they eat a diet high in beta carotene,
which scavenges the free radicals that cause age spots. Foods high in beta carotene include
spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, mangoes, persimmons, cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, kale, and
cabbage.
And, if you want to get a little adventurous, try a little seaweed! One heaping teaspoon of the
seaweed spirulina per day will give you 10,000 IU of vitamin A. Research has shown that daily
intake of vitamin A removed all age spots from subjects over a 12- to 16-month period.
Lastly, I recommend taking 400–1,600 IU of vitamin E as d-alpha tocopherol per day. If you have
hypertension or are taking insulin, start at 100 IU. Vitamin E is useful for a wide variety of skin
complaints, including age spots.
A safe way to enjoy the summer sun
One of the best ways to guard your skin from the harmful effects of sun rays is to use sunscreen
every day. For the best protection, I urge you to generously apply sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or
higher 20–30 minutes before going outside, and reapply frequently.
My favourite sunscreen is a product called Epicurean Sunscreen. With its SPF20 rating, not only
does it provide excellent protection from UVA and UVB rays, but it does so without the harsh
chemicals usually found in most other sunscreens. For this reason, I feel safe using it all over my
body, even on my face. In fact, this is the only sunscreen I use on my face because it doesn’t cause
me any facial irritation at all, I can't say the same for other brands I have tested.
Epicuren is mineral- and vitamin-based, rather than chemical-based. And like most commercial
products, it works by reflecting and absorbing the sun’s rays, acting to shield the skin from the
harmful rays of the sun.
What makes this product unique is its active ingredient, which is a micronized zinc-oxide.
“Micronized” means that the zinc-oxide has been broken down into very tiny particles, which
helps ensure that your body steadily absorbs and benefits from as much of the product as possible.
This fine light cream blends well and doesn’t have the chalky white appearance of other zinc-
based sunscreens. In fact, it blends so well that it is invisible on the skin, won’t harm your
clothing, and has a pleasant, natural scent.
And, unlike many similar products, Epicurean gives you an hour’s worth of protection even after
you’ve been in the water, so you don’t need to re-apply it right away.
As an added benefit, Epicuren actually soothes and moisturises dry, rough skin, which makes it a
“must have” during these summer months.
A Healthy Lifestyle is Key
As with almost everything else, a healthy lifestyle will help give your skin the youthful,
summertime glow you desire. So, as you enjoy the months ahead, please remember to:
* Eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and
legumes (beans, peas). Reduce or eliminate red meats. Instead, I encourage you to eat fish such as
salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout and tuna. I also recommend that you try vegetarian Garden
burgers or Boca Burgers. Lastly, please avoid potato chips, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, sugar, soft
drinks, fruit juices, fried or fatty foods, and salt, all of which can be enemies to our skin, as well as
to our overall health.
* Exercise. The warmer weather provides enhanced opportunities for exercise. Try adding a
walk or a bicycle ride into your daily routine. I promise you’ll feel the benefits and your body will
thank you.
* Take the right supplements. For starters, make sure you’re taking an ample multi-vitamin. I
recommend that you consider my product, Daily Answer Multi-nutrient for Women. Developed
specifically for women, this new formula carefully combines 40 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants,
botanical s, and essential fatty acids in the potencies and forms you need to look and feel terrific.
If not Daily Answer, please search the market for a quality multi that provides you with all of the
support you need. I also suggest that your supplement program provide you with 400–1,600 IU of
vitamin E daily. Lastly, add 1–3 tablespoons of cold-pressed flaxseed oil to your diet every day.
* Enjoy relaxation techniques. I cannot stress enough the importance of internal peace and the
effect it has on your health. For some it may be prayer or yoga, for others it may be visualizations
or deep breathing exercises that give you the spiritual fulfilment you need. As my subscribers
know, I write about these various techniques and how best to implement them in The Lark Letter.
I encourage you to find a method that works for you so that your mind, body and spirit are all
healthy and happily connected.
Together, let’s enjoy the summer months and embrace the skin we’re in!
Yours in vibrant health,
Susan M. Lark, M.D.
P.S. Don’t forget to drink lots of water during these warmer months. Eight glasses of purified or spring water a day is ideal. And contrary to popular belief, tea or clear fruit juice is not a substitute for plain water.
