Category Archives: Skin Care

Skin Care

How to Know if You Have Fungal Acne ~ and How to Treat it

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This is not just another acne blog. Fungal Acne is an ongoing problem that many people struggle with. Fungal Acne – is that even a thing? Well, it is and if you suffer from acne and have tried multiple products, facials and treatments only to have your condition worsen then you may be suffering from fungal acne (AKA Pityrosporum folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis). Unfortunately, fungal acne often goes misdiagnosed by family physicians and aestheticians alike.

The skin is an incredibly dynamic and complex ecosystem of microflora flooded with bacteria, viruses, and fungi that interact with each other and with us. Research continues to investigate how all of these micro-organisms network, what they do for us, and what we do for them. The reality is, certain micro-organisms are needed for healthy skin, while others can cause disease or set the playing field for disease.

What is Fungal Acne anyway?

We all have a magical ecosystem of microflora living on our skin. What is that? Bacteria and fungi! The good, the bad and the ugly living in harmony together on your skin. Until…dysbiosis occurs. How does this happen? Well, there are a number of possibilities which may lead to the skin responding in a way that shows up as red, itchy acneic looking skin. This fungus then feeds on oil on our skin and inside our pores including other oils or oil-rich ingredients that are applied to the skin. Yes! Your products that you thought were helping solve the problem could very well be perpetuating it.

What causes Fungal Acne?

Contributing factors of Fungal Acne can one or many of the following but not limited to:

Antibiotics:

Long-term use of topical or oral antibiotics such as clindamycin doxycycline and minocycline can make fungal acne worse. Antibiotics cannot differentiate from good or bad bacteria, so it kills all of it, which creates dysbiosis, which allow the fungi on the skin to proliferate.

Humidity:

Yeast thrives in warm, humid places. Fungal acne is more common in these types of climates and seasons. Keep this in mind after your workout! Always make sure you shower and dry off well! Sweating and using products that contain oil (fatty acids) is a haven for fungal acne.

Skincare Products:

Yeast feeds on oil! If you’re using skincare or makeup that contain certain types of fatty acid, oils, esters and some polysorbates (even small amounts), it could be a trigger. The list of ingredients that can exacerbate fungal acne is vast. Therefore, we will focus on ingredients that will counter it.

Diet:

While diet usually isn’t the initial cause of a fungal acne outbreak, once there is an existing imbalance your diet can play significant role, especially if it is high in sugar. Think about a candida dietand then a probiotic. Yeast will thrive in this environment.

Inflammation:

Those who have a condition that suppresses the immune system and those who take immunosuppressant medication may also be vulnerable to fungal acne. A suppressed immune system prevents proper regulation of Malassezia, allowing the yeast to grow freely.

Immuno-compromised:

Research indicates higher incidences of fungal acne among patients with diabetes, HIV, Hodgkin’s disease, organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, or those with nutritional disorders, neurotransmitter abnormalities, and immunologic deficiencies.

How do I tell the difference between Acne and Fungal Acne?

Location:

While fungal acne can potentially happen anywhere on the body, a common way to tell the difference between fungal acne and traditional bacterial acne is often, but not always, the location. Traditional acne typically occurs primarily on the cheeks, jawline, and T-zone (this includes the forehead, nose and chin). The Acne along the hairline or on your upper back, shoulders, and upper chest is more commonly associated with fungal acne, but there are always exceptions to the rule! We are all different and nothing is surprising when it comes to fungal acne. H3: Appearance: Fungal acne can appear as small, uniform red bumps filled with pus. However, when comparing, traditional acne comedones, it may progress at different rates and can largely vary in severity and size. Fungal acne is quite often ITCHY and sometimes even burns! Whereas traditional acne, typically doesn’t present with that characteristic. It also can be especially uncomfortably worse on those hot humid summer days which Calgary weather is fortunately or unfortunately however you may see it, usually lacking.

Biopsy:

If, however, you still find that you are unsure, you can always choose to seek the expertise of a board-certified Dermatologist. They may also let you know which strain(s) of fungi you have, as there is a vast array of them. This process is usually done through a shave biopsy or culture in one of the areas where you have the majority of activity (i.e. upper back, chest, shoulders, scalp, or t-zone area of the face). Although, this isn’t even 100% definitive as the majority of the fungi live within the follicle as opposed to the surface of the skin. Ideally a sample of what is extracted from the follicle would give a truer picture. Keep in mind you may need a referral from your primary health care provider and waits to be seen in some provinces can be up to one year.

Don’t let this discourage you! Read on because help may be on the way!

How is Fungal Acne treated?

Ketoconazole:

Most fungal acne will respond well to ketoconazole 2% which is a broad spectrum anti-fungal agent which can be applied topically and is used as a first line defense for fungal acne. For more severe conditions an oral anti-fungal of itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine may be introduced short term.

Zinc Pyrithione:

Is also known as a mild anti-fungal and keratolytic agent, studies have shown that it’s less effective than ketoconazole at inhibiting fungal acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide:

Can be an effective ingredient (antimicrobial) to fight both acne bacteria and yeast. However, is best when applied and left on the skin for 10-20mins then rinsed off to avoid dehydrating the skin.

Salicylic acid:

Is a keratolytic and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It’s an oil-soluble hydroxy acid, and desmolytic agent. What does that mean? It does an effective job at dissolving all the fungi that accumulate inside of clogged pores as well as removal of dead skin cells.

Sulfur:

Washes or masks containing sulfur can be useful. Sulfur is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, allowing it to regulate fungal or yeast production and remove it from within your pores.

Azelaic acid:

This natural ingredient and commonly used to treat fungal acne as well as rosacea which can also have fungal acne properties. It may help by regulating the fatty acid content in your skin, a common mechanism used by antifungals. As the yeast or fungi/survive on the fatty acids and oils in the skin, reducing the free fatty acid content may help to reduce the yeast population.

Caprylic acid:

Products containing this powerful antifungal property have been shown in studies to inhibit several fungi species.

Cinnamic acid:

Derived from cinnamon oil, cinnamic acid has been shown to possess antifungal activity against a variety of fungi species.

Tea tree oil:

Derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, it is a well known antimicrobial. In vitro studies show that it may be effective in inhibiting several species of fungi and we know there are many.

Remember, there may be other ingredients not listed that you find work well for your particular case and some ingredients in this list that don’t agree with you. Let’s remember, we are all individuals and may respond differently to each ingredient. Best defense is try introducing one ingredient at a time to prevent any negative reactions.

An important note on sunblock – “Sunblock makes me breakout” – Quite a few acne clients don’t want to wear sunblock because quite often they say sunblock will make them breakout. Yes, you may be right! Read your ingredients and ensure you are applying sunblock with ONLY physical ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxide, any additional ingredients or chemical sunblock can inflame acne or even cause breakouts, they also have been proven to cause hormonal disruption. It doesn’t matter what skin colour you have, you need sun protection. Read more about it here: Anti-aging & Sunscreens NCBI publication.

Supplements that might help fungal acne

Probiotics:

Studies have shown that supplementation of Lactobacillus paracasei reduces fungi. Probiotics improve fungal acne. Your gut microbiome balances the microbiome in other parts of your body, including your skin. Remember your skin is telling a story. If your skin isn’t happy, you should question, what is going on with the rest of my body?

In-office Treatments:

Yes! Do find a trusted clinic who is experienced in treating fungal acne and is able to provide you with treatments to clean and unclog your pores, give advice on products etc… and work together to help keep your skin clean, clear, healthy and strong.

It is possible to live fungal acne free. Don’t feel like there is something wrong with you or suffer in silence because it just won’t clear up. If you have had fungal acne once you are susceptible to have future outbreaks or perhaps yours has never cleared up. Addressing your skin concerns and getting a prompt and accurate diagnosis is the first step to clean, clear, healthy skin!

The SkinScience Team

Meta Description: Learn more about what fungal acne is, how to diagnose fungal acne and how to treat fungal acne in this blog.

Skin Care

Acne 101 ~ What you need to truly understand acne

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Acne-prone skin, in Calgary and all over the world, is the most common dermatological disorder that people; female, male, young and old will seek professional treatments yearly.  Acne does not discriminate.  Every walk of life, every ethnicity, every socio-economic background is vulnerable to this inflammatory skin condition. This dreaded four letter word has plagued people since the beginning of time.  Acne can be a complex and multifaceted condition that ranges from very mild to painfully severe and everything in between. At SkinScience, we believe each case should be treated equally and with immense attention and care. 

Whether you’re reading your first blog, tenth or 100th, know this: you are not alone, you matter, and you are a beautiful being with or without acne. Yes, acne can be a socially debilitating condition causing anxiety, depression, OCD and more. Today, you have come to the right place to be heard. We get it, but we can also help you solve it!  Knowledge is power, so let’s educate you on this somewhat complicated topic.

ACNE FACTS 101

Facts:

Hormonal changes can trigger acne: Girls and woman alike have already figured this one out and have seen first-hand what happens to their skin throughout their cycles, and into perimenopause and menopause.

Acne has predominantly an inflammatory factor.  In the body, there are anti and pro-inflammatory interleukins and acne happens to be associated with the pro-inflammatory interleukins in the body and there are a large range of variables that can cause this.  The takeaway from this is to understand that inflammation mitigation is going to be a key factor in acne control.  I have attached a link for those interested in learning more about interleukins Interleukins – NCBI.

Diet affects acne

Food sensitivity can cause an inflammatory response in your body.  Most of us have some degree of intolerance to dairy, whether we recognize it or not.    Dairy is an extremely pro-inflammatory food which can be a culprit for many individuals, not just for their skin but within their entire gastro-intestinal tract as well. Also, high glycemic foods can trigger acne in certain individuals.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24719062/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27061046/

Stress affects acne

Cortisol is the stress hormone responsible for our fight or flight response and chronic stress will raise cortisol and negatively affect other anti-inflammatory mediators which in turn will raise inflammation. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28871928/

Poor sleep can affect acne

Moreover, poor sleep raises cortisol and inhibits the body’s natural ability to repair and rejuvenate thus raising inflammation and oxidative stress.

Ingredients matter

Interestingly, using products with ingredients that clog pores or cause inflammation ie. parabens, sulphates, silicones, fragrance this list is a long one, we were going to attach a list of ingredients to avoid but the list is so long we have decided to attach a link to which ingredients are the most effective when trying to control acne. Effective acne ingredients – Mayo Clinic.

Clogged pores can affect acne

For every clogged pore there is risk of a future pimple.

Bacteria can be associated with acne

Most acne has a component of the C. acnes bacteria (Cutibacterium), formerely known as P. acnes (Propionibacterium) bacteria. 

Top 10 Acne Fixes

MYTHS

FALSE: Poor hygiene can cause acne

Acne is not due to dirty skin and doesn’t reflect personal hygiene habits, however we don’t recommend not cleansing our skin on a regular basis. Blackheads are dirt-filled pores – wrong! They’re dark because the oil in them has oxidized, this happens when it comes into contact with air.  In fact, washing vigorously and exfoliating too often may make acne worse by irritating the skin, and causing inflammation and dehydration, especially if you are using products that contain harsh or stripping ingredients.

FALSE: Acne is just a phase

Your acne condition may clear up with time, but acne can get worse before it improves. The longer you have acne, the greater the risks of permanent scarring.  This risk increases with the darker your natural skin color, however, lighter skins are not immune to PIH.  Here’s a recent medical journal publication on PIH, Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and the recent research and treatment options available: Clinical publication NCBI on PIH.  

FALSE: Acne is contagious

You can’t get acne from contact with someone who has it: Acne may be unsightly and embarrassing, but it is not contagious.

Sun exposure and tanning clear up skin: Neither outdoor nor indoor tanning will help acne over time. Being in the sun can help initially by drying up skin lesions and surface oils, and masking spots by tanning, but the effect is only temporary.  More often, people will experience an acne flare-up after UV exposure.  Sun exposure also raises the risk of skin cancer and don’t think it won’t happen to you! It can happen to anyone, and it does. 

Acne can present itself in a number of different ways and believe it or not it is quite possible to have one, two or all of the below listed types on your face or body. Acne cases should always be assessed individually and can vary greatly between grades.

What type of acne do you have?

  • Grade 1,2 blackheads – small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; 
  • Grade 1, 2 whiteheads – have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and will not empty when squeezed 
  • Grade 1, 2 comedones/papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore 
  • Grade 1, 2 pustules – similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus 
  • Grade 3, 4 nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful 
  • Grade 3, 4 cysts –  also known as acne conglobata, the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they present as large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring

Ok, you now know the facts and myths about acne and hopefully have a better understanding of what type of acne you suffer from, what’s next?

An important note on sunblock

“Sunblock makes me breakout” – Quite a few acne clients don’t want to wear sunblock because quite often they say sunblock will make them breakout.  Yes, you may be right!  Make sure you read your ingredients and apply sunblock with ONLY physical ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxide, any additional ingredients or chemical sunblock can inflame acne or even cause breakouts, they also have been proven to cause hormonal disruption. It doesn’t matter what skin colour you have, you need sun protection. Read more about it here: Anti-aging & Sunscreens NCBI publication.

The most effective way to control acne is to address it and make a plan with a trusted clinic who will listen to your concerns and is willing to guide you and work together to make positive changes as soon as possible.  Take your time to find a clinic who is experienced with acne and treats each case individually.  No two cases are the same, just like no two people are the same.  What works for one may not work for another.  

Please note! Acne is not the only condition that presents with red, inflamed bumps on the face. Always ensure you are properly diagnosed by a qualified health care professional before beginning any treatment.

Acne can be pretty overwhelming, but taking one step further in a positive direction, is one step further in the right direction. We hope this blog has helped to inform you more on acne and given you the tools to make a plan for your acne’s future. Acne doesn’t define you and it shouldn’t prevent you from being everything you want to be. Remember, sometimes the hardest thing to wear is our own skin.

In healthy skin,

The SkinScience Team

Labor Day Acne Got Ya Down? We Can Fix It!
Skin Care

So You Got a Sunburn…Now What?

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“I have a sunburn. What now?”

It’s a good question, Calgary. In fact, it’s such a good question that, when I answered it the first time in my original blog, it landed me a spot on CTV live!

Because the emphasis is on “staycations” this summer due to COVID-19, it can be tempting to throw caution to the wind. After all, how burned can you get in our own backyard, right? Wrong!

In light of needing to remain in our communities this summer, I’ve buckled down to update my original “So You Got a Sunburn… Now What?” guide to keep your skin glowing all summer long.

Sunburn Tip #1: Be Sun-Savvy

As mentioned in “Sun Protection: So Much More Than Sunscreen” published earlier this month, education is everything when it comes to sun protection. The days of thinking that you can slather on the after-sun and your skin won’t reap the detriments of a sunburn are, I hope, long gone: frequently applying high-quality mineral sunscreen, covering up when you can, and being mindful of the amount of time spent out in the sun are essential for sunburn prevention.

However, life happens, and I know that (regrettably!) sunburn prevention isn’t always achievable. All it takes is one missed application and boom, your skin is itchy, red, peeling, and damaged. While I stress that you bookmark this blog as a reminder to take your sun protection seriously, let’s move on to my top-recommended tips for how to best conduct damage control after a sunburn has occurred. 

Sunburn Tip #2: Stay Out of the Sun and Take a Cool Bath

If we burned our hand we wouldn’t stick it straight back into the fire, right? Think of sun exposure in the same way! Reapply your mineral sunscreen of choice consistently and take a cool bath to soothe your skin. 

A bonus pro tip? Add oatmeal to your bath for extra immediate sunburn relief. Adding colloidal oatmeal to your bath forms a protective barrier around your skin and retains moisture, effectively alleviating inflammation.

Sunburn Tip #3: Get Creative With Aloe Vera Gel Ice Cubes

Think ice cubes are a great idea for sunburn relief? Take it one step further by switching them out for aloe vera! 

Quick, easy, and effective, putting over-the-counter aloe vera gel in ice cube trays and, once frozen, slide them onto the affected area to both quicken healing time and provide short-term relief.

Sunburn Tip #4: Whip Out a Cool Compress and Take Some Over-the-Counter Ibuprofen

Sometimes, keeping it old-school with a cold compress and some Advil is the most effective route to minimizing discomfort post-sunburn: Advil acts as a pain reliever, while a cold compress applied to the affected area helps to alleviate redness and burning. 

My favourite back when I published the original this blog was Avene Thermal Spa Water, and that recommendation still stands! When sprayed on soft cotton compress, cooled, and then applied to sunburnt areas, this anti-inflammatory thermal water is my go-to for sunburn relief.

Sunburn Tip #5: Soothe Your Skin With an Emollient Cream and Stay Hydrated

Moisturizing parched, peeling, and itchy skin is crucial during the sunburn recovery process, so storing your emollient cream of choice in the fridge for that extra cooling sensation can’t be recommended enough. Simple? Perhaps, but it can’t be overstated! Staying moisturized topically and ensuring that you’re hydrating your body are key steps towards a quick healing process.

Sunburn Tip #6: Remember That the Best Vitamin D for You is Produced by Natural Sunlight

Vitamin D promotes healthy bones, a bolstered immune system, insulin level regulation, strong lung and cardiovascular health, and boosting one’s mood; your body absorbs Vitamin D best through sun exposure, not Vitamin D in foods, topicals, or supplements, so don’t avoid the sun just because you had a bad experience! Put today’s tips in your back pocket and go reap the benefits of Vitamin D this summer: you need only ten to fifteen minutes of exposure on a small area of your skin (even just the back of your hand!) to get all the Vitamin D you need for the day.

Prevent Sunburns by Being Sun Safe, Calgary!

Reach out to SkinScience Clinic today to set up a personal consultation or book an appointment to get summer-ready, and remember: enjoy summer responsibility! Your skin will thank you.

Skin Care

Sun Protection: So Much More Than Sunscreen

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Calgary, it doesn’t matter if this summer is just going to be staycation-central due to COVID-19 because the sun still shines brightly over our big skies! 

That’s why, this July, we here at SkinScience are going to be detailing everything you could ever want to know about sun protection. Be sure to follow us on both Facebook and Instagram for science-backed sun protection factoids throughout the month, and keep reading to learn SkinScience Clinic’s sun protection tips, tricks, facts, and recommendations! 

SkinScience-Endorsed Sun Protection Tip of the Month: The Less Stuff You Put On Your Skin, the Better!

“Marie,” you may be thinking, “what in the world are you talking about?!” To which I’ll put it this way: one of the many well-documented topics in SkinScience’s blog section is the idea that, similarly to how you wouldn’t wear the same outfit through all four seasons, your at-home skin care routine needs to adapt accordingly to the weather. 

Meaning? That you shouldn’t be slathering your skin with heavy products; instead, keep it light and let your skin breathe by prioritizing your daytime skin care routine. Which ingredients? Well…

SkinScience-Endorsed Sun Protection Product Recommendations of the Month: Antioxidants and Mineral Sunscreens

Brace yourself for the truth bomb that is about to be dropped on you. Ready? Okay.

Some sunscreens trigger more wrinkles and fine lines than they prevent. Yes, really! We here at SkinScience Clinic know that it sounds unbelievable. The reasoning? Chemical SPF ingredients, namely Avobenzone and Octocrylene, may produce free radicals while they absorb UV rays. It’s crazy, we know! To dodge this skin care bullet, we highly recommend opting for a mineral sunscreen instead; your skin will thank you for picking one starring zinc oxide and titanium dioxide!

“What about antioxidants?” you may be wondering. Layering antioxidants in a serum beneath your sunscreen is a fantastic way to enhance your sunscreen’s protection while soothing inflammation, acne, or visible signs of aging. Depending on your skin’s needs, we here at SkinScience Clinic recommend that you choose one of the following to layer beneath your sunscreen of choice:

SkinScience-Endorsed Sun Protection Fact of the Month: The Difference Between Ultra Violet Rays (and Why it Matters!)

Not all sun protection is created equal: learning the difference between UVA, UVB, and UVC is crucial when contemplating your daily sun protection plan.

  • UVC: As strong cancer-causing UV rays, UVCs are (thankfully) absorbed by the ozone layer but can be found in man-made items such as sanitizing bulbs and mercury lamps.
  • UVB: the top cause of sunburns, brown spots and sun-related skin damage, UVBs can negatively impact unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes.
  • UVA: found both naturally and in tanning beds, UVAs penetrate both glass and clouds and are the chief perpetrator of visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and laxity.

The takeaway? Plan your sun protection regimen around what time of day you’re planning on heading out and how long you’ll be out for. With that being said, don’t skimp out on sunscreen just because you’ll be indoors: those aging rays can and will reach you, so slather on that sunscreen to save yourself grief in the long-run!

SkinScience-Endorsed Sun Protection Trick of the Month: Cover Up!

It’s so deceivingly simple, we know, but it’s one of Marie’s favourites! After all, think about it this way: the less stuff you put on your skin, the better. 

By covering up when you can (even if that means a cover-up when you’re not swimming or a wide-brimmed hat when you’re out in the garden), you dodge having to reapply your sunscreen as frequently as if you had no clothing protection at all.

In Short: Start Getting Serious About Your Sun Protection, Calgary!

Stay beautiful throughout your staycation this summer, Calgary, and be sure to keep an eye out for future blogs all about how to get the most out of your sun protection. Plus? Reach out today to talk to Marie Bertrand, SkinScience’s founder and skin care authority, or book one of our top-selling summer-ready dermaplaning treatments!

Skin Care

A Strong At-Home Skin Care Routine: The “Marathon” Your Skin Deserves!

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Earlier this month we gave you five of our favourite at-home skin care routine tips that will keep your skin healthy and glowing regardless of whether you can come visit us at our physical location here in downtown Calgary or not (after all, despite self-isolation restrictions being lifted we never know if they could be put in place again!)

Our first and second at-home skin care blogs back in May were such a hit that we knew we had to keep the topic going… which is why we’re ending the topic with a “bang” today! Below are six of SkinScience Clinic’s best at-home skin care routine advice, product recommendations, and skin facts that will change the way you think of the “marathon” that is your home skin care regimen!

Emerging Beauty Tip #1: Sip Some Collagen

Since collagen production begins to decline in our early twenties, supplementing it quickly becomes essential for plump, youthful skin. The solution? Rather than turning to topical collagen, whose molecules are too large to properly impact our skin, adding collagen to your diet is the easiest and most consistent way you can supplement your collagen levels.

SkinScience Clinic’s pick? TruMarine Collagen’s portable collagen sticks! TruMarine Collagen is:

·        Gluten-free, caffeine-free, and artificial flavour-free

·        Rich in hydrating electrolytes

·        Packed with 2.5 grams of marine collagen per serving, meaning that it aids in not only youthful skin but lean muscle gain, jet lag recovery, and healthy nerve and muscle function!

…And so much more!

Marie’s favourite ways to take her marine collagen? In hot lemon water or protein shakes!

 Let us know in the comments: what is your favourite way of taking your collagen? We here at SkinScience are always looking to shake up the way we enjoy ours!

Emerging Beauty Tip #2: Embrace The Full Brows Nature Gave You (or Take This Time to Transform Your Sparse Brows!)

If salons are still closed when you’re reading this (and even if they’re not!), take this time to transform your eyebrows into the thick, well-framed beauties you’ve always dreamed of!

Rather than continuing to tweeze, thread, or over-shape, leave eyebrow-grooming to the professionals and give them something to work with by using AnteAGE’s best-selling Overnight BROW Serum; apply 1 – 2 times a day to stimulate even the most over-plucked of hair follicles!

Emerging Beauty Tip #3: Make Vitamin C Serum Your New Best Friend

Complete your daytime at-home skin care routine by incorporating a Vitamin C serum, which will assist in:

·        Fighting off damaging environmental free radicals

·        Reducing inflammation

·        Maximizing the effects of sunscreen

·        Bolstering your collagen levels

If your daytime skin care routine doesn’t include Vitamin C, your skin is missing out! Treat it to either our popular in-clinic 30% Vitamin C Peel or add AliquoteSkin’s Vitamin C-packed Advanced Youth Complex, which works as a powerful brightening agent and anti-aging serum that luminates skin in as little as 14 days.

Emerging Beauty Tip #4: Put Down the Sugar

Calgary, we all want to emerge from COVID-19 as healthier versions of ourselves, right? Right. Which is exactly why putting down the sugar is so crucial for both your overall health and the health of your skin.

 Ingesting sugar triggers, among other things:

·        Glycation (in other words: accelerated aging!)

·        Inflammation

·        Acne

·        Eczema

Sugar scrubs? Ditch those, too! Sugar scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin, resulting in faster skin aging and increased inflammation. Turn to gentle biodegradable microbeads or naturally-derived acid treatments instead to combat aging rather than aiding in it.

Our top-recommended at-home anti-aging treatment? SkinCeuticals’s A.G.E Interrupter.

Emerging Beauty Tip #5: Turn to Growth Factors for Your Hair Health

We here at SkinScience Clinic are enormous advocates for growth factors: classified as a protein or steroid that regulates cellular processes, growth serums have myriad benefits and are a staple of advanced skin care products. Our latest favourite? AnteAGE’s MD Hair Microneedling Kit.

Specially formulated for slow-growing, thinning, and/or dull hair, the AnteAGE MD Hair Microneedling Kit incorporates cut-edge hair follicle science to yield real results! In fact, stay tuned on our Instagram and Facebook for astonishing before and afters.

Concerned about microneedling at home? We understand! Drop us a line today to learn if you’re a candidate for our in-clinic Growth Factor Scalp Microneedling treatment.

Emerging Beauty Tip #6: AVOID Parabens and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives!

A fact of life is that skin care ingredient labels are sneaky: they use lesser-known terms and tend to sandwich unsightly additions in the middle of the list, hoping you’ll skim over them. (We’re looking at you, fragrance!)

Parabens and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives have been linked to certain cancers (specifically breast cancer) due to their carcinogenic traits.

Parabens are frequently disguised in skin care as Benzylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben, while formaldehyde-releasing preservatives often go under the names DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15,⁠ 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, and Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.⁠

In fact, we suggest that you bookmark this blog as a quick reference the next time you’re shopping for skin care online!

We here at SkinScience are proud to carry AND formulate products that are only paraben and formaldehyde-releasing preservative-free.⁠ Why? Because, above caring about your skin’s health, we care about you!

Let Us Know Which of These Tips YOU’LL Be Implementing In Your At-Home Skin Care Routine

And book your consultation today to join the many skin care lovers in Calgary who have used our expert, customized advice to transform their skin!