Mr. Skin Care Guru's Blog

  My dream still lives on to age like a Japanese model (LOL ^_^;) but moving right along... The Cica plant extract ingredient (short for Centella Asiataca ) has antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. It's an herb used in many Asian dishes which was the primary usage of Cica & for Asian medicinal purposes well. It's been gaining more popularity in the skin care realm as of lately. However, what should be known is that this ingredient has been around and used by other brands in the past. However, with the marketing not being primarily stated as "Cica ----" on the cover of a box & product of a serum/moisturizer. Now just as of recently it has been taken more of a global phenomenon.   Primarily grown in Asia, it has anti-inflammatory benefits which is great for Sensitive skin users and also to soothe and calm down flare-ups. It is also rich in amino acids which is wonderful to maintain the skin's outer most layer, which is the stratum corneum. Wi...

  CBD (Cannabidiol) oil in Skincare I had assumed would be just all fluff honestly and show no real evidence to improve skin. However, looking at some of the research, I've proved myself to be wrong. It is considered to be anti-inflammatory antioxidant. With several benefits at that... itss' ingredient is extracted from the leaves/flowers of cannabis plant. Its' evidence shows that for sensitive skin with its' anti-inflammatory aspect, that it could very well reduce redness and reactive skin and heal any reaction that could happen with cosmetic & environmental factors.   It helps balance moisture levels and absorb excess oil and with a reduction of acne by reducing inflammation & breakouts as well. Anti-aging benefits with it being an antioxidant could help with reducing fine lines/wrinkles, dullness & uneven skintone. I think mixed with a cocktail of other antioxidants & skin-repairing ingredients will make it that much of a stronger formula. ...

  Many consumers feel that Silicones in skin care products and primers do more harm than good. However, quite frankly that couldn't be any further from the actual truth. Most commonly used is "dimethicone", plenty feel they suffocate the skin and trap bacteria from within.The molecular structure of Silicones are quite porous and leaves widened gaps in between actually for the skin to actually "breathe" so to speak. The ingredient actually does that & much more, it helps to retain moisture within the skin and is helpful to keep it soft & velvety smooth.   It also provides its' emolliency to products to condition the skin as well as filling in fine lines and minimizing pore size. As mentioned previously, the ingredient is in fact porous and does allow for product absorption & penetration of other active ingredients within the formula as well as preventing moisture loss at the same time. With it being a synthetic ingredient, in no shape or ...

  Tranexamic Acid is a synthetic amino acid but not a very well-known ingredient and I'm very surprised, there has been studies shown to work as well as Hydroquinone with its' skin-brightening properties. It works amazing with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, acne scars and even very stubborn melasma when formulated correctly with other skin brightening ingredients, such as Vitamin C, Arbutin, Kojic acid and most definitely with SPF! The SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense seems to be a pretty popular product with inclusion of this acid, there are a few others out there in other serum and moisturizer formulas. The inclusion of this ingredient is sure to be a powerhouse with a formulation that's targeted for hyperpigmentation & brightening. I was not too familiar of this ingredient until very recently, again not very well-known but definitely worth a try. Sensitive skin users should do a patch test first to see if their skin can tolerate this. Make sure again... to ...

  Bakuchiol is a new ingredient of the market that works and mimics the same benefits of Retinol without the side effects of irritation that sometimes comes along with it, like redness and peeling that could come from using a topical Retinoid. Very beneficial for those who have sensitive or dry skin as well, however it's great for all skin types! It has the same skin-smoothing & anti-aging benefits that Retinol does. However, this ingredient is a plant-derived, which makes it for a more "natural" and gentle option for consumers to use. It promotes collagen production to diminish the signs of aging such as line-smoothing, brightening & improving the elasticity of skin. It's an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory & antibacterial properties as well, the antibacterial aspect works great for acne-prone skin. Bakuchiol is found in the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant, with its' original term being psoralea corylifoli (shown in the picture above). ...

  The ingredient Vitamin B3 in the form of Niacinamide has been gaining some very big recent attraction and momentum as of lately. Which I don't quite understand exactly for the simple fact that it's an ingredient that has been around for the LONGEST time and has already been one already in many moisturizers and serums for years. Its' benefits have been more laser-focused. When in moisturizers and serums, it has tremendous skin care benefits in terms of helping diminish fine lines/wrinkles, minimizing pores size, hyperpigmentation (dark spots), uneven skin texture, acne, redness and individuals who are prone to rosacea,and even helping with skin hydration & as well as regulating oil production! Its' multi-benefits are astounding actually. Similar to Vitamin C and most of their benefits with brightening and anti-aging.   It is also a good ingredient for protecting your skin, from free radicals and further sun damage and it's known for being its' anti...

  These ingredients that I'm going to discuss about the essentials of healthy & and all things anti-aging. They are imperative for youthful & younger-looking skin as well to maintain healthy skin.  Ceramides are comprised of lipids that our skin naturally makes itself but decline as we age, they ate the building blocks of protein and maintaining collagen synthesis & a supporting the stratum corneum (the outer most layer of skin). Ceramides maintain a healthy moisture barrier for skin, they also make up 50% of the outer skin layer and helps to repair skin texture and as well... with added anti-aging benefits as well! (Which is also super helpful as well for us!).   Peptides are the building blocks of collagen and are chains made out of 2 or more amino acids, there a wide variety of magnificent different peptides out there, that help with concerns of anti-aging such as lines/wrinkles, firming, brightening, texture. Things we all do look for. Peptides are a ...