All about how skin care products like soaps, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers work from a doctor's perspective.
Most
soaps, especially
bar soaps, dry the skin out.
Liquid cleansers are much less damaging to the skin and several types of liquid cleansers are on the…
Learn more about the role ceramides play in eczema and psoriasis and new moisturizer technology that improves the skin's ability to retain water.
Ceramides are one of three types of lipids, or fats, that help keep moisture in the skin. Ceramide-containing moisturizers are a new breed of moisturizers that contain the same balance of lipids as your skin. Studies show that they help treat eczema, but they can be used by anyone with dry skin.
Because I only want to recommend products that have been proven to be effective, I have included i…
Moisturizers that contain
alpha hydroxy acids work well on scaly skin because alpha hydroxy acids are exfoliants. These moisturizers work well for people with mild
eczema because they do not contain any irritating ingredients. They should not be used on areas with broken skin because they can sting.
Most soaps, especially bar soaps, dry the skin out. Liquid cleansers are much less damaging to the skin, but there are several types of liquid cleansers. The following are emollient-rich liquid cleansers that dry the skin out the least.
People with
eczema need a good
moisturizer that replenishes the loss of
natural oils from the skin. It is also important to have a moisturizer that doesn't irrit…
A review of Mederma as a treatment for scars.
Liquid cleansers are better for the skin than bar soaps. Find out why in this article about the types of liquid cleansers and their effect on the skin.
Moisturizing is one of the key components to a good skin care regimen, but what makes a good moisturizer? This article explores the anatomy of a moisturizer, outlining the key moisturizer ingredients and their function on the skin.
Bar soaps come in different types - some are more irritating than others. This graph shows the ingredients in different types of bar soaps.
Is it any surprise that the most cleansing soaps can be the most damaging to the skin? This article describes the chemical make-up and clinical effect of various types of bar soaps
Cleansers are designed to remove dirt, sweat, sebum, and oils from the skin, however some cleansers can cause harm to the barrier function of the skin leading to redness, irritation, and dry skin. Learn more about how cleansers interact with the top layer of the skin.
Dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, can be caused by many factors. Some of these factors are preventable. Learn more about the conditions and chemicals that can cause dark spots.
Alpha hydroxy acids have been used for thousands of years for skin rejuvenation, with good reason. Find out more about which alpha hydroxy acids work and the side effects they can cause.
There is only one beta hydroxy acid used as an exfoliant – salicylic acid. Learn why this hydroxy acid causes less irritation than alpha hydroxy acids, and why it is used for wrinkles.
These ingredients are used in sunscreens to absorb UVA radiation which is not measured by SPF.
These ingredients are used in sunscreens to absorb UVB radiation which is measured by SPF.
Get the skinny about alpha hydroxy acids from this FDA article.
The exfoliants covered here are alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), and retinoids.
Information about beta hydroxy acids (BHA) used in skin care products as an exfoliant.
A brief overview of the ingredients that go into moisturizers.
Information about the effect that various vitamins have on the skin.
A brief description of the ingredients that go into bath soaps.
