Get Spotless Skin With Salicylic Acid

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Have beautiful Skin with Salicylic Acid

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid belongs to the group of chemical compounds called Beta Hydroxy Acids or BHA. It is naturally derived from the bark of the Willow tree which grows in most parts of the world. It can also be artificially manufactured.

AHA and BHA

If you have heard of AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids) then it's important to know the difference between the two. Some examples of AHA include Glycolic acid and Lactic acid. AHA's and BHA's work on the same principle of causing the skin to shed its dead skin cells. It dissolves key elements that bind the cells together. However, AHA's can dissolve in water while BHA's only dissolve in fats and oils. This means that BHA's are very good and preferred for oily skin types.

Why Are BHA So Popular?

Salicylic acid is the most popular BHA used in skin care today. It has the added advantage of making the skin absorb more water which is very good for overall skin health. It clears pores by removing dead cells that block it. It can also help soothe the skin to avoid inflammation and irritation. It helps treat mild to moderate acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Side Effects of AHA and BHA

Using both AHA and BHA like Salicylic acid can be followed by side effects like dryness and flaking of the skin but this lasts only a few weeks. This happens while the skin is still adjusting and clears with time. Many products are based on Salicylic acid or combine it with some other ingredients.

Best Salicylic Acid Skincare Products

1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream with Salicylic Acid:

This cream exfoliates and softens rough skin. It restores the skins natural barrier with active ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It's fragrance-free and allergy-tested making it a suitable product for sensitive skin.

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2. Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment: 

This gel pimple cream contains salicylic acid and witch hazel to reduce the size and redness of acne in as little as four hours. It's also oil-free and won’t over-dry the skin.

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3. Ebanel Urea Cream 40% plus Salicylic Acid 2%: 

This foot cream is a powerful corn and callus remover, with urea and salicylic acid to soften and dissolve dead skin cells. It also contains hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil, and aloe vera to hydrate and heal the skin.

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4. Grocerism Urea Cream:

This foot and hand cream is another effective option for removing corns and calluses, with urea and salicylic acid as the main ingredients. It also has hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil, and aloe vera to nourish and soothe the skin.

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5. MG217 Medicated Moisturizing Psoriasis Cream:

This psoriasis cream contains 3% salicylic acid to exfoliate and remove scales, as well as oat protein, aloe, and vitamin E to moisturize and repair the skin. It is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, and helps control the symptoms of psoriasis.

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6. ENVISHA Urea Cream 42% with 2% Salicylic Acid:

This foot cream is the highest concentration of urea and salicylic acid available without a prescription, making it a potent solution for dry, cracked, and thickened skin on the feet, heels, elbows, nails, and knees. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin.

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7. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Facial Cleanser:

This facial cleanser contains salicylic acid to treat and prevent acne, as well as soy extract to improve the skin tone and texture. It is hypoallergenic, oil-free, and gentle enough for daily use.

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8. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner: 

This toner contains PHA and BHA, including salicylic acid, to gently exfoliate and refine the pores, as well as watermelon extract, cactus water, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, and synthetic dyes.

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Resources:

livestrong.com

paulaschoice.com

wikipedia.org

 webmd.com

The Miracle Skin Care Ingredient - How Hydroquinone works

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Hydroquinone used for lighter skin tone

This article explores the ongoing controversy behind hydroquinone as a skin care ingredient in skin-lightening cosmetic products. It looks at why the chemical is not considered a bleaching agent, why it's so popular, and how it works. Why is it a medicine? Finally, it delves into the question of the risks. Does hydroquinone cause cancer? Read on and find out.

Why the controversy over Hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is often described in negative terms in the global community of beauty and cosmetics. It is often viewed as an antithesis of melanin and melanin lovers will argue that it creates and promotes the opinion that dark skin is undesirable. Healthcare professionals and enthusiasts will argue too that hydroquinone is a serious health risk and should be discouraged.

 Hydroquinone is different things to different people and in different countries. It's either good or bad, effective or ineffective. It depends on where you are and who you are asking. As they say, fear is often rooted in ignorance, speculation, and a lack of information. A lot of the controversy comes from not understanding the facts.

Kojie San Skin Brightening Soap

What is hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is a chemical that lightens the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin and reducing the amount in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that is produced in the skin which is responsible for darker complexion. Hydroquinone does not destroy melanin but merely inhibits its products.

 

Why is hydroquinone so popular

It can be unpleasant and uncomfortable to have an uneven complexion, patchy, blemished, or discolored skin tone no matter its cause. This is why cosmetics and beauty products are designed to perfect the physical appearance as much as possible. It must be said that the extent to which this is desired or achieved varies from individual to individual and remains a matter of choice. 

It's a clear and undisputed fact that hydroquinone has its benefits. To millions of consumers around the world it's almost like a miracle ingredient because it is effective and acts fast. When used properly and under the guidance of skilled experts it can transform damaged, patchy, or acne-mottled countenance and restore the skin's natural beauty. 

                 NATURE WELL Vit C Brightening Cream

Is Hydroquinone a Bleaching agent?

The term bleaching is often used to describe the action of lightening agents. However, in the case of Hydroquinone, this is a misnomer. Bleaching in chemical terms involves either an oxidation process or a reducing process. In both cases, particles are added or removed respectively to change the chemical structure of the subject material. This is not the case with Hydroquinone. In a nutshell, Hydroquinone suppresses or inhibits the production of melanin. Let's look at the exact process below.

futurederm.com

How does Hydroquinone work?

Melanin pigment is made in skin cells called melanocytes. The melanin pigment produced is transferred and stored in keratinocytes and this gives the skin its darkened complexion. As more and more melanin is produced the skin gets progressively darker. If the production is reduced the skin gets lighter.

 Hydroquinone acts by suppressing the action of an enzyme called tyrosinase which normally triggers the melanocytes to produce melanin. This causes the melanocytes to produce less melanin and progressively the skin gets lighter. The process involves no "bleaching". There is no addition, removal, or transmutation of skin cells.

It's a clear undisputed fact that hydroquinone does have its benefits. To the millions of its consumers around the world it is almost like a miracle ingredient because of its fast and effective action. When used properly and under the guidance of skilled experts it can transform damaged, patchy, or acne mottled countenance and restore the skin's natural beauty. 

 

   TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face

What are the risks of using Hydroquinone?

The purpose of Melanin is to provide the skin with adequate protection from the sun. When Hydroquinone is used excessively there is an increased risk of skin photosensitivity and damage from dangerous UVA & UVB light radiation. It is always advised that users of HQ avoid harsh sunlight or use sunscreens of SPF50 and above for added protection. Many skin care products with HQ have sun filters included in their ingredients and formulations.

Does Hydroquinone cause cancer?

Hydroquinone has been linked to cancer in the past. However, existing research was conducted in vitro by feeding it to rats. Remember that hydroquinone is used topically. The idea is that no one would eat skin products containing it, at least not regularly. Using the same logic to address health concerns for thousands of domestic products being used daily would certainly generate serious issues. It would be unacceptable. As of today, no research exists proving that hydroquinone causes cancer. The American FDA has proposed more expansive research but this has not yet been completed and is still in the pipeline

Is Hydroquinone a medicine?

It is the best-recognized medical treatment for hyperpigmentation and can be ordered over the counter at concentrations of 2% and below. Concentrations above 2% exist but this requires a doctor's prescription. Hydroquinone

 is used in skin care products and preparation to resolve issues with hyperpigmentation, discoloration, uneven skin tone and to lighten complexion.

Ambi Even & Clear Advanced Fade Cream

The Final Word

It is a fact that Hydroquinone has been banned in the EU based on health concerns that appeared to originate from Africa. It is speculated that these concerns had more to do with the adulteration of skin care products with harmful substances such as mercury. 

For the present hydroquinone remains a safe and effective ingredient for skin care products and must be used in a healthy prescribed manner.


Resources: TheDermReview; PaulasChoice; dermnetnz

What are Free Radicals? What does it mean for your skin?

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Free-radical are bad for the skin

Free-radicals Everywhere

Have you ever read on the label of a skincare product or a moisturizer or cream that claims to “Fight Free Radicals”? Have you always wondered what that means? Well, our skin is the battlefield for sub-atomic warfare between positive and negatively charged particles and we will explain why it's important and how it affects your skin.

  

What Are Free Radicals?

Free Radicals are tiny particles or molecules floating in the atmosphere. They are generated by all kinds of spontaneous chemical reactions that are taking place continuously in our environment. Some simple examples include combustion and oxidation processes. Think of the smoke coming out of a factory or an automobile. These contain innumerable particles with free radicals being released into the atmosphere.

The by-products of chemical reactions that are no longer useful are called waste. When waste is released indiscriminately into the environment it's called a pollutant. Pollutants are very unstable because they lack electrons. They can only stabilize by “stealing” electrons from other objects close to them. This is what makes free-radical so damaging to the skin. They can disrupt the skin's natural chemical balance leading to irritation, spots, blemishes, acne, wrinkles, sagging, and more. Free radicals accelerate the aging process.

Just as free radicals can lead to the degradation of physical objects like metals, clothing, and paint they can also harm human skin which can become broken and damaged as a result. Think of It as being similar to the rusting of metal.

Pollution Releases Free-radicals

Fighting Free-radicals

Anti-oxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals. Some examples are Vitamin C, Vitamin E , Vitamin B³ (Niacinamide), AHA (Alpha-hydroxy acid) BHA (Beta-hydroxy acid), and many others. They protect the skin by donating an electron to free radicals. The skin's natural defenses are usually not sufficient to protect itself and this makes lotions, creams, and serums very important in supporting our natural defenses. It's important to include products that neutralize free radicals in your daily skincare routine.

Avoid Free-radicals for beautiful skin

References:

Makeup.com

thetelegraph.co.uk

livestrong.com

wikipedia.com

paulaschoice.com

totalbeauty.com

Health Risk of Papaya Extracts during Pregnancy

Skincare Products With Papaya Extract

What is Carica Papaya (Pawpaw)?

Carica Papaya (Papaya) or Pawpaw (as it is called in Nigeria) is a fruit that appears all the time as an extract in a wide variety of beauty products. Beauty companies claim it has dramatic skin-lightening properties but we know that it's more of an exfoliate and possesses only mild skin-lightening benefits. 

A Cocktail Of Deadly Substances

Scientific evidence has shown that Papaya contains an enzyme called Papain. Papain is a soothing agent which is regularly used as a meat tenderizer. The Papain enzyme contains Latex and appears in the form of a gummy substance that drips from the skin and neck of unripe papaya fruit. 

Unripe Papaya Fruit

Latex acts as a prostaglandin and oxytocin. Prostaglandins are essential fats that act like hormones triggering body responses in the form of inflammation, contractions, while Oxytocins are chemicals that are released naturally in the body to induce childbirth. 

The broader picture is that these are chemical substances that induce labor or strengthen labor contractions during pregnancy. It is suggested that latex can also poison the fetus and cause birth defects. So, it's clear that this is a cocktail of dangerous substances for any pregnant woman.

Avoid Papaya During Pregnancy

FDA Issues Warning

The American FDA has issued warnings recommending that women do not eat unripe or semi-ripe papaya during pregnancy. Existing research data including a 1978 study by Hornick, Sanders, and Lin supports the FDA’s warning that unripe and semi-ripe papaya consumption is a health risk for pregnant women. A more recent study appeared in the 2002 British Journal of Nutrition by Adebiyi, Adaikan & Prasad of the National University of Singapore which supports earlier findings. However, no evidence has appeared to suggest that consuming ripe papaya is hazardous.

Ripe Papaya Fruit

Conclusion

Regardless of existing research, so much remains unclear about papaya and its effects during pregnancy. Further studies are needed. Most experts still agree that it is best to avoid papaya completely during pregnancy. There is no need for unnecessary risks during pregnancy. There are lots of alternative fruits which are healthy and affordable.

Papaya Cubes

References:

Webmd.com

Livestrong.com

Wikipedia.org

Paulaschoice.com

Journals.cambridge.org

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov