Category: Skin Care

Here you will find blog posts covering topics related to skin care, including how compounding can be beneficial for skin care.

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Skin Care

Can Compounded Cosmetics Help With Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a common issue during the winter months; and there can be many reasons behind it. Regardless, compounded cosmeceutical skin care products can help.

Tis the season for dry, itchy skin.

People with eczema, psoriasis, allergies, and other skin conditions often see their conditions worsen during the cooler winter months; itchiness seemingly amplifies to almost intolerable levels.

No fun!

Winter is a tough time of year (in general)… but you still deserve to look and feel your very best all season long.

If you’re struggling with your skin, help is on the way!

You can now choose from a wide variety of compounded cosmeceutical products containing ingredients designed to soothe your skin – and some of them can even be tailored to your unique needs.

 

What Are Cosmeceuticals?

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products that claim to have certain healing properties.

You very often see products that make anti-aging claims, but some brands claim to have a specific action for certain skin conditions, too.

  • These formulas may contain biologically-active ingredients believed to have drug-like effects and properties.
  • Others just contain contain ingredients the FDA classifies as drugs, such as steroids or vitamin D analogues.

Feeling confused? Like any other medicated product, it’s best to speak with your pharmacist if you have questions.

Just remember this — the “cosmeceutical” label does not automatically mean your products are recognized as pharmaceutical drugs.

 

 

Cosmetic Ingredients to Look For

Dry skin needs a little extra love, starting with your cleansing products and including your moisturizers and any other lotion, cream, or serum you put on your skin.

In fact, the type of formula you use can make a big difference in how your skin looks, feels, and holds up to harsh winter weather.

What does this mean for you?

Ultimately, you should consider the ingredients within your favorite cosmeceuticals.

Here’s a few of the most common:

  • Polysorbate– The “85” and “60” versions of this ingredient are commonly found in cleansers. Both break up excessive skin and produce oils to easily spread them across the surface of the skin, allowing for efficient distribution.
  • Triethylhexanoin – A skin conditioner containing a mixture of fatty acids and glycerine. Highly moisturizing.
  • Coconut Oil – Extracted from the coconut seed itself, it’s delicious and soothing when applied to dry skin. It’s often paired with sesame, almond, jojoba and other plant-based oils for a cumulative effect.
  • Hyaluronic Acid – A naturally-occurring substance commonly found in anti-aging products. It plumps the skin and stimulates collagen production, found mostly in the serums and moisturizers you wear under your makeup.
  • Glycerine – Glycerine is a natural plant and animal product, but can also be synthetically created. Both synthetic and non-synthetic forms pull moisture from the air and trap it in your skin.
  • Retinol – This Vitamin A molecule is one of the best antioxidant vitamins you can apply to aging or dry skin. It promotes cellular growth and helps to correct damage. Retinol penetrates skin deeply, making it perfect for healing both the outer layers and deeper layers of the dermis.
  • Grape Seed – Grape seed, often used in oil form, contains vitamins E and C, both of which have well-known antioxidant properties. Cosmeceutical companies often include it in cleansers and moisturizers as an extract or powder. Some researchers even believe grape seed extract has sunscreen properties.
  • Hydroxyl Acids – Also known as Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acids, these substances firm and tighten skin to make it appear more youthful. They also help to loosen up dead skin cells so they’re easier to exfoliate. Common hydroxyls include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid.

The cosmeceuticals on this list are far from your only options.

Others you may find beneficial include:

  • Pomegranate
  • Soy
  • Depigmenters
  • Estrogens and other hormones
  • Polyphenol antioxidants
  • Aloe vera
  • Curcumin
  • Coenzyme Q-10

 

 

Drying Ingredients to Avoid

Compounded cosmetics are generally created individually for each patient, which can be extremely beneficial.

You get instant access to specific needed ingredients without being forced to include other substances that may aggravate your dry skin or other related conditions.

Not sure what you should avoid?

Try this list of common problem ingredients to ensure you have the best chance of staying well.

  • Isopropyl alcohol – This form of alcohol causes water to evaporate faster than usual. It is extremely drying.
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate – SLS strips natural oils from the skin. It has also been linked to cancers, endocrine disorders, and other diseases, and may trigger allergies in sensitive patients.
  • Sodium laureth sulfate – This ingredient is only slightly less drying than sodium lauryl sulfate. You’re not really missing out by avoiding either of these sulfate ingredients as they generally only provide a lathering effect. It, too, can trigger allergies in sensitive patients.
  • Salicylic acid – This is an ingredient commonly used to treat adult acne, but it shouldn’t be used between flare-ups. Overuse can lead to red, peeling, and sensitive skin.
  • Sodium chloride – Used in moderation, sodium chloride can soften the skin, but too much of a good thing applies here. Regular and excessive use can have a drying effect. It’s best to avoid this ingredient if you have chronic dry skin issues.

 

Custom Compounded Cosmetic Skin Care

There is always a bit of trial and error involved in creating custom cosmeceutical products.

Your compounding pharmacy is capable of keeping track of the ingredients to create your personalized blends so you can add or subtract ingredients to find the right balance.

One of the main benefits of compounded cosmetics is a reduction in the number of products you use each day.

Your pharmacist may, for example, be able to mix the following into one lotion:

  1. A sunscreen
  2. Moisturizer
  3. Retinol treatment into one lotion

This eliminates the need for three separate lotions and serums and reduces reduces drying and application time. It’s not really any different in effect, but it does let you get through your daily routine faster.

Benefits of Compounding Skin Care

Another benefit of compounding: your compounding pharmacy can create a custom cosmetic blend with more active ingredients and fewer fillers.

Most of the allergic reactions caused by cosmetics come from the cheap fillers used to hold them together rather than the active ingredients themselves.

A personalized approach to treatment is also just better for individual patients.

Cookie cutter solutions rarely fit every patient perfectly; in few other areas is this as much the case as it is with sensitive skin and skin conditions.

Your pharmacist is your best ally in the adventure of finding ways to look and feel your best without risking a flare-up of conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, and irritation.

 

Conclusion

Have a specific skin condition? Ask your compounding pharmacy to step in.

They can include some of the properties of your favorite everyday moisturizer with the medicated or extra-hydrating ingredients you need to keep conditions like these at bay.

They can also blend in “cosmetic” anti-aging ingredients within the same product, making it easier to achieve all of your goals in one shot.

There’s nothing fun about dry, itchy skin.

Whether it’s a product of the season or an ongoing health issue, talk to your doctor or dermatologist and your pharmacist about your skin condition and how to best treat it.

You may just find the perfect blend of two or three different components — something completely unique to you — is exactly what you need to nip annoying symptoms in the bud.

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Skin Care

Consider Compounded Cosmetics This National Healthy Skin Month

woman skin trouble. pimple, freckle, spot, wrinkle, saggy.

November is National Healthy Skin Month, which means it’s time to treat yourself! To celebrate, we’ll discuss how to maintain healthy skin, and the benefits of compounded cosmetics.

Happy National Healthy Skin Month! Did you know your skin is your body’s largest organ?

Your skin needs your attention all year, but more so during the crisp fall and winter months. In this post, we’ll share a few skin facts and reveal how compounded cosmetics can help you look (and feel) your very best.

Here’s to your wellness!

 

A Closer Look at Your Skin

If you’re like so many others, you probably don’t give much thought to your skin until you have an injury, dry patch, or some other related skin condition.

The average adult’s skin takes up approximately 18.5 square feet and contributes about 15 percent to our body weight.

  • Touch

The nerves in your skin are responsible for helping your body to distinguish touch. This means it feels not only different levels of pressure, but it can send the signals that help you to feel textures, too.

These same nerve endings help your skin send signals to your body about pain.

  • Temperature

One of your skin’s most important jobs is to regulate your internal temperature. It acts as a thermostat of sorts, turning on your sweat glands to help cool you down when your temperature rises.

When it is cold out, your skin’s blood vessels constrict and close off, keeping your warm blood away from your skin so that you don’t lose body heat.

  • Overall Health

Your skin can tell you a lot about your overall health. Hives, dry skin, and other skin symptoms are one of the biggest indicators of poor health, often manifesting even before other symptoms in a long list of diseases.

One of the biggest concerns for the skin itself is cancer (also known as melanoma). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular skin checks, especially if you have a lot of moles, skin discolorations, freckles, or age spots. Early detection is critical to successful treatment outcomes.

 

 

Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin This National Healthy Skin Month

Your skin serves in so many important roles that taking care of it seems small in comparison.

Here’s a few tips to help you keep it healthy and functioning well:

  • Wash your skin daily at least once, especially after exercise.
  • Always wash your face before bed at night. This wipes away impurities and toxins and allows your body to heal your skin naturally as you sleep.
  • Use a daily moisturizer to help your skin stay hydrated from the outside.
  • Drink plenty of water to promote hydration from the inside.
  • Wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every single day. The angle of the sun changes in the winter, but it can still damage your skin.
  • Make sure your shoes fit properly to prevent damage to the feet on your skin. This may help to prevent painful blisters and corns.
  • Regularly check your skin for new blemishes, changes in your moles, or any skin changes. If you find anything, speak with your physician.

 

Your Skin and Compounded Cosmetic Products

As your skin ages, it begins to lose elasticity, causing it to to become dry, thin, and even wrinkled with discolored age spots. Add skin conditions like adult acne or eczema into the mix and it feels nearly impossible to stay on top of your skin’s health.

Many people will, over time, try hundreds of dollars worth of skin care products in an attempt to battle the aging process.

What if you could turn to just one or two products to get the job done, instead of having to use several in a protracted morning routine?

The secret to treating your skin care woes is compounded skin care products.

Here’s a few of our most commonly-used compounded formula ingredients for skin wellness to learn this National Healthy Skin Month.

 

  • Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) –

An enzyme that serves as an antioxidant when applied topically.

  • Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester) –

a molecule derived from ascorbic acid. It infuses the skin with both vitamin c and essential fatty acids. C Ester acts as a preservative and antioxidant and helps to better blend vitamins A, C, and D into the skin.

  • Retinol or Tretinoin –

Both are vitamin A analogues that help improve skin texture and reverse the signs of sun damage.

  • Amino Acids –

Essential fatty acids that support collagen production and the development of elastin for smoothness, freshness, and youthfulness.

  • Hyaluronic Acid –

An acid that helps your skin retain water, creating a plumping effect that smoothes out fine lines.

 

 

 

The Value of Combination Formulas

Most of the additives found in over-the-counter skin care products are for cosmetic purposes alone. Retinol, for example, plays a huge role in rejuvenating the skin gradually over time, but its benefits are greatly enhanced when it is mixed with alpha lipoic acid.

Examples of Combination Compounded Cosmetic 

Some skin care products can be compounded to support therapeutic and aesthetic needs and desires.

For example, your doctor may recommend a topical corticosteroid for inflammation during an eczema flare-up, but ask that it be compounded into a daily moisturizer with UV protection to combat dry, cracked skin.

Similarly, combination products work well for old acne scars, pregnancy stretch marks, and age spots. In most cases, discolorations like this have no medical implications, but they bother the patient visually.

Combination formulas containing a blend of acids, moisturizers, and vitamin E slowly and gently reduce pigmentation levels.

Combination Formulas and Acne

Struggling with active acne? There are many factors involved in the root cause of acne, and each person’s skin is unique.

For patients who struggle with commercial formulas, finding them either ineffective or too harsh, compounded medications may help.

This includes custom blends of Retinoic Acid, Erythromycin, Azelaic acid, Clotrimazole, steroids, and other medications that microtarget multiple factors all at once.

 

Conclusion

While a lot of skin ailments are cosmetic in nature, some are caused by medical conditions. Regardless of whether your condition is medical or simply cosmetic, you deserve to look and feel your very best with as few negative symptoms as possible.

So, this National Healthy Skin Month, take the time to learn about managing healthy skin, and the steps to take to achieve this.

Compounding can help you achieve that goal by creating entirely custom formulas designed just for you and every beautiful inch of your skin.

Compounding skin medications takes special equipment and a unique knowledge of dermatological needs; that’s why compounding pharmacies need a special license to work with these incredible products.

At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what’s right for you as an individual instead of matching you with an imperfect fix.

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Skin Care

7 Simple Summer Skin Care Tips for Healthy Skin

Pharmacies don’t just help patients with drugs; often, we play a vital role in beauty and self-care strategies, especially when it comes to seasonal skin concerns. With summertime just around the corner, skin symptoms are ramping up, including sunburns, windburns, dryness, over-production of oil, and blemishes. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of 7 summer skin care tips to keep your skin healthy, and glowing this summer.

For as much as the sun can heal your skin in small doses, it can also cause serious symptoms and damage in excess, too. Moderation is the key to preventing skin cancers and ensuring your skin looks its best.

But staying out of the sun altogether? That’s neither fair nor fun.

Instead, use these summer skin care tips to get that healthy, glowing skin back without sacrificing your super summer experiences.

 

1. Sunscreen is Necessary for Summer Skin Care

Prevention is worth a pound of cure, which is exactly why wearing sunscreen is the best tip we can give you for summer skin care.

Anyone six months of age or older should wear a good, high SPF sunscreen (30 SPF or above) if they’re spending time outside.

Sunscreen can’t work unless it’s applied correctly. To ensure you get the most from your sunscreen, apply it at least 30 minutes prior to going outside. Reapply every 45 minutes to an hour, or whenever you encounter water, sand, sweat, or other environmental factors that may reduce its effectiveness.

Keep in mind that if you’re swimming, you may need to reapply your sunscreen more often; even waterproof sunscreens can break down over time.

Have sensitive skin? Ask your pharmacist about special sunscreens made from compounded materials right in the pharmacy. Whether you’re allergic to a certain ingredient or just find your skin becomes irritated with commercial formulas, your pharmacist can help you find a solution.

 

2. Stay in the Shade

We all love to spend time outside in the sun. A little bit of exposure to sunlight helps us to produce vitamin D, which can improve mood, help us ward off depression, and even enjoy healthier skin. The problem occurs when we spend too much time outside in the sun, experiencing sunburns and even blistering.

Figuring out exactly how much time in the sun is too much isn’t always easy. Every person is different; some people may be more sensitive to the sound than others. As a rule, UVA and UVB rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As a rule of thumb for your summer skin care, you should restrict your time outdoors during these hours whenever possible. If you must go out, be sure to wear sunscreen.

If you are spending time outside during the day, being able to retreat to a shady area is often enough to prevent nasty sunburns. If you going to the beach, bring an umbrella. If you’re sitting beside the pool, situate your chair under an awning. If you’re just relaxing outside, be sure to retreat to the shade at least once or twice an hour to cool down.

Moreover, try your best to be aware when your overheating; if you experience symptoms like redness, irritation, or blistering, it’s a warning sign. You’re spending too much time in the sun.

 

3. Avoid the Wind

Sun isn’t the only risk to your skin in the summertime; sunny, windy days can worsen irritation, causing chafing, redness, irritation, and sometimes, even cracked, bleeding skin.

High winds are incredibly abrasive, and the effects of exposure are usually cumulative, meaning the longer you’re outside, the worse your symptoms will be.

We see these symptoms often in people who hike, climb, or spend time at high elevations where winds may naturally be higher, but it’s also common for patients who enjoy water sports, such as jet skiing, water skiing, hand gliding, skydiving, and other thrill sports.

Protecting your skin from windburn starts with avoiding high winds in the first place, but it is unreasonable to tell you to stay indoors all summer long.

To reduce your risk for irritation and other symptoms, cover sensitive areas of your face like your nose, lips, and forehead when appropriate.

For the best results of your summer skin care strategy, start by covering sensitive zones with a good sunscreen that contains zinc. Then, moisturize regularly throughout the day.

Take vitamin E to help your skin bounce back after outdoor play sessions.

 

4. Use Aloe Products

Aloe vera is an amazing plant; it’s entirely natural, yet it has an uncanny ability to help skin heal from damage.

Most experts recommend using it after sunburns, but you can apply aloe vera to your skin at any time for a healthy, nourishing burst of moisture. You don’t necessarily need to buy a product that contains aloe vera, either; if you have a plant at home, you can simply break off a stock, squeeze out the gel, and apply it directly to your skin.

That said, finding summer skin care products that includes aloe vera are often very helpful. This includes cooling gels that soothe after sunburns and rehydrate your skin and moisturizers. Ask your pharmacist which of these formulas may be best for you.

 

5. Drink Plenty of Water

Here’s the most important summer skin care tip you’ll ever get about healthy, glowing skin: it’s all about hydration.

Hydration influences skin function, including how it looks, how it feels, and how much it “glows.”

If you’re dehydrated, your skin can’t function correctly. It will become dry, cracked, or even develop blemishes and/or a lackluster appearance.

Getting that dewy glow back, regardless of your age, starts with drinking more water regularly throughout the day.

There’s no fixed rule for how much water someone should drink throughout the day; most experts recommend aiming for around eight, 8-ounce glasses of water in a 24-hour period. You may need to drink more if you’re hard at work or playing outside, or less if you’re spending the day inside. Most patients do best if they watch thirst levels and respond to them as needed.

One small hydration warning: Hydration is about more than just fluids, critical electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and even salt can become off kilter if you’re drinking water alone. Over-indulging in water by itself can cause hyponatremia, a condition where essential electrolytes fall out of balance. Eating a snack every few hours or indulging in the occasional sports drink after hard play sessions reduces your risk.

 

 

6. Don’t Over-Wash

In the summer, many patients experience sweating and oily skin. This is a natural reaction to the heat and sun; your body is doing its best to protect your skin from damage. Sadly, most of us don’t see it this way.

Patients often react to increased oil production by washing the skin more often. It seems logical, but it’s rarely the right move; over-washing puts intense stress on the skin and can confuse your body.

As you wash away the oil, your body mistakes it for dry skin, producing even more oil. This increased production begins to clog pores, leading to blemishes, pimples, irritation, and chafing, especially if you’re using harsh soaps. Most of us compensate by washing even more often…and the cycle continues.

Of course, no one really likes walking around with oily, dirty skin; not washing at all isn’t the right choice, either. The answer is to wash one to two times per day using gentle foaming cleansers or plain water alone. If you find yourself struggling, use blotter pads or a clean, soft sponge to wick away sweat and oil.

 

7. Repair Damage with Compounded Topicals

Is your skin already damaged by the sun? Whether you’re struggling with localized symptoms from recent exposure, or you have chronic skin issues due to years of exposure to the sun, there are ways to soothe your skin and repair damage.

Highly-targeted compounded cosmeceuticals, including antioxidant moisturizers and irritation-reducing steroid creams, can reduce signs of skin damage and aging when applied regularly. These blends treat skin locally, smoothing, toning, and plumping for a more youthful look.

Compounded cosmeceuticals aren’t like commercial blends; instead, your pharmacist creates a skin care regime them by hand just for you in the pharmacy to match your exact skin type and symptoms.

Because they’re better targeted to individual patients, they often produce better results, too. If you’re curious, reach out to your pharmacist to learn more about how cosmeceuticals can help.

 

Creating a summer skin care regime doesn’t have to be difficult. With these 7 tips, you can have beautiful glowing skin all summer long.

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Skin Care

The Benefits of Customized Skin Care Products

Skin problems getting you down? Whether you’re 14 or 40, there’s a solution to help you relieve problem skin issues – but it can take a bit of trial and error to find the right product for each new issue. This is mostly a result of standardization in the beauty industry; rather than making products for individuals, companies make products for the average person. That doesn’t leave much room for specialized beauty needs, like allergies or sensitive skin. Luckily, as technology has advanced, there are now ways to create customized skin care products to match all your needs.

Your dreams of gorgeous skin doesn’t have to be just a fantasy; with the help of your local pharmacy, you can access customized skin care products made just for you. These pharmacy-customized compounded skin care products contain individually-adjusted ingredients. Therefore, you get less of what isn’t good for you and more of what is. Whether you’re battling an allergy or just trying to fight off wrinkles with sensitive skin, compounding cosmeceutical products gives you access to these benefits (and many more).

 

One Size Does Not Fit All

You are an individual with your own individual biochemistry, and that means your skin is individualistic, too. What works for another patient may be totally incorrect for your skin due to subtle chemical and genetic differences in the body. Compounding customized skin care products eliminates this concern by identifying and targeting your skin for your skin care problems. It into consideration all of the wonderful and unique biological processes that make you truly you.

 

Lowered Allergy Risk

If you’re someone who has tried multiple commercial products in the past, only to experience irritation, redness, contact dermatitis, hives, or even anaphylaxis, you may shy away from skin care altogether. That’s easy to understand; no one wants to risk a nasty allergic reaction while trying to resolve simple skin care needs.

Compounded skin care is a must for people with allergies for a few different reasons. Firstly, your pharmacist can work with you to identify your allergens. Once you have a better picture of what the problem chemicals or substances are, he or she can reformulate your favorite products without the problem ingredient. If you’re allergic to multiple ingredients, it may even be possible to find alternatives or create a whole new formula from scratch to achieve the same results.

It’s all about meeting your needs and keeping you safe!

 

Less Water; More Product

Commercially-available skin care products contain a variety of ingredients. There’s a tendency for brands to pack in as many ingredients as possible to “sell” the product as more useful. While this is occasionally the case (there are useful combination products), sometimes it’s more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.  That can impact concentration.

Think of your skin care product as a pie chart. Every section of the pie is a different ingredient within the formula. If you keep adding in ingredients or “pie slices,” eventually you run out of space and need to remove a portion of another slice to fit it in.

By the time a product reaches 10, 12, or 14 ingredients, the main beneficial substances may be present in tiny amounts – too little to have enough impact on your skin struggles. Some companies may also “water down” ingredients, leaving you paying for a product that’s mostly water. While water usually won’t hurt your skin (in fact, it’s a must in many skin care products) too much of it makes for a product that isn’t always as effective as it should be.

When creating customized skin care products, pharmacists can skip over commercial formulas and include only the ingredients necessary for use. This naturally leads to products with a more even balance of ingredients and/or medicinal and active ingredients. More balanced formulas often show better results when tackling skin care concerns like wrinkles, rejuvenation, breakouts, and dry skin.

Sometimes concentration isn’t desired; commercial products may be too harsh or too strong for patients. This is often the case with teens, children, and the elderly, who often have sensitive, highly-reactive skin. Customization also provides pharmacists with the option to de-concentrate a formula with a gentler balance of ingredients, achieving results without irritation, redness, or side effects.

 

Dermatologist-Directed Solutions

The compounding pharmacist is the dermatologist’s best friend. Both professionals work together to identify skin conditions and treat them with highly-specific medicinal or cosmeceutical solutions. The dermatologist investigates and diagnoses, writing a prescription for medicated treatment measures specific to the patient’s needs. Every prescribed skin care product (and the ingredients inside) is dermatologist-directed, evidence-based, and dermatologist-approved for skin care.

Next, the compounding pharmacist creates the prescription from scratch. Starting with base ingredients, the pharmacy adds ingredients one by one until achieving the right balance in the right dosage format.

As the patient’s skin care situation changes as a result of improvement, decline, or even just age, it can be adjusted. This achieves a better care standard and vastly improved skin management over time – no matter how long or how short the intended treatment. If the patient develops new skin symptoms, formulas are tweaked to resolve the new symptoms as well as the old.

For patients with chronic or long-term skin care concerns, this is by far the best way to manage skin care over time. This is because it provides constant monitoring and adjustment. Your pharmacist and dermatologist will continue to work together for as long as needed to provide continuance and reliability in care.

 

Customized Skin Care Products Target Specific Problem Areas

Have cystic acne? Struggling with psoriasis? Can’t seem to break free of your overly large pores? These are all common skin care concerns. However, when you have more than one problem, finding a solution can feel a bit like playing whack-a-mole. You manage to correct one issue, but the formula triggers or worsens another. Maybe it even introduces a whole new issue and makes your treatment more complex.

It all starts with your own personal assessment; you can visit your local pharmacy for more information. Together, you and your pharmacist can assess your skin care concerns to identify what’s most important. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, he or she will consider these when recommending a custom product. Once both of you have a clearer picture of the solution needed, custom product production begins from scratch right in the pharmacy.

Benefits of Compounded Skin Care

These customized skin care products have many benefits, including:

  • Bust acne without causing irritation and over-drying
  • Moisturize and plump without causing oily breakouts
  • Even out skin tone without causing skin degradation
  • Reduce fine lines and wrinkles without irritating the skin
  • Stick with all-natural ingredients instead of drugs or chemicals
  • Target just one concern or address then all at the same time
  • Reduce dark spots without over-bleaching or irritating the skin
  • Protect your skin from the sun without causing blemishes or breakouts
  • Use exfoliation or chemical peels to remove skin cells while protecting skin
  • Tighten the skin to reduce wrinkles without causing over-drying or itching
  • Address serious skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema without irritation

That means customized skin care products are especially useful for patients with extremely complex or multifaceted health care and skin care concerns. It’s also relatively easy to access; just speak with your pharmacist if you’re curious about what’s available to you!

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Compounding Skin Care

5 Skin Conditions Your Compounding Pharmacist Can Treat

Your skin: it protects you from the elements and acts as an effective barrier against the outside world. Without it, you’d be exposed to dangerous bacteria and much more susceptible to viruses. These are just two of the endless reasons why taking care of your skin is so vitally important to your overall wellness.

If you have a skin condition, proper skin care and disease management becomes even more critical; even the smallest breaks in your skin can increase your risk for infection and illness. Fortunately, medical science now knows how to effectively treat common skin conditions ranging from the bothersome to the downright painful.

Many of the most effective topicals doctors prescribe aren’t immediately available in commercial form; instead, your compounding pharmacist creates them from scratch. This is often the best way to individualize treatment for skin conditions just like these.

 

1. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes inflammation, itching, swelling, cracking, bleeding, and in some cases, systemic illness. Researchers don’t know the exact cause, but the strongest science shows a genetic link may be at play.

As a skin condition, psoriasis causes skin cells to slough off and renew at a rate that’s much faster than the average person. Although that may seem like a benefit, it doesn’t allow the area to heal and replace the skin fast enough, and that can cause dead skin cells to build up and multiply, creating silvery patches, pustules, and localized infection.

The disease has five main types:

  1. Plaque
  2. Guttate
  3. Inverse
  4. Pustular
  5. Erythrodermic

Psoriasis statistics show that over 5.5 million Americans struggle with this frustrating condition each year, but there is a fix. A compounding pharmacist can create compounded medications containing a corticosteroid like dexamethasone and certain Vitamin D analogues which suppress the immune system locally, reducing skin turnover and giving skin chance to heal.

 

2. Eczema

Eczema is another skin condition that can cause patches of skin to become rough, irritated, cracked, or otherwise compromised, but its cause isn’t as clear as psoriasis.

Some researchers believe the condition is a type of allergic reaction or dermatitis from exposure to trigger substances; this is likely as some patients seem to react after eating certain foods. Other studies show a potential genetic or immune link, though steroids aren’t as effective in treating eczema as they are in psoriasis, at least when used alone.

What seems to work best for many eczema patients is compounded topicals containing corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. When used during an outbreak, these medications relieve redness, reduce inflammation, and enable the skin to heal back to its natural intact state.

 

3. Acne

Most patients assume that once they reach adulthood, acne is a thing of the past. This is a common misconception that simply isn’t true! Realistically, acne can strike patients of any age, gender, or race at any time.

Acne can present in ways that aren’t always obvious. A few of the most common presentations include:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Papules
  • Pustules
  • Nodules
  • Cysts

Of these presentations, cysts are by far the most damaging and frustrating for patients because of the propensity for scarring.

Unfortunately, treating acne without causing further irritation can require a bit of trial and error. Retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, topical antibiotics, and in some cases, topical steroids, all have a role to play, but if the dose is too high, patients can experience painful peeling and swelling.

This is exactly why compounded topicals are so beneficial to patients with acne. A compounding pharmacist can tweak doses in minute amounts to find the most effective dose that doesn’t cause further harm. In many cases, the dose adjustment or combination is so individualized the same dose may not even be available in commercial form.

 

4. Seborrheic Dermatitis 

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) has a much more common name: dandruff. It plagues millions of Americans each year across all ages, often starting in childhood as cradle cap and culminating in scalp dandruff later in life. Though the condition is often mild and comes with few symptoms, a small number of patients do experience severe dermatitis, pain, swelling, and weeping in addition to dandruff or flaking.

We know that SD is stress-aggravated. Thus, the best way to reduce your symptoms is to reduce your stress. But when lifestyle management alone doesn’t work, or when embarrassing dandruff impacts your social life, compounded medications may help.

The most common compounded topicals for SD contain one or more of the following ingredients:

  • Coal tar
  • Ketoconazole
  • Salicylic acid
  • Selenium sulfide
  • Zinc pyrithione
  • Steroids

Generally, steroids are only used in tandem with antibiotics when secondary infection or severe inflammation is present. This is because they can cause thinning or damage to your skin with chronic use. The other ingredients, however, are much more benign; in the case of zinc, selenium and coal tar, they’re just fine to use regularly.

 

5. Cold Sores

Cold sores are exceptionally common — so common that as many as 75 percent of humans will experience at least one throughout life. This highly contagious condition is caused by a form of herpes virus, Herpes Simplex 1. Despite frequent confusion on the subject, this is not the same as Herpes Simplex 2, which causes genital herpes specifically.

Cold sores usually manifest as a single sore on the upper or lower outer lip. Often, it is preceded by a tingling or burning sensation a few days before the actual breakout. Once the sore is present, it may remain present for several weeks before clearing on its own.

Even though cold sores self-clear for most patients, some patients prefer to use treatments that minimize the appearance or reduce the risk of infection. This includes compounded creams containing lysine, an amino acid that prevents the herpes virus from replicating. Such topicals may reduce the appearance or breakout time for a significant number of patients.

If pain, tingling, or inflammation is the biggest concern, your compounding pharmacist can create a soothing topical to numb the area temporarily and reduce inflammation. These solutions let you cope with the cold sore more easily until your immune system fights it off once again.

Contact a Compounding Pharmacist Today

Whether you’re fighting off one of these skin conditions or just want to remain youthful long-term, your compounding pharmacist can help. Patient-targeted treatments and cosmeceuticals work with you from wherever you are right now, well or not. It’s all about loving the skin you’re in and engaging in great self-care.

 

Read More:

5 Reasons to Try Cosmeceutical Skin Care Products
Categories
Compounding Skin Care

7 Types of Anti-Aging Compounding Remedies

Everyone wants to preserve their youth for as long as possible, be it in body, mind, or spirit. A healthy lifestyle and positive attitude go a long way in achieving this goal, but sometimes, aging skin needs an extra helping hand. Anti-aging compounding remedies relieve the side effects of aging and empower you to look your best youthful self as you grow older, wiser, and sharper every single day of your life. Whether you’re just reaching 40 or headed for 90, these pharmacy-created products can brighten, even, smooth, and restore your skin to its natural youthful glow.

 

1. Hand Creams, Lotions, and Moisturizers

Compounded creams, lotions, and moisturizers all achieve one main goal: they impart vital moisture to aging or thinning skin. As our skin ages, it loses elasticity and the ability retain moisture equally; that plays a role in the development of sagging and wrinkles. Moisturizing regularly can effectively offset those effects for some patients. Nutrient-rich blends containing ingredients like hydrating oils, humectants, and vitamins impart moisture where it’s needed most — skin-deep.

Unlike commercial products, anti-aging compounding remedies can be adjusted to suit your needs. Adding or removing ingredients one-by-one makes it easier to limit over-moisturizing and prevent undesired side effects while still achieving your skin care goals.

 

2. Scalp and Hair Growth Treatments

Compounded scalp and hair growth treatments get to the root of the problem to alleviate the following issues:

  • hair loss
  • dry and itchy scalp
  • seborrheic dermatitis
  • psoriasis
  • other scalp conditions related to aging

These remedies often cleanse the scalp and rejuvenate pores along the hair shaft, creating conditions that inspire hair to grow and thicken over time. Medicated products also reduce symptoms of skin and scalp conditions for greater patient comfort.

Some scalp and hair growth treatments may also contain hormones that encourage hair growth long into later life. These products may be especially useful for patients suffering from Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or certain thyroid conditions.

 

3. Wrinkle and Fine Line Reducers

Compounded products that treat wrinkles and fine lines do so from a number of different approaches. They may plump the skin by injecting moisture to a localized area, or they may utilize antioxidants to reduce toxins that slow the development of wrinkles in the first place. Still others may simply mask wrinkles and fine lines under your daily makeup. Many of these products contain a substance known as retinoic acid (Retinol) that plumps the skin and encourages the production of collagen, encouraging the growth of new connective tissue and skin.

Retinol-containing skin treatments also have the added side effect of greatly smoothing and softening the skin, aiding patients in restoring youthfulness after sun, wind, and weather damage.

 

4. Dark Spot and Uneven Tone Removers

Dark spot removers and tone-evening formulas use a combination of substances like caffeine, vitamins, minerals, skin lighteners, and/or moisturizers to first re-balance your skin to a healthy state. Then, gentle lighteners work to remove age spots, scars, and other undesired blemishes.

Advanced products containing hydroquinone, a prescription-strength lightening cream, and tretinoin, an anti-blemish product often applied to acne breakouts, may work best for patients with particularly sticky spots or hard-to-lighten skin. These products should be used with care under the guidance of a pharmacist.

 

5. Remedies for Specific Skin Conditions

Anti-aging compounding remedies may also address skin problems aggravated by aging, such as:

  • psoriasis
  • rosacea
  • eczema
  • dermatitis

Because aging skin loses elasticity and moisture, many patients find these conditions worsen over time as they age. By creating a patient-tailored formula with prescription ingredients to relieve skin disorder symptoms as well as moisturizers, vitamins, and healthy skin ingredients, patients can fight everyday signs of aging without worsening skin issues.

For patients with psoriasis, compounded Vitamins A, B12 and B6 products work best. Coal tar, alpha-hydroxy-acid, and salicylic acid soften and reduce the appearance of scales and refresh skin.

For patients with eczema, avoiding allergens and sensitivities is especially important as these can trigger eczema in the first place. Compounded cosmeceuticals not only address the issue directly but also allow pharmacists to remove potentially offending substances.

Overall, patients with chronic skin conditions benefit more from compounded solutions than commercially-available products. Every patient is unique — your skin care solution should be unique, too.

 

6. Medicated Ointment Sticks and Applicators

Anti-aging compounding remedies don’t just address the signs of aging directly; they may make it easier to address these issues through delivery format changes. This is especially helpful for patients who may struggle with lids or creams due to mobility challenges or weakness in the wrists. Medicated ointment sticks and applicators make it easier to apply treatments to specifically targeted areas of the face or body, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the armpits.

Other specialized applicators may include:

  • tubes
  • specialized dosing dispensers
  • rollerball applicators
  • transdermal gel delivery systems

All of these make it easier to achieve your anti-aging goals with less hassle, muss, and fuss.

 

7. Antioxidant-Based Skin Treatments

Oxidization stress and skin glycation are two of the primary contributing factors in aging-related skin damage. Over time, free radicals increase dermal protein damage within the first few layers of skin. This leads directly to skin glycation, a condition where skin proteins bind with sugars in the body to encourage the growth of certain damaging bacteria, like Propionibacterium acnes.

There’s a great deal of research that shows eating and applying antioxidants may reduce both oxidation and glycation, especially if patients start early and are consistent with treatment all throughout life.

Compounded antioxidant skin care treatments typically include very specific antioxidants — many of which are the same as those found in the foods we eat. Effective formulas may contain Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E as well as other substances, like essential fatty acids, amino acids, glycolic acid, beta-carotene, or CoQ10. There is at least some evidence that Vitamin C itself may actually encourage the cross-linking of collagen, making it one of the most common ingredients for antioxidant-based skin treatments.

 

In Conclusion

Aging doesn’t have to mean dull, dry, or uneven skin. Through anti-aging compounding, your local pharmacy can create custom-tailored skin care solutions that alleviate your toughest aging-related issues. Find your perfect solution today — schedule a consultation with your pharmacist.

 

Categories
Skin Care

5 Strategies to Help Improve Skin Care

What’s your favorite radiant skin secret? For some patients, it’s a favorite moisturizer, makeup, or blemish-busting soaps. For others, it’s diet and exercise. Still others seem to struggle with skin-related issues all of their lives — and that can impact everything from self-esteem to confidence levels. For these reasons and more, skin care can and should be a regular part of your self-care process.

If you’re feeling down about your skin, there’s hope for a fix. Here’s what you need to know and how you can get the skin care help you need from your local pharmacy.

 

The Statistics (Why You’re Not Alone)

According to the American Academy of Dermatology and Right Diagnosis, the prevalence of skin struggles (whether innocuous or serious) is quite high:

  • 50 million Americans struggle with acne
  • 5.5 million Americans struggle with psoriasis
  • 15 million Americans struggle with eczema
  • 50-60 million Americans struggle with allergies
  • 31 in 1000 Americans struggle with dry skin
  • 13 million people suffer from rosacea

All-told, several hundred different medical skin conditions can cause frustrating symptoms for patients. That makes skin struggles one of the most common and complex health-related issues facing Americans today.

Despite the commonalities, skin condition sufferers face an immense amount of stigma due to erroneous assumption about the nature of these conditions (e.g. people assuming they’re contagious). That can leave patients feeling disheartened, depressed, and upset — not to mention desperate for a fix.

When you’re ready to seek a solution, visit your local pharmacy. Your care team can help you self-resolve mild to moderate skin conditions and their symptoms through these five distinct strategies.

 

1. Skin Typing Advice

Think you know your skin cleansing protocol? You might be surprised to find out that you’re wrong.

Over the years, what we know about the skin and how it works has evolved and changed. Whereas we once believed that patients had either dry, oily, or combination skin, we now know that skin types are just the start.

Medical professionals now know that the skin has a barrier and is modulated by everything including:

  • the immune system
  • hydration levels
  • monthly hormone fluctuations

That makes it very difficult to determine your skin type on your own.

Like hair types, determining your skin type is complex. Patients often assume they know their skin type only to later find out that they’ve misjudged their skin after irritation, dryness, or excessive oiliness occurs.

Sometimes, a patient who did have the correct products will notice that they no longer work as well over time. The natural aging process can also alter your skin and change your skin type altogether, as can hormone levels, so a patient who has dry skin at 24 could feasibly have oily skin at 45 or vice versa.

The first step to proper skin care is to determine exactly what your skin needs in the first place. Speak with your pharmacist about judging your skin type correctly. Through a series of simple questions, he or she can make an educated guess at your type and requirements. This, of course, works best in person where the pharmacist can visually confirm your skin texture, color, and concerns.

 

2. Skin-Specific Cleansing Protocols

Patients struggling with certain conditions (e.g. dry skin) may need to alter their skin cleansing protocol. Using the wrong products or washing at the wrong frequency can cause:

  • irritation
  • dryness
  • oiliness
  • a worsening of more serious skin problems

Excessive washing and underwashing can both cause your skin’s natural barrier to break down. Without a proper barrier, your skin can’t block out bacteria or maintain proper hydration. But the right washing protocol respects barrier integrity, supporting your skin in functioning as best it possibly can rather than attempting to strip as much oil and dirt away as possible.

If your skin problems aren’t resolving despite a daily cleansing regimen, speak to your pharmacist about more skin-friendly products. He or she may recommend a non-soap-based cleanser designed to address the needs of your specific skin type. These products are much less irritating.

 

3. Manage Chronic Skin Conditions More Effectively

If you do have a chronic skin condition your pharmacist will become an important part of your healthcare team. These are conditions such as

Pharmacists are experts at looking at the bigger picture; they see a top-down view of the illnesses you have and the medications you’re on right from your file. That can make identifying opportunities to reduce symptoms or manage cosmetic impacts much easier, especially if you see both a regular GP and a dermatologist separately.

It’s also quite common for pharmacists to identify comorbid disorders that may be causing your skin conditions in the first place.

A patient who is struggling with what they believe is rosacea, for example, could actually be experiencing the complications of Lupus if they’re diagnosed with the disease. A red, butterfly-like rash across the face is one of the main identifying symptoms of Lupus, but rosacea can present this way, too.

There’s also a significant amount of crossover and misdiagnosis in dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema. A disrupted skin barrier causes the first, while an autoimmune disease is responsible for the second. Researchers believe that eczema is tied to the immune system as well, but it can also occur as an allergic response for sufferers.

Whether you’re sure your skin issues relate to a condition you already struggle with or you’re still waiting for a diagnosis, your pharmacist can help bridge the gap with advice, suggestions, and information.

4. Cosmeceuticals

Cosmeceuticals take the best of pharmacology and bridge it with cosmetics to create a new and entirely individualized approach to skin care. Unlike most commercial products, cosmeceuticals contain biologically active ingredients that specifically target skin conditions and problems to build, repair, and rejuvenate.

Cosmeceuticals don’t require a prescription (they fall under cosmetics, not drugs) but that doesn’t mean they aren’t powerful. On the contrary; most cosmeceutical companies use data-driven formulas backed by research to formulate their products. Cosmeceuticals often have a similar efficacy to prescription products despite the lack of prescription, but may be more budget-friendly or skin-friendly for certain patients.

Like vitamins and supplements, you shouldn’t use cosmeceuticals unless you’re sure they’re right for you. Your pharmacy can review your personal skin situation and suggest which cosmeceuticals and how to use them properly to treat everything from aging to skin spots and even autoimmune skin conditions.

 

5. Skin Care Compounding

If you’re one of the few patients for whom numerous allergies, conditions, or sensitivities prevent the use of both cosmeceuticals and commercial products, your local pharmacy may still have an answer: skin care compounding.

We often think of compounding in terms of medication, but that’s a very limited view of the possibilities. Truthfully, pharmacists use compounding on a daily basis for everything from medication adjustment to customized skin care products.

Skin care compounding can come in many forms. It’s as simple as removing an allergy trigger by re-creating a formula from scratch, or as complicated as creating topical formulas from standard medications (e.g. steroids). Pharmacists who use compounding for skin care products are providing you with more of what you need, and less of what you don’t.

When you can’t tolerate other products, compounding your skin care products may be the best answer available.

 

Need a personalized skin care solution? Your local pharmacy is standing by to help. Stop by for a consultation or call for informed advice on how to handle all of life’s most frustrating skin struggles. From acne to vitiligo, you deserve answers and a skin care regimine that respects your individual needs.

 

Categories
Skin Care

5 Reasons to Try Cosmeceutical Skin Care Products

Have you tried cosmeceutical skin care products yet? Chances are that you have–but maybe without even realizing it at the time. The term “cosmeceutical” is trendier than ever, but it first gained popularity in the late 1990s after a boom in the cosmetics industry encouraged a crossover between health products and cosmetics. That’s exactly what a cosmeceutical is: a product that provides health benefits while also improving beauty or appearance, too. If you haven’t yet tried them, we’d like to share five why cosmeceutical skin care products may be the right choice for you.

 

What’s Are Cosmeceutical Skin Care Products?

Despite the fact that the term cosmeceutical is relatively new, as far as trends go, these revolutionary products date back to as early as the 18th Century. Originally, they came in the form of tonics or topical salves that boasted an ability to improve skin, brighten the cheeks, or even give the wearer a rush of energy.

Much as with any other medical product, the 18th Century’s cosmeceuticals were often dangerous and loaded with toxic chemicals.

Today, the news is much brighter: through research, cosmeceuticals that improve health and beauty at the same time are safe, reliable, and widely accepted by members of either sex. By far, the most common category is anti-aging products, but you can find a product to do just about everything from reducing dry skin to alleviating the symptoms of acne.

Not sure where to start, or why you should give them a try? While you should always speak with your pharmacist before using a medicated product, it’s important to know where to start. Let’s take a look at how and why cosmeceutical skin care products help.

 

1. Fewer Signs of Aging

Scientists have worked since the dawn of time itself to reduce the signs of aging. From powder to lead-containing face paint in the 18th Century, the human race has always attempted to fool the biological clock at a surface level. Today’s cosmeceuticals contain research-backed substances that may reduce the signs of aging at a cellular level.

Products that contain alphahydroxy acid (AHA) work by encouraging cell shedding, increasing the rate at which old skin cells die off and replicate themselves. Vitamin C also works in a similar fashion, and may also help your skin to detoxify itself, too. Cosmeceuticals that contain licorice extract may also lighten sunspots and even out skin tone, though the effect is often mild and it takes time to see results.

Above all else, anti-aging products should contain a skin-specific moisturizer. Your skin begins to become increasingly dry as you age, and constant dehydration is a significant contributor to wrinkles.

 

2. Alleviated Skin Conditions

If you struggle with conditions like allergic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis, you may struggle with finding the right cosmetics to suit your skin. The wrong product can exacerbate symptoms and may cause irritation or a worsening of symptoms, but cosmeceutical skin care products can sometimes reduce them when used correctly.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is notoriously difficult to treat because of the way it occurs. Rather than degeneration of the skin, it is a symptom of skin that regenerates much too quickly. Thus, using standard moisturizers or life cycle boosters alone isn’t appropriate. Instead, doctors recommend products that contain a Vitamin D analogue called calcitriol. This substance reduces the rate at which the skin regenerates slightly, balancing out skin shedding and reducing localized inflammation. When added to medicated cosmetics, it may reduce the exterior symptoms experienced during a psoriasis breakout.

Eczema

For eczema, some cosmeceutical companies are encouraging products containing dimethicone. When applied to the skin (or anything else, for that matter), dimethicone creates a waterproof barrier and can effectively reduce environmental irritation. It won’t cure your eczema, but it could very well reduce the length of breakouts and prevent cracking or chapping–a sure benefit.

Allergies

For people with allergies, adding a topical antihistamine may be all that’s required for you to enjoy your favorite cosmetic products. Some contain a tiny amount of topical diphenhydramine, while others are simply made using hypoallergenic cosmetic materials with a proven history for being gentle. Be cautious with products containing herbal substances if you have a history of allergies; some can exacerbate more than they help. When in doubt, try a small dab on the inside of your wrist first.

 

3. Reduced Blemishes and Acne

Aside from anti-aging products, cosmeceuticals that heal and reduce the appearance of acne and blemishes just might make up the second-largest portion of the industry. With good reason, too: the American Academy of Dermatology claims that up to 50 million patients struggle with acne every day.

Treating acne can be a bit of a struggle because it comes in many forms, including:

  • Acne vulgaris
  • Cystic acne
  • Comedones
  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Pustules
  • Papules
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  • Nodulocystic Acne
  • Acne Conglobata

Because each of these acne types can require an individualized approach, you should see a dermatologist to verify which type of acne you struggle with.

For normal, everyday acne, certain cosmeceuticals may help. Look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, charcoal, and alphahydroxy acid (AHA) have the most research behind them. Non-comedogenic moisturizers, creams, and foundations are a must to prevent pore clogging that leads to further infection.

Because most acne products can cause excessive drying and irritation if overused, too. If you see any signs of irritation, stop the treatment immediately and seek medical advice.

 

4. Reduced Appearance of Scars

For new mothers and those who have gained and lost a great deal of weight, stretch marks are just a fact of life. But they can be unsightly and begin to impact your confidence, especially when it’s time to enjoy warmer weather. Likewise, anyone who becomes the proud owner of a large wound or acne scars knows  that hiding scar tissue is often no easy task.

Surgical intervention and/or laser treatments can reduce the appearance of scars. But cosmeceuticals containing vitamin E could possibly produce the same results with less intervention, saving you time, pain, and money along the way.

Vitamin E doesn’t cure scars, but it does support the skin by providing it with the nutrients it needs to heal. It encourages skin to regenerate at a faster rate while moisturizing the derma, preventing excessive redness and irritation. Over time, it may help to fade scars from deep red to silvery-white.

Be cautious of quick scar fixes; scarring severity is usually dictated by genetics. While you can support the skin, you can’t make the scar disappear with cosmeceuticals alone.

 

5. Rejuvenated, Brightened, and Toned Skin

You don’t experience acne, and you’re still under 35–but cosmeceutical skin care products may still be beneficial to you, too. Cleansing products, moisturizers, and cosmetics that contain certain vitamins and minerals can brighten, tone, and rejuvenate your skin whether you’re 18 or 81. Best of all, many of them come in products you’re already using anyway–including moisturizers, face washes, serums, and foundations.

As we age, we lose our ability to produce collagen, and that results in fine lines and wrinkles.  The book, “Straight Talk About Cosmetic Surgery,” mentions the use of copper peptides (known scientifically as glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu) as one potential cosmeceutical early intervention.

The book mentions that copper peptide is “actually a protein growth factor that has been isolated from human plasma. In 1994 it was shown to improve wound healing.” The author later clarifies that,”It increases collagen formation better than tretinoin, melatonin, and vitamin C.” Used early and reliably, it may help to ward off fine lines until much later in life.

Several other chemicals may help you to achieve that bright, youthful and dewy glow. These include:

  • Niacinamide – increases localized circulation
  • Mimosa bark – reduces inflammation
  • Pomegranate extract – reduces inflammation
  • Stinging nettle extract – an antiseptic
  • Theophylline – similar to caffeine; increases circulation
  • Tyrosine peptides – reduce age spots and discoloration
  • Yeast extract – may balance sebum production
  • Zinc oxide – acts as a sunblock against UVA/UVB rays
  • Tea tree oil – antibacterial and antiseptic properties
  • Menthol – feels invigorating; may have slight antiseptic properties
  • MDI complex – inhibits collagen breakdown to reduce fine lines
  • Hydroquinone – reduces red and brown pigmentation

All-told, there are hundreds of chemicals, extracts, and supplements that directly or indirectly benefit the skin. When used correctly, cosmeceutical skin care products can achieve results for you where other treatments have failed, but they can be strong and even dangerous if used incorrectly. If you’re considering cosmeceuticals for a skin problem or even everyday maintenance, ask your pharmacist to explain each product to you and learn how to use it correctly. You won’t just keep yourself safe; you’ll maximize your chances of success, too.

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