THE BLOG

While there are many different Vitamin C molecules used in skincare, they are not all equally effective. Here’s the lowdown on the various kinds of skincare “C “and their pros and cons. L-Ascorbic Acid (AA): Because it is inexpensive, this “C” molecule is the most popular one.  But since it is water soluble it is highly unstable and can easily...

The Retinoids, a family of molecules most people know as Vitamin A, are highly effective anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients. I have personally witnessed dramatic improvements in blemished skin, wrinkles, and fine lines as well as significant lightening of age spots, results that have been corroborated by many decades of scientific research and dozens of clinical studies.  Still, myths surrounding these Vitamin...

When we think of health, wellness and the aging process, most of us don’t think of connective tissue.  But the reality is 25-30 percent of the body is composed of this stuff that literally holds us together by supporting, separating and yes, connecting, the tissues, organs and cells of our bodies.  It comprises our bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia...

It’s the season of languid days at the beach and outdoor adventuring with bikes, hikes and kayaks. And also prime season for sun damage, especially dark spots, since excess sun exposure can cause the production of our melanin, our body’s protective pigment, to go into overdrive. And while there are a handful of harsh ingredients, like salicylic acid and hydroquinone...

Since they feel relatively lightweight on skin and don’t leave a greasy white residue behind, chemical sunscreen formulations dominate the U.S. market. But the truth is that they are likely not doing us any favors.  Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV radiation to prevent it from penetrating skin. But many of the most common ones such as homosalate, octisalate, octinoxate...

Choosing skincare that will address your specific concerns and lifestyle can be a tricky business.  With brands, forms, recommendations and endorsements knowing what product to buy can be an overwhelming experience.  And because of the dizzying number of ingredients used, making a wise decision on what to buy and use on your skin can be a daunting challenge. A typical...

As time starts taking a toll on our skin in the form of lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness, many of us start turning to so-called anti-aging skincare to reverse the damage. But while some products may help temporarily improve skin’s appearance by adding a cosmetic sheen, or superficially plumping up creases, they cannot make significant changes because they merely...

Does Blood Flow Boost with Vitamin C? Winter’s almost over and as it exits we can say goodbye to the season’s cold, dry air and parching indoor heating that can leave our skin dry, our lips crackly and our complexion looking sallow and fatigued. Winter Skin Woes: Confronting Cold-Induced Skin Challenges There’s actually a biological reason for that wan-winter look....

According to researchers, 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. They’re a January 1st phenomenon as common as midnight kisses, bowl games and hangovers.  This is logical, after a holiday season of indulging in late nights, rich food and maybe more wine and eggnog than are completely healthy, you may wake up on New Year’s Day not looking and...

Winter is here, which likely means chapped lips are also on the way. So it makes sense to stash a lip balm in every bag or pocket you have and constantly reapply, right?  Wrong!  The truth is that slathering on lip balm like it’s your job can actually make chapped lips worse.  Most conventional lip balms contain ingredients like menthol...