Everyone knows Lance Armstrong.  He’s that guy who’s always on the bicycle that has won an unbelievable number of Tour de France races (seven), and by the way has done so while successfully treated for and beating cancer.  Pretty impressive.

What’s almost as impressive, is over the years, the networks that he has built with regards to causes or arenas that he’s passionate about.  He’s using the giant platform that he’s garnered through competing and dominating in the cycling world, and informing and empowering people who are affected by cancer, and more generally, just spreading health- and fitness-related news.

On a section about Facial Skin Care, Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG team writes about the importance of a good skincare routine, that fits your skin type.  While this particular article tackles the often-teenage woes of breakouts, and we here at RSF Skincare focus exclusively on providing anti-aging products, it makes two very valid points that are universal in skincare: Know your type of skin.  Use what treats that type specifically.  (And if you have combination skin, use products on sections of your skin!)  No matter what products you use on your skin – from anti-aging to anti-acne and everything in between – a good cleansing and moisturizing routine is essential for optimal results.

Visible stretch marks

It seems like we see it posted everywhere, and everyone we know talks about it.  About pregnancy: “Stretch marks are just an unavoidable side-effect of the beauty of having a child.”  About weight-loss: “It’s a small price to pay for the figure-flattering and health benefits of losing the extra pounds.”  But, no matter the occasion, it doesn’t make those little white reminders any easier to look at.

MedicineNet recently authored a post that gives a bit of insight as to the reasons behind why stretch marks form, and ways to lessen their presence, or aid in their disappearance – from the obvious diet and exercise adjustments, to very major treatments such as surgery.

While going under the knife certainly is an option, RSF Skincare hopes to spare more women that expense – both as being taxing on the body, and unfriendly to the pocketbook.  RSF Stretch Mark Cream is formulated to treat existing stretch marks, as well as help in preventing new marks from forming.  It invigorates the cell regeneration process (that occurs within the skin’s layers) to manufacture optimal visible change on dermal scarring, and at the same time thickens the epidermal layer to regulate the skin’s surface and ultimately diminish the appearance of stretch marks.  The Cream combats skin stretching and inflammatory reactions right at the origin of cell activation where irritated cells trigger skin matrix degradation.

So before pre-screening surgeons, try-on a peptide- and Panthenol-rich product – for a fraction of the price, and zero inconvenience or downtime.

By now you’re probably aware of what too much sugar in your diet can do to your body in relation to its overall well-being.  But, have you considered its effects on your skin?  A recent post by Prevention magazine cites that “experts now believe that a lifetime of overeating sugar can make skin dull and wrinkled”.

Apparently the root of the wrinkle-forming is a natural process – called glycation – wherein sugar found in the blood attaches to proteins to form Advanced Glycation End products (also called AGEs), which are harmful.  More sugar = more AGEs = more damage to collagen and elastin, which are the fibers that keep skin firm and elastic.  If these two assets are damaged, they are dry and brittle as opposed to springy and resilient, and wrinkles are formed.

To combat the formation of wrinkles, whether from your diet or other reasons, a product that helps to stimulate the production of collagen is helpful.  RSF Anti-Wrinkle Cream contains the highest concentration of peptides, vitamins and oxygenating factors that help stimulate the production of skin forming fibers, collagen and elastin – at the cellular level.

So, while passing on the bon-bons to promote health from the inside-out, stock up on a product that will help that skin from the outside-in – like RSF Anti-Wrinkle Cream.

When it comes to leaders in health and wellness, the Mayo Clinic headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota is second to none.  With a recent article, the skincare experts  – and why shouldn’t they be, they’re in some pretty harsh MN weather – in the Mayo camp are advocating what they call ‘proactive skin care’, in taking preventative measures to keep your skin from looking aged or tired in the first place.  Here’s a summary of their top 5 list:

1. Protect yourself from the sun | This one is first because it’s hands-down themost important factor in skin health.  The sun is the main culprit for causing a host of skin problems, from the cosmetic – like deep wrinkles, dry, rouch skin, and liver spots – to the more serious disorders such as both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) skin tumors.  Recommended | Avoid sun during high-intensity hours (10am-4pm); Wear protective clothing (bonus points for new clothing with SPF blockers); Use sunscreen (broad spectrum, and applied liberally).

2. Don’t smoke | Among the other health reasons that the doctors at Mayo would cite, it is first-class bad-news to be a regular smoker.  Smoking accelerates aging of the skin, and increases number and depth of wrinkles.  It causes narrowing of the microscopic blood vessels in the skin’s surface, which decreases blood flow.  In turn, the skin is deprived the oxygen and nutrients essential to skin health.  Recommended | Kick the habit – in the name of health AND beauty.

3. Wash your skin gently | While it’s tempting to scrub too hard or wash every time a drop of sweat forms on the forehead, too rough of treatment and too-harsh ingredients can hurt the skin instead of help it.  Recommended| Use warm water, limit bath time (both remove natural oils from your skin); Avoid strong soaps (they can be stripping – leaving the skin dry); Avoid irritating additives (perfumes and dyes? no thanks); Remove eye make-up carefully (use a soft sponge or cotton ball, and oil-based products for water-proof make-up); Pat dry (blot gently instead of rubbing again).

4. Moisturize regularly | The right moisturizer aids in maintaining the skin’s natural moisture levels – and enclose the skin to keep water from escaping, and slowly release water into the skin.  Recommended | Choose a moisturizer that’s right for you (skin type, age, the climate – all play factors); Ensure the moisturizer has sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).

5. Shave carefully | Shaving is the most common way to rid unwanted hair, but it can cause skin irritations – especially for those with thin, dry, or sensitive skin.  Follow the tips, but if irritation occasionally happens, apply alcohol-free lotion.  Recommended | Hold a warm cloth to the skin prior to shaving to soften hair (or shave after a warm bath or shower); Don’t shave dry skin (use a lubricant like shaving cream); Use a clean, sharp razor (and don’t use the closest setting on an electric razor); Shave in the direction of growth (not against the hair); Rinse afterward (with warm water).

The above skincare rituals are great habits to get into for a lifetime of good skin health; in addition, natural, healthy, effective skincare lines can supplement this great routine.  For example, RSF’s Caviar Daily Cream is the perfect fit for overly-sun exposed skin (when you don’t re-apply that one last time), or when harsh environmental conditions dry the skin – either outside weather, or artificial air conditioning can be the culprit.  The perfect combination of care and precisely potent products can spell radiance for even the most damaged skin.

One of the most effective ingredients available in skincare products today used to treat, prevent, and slow the signs of aging is peptides.  Peptides are short polymers formed from linking certain types of amino acids in a specific sequence.  An important – if not the most important – factor in RSF Skincare is our high potency of peptides in all of our age-management skincare products.  While the closest competitor boasts a 17% peptide concentration, RSF products weigh-in at an impressive 50% concentration of peptides.

There are three key ways that peptides attack wrinkles, that are essential in understanding the potential for effectiveness of any cream or anti-aging product.

1. Peptides Sound the Signal to Your Skin, ‘Make More Collagen!’
As we get older, collagen is destroyed in the aging process, and unfortunately not replaced at anywhere near the rate at which it is depleted.  What was once smooth, young skin gets thinner and wrinkled.  An effective way to better the appearance of wrinkles is to replace lost collagen.  Specific peptides – that are formed when collagen breaks down – act as a signal to tell the skin there has been damage, and that it should immediately start making new collagen.  Topically applying peptides is a way to fool the skin into thinking there has been a greater loss of collagen than is actually occurring, tricking the skin into making more.

2. Peptides Give Your Skin a Good Dose of Copper
Peptides are small enough to penetrate the skin’s many layers, and get deep into the skin.  When copper attaches to a peptide, the peptide can take the copper to the thriving layers deep in the skin.  Why copper?  Certain research shows that copper is effective in healing the skin, not to mention it’s been used for decades to treat chronic wounds.  Copper peptides can act as an antioxidant, they’re necessary for the skin’s natural healing and regeneration, and they help to remove damaged collagen.

3. Neuropeptides Potentially Act Botox-like
While there is no confirming evidence one way or the other, some studies show that peptides might actually stop signal transmission from nerves to facial muscles.  A particular neuropeptide has been shown in labs to block the release of neurotransmitters from the nerves; therefore, in theory if it was absorbed through the skin and to the muscle, it has the potential to block muscle contraction.  This is how Botox works – by paralyzing the muscles to prevent the formation of wrinkles.

While peptides penetrating to the level of muscle paralyzing is debatable, there is still no shortage of reasons why peptides can be so beneficial to age management skincare routines.  Anything that continues to spur the skin to maintain or increase collagen production ultimately can have a major effect on the reduction of the appearance of wrinkles.

RSF Stretch Mark Cream

People refer to pregnancy as a ‘transformative’ stage in life for a reason – there is definitely no shortage of changes in allaspects of one’s life when a little one is on the way.  Once the baby arrives, though, many women struggle to get back to their pre-pregnancy form.  Worrying about their own body suddenly becomes the second priority to the wants and need of the newest member of the family.  Furthermore, the time required to get back into shape may take weeks or even months to start seeing results.  Fortunately, there is something that can be attacked as part of any woman’s quick, daily routine – and that is stretch marks.  Regular application of RSF Stretch Mark Cream invigorates the cell regeneration process occurring within the skin to produce the best result of visible change on dermal scarring.  Plus, the product spurs the simultaneous thickening of the epidermal level to regulate the skin’s surface – ultimately diminishing the appearance of stretch marks.

In addition, new moms who have already gone through the process of losing their pregnancy weight can benefit from the Stretch Mark Cream, as the final step in getting back the body they knew before their pregnancy.  The body’s skin expands to make room for extra weight, but when the weight is gone, the skin reacts like an over-stretched rubber band.  If the woman has returned the rest of her body to in-shape, the finishing touch is getting the skin to do the same thing as the rest of the body.

Lastly, it’s not just women who have recently given birth that work hard to get their bodies back into shape.  Anyone who has dedicated themselves to loosing extra weight can suffer from stretch marks.  After the long, hard road of dieting and increased exercise, reducing the appearance of the stretch marks left behind can be the last step in erasing the evidence of having been previously heavier.  Don’t skip out on the last step to having the body of your dreams – sometimes the smallest actions can have the biggest results!

Each year, millions of women make appointments with doctors, medi-spas, estheticians, and other skincare professionals with the desire to improve a current condition like discoloration or acne, or with the hopes of slowing down or minimizing the effects of aging or another life event like pregnancy.

When it comes to the appearance of the skin – which is hands-down the body’s biggest organ – starting early and taking a ‘nip it in the bud’ approach can have invaluable result.

Instead of waiting until middle-age when wrinkles around eyes are very noticeable to try and attack the problem, using a product with a potent amount of peptides – like our RSF Eye Serum - can aid in stopping tiny lines in their tracks and keep them from becoming deeper, darker, and more noticeable.

Or, instead of letting a summer’s week in the sun or a long weekend celebration get your skin looking dull and worn out, nourish it with the benefits of superior ingredients like the caviar in our RSF Caviar Daily Cream regularly, and keep that sallow from sneaking up in the first place!

Taking a time-out to appreciate the skin only takes a few minutes out of the day, and to be able to treat minor symptoms with effective topical products – as opposed to expensive, invasive procedures later in life – definitely proves to be the maximum effect for the minimum cost.

Stretch marks. If you’ve got ‘em, you don’t want ‘em. So why discuss something so detested? Because new research from RSF Pharmaceuticals, a research and development laboratory based in Southern California, is what millions of women across the world have been waiting for: a non-invasive solution for women to use during and after pregnancy to reduce and eliminate the appearance of stretch marks.

Even the luckiest women who maintain flat abs for the first few months of their pregnancy can become victims of stretch marks as their body suddenly ‘catches up.’ RSF Stretch Mark Cream is a medical-grade cream developed for minimizing unsightly stretch marks while simultaneously adding moisturizing and soothing elements to the skin. Featuring the highest potency of peptides and other restorative ingredients (and including absolutely no “filler” ingredients), RSF Stretch Mark Cream is the most powerful product of its kind on the market.

RSF Stretch Mark Cream combats skin stretching and inflammatory reactions right at the origin of cell activation where irritated cells activate skin matrix degradation. Down regulation of pro-inflammatory agents like TNF-alpha are one method RSF Stretch Mark Cream employs. The unique cream also stimulates collagen factors by utilizing panthenol to effectively reduce unwelcome stretch marks.  A brilliant combination of protein peptides, vitamins and organic extracts adds to the beautifying benefits of this RSF Skincare creation.

RSF Stretch Mark Cream invigorates the cell regeneration process occurring within the skin to manufacture optimal visible change on dermal scarring while simultaneously thickening the epidermal layer to regulate the skin’s surface and diminish the appearance of stretch marks.  Future outbreaks are prevented by the cream’s maximization of resiliency and elasticity. The intense components of RSF Stretch Mark Cream will leave the skin feeling firm and revitalized throughout life’s most dramatic fluctuations.

As a division of research and development laboratory, RSF Pharmaceuticals, RSF Skincare is substantiated by a long tradition of customized medicine and innovative formulization research. The unveiling of the RSF Age Management category offers age-conscious consumers young and old the exclusive tools to compact skin deterioration at any stage of the maturing process.

Click here to see more details on the RSF Skincare Stretch Mark Cream.

While using the most beneficial and effective skincare products certainly is a great way to maintain clear, healthy skin as well as contribute to slowing the signs of the aging process and treating existing lines and wrinkles, there’s another part of the daily routine where good decisions can impact the appearance of one’s skin.  RSF Skincare products treat precious skin from the exterior, but the food and beverages consumed on a regular basis can seriously effect – positively or negatively – the skin from the inside-out.

Eat Those Veggies!  (Mom and Popeye were right.)

Vegetables not only are high in water content to help keep skin hydrated, but are also chock-full of essential nutrients, among a host of other benefits to the body.

1.   Spinach Pound-for-pound it packs a powerful punch – spinach is one of the most healthy ‘Super Foods’ out there.  Skin gains essential vitamins from this veggie like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and several B-Vitamins.

2.   Sweet Potatoes Swap the standard starchy spud and trade-up for its cousin that’s more rich in color and health benefits.  An average-sized sweet potato (about 7-10 oz.) contains more than twice the daily recommended dose of Vitamin A!

3.   Carrots This veggie with crunch carries a reputation for keeping eye-sight keen, but its kick for the skin cannot be overlooked.  Along with being high in Vitamin C and fiber, which help maintain healthy body function, carrots are  high in Vitamin A, which aids in diminishing discolorations and helps in creating an even skintone  - no matter what color the complexion.

Go Nuts for Nuts!

Besides being stomach-filling, packing essential proteins, and delivering a helping of fiber, nuts can help make skin look supple and smooth – which inevitably begs for compliments of youthfulness.

4.   Almonds As a filling and low-cal snack, almonds are a great alternative to junk food, and are far more skin-friendly, to put it mildly.  Just a fist-full of these gifts from nature provides magnesium, Vitamin E, essential monounsaturated fat, and a bit of protein.

5.   Walnuts Vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who just doesn’t have an affinity for meat and/or fish can reap the benefits of said foods instead from walnuts.  A single serving contains nearly 100% of a day’s allowance of Omega 3’s.  Omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation, some devotees even swear by Omega 3’s to get that desirable skin glow.

6.   Brazil Nuts Perhaps aptly named for a country known for the beauty of its people, Brazil nuts promote health of nails, hair, and skin.  They have a high content of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, and in addition have high levels of selenium – an antioxidant nutrient than can help protect skin cells, and also help clear up and prevent acne.

7.   Flax Seeds Whether in an oil, ground, or whole, Flax Seeds aren’t just a cholesterol-buster, and great in the battle against diabetes.  They possess a high number of fatty acids that are good for the body and skin both!

Fish & Fowl

Fish oil can actually curb the production of bad arachidonic acids by increasing the production of good ones – increasing the blood flow all through the skin; birds are high in protein and low in fat – important elements in all areas of health.

8.   Salmon Salmon is famously a health-food staple; plus, it contains lots of fatty acids that can drastically keep skin from being chronically dry.

9.   Turkey Besides the above low-fat-high-protein combo, turkey has iron, zinc, and more than 1 B-Vitamin, and also offers selenium – which has been suggested to increase survival rates of persons fighting several types of cancer!

Dairy (& Dairy Substitutes!)

Dairy gets noticed most for its calcium contributions, but also touts vitamins and minerals essential to skin health, repair, and damange prevention.

10. Cottage Cheese Yet another good source for the protective shield of selenium, and the strength-factors of calcium.  An under-appreciated ingredient, though, is Vitamin D, which is beneficial in dealing with skin problems like psoriasis.

11. Yogurt Yogurt – as long as one is diligent about reading the labels – can be a very positive factor in good skincare regimens.  Yogurts without high levels of sugar, in addition to being the low-fat kind, can provide adequate amounts of calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin A.

12. Soy Milk Lactose intolerant individuals and vegans needing calcium and protein frequently turn to soy milk.  What maybe goes under-appreciated, though, is that this non-dairy-milk-alternative also is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B2.

Reaping the Fruits of Fruits

No matter the time of year, there is nothing more satisfying than fresh seasonal fruits from local grocers.  Fruit that is more local (and shipped lesser distances over shorter periods of time) typically has less of a chance of being sprayed with preservatives and heavier pesticides – both of which can wreak havoc on skin, especially people with sensitive skin.

13. Plums/Prunes Plums and their dried version, prunes, both aid in iron absorption – this is good for the skin because iron helps to remove carbon dioxide waste from the cells.  Plums and prunes have relatively high levels of Vitamin C, and to top it off, high antioxidant levels allow the skin to utilize those to clear radicals.

14. Tomatoes No matter how you slice them, tomatoes have plenty of elements to make skin happy.  Wherever fresh tomatoes are found – in salsas, some soups – and even in other items like ketchup, there are good levels of antioxidants, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

15. Avocado A favorite of RSF Skincare’s native state of California, avocados are extremely high in oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat that aids in skin health).  Avocados also are very high in Vitamin K, a vitamin that is said to benefit the appearance of skin – from spider veins to bruises, scars, and stretch marks.

Reaching for Savvy Snacks that Won’t Sabotage Skin

In search of a quick-fix between meals, there is high potential to run into pitfalls of tasty tidbits that can take a toll on skin.  Smart snacking isn’t only for dieters anymore, fashionistas looking to keep fabulous facades can seek out the following mid-afternoon morsels.

16. Berries Berries, berries, and more berries!  First, there is Blueberries – a berry of which studies have shown that there is a degree of anti-aging properties in the antioxidants found in them.  Then, there are Blackberries, which are high in manganese (said to ‘brighten’ skin), magnesium (the “anti-stress” mineral), and potassium (which aids in muscle control, which might prevent wrinkles).  Strawberries are an abundant source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and phenols – nutrients that have been illustrated to protect cell structures throughout the body.  Lastly, though they have been more common for a longer amount of time outside of the United States, Acai Berries boast most of the health benefits of the previously mentioned berries, and as a perk are used in weight loss and beauty products.

17. Sunflower Seeds What might possibly be the easiest snack on the planet is also a perfect element for perfect skin because of its high levels of healthy oils.  Reach in the bag, grab a handful, and satisfy almost a whole days’ intake of Vitamin E, and about half the requirement of Vitamin B1.

Beverages and Drinks to Boast a Definitely Beautiful Dermis

The most healthful meals can be topped off with liquids to continue to boost skin benefits.

18. Pomegranate Juice Pomegranate has been touted as a ‘Super Food’ in liquid form.  Its outrageously high level of antioxidants make this juice wonderful for skin, as they help reduce and repair damages from the elements such as skin and dryness.

19. Green & Black Tea Green tea is made from unfermented leaves which means it has the highest possible level of polyphenols.  (Polyphenol studies have shown to help in the anti-aging process.)  Black tea is made from these same leaves – but comes in flavors!  (Think sweet, spicy, chocolate, etc.)  Theaflavins (antioxidant properties) and thearubigens (polyphenols) can also be found in black tea and contribute to health.

20. Water The obvious.  No matter how many times it’s in a magazine, health blog, or recommended by doctors, everyone can use a reminder to get those eight glasses of water a day.  Because, not only does the lack of water – dehydration – affect the body internally, it also deeply impacts the skin and its appearance.  Drink up!

RSF Skincare, like all sources that advocate for good comprehensive health, recognizes and promotes the use of science to research, evaluate, and analyze the effects of different ingredients on health and wellness of the skin.  Whether that is ensuring that RSF Stretch Mark Cream produces the optimal visual change in dermal scarring, meticulously selecting the pure caviar used in RSF Caviar Daily Cream, or insisting that RSF products have the highest concentration of peptides available, it is about prompting healthy skincare - not just on the outside but from the inside as well – so customers can not only look better, but feel better too.

Another funfilled summer is coming to a close but when it comes to the condition of your skin reversing the sometimes inevitable damage is often less than enjoyable. Besides the sun, other factors such as wind, lack of humidity in the air, salt water, chlorine from swimming pools, and spending time outdoors can generally dehydrate the skin and cause it to lose some of its luster.

Ultra Violet exposure leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of your skin, leaving your face with fine lines and the beginning or advancement of lines and wrinkles. Basking in the powerful rays of the sun may have taken a toll on your skin so be sure not to neglect useful remedies that can aid in revitalizing post beach skin.

One of the best ways to regain that youthful glow is to exfoliate off the corneum, the dead outer layer of rough and dry skin due to environmental elements like harmful UV rays. Once the dull and dead skin is removed it is essential to replenish the newly penetrable skin with lots of moisture. The fresh layer of skin is more apt to absorb nourishing ingredients that aid in hydration and rejuventate the skins natural state. Products like RSF Skincare’s caviar cream is ideal for feeding skin the nutrients and moisture it needs to combat the negative effects.

An ingredient long reserved for the wealthy elite, caviar has a nearly identical cellular structure as that of human skin, making it one of the most effective ingredients for repairing skin damaged by the sun. While many products in the market boast inclusion of caviar and peptides in their makeup, RSF Skincare Caviar Daily Cream possesses increased levels of both of these hydrating ingredients.

RSF’s Caviar Daily Cream includes genuine caviar extract to help solve any sunburn with vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B6 and micro-elements Co, Cu, P, Si, Zn and amino acids such as glycine, lysine, histidine, arginine and asparagine. In addition to repairing damaged skin, these ingredients work to slow the aging process by moisturizing the skin at the cellular level. Caviar extract also speeds up the natural production of collagen and, in time, helps to plump and thicken the skin, giving it a younger and firmer appearance.

Antioxidants are also a great method to repair skin and combat free radicals caused by air pollution and sunlight. Antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables are a great way to keep a bikini body and gain added skin benefits. Salmon is also a wonderful choice to promote moisture and skin elasticity.

While preventative skincare measures like SPFs are crucial in saving the skin from irreversible damage, certain products can help in rescuing your parched face and undo the summer skin sins….a nice tall glass of H2O doesn’t hurt either!