Skin ages in many identifiable ways. External factors (sun damage, pollution, free-radical damage, smoking) as well as internal factors (oxygen depletion, collagen destruction, reduced cell turnover, abnormal cell formation, decreased fat content, intercellular deficiency, genetically predetermined cell shutdown, hormone loss chronological aging, hormone depletion, immune suppression) all culminate in what we define as aged skin.

Collagen and elastin, the support structures of the skin, break down and flatten as a result of repeated sun exposure. They also become less pliant and more hardened with age, so the skin becomes less elastic.

Younger skin has more fat cells in the dermis than older skin. That is one reason older skin looks more transparent and thinner than younger skin and why overweight people tend to have fewer wrinkles. Furthermore, the skin keeps growing and expanding as we age, despite the fact that the supporting fat tissues of the lower layers of skin are decreasing. That is why the skin begins to sag: Too much skin is being produced, but there aren't enough bones (remember, bone also deteriorates with age) and fat to store it up. Simultaneously, the facial muscles lose their shape and firmness, giving the face a drooping appearance.

Certain components of the skin also become depleted with age. The water-retaining and texture-enhancing elements in the intercellular structure such as ceramides, hyaluronic acids, polysaccharides, glycerin, and others are exhausted and not replenished. The skin's support structures, collagen and elastin, deteriorate or are damaged. Older skin is also more subject to sensitivities and irritation than younger skin due to a weakening immune system.

On a deeper molecular level, the DNA and RNA genetic messages to the skin cell for reproduction slows down and the cells stop reproducing as abundantly or in the same way as they did when we were younger. This preprogrammed change makes cells become abnormally shaped, which further changes the texture of the skin and prevents the cells from retaining water. This is why older skin tends to be drier than younger skin. This change in the skin's DNA and RNA seems to happen for a variety of reasons: it is genetically predetermined, a result of sun damage, and a result of an inflammatory response from free-radical damage built up in the skin cells over a period of time.

Sensitive skin type is basically characterized by a fine texture with a thin epidermis and blood vessels very close to the surface. As a result, external and internal up-sets can easily register in form of blotchiness, redness, increased warmth, dehydration and irritation. The sensitive skin can feel taunt over the bone areas and have a tendency toward dryness, and with aging it usually results in a crepe texture.

Generally all sensitive skin types have an insufficient keratinous layer. The surface defenses are considerably lowered, causing the skin to be easily affected by chemical, mechanical, and atmospheric irritation and to react to fluctuations in temperature. Also, sensitive skin is easily stimulated by stress, causing blood vessels to dilate, chronic dehydration and often-erratic oil production.

Sensitive skin can be either dry or overly oily. Both types are similar in a number of instances, such as increased redness and dehydration, however they oppose each other in the area of oil production. Under stress, the sensitive skin dries up as the day goes by, accentuating lines and wrinkles - while the over-active skin, can easily erupt and/or show a greasy film.

Oily skin is characterized by an over-abundant secretion from oil glands known as sebaceous glands. These glands as well as the pores are larger and more active in the region of the nose than any other areas of the face. This is why the nose tends to be a trouble area.

This condition usually gives rise to a host of other problems. Contrary to belief, oily skin can also be sensitive. To establish a clear, precise diagnosis, there are two types of oily skin whose characteristics we must fully recognize and understand:

• The oily skin that oozes (exudes) oil, causing a shiny, wet appearance (seborrhea oleosa).
• The oily, clogged skin (seborrhea sicca), where the collection of hardened sebum and dead cells stays within the follicular orifice. As a consequence, the epidermis feels dry; and therefore can easily be mistaken for a dry skin.

The amount of oil that an individual makes is determined by genetics and is affected by hormones. Many people have the same level of hormones, but make different amount of oil because their oil glands respond differently. During adolescence, a surge in the level of sex hormones, known as androgens, creates a problem of oily skin where previously there was none. The reason for this is that androgens enlarge and stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more sebum. This can cause acne and blackheads if the pore opening is clogged.

Studies have shown that the body produces more androgens when a person is under stress. The increase may trigger acne flare-ups by stimulating the sebaceous glands to pump out more sebum. Even physical stresses, such as colds, allergies, surgery, or menstruation, can trigger oily skin and acne breakouts.

When the condition of the skin is a combination of various problems each of which must be treated as a separate condition, the skin is termed problematic. These include combinations of dry and oily skin, acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and Rosacea. Usually problematic skin is sensitive, and also inflamed, which makes treating it even more difficult.

A treatment to moisten and plump lips. With continued use, this treatment smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while enhancing the lips natural color. Helps to make mature lips appear more youthful and thin lips appear fuller and more sensual. More affordable than collagen injections and completely pain-free.

The skin around the eye is very loose, with mostly fat underneath it. This makes it an ideal site for fluid to accumulate. The effects of gravity also help to swell this part of the face. This is why many people wake up with "puffy" eyes in the morning.

Dark circles and puffiness can also be attributed to numerous factors such as heredity, lack of sleep, poor circulation, ageing, and internal influences.

Alcohol consumption and a diet high in salt can cause water retention and increase puffiness around the eyes.

Dark circles can be caused by several factors:

• by sun damage, veins and capillaries that show through skin, irritation, and the natural dark pigment that can occur in this area
• they can also be a result of natural shadows cast by bulging fat pockets, making that area appear darker
• dark circles can be a result of dry skin making the area look dull and tired

Small unsightly clusters of thin red, blue or purple veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Spider veins usually take on one of three basic patterns: a group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point, tiny branch-like shapes, or they may appear as thin separate lines. A number of factors contribute to the development of spider veins, including heredity, pregnancy and other events that cause hormonal shifts, weight gain, occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing, and the use of certain medications.

One of the most common causes of stretch marks is from pregnancy weight gain. Bodybuilders who have gained muscle too quickly, adolescents experiencing rapid growth spurts, and people who suffer from obesity are all candidates for stretch marks. The skin is stretched quickly and excessively and it causes tiny tears in the dermis layer causing stretch marks or pregnancy scars. The scars will remain if untreated. Even though stretch marks seem to be inevitable for many people, keeping the skin hydrated and moist is one of the best ways to prevent them.

Watch the Story of Torricelumn™ Video

Read the Story of Torricelumn™

Elizabeth Grant did not always have the flawless skin she has today. Damaged during the Second World War by shrapnel from a nearby bomb explosion, her skin was a constant source of personal shame and embarrassment - to the point where she avoided going out in public and living her life fully.

All of that changed in 1948 when Elizabeth discovered a natural substance that was used to treat war wounds. She had it specially formulated with other ingredients and began applying it to her damaged skin. Gradually, but very noticeably, the transformation occurred. Within eight months, Elizabeth's skin had improved remarkably. She threw away the dark glasses and drooping hats that she wore whenever she went out in public... and started living again!

This marks the birth of Torricelumn™, the exclusive moisturizing compound that is found in Elizabeth Grant's skin care line, Elizabeth Grant International Inc. Made up of vitamins, proteins, botanicals and anti-oxidants that penetrate deep into the skin, Torricelumn™ helps to restore skin's essential moisture, stimulate Collagen and Elastin production and repair damaged skin.

Clinical studies show that after one month of use Torricelumn™ users claim a 100% improvement in hydration levels (reducing signs of dryness and roughness), 70% reduction in fine lines and 50% reduction in depth and density of wrinkles.

Proven to help skin of all ages regain tone, radiance and clarity, Torricelumn™ is a truly remarkable ingredient discovered by a truly remarkable woman.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin beneficial for its soothing and hydrating properties:

It helps remedy rough, dry skin and is also excellent to treat aging skin, psoriasis and acne (a deficiency of vitamin A in the body reduces the mucopolysaccharides in the skin, which accelerates the skin's aging process).

Vitamin C's most important function is that of an antioxidant:

Antioxidants protect skin by counteracting the destructive effect of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that are formed within skin as a result of sun, pollution and stress. These molecules can damage cells and weaken epidermal support, resulting in wrinkling of skin, dryness, loss of skin elasticity and premature aging.

Studies show that Vitamin C plays an essential role in building collagen, the connective tissue responsible for skin suppleness:

Vitamin C has been shown to help slow the production of hyper pigmentation ("age spots").

Within a formulation, Vitamin C acts as a preservative.

Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant superstar:

It plays a crucial role in protecting skin cells and membranes from environmental damage. It is a lipid-soluble vitamin (meaning it likes fat better than water), and one of the most effective natural fat-soluble antioxidants in use (particularly when combined with vitamin C and vitamin A).

Vitamin E also provides deep moisturization and calms inflammation.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin incorporated into skincare formulas to reduce spider veins.

Coenzyme Q10 is the only lipid-soluble antioxidant that is synthesized in our bodies.

It has exceptional antioxidant properties: preventing damage to collagen and elastin.

Topically applied CoQ10 can penetrate into the living cell layers of the skin, providing extra protection for skin and producing dramatic anti-wrinkle effects.

GABA (Gamma-Amniobutyric Acid) -- an amino acid found in the central nervous system that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter -- considered to have muscle-relaxing properties.

Used in skincare formulations to smooth the appearance of frown and expression lines.

A short chain of amino acids with a wide range of biological functions. Found in most living tissue, peptides regulate the activity of other molecules such as proteins. As we age, communication diminishes within the skin, resulting in decreased collagen production and an accumulation of degraded elastin fibers. Peptides function as messengers in the skin, allowing the epidermis and dermis to communicate more efficiently. Research is showing their effect to be quite significant. Peptides have been shown to stimulate the natural rebuilding process without irritating the skin.

Other peptides, including the synthetic peptide acetyl hexapeptide-3, are being used as a topical alternative to Botox. Rather than paralyzing facial muscles, these peptides gently relax facial muscles by interfering with nerve signals that tell the muscles to contract.

Minerals are inorganic substances and are the most basic form into which organic matter can be broken. Minerals play an important role in the health of your body in terms of healthy bones, teeth, hair, nails, nerve and muscle activity and regulation of body fluids. They are essential for regulating and building the cells, which make up the body and help to maintain the volume of water necessary for the various processes in the body. Each of the essential minerals does a specific job, while some of them do extra work in teams to keep the body cells healthy.

In the human body, copper is a constituent of several enzymes and is found in combination with several proteins in the blood. In addition to copper being a well-known antioxidant, the ability to help stimulate collagen formation very important when it comes to repairing as well as preventing aging skin. Copper Peptide is a highly effective agent in the skin rejuvenation process.

In the skin, copper helps to:

• Stimulate Elastin Formation, cutting down on sagging and fine lines
• Stimulate the formation of the extra cellular cement between cells, thus improving skin strength, cutting down on fragility
• Helps to thicken the dermis resulting in firmer skin, (less sagging)
• Increase blood vessel formation and oxygenation within the skin

Studies of zinc showed a positive effect on acne. Zinc oxide is also useful as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient.

Magnesium is an essential mineral the body uses to maintain circulatory and nervous system functions. Research shows that it has antibacterial, absorbent and disinfecting properties.