Skin

Prepare your skin for summer

28 July 2022 by dorothea.pfeffer@gmx.de

Author: Iris Sretenovic

With summer and hot days upon us, many of us want to get that perfect, long-lasting tan. But beware: not preparing for the sun can have negative consequences for the skin, especially for those with a lighter complexion. To get the results you want, while maintaining the health of your skin and body, we've put together the perfect tips to help you do just that.

PROPER NUTRITION

You may not have thought of it at first, but proper nutrition is important for preparing your skin well for summer. Before the summer starts, but also during the summer months, include as many orange and red foods as possible in your diet, e.g. peaches, watermelons, nectarines, tomatoes or carrots. These foods are extremely rich in beta-carotene and also have a positive antioxidant effect on the body. Beta-carotene is a provitamin that can be supplied to the body as a food supplement in the form of tablets. In the body, it is converted into vitamin A, which protects the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes.

Excessive sun exposure generates harmful free radicals. They damage the skin tissue and this leads to skin changes such as wrinkles, pigment spots or sunburn and thus to premature skin ageing. Astaxanthin helps to prevent such phenomena and promotes natural self-tanning. In fact, it is a red pigment with strong antioxidant effects. Unlike other carotenoids, however, it is not converted into vitamin A in the body.

In case you didn't know, carotenoids are natural pigments that give plants, algae and animals their characteristic colour. Melanin production also depends on the amount of carotenoids in the body.

Since melanin is the largest natural "self-tanner", it is easier to support and achieve the desired skin colour. The strong antioxidant effect of carotenoids also reduces the negative effects of UV radiation.

Also food supplements based on Green tea extract in combination with vitamin C are a hot tip for this. Green tea is rich in catechins, powerful antioxidants that reduce skin redness and improve skin hydration and elasticity. Research also shows that vitamin C helps reduce the breakdown of epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, and EGCG in turn can enhance the antioxidant effects of vitamin C as well as vitamin E.

The ideal time to start taking supplements would be about one month before the start of sun exposure. This way you prevent sun allergies and prepare your skin optimally. Summer can come!

SKIN MOISTURE

During the summer heat, it's important to keep your whole body hydrated. So don't forget to moisturise your skin too! Ideal hydration includes gentle exfoliation of the skin (don't forget the face!), which thoroughly removes dead cells, cleanses the pores and strengthens microcirculation. Be sure to nourish the skin afterwards with Moisturisers that also contain antioxidants.

tigoderm Grüntee Tagescreme — tigoderm Green Tea Day Cream

Regular but not too frequent treatments of the skin with peelings reduce dehydration, the skin becomes more sun-resistant and visibly healthier. Replace the heavy and greasy winter cream with a lighter one that is absorbed more quickly and does not grease the skin.

In summer, it is especially important to cleanse the face thoroughly, preferably before going to bed. However, you should not overdo it when cleansing and washing your skin, especially if you tend to have oily skin. Excessive cleansing can stimulate the glands to produce even more oil, which has the opposite effect to what is actually desired.

In addition to external skin care and hydration, don't forget internal hydration. In fact, research has shown that drinking water can be beneficial to your health, especially dermatologically as a prevention against ageing skin.

The skin consists of three layers - the outer layer (epidermis), the subcutaneous layer (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissue. If the outer layer of the epidermis does not contain enough water, the skin loses elasticity and becomes rough.

To hydrate your skin, you can also incorporate the following steps into your beauty routine:

Do not expose the skin to hot water for too long.
Be sure to cleanse the skin gently.
Avoid using deodorants and skin care products that contain alcohol, fragrances, retinoids or alpha hydroxy acid.
Moisturise the skin with a nourishing moisturiser after bathing, showering or washing your hands.

HIGH QUALITY MASSAGE

This does not mean a professional massage in a spa, but a massage you can do yourself at home. Take a bottle of vegetable oil (olive or almond oil) and massage the whole body and face well. This treatment causes a better metabolism and blood circulation and the elimination of toxins. To do this, the massage reduces muscle tension, stress in muscles, skin and tissues, while reducing the production of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, which leads to relaxation and balance of the body.

Using massage to relieve stress can improve skin health and reduce the appearance of various changes such as dark spots, dry skin and clogged pores. So you could say that massage can also act as a preventative against certain superficial inflammations.

REMOVE HAIR IN TIME

Any method of hair removal has a negative effect on our skin if used immediately before sunbathing. To solve this problem, make sure to remove excess hair in time with wax, sugar paste or an epilator. Use razors as infrequently as possible and replace the razor after a maximum of five uses, as it becomes dull with each use and does not remove hair properly, putting additional stress on the skin.

USE A SUN PROTECTION FACTOR

The skin is exposed to various environmental, chemical and genotoxic agents that contribute to disease and carcinogenesis. Ultraviolet light (UVR) is the primary external stress that leads to a poorer immune system, oxidative stress, premature ageing and tumour formation. Researchers emphasise the importance of prevention to avoid such undesirable consequences.

Plant polyphenols are a promising approach to disease prevention and treatment. Green tea has also been shown to be a very rich source of plant polyphenols, which show significant antioxidant, chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects in skin protection. Remember that the most naturally protective factors are also the best. In other words, the skin, as our largest organ, absorbs all the ingredients of the preparations we apply. Therefore, it is important to use natural preparations without harmful ingredients for our health.

And what shortens our way to the ideal preparation for skin protection and care is the fact that the substances contained in it are Polyphenol antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by UV radiation and may be able to stop most of the harmful effects of the sun. Green tea is not only used orally as Food supplements recommended for skin protectionbut can also be used for external application.

PEELING OR EXFOLIATION

In order to accustom the skin to the sun after winter, peeling is a cosmetic must-have. During the preparation period, treatments must be done once a week. All dead cells of the dry winter skin disappear, the skin regenerates and slowly becomes fresh and smooth again. It regains the desired natural glow. Peeling treatments unclog pores and allow the skin to breathe. Many women go to beauty salons for this, but our tip is to try a peeling with natural ingredients yourself.

Here's a simple recipe for natural exfoliation!

All you need is:

Green tea
A spoonful of honey and
A spoonful of sugar

How to: After you have brewed the tea, let it cool down a little. For this homemade treatment, you need the green tea leaves. Mix them with honey and sugar and you will get the desired mixture. Massage the facial skin and leave everything on for 20 minutes. At the end, wash everything off with lukewarm tap water and finally apply a moisturising face cream.

If you follow the tips above, you won't have to worry. By the end of the summer, you will have sun-kissed, but also healthy, glowing skin!

SOURCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796122/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390139/

How to get radiant skin for the winter days

22 December 2021 by dorothea.pfeffer@gmx.de

Author: Iris Sretenovic

There are many recipes and ways to care for the skin in winter. However, it is important to know what is right for the individual, because not all skin is the same and not all care is the right care. It must be adapted to the age and the skin type must be correctly determined. Many think they know their skin well, but daily use of creams, gels, cleansers and tonics can dry it out or contribute to extra sebum secretion, making the face even oilier.

What are the skin types?

- Oily skin:

Oily skin is thicker than normal skin and has visible poresThe skin ages more slowly and wrinkles appear later. Oily skin secretes more sebum. This can lead to blockages and inflammation in the pores, the channels of the sebaceous gland follicles, which become visible as blackheads and pimples.

If the care of oily skin is not sufficient, inflammation and acne can occur. This skin does not need extra moisture, except in the dry summer season.

- Combination skin:

Combination skin is known for the T-zone. The forehead, nose and chin are oily, while the cheeks, eye area and neck are dry. This skin needs to be treated with different creams and tonics because different parts of the face need different moisturisation.

- Dry skin:

Dry skin is soft, thin, ages faster and wrinkles appear earlier. This type of skin often flakes and due to the lack of protection (protective oil layer), temperature fluctuations are harder to bear.
Because it is thin, the capillaries that tend to burst are more visible.

On the other hand, pimples are less common on dry skin, but it can crack easily and feel rough. It is important to treat such skin with creams that moisturise the face well. It is also important to make sure that the cleanser does not contain alcohol.

The universal rules of facial care

To keep your skin healthy, smooth, firm and beautiful, you need to cleanse it regularly and treat it with suitable and high quality skin care productsmoisturise with products that suit your skin type.

Research has shown that the best skin products are those that contain organic ingredients. There are also phenomenal home recipes that our grandmothers used to care for their face and body skin. The most famous beauty brands use various herbal or fruit extracts. Herbal teas have always been used in cosmetics and are known to soothe inflamed areas in the body and on the skin.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO (GOOD) BACTERIA IN CREAMS

What if (good) bacteria are the key to healthy, youthful skin? This could be a real Revolution in cosmetics mean. Science is moving more and more in this direction, so much so that some studies have already shown that the live bacterium Bacillus subtilis has a positive effect on inflammatory areas, nourishes, hydrates and "rejuvenates" the skin.

In addition, studies have already been conducted on gut microbiota: Here it was shown that bacteria were more effective than antibiotics in fighting infections and building a healthy epidermis. There are creams full of good bacteria and without preservatives! Cosmetics promise even more revolutionary discoveries. Tomorrow's cosmetics will no longer be based on skin type, but on microbiota.

Green tea in skin care

Our facial skin is most exposed to external weather conditions in winter. That is why it is also most vulnerable during this time. In this case, green tea can help us, because the special thing about it is the large amount of amino acids. Amino acids strengthen the immunity of your face, so you are protected from external influences. Moreover, green tea prevents pimples and subcutaneous acne caused by stress. However, it is not all-powerful.

They thus strengthen the protective barrier of the outer skin layer, but what happens to the inside of the skin?

A powerful antioxidant reaches a deeper layer of the facial skin and regenerates the cells. It strengthens damaged cells and restores their strength and vitality. The antioxidant should be able to successfully fight the first signs of skin ageing and make skin cells produce more collagen. Scientists believe that the Antioxidant EGCG can promote the formation of new healthy and strong skin cells with normal pigmentation. Old cells disappear, as do skin blemishes and acne scars.

Green tea contains magnesium, manganese, potassium, many B vitamins, caffeine and tannin. All these substances are good for our body and also for the skin. However, caution is advised because caffeine is a strong ingredient that is not always ideal for sensitive facial skin. Therefore, caffeine is generally only recommended for cleansing the face, while leaving out the area around the eyes.

Remember that there are many traditional recipes for great green tea face masks, for example one made with green tea and lemon for blemishes. All these recipes are still used and are applied as magical facial treatments in luxury spas around the world. Further proof, that green tea is a perfect ingredient if you want to care for your skin properly.

5 tips for facial care in winter:

1. face cleansing

The fact is: cleansed skin takes Face creams better on. It is important to know that morning and evening facial cleansing are different. Cleanse with lukewarm water, not too hot, as this can cause irritation. If possible, choose soft water for washing. When the skin is clean, it absorbs the nutrients from the night cream best.

2. toning

Toning, in addition to cleansing the face, restores the skin's natural pH, refreshes and hydrates it, which is important in both winter and summer. The facial tonic is applied with cotton wool and selected according to the skin type.

3. caring for the skin - the right creams

The choice of the right Day cream depends on the skin type and age, and whether the skin still needs an extra kick of care. Creams are used for hydration, regeneration and protection, and there are skincare lines that are used to combat wrinkles, for skin changes, and for care after the age of 30, 40 or 50. It is important to use creams specifically designed for the area around the eyes. The cream should be gently patted onto these areas with the fingertips.

The cream should not be applied in circular movements, but from the centre of the face outwards. The Night cream is important to nourish and regenerate the skin at rest, and just as your body needs sleep, your skin needs its beauty sleep too.

4. protecting the skin in winter

As it is obligatory to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation with a sunscreen in summer, this should also be done in winter. In order to stay soft and supple, it is necessary to use richer face creams, i.e. those that moisturise as well as oil. This creates a film on the skin that prevents it from drying out. It is important to use enriched creams and apply them before going out in the cold.

5. the skin is the mirror of health

Every change in the organs as well as the balance of the psyche and emotions are reflected on the surface of the skin through colour changes, skin impurities, pimples or other irregularities. For a healthy, radiant and well-groomed appearance of our skin, a balanced and healthy diet as well as a good health programme is important (supply of sufficient vitamins, hydration, physical activity, etc.).

In winter, low temperatures and cold wind as well as heating and dry indoor air contribute to dry skin. We cannot stop the cold and strong wind, but we can influence some things.

In addition to winter skin care and protection tips, Mayo Clinic scientists also recommend using indoor humidifiers to counteract winter skin dehydration. Your skin absorbs moisture from the air and you prevent dry skin.

With these tips, your skin will be fit for the whole winter and will thank you with a shiny and fresh appearance at every Christmas party!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796122/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048617

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18471586/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502191/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31188689/

Green tea extract (EGCG) and probiotic bacteria: Beauty substances for the skin

3 November 2021 by dorothea.pfeffer@gmx.de

Green tea has experienced a boom as a drink in recent years. And also as an active ingredient in skin care, the "gold of Asia" creates a sensation and that certain glow on the skin.

Another exciting ingredient for beautiful skin that is on the rise right now: probiotic bacterial strains! Who would have thought it, but probiotics in creams are currently conquering the cosmetics market and showing that probiotics don't just belong on your plate.

What effects the probiotic bacteria and also green tea have for the skin, and whether even the combination of these two substances is the key to a better skin isyou can find out here.

GREEN TEA AS A BEAUTY BOOSTER

Green tea is called "liquid jade" in some cultures. Extracted from the Camellia sinensis plant, it has been used for centuries for beauty. One of the most powerful antioxidants are polyphenols, which are found in green tea. The most important one here is a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate, also known as EGCG.

Studies show that the Antioxidants in green tea have a protective effect against cell damage and free radicals. One of the most interesting studies(2) looked at forty women with moderate skin ageing. One group received a green tea nutritional supplement with green tea cream. The other group received placebo products. Biopsies of the skin were taken at the end of the study. Women who were given the Green tea products given had significantly increased elasticity, while the placebo group showed no improvement.

GREEN TEA AGAINST ACNE

Goodbye pimples: According to a study(1), the consumption of green tea could help reduce acne. The antioxidant contained in green tea is said to be responsible for this. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is known for its anti-inflammatory effect.

For a study, researchers from the National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan selected 80 women between 25 and 45 with moderate to severe acne. Half of the women drank a decaffeinated green tea extract equivalent to one cup a day for four weeks. The other half received a placebo.

At the end of the four weeks, it was shown that the women who had consumed the green tea had significantly less acne in the critical areas such as the nose and chin. The antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) contained in green tea is said to be responsible for this. Interestingly, the group of women who consumed the Green tea extract also had much lower cholesterol levels.

The ingredients contained in green tea could therefore improve inflammation, reduce irritation and redness and help the skin to repair itself.

ANTI-AGING WITH GREEN TEA

tigoderm Grüntee Gesichtsmaske - — tigoderm Green Tea Face Mask - 100% Natural Cosmetics

Good news for green tea fans: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and repair properties of EGCG protect the skin from premature ageing and wrinkling. In studies(3), a preventive effect and a smoothing of the skin thanks to green tea could be observed above all. In many cases, already existing wrinkles disappeared. The Skin texture worked overall smoother, firmer and altogether younger due to the active ingredients contained in green tea.

MICROBIOME: THE ECOSYSTEM OF YOUR SKIN

The largest organ in our body forms one of the most important microbial environments: the skin. Weighing over 5 kg, it is an interface between the inside of our body and the outer shell. It performs an important protective function, the barrier function, and is home to many microbial organisms responsible for the health and beauty of the skin.

This unique position makes the skin very vulnerable. The stress of daily life can weaken the microorganisms(4) that populate the skin. The lack of protection makes our skin more helpless against environmental influences such as smog, UV radiation and stress.

Just like the intestine, the skin is also a habitat for numerous living microorganisms, i.e. bacteria. This bacterial carpet, also known as microflora, maintains the skin's natural acid mantle and strengthens the cells against free radicals, pathogens and bad bacteria that can cause inflammation.

WHAT IS PROBIOTIC SKIN CARE?

Probiotic cosmetics is the new "must-have" that is just being discovered by research for skin care. In this process, beneficial extracts of "good" bacteria that have a positive influence on the skin are added to creams and lotions. The aim is for the bacteria to settle in the areas to which they are applied and have a targeted effect there.

tigoderm probitotische Nachtcreme — tigoderm probiotic night cream

As soon as they touch the skin, the bacteria are activated. The good ones multiply while the weakening ones are diminished. The body's own protective debt to the skin is stabilised and strengthened, and it's all thanks to the probiotic bacteria.

But what does probiotic actually mean?

The label "probiotic" may already be familiar from yoghurts or drinks with live lactic acid bacteria. They are very useful for our intestinal flora. Probiotic skin care, like food, uses the Positive effect of probiotics. The living microorganisms such as lactic acid or special bacteria are added to creams and lotions. They are designed to naturally strengthen the skin's protective layer and support skin functions.

WHAT ARE PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS AND POSTBIOTICS?

In skin care, mainly pre- and probiotics are used for this purpose:

– Probiotics are living organisms or those that can activate themselves - lactic acid bacteria, for example.

– Prebiotics are nutrients for probiotics (mostly not organisms), such as fibre in the gut.

– Postbiotitka are products produced by probiotics such as insulin, fatty acids, messenger substances, hormones, enzymes.

PROBIOTIC COSMETICS: BRINGING THE SKIN INTO ITS NATURAL BALANCE

Probiotics can have a positive effect on the balance of the skin's own microbiome in different ways. It depends on which strains of microorganisms are involved in the individual case. Some dock onto skin cells and strengthen the protective barrier. Others serve as food for the skin's own microorganisms.

BETTER UPTAKE OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY BACILLUS SUBTILIS

And what about the benefits of probiotic bacteria? Spore-forming bacteria such as the Bacillus subtilis have long been used for their high heat resistance as a Probiotics for the diet used. Its spores are extremely resistant to desiccation and tolerate a wide pH range, which are considered characteristics of good probiotic bacterial strains.

In addition, this bacterium has several properties that make it a perfect candidate for skin care. Numerous studies confirm that the application of bacterial cultures on the skin surface provides improved skin permeability, which is a crucial factor for successful skin treatment. The active ingredients can work where they should: in the skin.

EGCG & PROBIOTICS: THE PERFECT COMBINATION FOR THE SKIN

And this is where it gets exciting, because a care enriched with the pore-opening Bacillus subtilis, prepares the skin for the active ingredients that follow. These can then be absorbed all the better and unfold their beneficial effect. And this in deeper layers of the skin.

If the skin is then pampered with special ingredients such as green tea and its antioxidant power, the outer shell can be protected from environmental influences and free radicals and the skin's natural detoxification function can be supported. A fountain of youth at the cellular level that makes the skin elastic and gives it resilience.

IS PROBIOTIC SKIN CARE VEGAN?

Depending on what is used as a source of bacteria: The commonly used lactobacilli, which are made from milk, are of course not vegan. But you can also get lactobacilli from sauerkraut and then they are vegan. Bacillus subtilis is also a vegan bacterium, because it occurs in nature in humus-rich soil (hay), dust, air, water, in the intestines of humans and animals.

WHO IS PROBIOTIC SKIN CARE SUITABLE FOR?

In principle, probiotic skin care is suitable for everyone, regardless of their age. Skin type is available. Any skin that could use more vitality and resilience could try the new, scientifically studied active ingredients, probiotics in skin care.