Skin & Skin Care Products - Beauty Questions Answered

What is Topical Botox?

LeftBrain — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:01:33 -0500

Why is this blog post like President’s Day? Because we’re linkin’ to the Cosmeticchem blog. (Get it? Lincoln?) CosmeticChem is curious…What is a topical Botox(tm)? Does it work the same way as injectable Botox(tm)? So far how many “In-vivo” studies have been done to check the efficacy? The Right Brain responds: Topical Botox(tm)? Yeah, right. [...] Read more: http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/02/23/what-is-topical-botox/

Hydrolyze

LizzP — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:38:57 -0500

Hydrolyze commercials ~ free trial ~ are all over the TV Channels lately. Hydrolyze is advertised to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around eyes and eliminate dark circles and under eye bags. How efffective is this product?

Wrinkles...

Beautie15 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:58:38 -0400

What is your go-to anti-aging/wrinkle product? I do some work with StriVectin and I love to hear feedback from anyone who has tried it or are thinking about trying it to help reduce the appearance of lines on your face. I've been trying the new StriVectin-SD for about 5 weeks now and my face feels softer and looks healthier. They say it takes about 8 weeks to see full results, so I'll let you know how it goes!

Top Skincare Brands for New Spa

gclapsis — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:16:52 -0400

My wife and I are in the process of opening a new spa. What are the top skincare lines we should consider that will offer effective results to our customers?

comendogenic ratings

rutiga — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:37:55 -0400

Hello.
Is there any website where I could type in an ingridient and get its comendogenic rating? For now I am googeling ingridents but for some I have a really hard time of finding it from any reliable source.

Is the phrase "Reduces the appearance of..." scientific?

bluecatbaby — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:49:57 -0500

I don't understand what it means when companies say that a skin care product "reduces the appearance of" something like brown spots, redness, or wrinkles. It sounds like vague advertising words to me. Is the implication that it doesn't really do anything to physically change the brown spot, etc.?

Quick & Easy Effective way to diminish wrinkles with Eye Rid

Karmen — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:54:19 -0500

I have always
been ashamed of my eyes, especially the dark circles beneath them. As I have
gotten older my skin also tends to develop wrinkles in that area, no matter
what I applied to them. But when I discovered how effective Eye Rid is it
absolutely turned my world around! Now I use Eye Rid every day after I cleanse
my face and not only does it feel fantastic I look 100%.

The secret is in the collagen extracts

I have
learned that my skin has become dryer due to aging and when applying Eye Rid to
the skin beneath my eyes it becomes hydrated thanks to a clear gel containing
Hyaluronic Acid and collagen extracts in the form of patches applied after
washing my face. I leave these patches on at least 30 minutes to allow the gel
to do its work. Then I simply remove the Eye Rid patches and save them for the
next day. I simply cannot help but be convinced this product works and works
exceedingly well! And with its 100% satisfaction guarantee you cannot go wrong!

Effective products that work restoring
my skin’s resistance

There are
several ingredients at work with Eye Rid patches and they include collagen,
Hyaluronic acid, Cafeisilane, Tinocare, and Hydravance that work together to
boost the moisture content of my skin, especially those super sensitive areas
beneath my eyes. I have long believed this was an issue with me that could
never be resolved until I began applying the Eye Rid patches each day. I prefer
to use them in the morning but just before bed time will work as well. Just
remember to apply the Hydrating Serum, which is sold separately, and then add
the Eye Rid patches. These patches are reusable and durable as long as you’re
careful when removing them. I absolutely love this product and it’s one I have
found that does what they claim it will! So if you have the same long time
complaint with that sensitive skin beneath your eyes such as dry skin, dark
circles, puffy bags under eyes, and wrinkles due to that puffiness as I have
for years, be sure to try Eye Rid for an immediate cure for those problems.

Eye Rid is the one product that is working for me to help fight the signs of aging, I would like to get you guys opinion and what works for you. whether is is your favorite shampoo or your favorite face cream, I am always open to try new things, but things that actually produce results.

When Unscented Doesn't Mean No Fragrance

NoahJenda — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:33:34 -0500

I've been looking for a good unscented body wash, and recently decided to try Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. The front of the bottle clearly labels it as "unscented" so I decided to buy some. I looked quickly at the ingredients, but didn't read them closely enough in the store. When I showered with it that night, I noticed that it did not seem to be unscented but had a light, perfumed smell. Checking the ingredients carefully, I was discouraged to see "fragrance" listed:

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil or Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Lauric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tallow Acid or Palmitic Acid, Sodium Isethionate, BHT, Tetrasodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Etidronic Acid, Titanium Dioxide.

I wrote to Dove and asked them why something labeled as "unscented" had "fragrance" listed among the ingredients. This was their reply:

"In the personal care industry, an unscented product can contain a masking fragrance to mask the aroma of the ingredients."

How does a "masking fragrance" work? My nose tells me it covers up the aroma of the ingredients with its own fragrance. How that can be considered "unscented" seems like a specious argument to me.

The "masking fragrance" seems no kinder to my skin than the heavy fragrance in cheap body washes like Suave. I still end up with little red blotches on my skin, which fade away in a couple of hours. I see no advantage to the Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash. It appears to be just another marketing gimmick.

If anyone knows of a truly fragrance-free body wash, please pass along your suggestions.

Rebottling Facial Moisturizer with Antioxidants

beautyinfinitum — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:56:05 -0500

Hello! I bought a jar of Alba Botanica Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer today. It unfortunately suffers from the all-too-common jar packaging, which means the antioxidants in it won't be stable. I was wondering if it was possible to rebottle it in an opaque bottle to keep the antioxidants stable? Would rebottling it still expose them to too much light?

Thanks so much!

Is salycilic acid really not effective?

bluecatbaby — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:07:39 -0500

Today I saw my dermatologist. When I told him that for the past 10 years I have been using salycilic acid which keeps me from getting pimples, he told me that it is now known that sal. acid does absolutely nothing to help acne. I haven't heard this before, and honestly it seems that I get a few pimples whenever I skip a few days of using a Paula's Choice sal. acid product. (Is it placebo effect?) Has anyone else heard about this?

I'm receiving freebies! Get involved ladies (and gents!)

EveTaylor86 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:55:25 -0500

Hello lovelies,

Thought you may be interested to know... I am a volunteer for a company called Clicks Research and they give you all kinds of different products to test. I had some moisturizing cream sent to me and it was amazing!! Not sure what brand it was as they do not tell you. All I have to do is complete a quick online evaluation. You can sign up for free and they don't charge you for postage and packaging like some companies I've been with. Their website is www.clicksresearch.com/site/en-HK (for all my lovely peeps in Hong Kong!)

I think it’s a really good way to test new products. Let me know what you think and how you get on! :-)

Much love,

Eve Taylor..x

Balanced Diet and Effective Beauty Product for a Younger Look

esor27 — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 03:24:18 -0500

Wrinkles, uneven skin
texture, age spots, dry skin—these are only a few of the many signs of aging
that almost everyone fears. Of course, as you grow older you will also become
prone to such effects. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t protect
yourself from them. By using an advance
anti-aging cream and taking the right steps, you won’t have to trouble
yourself with the signs of aging any time soon.One good way to start
protecting yourself from the effects of growing older is by taking care of your
health. This means that you need to acquire a balanced amount of vitamins and
minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and a natural protein called
collagen. Such nourishment will not only help improve your health, but will
also be beneficial to your skin; thus, giving you a younger-looking appearance.So, how do you acquire the
nourishment necessary for maintaining
your beautiful look?For Vitamin A, you can
start by incorporating vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash,
to your diet. On the other hand, fruits such as pineapples, oranges, and
strawberries, are good sources of Vitamin C. Now for collagen, which plays a
very important role in keeping your skin young and beautiful, you can start by
using an advance anti-aging cream.
This beauty product is necessary in replenishing your collagen and extending
your youthful glow.As long as you have a
balanced diet and you use the most effective
anti-aging cream products, you will be able to protect youthful appearance
for a very long time.

C.O. Bigelow Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion

FemChem — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:51:53 -0500

I have moderate ezcema on my hands and this lotion is the only thing I've found that helps. It seems to work better than prescription corticosteroids. Unfortunately, I can't find a place to buy it anymore and I'd like to find a replacement. What ingredients do you think are actually beneficial?
Thanks for your help!
Ingredients: Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate,
Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylic /Capric
Triglyceride, Myristyl Myristate, Steareth-21, Butylene Glycol,
Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Chamenomeles
Japonica (Quince) Seed Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis (Quince) Fruit
Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus
(Billberry)Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Officinarum (Sugar Cane)
Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange)Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica
Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Silica, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot)
Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Glyycine
Soja (Soybean) Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Jojoba Esters, Aloe Barbadensis
Leaf Juice, Pantehnol (Provitamin B5), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citrus
Grandis (Grapefruit)Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf EXtract,
BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Are actives like glycolic acid effective in a cleanser?

bluecatbaby — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:39:31 -0500

From reading Paula Begoun's reviews, I thought that an active ingredient like AHA or BHA in a cleanser is ineffective because it is washed off right away. Your recent post about the Jan Marini Bioglycolic cleanser seems to say otherwise. What, if any, are the active ingredients that will work when in a cleanser, and are they as effective as when they are in a serum that you leave on? Ands, does anyone have any cleansers like that they have worked for them?

Kinerase Ultimate Night Moisture

MadeiraD — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:10:23 -0500

I've been using this product for a long time. So far it seems to work pretty well for me (perhaps not quite humectant enough) but I've seen smoother skin, and it feels pretty nice.

Anyone know about the ingredients?

Hyaluronic acid lotions/moisturizers

mirafye — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:13:41 -0500

Hi, I live in asia and recently there has been this hype about hylauronic acids in our lotions and moisturizers. The ingredients for the particular lotion that I'm referring to are: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Methyl Paraben, Disodium Succinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Succinic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.

(if you're wondering which product im referring to, google Hada Labo SHA lotion)

According to their direction of usage, this is to be used as a toner to prep the skin and then we have to use a moisturizer after that. Im kinda wondering if we can use this directly as a moisturizer instead?

Thanks for your help! :)

Will silicones in face skin lotions prevent penetration of other ingredients?

Elana44 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 05:56:18 -0400

Hi there,

Just wondering - if all sorts of cones + glycerine are up in the ingredients list and then followeb by other ingredients like vitamins, peptides, natural oils etc., won't they prevent the later from penetrating the skin, thus not making any positive effect by staying on the surface? I have this perception (maybe the wrong one) that silicones sort of coat skin surface, not letting anything in or out. Then if they are on top of the list, other ingredients should be useless... I looked through your wonderful site but only seem to find info about silicones in the context of hair products. But hair is dead and skin is a live organ, so the effect of cones on it might be different? Please correct me if i am wrong.

Thank you.

What SPF Sunblock Should I Use?

LeftBrain — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:01:37 -0500

Link Love Month, here’s how it works: we answer questions from other bloggers. After reading our answer you go visit their site. The bloggers get readers, you get to read more blogs. Now go practice with Nicole from Bagful of Notions! Nicole needs to know…Is there a really big difference between using SPF 15 [...] Read more: http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/02/06/what-spf-sunblock-should-i-use/

What are good products/ingredients for whiteheads?

thecakepie — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:56:09 -0400

I have had acne for a while, and with the help of exfoliation and benzoyl peroxide iIve improved my skin a lot! But I do still have the tiny whiteheads on my face (chin, cheeks, forehead) these are not millia and they've been rather stubborn. What are good products or ingredients for whiteheads?

Sheet masks what's in these?

thecakepie — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:37:02 -0400

I've been using sheet masks and despite being made in asia a lot of the ingredients are listed in English now, but I am not a chemist so naturally it's hard to make sense of them. Many come in different types (whitening, moisturizing, tightening, etc) but I have no idea if any of these generate any benefit they advertise. I really like some of the masks but it'd be great to understand more about how they "work" or what they're actually able to do for my skin.

Here's an example of an ingredients list from My Beauty Diary's Aloe mask (a popular type)

Purified water, proplene glycol, sodium hyaluronae, 1, 3-Butylene Glyol, Glycerine, Alga-Yeast Complx, Casein Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Morus Alba Bak Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Soluble Collagen, Tiethanolamine, Hydrolzyed Lactalbumin, Actinidia chinensis(Kiwi) Extract, Arctostaphlos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Styrene Acrylates, Copolymer, Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, L-Ascorbic Acid, Methyl Paraben, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Citric Acid, Carborner, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone.

Is Garnier Ultralift Serum + Moisturizer a good retinol product?

tribecca — Sat, 19 May 2012 13:54:31 -0400

This is a new product that combines serum and moisturizer. I was wondering if it is a good retinol product.

http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/2in1/index.aspx

Ingredients

Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate,
Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone,
Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate,
Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate,
Panthenol, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Argania Spinosa/Argania
Spinosa Kernel Extract, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Disodium
EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii
Butter/Shea Butter, Retinyl Linoleate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum,
Polyisobutene, Parfum/Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Cocoyl
Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Polysorbate 20, F.I.L.D 48880/1,
9991172.

What’s The Best Product for Clogged Pores?

LeftBrain — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:01:11 -0400

Jasmine says…I am an unfortunate victim of adult acne and I’m being bombarded with different advice from doctors, cosmetologists etc on different creams that all basically do the same thing- mildly exfoliate. I am however using a 20% salicylic acid peel every 10 days to get rid of scars and “unclog my pores”. A relative who [...]Read the full article →

Three Surprising Causes of Unnecessary Wrinkles

LeftBrain — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:01:42 -0500

AllyE asks…I have a very bad habit of pulling faces and I also bite the inside of my cheeks. Have been doing it for over 10 years now and was wondering if that contributes to the frow and smile lines? I have noticed those are getting pretty prominent especially when I try and bite the [...] Read more: three-surprising-causes-of-unnecessary-wrinkles

What is hexapeptide?

Elana44 — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:42:22 -0400

What is hexapeptide, why does it have numbers (e.g. hexapeptide-11), what good do they do to skin, how do they get into skincare products (derivation)?

Has anyone tried Itworkspaste for moles?

Lilly — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:58:58 -0400

I have a few benign moles that I saw my doc about and wanted them removed (they are ugly and one is always growing a hair - gross!!). Doc said they are cosmetic (insurance won't cover) and wanted over $300. Can't do that. I started searching for mole removers - I want something safe and natural and hopefully recommended. This one seemed really good so need to find people who have used it successfully.

Wear cosmetics with SPF different

eugenie — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 06:24:54 -0400

Reading the paper "does 2+2 not equal 4?" (about wearing SPF 20 and another 20: it will help ensure to get to 20), I have been wondering what is the protection if the SPF are not the same??
If I wear a moisturizer SPF 30 and then a foundation SPF 15, does it make:
- 15 because it's the last applied
-30 because it's the first applied or because it's the higher SPF
-between 15 and 30 it's a mix
- 45 because it's like an addition (I don't think it works like this but it's an option)
- > 30 because it increases the SPF
That's all solutions I have think about, tell me what do you think

thanks!

Something on face..?

Princessellie — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:43:08 -0400

Ok so I have this dark spot on my face that popped up its kind of peeling and its raised up a bit what is it and what can I do to fix it?!

Stages Of Beauty Products

bamday — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:25:41 -0400

I've heard a ton of hype abut the Stages of Beauty Products. Their claims seem exaggerated, and since their products are on the more expensive side, I was wondering if there is any proof of effectiveness in their claims/ ingredients lists? In particular their moisturizer and serum for 20 yr olds. Thanks!

stability of skin lotion

iskhalsa — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 01:41:25 -0400

Dear, when we prepare lotion/cream or moisturizers
with emulsion wax, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol and LLP we get very good
cream but after a few hour it becomes foam. We are to beat it again to
make it proper cream. What ingreadient be used to prevent foam in the
cream? Moreover we are not able to able to make lotion in true form.
kindly suggest the recipe to have a good lotion with the abovesaid
ingredients.
regard

Why sodium lauryl sulfate is in my night cream designed for face?

Elana44 — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:33:29 -0400

I do understant why they put it in shampoos, shower gels or face cleansers. But why on earth would they use it in a cream intended for staying on my face all night long? I am kind of freaking about it now...