Skin Actives Products
September 12th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What is a beta-glucan? β-Glucans are large molecules made out of small sugars like glucose bound to each other in a particular way called a beta glycosidic bond. These basic characteristics leave a lot of variation in size, branching, and sugar composition, leading to great variation in physical properties like solubility, capacity to form gels and films, viscosity, and the physiological effects on animals, including humans. Figure: beta 1,4 glycosidic linkage in cellulose (by NEUROtiker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons). The orientation of a linkage (as alpha or beta) changes the properties of the resulting oligo o polysaccharide. Starch, for example, has glucose monomers linked to each other in alpha…
September 11th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
…and that oral antibiotics work on too slowly (for an inpatient grandmother)? …and that adapalene doesn’t seem to alleviate? Try Skin Actives Zit Ender! It makes me happy that my grandson now thinks that I am a genius. Eventually he will realize that I’m not, but in the meantime it feels great. What’s in SAS Zit Ender? Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract, Water, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Epigallocatechin Gallate, Kaempferia Galanga (Galangal) Root Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Zinc PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice Extract), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Galactoarabinan, Fucoidan, Beta Glucan (Yeast), Beta Glucan (Oat), Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Extract, Pyrus…
July 1st, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
There is more than hair loss as we age or are “hit” by menopause or illness. The hair becomes more fragile and thin; you will notice a change in the way it “waves” when you comb it. The good news is that Skin Actives can help in both these aspects. Our hair serum (patent pending) is the most complete topical treatment for hair loss, and it also increases hair thickness. If you like scalp massage, make sure you get triple benefits by applying hair serum first and and then some ELS with the massage. The bonus? You nails will also be stronger, because your nail beds need the same nutrients…
June 19th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
You will not find duplicates in Skin Actives products, because I believe that every product should have a good reason to be made. But, when it comes to acne, we give you quite a few choices. Why? Acne is a complex affliction, and many clients arrive at Skin Actives after using other companies products. Some of these products can be harsh, both short and long term, on the skin. So you may come to Skin Actives with sensitive skin which was made sensitive by the regime and products you have been using. If you are new to acne and your first provider is Skin Actives, you could probably go for…
June 11th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
…it’s just as sweet. And gentle on your skin. Ultra Clarifying Blemish Oil Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Foraha) Nut Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Oil, Bisabolol, Retinyl Palmitate, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Coleus Forskohlii Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Xanthophyll, Thioctic Acid, Beta Carotene, Alpinia Galanga Root Oil, Cedrus Deodara Oil. The idea behind the product That acne is a complex problem with several components. Work on all of them and you can take control of your skin. Discourage and/or kill acne bacteria Keep pores open (no anaerobiosis here!) No food for you, nasty acne bacteria Decrease…
June 9th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What happens when you drop some oil on water? The molecules in the oil form a very thin layer at the top and that’s it. They are not going anywhere. What is my answer to itchy, sensitive skin? I prepare a bath with warm (but not hot) water, drop some Nourishing skin serum with hemp extract in it, and then I go in. The thin layer of nourishing lipids that my skin needs so badly transfers instantly to every square inch of my body, much more efficiently than if I try to apply it patiently (I have no patience). The myriad itches go away and my skin looks great. A…
April 28th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What causes uneven skin? Life does. From the day we are born, our body accumulates changes and scars as we grow up and grow old, but nothing is as visible as this scar or that sunspot on our face. Our skin changes color in response to the sun, the environment, and stress in general, including the products we apply to our skin. Skin pigmentation is a very complex process that involves different types of cells that originate in different parts of the embryo, several biochemical reactions, and transport across the cell and between cells. With so many interconnected processes, it is not surprising that things can go wrong. In my…
April 18th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
We ignore the menstrual cycle at our own peril because it matters. Acne is common in postadolescent women, and an increase in lesions may be noted in the last 7-10 days of the menstrual cycle. Why? Changing hormones across the menstrual cycle produces measurable variations in immune function and susceptibility to disease. The skin and scalp have estrogen and progesterone receptors in both the dermis and epidermis. Levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during the cycle and influence numerous characteristics of the epidermis, including lipid secretion and sebum production, skin thickness, fat deposition, skin hydration, and barrier function. Dermal collagen content, which contributes to skin elasticity is also affected. Estrogen…
April 12th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
It’s obvious (or it should be!). A good diet is necessary for health. Your heart, your lungs, your bones depend on a good diet. No proteins in your diet? No heart! You will find a long list of ailments that follow the deficiency of any vitamin. Why? Vitamins are chemicals we can’t make ourselves but, at the same time, are essential to the functioning of our body. For example, all of the water-soluble vitamins and two of the fat-soluble vitamins, A and K, function as cofactors or coenzymes. Coenzymes participate in numerous biochemical reactions involving energy release from food, as well as the accompanying anabolic reactions. In addition, vitamin cofactors…
April 9th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Do yourself a favor and don’t use a magnifying glass. Why? Even if your skin looks great, your stressed brain may tell you differently. Start by being nice to yourself, and that starts by avoiding the magnifying glass. You can use it to look at interesting insects or to do embroidery (I am told that embroidery is great at relieving stress!). Think moisture. Start by cleansing your skin with a mild cleanser that will not strip your skin of valuable lipids and proteins. Skin “cleaned” with detergents and alcohols will dry it and kill cells, including stem cells that reside in the basal layer and the pores. After rinsing the…
April 4th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What is a toner in skincare parlance? A liquid, mostly water, with additions like ethanol or surfactants, is used to remove oils and sebum. The objective: to strip the skin of oily substances and whatever else a cleanser may have left behind. Remember, however, that sebum has a purpose: it lubricates the skin and prevents water loss from the skin, so a toner may well be a waste of money or, worse, a waste of a valuable skin resource. A “typical” toner, whatever its price (you can buy one for $200) it will contain water, ethanol (or another solvent), surfactant (synthetic or saponins). The water may be replaced by floral…
February 16th, 2021 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Make your nails grow faster when you have been biting them or accidentally trimmed them badly Make them grow stronger when you are ill or on a diet You decided you want pretty nails! They break easily You are having toenails problems! Your nails protect your fingers and you use them more than you realize for multiple tasks within the house and office. Skin Actives has the products you need: Nail serum with ROS Bionet and apocynin Nail and Cuticle oil serum Read more about nails here Claims on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or…
December 20th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
2+2=4 One can pretend that reality does not exist but then a virus reminds us that it does. 2020 has been a tough year for all of us, and too tough for some. I feel lucky that I did not lose anybody to Covid19 and that a vaccine is around the corner, less than a year after we found out about the new virus. Having read the books by Laurie Garrett, The Coming Plague, in 1994, and Betrayal of Trust, in 2001, I was not surprised when the pandemic came. I was, however, dismayed by the lack of awareness of many about what the virus was about to do to…
November 3rd, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Damage from what? The environment! We are talking about high energy beyond what our skin can cope with. There will be energy from ultraviolet radiation that damages macromolecules (like DNA) directly plus the reactive oxygen species (ROS*) formed when the UV reaches the skin and reacts with molecules capable of producing those. These UV-produced ROS* add up to those present in the air. Yes, our skin has evolved beautiful mechanisms to defend us from those dangers but evolution did not prepare us for suntans or for city pollution. Prevent! Start by preventing damage by UV and ROS* (both produced by UV action and those present in the air) with Sunscreen…
October 25th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
I heard that some people had skin problems brought about by mask-wearing. I heard about acne, skin irritation, and increased sebum secretion. The constant use of a mask may bring acne and skin irritation, but the problem may be related to how we treat the mask itself. Some tips: You may prefer a cotton mask or a synthetic (soft) one. Try different shapes to see which is a good fit and make sure that they cover the nose and mouth but are still comfortable as you may have to wear them for many hours, at work, or at school. Wash your mask with a non-allergenic detergent and rinse well. Brand…
October 9th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Why? Because our products support your hair, lash and eyebrows and don’t disrupt endogenous regulation. Look at the ingredient list and don’t get scared! Why so long? Most of the ingredients are nutrients, like amino acids, vitamins (Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine HCl, Riboflavin, Thiamine HCl), essential minerals e.g. Disodium Selenite, Stannous Chloride, Zinc Sulfate), plus lots of antioxidants, both plant-derived (Tocotrienols, Tocopherols, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Xanthophyll, R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, Beta-Carotene) and antioxidant proteins (catalase, thioredoxin, etc.) that ensure your scalp is well-defended from pollutants. What else? Supplements to your own growth factor, like keratinocyte growth factor, plus essential fatty acids (rosehip and pomegranate seed oils). Anything else? Yes, a few ingredients with…
October 9th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Anybody who wants to ensure the fast healing. I explained in my blog , and book, why more (of anything!) is not always better. For example, high concentrations of copper, complexed with a peptide or as a salt, will inhibit collagen synthesis. In other cases, more of a particular ingredient will not be deleterious but will not benefit you either; it will, however, be a waste of money. Let’s be clear: the EGF concentration in Skin Actives “normal” products is sufficient. In fact, Skin Actives products containing growth factors have been helping SAS customers for more than 15 years. But, if you are in a situation where you want to…
October 1st, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Yes. Here is why. Once upon a time, people thought of their skin as a passive “wall” that should be polished so that it will glow. Instead, think of it as a complex organ that contains neuronal networks, it is constantly self-remodeling itself, and modifying non-neuronal cells and mini-organs like the hair follicle and sebaceous glands. It is also a place where immunological machinery is involved in inflammation and immune defense. and a factory of growth factors, vasoactive chemicals, and hormones. The skin is a “feeling machine”, and it has to be because it is the means by which we interact with our environment. Figure: the skin is a complex…
September 10th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
The Ordinary Peeling Solution: Glycolic Acid, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. Very ordinary. Why? more of the same: an inflated number for concentration of acid when in reality most of it is a salt. More ordinary: a list of acids that are here just for “label value”. Also, present as salts. Useless! The red color is also a “value” thing. The acids are not colored.…
July 26th, 2020 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
What are mitochondria? Let’s go back in time to high school and try to remember the good stuff (and forget the bad stuff). We are made of cells. Our cells need the energy to keep going. We are not plants so we depend on food to get energy. Our mitochondria convert that food into energy we can use to live. That’s all! Of course, there is a lot more exciting stuff you can learn about mitochondria but I already told you why you need the mitochondria in your skin happy so that it can do its job. Unfortunately (you knew that this was coming, right?) older skin has older mitochondria.…