The summer of 2020 was one marked by unprecedented change in the lives and habits of people worldwide. Months of being confined to homes brought about the do-it-yourselfer in many. People sought alternatives to maintain their skin care and health. And while more complicated cosmetic practices such as injectables had to be put on the ... Read More

Do hair sprays, conditioners, and other hair styling products clog pores, resulting in acne breakouts? The answer is a resounding YES. If tiny bumps are seen along the hairline on the upper part of the forehead, this may be an example of clogged pores. Products can cause whiteheads and other types of acne in these ... Read More

Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble molecules referred to as retinoids. Retinoids belong to the terpene family and are sourced from both flora (plants) and fauna (animal sources). Terpenes occur in aromatic substances and spice plants, cellular structuring substances, hormones, and vitamins.1 Their molecular structures include retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid. Retinoic ... Read More

Clinical research is always the best place to start when looking for a factual answer. According to various studies, the real answer is (drum roll, please) maybe.  The studies that exist are conflicting and not well documented, which begs a decision be made outside of the research. SUN EXPOSURE Exposing acne-prone skin to too much ... Read More

Getting a pimple and not popping it right away has got to be one of the biggest tests of self-discipline for a client. Two major reasons why clients should not pop their own pimples is that it creates post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation –a forever pimple and secondly because it can create even more pimples. POST-INFLAMMATORY PIGMENTATION Post-inflammatory ... Read More

In the search for the most effective first step in creating healthy, radiant skin, there has been micellar cleansing, oil cleansing, double cleansing, and dry cleansing, each taking their turn in the spotlight. Whichever method is used, it is important to cleanse every morning and every night to remove makeup, pollution, and other environmental stressors ... Read More

Often, clients ask whether it best to apply a moisturizer first and follow with sunscreen or use a two–in–one product combining moisturizer with sun protection. The short answer is that it depends on the product’s formulation and quality. The first consideration is the choice of sunscreen because some are not safe to be used daily.   SUNSCREEN   Chemical sunscreens such as avobenzone, benzophenone, benzophenone-3, oxybenzone, cylcopentasiloxane , cyclomethicone,homosalate, aminobenzoic acid (PABA), trolamine salicylate, cinoxate,dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate, and sulisobenzone are ... Read More

Finding the perfect mascara formula is as difficult as finding the ultimate pair of jeans that fit just right. Some make eyelashes itchy, while others smudge under the eyes throughout the day. Trying multiple mascaras until the holy grail is found can irritate the eyes and drain one’s wallet. In an effort to get the ... Read More

“Drinking water hydrates skin” is one of the most pervasive myths in the skin care industry. While drinking water is excellent for good physical health overall, it has never been clinically linked to increased skin hydration. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss, along with other physical parameters of the skin, are important. An association drawn ... Read More