How SimplySkin Rx came to be

If you're wondering who we are over at SimplySkin Rx, this post is for you. 

Here's a picture of The Hubs (Lee Henderson PharmD) and me (Catherine Henderson PharmD)

We are a husband and wife team (as if you hadn't already guessed that from the matching last names and our proximity to each other in the pic!), who came up with the SIMPLE idea that people would get better results from their skincare if their products had MORE (higher concentrations of) beneficial ingredients.  You see, many skin care brands put in negligible quantities of their "star" ingredients, just so they can say they've included it (never mind that they used 0.01% of something when clinical studies with that ingredient may have used 1%)…but I digress  

So, Lee and I are both pharmacists and entrepreneurs (hence the business).  Our company evolved from The Pill Box Pharmacy, where we have a thriving BHRT (bio-identical hormone replacement therapy) clinic.  Through this avenue we were able to talk to lots and lots of women about their hormones, nutrition, skincare and overall wellness.  We heard the need for good skincare over and over, until finally, Lee was sent (by "The Boss", who you'll hear more about later) to a special training program about anti-aging skincare.

Well, that's all it took to ignite our excitement.  Especially me, I've been a product junkie for years, so I was ecstatic to get in the lab and put together the best of what I already knew, with what Lee had learned and adding in a ton of research on top of that.  After our initial learning and planning phase we began working on formulas and recruiting tester clients .  Once we had a few basic formulas, we began to really play with the additional ingredients (think mad scientist!) until we had a line that offered comprehensive anti-aging benefits- where every product could be used together to work synergistically, but each product could also stand alone and deliver skin-improving benefits.  Our testers gave us two thumbs up (many are still clients) and we knew we had created something great.

We also have a third member of our team- I call him "The Boss".  His name is Sam Costello, RPh and here's his picture.

Sam is the owner of The Pill Box Pharmacy and a women's health guru.  He started our BHRT program (long before Lee and I arrived on the scene) and he's counseled women on all things concerning hormones, nutrition and skincare.  If you were to look at his bookshelf you would assume that it belonged to a menopausal woman, because it is crammed full of books and research papers relating to hormone health and nutritional supplements.  He's a pretty amazing guy (I have to say that, because he's "The Boss", right?).  Sam is the one that originally saw the need for our skincare line and he saw the potential of our SIMPLE idea.  

Good eats

When it comes to good skin care I think one of the things we overlook the most is our diet.  I'm a stickler for healthy eating for a whole list of reasons, but one of the first benefits you'll notice when you clean up your diet is more beautiful and radiant skin!

Have you ever examined your skin after you've been on a sugar binge?  Of course, that is assuming that you don't live in a state of perpetual sugar binge.  Consuming too much raw sugar seems to make skin look tired and less supple.

In contrast, have you ever done a trial of clean eating and examined your skin 1 week in, 2 weeks in…?  It's amazing how you can see benefits that quick!  Aside from healthier, radiant skin-- you'll also notice other benefits when you clean up your diet, like weight loss and improvements in overall health.

Hmm….feeling better and looking better through clean eating, kind of sounds like a no brainer to me.

So, what is clean eating exactly?  Well, the basic answer is that it involves removing processed foods from your diet.  There are different definitions clean eating-- and sort of different levels.  Some people are adamant about having less than 4 ingredients in any purchased/pre-made item.  Personally, I feel like that is a little strict-- I lean towards reading labels and making sure that all of the ingredients are real ingredients (and not preservatives and color additives), and there are not a lot of added sugars.

Want some clean eating education?  Follow us on Pinterest, where I'll be setting up a clean eating board with all of my go-to websites and blogs for recipes, ideas and tips. http://pinterest.com/simplyskinrx/boards/  

Microderm Scrub

It's another new day and I'm going to tell you about another new addition to our SimplySkin Rx line.  We have a fantastic new exfoliator in the form of our Microderm Scrub.  Now, if you've heard me talk about scrubs before, you know that I believe you have to be very…VERY…cautious when using a scrub type of product on your face, but this scrub is actually pretty fantastic for periodic use.  The particles in it are extremely small and you can tell the difference in this scrub vs. other scrubs as soon as you rub a little bit between your fingers.

I recommend that you use this once or twice a week by applying it to damp skin and gently rubbing in circular motions, avoiding contact with the eyes.  Wash away with soap and water and feel how soft and smooth your skin will be.  It also helps your other products to absorb into your skin better and your makeup to stay on longer.

If you are trying to decide between our Microderm Scrub and our Renew Exfoliating Mask, I'll help make your decision a little easier.  You will get a better exfoliation from the Renew Mask, but it is more time consuming…so, if you are going to dedicate the time go with the mask and if you are (like most of us) doing good to get your face washed some days, go with the scrub.  Hope that helps.

New Products from SimplySkin Rx

Hello all!  It has been awhile since we've been on the blog, but we've been working very hard to crank out some new formulas and improve on some old ones (more on that later).  You'll notice that there are five new products on our website: a lip plumper, microderm scrub, and three different retinol serums.  We want to take the next few days to tell you about these new products- starting with our lip plumper: Plump Up the Jam!

We wanted to make a new product that would be really fun, affordable and fantastic-- so we started testing out some different lip formulas (like, a lot) and we came up with a fantastic lip treatment that people really connected with because it has shea butter and coconut oil to give great hydration to the lips….but then, we wanted to take it a step further and add the plumping effect so we added cinnamon oil and arginine.  If you like lip plumpers, you'll love ours!  It has a mild tingling sensation and a lip plumping effect that lasts for up to two hours (and hydration that lasts even longer).

Now, I know that not everyone likes that tingling sensation, so we've also formulated it as a hydrating lip gloss that you can select instead.  If you are on our website, just select Non-Plumping in the formula line.

BB Creams- Skin Care Breakthrough or Just Another Product You Don't Need?

Earlier in 2012, beauty companies began to introduce "BB Creams" to the U.S market and they were an instant hit. These BB Creams (BB stands for Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm) are touted to be great multi-tasking products that will replace your serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, sunscreen….well, you get the idea.  Here is a link to the current list of BB Creams available at Sephora, so you can see for yourself all of the claims that these companies are making.

Now, as a formula developer, I'm always skeptical of ANYTHING that gets as much hype as I've seen surrounding BB Creams…and people often ask me what my opinion is of certain products, so here it is.  Are BB Creams bad? No.  Are BB Creams good?  Sure, some of them are great products.  Can they replace all of your other skin care products? No.  And that's really the kicker- these product can be great moisturizers and they can give you that light, natural coverage and they can even contain some good anti-aging ingredients.

So, what's missing?  How about some retinol- which is hands down, my favorite anti-aging ingredient.  And what about glycolic acid, or any other exfoliating acid?  For me, these are the two biggies that are not (and likely cannot be) in these BB Creams.

Now, just to make sure that I'm making things clear I'll tell you how you can incorporate these BB Creams into a great skincare regimen that will cover all of your skin care needs.  Each morning, wash your face with an exfoliating cleanser (something with glycolic acid is really best IMHO).  After washing, apply your BB Cream and your morning routine is complete.  Now, your nighttime routine will be a little different, depending on your needs.  I would absolutely use a Retinol serum in the evening (you can find ours here), and you will likely want an additional moisturizer with some antioxidants and peptides.  Once a week, use our Renew mask to fully exfoliate.

When would I suggest that you skip the BB Cream?  On occasions when you are going to wear foundation, because it's not really saving you that much time or money if you are going to wear foundation over it, and I believe that there are better moisturizers you could choose from.

Have you tried BB Creams?  I know some people love them…and some don't.  Tell me what you think!

Ingredient Spotlight: DMAE

DMAE

So, for today's Ingredient Spotlight I'm actually going to refer you to one of my competitor's blogs (gasp!).  I wanted to provide you all with some information about DMAE and it's wonderful benefits and who better to learn from than Dr. Perricone, who has been one of the leading researchers of this wonderful ingredient.  You can find his blog here.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  Dr. Perricone is very well respected and his products are highly coveted.

Of course, SimplySkin Rx has included DMAE (and alpha-lipoic acid) in our night cream and our clients have experienced great results with the combination of these ingredients.  If you want to check out our take on DMAE you can find it here.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Ingredient Spotlight: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

What does it do?

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant- which prevents aging caused by oxidative damage.  It has been called the "universal antioxidant" because it is soluble in water and oil, which means that it can penetrate all components of our cells and provide better protection against free radicals.  It also boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants.

Are there side effects?

Unfortunately, this is an ingredient that can cause irritation on some people's skin if it is being used in proper strengths.  To get the wonderful anti-aging results you will need to use it in a 5-10% concentration.  The best way to avoid irritation is to start slow (this is a universal rule with new skincare products) and increase your usage as you are able to.  Your skin will most likely develop a tolerance to any irritation unless you are truly allergic to the ingredient.

What about oral supplements?

There are many ALA supplements on the market and I'll address those while we are on the subject.  In your body, ALA is a component in glutathione production, and glutathione removes toxic substances from the liver.  ALA has also shown promise in treating diabetic neuropathy- which is also due to it's glutathione connection.  It provides antioxidant protection for your body-which we have learned is increasingly important.  There are several other proposed benefits of ALA, but there is not a lot of quality research to support many other benefits.  ALA is naturally occurring in meats and some vegetables, but it would certainly be a great supplement to consider based on the antioxidant benefit and the fact that it is both water and lipid soluble.  An oral supplement can provide some benefit for your skin as well, but topical application will give you the best skincare results.

Which SimplySkin Rx Products have Alpha-Lipoic Acid?

We have a 5% concentration of ALA in our Refine Night Cream.  This concentration is strong enough to give you great results, hopefully with minimal side effects.  We've combined it with other beneficial anti-aging ingredients that we will be sharing with you over the next few blog posts.

Niacinamide

Ingredient Spotlight: Niacinamide

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3.  It is related to Niacin, which people have been taking orally for many years to treat high cholesterol levels.  Only recently have quality studies began to surface that tout the benefits of niacinamide on the skin.  More research is being conducted and we expect the use of this substance to significantly increase over the next few years as companies begin to take notice of this great ingredient.

How can it benefit my skin?

Most of the benefits come from this compounds antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  This ingredient has been studied in comparison with clindamycin for acne and was proven to be as effective as clindamycin with fewer side effects.  This is huge because bacteria are becoming more resistant to clindamycin so we need more options to treat acne than just antibiotics.

Niacinamide has also been shown to increase ceramide production in the skin which leads to increased moisturization.  It acts as an antioxidant to decrease oxidative damage (which causes many of the signs of aging).  Finally, niacinamide decreases red blotchiness of the skin- which is my favorite property of this wonder-ingredient.

Are there any side effects?

Unlike most ingredients that actually work, this ingredient has an extremely low side effect profile.  It is tolerated very well in most patients, even in higher concentrations.  There is always a chance that you could be allergic to this ingredient, but even that is very rare.  If you do experience side effects, discontinue use and let your physician know if it is severe.

Which SimplySkin Rx products contain Niacinamide?

Our Prime Day Lotion contains a healthy dose of niacinamide.  We also have niacinamide in some of our professional spa products that can be found at The French Door.

Retinol

Ingredient Spotlight: Retinol

Over the next few weeks we will be spotlighting some of our favorite ingredients in skin care and educating you on the way that they work and any side effects that they cause.  Stick with us and you will know all about what you want to incorporate into your skincare routine- feel free to ask questions or give suggestions for topics that you want covered.  

We'll be starting with Retinol because it is our FAVE ingredient--why?--because it imparts the most dramatic results for aging and blemishes while also having general health benefits for your skin.  

So, what is retinol/retinoids?

Retinol/Retinoids are a derivative of Vitamin A and you may see it listed as several different names.  Below is a list of names for the prescription and non-prescription versions.

Prescription:  Retin-A (Tretinoin), Differen (Adapalene), Tazorac (Tazarotene)- there are also many combination products that have a retinoid as one component, so this is not an exhaustive list

Non-Prescription:  Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinaldehyde

How does it help with Blemishes?

Retinoids help to open pores and prevent clogging.  They also decrease excess oil production in the       skin.   

How does it help with Aging?

Retinoids increase skin cell turnover, which is a natural process that slows down as we age.  It also increases the quality of the new skin cells that are being formed- they are more rounded and even.  One of the biggest benefits of retinol is that it can increase collagen production, which gives our skin its elasticity and resilience.  

How does it keep your skin Healthy?

     Retinoids are antioxidants that decrease inflammation and protect the skin from oxidative damage.  They possibly can protect the skin from certain types of skin cancer- though more research is needed in this area.  Retinoids can also decrease photo damage from the sun.  There are other skin conditions that benefit from retinoids such as rosacea and psoriasis- consult your physician for more information about this.

Do I need Rx or OTC?

     The answer to that is determined by your skin condition.  Prescription retinoids are much stronger and they also have more side effects (it's a trade-off).  If you have severe acne or if you have not taken good care of your skin for many years, you may want to start with the prescription version.  Otherwise, start with the non-prescription version and work your way up.  Retinoids have side effects and you can develop a tolerance to them so it is best to "start low and go slow" when using them.

What are the side effects?

     The most common side effects are dry, flaky skin, red bumps and itching.  These side effects are generally experienced during the first 2-4 weeks of use or increased dose and will usually go away after your skin has adjusted.  For this reason, I often recommend that people start out using a retinoid every 2-3 days and then increase that frequency when they are able to.  The photo above represents a more severe reaction that is possible when you first start using a retinoid; most people that have a reaction will not respond to this noticeable degree but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like.  Retinoids also cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so always wear a sunscreen (which you should be doing anyway!).

When can I increase my dose?

     If you are using a prescription retinoid, your physician will direct you on when and how to change your dose.  If you are using an over the counter product, you can increase your dose if you are no longer experiencing side effects and if you do not feel that you are getting the same benefits as you did when you first started using a retinoid.  To increase your dose, you can either add an additional retinol containing product or you can use your product more often.  (I have recently added a retinol serum to boost my dose- this serum will be available soon via our website as I know some of my clients are needing a boost too).

Who should not use retinol?

     Do not use retinol if you are pregnant or nursing.  Also, some people cannot tolerate retinol in any strength- they experience a red bumpy rash that does not go away or is severe.  If you experience this type of rash you may want to consult your physician about other beneficial skin care ingredients.

Which SimplySkin Rx products contain Retinol?

Prime- A Day Lotion contains a 1% concentration of retinol.  This is on the lower end of concentration, but it is in a proprietary formula that is designed to penetrate deeper into the skin.  Our goal with this formula is to provide a "middle of the road" dose of retinol in a formula that is less likely to cause irritation.  We still recommend that you start slow when using it and increase your usage as you are able.  Looking for more retinol?  We have added retinol 1%, 2% and 3% serums to our website that you can use to boost your dose as needed- photos will follow soon.

Healthy Habits

Habits….now there's a word I detest.  We all know that is important to establish good habits in our lives and that it is unfortunately easier to form bad habits.  When it comes to your skincare routine it is all about establishing good habits.  You need a routine that is easy enough to stick with and that gives you the results to keep you motivated- which is what we have established with SimplySkin Rx.

Keeping your skin beautiful and healthy is all about good daily care over a long period of time.  Sure, there are ways to reduce the damage that has been done to your skin, but it is far better to prevent it in the first place.

What are your best and worst skincare habits….I'll share my worst.

When I get stressed out and really tired, I skip my nighttime skin routine.  It usually goes like this: I fall asleep on the couch watching TV or reading and I then convince my husband (Lee, also SimplySkin Rx partner) to give me a piggy-back ride to bed because I'm just too tired to walk (and let's face it, I love the attention).  Then, I can't go to the bathroom to do my skincare because I've just made the biggest deal about not being able to walk to bed.  So I'm stuck….with my makeup still on (GASP!) until morning.  I always regret it, and my skin angrily protests the neglect with some sort of blemish.

My best skincare habit is weekly exfoliation with my Renew mask.  It has made the most visible difference in my skin and I'm so pleased with it that I'm considering taking it a step further with a professional peel.

Ok, I've shared my best and worst….what are yours?

Five Great Summer Hats

The sun is shining and the temperature is rising (in most of the United States anyway).  It's that wonderful time of year where you long to be outside after a long short winter.  As you head out, make sure you are protecting your skin from the sun.  Of course you want to wear sunscreen, but you might want to add a hat as well for additional protection and as a fashionable accessory.  We love hats and thought this would be a great opportunity to do a little pre-shopping to inspire you.  Here are 5 Great Summer Hats and the links to their respective websites.  Happy Spring Everyone!

1.  I love this hat because it provides shade for your face AND neck while still being stylish and compact.  It is also an inexpensive choice which is even better.  You can find it at Zappos, and they have a great return policy so you are sure to be pleased!

http://www.zappos.com/product/7612889/color/9272

2.  I adore Kate Spade and this sun hat from her spring collection has me salivating!  It is a fun color combination and it looks like it would pack well in a suitcase for a trip to the beach.  That wide brim will block a lot of UV rays, keeping your face young and fresh.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kate-spade-new-york-garden-society-sun-hat/3256568?origin=category&resultback=2403

3.  Who doesn't love a Fedora?  They're fedorable….ok, bad joke.  But seriously, I love the shape of this hat and the white/black color combo can be worn with so many different outfits.  It's a great find from Target and very economical.  However, I'm sure you can't squish it up and pack it in a suitcase- but with a hat this cute you'll probably just want to wear it whilst you travel.

http://www.target.com/c/women-accessories-hats-scarves-gloves/-/N-5xtbn#?lnk=nav_t_spc_1_inc_1_2

4.  This is the ultimate wear anywhere, go anywhere, matches everything hat.  You can fold it and pack it and it will look just as nice with your Sunday dress as it will with your beach attire.  If you are really creative you can tie some ribbon around it to match your outfit.  

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/accessories/scarvesglovesandhats/PRDOVR~74503/74503.jsp

5.  If you enjoy outdoor sports you will want something more compact like a ball cap.  This one is a little more fashion forward than your run-of-the-mill ball cap and it also wicks away sweat and keeps you cooler than a standard cap.  

http://www.rei.com/product/828104/salomon-xr-hat-womens

Becoming The After

Becoming the After….what does that even mean?  Well, aren't we a little obsessed with makeovers of any sort; home, fashion, hair, fitness and beauty?  I love the idea of transformation, the idea that you don't have to be stuck in a rut, you can change.  Today I am reflecting on what my "After" would be in various areas of my life and how would I get there.  I'm also challenging you to reflect on your "After"- how can you be your best you?  I would love to hear your comments on the subject and in the meantime I'll share some great "Afters" to inspire you!

Home Makeover (and a great blog!)

The Nester

Ok, so I'm sure that the painted brick is not for everyone- but I adore it!  And that copper awning and the new double front door make it look so welcoming.  Lush green grass and simply elegant landscaping finish off the makeover.  I think this is so inspiring because the "Before" was so mundane and typical- it could be in any neighborhood in any town in America, and the "After" is just so special and unique.

Fitness Makeover

The 21-Day Total Body Makeover

So here's the thing about this 21-Day Makeover- I love it and I hate it.  I don't want to insinuate that you can completely change your body in 21 days and I think that we all know that fitness is about a lifestyle change.  However, having said that, I love that this 21-Day plan gives you a starting point to getting in shape or it can renew your current fitness plan.  Also, 21-Days is completely achievable and it is enough time to see some results-which will empower you to keep on the right track.

Fashion Makeover

Who doesn't love the fashion montage scene from The Devil Wears Prada?  Her "Before" reminds me of a time that in my life when I just didn't take care of myself- I distinctly remember sitting in my hairstylist's chair about 6 months after the birth of my daughter and thinking "What happened to me?!?".  I was dressing sloppily, not taking care of my skin and going WAY too long in between haircuts.  That was the point at which I started my journey to my "After".   I started taking pride in my choice of clothing, getting my haircut on time (mostly) and researching skin care and makeup techniques.  I also got back into exercising regularly and attempting to eat right (which is a constant battle for me these days).  I'm certainly not an advocate of pure vanity and I don't think that the way you look defines you.  There are many other facets to all of us that are much more important than our outer appearance, but for me, the way that I take care of my outer appearance does say something about the way I feel inwardly.  So, how are you going to get your "After"?

The Dry Skin Myth

Dry skin causes wrinkles, right? Right?  That’s what I’ve always been told and that’s what I believed until I took a closer look into this common myth.  Let’s take a look into what makes the skin form wrinkles. The causes of skin aging can be broken down into 5 categories that we will look at individually.

Skeletal Remodeling

Huh?  As we age, our bones go through changes and the bones in our face actually tend to decrease in size.  As you can imagine, if the bones are smaller they don’t “fill in” our faces as well.  This is particularly evident in the jaw and on the forehead, where the skin often starts to sag.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot that we can do at this time to prevent this from happening.  There isn’t a cream in the world that can fix this, but there are non-invasive procedures (fillers) and surgical procedures (face lifts and facial implants) that can help if you want to go that route.

Gravity

Well, we all know about this one.  As we age the cumulative effects of gravity start to take over.  Gravity is constantly working against us and pulling our soft tissues downward.  Now, obviously we can’t take away the gravity effect unless we all move to the moon but we can take steps to make our skin more resilient to gravity.  Collagen and elastin fibers help to hold our skin structures together and as we age these fibers deteriorate.  The goal is to increase the natural formation of these two fibers.  You can do this in several ways- the most important thing to do is feed your body the ingredients that it needs to make them:  soy, dark green vegetables, and beans can all help.  Secondly, treat your skin with glycolic acid or another one of the alpha-hydroxy acids to stimulate production.

Muscular Facial Activity

You know those people that have their feelings written all over their face?  I’m one of those people with a very expressive face- and I pay for it with crow’s feet, the dreaded “11” on the forehead and other expression lines.  The good news is that research has brought us wonderful ingredients that help to decrease these lines.  Argireline (otherwise known as acetyl-hexapeptide 3) is a peptide that decreases the muscle tension that causes these lines.  It doesn’t work to the same extent that an injectable would, but it does offer great non-invasive results on expression lines.  

Soft Tissue Maturation

As we get older, our skin cells and the tissues underneath begin to function differently.  The skin cells become flattened and distorted and the skin itself becomes thinner.  Skin cells are produced at a much slower rate than they were when we were younger.  These factors cause the skin to lose more water- which makes the skin look worse, but I’ll get to that later.  Retinol is one of the greatest ingredients available to mitigate these effects.  Retinol speed up skin cell turnover- it helps you to make new skin cells faster.  The best news is that the new skin cells that are formed tend to function more normally and are not flattened.  After just two weeks of use you can see visible benefits of retinol and there are countless benefits that you can’t see.  There are few ingredients that I would term to be true skin care “superstars” but this is one of them.  There are certainly side effects of retinol use and some people cannot tolerate it (it can cause dry flaky patches, itchiness and redness).  To avoid side effects, try using it every other day until you know how your skin reacts and increase usage as you are able to.  The side effects should subside after two weeks.  If you use retinol make sure you protect your skin from the sun because it will be more sensitive.

Solar Changes

When it comes to damage from the sun, there is good news and bad news.  The bad news is that it wreaks havoc on our skin- causes skin cancer, sun spots, collagen and elastin destruction...need I go any further.  The good news is, you guessed it, it’s preventable!!!  So lather up, get your fake bake on and look young for years to come!

So what about dry skin?  Well, as I said earlier, it just makes wrinkles look worse.  By hydrating the skin we plump up those areas that are wrinkled and sagging and drooping.  Did you know that some companies will use alcohol to clean someone’s face before they take “Before” pictures in skin care product trials.  That’s because alcohol dries out the skin cells and makes the skin look worse than it actually is!  

There are 3 key ways to hydrate the skin:

1. Provide it with water- drink up!
2. Provide it with hyaluronic acid- this ingredient is incorporated in SimplySkin Rx’s Prime and Restore products.  It binds water in the deeper layers of the skin to keep it moisturized from within. (Stay tuned for our new Hydrate mask that contains hyaluronic acid)
3. Provide it with oils- the key moisturizing ingredients in lotions and creams are the oils that help your skin retain moisture.  Sometimes it takes time to find a formulation that works for you and doesn’t clog your pores, but your skin needs moisture so keep looking.

The Paraben Myth

This is probably one of the most controversial topics in skin care.  Many people believe that parabens cause breast cancer.  Lots of companies advertise products that are “paraben-free” and spend their time and money convincing you that you shouldn’t use products with parabens.  Hmmm....let’s take a look at the evidence and then you can make your decision accordingly.

First, what are parabens?  They are chemicals that are used to preserve foods, deodorants, antiperspirants and cosmetics.  They protect the product from a broad range of microorganisms (bacteria AND fungus) that could ruin the product or cause illness or infection in the user.  They are extremely effective, low cost and have a long history of use.  That all sounds sounds pretty reasonable to me.

What evidence exists to show that parabens cause breast cancer (as many people claim)?  I found this article from the National Cancer Institute that is pretty helpful in discussing what research has shown.  Basically, a 2004 study found parabens in 18 of 20 breast cancer tissue samples.  The study did not look at healthy breast tissue samples to determine if parabens were present there.  There have also been other studies that specifically looked at breast cancer patients who used antiperspirants and deodorants and shaved.  All of the research was inconclusive and there is no research available that proves that parabens cause breast cancer.  More research is needed and I’m sure that we will hear more on this topic in the next few years due to the controversy (and the large amount of funding that is available for breast cancer research).

What do the “powers that be” say about parabens?  Check out this information from the FDA.  The Cosmetic Ingredient Review board concluded that parabens were safe for use in cosmetics at levels of up to 25%.  WOW!  Did you know that it only takes a concentration of 0.01% to 0.3% to properly preserve a product.  The next time you look at the ingredients on your product, notice that parabens are usually listed last or next to last.  That is because the ingredients are listed in order of concentration from high to low and parabens are used in extremely low concentrations.  

So, my take on parabens is that they are safe for use and very effective.  We use them in very low amounts at SimplySkin Rx and will continue to do so until one of two things happen.  If we find a preservative that is more effective or if parabens are ever proven to be harmful we would immediately remove them.  I know this is a sensitive subject because breast cancer has touched so many of us and those around us.  If you’ve looked at all of the research and you STILL think that you want to go paraben free there are definitely products that are available to you.  

I hope that this was helpful in sorting out the facts vs. the hype.  Leave your comments below!

The Tanning Myth

How many times have you heard someone say: “I’m going to go to the tanning bed and get a base tan so that I don’t get sunburned when I go to the beach.”  How many times have you said this yourself?  Maybe I hear this more often than the average person because, as a pharmacist and an advocate of healthy skin practices, I’m constantly wagging my finger at patients that tan.

The truth is that tanning your skin does provide an SPF of only about 2-3.  You would never (I hope!) use a sunscreen with such a low SPF, and you had to damage your skin to even gain that small amount of “protection” from future sunburn.  Tan skin is damaged skin and there is no longer a need to tan with all of the great products that are available to add some color to your skin.

To help further convince you that you shouldn’t tan anymore I’ve prepared some pro’s and con’s of tanning and I’m going to share the best products that are out there to get your fake-bake on!

Tanning Pros: 

It looks good (while you are young)

It gives you a time to relax

It helps curb depression in some people during the winter months

Tanning Cons:

It causes skin cancers (Melanoma is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in women aged 25-30)

It causes wrinkles

It causes skin discolorations (ever heard of sunspots?)

It causes dry skin

It has been proven to be addictive

It makes your skin smell bad

It has been linked to ocular cancers

Great sunless tanning products:

I have long been a fan of L’Oreal Sublime Bronze products.  They work well, don’t streak when applied correctly and they are relatively inexpensive.  I use these products when it is spring or summer and I need a great tan.

In the wintertime, I like to have a faint glow.  For this, I use and recommend Neutrogena Build-A-Tan.  What I like about this product is that you can gradually increase your shade without fear of turning orange or too dark.  It is easy to apply and, because it is gradual, it is much more forgiving if you don’t get it applied just right.

If you need a tan and you need it now (as in, you just tried on that new spring dress and WOW your legs are white!) you should try either- Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs or Scott Barnes Body Bling lotion.  These are products that give you an instant tan without a self-tanner odor and both produce amazing results.  I prefer to use the Sally Hansen just on my legs and the Scott Barnes on my upper body.  The only con to these products is that they can be messy- I stand in the bathtub to use the spray so that I can just wash away the overspray.  Both products wash away with soap and water so be prepared to clean up after yourself.  I like to think of these products as “special event” products because I don’t want to deal with the mess from day to day, but it is well worth it for an event or night out.

Did you know?

There are LOTS of sunless tanning products out there, but they all use the same active ingredient: dihydroxyacetone (DHA)

Every sunless tanning product in every price range uses this ingredient.  Of course, the other ingredients that are incorporated will influence how well the product covers, spreads, feels on the skin, etc.

DHA is also what causes that characteristic sunless tanning smell.  The only way to get a sunless tan without this smell is to use one of the body makeup products (like Sally Hansen or Scott Barnes).

BTW- You should know that I haven't been asked to feature these products, I haven't been sent free product, I haven't been solicited by anyone in regards to these products.  These are all products that I honestly use and have chosen and purchased myself.  If you have any other products or advice that you would like to share in regards to sunless tanning feel free to comment below!

The Blackhead Myth

Blackheads are a nuisance, plain and simple.  They are one of the most difficult things to get rid of and they come back much too easily.  One of the reasons for this is that they are often misunderstood by the vast majority of people and apparently by marketers of beauty products as well.


The myth about blackheads is that they are caused by dirt and improper skin cleansing.  Many believe that blackheads are a result of dirt from the surface of the skin "seeping" down into the pores- hence the reason for so many "pore shrinking" products.  Actually, blackheads are a result of sebum and cellular debris that cannot properly escape the pore because the opening of the pore is being blocked by dead, flattened skin cells.  This buildup oxidizes and turns black, in the case of a blackhead (a whitehead is the same thing except that oxygen is not able to get to the buildup so it stays white).


So, what can be done about this?  Well, for starters we can all stop over cleansing and scrubbing our faces. This just causes excess inflammation and does not do anything to remove or prevent blackheads.  The gold standard for blackhead removal and prevention is chemical exfoliation.  By exfoliating the skin with chemicals such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid or lactic acid, you remove the dead skin cells that are blocking the pore and allow the buildup to naturally flow out.  Depending on the strength of acid you choose, this process can take a couple of weeks to fully work and you have to be diligent to maintain the exfoliation, or else those blackheads will quickly return.  Try our Renew-An Exfoliating Mask to begin exfoliating your skin safely and effectively.

Renew-An Exfoliating Mask

Last Minute Christmas

It is the week before Christmas and many of us have switched gears into PANIC mode as we realize that we only have a few more days to conquer the insurmountable tasks of cleaning, decorating, shopping, wrapping and cooking before the BIG DAY arrives.  In an effort to make life a little easier, we have compiled a few little lists of last minute ideas for your holiday planning.

Decorating

Write a Holiday Message on your existing mirrors with washable window paint.  It will look great and only takes a few quick minutes!  The window paint can be found at craft stores and at some of the “big box” stores like Target.

Hang Christmas Tree decorations from the light fixtures above the dining table for a quick festive look.  It creates instant atmosphere! 

Decorate with candy canes and peppermints.  They look great in glass vases and bowls or hot glued onto styrofoam molds or clay pots.  Best of all, they are inexpensive and you can pick them up while you are at the grocery store (since you will likely be going there anyway).

Go outside! Grab some greenery, pinecones, bare branches etc.  You’ll be surprised what you can do with these simple (free!) items and some ribbon, spray paint or ornaments.

I found these ideas here and they have several other great ideas about quick decor.

Shopping

If you don’t want to fight the crowds you still have about 10 minutes a day or two to get those last minute gifts online.  Here are the shipping policies for Overstock.com, which has about any gift you could possibly think of (except SimplySkin Rx, but we’ll get to that!):

U.S. Holiday Shipping Cut-Offs*:

Christmas Day: (Delivery by 12/23)

1. Standard Ground Shipping* Order by: 12/19 @ 2:00 AM EST
2. 2nd Day Shipping* Order by: 12/21 @ 2:00 AM EST
3. Next Day Shipping* Order by: 12/22 @ Noon EST

Christmas Day: (Delivery by 12/24)

1. Saturday Delivery* Order by: 12/23 @ 11:00 AM EST

*Items with specific shipping restrictions as denoted on the product page are not guaranteed for delivery by December 23, 2011. This includes all oversized items, LTL items, custom framed art, magazine subscriptions, custom sized jewelry, and any other products with extended shipping time frames. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks delivery time for any LTL items being shipped.

“Delivery by” Disclaimer

Delivery of your order by 12/23/2011 is contingent upon supplying Overstock.com with correct delivery information.

Target is offering Seasonal Shipping by December 20th on select items and they are sure to have something for just about everyone, unless you are looking for luxury.

If you are looking for luxury- Saks Fifth Avenue is where its at.  They are offering free shipping in time for Christmas for all orders until FRIDAY DECEMBER 23rd at 4pm EASTERN.  This is a really great deal for all you last minute shoppers.  You simply have to enter the code HOLIDAY at checkout to redeem the free shipping offer.

Unique Last Last Minute Gifts

So if you find yourself on Christmas Eve with still not a gift in hand you can rest easy with these unique gift ideas that can be purchased and printed from the comfort of your computer.

Photography classes

Better photo is an online course, but there are many local photographers that offer face-to-face classes that can be purchased last minute through their personal websites.  

Cooking classes

The Viking Cooking School offers couples cooking classes that are wonderful for date nights with your spouse or significant other.  They also offer individual classes for beginners all the way to enthusiasts.  Again, there are many other companies that offer this same type of service, I’m just offering one example.

Racing experience

This is a great gift for anyone who loves racing or if they are just an adrenaline junkie.  There are courses like this at racetracks across the country and the man (or woman) in your life is sure to love it.

Gift Certificates

You can buy gift certificates to practically anything online at the last minute- Including SimplySkin Rx!  Gift certificates are great for those that like to shop or pick out their own gift.

Cleaning

I found these articles to be quite helpful in regards to quick cleaning tips.  These tips can be used right now to prepare for Christmas guests and year round to make life a little easier. 

Housekeeping Channel

Quick Clean Room

We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and we appreciate your support of SimplySkin Rx.  Please let us know any way that we can help you with your skin care needs.  

Sincerely,

SimplySkin Rx