44 Sarasota/Manatee Edition www.nasrq.com

Mankind has always been look-ing for ways to improve upon the appearance and beauty of

women and men, to extend the benefits of youth and vitality, and to reduce or eliminate the evidence of time and visual aging. This has been in practice since recorded history, by various cul-tures using natural ingredients available to them in normal everyday life, but most recently by cosmetic formulators and marketing professionals alike. Today, efforts to achieve a younger appearance have focused on cosmetic surgery, injections, implants, laser treatments and other invasive medical procedures and potentially hazard-ous skin treatments. But for those who want to avoid the scalpel or expensive and painful surgeries, procedures and

treatments, the cosmetics industry is constantly developing more sophis-ticated age-defying creams, lotions and so-called miracle products. Many use all-natural or organic ingredients, like fruit and plant extracts or even clays and mud. Many combine anti-oxidants, alpha-hydroxy or fruit acids, and essential oils in an attempt to offer

Finding the Fountain of Youth in the Essence of Pearls

A Pearl Cream Journey for Dr. Anna Bakerby Suzi Harkola

wrinkle relief that mimics the painful and potentially dangerous side effects associated with Botox injections. Most are loaded with chemicals whose long term effects on the body have not been thoroughly studied. Now, cosmetics manufacturers are seeking the Fountain of Youth or the Holy Grail in a somewhat surprising and unexpected source—pearl. Specifi-cally, natural pearl essence or what we know as mother-of-pearl, or nacre as it is also called. Many papers have been written and studies have been con-ducted on the subject of pearl. Lately it has received more and more attention due to the importance of its potential anti-aging properties. The mother-of-pearl of a pearl-producing oyster, whether this natural

45natural awakenings May 2014

nacre is found in pearls themselves or in the oyster’s shell, contains the same essential amino acid complexes that heal and maintain the cells in the human body. Deficiency of any one of these key amino acids can cause skin to look coarse and wrinkled. Research-ers who have worked to develop skin creams and other personal care prod-ucts based on nacre claim that various components of pearl can stimulate the metabolic activities of the genetic mate-rial in a cell, the DNA, and thus can promote and accelerate cell renewal. Mother-of-pearl, or nacre, is pro-duced by certain species of oyster to line the inside of their shells, preventing irritation from the rough outer shell and helping to protect against parasites. It is so named because when an irritant gets inside of a shell, the oyster pro-tects itself by coating the irritant with the same material as its lining, creating a pearl. Mother-of-pearl is composed of alternating layers of conchiolin and calcium carbonate crystals in the form of aragonite. Conchiolin is one of a cat-egory of proteins called keratin; other types of keratin are major components of hair and skin. Like most human tissue, nacre stores in its mineral-based organic structure a variety of molecules which have varied amounts of bioactivity. These molecules contain proteins and amino acids that have been proven to have substantive effects on the skin by reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, by firming, toning, and illumi-nating the appearance of the skin. Dr. Anna Baker, DOM, founder of Pearl Cream by Dr. Anna says, “A key feature and benefit of my products is that there are absolutely no preservatives—preservatives destroy the

amino acids properties that tighten the muscle. Also, preservative chemicals are not good for the skin, and can be very toxic to the body. There are many pearl creams available on the market, but all of them have preservatives. Our products are so fresh and healthy, they must be refrigerated.” As a former research and develop-ment engineer, Dr. Anna’s background and knowledge of scientific principles and methods allowed her to investigate the types of ingredients essential to high quality, effective and affordable anti-aging products. After researching several natural substances, Dr. Anna’s Pearl Cream was created in 2009. In April 2012 she opened a store exclusively dedicated to her products, and has en-joyed seeing her customers benefit from her research. “My pearl cream uses amino acids that are in natural pearls. Those amino acids have what they call signal proteins which make muscles three dimensionally contract. As people age the muscles relax and lose their tone I have also added Chinese herbs that have various properties that help with clearing the skin and moving nutrients into the skin, and include Vitamin E as well,” she explained. She has shown with an extensive photo documentation study that the effects of pearl without preservatives are real and long lasting. Continued use gives an increasingly younger appear-ance by retightening the muscles gradu-ally over the path they took to age. Potential customers can actually see re-sults on DrAnnasPearlCream.com, with several before and after photos of users of each product, and it’s clear that each product refreshes the skin and improves skin and muscle quality.

Pearl Cream Relief appeared last year as the first product in the new sports strengthening and pain relief line. Pearl Cream Relief formula is also effective for arthritis pain and foot neuropathy. Pearl Cream Mender is a martial arts-based healing formula that can speed recovery time after running and work-out, in addition to injury. Affordable anti-aging products are often considered a myth, but Dr. Anna’s Pearl Cream proves that effective and safe products can be purchased without doing damage to one’s budget or skin. Dr. Anna says, “I did a lot of compari-sons when researching my products, and we definitely have the best value and the best products.” Dr. Anna is offering a free bottle of moisturizer (valued at $15.00) with mention of this article.

Location: 5872 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota. For more information, phone 941-371-7400 or visit DrAnnaPearlCream.com.