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Ancient Beauty Secrets Are In Your Medicine Cabinet

We look at the ingredients beloved by ancient Greeks, Romans, and the Chinese and the products they’re in today. 

Skincare has been evolving for thousands of years. It should be no surprise that our ancient ancestors were just as concerned about preserving and treating their skin as we are today with the natural ingredients around them. It was the Greeks who first coined the term kosmos and then kosmētikos, or what we know as cosmetics. So it’s safe to say, it was big on their radar. At that time, all cosmetics were naturally formulated and handmade. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that synthetic and chemically manufactured products showed up on the market and entered our skincare routines. But in the 90s and 00s, with an increase in interest in natural ingredients (following the horrors of the twentieth century), we’ve been looking deeper into the past to unlock the secrets of ancient and even mythologized beauty. Thanks to archeological findings, historical writings, and anthropological studies of how people lived during ancient times, we’re able to create products today with the best that ancient and modern times offer. 

Good Foundations

In India, cold cream was invented by mixing rose oil, water, and melted beeswax together. The Ancient Egyptians had an array of vegetable oils they used to keep their skin moisturized in the desert dryness. Oils and ingredients like thyme, marjoram, chamomile, lavender, lily, peppermint, rosemary, cedar, rose, aloe, olive oil, sesame oil,  and almond oil were regularly used. We know from archaeologists that ancient Egyptians even made soapy cleansers out of mineral clay and olive oil and creams made with castor, sesame, and moringa oils. 

Used in the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC -24 AD), Chinese skincare included brightening and anti-aging products made from Chinese Waxgourd Seed, and Apricot seeds were used to make a cream that could relieve black spots and acne during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Today, we recognize apricot kernels and oil as widely used ingredients for the same skin issues. 

The Chinese also unlocked the powerful ingredients found in pearls. “Pearl powder has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine since the early part of the Common Era as a health, cosmetic, and nutrient supplement. The empress Wu Zetian (625–705 AD) consumed pearl powder and applied it to her face for its brightening/lightening properties.” Calcium carbonate, the most abundant ingredient in pearls, is used today as an oil-absorbent for creams and cosmetic products. Its presence in skincare formulas provides consumers with a smooth, silky matte finish to their skin. Calcium phosphates, too, are found in pearls and today utilized in protecting the skin from UV rays, and in cleansers to absorb sebum and promote skin turnover. 

Pliny the Elder detailed the use of certain ingredients in derma care in Ancient Rome. Honey, he noted, was used as an emollient and acne treatment. The bulb of narcissus (daffodil), removed blemishes and softened skin. Myrrh was another commonly cited ingredient. “Myrrh has been used to treat ailments of the skin since antiquity. It is obtained from the sap that is secreted as an exudate from the Commiphora myrrha tree. Myrrh is considered a natural remedy for wounds, infections, and acne and is also used as a perfume agent. “

Eh…Think Again

In Ancient Greece and Rome, where pale skin was a sign of aristocracy (i.e. money, please!), women used a powder of white lead, chalk, and crocodile dung to lighten their skin. Modern science has since revealed lead to be deadly – no duh. The Chinese in BC years went even a step further. They didn’t just powder their skin; they bleached their skin with a mixture of lead, rice, and gel from songyi mushrooms. This kind of skin-bleaching or lightning technique persisted around the world well into the 18th Century, particularly in Europe. 

We’ve come pretty far, even since the 1930s, when mascara dye was blinding women and a facial cream was covertly causing mercury poison. Thanks to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Administration we now have some ground rules to keep us safe when using skincare. We’ve learned from the past, taking the good and reformulating products that are safe and effective. 

And we’ve added some good things, too. Through scientific advancements, we’ve been able to develop skincare staples like Hyaluronic Acid. “In 1934, Karl Meyer and his colleague John Palmer were the first investigators who discovered and isolated HA from the vitreous body of cows’ eyes.” 

“The retinoid drug project was launched in 1968 to synthesize compounds similar to vitamin A by chemical manipulation of its molecule to improve clinical efficacy and safety. The use of these substances in therapy dates back some 3000 years to ancient Egypt, where liver was used to treat endemic night blindness. The modern history of retinoids, however, began in 1909 when an essential factor in the viability of an embryo in the fatty extract of the egg yolk, called vitamin A, was discovered. Retinoids finally were introduced into the treatment of dermatoses including photoaging more than two decades ago”

Niacinamide was discovered in the 1930s and has since become a common ingredient found in skincare products. 

As always, read the ingredients on the products you buy and chat with a dermatologist about your specific needs. The more you educate yourself on what specific ingredients do, the better you can work with your dermatologist to custom-create your skincare routine. And in the meantime, be inspired by the past, and learn from it. But we can be thankful for the ingredients our modern science has given us. Find the best of both worlds in many of our products on SkinMedix.

 

Sources: 
Fakhari, A., & Berkland, C. (2013). Applications and emerging trends of hyaluronic acid in tissue engineering, as a dermal filler and in osteoarthritis treatment. Acta biomaterialia, 9(7), 7081–7092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2013.03.005
Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical interventions in aging, 1(4), 327–348. https://doi.org/10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327
McMullen, Roger L., and Giorgio Dell’Acqua. 2023. “History of Natural Ingredients in Cosmetics” Cosmetics 10, no. 3: 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10030071
Carella, F., Degli Esposti, L., Adamiano, A., & Iafisco, M. (2021). The Use of Calcium Phosphates in Cosmetics, State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 14(21), 6398. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216398
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5 Reasons to Add Masks to Your Regimen

mask1. Masks are powerfully concentrated. Masks are able to contain higher levels of key ingredients because chemists do not have to be concerned with how blendable a product is that is rinsed off after a few minutes – or thrown away, if you use a sheet mask. Sheet masks, like SK-II Facial Treatment Maskare single-use masks that are individually sealed. These masks have extra muscle because they are sealed and protected from the air, which oxidizes and weakens many of the key ingredients.

2. Masks enhance the products in your regimen. You can achieve quicker and even better results, if you Continue Reading →

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The Best Face Moisturizer: Is There Such a Thing?

how to find the best face moisturizer for your skin type

First things first, what exactly makes a face moisturizer the absolute best face moisturizer? Maybe you’ve perused countless drugstores and makeup counters, browsing the plentiful amount of facial moisturizers that all claim to be the “very best” on the market. Some claim to provide better results, others claim to have acne-fighting antioxidants. How do you know which one to choose?

First, you need to determine what exactly a moisturizer is and what it does. A basic moisturizer adds hydration to your skin and retains it.

Well, which one is actually going to work well for your skin type and not someone else’s? It all starts with accessing your skin’s needs. Is your skin super-sensitive, or is your skin more prone to looking shiny once 3 o’clock hits?

Choosing a Facial Moisturizer Based on Your Skin Type

Dry

dry skin

Without adding hydration to your dry skin, it’ll become flaky and itchy in no time! For dry skin, you’ll want to use a light moisturizer to include ingredients to deliver hydration all day and won’t cause you to break out or feel greasy.

For parched skin that just craves moisture, Perricone MD Nourishing Moisturizer is ideal for sensitive or dry skin. This lightweight formula provides a protective barrier over the most sensitive skin for the luxurious moisture your skin deserves.

Oily

oily-skin1

 If you have oily skin, you may be thinking that you shouldn’t moisturize because it’ll make your skin look even shinier. But no, you’ll still need to moisturize, just not as often as someone with dry or normal skin. In fact, if your skin is acne-prone and oily, and you’re applying drying products (such as a face wash and toner), your skin may actually start to produce more oil to balance it all out. If you use a light moisturizer, you can help keep skin in check.

You’ll want to keep your skin hydrated without drying it out, and using a product like Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion by Dr. Dennis Gross to hydrate skin and control oil and shine. Making sure you choose a product labeled “noncomedogenic” or non-pore-clogging is essential.  This oil-free, cushy moisturizer works to seal in time-released hydration as it helps firm and smooth skin’s appearance.

Combination Skin

combination skin

Prone to oiliness on your forehead, nose, and chin, while the rest of your skin is more on the dry or normal side? That means you have combination skin. For combination skin, you’ll want to find a healthy balance of ingredients to complement your skin.

Using a light moisturizer and making sure you wash your face with a cleanser that won’t dry your skin out, like Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser, is all-important. This moisturizer cleanser controls the most oily parts of your skin for a matte, shine-free finish.

Acne-Prone Skin

acne prone skin

With acne prone skin, you’ll want to use an oil-free product that won’t block your pores, otherwise known as a “non-comedogenic” product. A leading face moisturizer for acne-prone skin is Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer, which is extremely gentle on sensitive skin and doesn’t clog pores, making it a great choice for any sensitive or acne skin care routine.. Your skin will feel and look more radiant.

Sensitive Skin

sensitie skin

If you have sensitive skin prone to redness and flare-ups, you’ll want a moisturizer that can help calm your skin. The ideal skin moisturizer should have soothing, natural ingredients for optimal skin health without any unnecessary irritants that many moisturizers may contain. Using a gently moisturizing product such as the NeoStrata Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream restores your skin by gently exfoliating and moisturizing it as it helps calm and strengthen the protective barrier of sensitive skin. Your skin is sensitive, so it deserves the utmost care.

Mature Skin

mature skin

As you get older, your skin becomes more dry because your oil-producing glands are less active. You’ll want to keep your skin hydrated, so using an oil-based moisturizer, such as the Eminence Coconut Age Corrector Moisturizer, helps combat wrinkles and reverse the signs of aging. Filled with electrolytes, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and phosphorous, this anti-aging moisturizer works to deeply moisturize the skin and help to correct any signs of aging.

Preventing aging skin starts with holding in moisture! Give your mature skin a little TLC.

All Skin Types

normal skin type

If you’re lucky enough to have a normal skin type, you can benefit from a light, water-based moisturizer to keep your skin satisfied. Many people think “normal skin” and assume that means a completely flawless face without a pore in sight, which is inaccurate. Normal skin just means your skin isn’t too oily or too dry and feels, well, normal. Just because you occasionally have oil on your nose and dry spots in the winter doesn’t mean you have oily or dry skin. Everyone’s skin changes in different climates and temperatures, but if your skin isn’t excessively dry, you don’t need to associate your skin type as being “dry.”

Cellex-C Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer is oil-free and ideal for all skin types. With a non-greasy formula, the skin moisturizing effects of this moisturizer are immediate and become even more noticeable after 6-8 weeks.

Knowing Your Skin Helps You Find the Best Face Moisturizer

choosing a moisturizer based on your skin type

Your skin changes over time, so what once worked for you may not work for you now. Finding the right product for your skin may seem overwhelming and never-ending, but finding the best product with simple, natural ingredients to help moisturize your skin can bring you to a whole new level of luxury.

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How Much Skin Care Product Should You Apply?

When it comes to your skin care products, do you need a dot, a dab or a dollop? Though we have all fallen prey to the old “more is better” adage from time to time, knowing the proper amount to use is the key to getting the best results! Want to know how much product is needed for your daily regimen? Check out this handy cheat sheet by Makeup.com about which beauty products to scrimp on and which to really slather on!

Product Serving Size

photo credit: makeup.comThe SkinMedix Team

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Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Finding Your Best Eye Cream

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And the Award Goes To…

8 Beauty winners that will keep you looking flawless on—and off—the red carpet! And the award goes to…

bestbreakoutA star is born—the spinning disc on the PMD Pro is coated with the same Aluminum Oxide crystals that are used by professionals. As the disc spins, vacuum suction removes dull, dead cells, leaving skin clear and vibrant. With the dead cells removed, skin is able to absorb products much more effectively.
PMD Personal Microderm Pro, $158.00

bestpictureThe ultimate makeup tool: created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. These elliptical shaped sponges make application foolproof. Its unique curves fit the contours of your face, leaving your make-up dazzling and undetectable.
Beautyblender Sponge Applicator
, $18.00

bestactress
The original tube-technology mascara. Formulated to form tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes for maximum amplification and hold, rather than painting them like conventional mascaras. Won’t run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.
blinc Mascara – Black, $22.00

bestsuppactress
The ultimate tool to enhance the positive effects of your favorite topical skin care products. Rollers are proven to increase the absorption of the active ingredients in creams, lotions, and serums by up to 1000% by creating thousands of micro-channels in the skin that allow nutrients to absorb; the channels close after several minutes, locking in the anti-aging nutrients and anti-oxidants.
Micro Needle Roller 0.5mm, $28.00

bestvisual
A favorite among award-winning celebrities, SK-II;s luxe, pitera-packed antiaging mask leaves skin hydrated and glowing.
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask – One Treatment, $18.00
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask – 10 pack, $118.00

bestdressedAn ultra-rich facial cream that is specifically formulated to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and replenishes skin to give a healthy and youthful appearance. It contains high levels of hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and tighten the skin, as well as antioxidants C, E, and A to help repair and prevent environmental damage; think of it as a multivitamin for the skin. Perfect for those who want to feel instant hydration—and its beautiful jewel-like jar, makes this product a great gift!
SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream, $98.00

bestkissThis glamorous red liquid lipstain and gloss combo in Passion smooths, hydrates while giving you buildable, non-drying coverage that lasts for hours—from the opening monologue to the last after-party—and flatters every skintone.
Jane Iredale Lip Fixation – Passion, $30.00

bestcostumeIt’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level in limited-edition Black Cheetah!. Unlike spinning devices, Clarisonic’s patented sonic technology works with skin’s natural elasticity, oscillating at a sonic frequency that produces over 300 movements per second. The resulting flexing action works to loosen dirt and oil, removing deep-seated impurities from pores and priming skin to better absorb topical treatments.
Clarisonic Pro Face and Body Spot Therapy Kit with Extension Handle – Black Cheetah, $220

Which SkinMedix products got your vote?

The SkinMedix Team

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NEW ARRIVAL: GLAMGLOW

GLAMGLOW - Now Available at SkinMedix

GLAMGLOW was created & founded by Glenn & Shannon Dellimore for exclusive behind the scenes use in Hollywood’s Entertainment, Music, Fashion & Award Industries used professionally pre-makeup for camera ready skin. Created for men & women of all ages and all skin types, and proudly made in California, USA, GLAMGLOW features proprietary active-mud delivery systems with Patent Pending TEAOXI™ technology that can be used alongside your daily skincare regime. Favored by celebrities & now available at SkinMedix! SHOP GLAMGLOW NOW >

The SkinMedix Team

 

 

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November is National Healthy Skin Month

nationalhealthyskinmonthWhile November is typically known for celebrating Thanksgiving and as the month to begin holiday shopping, you probably didn’t know that November is also National Healthy Skin Month! Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. So before you dive into your Thanksgiving turkey or shop till you drop on Black Friday, get started with these 8 no-nonsense tips for healthy and young looking skin!

How do you keep your skin healthy and young looking?

The SkinMedix Team

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