FutureDerm.com

Spotlight On: Salicyclic Acid

Salicyclic acid is found in 0.5% concentration in Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash.  Photo courtesy Amazon.com.

Salicyclic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that is used to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. According to Dr. Heather Brannon, M.D., a family-practice physician with a specialty in Dermatology, salicyclic acid is also reported to improve signs of aging including wrinkling, roughness, and mottled pigmentation of photodamaged skin with at least 6 months of daily application.

How Salicyclic Acid Works

According to DermNetNZ, salicylic acid works by softening keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure. This helps to loosen dry scaly skin, increasing cell turnover and effectively renewing the skin. It is often used in acne treatments to cleanse and to prevent clogging of the pores.

When salicylic acid is used in combination with other treatments, it is often to allow the other formulation’s ingredients to penetrate the skin more effectively.

How Salicyclic Acid is Made

According to Wikipedia, salicyclic acid is biosynthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine. For all you super organic chemists out there, sodium salicylate is commercially prepared by treating sodium phenoxide with a high pressure of carbon dioxide at high temperature via the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. Acidification of the product solution gives salicylic acid. According to Dr. Brannon, salicyclic acid works best in skin care in a concentration of 1% to 2% and at a pH of 3 to 4.

In what concentrations is salicyclic acid found in skin care products and medicines?

Courtesy DermNetNZ.com

What Skin Care Ingredients Should I Use in Conjunction With Salicyclic Acid?

Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB sunscreen of at least SPF 15 everyday with salicyclic acid use, as advised by to Dr. Heather Brannon, M.D. The reason is that alpha and beta hydroxy acids tend to thin the skin, making it more susceptible to sun damage. If you are using beta hydroxy acids for the anti-aging effects, you are negating your purpose in the long run if you don’t use sunscreen!

What Skin Care Ingredients Should I Not Use in Conjunction with Salicyclic Acid?

According to DermNetNZ, skin care ingredients with any of the following ingredients should not be used in conjunction with salicyclic acid, unless you are advised otherwise by your physician:

• Medicated topical agents, e.g. benzoyl peroxide (unless you are using a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment in the morning and a salicyclic acid spot treatment at night), topical retinoids (unless you are using a salicyclic acid spot treatment and using retinoids elsewhere on your face), calcipotriol
• Abrasive soaps and cleansers
• Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin or are designed to peel/exfoliate

What is the difference between an alpha hydroxy acid and a beta hydroxy acid?

Alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic acid and lactic acid, while beta hydroxy acids include salicyclic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble, while beta hydroxy acids are lipid-soluble (i.e., oil-soluble). According to Dr. Brannon, this means that beta hydroxy acid is better able to penetrate into the pores, so it is better used on oily skin with blackheads and whiteheads. On the other hand, alpha hydroxy acids are better used on thickened, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not a problem.

Is salicyclic acid for everyone?

No. Salicyclic acid should not be used by zinc-deficient individuals, due to its ototoxic effects, or by women who are pregnant or nursing, due to risk of Reye’s Syndrome. In addition, some individuals are salicylate sensitive, and should not use salicyclic acid products nor take aspirin. Check with your doctor if you experience:

• moderate or severe skin irritation (particularly if not present before use of this medicine)
• flushing
• unusually warm skin and reddening of skin

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 29th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Acne Treatments, General Cosmetic Dermatology, Hyperpigmentation Treatments | 4 comments

Product Review and Giveaway: Theraplex

Theraplex ($16.50, Theraplex.com) consists of a “water-in-oil” emulsion that leaves the skin without greasiness or tackiness. It is recommended by Dr. Kenneth Beer, M.D., on the Theraplex website for helping to aid dry skin: “Theraplex can help to not only protect your skin from the elements but also to restore the moisture your skin craves. ”

What is special about Theraplex?

Developed in the early 1990’s by Swiss scientist Dr. H.R. Suess, Theraplex contains a special petrolatum fraction that is an “oil-in-water” emulsion. By using this formulation, over 82% of the oily residue left on the skin by mineral oil-based moisturizers is taken away, leaving the skin feeling smooth and hydrated, rather than oily or sticky.

Unfortunately, Theraplex does not contain antioxidants, retinoids, or sunscreen, and is therefore primarily a dry skin treatment. It is, however, hypoallergic, noncomedogenic, and fragrance-free.

There are four Theraplex moisturizers. Which is best?

According to the company brochure, Theraplex Emolient ($21.00, Theraplex.com) is designed for patients with severe dry skin including eczema, xerosis, and psoriasis. Theraplex Emolient is particularly effective on chapped lips, hands, elbows, and feet, as well as hardened cuticles. It contains a very high concentration of the oil-in-water petrolatum emulsion, so it goes on heavy, more like a balm than a lotion.

My personal favorite, Theraplex Hydrolotion ($16.50, Theraplex.com), is designed as a daily moisturizer for the face and body. Again, it does not contain anti-aging ingredients or sunscreen, so it is primarily to be used as a dry skin treatment. According to a company-reported study by the University Dermatology Clinic in Wein, Germany, 80% of dermatologists and physicians said that Theraplex Hydrolotion was good to very good at protecting and relieving dry skin, and an additional 14-15% were satisfied with the ability of Theraplex Hydrolotion to protect and relieve dry skin. Theraplex Hydrolotion has a lower concentration of the oil-in-water petrolatum emulsion than Theraplex Emolient, so it goes on like a lotion and dries quickly. It is non-scented, so it makes a good body lotion for dry skin under perfume.

A close second favorite, Theraplex Clearlotion ($18.50, Theraplex.com), is a liquid formula designed for use after the shower or bath. Unlike Theraplex Hydrolotion, it contains mineral oil and jojoba oil, which is included to lock in even more moisture right after the shower or bath. Its texture is that of an oil, but it dries quickly, leaving the skin hydrated and soft. It is also non-scented, and makes a good after-shower body lotion for dry skin under your favorite perfume.

The last lotion, Theraplex FT ($21.00, Theraplex.com) is designed for patients with very dry skin, and is recommended for scaly or callused feet. It contains a high concentration of the special petrolatum fraction, plus exfoliating salicyclic acid. It contains a very high concentration of the oil-in-water petrolatum emulsion, so it goes on more like a balm than a lotion.

Giveaway for Theraplex Samples!

Theraplex has offered to give samples of all four formulations to one lucky FutureDerm reader! To enter, leave your name and e-mail address in “Comments” below by Friday, March 7, 2008. On Friday, March 7, 2008 at 4:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, one lucky winner will be chosen at random to win! Good luck, and happy commenting!

Overall opinions…

Theraplex contains a unique form of petrolatum that is effective against most forms of dry skin. Dr. Kenneth Beer recommends that patients who use Theraplex daily for 1-2 weeks without dry skin improvement should see a dermatologist. After several weeks of use myself, I find the Theraplex Hydrolotion and Theraplex Clearlotion to be effective in treating dry skin without any oily residue or scent. I think the formulations designed for drier types of skin, Theraplex Emolient and Theraplex FT are very balm-like and somewhat sticky, but less so than pure petrolatum. At any rate, Theraplex is effective in treating dry skin, and I love Theraplex Hydrolotion and Theraplex Clearlotion! Good luck in the contest too!

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 28th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Best Products, Best Products, Dry Skin Treatments, Offers and Promotions | 14 comments

Special Offer: Enter to Win a Personalized Skin Regimen from Dr. Murad**

Get free products and a consultation with this huge derm to the stars

Enter for a chance to win this amazing prize — a one-on-one skincare consultation with Dr. Murad (yep, the guy behind the Murad skincare line), plus he’ll send you all the free products you need to get your skin back on track.

1. Sign in to TotalBeauty.com
2. Be the first member to review a beauty product.
3. Repeat! (You get an additional entry for every product you’re the first member to review.)

To get started, go page through products to find one with no user reviews. A good place to start: our Product Reviews section page.

Remember, every time you’re the first member to review a product, you receive another entry!

Here’s what you could win:

GRAND PRIZE (two winners!)

Receive a one-on-one telephone consultation with top dermatologist Dr. Murad and a basket containing all the products comprising the day and night Murad product regimen he recommends.

FIRST PRIZE (five winners!)

Receive a collection of free Murad products comprising a Murad regimen for the winner’s skin type.

SECOND PRIZE (ten winners!)

Receive one full-size Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer, worth $150.

Receive a $50 gift certificate to Sephora.com.

1. Go sign in
2. Then find a product

Hurry! Contest ends Friday, February 29!

**TotalBeauty.com Murad Sweepstakes Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. Eligibility: The TotalBeauty.com Murad Sweepstakes (the “Murad Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Total Beauty Media, Inc., as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee, are not eligible. The Murad Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, provincial, municipal, territorial and local laws and regulations. The Murad Sweepstakes is void where prohibited. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these official rules (the “Official Rules”) and to the decisions of the Sponsor (as defined below), which are final and binding in all matters related to the Murad Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
2. Timing: The Murad Sweepstakes begins on February 19, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (”ET”) and ends on February 29, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. ET (the “Promotion Period”). Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Murad Sweepstakes.
3. How to Enter: There are two (2) ways to enter:
   1. Online: During the Promotion Period, visit http://www.totalbeauty.com/profile/login/form and, if you are already a totalbeauty.com member, login, and then click through the “Product Reviews” tab at the top of the homepage to begin submitting product reviews. If you are not a registered member, then complete and submit the totalbeauty.com registration form. Once registered as a member, you will be invited to review the beauty products that are featured on the Total Beauty web site. For every one (1) product review you submit for a product for which NO other product review is displayed, you will receive one (1) entry into the Murad Sweepstakes. To be eligible, a review must be the first review submitted for a particular product and must provide earnest feedback regarding the reviewed product. Sponsor reserves the right to reject, in its sole discretion, any review you submit if it fails to comply with the terms of use of the Total Beauty web site and/or if the review is otherwise inappropriate. (Please see section 5 below regarding your automatic entry under certain circumstances into the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes.)
   2. By Mail: To enter without reviewing products, hand print your name, address, day and evening phone numbers, email address (if any), age and “The TotalBeauty.com Murad Sweepstakes” on a 3″ x 5″ piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to “TotalBeauty.com Murad Sweepstakes,” 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 810, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, USA. You will receive one (1) entry into the Murad Sweepstakes. Limit: One (1) entry request per envelope. All mail-in entries must be handwritten and must be postmarked by March 1, 2008 and received by March 8, 2008. All entries become the exclusive property of the Sponsor, and none will be acknowledged or returned. Proof of sending or submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by the Sponsor. The Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible, misdirected or postage-due entries, which will be disqualified. The mail-in entries for the Murad Sweepstakes will not qualify you for the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes (see Section 5 below). If you should wish to qualify for the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes by means of mail-in entries, please go to http://www.totalbeauty.com/rules.php for the applicable rules regarding mail-in entries for that sweepstakes.

   Limit: Each participant may enter up to five (5) times per day during the Promotion Period, by any method or combination of methods of entry. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entrant’s entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. In the event of a dispute as to any registration, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the registrant or player. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder.

4. Concurrent Sweepstakes Eligibility: If you submit three or more product reviews in connection with the Murad Sweepstakes, you will automatically be registered for the Total Beauty NYC Makeover Sweepstakes (the “NYC Makeover Sweepstakes”) without any further action on your part. If you submit one or more product reviews (for products that have not previously been reviewed) in connection with the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes, you will automatically be registered for the Murad Sweepstakes. Prize listings, other information and the official rules and regulations for the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes may be found at http://www.totalbeauty.com/rules.php. Your eligibility and participation in the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes shall be subject solely to the official rules and regulations applicable to the NYC Makeover Sweepstakes.
5. Drawings: The Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of the Murad Sweepstakes and the selection of the potential winners are final and binding in all matters related to the Murad Sweepstakes. Sponsor will randomly select the potential Murad Sweepstakes winners from all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period, on or around March 14, 2008. Each potential winner will be notified by email, mail or phone. Each potential Grand or First Prize winner (or a parent/legal guardian if winner is a minor in his/her place of residence) will be required to sign and return to Sponsor, within ten (10) days of the date on which notice or attempted notice is sent, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to sign and return the Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release (or Declaration of Compliance) within the required time period (if applicable), the potential winner forfeits the prize. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held after which the prize will remain un-awarded. Second Prizes will be fulfilled approximately 8-10 weeks after the conclusion of the promotion.
6. Prizes:TWO (2) GRAND PRIZE: A free consultation with Dr. Murad by telephone and a gift box, containing the particular products comprising a day and night Murad product regimen that Dr. Murad recommends in his consultation. Approximate Retail Value (”ARV”): $1,000 USD.

   FIVE (5) FIRST PRIZES: A collection of Murad products comprising a Murad regimen for the winner’s particular skin type. ARV: $300 USD.

   TEN (10) SECOND PRIZES: One (1) full-size Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer. ARV: $150 USD.

   For Prizes: Each winner must complete the trip within one (1) year from the drawing date or prize will be forfeited. Trip must be booked at least twenty-one (21) days prior to departure. Trip is subject to availability and blackout dates. Travel must be roundtrip. Sponsor will determine airline and flight itinerary in its sole discretion. No refund or compensation will be given in the event of the cancellation or delay of any flight. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability. Travel is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Sweepstakes, and those set forth by the Sponsor’s airline carrier of choice as detailed in the passenger ticket contract. All expenses and incidental travel costs not expressly stated in the package description above, including but not limited to, ground transportation, meals, incidentals, passenger tariffs or duties, surcharges, airport fees, service charges or facility charges, personal charges at lodging, security fees, taxes or other expenses are the responsibility solely of winner. Unless the child(ren) of winner, any travel companion must be eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the date of departure and must travel on the same itinerary and at the same time as the winner. If winner is a minor in his/her place of residence, one (1) travel companion must be winner’s parent/legal guardian. Any travel companion must execute a liability & publicity release prior to issuance of travel documents. Travel restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. Winners and travel companions are solely responsible for obtaining valid passports and any other documents necessary for international travel. If, in the judgment of Sponsor, air travel is not required due to winner’s proximity to a prize location, ground transportation will be substituted for roundtrip air transportation at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor will not replace any lost, mutilated, or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates. Actual value may vary based on airfare fluctuations, destination and distance between departure and destination. Winner will not receive difference between actual and approximate retail value.

   For All Prizes: Prizes are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided herein at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize for one of equal or greater value if the designated prize should become unavailable for any reason. Winners are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use. Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Promotion Period. Limit: One (1) prize per person.

   Total ARV of all prizes: Total ARV of all prizes: $5,000 USD.

7. Release: By receipt of any prize, each winner agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor and its subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the Murad Sweepstakes or receipt or use or misuse of any prize.
8. Publicity: Except where prohibited, participation in the Murad Sweepstakes constitutes each winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state (or province) for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. The winners of the Grand Prize may be required, as a condition of the award and delivery of the Grand Prize, to participate in a photo or video shoot covering the acceptance and delivery of the Grand Prize. Any resulting photographs or video may be used for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
9. General Conditions: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Murad Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Murad Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Murad Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or those of any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Murad Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
10. Limitations of Liability: The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Murad Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Murad Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Murad Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; (5) late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen mail; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Murad Sweepstakes or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Murad Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance of the Murad Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In the event that production, technical, seeding, programming or any other reasons cause more than the stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available and/or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.
11. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Murad Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the United States District Court, Central District of California or the appropriate California State Court located in Los Angeles County, California, U.S.A.; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Murad Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Murad Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California, U.S.A.
12. Entrant’s Personal Information: Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy http://www.totalbeauty.com/privacy.php.
13. Winner List: Winner List requests will only be accepted after the promotion end date (listed above) and no later than June 30, 2008. For the Winner List, send an email with subject line: “The TotalBeauty.com Murad Sweepstakes, Winner List Request,” to mail@totalbeauty.com.

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 26th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Special Offers | one comment

Product Review: MD Skincare Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

The peel is also available in a 60-day supply for $125.00.  Photo courtesy Amazon.com.

MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel ($75.00 for a thirty-day supply, Sephora.com) claims to “improve skin firmness, tone, and texture, Alpha Beta diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boosts skin density and vitality, and reduce pore size and breakouts.”  To find out why this product is so effective, and my personal evaluation after use, read on.

A high concentration of salicyclic acid in Step 1

Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant that can remove debris from the pore, creating the appearance of skin smoothness. However, according to Dr. Diana Draelos, an associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, it cannot measurably reduce pore size, only cleanse the area. Still, according to Mount Kisco, New York dermatologist David E. Bank, M.D.: “The goal is to keep pores clean and at their smallest,” so salicyclic acid is excellent to use to clean the pores. However, salicyclic acid does not actually change pore size; rather, it cleans the pores, which enables them to then be closed after cell turnover is increased, etc.

Glycolic acid in Step 1

Although the concentration of glycolic acid is not provided on the MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, glycolic acid is typically available in at-home treatments in 8 to 15 percent concentrations.  (In dermatologist’s offices, glycolic acid peels are available in concentrations up to 70 percent.)   Still, glycolic acid in at-home treatments has still been found to advance desquamation and thinning of the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of the skin). By exfoliating the top layer of the skin, glycolic acid peels smooth the skin, quicken the rate of cell turnover (which is reduced by up to 7% every ten years), decrease small wrinkles and increase the fibroblast proliferation of collagen.

At these low concentrations, Dr. Leslie Baumann, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, notes that the patient should not expect reversal of moderate to severe wrinkling or scarring with at-home treatments. In fact, according to a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study, it was found that 0.05% all-trans-retinoic acid (a retinoid) was more effective than 2% lipoic acid or 10% glycolic acid (a concentration found in at-home treatments) in treating signs of aging.

Green tea in steps 1 and 2

Green tea has been found to be effective as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient in skin care formulations.  In addition, green tea has promise as a treatment against rosacea.  According to Dr. Gary Goldfaden, M.D., “In a recent dermatological comparison study, the use of a lotion containing a tea extract produced a 70% improvement in rosacea compared to use of a lotion containing the base ingredients alone. This tea extract is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and contains a variety of potent flavonoids.” Verifying this is a 2003 study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, which reports that green tea reduces UVB-induced inflammation as measured by double-fold skin swelling. This is also a great ingredient in MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel because it will help reduce some of the inflammation caused by a potent salicyclic acid/glycolic acid peel combination.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E in Step 2

Vitamin C is most commonly used as L-ascorbic acid in skin care formulations.  However, MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel contains vitamin C as ascorbyl palmitate, a more stable form of vitamin C that is slightly less researched and used than L-ascorbic acid in skin care formulations.  According to a 1987 article in the journal Cancer Research, ascorbyl palmitate was more effective in preventing tumor formation in the mouse than other forms of vitamin C, including L-ascorbic acid.  Ascorbyl palmitate has also been established as being an effective antioxidiant in microemulsions, according to this study in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, amongst others.

The combination of vitamin C and vitamin E have been found to synergistically enhance the power of one another, and have been reported by Djerassi et. al. to prevent the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines (although in different forms of C and E). Vitamin C and vitamin E have also been shown in this 1996 study, amongst others, to enhance the photoprotective effects of sunscreen, which is most likely why the product is recommended for morning use.

Soy isoflavones and retinol in Step 2

MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel contains soy isoflavones, which are effective anti-aging ingredients.  One isoflavone contained in soy is genistein, which has been shown in independent research studies to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and to stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in human fibroblasts cultured in vitro, which together increase the firmness, elasticity, and suppleness of skin. These findings have been affirmed in this 2005 study in the journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, which further reported that use of soy extract twice daily for two weeks reduced the number of hair follicles (dermal papillae) on the skin. Finally, it has been reported in this 2000 study in the journal Dermatology that human trials demonstrate lightening of hyperpigmentation after use of soybean extract for two weeks.

Retinol has been demonstrated to increase cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth the skin, and reduce acne in some patients.  However, retinol use is also associated with skin irritation in some patients with sensitive skin, and use of retinol makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.  Because the sun is a major cause of signs of aging, be sure to use this product with daily application of a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen.

Soothing and hydrating ingredients in Steps 1 and 2

Step 1 contains a high concentration of soothing chamomile extract, along with anti-inflammatory green tea extract and hydrating lactic acid.  Step 2 contains a high concentration of hydrating dimethicone and anti-inflammatory green tea extract, and a low concentration of soothing chamomile.  Because glycolic acid peels can be harsh to the skin, the plethora of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients make this peel a great one.

Personal Use

After trying MD Skincare: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, I noticed that my skin immediately felt smoother and slightly firmer.  I also noticed that my first application made my skin flake off somewhat, so I wouldn’t recommend using the product for the first time right before a big event (the flakiness makes it harder to apply make-up).  Hours later, my skin had a slight sheen to it, and it feels smoother.

The product is fragrance-free, which is always a bonus.   Although it is recommended for day use, I can’t bring myself to use a peel at night (I am too paranoid about sun damage for that).

A 60-day supply is also available at Sephora for $125.00, so it’s like buy one, get one 33% off if you go this route.  Quite expensive, so if you are already using anti-aging antioxidants and are just looking for an effective peel, the Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Peel Pads ($45.00, Amazon.com) might be a better fit for you.  While Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Peel Pads do not contain soy isoflavones and have less green tea, they contain seemingly more glycolic acid.  Check out the review here.

As a result…

A great product!   I love it, although if $75.00 for 30 days is too much for you to spend on a peel, you may want to consider Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Peel Pads for $45.00 for 60 days, without soy isoflavones and less green tea, but seemingly more glycolic acid.  One caveat:  Watch out if you have sensitive skin, and talk to your dermatologist if you have concerns before you try this or any other product with AHAs and/or retinol.

Step 1 Ingredients:

Salicylic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria Extract, Citric Acid, Copper PCA, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Glycolic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Polysorbate-20, Water, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Benzoate, Soy Isoflavones, Genestein, Hamamelis Virginiana, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Zinc PCA.

Step 2 Ingredients:

Water, Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cholecalciferol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Soy Isoflavones, Genestein, Retinol, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Tetrasodium EDTA.

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 25th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Antioxidant Treatments, Best Products, Best Products, Best Skincare Gifts, Firming Treatments, Product Reviews | 2 comments

Advice from Dermatologist Dr. David McDaniel

Oh, Happy Day! That’s what I said when the March 2008 issue of Allure arrived, complete with a feature on one of my all-time favorite dermatologists, Dr. David McDaniel. Dr. McDaniel is Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology and Plastic Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School,. and Director of The Institute of Anti-Aging Research. He is a favorite dermatologist of mine due to the great amounts of research he conducts on cosmeceuticals and subsequently publishes in peer-reviewed scientific research journals. Here is an excerpt from the Allure article:

Dr. McDaniel’s To-Do-List for Great Skin

• Don’t smoke, and wear sunscreen.
• Watch out for fat. “There’s a growing understanding that both body fat and dietary fat are connected with inflammation…And there are some good studies suggesting a low-fat diet reduces the incidence of pre-cancerous skin lesions and also alters the skin’s response to UV damage.”
• Avoid or neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are caused by UV rays (both from the sun and tanning beds), pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, and other sources. McDaniel is a big believer in the power of berries, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables: “Each plant is a little chemical factory, and since we need to be defended against all the forms of free radicals, there is value in eating a variety.” Makes sense - eating and topically applying antioxidants has been found to be more effective than either method alone (full article here).
• Use products for 4-6 weeks before judging a product. “People think they can get results in three or four days. Ideally, I’d like patients to try skin products for six to eight weeks before they judge, but I know that doesn’t fly…so I tell the four to six weeks and hope they do four.” Dr. Kenneth Beer, a dermatologist in Palm Beach, agrees: “The complete benefit of skin creams won’t be visible until after a full cycle of skin-cell turnover to take place, at least a month.”

Dr. McDaniel’s Current Assessment of Skin Care Products

“The potency, the delivery systems, and the science have improved. But there are still a lot of products that are more invested in marketing and packaging than science.” (I, for one, couldn’t agree more.)

What Dr. McDaniel Sees for the Future of Skin Care

“In the next couple of years, we’ll see things like sound and radio waves that work on tissues under the skin and selectively destroy cellulite or elevate the eyebrows without a brow lift.” Exciting stuff indeed…

Five Anti-Aging Products Recommended By Dr. McDaniel

• Prevage MD. (shown above) “A superpotent antioxidant that contains idebenone.” According to Allure, McDaniel’s clinical trials have shown that idebenone use produces 38% improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Retin-A Micro. (A personal favorite of mine, too!) “Retin-A is one of the great anti-aging products; this is reformulated for improved delivery and strength.” Available by prescription only, but a proven great investment for the future of your skin.
• Priori Radical Defense SPF 30. “A great new concept, with sunscreen and the antioxidant Idebenone combined in one bottle.” Relatively hard to find, it is available from eBay for $74.99 plus shipping and handling.
• Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. (A personal favorite of mine, too!) “Another great antioxidant combination using stabilized vitamin C, which plays a key role in the formation of new collagen fibers. It tested really well for preventing sun damage.” (I used Skinceuticals CE Ferulic under sunscreen every morning for four years, and I swear by it. Only recently did I switch to Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced Serum, for the addition of 5% idebenone and $35 less, but unfortunately also 5% less vitamin E. A full review of Cellbone Technology C15ie Advanced Serum will be on the site in about a month!)
• RevaléSkin. (A personal favorite of mine, too!) “It features CoffeeBerry, which has one of the highest and most potent mixtures of antioxidants.”

You have to love interviews with research dermatologists! I will try to recruit dermatologists for my own interviews in the future.

If you or someone you know is a research dermatologist who would like to be interviewed on the site (currently receiving over 1800 page views/day), please feel free to contact me at Nicki [at] FutureDerm [dot] com.

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 25th, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Interviews | 7 comments

Update on Ascorbyl Glucoside!

In a blog entry on December 19, 2007, I reviewed ascorbyl glucoside, a stable form of vitamin C that is currently being incorporated in skin care products. As a result of reviewing the product, I suggested that the incorporation of glucose into the skin may be detrimental. However, I have been contacted by a representative of Hayashibara International, the company that manufactures ascorbyl glucoside, and I have been informed that:

“…the glucose remaining on the skin is negligible according to the Japanese researchers, and is not enough to cause damage to collagen. In fact, the cells will probably utilize the traces of glucose to their advantage. Also, the amount of collagen synthesis from fibroblasts that is stimulated by AA2G is a benefit that far outweighs any potential brittleness (if there would be any). “

Thank you to Hayashibara International for teaching me this fact!

As always, if you read something that does not sound right on my blog, or if I raise a question you know the answer to, feel free to contact me at Nicki [at] FutureDerm [dot] com.  Thanks! 

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 23rd, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Uncategorized | 3 comments

Product Review: Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex

For January 2008, the Total Beauty network selected Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex ($75.00, Sephora.com) to be the product for its bloggers to review.  The product claims to “rescue skin from external aggressors like harsh weather” and to “provide comfort after dermatological procedures and surgeries.”  However, does the cream live up to its claims?

Peptides, but not palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 or palmitoyl oligopeptide

One source of confusion I have been noticing lately in skin care products is the use of the name “peptides.”  While a peptide is a protein sequence of amino acids, not all peptides have been found to increase collagen production or to repair the skin.   On the product information sheet, Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex claims that its peptides “help relieve skin irritation and discomfort by stimulating the release of endorphins and modulating release of tension-causing neurotransmitters.”  While this could be the case, no published scientific studies or reviews have documented that Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex or any other topical treatment with peptides affects hormones and neurotransmitters.  (Of course, if such a study arises and I find it, I’ll write about it, or if you know about one, alert me!)

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex does not contain either of the two most researched anti-aging peptides, which are palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 and palmitoyl oligopeptide.  Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 is the amino acid sequence lysine-threonine-threonine-lysine-serine, which has been demonstrated to stimulate feedback regulation of new collagen synthesis and to result in an increased production of extracellular matrix proteins (types I and II collagen and fibronectin).  Palmitoyl oligopeptide is a sequence of peptides that reads valine-glycine-valine-alanine-proline-glycine combined with a palmitic acid in order to increase penetration through the epidermis.

Biospheric Complex

According to the product brochure, the Biospheric Complex “delivers Iceland’s natural resources (water, earth, and air)” and consists of mineral-rich Icelandic glacial water (water), indigenous arctic berries (earth), and oxygenated liposomes, butterfly bush and thyme extracts (air) to “dramatically soothe, strengthen, and stabilize stressed skin”.  Unfortunately, there is no peer-reviewed published research that says “water, earth and air” should be combined to provide better skin.  But if we take the “earth, water, air” theme as just good marketing, the actual Biospheric Complex does not have peer-reviewed published research demonstrating its effects, so I personally would not buy the cream for the addition of the Biospheric Complex (at least not at this time).

Sodium hyaluronate

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex contains a fairly high concentration of sodium hyaluronate.  In skincare products, natural moisturizing factors like sodium hyaluronate are able to draw water into the skin, reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and creating a slight swelling of the skin that slightly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  (For more on sodium hyaluronate, please visit the entry in the Ingredients Dictionary here.)

Retinyl palmitate

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex contains retinyl palmitate.  According to a 1997 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 0.6% retinyl palmitate was less effective in penetrating human skin than 0.025% retinol (these concentrations are similar to those found in many over-the-counter skincare formulations). In addition, another study found retinol is 20 times less potent than prescription retinoic acid in the skin. However, even though retinyl palmitate is less potent than retinol, it has been shown to exhibit the collagen-stimulating, smoothing, and wrinkle-reducing properties of retinol over time, and has also been shown to be less irritating.

Oat extract

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex contains Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract, which has documented hydrating and soothing effects for the skin.  In fact, a 2002 study in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that topical application of practical concentrations of Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract reduced skin irritation in twelve individuals, as measured by using the sodium lauryl sulfate model.  Avena Sativa (Oat) extract has also been documented to be effective as a soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, according to the journal Phytotherapy.  Together with anti-irritating bisabolol and aloe, the cream was clearly designed to be non-irritating.

Green tea

Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex contains a fair concentration of green tea extract.  Green tea contains the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have remarkable preventive effects against photocarcinogenesis and phototoxicity in mouse models. While EGCG comprises only 50% of “green tea extract” found in skin care and cosmeceuticals (Mukhtar), there is still enough EGCG to demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties in most skin care and cosmeceuticals.

In a 2001 study in the journal Carcinogenesis, topical application of EGCG to human skin resulted in decreased oxidative stress and an increase in antioxidant enzymes after UV irradiation. Specifically, catalase and glutathione activity were increased due to the application of EGCG. A further 2003 study in Molecular Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention found that the polyphenols in green tea prevent UVB-induced oxidation of lipids and proteins and prevents against the depletion in antioxidant enzymes experienced after UVB exposure in mouse skin.

Personal Use and Opinions

From personal use as a blogger through the Total Beauty Network (thank you!), Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex feels thick on the skin, but drinks in well, leaving dry skin looking and feeling more hydrated.  I was surprised to find that the cream had a definite scent, for it says it is fragrance-free.  I personally wouldn’t apply Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream in the morning, because it does not contain sunscreen and is too heavy to apply sunscreen over (at least in my opinion).  For dry skin as a night cream, it seems like it would be very hydrating.

As A Result…

Based on the ingredients and personal usage, Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream with Biospheric Complex seems like a good hydrating night moisturizer for dry skin.  However, I would not personally buy this product for anti-aging purposes, as there are formulations with high concentrations of more established peptides and antioxidants and higher concentrations and a more potent form of retinol than retinyl palmitate.  As an emollient cream, however, I give it a thumbs-up.  Product Rating: 5.5/10 (Ingredients with substantive research backing in high concentration: 1.5/3, New technology: 2/3 (results of the Biospheric Complex are not published in peer-reviewed scientific journals), Value for the money: 2/3, Sunscreen: 0/1).

Ingredients (courtesy Sephora.com)

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Didecene, Angelica Archangelica Root Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Canola Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Bisabalol, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Simondsia Chinensis, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Gold, Silver, Copper Sulfate, Glycosphingolipids, Cetyl Alcohol, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Monostearate, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Lecithin, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Perfluorodecalin, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Trideceth-6, Lauryl Glucoside, Laureth-3, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, petroleum-free, mineral oil-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, 100% vegetarian and allergy tested.

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 23rd, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Dry Skin Treatments | one comment

Product Review: Facial Flex

Facial Flex is a facial exerciser.  Photo courtesy QVC.com.

Facial Flex ($29.94, QVC.com) is a facial exerciser device designed to help restore muscle tone in the face.  One of QVC’s current best-sellers, the kit “makes the face appear noticeably tighter and smoother…[and] promotes circulation for a healthy-looking glow,” in just four minutes a day (i.e., two minutes, two times per day). Yet, what do scientific studies and reviews of Facial Flex say about the efficacy of the product?

May alleviate lip tightness after augmentation or surgery

According to a 2000 study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, use of the Facial Flex helps to alleviate the tightness in the lips experienced after lip augmentation or reconstruction for large defects.  The physicians who author the study mention advising Facial Flex usage to patients in these situations.

May improve muscle strength or contraction length

A 2002 study in the International Journal of Orofacial Myology “warrants some caution in drawing conclusions on changes in the oro-motor system” from using the device.  Before and after an eight-week trial period, four subjects had their upper and lower lip muscle activity and movements recorded at two baseline sessions (separated by 1 week) and immediately following the eight-week trial period.  Only one subject showed the expected significant increase in facial muscle activity.  Regarding the other three subjects, one subject showed no systematic training effect at all, whereas the remaining two subjects showed a significant increase in facial movement duration.

May improve speech control

It has been suggested in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, amongst other sources, that facial exercises may improve facial and speech control after surgery, although the Facial Flex device was not used in this study.

One study shows anti-aging effects

One study, which is said to be published in the Journal of Geriatric Dermatology (I couldn’t find it) reports that eight weeks’ use of Facial Flex increases muscle strength by 250%, skin tone/firmness by 32.5% and blood flow by 10%.  Unfortunately, without the actual study, it is impossible to evaluate the importance of these results, as we do not know the number of subjects, how long after the device was used these parameters were measured, etc.  At any rate, the product has received 3 excellent reviews regarding anti-aging effects from users on Amazon.com.

Don’t believe everything you hear about facial exercises

There does not appear to be a lot of scientific research on the use of facial exercises for cosmetic purposes.  As a result, a lot of opinions, both positive and negative, are currently circulating on the web. Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun is opposed to facial exercises, saying that “muscle sagging is due to the loosening of facial ligaments that hold the muscles in place.”  But muscles and ligaments do not work like that.  First of all, ligaments are at joints, and it is tendons that hold the muscles in place.  Further, although ligaments are elastic and can lengthen to support a wide range of movements, lengthening a ligament in the face would not cause a facial muscle to droop.  In short, there are a lot of opinions and not a lot of research on the anti-aging effects of Facial Flex, so take caution and go by your own opinions if you decide to use it.

As a result…

Based on current research, Facial Flex appears to alleviate lip tightness, and may improve muscle contraction, muscle strength, and speech control.  I have not personally used this device.  However, if I did, I would be careful to watch that the muscles in my face were not getting overly developed from using the device, as muscular jaws, cheekbones, and stronger lower faces are generally associated with masculine faces, according to a 2004 study in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of the Biological Sciences.  At any rate, there little research out there has been lukewarm-to-positive, and 83% of reviews on QVC.com have been good, so I would say to use the Facial Flex with care.  Feel free to comment if you have something to add! 

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 22nd, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Uncategorized | no comments

Product Review: Clarisonic Skin Care Brush and Cleansers

The Clarisonic Skin Care System uses sonic frequencies to gently cleanse the skin.  Photo source Clarisonic.com.

According to Sephora, the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush ($195.00, Sephora.com) is one of the company’s best-sellers. Designed with a sonic frequency that moves more than 300 times per second, the brush claims to “remove six times more make-up” and “clear your pores, loosening dirt, make-up, and oil” when used twice per day.  Yet how effective does the scientific literature say the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is at achieving these aims? Let’s take a look…

How was the brush developed?

According to an eMedicine.com review by dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos, the brush was developed by Clarisonic/Pacific Biosciences Laboratories, the same team of engineers and researchers that developed the Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush. The device runs on a rechargeable battery attached to a miniaturized motor that creates an oscillatory motion of the brush head. While the oscillatory sonic motion was originally developed to remove more plaque from the teeth than ordinary brushes, a revision of the enlarged brush head with soft, tufted bristles was developed for cleansing the face.

Effective at loosening debris from the pores

The company’s claims are valid: According to the aforementioned eMedicine.com review by dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos, “the sonic motion of the brush aids in dislodging facial debris, much like the sonic surgical-instrument cleansers that are used to clean liposuction cannulas and reusable injection needles.” In addition, Draelos adds, “the bristles of the face brush are designed to traverse facial dermatoglyphics, pores, and scars,” so the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush may be suitable for patients with acne, as unclogging the pores is a common goal of treatment.

May lessen breakouts

According to a 2006 study in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush may oscillate at sonic speed in such a way that inelastic comedones (pimples) become loosened and detached from the infundibular wall, and are then cleared from the acroinfundibulum of the skin.

Not harmful for your skin

The 2006 study in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology states that the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is a “gentle” means of cleansing and prevents the skin from being compromised by acute or chronic infections resulting from inadequate cleansing of the skin.

Do you need a special cleanser with the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush?

According to the Clarisonic website, “any non-abrasive cleanser can be used.” However, Clarisonic further recommends “optimized” use of the Clarisonic Skin Care Brushwith one of their three cleansers.

Of the three cleansers, my favorite is the Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser ($25.00, Clarisonic.com) for normal to sensitive skin. The cleanser contains a fairly high concentration of antioxidant vitamin E, and keeps drying low-molecular weight alcohols to a minimum. My second favorite is Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser for normal to oily skin, which contains natural moisturizing factor hyaluronic acid, and fair concentrations of antioxidants grape seed, green tea, and ubiquinone. My least favorite of the three is Clarisonic Nourishing Care Cleanser for normal to dry skin, which contains olive oil, sodium hyaluronate, and a low concentration of antioxidant green tea.

How often do the brush heads need to be replaced?

According to the user’s guide, the brush heads should be replaced every 90 days when being used at the recommended frequency of two times per day.  Brush heads are $25.00 each, and are available from Clarisonic for normal, sensitive, and delicate skin here.

As A Result…

I can’t wait to try it! I love the new technology and the idea of “deep cleansing” skin without being harsh or abrasive. The only unfortunate part is the high price tag. Product Rating: 9/10 (Ingredients with substantive research backing in high concentration: not applicable, New technology: 3/3, Value for the money: 2/3, Sunscreen: not applicable).

For more information, visit the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush site here.

For 18+ customer reviews, visit Amazon.com here.

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 22nd, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Acne Treatments, Best Products, Best Products, Best Skincare Gifts, General Cosmetic Dermatology, Product Reviews | 5 comments

Share on Facebook

 Email This Post

February 21st, 2008 Posted by futurederm | Uncategorized | no comments