http://rawmethod.com/blog en info@rawmethod.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-21T15:27:15+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_chlorophyll_promotes_healthy_skin/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_chlorophyll_promotes_healthy_skin/#When:15:27:15Z   I’m about to take you back to your grade school science class with a lesson on chlorophyll. That’s right boys and girls the green pigment essential to photosynthesis is also good for our skin.   Chlorophyll is vital to plant life, so it would make sense that it can reap rewards for our skin too. And don’t worry you won’t turn bionic green like the humanoid Hulk if you use it.   What It Is Chlorophyll is found in all plants, algae and cyanobacteria. It allows plants to absorb energy from light via photosynthesis. In the electromagnetic spectrum it absorbs light primarily in the blue portion, followed by the red. Incidentally it is a poor absorber of green portions, which is why tissues containing chlorophyll are green. In other words, rather than absorb green and near-green light, it reflects it, which is why we see the green hue.   The green pigment is referred to as the lifeblood of plants and ultimately humans and animals since plants are at the foundation of much of our food supply. Chlorophyll is classified as a chlorin pigment and its center comprises a magnesium ion.   It’s used as a natural colorant in food, beverages and other products, and has also been known to eliminate bad breath and overall body odor when ingested.   How It Works In research studies, chlorophyll has been shown to decrease DNA damage, and help prevent and treat certain types of cancer – though this is still in the early stages of research. Scientists and nutritionists however, have touted chlorophyll for its health benefits for many years.   As it relates to your skin, chlorophyll is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent, which means it can help combat acne and other impurities. It also fights free radicals – the devious elements that have been linked to skin aging.     Using chlorophyll in your skin care products is one way to help boost skin health. You can also find it in food sources like kale, spinach, collard greens, wheatgrass and sprouts to name a few. But if the thought of eating something that tastes like a fresh-cut lawn smells, then be sure to look for chlorophyll in your skin care products.    Are you now enamored with chlorophyll? If so, you can find it in our Blue Agave Wash.  2012-02-21T15:27:15+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_does_acid_promote_healthy_skin/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_does_acid_promote_healthy_skin/#When:17:56:06Z   Acid and skin can sound somewhat off-putting used in the same sentence…typically we don’t want acid anywhere near our skin. But there are certain types of acids (usually those derived from natural sources) that are actually extremely good for our skin.   One in particular works to keep skin clear, delivers antioxidants, fights bacteria and helps the skin look youthful. What is this wonder acid?   Salicylic acid. And it should be a part of your daily skin care routine.   What It Is The name salicylic is derived from the Latin word Salix, which literally translates to willow tree – the bark from which this ingredient was originally obtained. It’s also found in wintergreen leaves, licorice, marigold, sweet birch, and several other plant species.   In plants it actually fills a critical role in the growth and development, photosynthesis, and ion uptake and transport. It also works as the plant’s defense against pathogens. If it does all this for plants, think about what it does for the skin.   It was also used throughout history (I’m talking as far back as 5th century BC) to relieve aches, reduce fever, and in some cases to reduce inflammation. In skin care it has been used to treat acne, psoriasis, calluses, and warts.   How It Works Salicylic acid essentially works as an exfoliant, preventing pores from clogging while stimulating cell renewal. As I mentioned, it also fights bacteria, which it does from within the pore, constricting the pore size to prevent future clogging.   Since it has the ability to penetrate the pore (a benefit of its molecular size) it acts as a chemical trap for free radicals, basically exfoliating from the inside out. This characteristic makes it an awesome exfoliant for acne and acne-prone skin. It’s also a welcome alternative for sensitive skin since it is less irritating than most other acids.   If you’re not using salicylic acid yet, be sure to look for it. It’s typically found in high-quality cleansers and cleansing pads.   For more information on salicylic acid, check out the CTRL.HALT.DEL cleansing pads.   2012-02-08T17:56:06+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/for_good_looking_skin/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/for_good_looking_skin/#When:19:40:11Z   GQ recently published a post on 12 final touches to keep your style fresh straight into spring. While they’ve got you covered wardrobe wise, we figured we’d complete the ensemble with five final (and simple) touches to keep your skin looking fresh.   We refer to these five steps as the “Skin Laws,” because they are generally universal to all skin types and are key to healthy looking skin. So, here it goes…   Cleanse– this is the number one thing you can do. Skip this and everything else won’t make an ounce of difference. Look for an active cleanser that uses salicylic and/or lactic acid. If you’re running short on time, opt for quick cleansing pads like Ctrl.Halt.Del. Exfoliate– remove dead skin cells and build-up to unmask the healthier looking skin underneath. This step just plain feels good too. Tone– this will knock out redness and firm up skin. Tip: it feels pretty good after a morning shave. Restore and build– tighten up skin and help create a more smooth texture. This step will also strengthen skin and delay the signs of aging.   Protect– don’t forget to protect your skin. Most of us fall short in this area, but it’s extremely important. A good defense formula will guard your skin from the sun, toxins and pollutants, and most importantly, will help stave off the signs of aging.    Easy enough, right? Don’t forget to put your best face forward. It is after all a significant part of your style.  2012-01-31T19:40:11+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/what_exactly_are_peels_and_enzymes/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/what_exactly_are_peels_and_enzymes/#When:15:39:47Z   Peels and enzymes – well peels in particular – can sound a bit scary if you don’t know what they are and how they work. What exactly are they and what do they do for our skin? In short, peels and enzymes are exfoliators and can help turn back the signs of aging.   Both improve the skin texture and irregularities by digesting dead cells. Enzymes are proteins that digest cells at the stratum corneum layer, peel formulas (which can include a variety of acids) reach deeper and are effective for improving: Fine lines and wrinkles caused by aging and environmental factors Certain types of acne The appearance of spots, discoloration and mild scarring Dull texture and tone   The formulas Not all peel and enzyme formulas are created equal. If you’re in the market for a peel or enzyme treatment, try to look for aestheticians who utilize formulas specifically created for men’s skin. That’s not to say other treatments won’t be effective, but ingredients like sake rice wine work well with men’s skin. This is because it yields low-molecular peptides, which work to protect the skin. It’s also a naturally derived antioxidant, and provides hydration, and smoothing and soothing properties, while detoxifying and regenerating skin cells.   As for enzymes, pepsin and papain (from pineapples) work well for men’s skin. These essentially break down layers of dead skin cells to uncover more youthful skin, as well as increase the blood supply to skin cells to tone and firm.   If it’s your first time getting a peel, keep in mind you can go as progressive or as mild as you’re comfortable with. You will experience a tingling sensation and depending upon how many layers are applied, you may feel a bit of heat. Enzymes also produce a tingling sensation, but it may not be as intense. Either way, both will help turn back the hands of time…at least for your skin.   For more information, refer to P2 Enzyme and Sake Peel. Remember to always put your best face forward! 2012-01-19T15:39:47+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/pepsi_for_skin_health/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/pepsi_for_skin_health/#When:16:17:09Z   Is Pepsi a good ingredient for healthy skin? Well no, but it does have an interesting link to one that is.   The ingredient I speak of is pepsin. It is a powerful, naturally occurring enzyme in the body that digests proteins like those found in meats, eggs, seeds, and dairy products. How could that possibly be a good skin care ingredient? Read on…   What is pepsin Pepsin is created after pepsinogen (the precursor enzyme) is released into the stomach and is activated by hydrochloric acid (HCI), which all occurs once food is ingested. Pepsin then goes to work, breaking down any proteins in the food and preparing it for digestion. Miraculously it doesn’t digest the body’s own proteins in the stomach lining.   Another interesting fact, the name Pepsi (the drink) was derived from pepsin as it was one of the ingredients used in the recipe for a “fountain drink that was delicious and would aid in digestion and boost energy.”   Pepsin was discovered in 1836, and was actually one of the first protein enzymes to be discovered.   How pepsin is used in skincare Ok, so how does this all translate to skincare? The protein derived enzyme works as a digestive to exfoliate skin – a much needed step for healthier, more youthful skin.   You will typically find pepsin in high-end skin exfoliation products. It essentially breaks down layers of dead skin cells and uncovers more youthful skin. It is extremely useful in fighting the aging process – reducing age spots and fine lines – as well as increasing the blood supply to skin cells, and toning and firming the skin.   We use it in our P2 Enzyme, which is part of our professional line. So you will have to go to the spa to experience it…life is rough! 2012-01-12T16:17:09+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/New_Year_Resolution/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/New_Year_Resolution/#When:21:32:41Z Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions – stop smoking, manage stress, eat healthier, get fit – could actually help your skin too. Hopefully that’s more incentive to stick with them long term.How do these help your skin? Improving each of the areas can reduce free radical damage, which causes skin aging among other problems. Let’s take a look at each one.    Smoking – this is a major free-radical producer. It actually affects intrinsic (biological) and extrinsic aging. It is not only toxic to the skin and body, but it also dehydrates the skin and causes deep lines to form around the upper lip. Attractive huh?   Stress – stress damages health at the cellular level and can eventually lead to DNA damage, which can result in dull skin, slack pores, aging, and stress lines. Poor diet – food impacts aging. Foods high in antioxidants – fruits, vegetables, nuts, and certain grains – not only trim the waistline they also help improve the skin. Exercise – exercise is of course essential to maintaining a tone figure, it also regulates circulation and the oxygen flow to skin cells. This process carries nutrients to the cells and keeps them healthy. Be careful though, excessive exercise can have the opposite effect because it causes oxidative stress created by free radicals.    Of course it’s not too late to put your “best face first” in 2012 to your resolutions. This can be a simple and achievable goal just by incorporating the mantra – cleanse, tone, protect – into your daily routine. (Too make this even easier, see the RAW 1-2-3 Method Kit.) If you’re feeling bold, or you just want some R&R, consider regular facial treatments. These can be as simple as a 30-minute express treatment (the RAW Express Treatment) or more complete treatment like the RAW Man Facial or Sake Peel.  This is one of those resolutions you’ll be grateful you stuck to later in life, because you’ll look younger and healthier than your friends. Who wouldn’t want that? Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012! 2012-01-05T21:32:41+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_to_prevent_dry_chapped_skin/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_to_prevent_dry_chapped_skin/#When:16:17:18Z Aside from its unsightly appearance, dry skin is just plain uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this time of year with its cold, dry weather makes the battle to keep skin hydrated seems to be an even greater challenge.   On top of the discomfort, dry skin is also more susceptible to aging – it suffers from loss of elasticity and is more prone to wrinkles. So how can you prevent dry, chapped skin?   Cause and Effect As you may know, we are 90 percent water, but as we age we lose it. By the time we reach our retirement years, we are only about 10 percent water on average. Yet another thing to look forward to! Our skin is the first place that we lose water, and the first place dehydration shows.   When it comes to dry skin there are intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) causes. Intrinsic causes of dry skin include genetic factors, medications, antihistamines and antibiotics, illness, and aging. Sorry, but if you have thinner skin or a fair complexion, you are typically more prone to dehydrated situations. Extrinsic causes include: Environment– sun, wind, extreme cold – it all contributes to dry skin. Of these, sun is the biggest contributor. We’ve all seen the leathery or burned results of those who have spent too much time in the sun. Lifestyle– insufficient water intake, poor nutrition and smoking cause dry conditions. Skin care products– alcohol-based and certain clay-based products can be very drying as well as under cleansing and over moisturizing. This may seem counterproductive, but if you don’t properly cleanse, the moisturizer sits on the surface unable to penetrate the skin.     The Fix For starters, try to eliminate as many of the afore mentioned extrinsic causes as possible, particularly over exposure to the sun. As far as skin care protocols go, you’ll want to follow a process of cleaning, rebuilding and protecting. This will help counteract some of those extrinsic factors.   Morning and night use a non-greasy antioxidant and moisturizing formula to fight free radicals and hydrate. Look for ingredients like D2O (heavy water), soybean protein (glycine soja), D-Boldine (from the Boldo tree), and L-Glutathione and superoxide dismutase (powerful antioxidants). And always protect with a good physical block like zinc.   Follow this and your days of uncomfortable dry skin will be few and far between. For more see the Complex VIand EnviroProtect.  2011-12-15T16:17:18+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/the_skin_care_gift_guide_for_men/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/the_skin_care_gift_guide_for_men/#When:22:46:23Z Is it just us or is this month flying by at warp speed? The holiday season is officially here and it’s time to start gathering gifts for friends, family and co-workers. Maybe you’re the type who has their holiday shopping done in November, but for the rest of us…we better kick into high gear.   Deciding what to get is 75 percent of the battle. So,in hopes of eliminating some of the guesswork, we’ve compiled a list of skincare gifts you can give this holiday season. Who wouldn’t want the gift of better skin?   The Guy on the Go: For those guys are constantly on the move, or those who don’t want to dedicate a lot of time to their skin, easy skincare kits and express treatments make great gifts. RAW 1-2-3 Method kit– This is a simple skincare kit, but hits all the vital elements: cleanse (Blue Agave Wash), build (Stone Power), and protect (EnviroProtect). Cntrl.Halt. Del.– These cleansing pads are great for quick cleanses after the gym or for those rushed mornings. They keep oil and bacteria at bay with little effort. RAW Express Treatment– This 30-minute treatment is quick, but packs a punch…it’s also the right amount of relaxation time for busy guys.   The Meticulous Groomer Some guys are perfectionists when it comes to their beards, goatees and staches. Even for those who aren’t, shaving is a necessary chore. However, there are a few tools and services that can make the process easier and more enjoyable: A badger brush– These have a number of benefits when it comes to shaving. They help create a thicker lather to prevent razor skipping or dragging, provide a mild exfoliation, and best of all soften and lift the hair for an easier shave. Gift certificate for a professional shave– Sometimes nothing feels better than a clean shave with a straight razor and a hot towel. (Sometimes the pros even throw in a facial massage.)   The Stress Ball We all know at least one. He’s the guy who operates in a high-stress work environment. Why not send him to the spa for a little R&R or help him get a good night’s rest? Gift certificate to a salon or men– There are several throughout the country and they’re dedicated specifically to men (think country club or boys club meets old fashioned parlor). If you’re in Texas or North Carolina, The Boardroom Salonis a great option. A silk pillowcase– What could be better than sleeping on silk? Not only do these aid in a good night’s sleep they actually help to reduce the signs of aging because the fabric doesn’t pull on the skin.   Hopefully this skincare gift guide gives you some slightly off-the-beaten-path ideas for the guys in your life. If anything, you can treat yourself to a few of these as a way of escaping the holiday hustle and bustle. Happy Holidays! 2011-12-08T22:46:23+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_to_keep_the_oil_at_bay/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_to_keep_the_oil_at_bay/#When:22:04:30Z Striking oil is like striking gold, but when it comes to our skin, oil is far from a desired discovery. Most of us have experienced it (some maybe on a daily basis), that unsightly oil slick on the forehead and nose, blinding onlookers when they glance our direction. Well, maybe it’s not quite that extreme, but nonetheless it’s a problem many people deal with.   Unfortunately men typically have to grapple with oil more than women. Why? Testosterone. Yes, that testosterone, while we can thank it for our burly exteriors it’s also to blame for the production of sebum (oil).   Where does the oil come from? It starts in the sebaceous (oil) glands and testosterone stimulates the production of the oil. We have sebaceous glands all over our bodies, but they are often larger and more numerous on the forehead, chin and mid-back.   Since oil production is largely regulated by testosterone, it makes sense that when testosterone spikes, oil does too. This is why we often suffer from breakouts in our teenage years. To boot, men have smaller oil glands and higher secretion levels of sebum, which means we become more prone to acne and blemishes.   Say sayonara to the oil Common sense would tell us in order to zap the oil we need to dry the skin out. While that’s partially true, it’s more about maintaining a balance – some oil is essential. If you deplete the skin of all hydration and oil, the sebaceous glands will actually kick into high gear and produce more oil than you know what to do with. So how do you combat the oil slick without dehydrating the skin? Cleanse daily– use a cleanser with salicylic acid to deeply cleanse pores. Dissolve the oil regularly – use cleansing pads after workouts or midday to clear away excess oil. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, green tea extracts and eucalyptus oil. Rebuild and hydrate – use a skin-building toner with peptides, sodium hyaluronate and stone extract to strengthen and hydrate the skin. And last, but not least finish with a hydrating SPF with zinc as a natural UV blocker.   As long as you cleanse daily and replenish the skin, particularly after workouts, oil won’t be the main focal point on your face.   For more see the CTRL.HALT.DEL., Stone Power and Blue Agave Wash.  2011-12-01T22:04:30+00:00 http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_vitamin_e_fights_aging_skin/ http://rawmethod.com/blog/article/how_vitamin_e_fights_aging_skin/#When:19:09:07Z As Hulk Hogan once said, “To all my little Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins and you will never go wrong.” We all know the importance of vitamins in our daily diets – for many of us the phrase “take your vitamins” has been engrained since childhood. However, we’re rarely told how important they are for our skin.    Of course all vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, and K) play a role in the health of our skin, but today let’s focus on vitamin E. This powerhouse antioxidant helps fight the signs of aging caused by damaging free radicals.   What It Is Vitamin E is actually made up of eight antioxidants: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-). It is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it can permeate cells, allowing it to really flex its antioxidant muscles.   Tocopherols are found in a variety of sources including grape seed oil, soy oil and corn oil. Similarly tocotrienols come from a variety of sources, but palm fruit oil delivers the most potent dose. You can also get a healthy serving of vitamin E from the following foods: Eggs Fortified cereals, whole grains and wheat germ oils Meat and poultry Nuts and nut oils Fruit and leafy greens   While incorporating these foods into your diet will certainly help improve overall health, directly applying vitamin in to your skin allows for the best results. Of course getting your tocopherol fix by smearing oil on your face won’t quite produce the desired results. So how can you get results and what exactly are the results?   How It Works Everyday we are subject to free radicals that wreak havoc on our skin. These are formed in the body during normal metabolism as well as exposure to environmental factors including the sun, pollution and smoke. Vitamin E essentially intercepts these free radicals, preventing the destructive chain reaction (breaking down cells which results in aged skin) from occurring.   The more exposure our skin has to free radicals, the more our natural vitamin E content decreases. This accelerates oxidation and cellular destruction, and thus our skin starts to show the signs of aging. Yes, you can blame those wrinkles on pollution…well, partly.   Look for vitamin E (tocopherols or tocotrienols) in skin care products like skin corrective serums, eye firming formulas and skin strengtheners.   For products with tocopherols and tocotrienols, check out the RAW Radical Redux and RAW Eye Firm.   2011-11-23T19:09:07+00:00