Formula 5-5-5: Age Spot Remover & Acid-Free Exfoliator

New Formula 5-5-5:  Age Spot Remover, Acne Spot Remover & Acid Free Exfoliator in One!  2.5 oz.

A WHOLE NEW WAY TO LIGHTEN AGE SPOTS, SUN DAMAGE, ACNE SPOTS & MELASMA! 

Very effective age spot remover, acne spot remover and all over skin brightening illuminator.

I received an email from Ozana who is a regular and wonderful client of ours. She asked me to research the benefits of Niacinamide and Glucosamine (specifically N-acetyl-D-glucosamine or NAG) and how together they appear to be excellent for fading brown spots, hyperpigmentation and even melasma.

She mentioned that it’s very difficult to find them together in a formula – especially one that isn’t loaded with “junk”.  I’m excited to have the formula and Ozana is correct – the combination really is excellent for fading brown spots, hyperpigmentation and melasma!

Glucosamine is an acid-free exfoliant and the major player in my former formula of the Acid-Free Exfoliating Serum. So with the addition of Niacinamide, it’s a double -duty formula. I’ve also added Lemon Peel Bioferment to it at 5% for even more “spot” removing AND L-Aspartic Acid (added 12/1/2011).

L-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that effectively lightens spots of all kinds (age spots, sun damage, spots left by acne etc.) AND it’s also very effective for all over skin brightening.   L-Aspartic Acid is known to interrupt the process that causes irregular pigmentation to form.

I get a lot of feedback that Formula 5-5-5 has cleared up acne, even stubborn cystic acne.  The addition of L-Aspartic Acid to the formula is going to make it even more effective for preventing and healing acne.

Spot free, even skin tone = younger looking skin!

BENEFITS

	The appearance of dark spots and discoloration is visibly diminished		All over skin brightening		Skin radiance is increased
	Skin tone is more uniform		Clears and prevents acne		Lightweight, fast absorbing
	Prevents further pigmentation from forming		Fragrance free		Paraben-free, not tested on animals.
	Non comedogenic		Hydroquinone free

HOW SOON WILL YOU START TO SEE RESULTS?

Well, that depends on your individual skin and how old your “spots” are. Older spots are going to take longer to fade.  One tester started to see fading in a week – I think that’s unusual though. However, another tester starting to see fading in two weeks. On average, you’re going to see improvement within 1-2 months. Give it time – your spots will fade!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Apply Formula 5-5-5 on clean skin twice a day.
2. Allow to soak in completely before applying your other skin care products over it.

INGREDIENTS

5% N-acetyl-D-glucosamine , 5% Niacinamide, 5% Lemon Peel Bioferment added to Organic Jojoba Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Sea Kelp Bioferment, Vitamin E, Algae Extract , L-Aspartic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha Bisabolol, polysorbate 20, Optiphen (natural preservative).

STUDIES SHOW TOPICAL GLOCOSAMINE TARGETS PIGMENT OVERPRODUCTION

Data presented at 2006 American Academy of Dermatology Meeting uses first ever non-invasive imaging system to detect pigment changes, test glucosamine efficacy.  While the debate about glucosamine's efficacy in treating arthritis pain continues, a series of studies presented at the 64th American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting indicates that a topical version of the supplement has effects on skin – with the particular ability to normalize pigment overproduction in skin cells damaged by UV radiation exposure.

"While a great deal is known about glucosamine's safety profile and anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, there have been few well-controlled studies on how these properties could be used to improve skin health," says Alexa Kimball, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Harvard Medical School, who supervised one of the studies presented at the AAD. " It is really gratifying to see this level of research and validation on a topical cosmetic application. These findings could impact the way dermatologists treat UV related skin damage."

Data from three studies presented at the meeting focused on a formulation including N-acetyl glucosamine, a more stable version of glucosamine. N-acetyl glucosamine is a substance that inhibits glycosylation of pro-tyrosinase – a key process in melanin overproduction in UV damaged skin cells. The in vivo and in vitro studies highlight improvements in hyperpigmentation, skin tone and barrier function. Data from the SIAscope, a non-invasive skin imaging system developed by Cambridge UK-based company Astron Clinica, enabled scientists to view the effects of the N-acetyl glucosamine complex on pigment producing cells – giving scientists the ability for the first time ever to see the distribution of melanin across an entire human face.

NAG/NIACINIMAIDE REDUCES APPEARANCE OF HYPER-PIGMENTATION IN VIVO

Two double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies examined the effects of N-acetyl glucosamine alone and a complex containing N-acetyl glucosamine plus niacinamide, a vitamin B derivative, which has previously been shown to be effective in reducing facial hyperpigmentation. , , The first study involved 50 Japanese women (ages 25-55) who were randomized to use either a topical placebo formulation or an N-acetyl glucosamine formulation. The second study involved 35 Caucasian women (ages 35-65) who were randomized to use either a topical formulation containing niacinamide or N-acetyl glucosamine plus niacinamide complex. Researchers concluded that N-acetyl glucosamine was more effective in reducing hyperpigmentation over the placebo and a complex of N-acetyl glucosamine and niacinamide were more effective in reducing hyperpigmentation than niacinamide alone.

Another study, supervised by Harvard dermatologist Dr. Kimball, 200 subjects (ages 40-60) with facial hyperpigmenation used an SPF-15 moisturizing sunscreen lotion product and a moisturizing cream. One hundred of these subjects used an SPF-15 moisturizing sunscreen lotion product and a moisturizing cream with an N-acetyl glucosamine and niacinamide complex and 100 subjects received the lotion and cream without the active complex. Results showed that a topical N-acetyl glucosamine plus niacinamide complex is clinically effective in reducing the appearance of facial hyperpigmented spots. Additionally, the combination was significantly effective on top of any effect provided by the SPF-15 sunscreen included in the daytime test products.

These 200 subjects underwent additional testing using the SIAscope, a technology that models and measures the interaction of light within the skin to produce full-face visual maps of melanin distribution. These maps revealed that treatment with an N-acetyl glucosamine and niacinamide complex resulted in a reduction in both hyper-melanized spot size and heterogeneity of melanin distribution. "This unique SIAscope technology allows us to non-invasively measure and understand biological components that comprise skin tone. It is an amazing clinical tool to help us evaluate new treatments and their ability to improve the skin," said Dr. Paul Matts, a principal scientist from P&G Beauty, a division of Procter & Gamble, and co-author of the study with Dr. Kimball.

NAG INCREASES HYALURONIC ACID, WATER CONTENT, BIOMARKERS OF HEALTHY SKIN

In this study, the effects of N-acetyl glucosamine and niacinamide were tested in in vitro human skin cultures, as well as a clinical facial trial of 35 to 60 year old women with moderate-severe fine lines and wrinkles. The in vitro work found that the N-acetyl glucosamine plus niacinamide complex stimulated the production of hyaluronic acid, a key component in skin's hydration, as well as increased collagen (procollagen-1) expression. In human subjects, this improved hydration of the skin reduced the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles, particularly in the eye area of the face. Researchers hypothesize that the improved skin tone and moisturization may come from the role that glucosamine plays in hyaluronic acid synthesis, as well as improvements in collagen structure.