NEW FACIAL CLEANSERS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

New Facial Cleansers for Sensitive Skin

What's the big deal about washing your face? You wash with soap and water, pat dry, and you're on your way. 

For people with sensitive skin, however, routine washing of face involves a little more extra care.

Most brands of face soap have a very alkaline pH, which can be irritating and drying on skin. Gel cleansers have a more skin friendly pH, which makes them the preferred product for sensitive skin care.

DERMAX gel cleansers are
sulfate-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free. 

When choosing a facial cleanser, always check the ingredients. 

• Choose nonabrasive (no scrubs), fragrance-free, and alcohol-free cleanser.  
• Avoid sulfates that can irritate skin. Instead, look for natural cleansing agents like betaines, which are derived from coconut oil and soap berry extract.
• Choose cleansers that are free from paraben preservatives.
• To keep your skin hydrated, look for emollients (olive oil), skin soothers (aloe vera), and humectants (glycerin) which hold moisture in your skin. 

DERMAX SoGentle gel cleanser is sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. It contains all natural cleansing agents from soap berry extract and cocobetaines.

If you have acne prone sensitive skin, you need more than a gentle cleanser. You need one that will help clear up clogged pores that cause breakouts. Salicylic acid clears blocked pores, exfoliates skin, and reduces swelling and redness. Exfoliation helps remove dead surface skin cells, which makes it easier for acne medication to be absorbed. 

What’s New? A recently patented technology is a time-release, encapsulated salicylic acid. This more skin friendly and more effective form of salicylic acid is in the new DERMAX AcneX Pore Clearing gel cleanser.  

Try these new facial cleansers at any SkinStation branch near you.

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on July 22, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?

Do You Have Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is not really a medical term and can mean many things depending on whom you ask. To most laypersons, people who easily break out in rashes in reaction to commonly used products have sensitive skin.  Doctors will say you are likely to have sensitive skin if you have acne, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, rosacea, or eczema. These medical conditions can run in the family. Allergic reaction to a cosmetic or household product is usually not hereditary.

What are some tips in choosing products for sensitive skin?

• Choose soap-free cleansers and cleansing bars with no fragrance, no sulfates, and no parabens. Avoid antibacterial and highly scented soap bars and liquid

  

  DERMAX Gel Cleansers are
  fragrance-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free.

  cleansers.
• Avoid alcohol-based toners.
• Use silicone-based foundation for minimal skin irritation.
• Avoid waterproof cosmetics. Removing them require a special cleanser that may irritate skin.
• Use black eyeliner and mascara because they are the least allergenic. Pencil eyeliner is usually less irritating than liquid eyeliners. Earth-toned eye shadows are safer to use than darker colors.
• Throw out old cosmetics. They can spoil or become contaminated even before their expiry date.
• Products with exfoliants like hydroxy acids, tretinoin, and scrubs should be used with caution.
• Products with fewer ingredients are generally safer for sensitive skin.

Are skin care products labeled “hypoallergenic” or “sensitive skin formula” safer for sensitive skin?

• There are no government standards on the use of the term “hypoallergenic” and “sensitive skin” so they can mean whatever a particular manufacturer wants them to mean.   
• Your best bet is to test your own skin reaction before using a new product.

How do I test a new skin care product?

• Every night before bedtime, apply a small amount behind an ear and leave it on overnight. Do this for 5 days.
• If there is no skin irritation, follow the same procedure, this time applying the product on an area alongside an eye.
• If you still don't see irritation, the product should be safe for your face and other sensitive body parts.

Whether your skin sensitivity is the result of a skin disorder, a reaction to a product, or to sudden change in weather, it requires extra care. Making these small changes in your daily skin care regimen can help improve your skin condition.

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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on January 28, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

HOW TO CONTROL AND PREVENT ACNE

How to Control and Prevent Acne

Many are still misguided into believing that acne is caused by poor hygiene, eating chocolate, French fries, and greasy food. Sexual overdrive is also mentioned as a culprit. Acne is not caused by anything you do. Acne occurs during your episodes of hormonal imbalance. It is triggered by a rise in androgen hormone, resulting in enlarged oil glands that pump more oil into the skin. The mixture of oil and dead skin cells can block pores, forming blackheads and whiteheads, which can deteriorate into acne breakouts.

AcneX Exfoliant Soap has nanoencapsulated
salicylic acid to keep pores unclogged. 

Keeping pores unclogged is the key to prevention of acne. Topical acne medications work by preventing whiteheads and blackheads from forming, and by breaking down comedones that have developed. You will find commonly used active ingredients such as resorcinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. They exfoliate and peel off the dead top skin layer that causes pores to become clogged. These are in the form of soaps, gels, pads, and creams.

If you have severe acne, you should see a dermatologist. You may be prescribed topical and oral antibiotics, like erythromycin, to combat the growth of P. acnes bacteria and reduce inflammation. Topical retinoids like tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene are prescription actives that prevent whiteheads and blackheads from developing. 

When all else fails, isotretinoin, a strong oral retinoid may be given by the doctor. There are many side effects associated with the use of isotretinoin, which is why it is considered the medicine of last resort.  

Acne injection is a popular procedure among those who want to get rid of pimples fast for some important event. The dermatologist will inject a diluted corticosteroid to lower the inflammation and speed up healing. The cyst will “melt” within a few days. Acne injection will also reduce the risk of scarring from inflamed cystic acne.

Acnelight therapy is a novel approach to the treatment of acne. A machine which emits blue light is used to sterilize the skin, eliminating P. acnes bacteria. It is recommended that it be used in conjunction with traditional topical acne medications.

For your acne problem, SkinStation offers free doctor’s consultation, Acnelight therapy, acne injection, Anti-acne facial, and AcneX transparent cleansing bar with double encapsulated salicylic acid.

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Skin Smart seeks to clarify facts and myths on skin care. This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on May 14, 2013.  The author  received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry.  The author is the CEO of SkinStation and can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.   

A Guide to Chemical Peels

Chemical  peel  is  used  to  improve  the  appearance of the skin. A chemical solution  is  applied  to  the skin that causes it to "blister" and eventually peel off. Fine  lines and wrinkles can  often be reduced or even eliminated with this procedure. Skin blotches like sunspots, age spots and freckles can be minimized. Mild scarring, certain  types of acne, and dull skin can be improved by chemical peels.

The more common types of chemical peels are:

1) Glycolic acid peel - This produces superficial peeling and may require multiple sessions, with option to use increasing concentrations at 20%, 30%, and 40%. It improves skin texture, reduces fine lines and mild scarring, and helps prevent acne breakouts.  It is also used to enhance penetration of other skin actives for lightening and anti-aging.

2) Salicylic acid peel – Studies show that salicylic acid has the ability to get deeper into the pore than glycolic acid. It is now the preferred peel in controlling oil production, and in preventing formation of blackheads and whiteheads. In general, salicylic acid does not produce as deep a peel as a similar concentration of glycolic acid.

3) Jessner's peel – Dr. Max Jessner combined 14% salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol in an ethanol base for a very mild acid combination that is often applied right before a deeper peel to “open up the skin.”

4) Retinoic acid peel - This is a deeper peel than salicylic acid peel and is usually performed in conjunction with a Jessner. The client leaves with the solution on their face. The peeling takes place on the 3rd day onwards. Expect dramatic improvements with multiple peels over time with scars, wrinkles and pigmentation problems.

5) Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel – This can produce intermediate to deep peeling in concentrations ranging from 20-35%. Depth of penetration is increased as concentration increases. Concentrations higher than 35% are not recommended because of the high risk of scarring.  TCA peel can smooth out fine wrinkles and remove superficial blemishes. Skin will take several days to heal depending on the peel depth. Repeat treatments are usually required.

6) Phenol peel – This carbolic acid peel is the strongest which produces dramatic improvement with just a single treatment. However, phenol peels may pose high risks in darker skinned patients and may result in permanent uneven skin tone.

After any kind of chemical peel, it is important to avoid prolonged sun exposure and to always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, like DERMAX UV MILK since the new skin is susceptible to complications. The dermatologist will prescribe other post treatment care to reduce the tendency to develop abnormal skin color after peeling.

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This was published in the April 9, 2013 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author, Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.