Caring for the skin you're in: herbs, plants and vitamins can help our skin age gracefully.

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Gracefully aged skin is like a badge of honor for a well-lived, healthy life, Although there, are thousands of products that claim to provide youth in a bottle, there is no miracle cream Yet men and women spend over twenty billion dollars per year on anti-aging products. While these products can help us achieve a more balanced skin tone. hydrated face and glowing appearance, they're only one piece of the puzzle. As we age. our faces; become a memoir of our habits: they reveal the discipline in which we live and the attention we pay to our selves.

Skin, is the body's largest organ and the only organ that shows our aging process re the world. Our face, one the more delicate areas of skin, is the storyteller. Premature fine lines, dry skin, discoloration, uneven tone and dehydration are the telltale signs of unbalanced skin. But finding balance is simpler than the billion-dollar anti-aging industry would have you believe.

You've heard of free radicals, right? Every time I hear the phrase "free radicals" I think of my mother back in 1969 marching on Washington with a "No War" poster in hand. But free radicals are far from peaceful protesters; they're extremely unstable atoms with an unpaired electron. The fact that they have an unpaired electron forces them to hunt out and steal electrons from other atoms, which perpetuates a damaging cycle. They make our skin susceptible to environmental stressors such as pollution, smoke, ultraviolet rays and pesticides--all of which age our largest organ.

And then I think of my mother again in 2009: her 58-year-old face with naturally colored cheeks and even skin tone. I see her eyes, which are healthy and wrinkle free. Somehow, she is fighting the free radicals.

I recently asked her about her skin care regimen, expecting her routine to have drastically changed from the natural soap, olive oil and sunscreen she used when I was a child. But she had no magic cream to report. So, what is it that makes her skin so flawless at 58?

Antioxidants. She get hers though a natural, mostly vegetarian diet. Her dessert is always a fruit salad, rich with citrus fruits and ripe berries. Green tea is her beverage of choice (her tea cabinet could supply most tea houses for several weeks!), and she supplements her diet with coenzyme Q10 capsules for her cardiovascular system. (Coenzyme Q10 is the hot new trend in skin care formulations ... surprise!)

These small, yet powerful lifestyle choices feed her skin and contribute to her flawless face. As a spa developer and consultant, this dedication to antioxidants impacts my treatment design. As her daughter, it makes me proud.

Antioxidants are super-powered skin protectors that donate one of their electrons to stop the cycle of free radicals and protect the health of the skin. They can be consumed in our diets or applied topically, so they're easy to work into a routine. A few beauty products will help, but there's no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on skin care products when the majority of antioxidants are found in herbs and supplements available at your grocery store!

The following five helpful antioxidants are skin care must-haves. Fill your cabinets with them and look for products that include them in their ingredient list:

Green Tea

Green tea has been used for thousands of years in China as a health elixir. Rich in powerful flavonoids called catechins (EGCG), these potent antioxidants fight free radicals and offer longterm health benefits. Trade in green tea for your coffee, and you'll likely start to notice that you have, more energy and fresher skin. After you steep your green tea bag, you can use it as a poultice for your face. Simply allow the tea bag to cool slightly then press it into your freshly cleansed skin for a spa-like treatment. Or, throw a few green tea bags in your bathtub for an antioxidant bath! Look for products that have Camellia sinensis (green tea) in the ingredient list. These products will hydrate, nourish and strengthen your skin.

Vitamin C

This powerful antioxidant assists the immune system, and there is significant research indicating that it has an anti-aging effect on the skin. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming higher amounts of vitamin C led to a lower probability of dryness or a wrinkled appearance. You can purchase vitamin C in capsule or chewable form. Many skin care companies provide vitamin C serums or" treatments as part of their offerings; make sure that you purchase a product with a 10 percent or higher concentration, as those are most effective.

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that offers cardiovascular benefits as well as wrinkle-reducing antioxidant support. CoQ10 is now available in supplemental form and in topical applications in skin care (masque pictured opposite page). Look for products that have advanced delivery systems of their products to help "push" the product into the deeper layers of the skin. CoQ10 is commonly found in creams, lotions and serums and can offer visible results when purchased from a reputable brand.

Blueberries

Blueberries are full of vitamins C and E, which act as antioxidants in the body. Blueberries and blueberry extract have been used for thousands of years in ancient herbal and medicinal healing--through consumption of the fruit and the use of it in face and body masques. Blueberries are currently popping up in all sorts of spa treatments and products. Serums and creams are ideal to use after chemical facial peels, as they're highly healing and restorative. Many blueberry products are blended with exfoliation granules, such as sugar or jojoba beads, to slough off dead skin while providing the antioxidant punch of the blueberry. You can easily make your own blueberry face and body masque-see the sidebar at left for a quick how-to.

Rosemary

A very popular herb in the kitchen, rosemary grows into a hearty plant with a pine-like, uplifting aroma. As a member of the mint family, it has major chemical compounds that act as antioxidants. The antioxidants in rosemary have been shown to have more antioxidant activity than tocopherol (found in vitamin E). Fresh rosemary can be brewed into a tea and taken orally or splashed onto the skin as a refresher. Rosemary essential oil can also be applied topically; it has an invigorating and energizing quality: Blend it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, and apply it to your skin, allowing the absorption of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Incorporating these five key antioxidants into your diet and skin care routine can revitalize and support your beauty and health so you can feel better, look younger and smile brighter! For a custom skin care regimen, visit an esthetician at a local spa, but don't fall for the miracle cream sales pitch. Look for products with a simple ingredient list, no parabens and plenty of antioxidants. Make a commitment to your home skin care regimen, and remember that it doesn't stop once you leave the sink. Supplement your products with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and you too may be the owner of a flawless face!

Medical note: Adverse reactions to natural substances are possible. Stop using any substance it its use results in itching, redness, swelling, discomfort or a rash.

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Blueberry Face & Body Masque

Blend 1/4 cup blueberries, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply to the face and leave on for 5 minutes. The honey and olive oil will dehydrate your skin, while the blueberry will fortify on a cellular level.

Sources: www.freedoniagroup.com/Anti-aging-Products .html, www.nutralegacy.com/blog/general-healthcare/ benefits-of-green-tea-extract-for-health-heart, www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/ pomegranate.html, www.healthchecksystems.com/antioxid.htm

Ilana Craig is the owner and founding partner of Privai and Privai Academy. Privai Academy offers licensure programs and advanced training for estheticians, massage therapists and spa managers; Privai, a paraben-free, result-driven line rich in antioxidants, including EGCG, is the product line of excellent spas and Privai Academy. Ilana is also the founding partner of Innovative Spa Management, a spa design, development and management firm operating five spas, including the Inn on Biltmore Estate and Grand Bohemian Hotel. Visit www.privai.com or call 828-279-4489 to learn more about products, careers and education in the spa industry, or contact liana at [e-mail].