Improving Skin Elasticity & Hydration on a Molecular Level

I love when science and beauty come together!  I've always liked science because there is proven & measured cause and effect.  I don't like guessing games.  And when I heard that there is scientific proof that an ingredient could help improve my skin (I'm pushing 45 and really starting to freak out about sagging and wrinkles) I was SOLD!

Here's an excerpt of the article I read at Whole Foods Magazine that really enlightened me that it's not all creams and topical potions you need to keep your skin looking it's best at any age.

An often overlooked antioxidant in the skin health equation is French maritime pine bark extract, often branded as Pycnogenol (manufactured by Horphag Research).  A 2012 study published in the Skin Pharmacology and Physiology journal found that Pycnogenol works on a cellular level to improve several factors of skin health (5). The study involved 20 women who took Pycnogenol over the course of 12 weeks.

Upon assessment after week 12, the subjects benefited from increased skin elasticity and hydration. The study concluded that Pycnogenol worked on a molecular level to alter gene expression by increasing hyaluronic acid synthase-1 (HAS-1), an enzyme that plays a critical role in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid (5). Pycnogenol was also shown to play a beneficial role in the gene expression of collagen synthesis, allowing the proper creation and utilization of the ever important skin nutrient that is collagen (5). In conclusion, the study states that Pycnogenol may be “useful to counteract the clinical signs of skin aging” (5).

While this study was conducted with the supplement form, numerous natural personal care products incorporate the ingredient into topical skin formulas.

Well, since the study was on the oral consumption of Pycnogenol, I decided to seek out the best form available which turned out to be a liquid delivery system by a company called Isotonix.  Their product called OPC-3 Beauty Blend contains 40mg of Pycnogenol per serving plus other beauty boosting ingredients like biotin, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C, D3 & E, grape seed extract, billberry extract and citrus bioflavanoids (that bitter white stuff on the inside of the peel - which of course my mother always said was the best part of the fruit for you - I hate when she's right).  But I digress, the point is that I've been taking OPC-3 Beauty Blend daily and not only do I notice a difference, but other people commenting that my skin looks radiant!  And for me, although not scientific, that means it's really working!  

If you'd like to give it a try, you can receive 10% off your first order using my exclusive promo code: 10OFFMA only through this link: http://bit.ly/29Z95CZ