Spend less, look better in 2011

Every January, each of us has a chance to start anew. In 2011, 7 of the top 10 most popular resolutions involved saving money. The other three were about looking and feeling better. There is a way you can do both; spend less and look better.

Most have heard the expression, “You get what you pay for”. To many, that means if something is cheap then it must be cheaply made. That may be true of some things like clothing, appliances and food but it is not true of everything.  Some products cost more because the packaging and the advertising are expensive. Skin care and cosmetics are known for using both. Who pays for the packaging and advertising?  You do. Unless you are a smart and savvy shopper.  Alpha Hydrox has always been a value brand but that does not make it cheap.  Three great skin care products only cost about $30.  The ingredients, however, are equal to and often better than department store brands. The packaging is simple yet suitable for each product and advertising is based on word-of-mouth.  No wasted expense there.

Keep your New Year’s resolutions in 2011. Spend less, look better. It starts with Alpha Hydrox.

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Two Ways to Use AHAs

Alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs help to improve the appearance of skin in two ways; by moisturizing and exfoliating.  What makes AHAs function differently is the pH level of the formulation.  When used as a humectant or moisturizer, the pH level is higher than 4.0. At this level, AHAs  help to increase the water content of skin making it softer, smoother and more flexible.

As an exfoliant, the most effective pH level is 4.0. This is the level where AHAs begin to dissolve the glue-like bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. This stimulates cellular renewal and regeneration and allows newer, fresher cells to emerge.  Products with a pH level of 3.5 or below can be too irritating and may leave skin feeling dry and tight.  

Most people do not realize the importance of the pH level in skin care formulas.  AHAs are extremely effective ingredients  but it is important to know how they function in a product. Products like Alpha Hydrox put the percentage of AHA and the pH level on the box. Be a savvy consumer. Next time you are shopping for skin care products, be sure to look for the pH level. It will help you to know what products are best for you.

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It's a Numbers Game!

What do the percentages listed on alpha hydroxy acid products really mean? Some skin care manufacturers and dermatologists  want consumers to think they are getting higher percentages of AHAs in their over-the-counter products by listing them as 20%. The percent of glycolic acid in an over-the-counter alpha hydroxy acid product is federally regulated and can not exceed 14%. So, how can some skin care providers claim to have 20% or more? It’s simple;  the formulation is misrepresented.

Here is the truth about AHA solutions and how the percentage of  glycolic acid is determined. A 100% glycolic acid (also known as AHAs) solution is not possible.  Most anti-aging  skin care formulations use a 70% glycolic acid  solution.  AHAs must be suspended in a base like a cream or lotion. That makes up the remaining 30% of the product.  When using a 70% glycolic acid solution, 20% of 70 equals 14. That means that the ACTUAL amount of AHA is really 14%, not 20%.  Misrepresenting the formula leads consumers to believe they are getting a higher percentage.

At Alpha Hydrox, we are honest and forthcoming about the percentage of AHAs in our skin care products.  We make a 10% lotion and cream, a 12% cream and a 14% AHA wipe. We list the percentage right on the front of the box.  We want to help consumers to know what they’re buying because the more they know, the more likely they are to buy Alenhancedlotionpha Hydrox.

 

 www.alphahydrox.com has more information about all our skin care products.

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By American

I have been using Alpha Hydrox for about 17 years. I began using it shortly after it was introduced in 1992.  I remember the tag line was, “and it’s under $10.” Alpha Hydrox doesn’t cost much more than that now.  I still use it for two simple reasons; it works and it is made in America. In the last year, I started reading labels more closely. I had hoped to become more aware of products made in America that I could buy and support. What I learned is that there are not as many products made, genuinely made ,in the United States, as you might think. “Made in America” also has a wide range of meanings from 100% to assembled in.

Alpha  Hydrox is the real deal, all of it, proudly made in America. I know it is a little thing but I like buying American. It is one of the things I know I can do to help our economy. Buying American is a little like recycling; you only have to do a little to make a big difference.  Below is the link to a video thank you from the people at Alpha Hydrox and their parent company, Scott’s Liquid Gold. Take two minutes to watch it.  It is easy to see why it is important to buy American.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ORZ4dZU28Y

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Red Hat, Red Box – A perfect match!

3gals_300In June, Alpha Hydrox skin care products known for our signature red box, became a partner of the Red Hat Society. The Red Hat Society is a social organization made up of women that are 50 and older. Younger women can join as well although, they are called Pink Hatters. The Red Hat Society is about encouraging  fun, friendship, freedom and fulfillment for women as they age. Alpha Hydrox shares their belief that growing older can be exciting. We also believe that beauty is not about looking young for your age but rather, looking great for your age. Alpha Hydrox is delighted to be a part of the Red Hat Society.  As a partner of the Red Hat Society, members receive discounts and special promtions on Alpha Hydrox prodcuts everyday.  With Alpha Hydrox and the Red Hat Society, you can have fun as you age and look great, too.

To join the Red Hat Society simply visit www.redhatsociety.com and let the fun begin.

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Time is on my side

“Rain” is a stage tribute to the Beatles and their music. What a fun show and, for many of us, a musical stroll down memory lane. It includes a lot of  1960′s black and white film footage of teenage girls screaming, cheering and fainting. They look so young and fresh-faced in dresses and upswept ponytails. As they showed today’s audience, it was obvious that many of those teen girls are now 60 year old women with gray hair and reading glasses.  Some things however, had not changed; their love of the Beatles and their lust for life. Dancing in their seats and in the aisles, they looked 16 again.  Most women don’t want to be 16 again but they do want to look good for their age.  It is possible to have smooth, healthy, fresh-faced skin at all the ages and stages of life.  Alpha Hydrox has been helping women feel good about their skin naturally for nearly 20 years. From 16 to 60 and beyond, when you have a zest for life, time is on your side and it’s written all over your face.

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Skin vs. Solar

As an employee of a skin care manufacturer based in Colorado, I know the sun is both a blessing and a curse. The sun can help  supplement electric power, heat and other alternative forms of energy. There are 300 days of sunshine in Colorado each year. It makes solar a truly viable energy alternative. Like millions of Americans, I am trying to harness the power of the sun by adding solar panels on my home. The sun can also be extremely harmful to your health and well-being. Unprotected sun exposure causes wrinkles, premature aging and significantly increases the risk of skin cancer. Colorado is known for its outdoor lifestyle.  As Coloradans and visitors, we love to camp, fish, hike, ski, cycle, swim, raft and a enjoy an astonishing array of outdoor activities. All these activities mean sun exposure and the possibility of sun damage. No matter where you live, using sunscreen should be a daily habit like brushing your teeth.  Let’s use the sun to promote energy solutions, not wrinkles and aging.

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