Exactly one year ago–4/12/2012, my first post on FutureDerm was published: The 5 Most Common Skin Care Mistakes Even Experts Make. Since then, I went from a minor contributing writer to one that has full editorial control over the entire website; and that is an encouraging change! What’s funny is that when I wrote that first post, I actually titled it to be “The Top Five Mistakes Committed” or something along those lines. But I’m guessing it was edited so that I appeared more authoritative. But really, the article makes a bit more sense if you see it from the context that I was admitting my mistakes, but looking ahead and working towards increased precision and accuracy.
So for the first anniversary celebration, which is why I decided to post today instead of yesterday, I decided to change it up. Instead of focusing on the mistakes or misinterpretations made; believe me, there are a few, the focus will instead be on the articles that I believe, embody some of my best work. It’s a time to reflect and be proud of the published work. So in no particular order, here they are!
How Does Octinoxate Degrade Avobenzone?
I thought this article was rather rare in the sense that it revealed an almost ubiquitously present problem in sunscreens that had to do with photostability–something that had not been really addressed before anywhere. This article had an excellent flow to it: first there was the presentation of the problem, then the theoretical explanation, followed by an extended metaphor, and concluded with a list of potential motivations that really widened the field of discussion. Considering the repercussions of using an organic-based sunscreen that contains both avobenzone and octinoxate, this article definitely deserves a spot.
Does Mineral Oil Enhance UV Light?
A week before this article was posted, I had written one on the effects of petrolatum and UV light. In the comments sections of that article, a reader Randy, mentioned that unlike petrolatum, one of its derivatives–mineral oil, was shown to actually enhance UV transmission. Therefore, I responded (like I always do) in the comments section, but then decided to make a follow-up article because many people equate the two distinct compounds.
Hence, this article was born. I consider it one of my best because it highlighted the chemical differences between the two compounds, and questioned if that was responsible for the alleged difference in terms of UV transmission. But most importantly, by a minor leap of interpretative faith, I was able to show through an examination of the clinical characteristics of psoriasis, that good scientists cannot simply take a published study, and apply its results to every relevant topic: Yes, mineral oil was shown to enhance UV transmission in those with more severe cases of psoriasis. However, it was due to a mechanical effect of mineral oil that elicited a change in the characteristics of psoriatic skin–a change that normal or unaffected skin types already exhibit. Therefore, mineral oil does not enhance UV transmission in general.
Spotlight On: Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide and Nicotinic Acid)
This post wasn’t necessarily insightful, astute, or revolutionary. Instead, it was simply thorough. It documented and compared one of the most effective skin care ingredient families: the vitamin B3s. It’s a great source of reference.
Common Misconceptions of Skin Care Terminology
This post deserves attention because it helped redefine serums, moisturizers, moisturizers with SPF, and sunscreens, by looking at their function and ingredient lists. It was fathomed from a place of necessity: a need for consumers to acknowledge that just because a product isn’t labeled as something, doesn’t automatically mean that it isn’t that something in essence.
Series: Are Inorganic Sunscreens Better Than Organic Ones?
Yeah… I’m sure you saw this coming. I couldn’t leave out this 5-part series that almost exhaustively analyzed the differences between the two types of sunscreens, and which one is “better” overall for the skin. I spent countless hours doing this, and I believe that work blossomed fantastically. It’s not a perfect piece of work though, as I need to point out a few clarifications in some of the details, of which I plan to remedy in my “Sun Protection” Page/Portal on my blog. But one example would be that I’m was not very stringent in terms of the amount of photoprotection a sunscreen gives, when I made those specific product recommendations in the final post of the series. Still, I’m can’t deny that this is a piece of science and art.
Year Two, Day One
So that’s it! I hope you enjoyed my first year of posts! For the regular readers–you know who you are, your unwavering interest and fascination (across 52 posts, with 420+ comments and 350+ Facebook likes!!) of skin care is greatly appreciate! I cannot emphasize how impacting your contributions are! Here’s looking forward to many more years!