The world of sunscreens is indeed a confusing one! Walk into any pharmacy or supermarket and you will be confronted with terms such as âSPFâ, âPAâ, âbroad-spectrum UV protectionâ, âwater-resistantâ. Flip over the bottle and you will see a myriad of unpronounceable sunscreen ingredients. Here are my tips on what to look out for when […]
It seems counter-intuitive to take a pill for a skin problem. However, this is not a new concept or recent technology. Oral supplements for skin have existed for decades in the form of vitamins, minerals and even ingredients which make up our own skin and hair, such as collagen and keratin supplements. Before parting with […]
Amino acids are the hot buzzwords in skincare at the moment. What are amino acids and why are they finally getting the recognition they deserve? What are amino acids? Amino acids are best known as the building blocks of protein molecules and they have a vital role in various bodily processes such as hormone synthesis, […]
The answer is simple â nothing really! Sorry to disappoint all the expectant mums and those like yours truly who have battle scars from our joys of motherhood.But before we throw the baby out with the bath water (metaphorically speaking of course), let us de-myth what causes stretch marks and how to prevent or treat […]
First of all, letâs clarify what âsensitive skinâ means. All skin types can experience irritation at one point â either from overusing a product, or a reaction to an ingredient. However, people with truly sensitive have impaired skin barriers. That means ingredients that are not generally considered irritants can cause a reaction.One simple test: press […]
Collagen drinks and collagen-infused coffees and cereal bars are very popular. Experts believe the global market will hit US$7.4 billion by 2020, driven by a âbeauty from withinâ trend and aggressive ads that claim that these nutrients are absorbed faster in the bloodstream than when applied on the face.But is it all just marketing hype?Collagen: […]
Pollution like car fumes, soot, and chemical particles in the air donât 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 skinâs protective barrier. Today Iâll 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 wonât be surprised at this statistic.âHaving great skin doesnât 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 […]
