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Active Ingredients in Skin Care Products

Posted: May 10, 2008

There’s a lot of buzz in the skin care industry these days about ‘topical actives’. And while some companies try to sensationalize the idea of a topical active, from a pharmaceutical perspective, active ingredients (topical or otherwise) are simply the ones that deliver some sort of pharmacological effect to skin. When related to skin care… Read more »

Drugs That May Cause Photosensitivity

Posted: May 7, 2008

Causes of Photosensitivity Photosensitivity may be defined as sensitivity of the skin to a light source. And people with particular skin types tend to be more sensitive to this occurring. Photosensitivity can occur due to a number of reasons: Medications. Certain ones may make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. These include most of the… Read more »

How do You Define Beauty?

Posted: May 5, 2008

Society today regards a beautiful woman as one with youthful, unlined skin accompanied by large breasts with curvy (but not too large) hips to match. Yet it’s interesting to note that ‘beauty’ has changed over the ages, reflecting that perhaps the idea of what is beautiful today is just a trend that will change as time goes… Read more »

DMAE – Facelift in a Jar?

Posted: April 28, 2008

If you’re a regular student of anti-aging skin care 101, you’ll be familiar with the topical ingredient DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol). A naturally occurring substance that facilitates the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, DMAE is often touted as “a facelift in a jar.” A recently published study showed that DMAE possessed a tightening action on the skin… Read more »

Best Cellulite Creams…

Posted: April 28, 2008

We’ve all seen the claims sometimes too compelling to ignore: “Smoothes the skin as it firms, tones, trims and energizes.” “Active ingredients to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks” “Melt away cellulite with our innovative serum!” Often containing intriguing ingredients such as cayenne pepper and chocolate, it’s easy to buy into the… Read more »

Live Yeast Cell Derivative (LYCD) or Biodyne for Puffy Eyes

Posted: April 25, 2008

About LYCD or BioDyne Classified by the FDA as a wound-healing agent, LYCD (also called Biodyne), is a skin respiratory factor that helps skin cells to promote the healing process through the uptake of oxygen. It was patented by Dr.Sperti in 1939, who named it Biodyne because it stimulates healthy cell growth. The word Biodyne… Read more »

Is Soap The Best Way to Clean Your Face?

Posted: April 23, 2008

While some oily skin types may be able to tolerate this harsh treatment (at least for a while), those of us with dry skin types will suffer with tight, dry skin that may become red, inflamed and itchy. Products that lather, such as soap, most likely contains detergents which strip away the skin’s natural protective… Read more »

Benefits of Malic Acid in Skin Care Products

Posted: April 21, 2008

First isolated from apple juice, malic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is used in skin care products. Instead of a product that sits on top of the skin, AHAs are active ingredients that penetrate the skin, removing dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, new layer of skin. They are useful in: Preventing clogged… Read more »

How High Does The SPF Rating on Your Sunscreen Need to be?

Posted: April 18, 2008

With an ever-growing array of sunscreen products, it’s easy to get confused about what to buy. Products may contain Mexoryl, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide (micronized, nanoparticles…), Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Tinosorb… the list goes on. Most of us now know to look for “broad spectrum” protection, those products that deliver protection against both UVA and UVB… Read more »

About Ombrelle sunscreens

Posted: April 16, 2008

The Ombrelle line of sunscreens was introduced to Canada in 1990 with the assistance of Canadian dermatologists. Ombrelle’s products are recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) and is the brand most recommended by healthcare professionals. It was the first brand to recognize the necessity of protection not only against UVB rays, but UVA rays… Read more »

What’s the difference between a serum, a cream and a lotion?

Posted: April 14, 2008

Serum, Lotion or Cream? There isn’t an absolute definition between a serum, a lotion (sometimes referred to as a fluid or fluide) and a cream in the cosmetics industry; companies are free to use whatever descriptors they want. In general, creams are made by mixing oil with water. They tend to be moisturizing in action… Read more »

When should you throw out your cosmetics?

Posted: April 11, 2008

We’ve all been there – cleaning out the drawers in our bathroom to discover tubes and jars of hardly used and almost empty containers of skin care products that either worked for us or didn’t. Whether we moved on to something else or forgot about them in the deep recesses, is it safe to still use… Read more »

Vitamin C and Skin

Posted: April 9, 2008

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been garnering lots of attention for its anti-aging benefits to skin. Now available in creams, serums, powders and even eye and lip treatments, Vitamin C is backed up by oodles of clinical research to support its claims which include: An increase in collagen synthesis, which helps to thicken the skin Antioxidant… Read more »

Supplements for skin

Posted: April 7, 2008

Most skin care specialists recognize that a host of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients are necessary for healthy skin to: Fight free radicals Provide the building blocks for healthy skin, hair and nails Maintain the integrity of collagen (the skin’s supporting structure) Reduce inflammation which ultimately leads to skin damage Though eating a well balanced diet rich in… Read more »

A simple skincare routine for men

Posted: April 4, 2008

I’ve been asked by friends to help them develop a skincare plan for the man in their lives. (I’d be happy to help my male friends do so as well, but to date, no takers). Technically speaking, a skincare plan for men would involve the same basics as any good skin care routine for women:… Read more »

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