Pollution like car fumes, soot, and chemical particles in the air don’t just sit on your face. Microscopic specks can actually penetrate the skin, creating free radicals that cause inflammation, break down collagen, and damage skin cells and the skin barrier.One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that compared women living in urban […]
In an earlier blog post I wrote about the importance of a balanced, complete diet in maintaining beautiful skin. No single nutrient or antioxidant can give everything your body needs to create, repair and replace skin cells or build the skin’s protective barrier. Today I’ll look at some popular diet programs and how they can […]
A recent American survey of 3000 women aged between 16-75 years old, found that women, on average, apply 16 products on their skin daily! Take a look at your own skincare cabinet and you probably won’t be surprised at this statistic.Having great skin doesn’t necessarily need 16 products. Here is my list of the essential […]
Parabens are preservatives that prevent bacteria from growing in skincare, makeup, and personal care products. The most common kinds are butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. As a pharmacist, I have avoided using parabens in the products I develop because of the potential cancer risk.The estrogen-cancer connectionEstrogen is a naturally occurring hormone that helps our sexual development […]
After an acne breakout, you may notice red and brown marks. These aren’t actually acne scars, but acne marks – what’s called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. True acne scars are deeper, indented, and may have a rough texture. They occur when the skin’s inner support structure has been damaged.What causes acne marks and scars?When the skin surface opens (like […]
There are many Youtube videos of people gushing over the benefits of a facial massage. Some of them demonstrate how to do it with a Chinese soup spoon; others prefer to work with their fingers. But does the facial massage really give any real benefits, especially when the process – pressing, smoothing, stroking the skin […]
Put acids on your face? Don’t worry, we’re not talking about bubbling laboratory vials and noxious gases, but powerful ingredients that are probably in skincare products you’re already using. You’ve heard of AHAs, BHAs, even Vitamin C – these are often used in anti-aging, brightening, and exfoliating products. Your dermatologist may even use higher concentrations […]
Facial acne is so common that we don’t think twice about the occasional pimple or blackhead. However, we’re often surprised when we get a breakout on our back and shoulders. Where did that come from?What causes back and body acne?Acne can form anywhere on the body. While back and shoulder acne are the most common, […]
Can stress really cause pimples, or is it (no pun intended) “all in the mind”? There may actually be a strong connection between stress and your skin, and there’s a new field of science that’s dedicated to studying it: psychodermatology.Psychodermatology looks at how emotions can impact the skin. Several research has already seen a link […]
“I get 8 hours of sleep, but I still have dark circles under the eyes!” people moan. Dark circles are not just caused by being tired. The skin around our eyes (called the periorbital area) is very thin and translucent. It’s just 0.5 mm thick, and the rest of your skin is about 2mm thick. […]
