A novel solution for aging skin

JAKARTA (JP): A young and healthy look is the main standard of beauty. Many health and beauty products promote ways to maintain shape and look. One of the biggest concerns for many people, especially women, is wrinkled and sagging skin. This problem is caused by oxidation, dry air, and exposure to ultra-violet rays, which, unfortunately, no one can avoid.

As the skin ages, the skin turnover -- the rate at which skin cells move up from the basal layer to the horny layer -- becomes irregular. This irregular turnover can cause incomplete keratinization which can accelerate the aging process and roughen he skin.

To slow the process, Shiseido has introduced Shiseido Benefiance.

Shiseido's laboratories found that enzymes play a vital role in controlling turnover rate. However, if turnover is disrupted by environmental factors, or by excessive exfoliation, plasmin becomes overactivated and disperses into the upper layers of the epidermis. This dispersed plasmin then affects the functioning of epidermal cells, accelerating their turnover. As a result, cells lacking in moisture and nutrients are produced, eventually leading to roughening in the horny layer.

The finding led Shiseido's to produce TRA Revitalizer, an ingredient which can inhibit the overreaction of plasmin. This product is able to control the cell turnover rate by normalizing plasmin enzyme activity, preventing incomplete keratinization, decelerating the aging process, and improving skin texture.

The new ingredient, which is allergy-tested and is designed especially for mature skin, is formulated for two different types of skin -- normal to dry skin and dry to very dry skin.

Shiseido Benefiance, which contains TRA Revitalizer, consists of three basic skin care steps -- cleansing, balancing, and moisturizing -- and additional firming and lifting skin care products.

For the three basic skin care steps, there are two kinds of cleanser available, Creamy Cleansing Foam, a rinse-off type of cleanser, and Creamy Cleansing Emulsion. Both of them can be used for normal, dry or very-dry skin.

People with normal or dry skin are offered Balancing Softener to restore stability to the skin after cleansing. Daytime Protective Emulsion moisturizes and protects skin from UV-rays, and Revitalizing Emulsion is a nighttime moisturizer.

For those with dry or very-dry skin, Enriched Balancing Softener is recommended. Daytime Protective Cream and Revitalizing Cream are available as the moisturizer with the same properties as the emulsion except that they have richer formulation.

Since the area around the eyes is more sensitive and prone to wrinkle, Shiseido Benefiance provides Revitalizing Eye Cream which is a highly penetrating moisturizing cream. This treatment is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes without heaviness or stickiness.

As an additional treatment, there is the Firming Massage Mask, which is a three-minute massage treatment that can be done once or twice a week to get a firming benefit. The other additional skin care product is the lifting treatment which is provided by Energizing Essence. This product can be used as a regular or occasional treatment.

All of these Shiseido Benefiance range of product is available at all Shiseido counters.

-- Thalia Kamarga