Guides
July 7th, 2017 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
The image that springs to mind when we read “skin barrier” may be cartoonish, with an impermeable layer of skin resisting entry of anything and everything. This is a false image projected by skin care companies trying to convince us that useful actives will not penetrate the skin unless we use sophisticated delivery systems, a gimmick to sell more products at higher prices. The truth of it is, whatever you apply to the skin will be absorbed, for better and for worse. What is the skin barrier? The term “skin barrier” refers to the main function of the skin: limiting water loss through the skin. How does the skin limit…
August 19th, 2015 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
How to layer products After a shower or bath, the skin will be more permeable to water soluble actives. Take advantage of this by using water-based serums first. Then you can layer oil-based serums or creams on top. Exfoliators (acidic like Alpha/Beta, protease-based like Pumpkin Enzyme or physical like Exfoliation Set) will increase skin permeability, so take advantage of this and apply Collagen Serum immediately after exfoliation. Don’t mix serums together in the same bottle, they are O.K. as they are. Some cannot be mixed, like water-based (Antioxidant Serum) and oil-based (ELS) serums. Some will allow for mixing but the actives in the mix will interact with each other and…
August 11th, 2015 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
The ingredient lists on the labels of skin care products look, at first sight, practically undecipherable. However, it is possible to understand what is in that product if you try hard enough. It’s not easy though; it helps if you know some chemistry, but if not, you can still figure it out with some patience ( if all else fails, you can post on our forum and I will help.) A good start is to try and separate the ingredients into two lists: one of ingredients that make the base cream (or serum) and the second which lists the actives. For a very basic cold cream you will find just a…