Beauty 101

Olive oil and skincare: Did we find he fountain of youth?
Olive oil and skincare: Did we find he fountain of youth?
Olive oil: better than botox? Is this extract from the fruits (olives) of Olea europaea trees the antiaging answer we have been looking for? Well let’s take a look at... Read more...
Do not underestimate the power of water
Do not underestimate the power of water
HYALURONIC ACID (HA or hyaluronan), the ultimate water binder and one of the most hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules in nature. HA holds 1000 times its weight in water, plumping the skin... Read more...
Why I love silicones and I am not afraid to include them in my skincare
Why I love silicones and I am not afraid to include them in my skincare
Silicones and skincare. It started in the 1950s when dimethicone was used as an emollient, barrier former and “feel good”  molecule. The 70s introduced a new type of fluid, volatile... Read more...
Bakuchiol: As good as retinol?
Bakuchiol: As good as retinol?
BAKUCHIOL also known as (1E,3S)-3-ethenyl-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-1-yl]phenol) is a meroterpene phenol derived from Psoralea corylifolia. Bakuchiol is not a retinoid (vitamin A derivative), but due to some similar gene expression patterns (similar... Read more...
Arbutin: Which is natural, which is better? alpha, beta or deoxy?
Arbutin: Which is natural, which is better? alpha, beta or deoxy?
Arbutins are depigmenting molecules. Chemically, these molecules are glycosylated forms of hydroquinone (HQ). What does this mean? It means that arbutin is a HQ molecule with a sugar attached to... Read more...
The 4 secrets of modern skin hydration
The 4 secrets of modern skin hydration
If you ask me, there are two non-negotiable skincare steps that everyone should perform regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or geographical location: hydrate and wear sunscreen. While, skin moisturization existed... Read more...
Skin Fasting
Skin Fasting
Skin fasting means to deprive our skin of skincare-actives for certain periods of time allowing our skin to “rejuvenate and repair by itself, detoxify the skin and allow a complete reset” 🥴There... Read more...
Four totally unrelated (and surprising facts) about the skin
Four totally unrelated (and surprising facts) about the skin
(1) The skin surface is not flat. It contains about 5 million apertures such as hair follicles and sweat and sebaceous glands (also known as skin appendages). Why is this... Read more...
Slugging
Slugging
Do I slug? Yes! I had done it and I loved it, but before you jump into this, there are a couple of things to consider about your own skin... Read more...
Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss
Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss
Around 70% of the world population is deficient in vitamin D and guess what: low levels of vitamin D are linked to hair loss.  Vitamin D 101: Vitamin D is... Read more...
7 Reasons why I do not like fragrances in my skincare
7 Reasons why I do not like fragrances in my skincare
Personally I do not use skincare products that contain fragrances neither I incorporate fragrances in the products I design. I am totally fine with products smelling like the raw ingredients... Read more...
Does the pH of our skincare products matter?
Does the pH of our skincare products matter?
In 1928 Schade and Marchionini first coined the term Säuremantel or acid mantle, which described the inherent acidic nature of the stratum corneum (pH 4.3-5.3). SC pH is critical to... Read more...
Tobacco Smoking: An Unglamorous Way to Premature Aging
Tobacco Smoking: An Unglamorous Way to Premature Aging
In my book there are only two things that are bad for you no matter what: sun tanning and smoking. All the rest is about moderation and balance. Tobacco smoking... Read more...
Outsmarting skin winter blues:
Outsmarting skin winter blues:
Skin Winter Blues are the result of three factors that are closely related to each other: cold weather and winds, dried air and external heaters. Let me explain a little bit... Read more...
Fingerprinting skincare ingredients
Fingerprinting skincare ingredients
Factors such as age, ethnicity, skin concerns (wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, dryness to mention some), level of skin damage (old skin vs. young skin, solar exposed skin vs. solar protected), dietary restrictions,... Read more...
Thermal Aging
Thermal Aging
Melanocytes (melanin producing cells) become activated in response to skin injury. Persistent increases in temperature are major skin insults strongly stimulating uneven production of melanin or heat-induced melasma. Melanocyte activation... Read more...
Female hair loss: untangling a complex situation
Female hair loss: untangling a complex situation
Let's start from the beginning, hair grows out from a structure called “hair follicle” which looks like little pockets in our skin and extends from the epidermis down into the... Read more...
Skin, sweat and exercise
Skin, sweat and exercise
It has been hot and humid in Southern California! This weather is not making my daily run easier, but nevertheless I push through the heat, the hard to breath air... Read more...
Multi-functional, easy to formulate and cost effective
Multi-functional, easy to formulate and cost effective
FUN FACT: (1) Niacinamide can be produced (with mild efficiency) by our skin using tryptophan (an amino acid). (2) Niacinamide is found in animal-based foods such as meat and poultry... Read more...