Australian scientists have discovered a cluster of brilliant shallow-water corals that could help in the search for anti-cancer drugs and to understand global warming, a researcher said Saturday.

The vividly fluorescent cluster was found in waters off Lord Howe Island, 400 miles east of the Australian mainland, with some displaying rich reds that were difficult to find and in high demand for studies of cancer cells. The underwater buttresses and caverns are densely inhabited by hundreds of corals, all deeply pigmented by the most intense green, blue and many with red fluorescence.

These pigments are used to light up the workings of living cells and to study what goes wrong in cancer cells.

The gene producing the particular pigment — red, green, blue or yellow — would be attached to a molecule in both healthy and cancerous cells and would enable scientists to track cell growth and change using a special fluorescent-sensitive laser microscope.

1. Cleanse your face at night

The most important time to wash your face is before you go to bed.  Dirt, bacteria, and makeup left on overnight can irritate skin, clog pores and trigger breakouts. Remove this top layer of grime with a gentle face wash (skin should feel pleasantly tight for 10 to 15 minutes post-cleansing).  Clean skin will allow additional products to penetrate deeper for better results.

2. Be obsessed with the sun

Nothing is more important than wearing sunscreen (ideally, SPF 30) every day if you want younger-looking skin. Even 10 minutes of daily exposure to UVA “aging” rays can cause changes that lead to wrinkles and sunspots in as few as 12 weeks. If your moisturizer isn’t formulated with a built-in broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, be sure to apply one daily to block both UVA and UVB rays.

3. Use retinol

Research shows that these vitamin-A derivatives speed cell turnover and collagen growth to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and fade brown spots. Be patient, it can take up to 3 months to see noticeable results.

4. Eat omega-3s

These “good fats” in foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and almonds boost hydration, which keeps skin supple and firm. The same isn’t true of the saturated fat in dairy products and meats, which increase free-radical damage that makes skin more susceptible to aging. Limit saturated fat intake to about 17 g daily.

5. Exercise regularly

Studies find that women and men who work out regularly have firmer skin than similar non-exercisers. The reason: Exercise infuses skin with oxygen and nutrients needed for collagen production. To keep your skin toned, make time for at least three 30-minute heart-pumping workouts per week.

There are many factors which contribute to acne. For example, there are hereditary components which affect the severity of an individual’s acne. Simply put, if you have a parent who has suffered from a severe case of acne, the chances that you will also have severe acne are increased. But there are also dietary and sociological factors that contribute to the development of acne, which if changed or eliminated, may prevent an outbreak of severe acne. Because of the many contributing factors, acne myths have proliferated over the years.

Acne Myth Number 1 – Scrubbing and washing the face often will prevent acne.

While dirt may contribute to the formation of blackheads leading to pimples, many people believe that washing your face three or more times a day, or hard scrubbing of the face and skin can prevent acne. Face washing should be done gently, using a mild facial scrub or exfoliant only twice a day. Frequent washing can actually irritate acne breakouts and it strips the skin of its natural oils. This not only makes the skin dry, but can lead to the sebaceous glands increasing oil production to protect the skin surface. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Gentle cleansing, using the lightest possible touch, is best for all-round skin protection.

Acne Myth Number 2 – Fried food, overeating, and chocolate, causes acne to develop.

Diets heavy in fat do have an effect on the body’s sebaceous glands, but science has shown that moderate consumption of fried foods will not cause acne to get worse. In fact, some oils are necessary for the healthy maintenance of the human body and the “acid mantle” that keeps skin moist and supple. In addition, a seeming connection between certain foods such as chocolate and acne may be due to food allergy rather than to the food itself. The notion that any particular food always causes acne is quite false.

Acne Myth Number 3 – Daily stress will cause breakouts of acne.

Routine, daily stress is not considered to be a cause of acne. Severe stress has been shown to have detrimental effects upon many of the body’s systems but its connection to acne breakouts has not been clearly established. More research is needed in this area before anything conclusive can be formulated. One caveat, though, stress medications may have a side-effect of contributing to acne, but if so, this should be discussed with a physician as an alternative medication may not have this effect. In general though, stress is a normal part of life and is not regarded as a major contributor to acne.

THE PEOPLE  BEHIND THE PRODUCT

Paul Tuffy and Chris Billis, founders of Ermis Labs, LLC and creators of CoralActives, have an inspiring amount of passion, enthusiasm, and dedication behind their story, the product, and the reason behind the company.

They were the first people to actually “test”CoralActives.  No animal testing at all. No ‘risk-free trials’ for humans. They don’t believe in animal testing, and they weren’t going to have anyone else try it before they did to make sure it worked.

“We will always be the first people to test out all of our products.  If we don’t believe in them, we definitely won’t put them out on the market for the consumer.”  So, for all you animal rights activists out there, this company has it going on!

THE STORY BEHIND THE VISION

Paul Tuffy and Chris Billis have over 30 years of combined experience in the pharmaceutical industry.  The two met at Stiefel Laboratories, (a GlaxoSmithKline company specializing in prescription skin care) while working on the dermatology marketing team.  Paul, having a background in biochemistry, and Chris, having a background in business management and marketing, came together with one vision:

To design and produce an over-the-counter skin care line that generates results equal to the more expensive and difficult to obtain prescription skin care products, while using high quality ingredients that are safe and effective.

Given their years of experience, they knew they could do it. Two years later, they have produced a new line of products under the CoralActives brand.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA TO THE SURFACE OF THE SKIN…         CORALACTIVES – THE PRODUCTS

After much research and deliberation, Paul and Chris decided to take their venture to the depths of the sea where a unique coral grows, Sea Whip Coral.  This soft coral can be found in the Caribbean and provides a very potent and natural anti-inflammatory extract that is safe, effective and environmentally friendly.  In fact, Sea Whip Coral is a renewable resource of the sea – therefore, with every coral tip harvested in a sustainable manner, the coral experiences complete re-growth!

Due to the coral extract’s unique anti-inflammatory benefits and an abundance of clinical data supporting its use on the skin, Paul and Chris chose to use Sea Whip Extract not only in their acne products but also in their soon to be launched anti-aging line.

The CoralActives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser is comprised of three main ingredients: encapsulated retinol (retinol that only releases as you cleanse), microbeads (the perfect size to remove dead skin but not cause irritation), and Sea Whip Extract (which helps your skin with inflammation).  Used once a day or more, the combined ingredients refresh, cleanse, and energize your skin.

The CoralActives Penetrating Acne Serum is comprised of four main ingredients: benzoyl peroxide (to kill bacteria), Sea Whip Extract (to help inflamed skin), humectants (to attract water onto your skin), and emollients (to retain the moisture on your skin).  The synergy between these ingredients creates a unique and highly effective formula that delivers results for men and women of all ages!

A BIGGER PURPOSE, AN INFINITE PURPOSE

Ermis Labs, LLC owners, Paul and Chris, are very excited about what CoralActives brings to the consumer; prescription results in over-the-counter products which stand out among other brands lining drugstore shelves.

Chris and Paul are interested in more than just offering their products for sale to the consumer.  They believe in overall skin care health and maintenance.  Education is also at top of the agenda!

“We want to provide consumers with the basics associated with good skin care to last a lifetime,” say Tuffy and Billis.

Assisting them in their campaign for good skin maintenance is Dr. Marcus Goodman of Goodman Dermatology, P.C. located in Roswell, GA.

In addition, as part of ongoing outreach efforts, consumers can count on learning more about skin care and CoralActives in middle and high schools, colleges and universities across the country.

The two entrepreneurs are also helping to create their own “mini” economic stimulus plan by helping 16 vendors across the country grow their own businesses and visions.  Paul and Chris believe in building a true partnership with every vendor and their employees.  The success of Ermis Labs, LLC also spells future success for their partners.

Paul and Chris travel to each company they work with to meet face-to-face with the people behind the scenes. It is THIS face-to-face interaction that leads to a sense of pride and ownership among those working on CoralActives. Based on their desire to help others and high quality products, we’re betting that Ermis Labs, LLC will be a success story!

IN CONCLUSION

So, I know what you’re all thinking . . . “Love the story, love Paul and Chris, now where in the heck can I get the product?!”  Haha . . . well, the product launch of CoralActives is set for mid-August.  You will be able to purchase the Retinol Cleanser & Acne Serum online at http://www.ermislabs.com for direct delivery to your home or office.

We recommend buying the Retinol Cleanser & Acne Serum together. Not only is this a financial advantage, but the products work well together to maximize the effects of clear skin.  Even if you don’t have serious acne, the serum is great for the once-in-a-while blemishes we all experience due to stress, hormones, sweat, etc.  The Retinol Cleanser can be used every day, cleansing and exfoliating all in one bottle!  So, forget the 4-step skin care set you buy every month, forget spending a vast amount of money on a gazillion different products . . . all you need is to cleanse and treat with CoralActives’ Retinol Cleanser and Acne Serum!