It’s August and we have lived with restrictions, being apart from friends and family and changing the way we work and live. This month, take a moment to be kind to yourself. Here are ten tips to start your self care journey. Smile – it will brighten your day and others around you will feel […]
First of all, let’s clarify what “sensitive skin” means. All skin types can experience irritation at one point – 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 “beauty from within” 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 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 […]
