What is liposomal retinol?
Skin Science 1% Liposomal retinol serum works similarly to regular retinol, however it delivers its powers into skin a little differently. It has been housed in a carrier system to protect its integrity and improve its ability to penetrate into the skin effectively. Once it is on the skin, it divides and conquers by delivering the lipid-loving retinol to exactly the part of the skin where it provides the most benefit to the skin cells.
Why is liposomal retinol effective?
Think retinol is good for your skin?
Liposomal retinol is even better at reversing the signs of ageing. Skin Science 1% Liposomal retinol serum is more stable and efficacious, having the ease of travelling and targeting the skin cells where it is most beneficial.
Why should you use Skin Science 1% Liposomal Retinol?
Retinol works from the deeper layers of the skin upwards (unlike hydroxy acid exfoliants such as glycolic acid), so having a carrier system to deliver the retinol effectively to the lower levels of the skin means it can target the right area and achieve the results you're looking for. It's also volatile to air and UV so can easily lose its effectiveness if not protected by encapsulation.
Topical retinol can typically lead to redness, peeling, skin tenderness and sensitivity to the sun. In traditional formulas the potent ingredient is released all at once which can lead to irritation.
Skin Science 1% Liposomal retinol serum formulation slowly time releases the active ingredient into skin instead of all at once on the skin's surface, like other retinol products. The benefit is it is gentle but still potent.
How many times a day you can use it?
Because this ingredient is so incredibly powerful, it’s best to stick to using it once per day. Even liposomal retinol is still recommended only to be used at night. Retinol is damaged by sunlight, which is why it is recommended as a night-time use product. It can also make the skin sensitive to sunlight, which is also why it's applied at night and a sunscreen should be mandatory during the day.
Need-to-know tips when using retinol
It’s really important to wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30, preferably 50 (check out Skin Science daily tinted broad spectrum SPF 50) whilst using retinol products. Retinol can make the skin more sensitive to burning in sunlight if unprotected.
Avoid applying retinol products on the eyelids or the lips - the skin is way too fine and delicate in these areas. Caution must be used under the eye and around the brow bone.
As always, for more information, just get in touch!
]]>Skin care labels are notoriously intimidating! its like reading a foreign language! however there are some tips to understanding them...
]]>Skin care labels are notoriously intimidating! its like reading a foreign language! however there are some tips to understanding them...
1. On the label, ingredients will be listed in the order of highest to lowest concentration.
The vehicle is the element present in the highest concentration. It is responsible to carry the other ingredients, creating the actual suspension. So just because water (or aqua) may comprise most of many products, it is usually for good reason.
2. Active ingredients may be listed separately on the label, but this does not mean they are in highest concentration.
Many times the actual active ingredient(s) may be listed by itself. This ingredient is what does the actual work in a product. That does not mean it is the ingredient present in the highest concentration, but rather, the INCI dictates that the company list the active ingredient in this way.
It also means that an ingredient can be promoted as being the active ingredient, but actually not be present in a concentration high enough to actually have an effect!
3. Use common product ingredients as “markers” to estimate the amounts of the other ingredients.
Once you know the ingredients are listed from highest concentration to lowest concentration, there are a few ingredients you can use as “markers” to estimate the concentrations of the rest. For instance:
4. Any ingredient that is 1% or less of the product can be listed in any order.
Any ingredient present under 1% concentration may be listed in any order as long as it is listed after all of the other ingredients present at or above 1%. This means that a product may contain 0.00001% vitamin C and 1% EDTA, but vitamin C may be listed above EDTA on the label!
Another problem with this is that there is no guideline to disclose where the 1% cut off exists on the label! The best idea is to search for “marker” ingredients like vitamin C or EDTA in order to try to ascertain where the 1% grouping generally occurs on the label, though this method is not fool proof.
There are many other rules to skin care labels, but these are the main ones to remember. It is also worth investigating skin care label 'dictionaries' to look up meanings of some of the names in ingredient lists. This is particularly helpful if you have any allergies, sensitivities are vegetarian or vegan or want to avoid products such as parabens.
As always if you need any help, just get in touch!
]]>Lactic acid is used to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Lactic acid is popular for two main reasons:
When you use lactic acid regularly, it can also improve signs of aging.
]]>Lactic acid is used to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
What Is Lactic Acid?
Lactic acid, one of the most popular AHAs is naturally found in dairy products; it's what gives yogurt and soured milk that distinctive tang. Historically, dairy products have been used by people across the world to soften and beautify the skin.
Cleopatra was said to regularly bathe in milk to keep her skin looking lovely. And it probably worked, thanks to lactic acid.
Health Benefits
Lactic acid exfoliates the skin. It helps the older, dull cells on the skin's surface to slough away by dissolving the bonds that hold them together. Lactic acid speeds up cell turnover and stimulates cell renewal.
That's what's happening on the cellular level below the skin, but what you'll see on the skin is a brighter complexion, as well as smoother and softer skin.
Lactic acid is popular for two main reasons:
All alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate and improve skin texture, but lactic acid has an extra benefit you won't get from other AHAs. Lactic acid helps improve the skin's natural moisture factor, or the way the skin keeps itself hydrated. Basically, lactic acid helps to keep the skin moisturized and feeling less dry.
When you use lactic acid regularly, it can also improve signs of aging. It stimulates collagen renewal and can firm your skin. Hyperpigmentation, such as sun and age spots, fade and fine lines and wrinkles soften and smooth out. Unfortunately, lactic acid won't improve those deeper lines, though.
Lactic acid is also a key ingredient in treatments for keratosis pialris, otherwise known as "chicken skin" bumps on the backs of the arms. Lactic acid helps dissolve the plug of skin cells that build up around the hair follicle, smoothing out the bumpiness.
It's also used in topical treatments to treat eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.
Possible Side Effects
Even though lactic acid is gentler than other AHAs like glycolic acid and mandelic, it is still a potent treatment. There are some drawbacks to using lactic acid.
Sun Sensitivity
The most important thing you need to know before you start using lactic acid: As with all AHAs it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. As the acid sloughs away skin cells, it leaves new cells more vulnerable to UV damage.
When you start using lactic acid, you must be committed to protecting your skin from the sun. And not just on days you're actively applying your lactic acid product.
Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily to protect your skin from sunburn and sun damage. If you don't, you could inadvertently be making the very issues you're trying to improve (like dark marks and wrinkles) worse in the long term.
Skin Irritation
Besides sun sensitivity, lactic acid can also cause skin irritation. Be on the lookout for;
Minor redness, burning, and itching isn't uncommon when you first apply a lactic acid product. So long as it is mild and goes away within an hour or so, you're OK.
If it's moderate to severe, doesn't go away after a short period of time, or if you have swelling or a rash, wash it off right away.
What to Look For
Lactic acid products vary widely in concentration, from 5% to more than 30%. A higher percentage isn't always better, though. Jumping right in with a high percentage product is a good way to irritate your skin.
If you've never used over-the-counter lactic acid before, start off with a very low strength product of 5-10%. This will let you see how your skin reacts to lactic acid, and also allow your skin some time to get used to the acid.
You may find that after using up the product that you have, you're happy with the results you've gotten. In that case, you can stick with the strength you've been using.
If you'd like to go up in strength, do it slowly. Always monitor your skin for irritation, and if it seems like it's too much for you back it off or go back to a lower strength product.
REMEMBER…
The key is to remember, no matter which lactic acid (or AHA) product or treatment you're using, to protect your skin from the sun. So slather on the sunscreen daily (yes, even during the winter when it's freezing and cloudy). This is one of the best ways to protect your skin from premature aging, sun spots, and skin cancer anyway, and one of the best ways to keep your skin healthy any age.
Our SKIN SCIENCE 'PROTECT' SPF 50 is not only a high quality broad spectrum SPF, but also contains both lactic and citric acid. So whilst your skin is being protected, it is also benefiting from the hydrating, smoothing and skin renewal properties of the acids included.
If you have any further questions about lactic acid or skincare, please get in touch!
]]>Effective skincare regimens target the signs of both types of aging.
Intrinsic factors governing skin aging include variations in an individual’s genetic background and these factors can’t be controlled. Extrinsic aging refers generally to factors that originate outside your body. These include smoking, sun exposure, and poor nutrition. The extrinsic factors that cause premature skin aging are largely preventable. Sunburn is thought to account for nearly 80 percent of premature facial aging, with sun exposure and damage from UV rays occurring on cloudy days as well as sunny days.
How does the sun affect our skin?
The sun causes proteins in our skin to deteriorate, leading to the loss of our youthful appearance over time. Elastin and collagen are two proteins that help keep our skin looking youthful. Elastin, as the name suggests, helps keep the skin elastic. In other words, it’s what gives our skin bounce and resiliency. Collagen, on the other hand, helps our skin to maintain its firmness. We have more collagen than any other protein in our body, so you can imagine why it’s so important. Stem cells also help keep our skin looking young. These special cells give rise to other cells that replace dead cells. If our stem cells don’t function properly, our skin will deteriorate over time.
UV radiation causes skin to age in several ways. It causes stem cells to die off, leading to thinning and wrinkling of the skin. UV radiation also activates enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases, or MMPs for short. These MMPs break down collagen. UV radiation also activates an enzyme called cathepsin K. Cathepsin K breaks down elastin.
What can I do to protect my skin?
The best way to avoid aging caused by sun exposure is a good quality SPF.
Skin Science Daily Tinted Broad Spectrum Sun Protection SPF 50 is sun protection factor 50 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It is deeply nourishing, light weight and absorbs quickly in to the skin without clogging the pores. It is not only SPF but also contains the AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) Citric acid and Lactic acid. This means, that whilst protecting your skin, this product also helping to regenerate and rejuvenate your face. It is hydrating for the skin as well as containing a slight tint. This ensures that the product integrates with all skin tones and is not left with a white glare after application.
Can devices such as phones and computers damage my skin?
Generally, newer model computers feature LCD or LED screens and do not emit harmful UV rays. But most televisions, computers, smartphones and tablets emit other types of light that some studies show can be harmful to your skin with prolonged exposure.
Recent studies have shown that this “blue light” (otherwise known as high-energy visible light or HEV for short) emitted by electronic devices could potentially be just as damaging as sun exposure. Some studies have hinted that the effects can be even stronger among people with darker skin, as the “blue light” can cause hyper-pigmentation and skin darkening. The science is inconclusive so far, but the benefits of wearing SPF daily are clear to see.
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If your aim is to keep your skin as youthful as possible and keep lines and wrinkles at bay, then after a good SPF, retinol should be top of your list of skin care must-haves. Our R+ retinol serum contains 1% liposomal retinol and is a highly effective anti-aging product.
What are the benefits?
Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, helps to boost collagen production and aid skin cell turnover. The result of this is improved skin texture, smoother skin and reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s because of this rapid cell turnover that retinol is commonly used for acne.
Vitamin A is recognised as one of the best active ingredients to fight all signs of aging, but importantly those caused by photo aging due to UV exposure. It effectively neutralises the molecule, which gives rise to the formation of free radicals, the main trigger for skin aging. Critically, it encourages cell turnover and facilitates the removal of dead cells, leaving space for the underlying, younger skin. This also helps to prevent the accumulation of melanin - the dark spots, which are kept under control whilst the existing ones are lightened.
What is a retinoid?
Retinoid is a blanket term that covers over-the-counter retinol as well as prescription strength forms such as tretinoin and tazarotene. The major difference between the two is that retinol works more gradually than the prescription strength medications.
How should retinol be used?
Our R+ Retinol Serum is best applied at night. It is formulated with hydrating ingredients to minimize potential dryness and irritation. However these side effects can still occur, especially when new to the ingredient. Its best to use a pea-sized amount for the entire face, every other night. Some people can then tolerate nightly and others have to decrease to one night in every three. It should be followed with a moisturiser to keep flakiness under control.
What are the side effects of retinol?
Especially in the first two to four weeks of use, all retinols can trigger dryness, stinging or peeling of the skin. One option is to apply your moisturiser first, followed by your retinol, to reduce its absorption rate slightly. Once tolerance is established, the retinol can be switched to before moisturising.
Retinol also makes the skin more sensitive to sun, so a high SPF is essential, even in the winter.
Who should not use retinol?
Retinol should NOT be used if you are pregnant or breast feeding as it can cross the placental barrier and potentially lead to birth defects. It should be avoided by those with extremely sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema or rosacea.
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