I've heard that sunscreens that have chemicals in them have had studies done and are proven to be safe. Why would I use anything that is natural when the chemicals are supposed to work?
Confused and Sunburned,
Dana T, N.Y.C
Not quite. Skin cancer is alive and well. We have more of it than ever before. Either the sun does not cause skin cancer or the "proven" chemical sunblocks don't work. Hmmm.
We think its both. We believe that the artificial ingredients in your skincare may contribute to and possibly cause skin cancer.
For years many of us have been slathering our selves in harsh surfactants and preservatives. Our skin does not recognize these ingredients and they could actually be causing more skin damage than is understood!
Our second bit of advice to you would be to flood the skin with free-radical scavengers by slathering on anti-oxidant rich skincare daily and after sun exposure as well.
Stay beautiful,
MV
Do I need different moisturizers for different seasons?
Im so confused,
Donna B
Hawthorne, New York
Actually you do! Its not a myth that our skin changes with the seasons. Now when I talk about change Im referring to forced change. If you live in a cold climate you have a tendency to pump up the heat. The end result is that you wake up looking like a crackled painting. Even the oiliest skin has a tendency to reach for more emollient moisturizers in the cold. Beware that this does not solve the whole problem. What your skin needs during this time is more water, not oil. Reach for water-based products that humidify the skin.
Stay seasoned,
MV
I never broke out when I was young. Now Im 39. At my age, why am I getting blemishes?
Confused and pimply,
Donna B
Hawthorne, New York
Your hormones are changing and its usually nothing to worry about. Adult-onset acne affects millions of people in the USA. It is very different from teenage acne. Although it can be due to hormonal changes, typically it has more to do with stress and inflammation, which is more common in adults. Try using an antioxidant serum that has antibacterial properties to it. This may help to calm the redness and tell the skin to stop freaking out.
Adults also have more constipation so take a look at your diet. Remember that the body cleans itself this way. What doesnt come out one way must get out another way, through your skin. The unfortunate thing about adult acne is that its much deeper in the skin. Changing your lifestyle and diet is a big part of the solution because extracting this type of acne is just not an option. It needs to purge as the body needs to detoxify correctly. A colon cleanse may help as well.
Stay clear,
MV
What can I do about my combination skin, dry on my cheeks and oily on my forehead, nose and chin? Most products I use either dry out my skin or make the oily areas oilier.
Help me settle the score,
Donna B
Hawthorne, New York
Combination skin confuses us all but its the best skin to have. What you dont want to do is overstrip the skin, causing it to produce more oil and thus breakout. The best thing you can do is use products that work like humectants; usually they are free of bad oils. Bad oils are those with larger molecular structures that sit on the skin and clog it. They are called Comedogenic. Translation: causes blackheads.
Humectants on the other hand draw moisture to the skin without clogging it. One example of this is an ingredient called D2O. Its better known as heavy water. It evaporates off the skin more slowly so you stay moist for longer. Its also antibacterial.
As far as those oily areas of the skin go, ignore them. Oily skin keeps you looking young and its the dry areas you really have to worry about. The drier areas are where you age. These areas need to be managed. For this reason the number one selling products in the skincare market are eye creams and lip creams. These are the first spots we get our wrinkles (due to the fewest amount of oil glands) and tell our true age.
Stay even,
MV
My dermatologist gave me products with their name endorsed on it, these are good products right? So why arent they working?
Confused and mislead,
Harriet
Rye, New York
Everyone wants to think that doctors know best and some do. There are definitely some amazing doctors out there. What you need to know about skincare and doctors is this: they are not chemists, theyre doctors. Most likely, they did not develop the skincare that they have put their name on. Also despite the fact that Dermatologists are skin specialists they are not ingredient specialists.
Most likely, your doctor went to a company that does private labeling. The product is already made; they just need to make the label. Doctors do this because it gives them credibility within the industry. This is never a bad thing unless the products are bad. One way to find out how good the products are is to Google the ingredients. Look for things that are not natural; did the ingredients come from fruits and veggies? Then you can make an informed decision before buying. Start your search and see if the products contain the following: Parabens, Propylene Glycol and Sodium Laurel Sulfate. In my opinion, these ingredients belong in the trash.
Stay skeptical,
MV
I am 45 years old. I have come to the realization that I have used products with lots of artificial chemicals. Will it make a difference in my wrinkles if I start using better products? Or am I just too far gone?
Feeling a bit wrinkly,
Harriet
Rye, New York
The good news about the human body and our skin is that its renewable. We have the power to change almost anything. Its never too late to drastically alter your regimen and start paving the way to skin health. Depending on your age, your skin cycle operates at different rates. It slows down drastically when were older. The skin can take 2-3 times longer to renew itself than it did when you were in high school. Thats why it takes so long to see results.
What also happens when youre older: you grow impatient because you have not seen results from natural products. We have a tendency to use something for a few weeks, toss it, and move on to the next product making the next great claim. So take your time, find the right products that truly support your quest for skin health, and let them work for you. Time is on your side.
Stay young,
MV
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