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Natural Skin Care Should be Effective, Not Just Safe
Consumers have had a considerable impact on the food industry by demanding more organic, natural, sustainable and local options. And since consumers have turned their attention to the cosmetics and skin care industry, demanding better accountability and more stringent safety standards, we’ve seen real progress when it comes to cleaning up our cosmetics and body care products, especially in the last decade.
Retinol Explained + 6 Tips For Successful Use
When the goal is to prevent aging and correct existing damage, virtually all dermatologists will agree that daily retinoid use is the answer. The term "retinoid" refers to vitamin A and the various molecules derived from vitamin A—which itself is also known as retinol (ROL). This can lead to great confusion because while the official name of Vitamin A is retinol, the derivatives, called retinoids, belong to different categories. Beta carotene is a pro-vitamin A, while retinyl palmitate, unlike its successors in the conversion chain to retinoic acid, retinol and retinal aldehyde, does not convert to retinoic acid. This means you do not want to use these forms of vitamin A (unless you are looking for an oil-soluble antioxidant).
A Sperm-Savers’ Shopping Guide
A recent Danish study showed that, of almost 5,000 men averaging 19-years-old tested over a 15-year period, only 25% had healthy sperm counts. To blame: plastics like PFCs and phthalates found in toys, food and cosmetics—and the materials used to package them. Of course, the problem goes far beyond the plastics mentioned—plastics manufacturing is the third largest industry in the U.S., and at every stage of their journey from factory to landfill, synthetic polymers have a negative impact on our health and the health of future generations.
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24 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
As a skin care company that prioritizes safety and efficacy, we always stay up-to date on toxic ingredient lists. Over the last few years, we’ve been paying a lot of attention to preservatives, in particular. There are good reasons to avoid parabens, but the substitutes for parabens used by many companies claiming to be organic, natural and toxin free title are also problematic. Specifically, preservatives like phenoxyethanol and/or sodium benzoate may be contaminated with carcinogenic compounds or react in the presence of other molecules to produce carcinogens.
This comprehensive list was developed to help you navigate your product labels for the safest skin care yet.
Retinol vs. Retinoid: How to Choose the Right Vitamin A Derivative
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the most effective weapons in the acne battle are vitamin A derivatives. And since vitamin A derivatives are proven to repair photodamage, they're also the go-to ingredients when it comes to tackling aging issues. Almost everyone can benefit from a topical vitamin A, but confusion reigns over what actually works, and facts can be drowned out by resounding marketing clamor. It’s enough to scare some people from using them altogether. Read on to learn about the difference between retinoids and retinols so that you can choose the right product for your skin.
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