Judging from the questions we get, our customers clearly care about what goes on their skin. And we love it. Keep them coming!
1. I have a skin disease call Ichthyosis. I had it since birth but didn’t realize it had a name until lately. I only thought I had really dry skin. I have been trying to research this disease and found that it doesn’t have a cure. In my research I found that Lac-Hydrin might help. Can you or do you have anything that might help this disease?
Lac Hydrin Lotion, Epi-lyt AHA Lotion or an alternate lotion containing an exfoliating ingredient and moisturizers should help with the dry, scaly skin of ichthyosis. Read more about it here in our blog post.
2. I recently started having bad acne (cystic) I am about to incorporate Vitamin C serum, Glycolic acid and Retinol into my skin regimen. Kindly advise the best way to use these products (day and night).
Vitamin C, glycolic acid and retinol all work in different ways to improve the health of the skin. We suggest using the vitamin C serum during the day (as it’s a great way to boost the protection of our sunscreen as well as fighting off free radicals that may be generated from UV exposure) and then using the glycolic acid and retinol on alternate nights so as not to overtax the skin and to minimize the chances of irritation. Read more about combining skin care treatments here on our blog.
3. I want to know what the difference is between Anthelios 60 with Cell-OX Shield and Anthelios 60 XL with Mexoryl? And which is better. Everything I read talks about Mexoryl and nothing about the Cell-OX Shield.
Thanks for your question. Anthelios sunscreens manufactured for the American market are often formulated with Cell-Ox Shield, a combination of 5 older-generation sun filters (Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone) These sun filters are not unique to Anthelios and can be found in many other sunscreens. Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX are some of the newest, technologically advanced sun filters available. They are both patented by L’Oreal so you will find them in sunscreen brands manufactured by them or their subsidiaries (Ombrelle and Anthelios, for example) . Safe, efficient and photostable, Mexoryl XL has been available in Canada and Europe for many years but has not yet been approved by the FDA for the US market as of yet. Read more about Cell-Ox Shield here and Mexoryl XL here in our blogs.
4. I am interested in buying the Vitamin C and Retinal serum. My question is that I am breastfeeding a 14 month old and I know that retinoid products are cautioned against when breastfeeding. I’m wondering if that only applies to prescription retinoid products and if this is okay since it is in cosmetic topical form.
Thanks for getting in touch. You are correct to avoid retinoids (whether prescription or not) during pregnancy and breast feeding. Although the retinaldehyde in our Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging Serum isn’t as potent as the prescription form of vitamin A, it is related so may carry the potential for similar side effects. The vitamin C and other ingredients (including ferulic acid and phloretin) found in our Apothekari Bespoke C Serum are not known to be associated with side effects while breast feeding so should be safe to use. However, we advise that you check with your physician if you are at all unsure.
5. Which Leaping Bunny certified companies have the best retinoid/retinols in their product lines? I already have a BHA that I like from one company. Just not sure which cruelty free companies, (has to be Leaping Bunny certified) have retinols/retinoids with the highest percentage. Thanks!
Thanks for your question. Cruelty-free products have really come to the forefront with consumers within the last few years, some of which are certified by Leaping Bunny or endorsed by PETA. Others, which are also cruelty-free, have not gone through the formal certification process. If your priority is using products with the Leaping Bunny seal of approval, we suggest that you search their website, filter down the brands to those that manufacture Face Care and consider the options given. You may be more familiar with or partial to one or more particular ones. Start with those and check their websites for retinoid products. As for effectiveness, you may want to read our blog here about the different forms of retinoids and which ones may give you the best results. Remember, too, that the higher up on the list of ingredients, the higher the concentrations. Good luck!
