INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: FULVIC ACID – by Chanté Robinson

Fulvic acid is a star ingredient to look for in your skincare products due to its outstanding and versatile repertoire, but, before you get excited thinking this may be another exfoliating acid to use, you should know it is neither an AHA nor BHA, it's not an acid at all, tricky, right?! However, it very skin-friendly, so no need to worry about an increase in skin woes or a stripped acid mantle (aka skin barrier) if you consider adding in products with this members-only ingredient.

This warrior ingredient is water-soluble and has a smaller molecular structure that makes it an effective delivery system on its own to get vitamins, trace minerals, and vital nutrients to the cells. It's also a terrific antioxidant that helps to fight free-radical damage, has a significant impact on wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. FYI, most ingredients need to use partner ingredients to give them the ability to penetrate the skin.

Here's where versatility comes in even more; fulvic acid has anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits and can be taken orally and used topically. Skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis could benefit significantly from fulvic acid. It's also a potent hydrator with its natural electrolyte content to help restore and energize the skin.

 As you can see, fulvic acid has extraordinary benefits for everyone, no matter the skin condition or where you fall on the Fitzpatrick scale; this remarkable ingredient assists in every stage of cellular rejuvenation! 🌟

Some products that have this amazing ingredient….

 

Osmosis Infuse nutrient activating mist

GLYMEDPLUS skin restoring fulvic elixir

 Käbï Organic moisturizing and antioxidant peat mask

 

 

"What’s The Tea About Green Tea?" - by Cora Speidel

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 Green Tea has many general health benefits due to its antioxidants, amino acids and other naturally occurring nutrients. But did you know Green Tea can provide superior benefits for your skin when applied topically?

Green tea is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG.)  With these properties, green tea extract has been shown to improve skin barrier functions, serve as antioxidant protection and boost sun protection.

The large amount of polyphenols in green tea helps slow down the aging process as well as reduce inflammation.  Green tea extract naturally contains some caffeine, a known vasoconstrictor, which can help reduce puffiness of dark circles and bloating of the face when applied topically.

Green tea also has astringent properties which aids in the reduction of sebum production and has antibacterial agents due to its polyphenols. This, combined with its  anti inflammatory properties, makes it a fantastic ingredient for acne prone skin and other inflammatory skin conditions.

If you’re looking for a great product to take advantage of Green Tea’s skin benefits, make sure to check out our Dermaspace Green Tea Antioxidant Serum. This powerful antioxidant serum contains 5% green tea extract. It helps to soothe inflammation, fights free radicals, and helps balance oil production. It also contains hyaluronic acid which helps you maintain a healthy moisture barrier.

 

 

 

 

 

"The next stop is N, for NEVER too late to start using NIACINAMIDE" by Chanté Robinson

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This universal, packed-with-a-punch-ingredient is an active form of vitamin B3, that’ll assist with enhancing barrier protection, clearing up acne breakouts, and hyperpigmentation and is excellent for other skin concerns that may be sensitive, experiencing enlarged pores, and even redness.

Ingredients like this can move seamlessly like a chameleon throughout the various skin stages in our life, which is a significant advantage and something to consider as you build up your skincare collection.

Barrier function is enhanced by protecting the skin from sun damage and premature aging and aids in fighting off other exterior aggressors.

Trans-epidermal water loss happens regularly; however, niacinamide helps maintain hydration and slow down water loss from the skin allowing the skin to retain hydrated suppleness and to calm rosacea.

Hyperpigmentation is regulated with niacinamide due to its ability to inhibit melanosome transfer to keratinocytes. So this is a safe alternative than using hydroquinone.

Niacinamide is a force to be reckoned with for acne because of the decline in sebum production. It is also an anti-inflammatory for breakouts, and you can finally do away with the never-ending list of side effects like dryness, increased sun sensitivity, and even antibiotic resistance with your typical acne treatments.

The other unique qualities about this B3 powerhouse is the stimulation of collagen and protein production and restricting excess glycosaminoglycans production!

Editors note: We often custom blend this amazing ingredient into our Revitapen Iderm Treatment.

A Quick Note on Mandelic Acid - by Chanté Robinson

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This is a nonirritating AHA that is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin types because it's not as harsh as the more common AHA’s on the market like glycolic or lactic acid. The reason Mandelic acid is gentler when compared to glycolic acid is its molecular size, it is twice as big, so it takes longer to penetrate the skin and is, therefore, less likely to irritate. It also has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties, so it’s suitable for rosacea sufferers too.

Like other types of AHAs, it works by exfoliating the skin and gently dissolves the tiny glue-like bonds that bind skin cells together helping to remove dead skin build-up on the surface and it also strengthens collagen, one of the building blocks of the skin’s support network like a real powerhouse ingredient should! As you can see, Mandelic acid behaves very similarly to salicylic acid, which is a BHA; both are attracted to oil and have the ability to dissolved congestion in the skin.

Mandelic acids target acne, age spots, discoloration, and wrinkles without the typical irritation that can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin tones.

Fun facts about some AHAs! Mandelic acid is derived from bitter almonds, glycolic acid is from sugar cane, lactic acid is from milk, tartaric acid is from grapes, and malic acid is derived from apples.

"Is Your Moisture Barrier Compromised?" by Cora Speidel

Every day your skin is exposed to many different irritants. This includes harmful bacteria, pollution, sun exposure, and much more. What is the best defense to these environmental irritants? A healthy skin moisture barrier.

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What is a skin moisture barrier?

Your skin barrier, also known as lipid barrier or moisture barrier, serves to protect the body from the outside world and keep water in the skin.  Our skin barrier is made of the outermost layer of our skin called the stratum corneum and is surrounded by our acid mantle. The acid mantle is a very fine and very important film on the surface of your stratum corneum. It is slightly acidic (ranging from 4.4 - 6 pH) and is made up of sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, lactic acid, urocanic acid, fatty acids and pyrrolidine carboxylic acid. Working together, these elements are designed to help keep bad things out and good things in.

Signs that you have an impaired skin barrier

If your skin barrier is compromised you may notice redness, dry patches, the feeling of tightness and over production of oil, new breakouts, or general inflammation. Another indication could be burning or stinging from products you have used in the past that are normally used without issue.

What causes a compromised skin barrier?

There are many factors that can lead to the disruption of your skin barrier.  It may seem counterintuitive but too much exposure of water can actually dry your skin out more. Water evaporates on the surface of your skin which pulls out moisture from deeper layers.  Other contributors include over-exfoliation, overuse of active ingredients, unhealthy lifestyle choices, weather, age, or simply not using the proper skin barrier restoring ingredients.

How to fix a compromised moisture barrier?

If you're noticing signs of an impaired barrier it’s time to take a step back and assess your skin care regimen. Use a gentle cleanser such as our Dermaspace Gentle Cleansing Lotion and avoid the overuse of active ingredients and exfoliation. Make sure to avoid over cleansing especially with alkaline soaps which can disrupt your acid mantle. Look for barrier repair ingredients in your skin care products. This includes humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients. Dermaspace Vita Soothe is a protective, replenishing serum that contains lipids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. This product contains no irritants and can be a great solution for a compromised moisture barrier. 

One final note, there are many skin conditions with natural skin barrier defects such as rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and severe forms of acne. If you suffer from any of these, we recommend seeing your dermatologist to come up with a treatment plan.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team here at Dermaspace. We are here to help!

Editors Note: Other moisturizers that are great for barrier function are Calming Repair Cream and Calming Repair Fluid.