Category Archives: Guides

skincare regime for men
1.For cleaning, rubbing a bar of soap on one’s face, while easy and convenient isn’t going to cut it. Because a man has larger pores and more oil, he needs something that will exfoliate, hydrate, and clean his larger pores. And most men will find it easier to shave because exfoliation helps reduce ingrown facial hairs. Read More

How to Get the Best Shave? Warning – this is the long answer – but isn’t a couple of minutes of reading worth it? After all, your face is the first thing they notice……

Make Sure Your Beard is Thoroughly Wet
One of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or razor burn is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Read More

Microbeads in facial scrubs damaging the environment; “Save Sydney Harbour”.

As creator of Christian Acuña Organic Skin Care for Men I never thought the day would come when I would write a piece on a pernicious threat to our iconic harbour and the fish living in it.

Never say never as the saying goes.

Thanks to Miranda Kerr, a person for whom I have a great deal of respect and whose organic skincare ethos I share, I have been made aware of a sinister pollutant in our beautiful harbour.

As WA Today reported on 6 December 2013, plastic microbeads have been used by the larger skincare brands and, surprisingly, some smaller “eco” brands you may not have expected to incorporate such an ‘ingredient’. Read More

Can a guy use girl deodorant? See below for the answer to this vexing question.

Are you a millennial[1], Gen Y or just think it’s about time you took more care of your appearance?

Bathroom cabinet rammed full of your girlfriend’s or wife’s cosmetics? Your lonely, blunt, rusty and hair clogged (her leg hair!) razor the only sign of you?

Slapping on some of her expensive face cream can only be a good thing right? – smelling like your girlfriend or wife aside that is.

Wrong!

Two key reasons why you can’t hitch your skincare trailer to a woman’s SUV – you need men’s face cream.

1. Testosterone – the male sex androgen hormone has a pronounced effect on men’s skin making for a structure and composition different than women’s skin.The higher doses of testosterone in men means a stronger and thicker epidermis, oilier skin, larger pores and yup, you guessed it – hair loss and grey hair.

2. Phospholipids – say what? Well, perhaps better to explain the purpose rather than define the term.These little movers and shakers work at creating a protective and reparative skin barrier, lend a hand in retaining skin moisture, are well tolerated and penetrate fast.Products containing phospholipids have the so-called phospholipid touch – cool, soft, non-greasy and non-tacky. All the things that guys tend to want even if they don’t know it yet.

So do your skin a favour and choose men’s face cream, as it is specifically formulated for men’s skin. But store it out of your partner’s sight as it might just work better and faster on her skin than what she is currently using. Plus it will keep her guessing how you look so good.

[1] Millenials (millennial generation aka generation Y) born between 1982 and 1994 – likely to make a fortune from an internet start-up while still living with parents. Never known life without the internet.

Can a guy use girl deodorant? Of course! Just don’t tell anyone and deny it if someone says you smell like their wife.

Well what a G20 it was…

Secret climate deals, knee-jerk terrorism laws, will he or won’t he be shirt fronted, have a tantrum and leave early, even a possible new Cold War.

Just like the G20 was entirely unpredictable – egos excepted – weather forecasters can’t magically deliver a perfect 20 degrees Celsius every day.

When President Obama affectionately referred to Brisbane as Brisvegas at the G20 I wonder if he hoped that the climate deal he had secretly agreed with China might in the future put an end to record temperatures.

Brisbane had just recorded its hottest November day for 46 years – 38.8°C.

On the other side Read More

The skin is one of the most powerful indicators of health. Wrinkles, dry or oily skin, acne, and inflammation all are signs of poor internal health, often brought on by consuming unhealthful foods and avoiding skin-healthy nutrients. To treat skin problems, most people turn to mainstream topical cosmetics, including lotions, soaps, scrubs, toners, and creams. However, treating outer blemishes with expensive, chemical-laden beauty products does little to address the root cause of the problem: poor nutrition and exposure to toxins in dietary and personal care products.

“Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional needs,” says Dr. Georgiana Donadio, founder of the National Institute of Whole Health.

Recent research has shown that the skin reacts particularly well to certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that nourish the skin, making it appear youthful and healthy. The following nutrients are among the very best to consume for healthy, young-looking skin:

Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body’s connective tissues – muscles, tendons, hair, ligaments, nails, cartilage, and bone – and is vital for healthy skin. Silica deficiency can result in reduced skin elasticity and can hamper the body’s ability to heal wounds. Food sources of silica include leeks, green beans, garbanzo beans, strawberries, cucumber, mango, celery, asparagus and rhubarb. In its natural form, silica is found in the horsetail herb.

Zinc: The mineral zinc is an important component of healthy skin, especially for acne sufferers. In fact, acne itself may be a symptom of zinc deficiency. Zinc acts by controlling the production of oil in the skin, and may also help control some of the hormones that create acne. Zinc is also required for proper immune system function, as well as for the maintenance of vision, taste, and smell. Zinc consumption is also strongly linked to a reduction of prostate cancer. Foods rich in zinc include fresh oysters, pumpkin seeds, ginger, pecans, Brazil nuts, oats, and eggs.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Dry, inflamed skin or skin that suffers from the frequent appearance of whiteheads or blackheads can benefit from supplementing with essential fatty acids (EFAs), especially omega-3s. EFAs are responsible for skin repair, moisture content, and overall flexibility, but because the body cannot produce its own EFAs, they must be obtained through the diet.

The typical American diet is overabundant in omega-6 fatty acids found in baked goods and grains, and lacking in omega-3s, found in cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel, as well as flaxseeds and safflower oil. Simply balancing the intake of omega-3s with omega-6s can result in smoother, younger-looking skin. EFAs are also available in supplement form – such as fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil – and are effective at treating a wide range of disorders, from depression and cancer to arthritis and heart disease. Good sources of omega-3 oils include chia seeds, flax seeds and, for non-vegetarians, wild-harvested fish oils.

Selenium: is an antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity. It also acts to prevent cell damage by free radicals and is will known to be correlated with a reduction of breast cancer risk. It may play an important role in preventing skin cancer, as it can protect the skin from damage from excessive ultraviolet light.

Dietary sources of selenium include wheat germ, seafood such as tuna and salmon, garlic, Brazil nuts, eggs, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread. Brazil nuts are perhaps the best source, and eating just 3-4 Brazil nuts per day provides adequate selenium intake for most people.

Vitamins C, E and A: Vitamin C is highly effective at reducing free radical damage, such as that caused by overexposure to the sun or pollution. Free radicals consume collagen and elastin – the fibers that support skin structure – and can cause wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Vitamin C is especially effective at protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun when combined with vitamin E. Foods high in vitamin C include acerola (a cherry-like fruit), red and green bell peppers, guava, kale, parsley, collard greens, turnips, and broccoli.

Wherever possible, consumers are advised to get their vitamin C from a whole food source, and not to confuse synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with the real thing from plants (which is full spectrum vitamin C that goes way beyond ascorbic acid).

In terms of topical applications of vitamin C for your skin, there’s nothing on the market that even comes close to a product called Camu C Serum manufactured by the Amazon Herb Company (http://amazondreams.amazonherb.net/Lluvia_CamuSerum.aspx), which is made from Camu Camu berries — the highest natural source of full-spectrum vitamin C.

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that reduces the effects of sun exposure on the skin. When combined with vitamin A, vitamin E is especially effective at preventing certain skin cancers. Vitamin E also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and, when applied topically, soothes dry or rough skin. Food sources of vitamin E include wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, safflower and sunflower oils, almonds, spinach, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus, and avocados.

Avoid synthetic vitamin E supplements, as they have been shown to actually harm health. Only consume natural vitamin E from a reputable source.

Vitamin A promotes proper repair and maintenance of the skin, and deficiencies can result in a dry, flaky complexion. Topical vitamin A treatments are often used to treat acne and other skin ailments. Foods high in vitamin A include liver, chili peppers, dandelion, carrots, apricots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, spinach, and cantaloupe.

It’s best to consume vitamin A from natural food sources rather than supplementing it, as vitamin A can be harmful if taken in excessive amounts in supplement form (vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin). You may also wish to consider taking beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A and has none of the overdose concerns of vitamin A.

Avoid toxic skin care products

Proper nutrition is vital for the maintenance of youthful, smooth, healthy skin. Though lotions, washes, and creams can sometimes help treat certain skin ailments, most skin problems stem from an internal nutritional deficiency easily remedied by altering the diet to include specific nutrients. Before you spend a fortune on expensive skin care products, try addressing the problem from the inside out.

Also, beware of the toxic chemicals used in nearly all popular skin care products, including many of the expensive brands sold in department stores. Most products contain liver-damaging and cancer-causing petroleum derivatives that pass right through the skin and enter your bloodstream, causing DNA damage that ultimately compromises the health of your entire body. Use skin care products that are truly natural and contain absolutely no parabens, petroleum products or any ingredient you cannot pronounce.

There are many quality skin care product companies to choose from. I currently recommend CHRISTIAN ACUÑA ORGANIC SKIN CARE (www.CHRISTIANACUNA.com) which are made from rainforest Australian organic botanicals and contain no artificial or chemical ingredients whatsoever.

Resveratrol is a compound that occurs naturally in nature, and has recently been proven by science to possess some very unique qualities, assisting greatly in prolonging youth

In nature, resveratrol functions as part of a plant’s defensive arsenal. Resveratrol is an antimicrobial substance produced by plants in response to stress, infection, or strong UV radiation. In recent years, resveratrol in particular has become the subject of intense interest due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

It appears that resveratrol exerts its potent antioxidant effects on two distinct levels: (1) by scavenging existing free radicals and (2) by preventing their formation.

The antioxidant ability of resveratrol is known to be both potent and efficient. In fact, it has been shown to be greater than that of vitamins E and C. One study demonstrated that resveratrol was 95% efficient at preventing lipid peroxidation, compared to 65% for vitamin E and 37% for vitamin C.

In a recent study, the antioxidant strength of 1% resveratrol was compared to that of 1% idebenone. Idebenone is a powerful pharmaceutical antioxidant. Its benefits include shielding the skin from environmental damage, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reducing dryness, and smoothing skin texture. The results of the study revealed that resveratrol had a stunning 17-fold greater antioxidant capacity than idebenone!

Topical application of resveratrol to protect against UVB-mediated skin damage as well as inhibit UVB-induced oxidative stress has been observed in a number of additional studies. It has also been shown to prevent UVA damage and abnormal cellular proliferation.

Resveratrol is also able to form soluble, complex molecules with certain metal ions, inactivating the ions so they cannot produce free radical formation. This action, in combination with its powerful antioxidant capability, makes resveratrol highly effective in combating the damaging effect of free radicals that leads to skin aging. Resveratrol is also reported to stimulate healthy cell proliferation as well as collagen synthesis by protecting the dermal matrix from harmful enzymes and improving the function of fibroblasts that create healthy collagen.

Tea Extracts’ Benefits for Skin Health

Scientific studies have also shown that the polyphenols in tea extracts are highly effective at reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress that can destroy the health of your skin cells. Tea contains catechins, a very powerful group of water-soluble polyphenol antioxidants that are easily oxidized. Green tea, which is manufactured from fresh, unfermented tea leaves in which oxidation is minimal, has catechins present in significant quantities.

Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG makes up the bulk of the total catechin content in green tea (about 10-50%) and is the most powerful of all the catechins, with an antioxidant capacity roughly 25-100 times more potent than that of vitamins C and E.10 The protective strength of this powerful antioxidant can safeguard your skin from the ravages of UV exposure and DNA damage. EGCG has also been shown to help maintain or improve skin health by enhancing viability of skin fibroblasts. In addition, green tea extract enhances the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which helps quench excess superoxide radicals and other reactive oxygen species that lead to premature aging. This benefit is naturally important to elderly adults whose skin gradually loses its capacity to produce sufficient quantities of SOD to adequately neutralize free radical attack.

Christian Acuña upcoming range of anti-aging serums will contain reverastrol, green and white tea among other anti-ageing compounds. Stay Tuned!