Your skin is a miracle of design. It protects you from the elements, carries toxins out of your body, and allows you to touch, feel and explore the world.
But your skin’s not built to withstand a daily bath of artificial chemicals. And that’s exactly what it gets when you use most commercial cleansers.
It’s shocking what big companies slip into your beauty products. One of the worst ingredients is sodium lauryl. You’ll see it on the label as lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). And you might think it’s “natural” because labels often claim it comes “from coconut,” or is “coconut derived.” Don’t fall for it.
SLS is a harsh skin irritant. It strips your skin of moisture. Laboratory studies prove SLS promotes skin peeling and dehydration.1 It penetrates your skin’s moisture barrier. It allows other dangerous chemicals to enter your bloodstream.
On my last trip to Peru, I discovered a better cleanser. I’m talking about rose hip seed oil from the wild South American rose known as Rosa Affinis Rubiginosa.
“Rose hips” are the seeds of the rose plant. Their oil gently removes impurities from skin without toxic chemicals. AND it reverses signs of aging.
Rose Hip Oil Compound Can Help Boost
Collagen Production By 80%
Rosa Affinis Rubiginosa traditionally grows at high altitude in the Andes Mountains. Ancient Mayan healers treasured the oil from its seeds.
Until recently, we assumed the oil’s healing powers came from its essential fatty acids. But a team of researchers from Lima, Peru, and Kansas City, Missouri, discovered rose hip seed oil is rich in a form of vitamin A called retinoic acid.
For two years they applied rose hip oil to 180 patients with serious scars and premature signs of aging. Their results were amazing. The rose hip oil effectively faded scars and wrinkles. It also significantly slowed down the signs of aging.
Retinoic acid also reduces sun damage by boosting collagen formation. You see, collagen breaks down when skin is exposed to damaging UV rays.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers proved retinoic acid reverses collagen damage. They treated 26 patients with retinoic acid or a placebo once a day for 12 months.2
They found that collagen formation was 56% lower in photodamaged skin than in skin protected from the sun. When sun damaged skin was treated with a placebo, collagen production dropped an additional 14%. But skin treated with retinoic acid increased collagen production by 80%.
Rejuvenate Your Skin Naturally With Rose Hip Seed Oil
Why settle for toxic commercial cleansers when you can cleanse and rejuvenate skin with natural rose hip seed oil?
But don’t try to use retinoic acid itself. It’s so potent it has to be used under medical supervision. Side effects can include peeling, redness, blistering, and prolonged sun sensitivity.
But here’s the amazing thing about rose hip seed oil. It has all the benefits of the man-made prescription form of retinoic acid without the side effects. That’s because rose hip seed oil is naturally high in essential fats that temper the retinoic acid. They make the retinoic acid more absorbable by the skin’s cells and non-irritating.
Look for organic, cold-pressed 100% rose hip seed oil. It should have a beautiful orange-red color. The oil is sensitive to light so choose a brand that comes in an amber or blue glass bottle to protect it.
I recommend gently massaging 2-3 drops of rose hip seed oil into your face, neck and décolletage. Use it morning and night.
Add it to your cleansing regimen to moisturize skin. Over time, you should see improvements in scars, age spots, fine lines, crow’s feet, and sun damage.
That’s why I added rose hip seed oil to my gentle Splash cleanser.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
1. Atrux-Tallau N, et al. “Effects of glycerol on human skin damaged by acute sodium lauryl sulphate treatment.” Arch Dermatol Res. 2009 Dec 31. Pubmed/20043170
2. Griffiths, C., et al, “Restoration of Collagen Formation in Photodamaged Human Skin by Tretinoin (Retinoic Acid),” NEJM Aug. 19, 1993; 329(8):530-535 .