COSMECEUTICAL INGREDIENTS

COSMECEUTICAL INGREDIENTS
Dr. Leslie Baumann doesn't have her own cosmeceutical line and doesn't want one. What University of Miami's director of cosmetic dermatology does have is a monthly column, Cosmeceutical Critique, published in Skin and Allergy News. Here's her take on four popular cosmeceutical ingredients:
Green tea: Touted as an antioxidant that could help reduce destructive free radicals released by aging skin. Research has demonstrated green tea's antioxidant effects, but Baumann cautions that the concentration of green tea in products is variable.
Soy: Useful for some hyperpigmentation disorders. It could also be useful for postmenopausal women who suffer skin thinning and collagen loss, but more research is needed.
Copper: Studies have shown copper peptide creams can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles and increase skin density.
Salicylic acid: Useful to treat acne, some inflammatory disorders and skin aging due to sun exposure. It increases sensitivity to the sun, so be sure to use sunscreen.
Baumann's column is available at www.eskinandallergynews.com. Click on Cosmeceutical Critique and you can register for free. Or call Skin and Allergy News at (301) 816-8700.