Skin Actives Products
May 20th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Dermaplaning: Microneedling: Microdermabrasion (diamond or whatever) Laser …and whatever else comes in fashion this next year. With high energy comes great risk (with apologies to Spiderman’s uncle). Remember that “FDA approved” means nothing that matters. It is an advertising tool that makes people think that a procedure is safe when in fact it means that sometime, in the past, something similar was approved by the FDA even if it had to be discontinued for whatever reason, including side effects. What that pesky “FDA approval” actually means If your skin has a tendency to react to stress with hyperpigmentation, any and all of the above could result in more of the…
May 10th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
We paint nails and stick fake nails on them to make them pretty and, in the process, we may even forget that they are attached to a very living body. You may forget it, but nails don’t. We all had, at some time or another, “nail problems”. Older people often have discolored nails, often the result of fungal infection. This is not necessarily a serious problem but it can be. Why not avoid problems by remembering that nails, though made out of “dead” protein, do grow and that the nail bed required nutrition to make them? And, just as our skin received less nutrition as we age, nails do too.…
May 8th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
You may think that drastic interventions like cosmetic surgery, collagen injections and laser are the way to improve your skin, but there are alternatives. With drastic intervention comes a high risk of messing up your skin. Before you take that path, make sure you try the route that involves coaching your skin into making the changes with the help of the actives that we at Skin Actives can provide you. One example? After a couple of months using our Vitamin A Cream and Collagen Serum, you may not need blepharoplasty (look it up in Wikipedia, but skip the horror movie photographs!). Not only is the cost extremely high ($5,000 or…
May 8th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
We don’t need the same every day. A “regime” may be OK if your body is the same every day, but it isn’t. The day you wake up with a zit that came out of nowhere you will need the flawless kit. But run for the zit ender that you left in the fridge ready for this occasion. The month before a class reunion party you may want to use the glowing kit. For that week, make sure you have handy the DMAE firming serum. And just before you go into the ballroom apply the Anti-aging Hydramist. Ageless kit? From early on, maybe from your 20s, especially if you made…
May 8th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Because I had no choice. When you discuss “nutrition” you need to take into account how live cells actually work. Not a cartoon of a cell but the real thing. This has to do with the principle of the limiting factor. Once you learn it, you can’t unlearn it. From my book: Limiting factors in skin care The graph above describes most biological processes that depend on the supply of nutrients or substrates. Let’s use the graph to describe, for example, the division of skin cells, a process we want to promote in our aging skin. Do the cells need glucose? OK, let’s give them glucose and division rate should…
May 5th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Why so many cleansers? We wanted to offer what people need but also what they prefer. Which one do I recommend? All of these will remove the pollutants accumulated daily, plus dead cells and excess sebum. For people with acne problems: the salicylic wash/cleanser will help pores clear of dead cells preventing the formation of comedos. Perfect for people using retinoids or battling eczema, the cleansing oil will preserve the skin barrier, giving older skin the fatty acids it needs to make its own ceramides. For oily skin: sea kelp bioferment together with mild surfactants will remove pollutants without damaging the skin barrier, provides moisture and nutrients without drying the…
May 5th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
You could, of course, use just water, but in this case, the “grime” of the day will stay put. You could use some soap and water, but you may remove stuff that needs not be removed, like fatty acids and ceramides that are part of your skin barrier, which prevent the outside pollutants from getting in, and keep water inside. You could go for alcohol, or witch hazel alcoholic extract, but you would be eliminating the same components that water and detergent would remove, plus you would be drying your skin badly. You could go for proteases like papain but that would be a bit of an overreach, because you…
May 4th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
You’re back from vacation with a nice suntan and you look in the mirror to see the acne is worse. That is because ultraviolet (UV) light is another factor that affects acne. It will promote the formation of free radicals and inflammation. UV rays are not your friend. Now it’s almost time to go back to school. What to do? Even more important, what NOT to do? First, remember that acne is a very common condition. So, breathe deep. But just because a skin condition is common, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t serious. What happens to one’s skin happens in front of the world, and acne is a good…
May 3rd, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Which types of vitamin C products will help your skin Any good product (serum or cream) should give the vitamin C an environment that preserves its structure. Otherwise, an oxidized vitamin C will work against your skin! How? Oxidized ascorbic acid is a pro-oxidant. Just as ascorbic acid can donate electrons to your skin, oxidized ascorbic acid will be hungry for its missing electrons. Copper or iron will promote ascorbic acid oxidation. Unfortunately, this basic fact of life is unknown to some people in the skin care business so you will find this unfortunate combination is some skin “care” products. How does vitamin C work FOR your skin? As a…
April 30th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
I confess, I am a older mother so I have vested interest in giving this advice. But I am writing this post because I received the following email today: “I’m 70+, will any of the creams really help my skin. I know at this age, the collagen and elastin have dissipated and it really shows on my face. It seems this year has been especially bad. Anyway, I am looking for something that will work. I would like an honest answer-too many say different things will provide some reduction of lines as well as a glow to the skin. All I am using today is avocado oil for a moisturizer…
April 28th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
This very emollient and soothing cream contains melatonin, sea kelp bioferment, ceramides, Boswellia serrata extract, rosehip oil, tamanu (foraha) oil, bisabolol, pomegranate oil, plus a broad spectrum of water and oil soluble antioxidants. This nice cream will help skin to retain water, ease itching, reduce scaling and soften cracks. Application of this cream will facilitate penetration of actives in other creams and serums. Ingredients: Water, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Foraha) Nut Oil, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui Nut)…
April 28th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
This is a unique product which temporarily will smooth up wrinkles. Strontium divalent ions in a distillate of orange flower petals (neroli floral water), will, within minutes of application, change the texture of photoaged skin, resulting in a more youthful complexion. The epidermal ridges are less pronounced, an effect that may be related to relaxation of erector muscles. It can also alleviate redness that occurs as a response to a hot environment. Ingredients: Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Floral Water, Water, Strontium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylparaben (and) Isopropylparaben (and) Isobutylparaben (and) Butylparaben. Helps instantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles Reduces the appearance of redness Soothes and refreshes the skin There are many…
April 28th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Too much exfoliation is a bad idea for many reasons. People confuse “doing things to your skin” with “taking care of your skin”. Often doing nothing is better than doing too much. But, if you need exfoliation for a good reason (acne?) then, do it the right way. Not too much, and with good ingredients. In short: SAS alpha/beta has the benefits of alpha hydroxy acids (lactic acid) and salicylic acid (called in the industry beta hydroxy acid) together in a product that will exfoliate lightly and ensure that pores don’t get clogged. Antioxidants like tocotrienols and natural vitamin E will help the skin disarm reactive oxygen species (ROS*). Essential…
April 28th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
The best antioxidant cream anywhere! Why? And why do we need antioxidants anyway? Because living in the city can be stressful in more ways than just dealing with traffic: high concentrations of pollutants in the air will stress your skin too. Ingredient list: Seakelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate (and) Cholesteryl Nonanoate (and) Cholesteryl Chloride (and) BHT, , Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Ferulic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Beta Glucan (Oat), Beta Glucan (Yeast), Fucoidan, Galactoarabinan, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Pectin, Opuntia Ficus Indica (Prickly Pear) Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate)…
April 28th, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
In short: A sea kelp bioferment-based serum that includes Skin Actives ROS BIONETTM plus the best low molecular weight antioxidants. Ingredients: Water, Sea Kelp (Lactobacillus/Kelp Ferment Filtrate) Bioferment, Sodium PCA, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Ferulic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Epigallocatechin Gallate, Niacinamide, Carnosine, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Carnitine, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (and) Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane (and) Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Sorghum Bicolor Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycopene, Astaxanthin, Fucoxanthin, Porphyridium Polysaccharide, Glutathione, sh-Polypeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-77 (Glutaredoxin (GRX)), Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol (and) Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben. Actives by property Anti-inflammatory: sea kelp bioferment, Porphyridium polysaccharide, Low molecular weight antioxidants: green tea EGCG, hyaluronic acid, hesperidin…
April 23rd, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Skin Actives capillary health cream contains the best that tradition and phytochemistry can offer us to protect the fine capillaries that bring oxygen (and take away the carbon dioxide) to our cells. Essential fatty acids present in the traditional rosehip seed oil will help the skin build a strong barrier to keep water inside and bad stuff out. Sea kelp bioferment, has all the benefits that brown algae bring from the ocean. Horse chestnut and butcher’s broom have been used for centuries to protect blood vessels and phytochemistry has elucidated which are the chemicals in them and how they work. You will also find other traditional extracts: liquorice, grape seed,…
April 23rd, 2019 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Once upon a time I was in love with algae (I almost named my daughter after a Diatom, class Bacillariophyceae). Then I fell in love with polysaccharides. In fact, I am still in love with both. So what could be more perfect that to work with algae polysaccharides? Nothing, but, in top of the beauty of algae and the complexity of polysaccharides, there are all the health benefits that these special polysaccharides have for us, humans. What so special about algae? It depends. All the plants we are familiar with, like the palms in my back garden or the roses in the front, evolved from green algae. The basic cell…
October 5th, 2016 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Our Anti-Aging Cream contains soy isoflavones and resveratrol, but if you are a woman over 50 you may need even more help. Our Elixir10 booster is a mix of beneficial botanical extracts that can supply your skin (and scalp) with beneficial chemicals that will bind to the estrogen receptors left vacant by menopause. Phytoestrogens are plant chemicals that can interact with two of the most important receptors of steroid hormones: the sex hormone-binding globulin and the cytosolic estrogen receptor. The chemical structure of phytoestrogens differs greatly and may seem very different from estradiol, but a part of the molecule is similar enough to human estrogen to fool the receptor.…
September 6th, 2016 by Dr. Hannah Sivak
Sunlight is More than What We See Ultraviolet light is classified into three categories: UVA (long wave, black light, 315 to 400 nm) which causes tanning, UVB (medium wave, 280 to 315 nm) which causes sunburn, and UVC (short wave, germicidal, 100 to 280 nm) which is filtered out by the atmosphere and does not reach us. Incidentally, the ozone layer absorbs 97–99% of the UV from about 200 nm to 315 nm wavelength, which potentially damages exposed life forms on Earth. Not everything UV light does to you is bad, ultraviolet light (between 270 nm and 300 nm) reaching our skin breaks down 7-dehydrocholesterol flowing in the bloodstream, converting…