The Drip

Retinol is an ingredient that gets a lot of buzz for its reputation of success with anti-aging.  This is true and generally has powerful effects on your skin from anti-aging (which is a broad term) to acne.  Oftentimes, the idea is the higher the percentage the better it is for your skin.  That can be true but it really depends on the level your skin can tolerate.  Dermatologist or prescription grade has the highest levels, not because there is a limit for over the counter, but the higher the percentage the more it requires an esthetician or dermatologist to recommend...

It is safe to say that we are all struggling with the proverbial “new normal”, a phrase we can say has exhausted itself in such a short time.  It is because it doesn’t seem to come with many perks [outside of keeping us safe and healthy from COVID-19].  One of the ways life has changed for us all is by way of mask wearing everywhere you go.  Whether you are at the grocery store or picking up food to go, it is often a requirement by public works or the businesses you are entering that you wear a mask.   Wearing...

Copper peptides? What are they and why do we want them in our skincare? First of all, what the heck is a peptide?  In simple terms, peptides are the building blocks that make up proteins. They work to rebuild and repair damaged cells as well as signalling skin to produce collagen [slowing the aging process- thumbs up]. They essentially are like smart cars programmed to a specific address (the damaged cell) containing advanced technology to repair which is what makes these so unique. The article below gives a very detailed and accurate description of what copper peptides are and why...

Scientists use the term exposome to refer to everything we’re exposed to in our lifetimes that might affect the health of our skin and bodies. Each of our exposomes looks a little different, so it can be difficult to clearly identify exactly what might be causing someone to break out. How do you control for diet, pollution, toxins in utero, toxins out of utero, pesticides, other diseases, seasons, and skincare regimens, for example, if you’re trying to test for the influence of, say, dairy on acne? The question has stumped researchers for decades. It’s like pointing to specifically what is...

What is beauty? Do we think about how we define it, and why? Do we think about how it’s modeled to us? How do culturally conditioned ideals of beauty affect the way we see and value ourselves?  These are questions that weigh more heavily on women than on men. Men are bound by a different set of social standards; as women we are told, whether directly or indirectly, that if we are beautiful, we are worth more. Beauty is our social currency. We are the primary targets of messages about beauty communicated by the transmitters of our culture -- magazines,...