Skin & the city

Living in a city like Manila is like being in a perpetual obstacle course. Apart from the physical stress we suffer when moving from point A to point B, there’s the environment. It’s not exactly the cleanest city in the world, but even if we avoid dirty places and situations, the things we don’t see around us can quicken the aging of our skin.

While experts have been telling us to always protect our skin from the sun, we’re not all that aware of other skin poisons, which include cigarette and refinery smoke, accumulated dirt and grime, car exhaust fumes, air-conditioning-reprocessed air and smog. Yup, things that we encounter every day, whether we’re out in the streets or in the relative safety of our offices.

These poisons halt the cellular renewal of the skin, kill cells and cause pigmentation disorder. What does it all mean? Look in the mirror and check your face for signs of toxic skin. If you have it, you’ll notice that your pores are congested, you have a lot of surface grime and fine lines, you have a red and blotchy complexion, a dull and uneven skin tone, pigmentation irregularities and surface grime that doesn’t seem to go away.

However, it’s not just these outer signs we should watch out for. What’s invisible to the eye is also dangerous. Dr. Howard Murad – dermatologist, CEO of Murad Inc., and author of Wrinkle-Free Forever – says, "The most dangerous signs of toxic skin are exhibited in the internal cellular structure. Damaged, unhealthy cells produce more damaged unhealthy cells." It’s a vicious cycle – if cells aren’t repaired, the skin’s health is compromised even more.

It is the city environment for which Murad, a company whose tagline is "where skincare meets healthcare," blended its newest skincare solution: CitySkin Detox Treatment. It’s designed to neutralize environmental toxins and pollutants that bombard the skin on a daily basis. It supports the skin’s natural photo-protection by forming a defensive shield to prevent premature aging and encourage the growth of a new, firmer skin layer.

"CitySkin Detox is paramount to overall health and vitality," says Murad.

For detoxifying the skin, two ingredients make CitySkin a woman’s powerful friend: Olive extract and manganese gluconate. The olive extract is loaded with active olive polyphenols, which are active antioxidants. Its detoxifying effects have been found to be specifically successful in combating cigarette smoke and atmospheric pollution produced by the incineration of waste. It should be used by people who smoke because cigarette smoke does cause fine lines, wrinkling and gives the skin a rubbery texture – take it from me. My own skin is red and blotchy and dry.

Manganese gluconate, on the other hand, has a relaxing effect on cells and prevents fibroblasts from staying contracted. It is also effective in combating free radicals and premature skin aging, and promotes cell survival.

To encouraging epidermal growth, CitySkin increases circulation, blood vessel formation, protein synthesis and collagen accumulation. With the use of glycolic acid, the rate of cell turnover is enhanced and skin inflammation is reduced.

Also in the CitySkin blend is lupine extract, which supports the skin’s natural photo-protection system to help reduce signs of skin damage. This extract protects skin from moisture loss, acts as a wall to block off outside irritants, and helps speed up the exfoliation of cells that contain melanin.

CitySkin Detox Treatment is ideal for nighttime use. If you wonder why there are separate day and night creams (with the night creams tending to be heavier), here’s the answer: Experts say cell growth and repair takes place at night. Meaning, while we sleep our respiratory system slows, the pores open and relax for a deeper absorption of treatment products. So using detoxifying products at night when the skin is in its renewal mode makes for a better treatment regimen.

They call it "rescue overnight." And it almost ensures you wake up on the right side of the bed –with younger-looking, vibrant skin.

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Murad products are exclusively available at Murad Spa, Rustan’s Makati, and Essenses branches in Makati, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza and Cebu Ayala Center.