Botox in a jar

Glutathione has gotten so much buzz lately as a miracle whitener and anti-ager that it’s gotten hard to separate fact from fiction.

According to New York dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, glutathione is actually a master antioxidant that defends us against the aging caused by free-radical damage. It’s abundant in our bodies when we’re young but rapidly declines with age.

But for the first time in skincare, Perricone has developed a breakthrough, patent-pending molecule in a cream that delivers a stable and readily accepted glutathione derivative, to help defend skin against accelerated aging.

This new cream is called Acyl-Glutathione, and what it does was explained by Perricone skincare expert Jane Meredith, who came to Manila to launch the product for Rustan’s. “Like all of Dr. Perricone’s products it has the apothecary look, no fragrance, and has DMAE, which is the cornerstone of all our products and nutritional supplements. DMAE instantly tightens skin,” Meredith said.

“Acyl-Glutathione is for significant lines, crow’s feet, fine lines, and marionette lines — it’s just an amazing product.”

Apothecary look: Perricone MD’s new Acyl Glutathione and Hypoallergenic anti-aging lines are available exclusively at Rustan’s Makati, Alabang and Shangri-La Plaza.

As with most skincare products, you’ll see results after 30 to 60 days. Meredith demonstrated the unique application method. She scooped up some cream with a Q-tip, warmed it in her hands and applied it directly on the visible lines of the face. “Lots of women are considering Botox,” she noted. “This is an alternative.”

Like Dr. Perricone’s previous product, Cold Plasma, Acyl-Glutathione is already a bestseller in the United States. “Cold Plasma is a significant product,” Meredith says. “It took five years to get the medical patent on the delivery system, and now the line includes five products for eyes, body, neck and face. It takes nutrients right to the mitochondria.”

Several writers at the launch complained about Cold Plasma’s markedly fishy odor. “It smells fishy,” Meredith acknowledged, “but the products are results-driven. You can use it before your favorite product and it makes it work better — it actually enhances it.”

The doctor is in: For beautiful skin, Dr. Nicholas Perricone advocates eating superfoods like wild salmon.

The visionary Dr. Perricone, whose theories on aging were much maligned before science proved him absolutely right, does all the research by himself, and has been practicing dermatology and developing products for 20 years. Meredith, who considers him a genius, says he’s found a way to make antioxidants fat- and water-soluble so they’re a healthier way to fight aging than via mechanical means. “Unlike laser procedures, it’s not stripping off the top layer of skin to look young, but infusing it with antioxidants and healthy ingredients.”

Another universal antioxidant in Perricone’s arsenal is alpha lipoic acid, supposed to be so good for you that if you take 500 mg of it in oral form after a fast-food meal, it will help metabolize all that bad fat. Thanks to its ability to diminish pores, acne scars and lines, Meredith calls it “nature’s eraser for the face.”

Since Perricone is all about giving your skin good nutritional antioxidants, they try to restore youth by a three-tiered approach to give you beautiful, smooth, even-toned skin: diet, topical products, and nutritional supplements.

“Eat more protein, cut down on sugar to lessen inflammation, and eat a low-glycemic diet, especially protein,” Meredith advises. “Make better food choices. Eat superfoods like wild salmon, watercress and chia seeds, which has even more omega 3s than wild salmon. If not, take nutriceuticals, free of yeast, glutens and wheat.”

She’s a fan: Gwyneth Paltrow is hooked on Perricone MD’s No Foundation Foundation and Super Berry Powder with Acai.

Meredith only started using Perricone’s products at age 46; she’s 52 now and looks incredible. Her skin looks plump, poreless and dewy, with no signs of the sun damage that normally plagues fair-skinned blonds. Thanks to Perricone, she says she doesn’t even need to use foundation — “to not be able to wear foundation is incredible” — though for today she’s wearing his No Foundation Foundation, a favorite beauty product of Gwyneth Paltrow’s, by the way, who is an ardent Perricone fan.

Health-conscious Gwyneth must be gaga over Perricone’s new Hypoallergenic line anti-aging line, which comes in green bottles. Just launched, the range includes four products: a Gentle Cleanser, Peptide Complex, Nourishing Moisturizer and Firming Eye Cream.

I could feel a product binge coming on, and got even more excited hearing about the upcoming Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum, which will be in select Rustan’s at the end of May. Meredith says it’s like an instant eye lift for droopy eyelids. Smooth the gel over the entire lid and you can feel an immediate tightening, though more lasting results are seen in 30 to 60 days.

I couldn’t wait for the arrival of the eyelid serum, though, so I went to Rustan’s and, with Meredith’s quote “What’s good for the inside is good for the outside” ringing in my ears, bought Perricone MD’s Skin and Total Body Dietary Supplements to make up for a diet that isn’t exactly the healthiest. I also got samples of the Cold Plasma cream and Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream to try out along with the Acyl-Glutathione.

I’m a believer: Perricone’s three-tiered approach to beauty includes topical products and nutriceuticals like his Skin & Total Body Dietary Supplements.

Almost a month later on my new Perricone regimen, I notice I don’t look tired anymore. In the morning, even without makeup, my skin looks plumped up and has a dewy glow. Best of all, my husband, who was going through old photos, says I actually look younger now than I did five years ago. I have now joined Gwyneth among Dr. Perricone’s legions of happy believers.

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Perricone MD products are exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Alabang and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.