Who doesn’t want soft, bright, and younger-looking skin? Stupid question, I know. We all do.
But, sometimes, it’s our bad habits that get in the way and mess up our skin. I should know. These are lessons I’ve learned the hard way, and now I’m sharing them with you, so you don’t have to.
So, here they are, the top 5 skincare mistakes to avoid:
1. Exfoliating too much
Oh man, I love exfoliation!
Once those old and rough dead cells are gone, my skin looks so smooth and bright. And who has breakouts anymore?
Seriously, exfoliation is so good, part of me wants to do it all the time. But, that would be a recipe for disaster. If you exfoliate too often, you will remove too many layers, exposing the raw skin underneath that wasn’t ready to come up to the surface yet.
That raw skin is gonna be red, dry, and hurt like hell. Ouch!
Sometimes, if I don’t like a facial moisturizer, I’ll use it on my body. It’d be such a waste to just throw it away, and I hate waste.
But, doing the opposite, and using a body moisturizer on my face? Mmm… NO. It’s true, products for the face and body contain the same ingredients. BUT, and this is an important but, in different amounts.
Body care products contains higher amounts of emollients, fragrance, and other ingredients that could irritate the more delicate skin of your face, or, at the very least, cause breakouts. Thanks, but no thanks.
3. Not using a product with retinoids
Why oh why did I wait so long to try retinoids? Retinoids, such as Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tretinoin and Retinaldehyde to name a few, are all forms of Vitamin A, which is awesome at fighting the signs of aging.
Retinoids accelerate cellular turnover and boost the production of collagen, which reduces wrinkles and dark spots. For real. Not like those silicones that only fill wrinkles in or concealers that hide the unevenness. Retinoids are the real deal.
Who knew that sunscreen wasn’t just for the beach? Sadly, the sun doesn’t just make your skin burn. It also causes wrinkles. And dark spots. And skin dryness. And skin cancer.
The worst part? Sun damage (with the exception of sunburns, of course!), doesn’t appear straight away. The damage done today will accumulate and show up in a few years’ time. It’ll be totally unexpected. And not at all pretty.
So, put your sunscreen on. Every day.
5. Touching your face
Am I the only one who loves touching her face? Facial oils and silicone-based foundations make it so smooth, I can’t keep my hands off it. Ok, I’ll stop being a weirdo, now.
Point is, our hands are full of germs. And, when you touch your face, you’ll transfer some germs on it. Eww! That’s gross. Plus, it can cause pimples. And irritations.
So, resist the urge. Keep those hands off your face, ladies!
Are you making these skincare mistakes?
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It strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, keeping your skin healthy and soft under the worst weather condition – think harsh winter winds and scalding summer heat.
It’s suitable for all skin types, including dry, oily and sensitive.
It’s super cheap (why pay more if you don’t have to?).
How does it accomplish all this? Let’s find out:
Key Ingredients In CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion
Niacinamide To Hydrate, Soothe, And Treat
Niacinamide is the joker of skincare. It does everything:
It doesn’t matter what skin type or problem you’re dealing with. Niacinamide can help you treat it.
Their job is to waterproof skin. The barrier they create:
Ceramides make it harder for harsh weather & other skin enemies to break down your skin’s protective barrier. But if that happens, anyway, they can heal it, too.
When the barrier that keeps skin healthy breaks down in places, ceramides come along and fill in the gaps, stopping moisture from getting out and germs from getting in.
The key to glowing skin? Moisture, moisture, and more moisture.
This is where Hyaluronic Acid comes in. It’s a moisture magnet that attracts moisture from the environment into your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Can you imagine how happy your skin is with all that extra moisture? It plumps up so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It glows as if lit-from-within. And it gets softer to the touch.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion doesn’t have any antioxidants or fancy extracts. It’s just a basic moisturizer that does a fantastic job at keeping your skin soft, supple and safe from environmental harm – no matter your skin type:
Dry skin: It repairs your broken protective barrier, so moisture can finally stay in and moisturise from within.
Oily skin: It moisturises skin without adding more oil to it – no breakouts!
Sensitive skin: It’s free of fragrance and anything else that can irritate it.
FYI, don’t let the name fool you. You can totally use CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion in the AM, too. It’s true the texture is a little thick for a lotion, but it sinks in quickly and it creates a moisturising base for makeup.
For now, a moisturising sunscreen is all I need in the AM, but as the weather turns for the worse (it’s been non-stop rain for a month here in London 🙁 ), I definitely plan to make it a part of my morning routine, too.
The lotion does a wonderful job at moisturizing my skin. I apply it after retinol/exfoliation, two treatments that can be harsh and drying for your skin – especially if you’re new to them.
The next morning, I wake up with super soft skin that’s better able to withstand the colder temperatures. Instead than getting all dry and red as soon I step foot outside the house, my face stays supple and hydrated all day. Phew!
Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.
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This post is sponsored by Panasonic. I’ve been using Panasonic hair dryers for more than a decade, so I’m super excited to share this review of the Panasonic Nanoe EH-NA98 Moisture Infusing Advanced Hair Dryer that’s just launched in Australia. I’ve been using it for the last 2 months and it’s the best hair dryer…
L-Ascorbic Acid is the pure and most-effective form of Vitamin C. Here’s how it keeps your skin young:
It fights the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles
It brightens the complexion
It fades dark spots
It boosts collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and elastic
The catch? L-Ascorbic Acid must be formulated at a pH below 3.5 to work its magic. But low pHs can be irritating for sensitive skin. If yours can’t tolerate Vitamin C serums, this is why.
One more thing: L-Ascorbic Acid goes bad within weeks. You can’t order these serums now, leave them in a drawer for 6 months, and expect them to still work when you finally decide to use them. If you buy them now, use them now.
Vitamin E And Ferulic Acid To Supercharge Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidants alone. But pair it with its BFFs ferulic acid and vitamin E and it becomes unstoppable.
A study conducted by Duke University has found that “its [ferulic acid] incorporation into a topical solution of 15% l-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and 1%alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) improved chemical stability of the vitamins (C+E) and doubled photoprotection to solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold as measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation. This combination of pure natural low molecular weight antioxidants provides meaningful synergistic protection against oxidative stress in skin and should be useful for protection against photoaging and skin cancer.”
In plain English, when used together, ferulic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E double their own sun protection properties and help you fight premature wrinkles much faster.
Paula’s Choice C15 Booster uses the perfect combination: 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% Ferulic Acid.
MaeLove Glow Maker has all three antioxidants as well, but doesn’t disclose percentages. They make be higher or lower, no one knows.
Hyaluronic Acid is a moisture magnet: it attracts moisture from the environment into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated for longer. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
MaeLove Glow Maker has sneaked in a couple of antioxidants, including grape seed extract, magnolia extract, and orange stem cells, to fight free radicals before they give you wrinkles.
The catch? Citrus extracts aren’t the best choice for sensitive skin. There’s always the risk their fragrant components can irritate your skin.
Knowing the irritating potential of Vitamin C, Paula’s Choice C15 Booster focuses on soothing ingredients. Bisabolol and Panthenol both have anti-inflammatory properties that calm down redness and irritation.
Is MaeLove Glow Maker A Dupe For Paula’s Choice C15 Booster?
I wouldn’t call MaeLove Glow Maker an exact dupe for Paula’s Choice C15 Booster – for starters, we don’t know the exact concentrations of the active ingredients in the former. But the formulas are so similar, you can expect very similar results.
Want more dupes? Click on the image below to subscribe to the newsletter and receive the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet with all my fave dupes:
Have you tried MaeLove Glow Maker and Paula’s Choice C15 Booster? Share your fave pick in the comments below.
Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.
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Jessica Wu, MD is responsible for some of Hollywood’s most beautiful faces. For the past 20 years, she’s been paying house calls to the stars to help them look their best on the red carpet and beyond.
But you don’t have to be a celeb to achieve flawless skin. Dr Wu believes that every woman is a natural beauty. Skincare coupled with cosmetic procedures should be used to subtly enhance yours, not completely change your face.
Her approach to skincare? As a top dermatologist, Dr Wu has access to the latest cutting-edge treatment, while her Asian heritage taught her to take a holistic approach that also includes diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Talking about diet, Dr Wu is the author of Feed Your Face, a book about the best diet for younger-looking skin. She also has her own cosmetic line, Dr Jessica Wu Cosmeticeuticals, that uses Chinese botanicals with anti-inflammatory properties to slow down premature aging.
In this interview, Dr Jessica Wu shares her skincare routine, her top tips for beautiful skin and more:
1. When did you become interested in skincare?
I suffered with terrible eczema as a child, then cystic acne as a teen. At one point in high school, my entire cheeks were covered with whiteheads and cysts. It really affected my self-esteem. I used to dread waking up in the morning and looking in the mirror, because I was afraid of what I would see.
After school, I’d often stop at the drugstore, hoping to find products to clear up my skin. That was the start of my skincare obsession. I decided to become a dermatologist to find solutions to my own skin problems, as well as help others who want to have healthy, clear skin. I love what I do because it’s my job to discover cool new products and do clinical trials on new techniques – and I get to share these with my patients!
2. What’s your skincare routine like?
My acne went away after a round of Accutane in college, and now that I’m 51, I’m more focused on youth-preserving products. But my skin is sensitive and I still have occasional eczema flareups, so I avoid products with fragrance or anything potentially irritating.
3. If you could only use three skincare products for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Cleansing Oil, Retinoid Cream, and Sunscreen.
4. What are your fave skincare brands and why?
Avene because it’s made for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
SkinMedica because it contains innovative ingredients such as tranexamic acid, found in Lytera 2.0, which lightens and brightens sun spots without causing sun sensitivity
My own brand, Dr Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals, which contains Chinese botanicals that are natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories
5. What are your top 3 skincare tips to take care of your skin?
Don’t be afraid of retinoids. The biggest myth is that retinoids thin your skin. In fact, we have decades of research confirming that retinoids actually thicken your skin by building collagen — IF you use them correctly. This means finding the right concentration and formula that won’t cause irritation.
Listen to your skin. What works for your friend may not work for you. For example, moisturize where you’re dry and cut back on “active” ingredients if you get red and flaky.
Be gentle. You can’t scrub away acne, sun spots, or dry skin; in fact, scrubbing often worsens the problem.
6. What skincare treatments (dermabrasion, lasers etc) do you regularly have done?
IPL laser in the Fall to clear up sunspots that pop up in the summer.
Emsculpt every 6 weeks to strengthen and tone my abs.
Botox every 4 months for frown lines, to lift my eyelids, and to stop teeth grinding.
Filler twice a year to soften smile lines.
7. What lifestyle habits do you have that keep your skin in top shape?
I’m pretty careful about what I eat, especially ever since I researched and wrote my book, Feed Your Face. My diet is mostly fish (wild salmon, mackerel, trout), vegetables, nuts, fruit, and eggs. The fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids to keep my skin supple and control rashes. Green and yellow veggies help soften fight fine lines and wrinkles, while tomatoes fight sun damage.
I keep scarves in my car to drape over my neck and arms when I’m driving — UV rays go through window glass!
8. What’s in your makeup bag?
Thank you, Dr Wu!
Don’t forget to check out Dr Jessica’s website to discover more about her work and buy her skincare line. You can also keep up with Dr Wu on Instagram.
Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping
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, I have been testing and using all kinds of different shampoo bars.
But before I started all the shampoo bar fun in earnest, I washed my hair with mud – and nothing but mud – for over 3 years.
Honest.
Rhassoul Clay – Perfectly Clean Mud
Rhassoul clay is nature’s gift to both sensitive skin and hair. Even though it’s admittedly a bit more fiddly to use than a shampoo bar, rhassoul travels just as well as a shampoo bar because, like a shampoo bar, it isn’t activated until you add water.
It’s the ultimate cleanser for green purists (and makes for a fabulous deep-cleansing face mask as well).
You do need a bit of ‘equipment’ to use rhassoul, but I’ve been working with it long enough to where I think I have developed the most painless method of use. All you need is the right kind of bottle: a squeezy bottle with an applicator cap thingy (such as you see pictured above). A narrow spoon that will fit into the bottle neck is also handy for mess-free dosing.
Washing Your Hair With Mud
Using rhassoul to wash hair is quite simple. Add a few grams of rhassoul to bottle (approximately a teaspoon for short hair and up to a tablespoon for longer hair), add warm water, place on cap, shake, and voilá, you’re all-natural purist ‘shampoo’ is ready to go.
The liquid is a little reminiscent of ‘slip’ — a runny, brown, muddy-looking liquid. What it lacks in the looks department, it makes up for in the gentle-and-effective cleansing department (especially if you happen to have a sensitive or itchy scalp).
Now, Get Fancy and Add Your Own Herbal Tincture
And since I’ve been exploring different methods and uses of herbal vinegar tinctures (explained in detail
), it became a bit of a no-brainer to combine everything into a DIY naturally conditioning, scalp-and-hair-balancing-cleansing combo that is as easy to make and use as you please (purist style).
This is the combo I’ve been using in between testing out shampoo bars this past year, and my head and hair are thrilled with the addition of herbal tincture.
DIY Shampoo Free How To
If you can get past the fact that there is no lather anywhere in sight and are willing to give this combo a try, here’s how.
Bottle size: 50 ml – 150 ml depending on your hair length (my hair is short and the bottle pictured here holds 50 ml)
Fill up remainder with herbal vinegar tincture of choice
Cap, shake, and apply to wet scalp/hair.
Massage mixture around scalp (just as you would a normal shampoo) taking care to not let the liquid get into your eyes (just as you don’t with normal shampoo)
Rinse thoroughly
Dry and set as usual
TOP TIP: Rinse out the bottle and cap and let air dry between uses
Which Tinctures Are Best
This is obviously going to be a question of personal preference, hair type, scent faves and more, but these herbs might be worth considering if you want to make your own vinegar tinctures:
Rosemary
Lavender
Rose
Chamomile
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Nettle
Horsetail
Amla
Gooseberry
You can also make your own hair-strengthening or scalp soothing tincture by combining your herbs of choice. The possibilities are almost limitless.
Pictured above is a double-charged (twice-infused) lavender vinegar tincture that is potently fresh and smells absolutely fabulous.
Do Tell
Have you ever used rhassoul to wash your hair? Which vinegar tinctures would you add to your rhassoul hair wash? Please share in a comment below.
More Vinegar Tincture Stuff
There’s a how-to vinegar tincture using pomegranate seeds and coconut vinegar
has a whole section on how to make vinegar tinctures with calculation charts and step by step examples. You can also add your own vinegar tinctures to shampoo bars for an extra herbal boost.
L-Ascorbic Acid is the original form of Vitamin C but it’s irritating as hell. It’s super finicky, too. Use the wrong ph or expose it to light and air and it stops working.
Compare that with the copycat, Sodium Ascorbic Phosphate. It does the same job but without throwing so many tantrums.
What The Heck Is Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a derivative of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid). When it sinks into your skin, enzymes come along to convert it into L-Ascorbic Acid.
I know what you’re thinking. What’s the point of using a derivative if it’s converted to the original anyway?
Cos the derivative is a lot more stable (it withstands light and air better) so it’ll still be effective when you finally put it on your skin. And it’s a lot gentler so it won’t make your skin all red as it sinks in.
Can Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate Prevent Premature Aging?
Yes, Vitamin C and all its derivates can help you skin stave off those premature wrinkles and fade away dark spots. Here’s how Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate works:
Destroys the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles
Boosts the production of skin-firming collagen
Has skin-lightening abilities that brighten the complexion and reduce dark spots
Bacteria: Proprionibacterium Acnes, or P.Acnes for short
Lipid oxidation: when your sebum oxidises, your skin becomes inflamed
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate deals with both. 1% of SAP reduces the amount of P.Acnes on your skin, while 5% prevents lipid oxidation in the first place.
The scientists said it works a lot better than many other anti acne treatments out there!
What Are The Best Products With Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate?
Unfortunately, it’s hard to come across skincare products with sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Your best best is below:
The Bottom Line
If L-Ascorbic Acid irritates your skin or is too finicky for your taste, switch to Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. It fights wrinkles, fades away dark spots and even treats acne without any irritation.
Have you ever used products with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate? Share your faves in the comments below.
Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping
Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.
Nina Dobrev wants you to know that her skin is NOT flawless.
“I get pimples just like every other Joe Schmoe,” the 30-year-old actress, best known for her role on the The Vampire Diaries, admitted to Allure.
But that doesn’t mean she won’t leave the house bare-faced.
“I absolutely feel comfortable going out in public and being on social media without makeup,” she revealed in an interview with People. “It’s real. When I have a lot of makeup on, that’s usually work. At home, I just let it breathe. I don’t think I was always [this] comfortable with myself, but as I get older, I start to care less. I feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin now.”
With age has also come a newfound dedication to skincare.
“I think the older I get, the more important it becomes [to take care of my skin],” she told The Cut. “When I was younger, I’d always just fall asleep in my makeup and it wouldn’t really have an effect, but nowadays, because of some maturity, knowledge and growth, it’s changed.”
Photo: @nina
Nina’s routine includes an array of products from Dr. Barbara Sturm, along with some drugstore favourites and a “magic” light therapy mask.
Ready to see how she keeps her skin clear and glowing? Read on:
Nina’s Morning Skincare Routine
1. Sunscreens:
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50: “Her sunscreen is the only sunscreen I’ve been able to use that doesn’t come out white, and it doesn’t get cakey with your foundation.”
Chanel UV Essential SPF 50
Chanel UV Essential SPF 50: “It’s anti-pollution, broad-spectrum SPF…. Not a single day goes by where this isn’t the first thing that I apply to my face upon waking up. I’ve tried so many different products that, especially when you’re wearing makeup right afterwards, it can get thick or it gets sticky or it’s really white. I’ve found that this specific one has the most sheen, it has the most protection, it has 50 SPF in it, which is a lot. And it’s light and airy and you can put makeup on seamlessly. It’s like a primer, almost.”
2. Serum:
Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops
Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops: “These are amazing. I mix them in with my sunscreen and my moisturizer. I don’t know what it is that’s inside of it, but whatever it is, it really does make your skin glow. I’ve never gotten more compliments on my skin since I started using that. All of her products are amazing, and I have honestly seen great results.”
3. Foundation:
Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet Blurring Smooth-Effect Foundation SPF 15
Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet Blurring Smooth-Effect Foundation SPF 15: “The next product after my sunscreen and after my Glow Drops is my foundation. We talked about prepping the skin with a glowy, dewy tint, and right after that I also apply this… which I love mainly because it has sunscreen in it already. So even if I for whatever reason forgot to put my sunscreen on that day, I do have a little bit of protection in the foundation. It has full coverage, but it’s not super heavy and cakey, and at the same time, they also put powder in it. I am an on-the-go person. I have a dog, I have a busy life. I don’t have time to put foundation on and then powder it and do all these steps. In general, I like to keep the skin glowy and fresh and not really wear a lot of makeup. I get red pretty quickly and easily, so I just let it shine through, which I’m told is rosacea, which is not a good thing, but I like it, so I don’t wanna treat it. It skips a step.”
Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Wipes: “One big, main, important thing is to wash your makeup off every night before you go to bed. In order to take my makeup off, the first step is a makeup wipe. I’m told you’re supposed to be really light on your skin, especially around the under-eye area, but I don’t always practice what I preach.”
Simple Kind to Skin Dual Effect Eye Make-Up Remover
Simple Kind to Skin Dual Effect Eye Make-Up Remover: “In order to remove the makeup around the eyes, sometimes I like to use a Q-tip to really get in there, and I typically use an oil-free makeup remover.”
2. Cleansers:
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser: “I put two pumps of Dr. Sturm’s cleanser, and then I mix that with my exfoliant [the Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser].”
Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser
Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser: “It is an enzyme cleanser, also by Dr. Sturm. You just put it in your hand and you mix it with water. The exfoliant helps really get into the pores and get rid of that dead skin. It also removes the makeup if anything’s been left behind that the makeup wipes were not able to get. And then… I use warm water to rinse. Then I pat the face dry.”
3. Cleansing Brush:
Clarisonic Mia Smart 3-in-1 Connected Sonic Beauty Device
Clarisonic: “I use Clarisonic. They’re great—they really get in there.”
4. Serums:
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum: “I use Dr. Sturm’s hyaluronic acid, which allows for all kinds of moisture and water and plumpness to get into the skin.”
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum: “Sometimes, I mix [the hyaluronic acid] with the Super Anti-Aging Serum. Mainly because it sounds cool…. [I use it] for no reason in particular, just because it saves time and I’m a busy lady.”
5. Moisturizers:
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream: “At night specifically, I use a thicker moisturizer like La Mer, and that way you have all night for it to soak in and really work its magic. La Mer is especially special because it was originally created—fun little fact—for burn victims. And it repaired their cells so well when they had third-degree burns that they decided they should probably re-brand and use it as a face cream because it had so many healing properties. This is one that I use a couple times a week and/or before big red carpets when I want that extra dewy glow. And I like to put it under the eyeballs as well.”
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream: “I usually use Dr. Sturm under-eye cream at night. Something I’ve learned from makeup artists is that you should pat the under-eye area as opposed to rubbing it because it saves you from getting wrinkles maybe a few days earlier than you would have otherwise.”
7. Lip Balms:
L’Occitane Ultra Rich Lip Balm
L’Occitane Ultra Rich Lip Balm: “Next step is lip moisturizer. This is a L’Occitane en Provence [lip balm], which, if I have to be honest with you, I got this from one of those little travel-sized things on the plane.”
Dior Lip Glow Color Reviving Balm
Dior Lip Glow Color Reviving Balm: “I get so dry in the middle of the night that I also have to use lip balm, and I also use Dior’s lip balm.”
8. Spot Treatment:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment: “Now, if I’m having a little bit of an outbreak or a pimple or an uninvited friend that has made my face their home, I consult my friend La Roche-Posay. This is a spot treatment that you only need a very little amount of; it’s got retinol in it and you just zap ’em. It’s basically like an eviction notice for your face. You tell ’em they gotta go find somewhere else to squat.”
Nina’s Skincare Treatments
Vampire Facials:
Dr. Barbara Sturm: “She was introduced to me by a friend of mine who works with her and who has beautiful skin. Dr. Sturm was the first person to come up with the Vampire Facial. I get it, there’s a double pun there because I used to be a vampire. [But] it really works. Her Vampire Facials are amazing….”
Déesse Pro LED Mask: “Keep in mind I don’t use this every day. I use it maybe twice a week and before big red carpets so that I get that nice glow. It is a product that I, weirdly enough, initially saw on Kate Hudson, on her Instagram. I reached out to her and asked her what that was because she looked like Jason, the killer [from the Friday the 13th movies], and I was scared at first. And then she told me what it does and I was very, very excited by it. It makes you look creepy, though. Total Jason vibes. I usually either use Mode 1, which is red light for anti-aging, or I use Mode 5, which is the red light and the blue light combined, which helps with healing. So for example, if you have a pimple like I do, and you happen to have popped it, like I often do—which you shouldn’t do—it heals your pimples really fast. Like, you can have an open pimple, put the mask on, and when you take the mask off, it’s gone. It’s crazy. It’s magic.”
Spas:
“I’m a bit of a spa-holic, is that a thing? AIRE Spa of New York is my go-to here. In London, the Corinthia Hotel. It’s insane, the steam rooms and the saunas and the massages, it’s one of the most incredible experiences. In Toronto, just outside of Toronto near Blue Mountain, the Scandinavian Spa. It’s an outdoor/indoor spa, so especially if you go in the winter, it’s snowing and you’re going in the hot tubs, you’re going from room to room, and it’s huge and really cool. The Korean Spa in Los Angeles. It’s not fancy—everyone’s naked. I’m a steam-room-aholic as well… I have a steam room and a hot tub.”
Infrared Saunas:
Shape House and Sweatheory: “I don’t have an infrared sauna, but I think that’s my next step. They’re amazing. Shape House in L.A. will wrap you up in infrared, and then Sweatheory is an infrared sauna place in Los Angeles that I go to.”
Nina’s Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle
Diet:
“I used to eat three full meals and then I would not be able to move after each meal. I would be so full and tired. Now, I eat all the time but portion control is what’s important for me—I’m eating more in total but not more at a time. [My trainer] coached me through it, but basically, I aim to have the size of my thumb in fat, the size of my palm in protein, and then unlimited veggies. I wish I’d learned this in school.”
Exercise:
“I just love working out. Doing something different [each day] has been the most fun, and I’ve seen the most benefit because you shock your system. I need to sweat every single day somehow, even if it’s just in the steam room.”
Sleep:
“I put more time and energy into the relationship with my bed than I do with any relationship I’ve ever had in my life. I always have a sleep mask, because if there’s even a crack of light, I’ll be up. I also sleep with a sound machine. Sound machines are my secret weapon because they drown out any noise and keep you in this even-keeled environment that’s peaceful and chill. Between those two and chamomile tea, those are my tricks.”
Attitude:
“I think anyone and everyone, at some point, has maybe not felt like their best self. What I’ve learned is that life is just a compilation of days where you just try to live life to the fullest and be happy in any way that you can and try to better yourself. Audrey Hepburn has this quote that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that to be very true. Your smile is your best accessory, and I try to wear it every day if I can.”
“At the end of the day, you are what makes you beautiful. Your personality, your aura and who you naturally are.”
That’s what my dear reader Roxann asked me a few days ago. I have to admit, this question took me a bit aback. I’m a big fan of glycolic acid (it’s the best exfoliant ever!), but I had never thought about it as a treatment for acne scarring.
That’s because, unlike Roxann, I never had to deal with acne. Every now and then, a zit pops its ugly head on my chin, but acne has, so far, passed me by. So, even though I use glycolic acid a lot, I have no first hand experience about how well it works to treat acne scars.
So, I did some research. I scoured scientific journals for studies on glycolic acid and its effects on acne scars. Here’s what I found out:
What Are Acne Scars?
Before we talk about treating acne scars, let’s make sure that’s what you have. It’s not always easy to tell. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is often mistaken for acne scarring.
What’s post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation? That red, pink, or brown discoloration that appears after a blemish has healed. These spots are not scars, and, thank goodness, they fade on their own (although, they take their sweet time to do so).
Scars, instead, occur when the skin is damaged. In the case of acne cysts, pores get clogged up with bacteria, excess oil, and dead skin cells. When all this gunk accumulates too much, it’s unable to pass through the skin’s surface. Inevitably, it expands until the pore breaks, releasing matter that causes inflammation and scars.
Who is more likely to get acne scars? Some people have inherited a predisposition to them, but the severity of your acne matters too. The worse it is, the more likely you’ll develop acne scars. And, as you age, they only become more noticeable (one of the side effects of the natural depletion of collagen).
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Ok, so you’re sure yours are scars, not post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Why should glycolic acid be able to help? A member of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) family, glycolic acid is a colorless, odorless and water-soluble substance derived from sugar cane.
This double action reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and even hyperpigmentation. So, it makes sense it’d help treat acne scars too.
But glycolic acid isn’t without side effects. When you use too much of it, or apply it too often, it can cause redness and irritation, especially if your skin is sensitive. That’s why OTC treatments only contain small concentrations (up to 15%).
Higher concentrations work faster, but they need to be prescribed by a dermatologist, or you risk removing too many layers of skin. That’s not gonna look pretty, and it’ll hurt like hell!
If you have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid will help. As mentioned above, these spots fade on their own. But if you can’t wait to get rid of them, glycolic acid will hasten the process.
If you have slight to moderate acne, things are a bit more complicated. Glycolic acid, especially when used with vitamins C and A (both of which can stimulate collagen production), can make scars less noticeable overtime. The bad news is that OTC concentrations usually aren’t powerful enough on their own to solve the problem.
So, what concentrations do you need? According to a 2000 study, about 70%! How did the scientists arrive at this conclusion? They tried several concentrations on three groups of women.
“Glycolic acid peels with 20%, 35%, 50%, and 70% concentrations,” the study reads, “were applied serially at 2-week intervals to 23 patients in Group A. Twenty patients in Group B used a 15% glycolic acid cream once or twice daily for a period of 24 weeks. The remaining 15 patients in Group C applied a placebo cream twice daily during the same period.”
The results? Low concentrations of glycolic acid were better tolerated, but “repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results” and “are necessary to obtain evident improvement.”
But low concentrations aren’t completely useless. The same study claims that “long-term daily use of low-strength products may also have some useful effects on scars and may be recommended for patients who cannot tolerate the peeling procedure.”
How To Use Glycolic Acid Peels To Treat Acne Scars
So glycolic acid peels work, but how should you use them? Here are a few tips to help you:
1.Start small
Although higher concentrations work best, glycolic acid is pretty powerful and should be used with care. That’s why I believe it best to start with concentrations of 20%. After a couple of weeks, switch to a 30% concentration. Do a couple more treatments, and increase to 50%. Only if this is not powerful enough for you, use the strongest amount, 70%.
2. Don’t do it alone!
Don’t go buy a glycolic acid peel treatment on Amazon just yet! These concentrations are way too strong to be used without proper medical supervsion. Go to a doctor, and let her prescribe you the right dose and frequency.
Glycolic acid peels remove an entire layer of skin, and that doesn’t come without side effects! You’ll surely experience some peeling and redness. A little is normal, but, if you take matters into your own hands rather than trusting a professional, the side effects will be quite severe, and as bad to deal with as your scars. Don’t risk it!
3. Be patient
Glycolic acid peels work, but not overnight. Depending on how pitted (depressed) your scars are, it may take several weeks, if not months, for them to disappear.
If your scars are very severe, glycolic acid peels may not even be enough on their own to solve the problem (although, you’ll certainly see an improvement). In that case, consult your doctor for an alternative treatment.
4. Don’t forget sunscreen
Always, always, always, apply sunscreen after a glycolic acid peel. Glycolic acid, as we already know, makes skin more prone to sun damage. After a peel, your skin is very delicate and needs all the protection you can give it.
The Bottom Line
Glycolic acid peels can help treat slight to moderate acne scars. But they need to be administered by a professional, or you risk doing more harm than good!
Have you ever used Glycolic Acid peels to treat acne scars? Share your experience in the comments!
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If your feet are prone to dry skin and calluses, keeping them smooth and soft is a constant struggle.
Welcome to my life. Over the years, I’ve tried countless foot creams, foot files, salon pedicures and even high-tech buffing gadgets to keep the rough, dead skin at bay. (The Emjoi Micro-Pedi seemed to work okay for a while, but having to constantly buy new replacement heads really adds up!)
But then I heard about Baby Foot from a beauty editor friend.
This was before it went viral, mind you, and this new foot-care category—the foot PEEL—was still unheard of here in North America.
The way she described the little plastic booties, flooded with acid, was enough to get me excited. And then (spoiler alert) how it made all your dead skin shed off like a snake?!?!
Totally disgusting. But duh! I wanted IN.
Fast-forward to the present, and I’m still Baby Foot-ing a few times a year as my foot maintenance product of choice.
Read on to find out how it works, how to use it and what results you can expect—including my very own Baby Foot before and after. Look away now if you’re grossed out by feet!
What is Baby Foot?
The Baby Foot peel.
Baby Foot is a chemical peel for your feet. A very STRONG chemical peel.
It’s also the OG foot peel, created all the way back in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan.
Unlike other foot treatments, which require regular filing sessions or daily product applications, Baby Foot is something you only need to use once every couple of months.
It’s THAT intense, thanks to a high concentration of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) combined with alcohol, as well as various botanical extracts.
According to the manufacturer, the glycolic and citric acids break down the bonds between the layers of dead skin cells. The alcohol softens the skin (making it easier to remove), and the lactic and salicylic acids stimulate a flaking effect—all without damaging the fresh skin underneath.
Here’s a look at the ingredients:
According to the manufacturer, none of these were tested on animals (Baby Foot is cruelty-free).
The formula has the consistency of a gel, and comes pre-filled inside a set of disposable plastic booties for you to wear. That way, the booties can keep it in contact with your skin for maximum absorption. It’s sort of like a sheet mask for your feet, except it is exfoliating instead of hydrating.
The results aren’t instantaneous, though. It can take up to a week to start seeing the dead skin peel away—a process that I’ll show you in just a second. Let me say that it is equal parts horrifying and life-changing!
Who should try Baby Foot? Anyone who experiences dry, rough skin on their soles, heels or toes. The dead skin accumulates due to pressure and friction from standing, exercising or even wearing certain shoes. (I’m know I’m definitely guilty of suffering for fashion and not wearing my orthotics like I should!)
Baby Foot Peel Instructions
Using Baby Foot is simple—you just need to set aside an hour or two to prepare for and then apply the peel.
Before you start, you may want to remove any nail polish you’re wearing, because the acids will destroy the shine and make it look dull.
Alright, here’s what you’ll find in the box:
The Baby Foot instructions.
First of all, the instructions. They can be a bit confusing, so I’m going to walk you through them here.
Each Baby Foot package contains one pouch.
You also get a sealed pouch. This contains your acid-soaked booties. But wait! Before you pop those bad boys on, you want to soak your feet first.
I fill my tub with a few inches of warm water and then sit my feet in it for a good 15 to 20 minutes. The idea is to soften the dead skin, so the gel can penetrate more effectively. Amongst Baby Foot devotees on the Internet, this pre-soak step is the KEY to an effective peel.
(Weirdly, Baby Foot’s instructions fail to mention this until step two, after they’ve already told you to put on the booties. Then, the instructions are like, by the way: “We recommend taking a footbath to enhance the effects BEFORE and AFTER using this product.” So don’t make the mistake I did of reading step one and thinking the Baby Foot scientists had suddenly determined soaking was no longer necessary—it is.)
The Baby Foot booties.
So here’s what the plastic booties look like. These are for one-time use only. Not pictured: the peel-off adhesives that you’ll use to secure the booties around your ankles.
Cut along the dotted line to open the Baby Foot bootie.
Since the tops of the booties are sealed (to prevent the gel from leaking out), you’ll need to cut along the dotted lines to open them up.
Wearing the Baby Foot booties.
Roll up your pants and stick a foot in each bootie. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt or sting, despite all the acids.
To keep the gel in place, secure the booties snugly around your ankles with the enclosed adhesives. (If you can’t find them, just use regular tape.) Since the booties are designed to accommodate up to a size 12 foot, they can be a little loose, so I like to put a pair of socks on over top, to make them fit tightly.
Also, don’t do what I’m doing here, which is sticking my foot in the air. You want to be sitting upright, so the acid is pooling under your soles—not working on the tops of your feet, where there’s no dead skin to target.
You need to wear the booties for ONE HOUR before you take them off and wash your feet with soap and water.
For the next seven days, do not apply any creams or lotions to your feet, and be sure to soak your feet daily. According to Baby Foot, the water is essential to activate the peeling process.
WARNING: Do not scroll down unless you want to see the graphic results!
The Baby Foot peeling process starts within two to seven days.
This is what starts to happen within two to seven days after the initial Baby Foot application. The dead skin literally starts to peel off in SHEETS.
You just need to be patient and let it happen. I can still remember the first time I did this, and I was convinced it hadn’t worked. Four days passed, and if anything, my feet were looking worse: much drier and more callused than before. Damn you, Baby Foot, I was thinking.
Then, a day later, I was taking off a pair of tights when much to my alarm, a whole bunch of flakes fell out on the floor. FOOT FLAKES. I was repulsed, but elated. The grotesque sloughing-off can continue for up to two weeks, so you will definitely need to change your sheets, and vacuum.
But it’s all worth it, because a pair of soft, smooth and yes, baby-like feet will finally emerge!
Baby Foot Peel Safety
The Baby Foot peel.
Is Baby Foot safe? For most people, yes—as long as you use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Baby Foot safety:
Who should NOT use Baby Foot? Avoid Baby Foot if you have open cuts or sores, warts, corns or any skin disease affecting the soles of your feet. Also steer clear if you have diabetes or an immune deficiency. People with very sensitive skin may also find the strong acids too irritating.
Can you leave Baby Foot on longer than one hour? The instructions suggest one hour—any longer and you’re taking a risk. A lot of Baby Foot reviewers recommend two hours, but I’ve found that makes areas with thinner skin, like the tops of the feet, uncomfortably itchy for days later. I think it’s just too long for them to be in contact with the acid!
Can you speed up the process by peeling off skin with your fingers or a foot file? It’s tempting to want to “help” things along by peeling off skin with your fingers or going at your soles with a foot file. But this could be too aggressive, and you could inadvertently take off skin before it’s ready. Instead, the manufacturer recommends gently rubbing your feet with your hands after bathing.
How often can you use Baby Foot? If your feet have a lot of dry skin build-up, the manufacturer suggests a second application after four weeks. For maintenance, you can use Baby Foot about every two months.
Did I buy a fake Baby Foot? If you didn’t get results, it’s possible that you purchased a counterfeit Baby Foot. Before you use the product, make sure it says Baby Foot (not “Baby Feet”) and that the contents match the photos here. Otherwise, the peel could be ineffective or even harmful.
Baby Foot Peel Dupes
If you’re looking for an alternative to Baby Foot, you’re in luck. These are the closest dupes on the market, which contain almost identical peeling ingredients:
Conclusion + My Results
During the Baby Foot peeling process (left) and after (right).
So here’s what my feet looked like during the Baby Foot peeling process, and after.
I was well overdue for a peel before this session, so I’m pretty darn impressed! I still have some callused skin in a few spots because I over-pronate (roll inward). I could repeat the treatment in a month to work on them some more, but it’s never going to be a permanent solution.
Still, it’s one that I am extremely happy with! Since Baby Foot is only removing dead skin, not living tissue, it is not traumatizing the skin in any way or encouraging calluses to build up faster.
Not only is it more effective than any other treatment I’ve tried, but it also involves less manual labour than filing, and is way cheaper than a pedicure.
The only catch? You need to do Baby Foot when your feet are going to be under wraps (like during the winter). Sheets of dead skin falling off your feet just doesn’t go well with sandals, you know?
Where to Buy
Have you tried Baby Foot yet? What were your results?
This post is sponsored by Panasonic. I’ve been using Panasonic hair dryers for more than a decade, so I’m super excited to share this review of the Panasonic Nanoe EH-NA98 Moisture Infusing Advanced Hair Dryer that’s just launched in Australia. I’ve been using it for the last 2 months and it’s the best hair dryer…
Dawn Siler 