Goodbye 2022! It has been fun, but it is time for a new era. Before that can begin, we must close off the year with my favorite special section of the magazine, the Cover Contest. Coming in on its third year of creation, let me be the first to formally introduce the winner, Iysha C. Wedderburn – thank you for representing the magazine this month.  

In addition to the very special cover, this issue features generic education all about the basis of skin care: ingredients. While readers will not find a glossary of actives within these pages, they will find a guide to how skin is able to accept these topical formulations, a spotlight on lesser-known ingredients, and the scale of ingredient grades throughout the skin care market.  

The first article is written by long-time collaborator, Courtney Sykes, a licensed professional who has made a splash for herself as a knowledgeable aesthetics instructor. Read her article, “Chain Reaction” for a tour of cosmetic chemistry and her perspective on the benefits of generic education.  

The second article, “Hidden Gems” comes from Janel Luu, founder and CEO of Le Mieux Cosmetics and PurErb Herbology-based Skincare & Aromatherapy. Readers can discover the ingredients they may have been overlooking and more in this feature editorial. 

The last primary article highlights the consumer skin care market so service providers can attempt to keep up with the plugged-in client. From a breakdown of the consumer ingredient options to the marketing that is bombarding clients daily, catch up with the article “In the Know” by Amra Lear.  

December is always packed with so much industry excellence; it is almost impossible to end the year without a bang. We hope readers – new and old – have enjoyed being a part of the DERMASCOPE family. Until next year!