There are two types of sun protectants in moisturizer – physical and chemical. Chemical sunscreens, such as benzones, aminobenzoic acid and cinnamates, are absorbed by the skin. Chemical sunscreens protect you because the sun’s rays are “deactivated” by the chemicals contained in the sunscreen upon contact with the skin. I do not recommend this type of protectant in a moisturizer because it tends to “heat” up the face and can irritate skin issues such as acne and rosacea. A moisturizer that flares up poor skin reactions is not good skincare.

On the other hand, physical sunscreens, such as titanium and zinc oxide, sit on the skins surface. This type of moisturizer provides better skincare by blocking and reflecting the sun’s rays away from the skin. I use Zinc Oxide in my moisturizers because I prefer not to have my patients face’s heated up by the sun. I can’t stress enough that this is not good skincare. In addition, zinc is non-allergenic and non-comedogenic meaning, a moisturizer with this element does not cause or exacerbate acne providing excellent skincare.

A common misunderstanding in skincare about moisturizer with zinc is that it is chalky and pasty and leaves a white film on the skin. Who wants a white nose caused by their moisturizer? I have overcome this in my anti-aging skincare moisturizer formulations by using micronized zinc. This is a form of zinc made of smaller particles that are more easily absorbed by the skin when moisturizer is applied. If you choose Likewise skincare moisturizers, remember to use a PEA SIZE drop every morning; you will find that our moisturizer formulas go on easily and elegantly and provide a great skincare base in the morning for your foundation or other make-up.

As part of a healthy anti-aging and sun protection skincare regimen – start every day with a healthy dose of Zinc in your moisturizer and you will be doing a great thing for your skin and your life! Remember, proper moisturizer is good skincare!

The new final rule includes the following requirements:

• MBroad Spectrum designation. Moisturizer sunscreens that pass FDA’s broad spectrum test procedure, which measures a product’s ultraviolet A (UVA) protection relative to its ultraviolet B (UVB) protection, may be labeled as “Broad Spectrum SPF [value]” on the front label. For Broad Spectrum moisturizer sunscreens, SPF values also indicate the amount or magnitude of overall protection. Broad Spectrum SPF skincare products with SPF values higher than 15 provide greater protection and may claim additional uses, as described in the next bullet.

• MUse claims. Only Broad Spectrum moisturizer sunscreens with an SPF value of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging if used as directed with other sun protection measures. Non-Broad Spectrum moisturizer sunscreens and Broad Spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value between 2 and 14 can only claim to help prevent sunburn. Skincare products that can only help prevent sunburn may not be the right choice for your skincare needs.

• M“Waterproof,” “sweatproof” or “sunblock” claims. Manufacturers cannot label moisturizer sunscreens as “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” or identify their products as “sunblocks,” because these claims overstate their skincare effectiveness. Moisturizer sunscreens also cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than 2 hours without reapplication or to provide protection immediately after application (for example– “instant protection”). Without submitting data to support these claims and obtaining FDA approval, the skincare product is providing misinformation.

• MWater resistance claims. Water resistance claims on the front label of skincare products must indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Skincare products that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing consumers to use a water resistant moisturizer sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

• MDrug Facts. All sunscreen skincare products must include standard “Drug Facts” information on the back and/or side of the container.

Today’s Truth in the Skincare Aisle – look for a broad spectrum moisturizer sunscreen with a SPF Factor of 50 for everyday use. If you are going to be in the water or playing sports – make sure you are using water resistant moisturizer sunscreen protection as well and re-apply often.

It is critical you take steps in your skincare routine and protect your skin from both the aging and cancerous effects of UV Rays by using a beneficial moisturizer. You should wear an anti-aging moisturizer and sun protectant EVERY DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. If you are a tanning enthusiast, it is absolutely imperative that you include a moisturizer with the correct amount of skincare protection from the sun’s rays. Tanning causes trauma to the skin cells and damaging your skin cells could lead to melanoma. Melanoma is very dangerous and carries a high risk of reappearance in other parts of body even if the original melanoma cells are removed. Your moisturizer should contain the correct amount of SPF to protect you from the sun and antioxidants to replenish your skin for high quality skincare. Good skincare practices dictate that your moisturizer hydrates your skin and provides it with nutrients to keep it healthy. Daily practice of good skincare and regular moisturizer will benefit you in the long run.

I developed my Likewise anti-aging moisturizers to protect against UVA and UVB Rays reinforcing skincare practices. They have an SPF Factor of 50 – which measures the UVB protection. They also contain 11% zinc which protects against UVA rays. In addition to the protection from the sun, the moisturizer provides the skin with the required amount of hydration; the correct amount of antioxidants that keep your skin young and healthy; contains vitamins; and contains Niacinamide which calms dry and irritated skin and improves overall skincare. This effectively makes the moisturizer an all-on-one skincare solution. It is very important to know your skin type before choosing the moisturizer that you should use or else you could be left with extremely greasy skin. It is recommended by skincare experts that one should use a moisturizer meant for oily skin unless the person has really dry skin in order to prevent greasiness. For example, Likewise has different facial moisturizers for different skin types for ultimate skincare.

Today’s “Truth in the Skincare Aisle” is that while the sun brings us joy and light, we need to protect ourselves from its harmful UV rays on a daily basis so we can enjoy it to the fullest. Including the Likewise anti-aging moisturizer in your skincare routine will help protect you from skin cancer and live a longer and healthier life with your loved ones.

Following is some general information directly from the FDA Website that I want to share:

The FDA is making changes to how sunscreens are marketed in the United States as part of the Agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure that sunscreens meet modern-day standards for safety and effectiveness. Consumers are also provided plenty of information on their moisturizer or sunscreen products so they can choose the right sun protection for themselves and their families.

Prior rules on sunscreen moisturizers dealt almost exclusively with protection against sunburn. Sunburn is primarily caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun and neglecting to address ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which contributes to skin cancer and early skin aging.

After reviewing the latest science on moisturizer skincare products, the FDA determined that sufficient data are available to establish a “broad spectrum” test for determining a moisturizer’s UVA protection. Passing the broad spectrum test shows that the skincare product provides UVA protection that is proportional to its UVB protection.

Sunscreen moisturizer products that pass the broad spectrum test are allowed to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” These “Broad Spectrum” sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Scientific data demonstrated that moisturizer products that are “Broad Spectrum SPF 15 [or higher]” have been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging when used with other sun protection measures. In addition to helping prevent sunburn, other sun protection measures should be taken besides applying sunscreen moisturizer including, limiting time in the sun and wearing protective clothing.

These testing and labeling requirements are necessary to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed choices when selecting sunscreens or other skincare products.” The more knowledge a person has on their skincare products the more likely a good decision can be made. Choosing the right moisturizer should not be a matter of life or death.

The FDA is taking sun protection very seriously and you should too. You are exposed to the sun every day so please make sure you don’t leave the house without a broad spectrum SPF 50 sun protectant to protect you from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Choosing the right skincare product will save your life in the long run. We will talk some more about these new rulings in my next blog.

1.MSun ages us more than anything.  Did you catch that?  I feel like so many people don’t get that.  People want to look younger and/or have healthy looking skin yet they refuse to protect their skin from the sun daily. Zinc in your moisturizer aids in your daily skincare.

2.MSun also causes skin cancer.  I find this concept is easier for people to grasp. People are often not willing to protect themselves from the sun because they don’t think skin cancer can happen to them OR they just don’t realize that removing skin cancers can leave a scar on your face.  You can protect yourself from skin cancer and aging by using an excellent zinc based moisturizer daily.

I recommend zinc and used it in the formulation of my Likewise Skincare Moisturizers because it is the best protectant against the sun.  Moisturizer with Zinc blocks the sun’s rays rather than absorb then like other sunscreens do.  When sunscreens absorb the rays, they actually heat the skin which can make you hot and this is definitely not good for rosacea.  So I prefer that you block rather than absorb the rays so using a good Zinc based moisturizer.  Zinc also blocks the rays that go through windows so you are protected as you are driving in your car and walking through buildings; skincare on the go!

Zinc provides superior protection against UVB, long wave UVA and short wave UVA radiation. In fact, it is the only ingredient that has such broad protection against all three types of radiation. Moisturizer this tough is important for daily skincare.
Zinc is an extremely essential element for healthy skincare. Apart from sun protection, Zinc is useful for wound healing and acts as an astringent. Zinc also helps with the treatment of acne, improving your skincare dramatically. So to recap, moisturizer with Zinc also provides:

•MWound Healing – Oral supplements as well as topical treatments of zinc oxide help to heal wounds. It helps with bed sores, skin ulcers, surgical incisions, sun burns and other skin irritations. The body requires zinc for the synthesis of collagen, which is consequently responsible for the healing of wounds. Zinc is also required by the body for the proper functioning of enzymes that further work to repair wounds.

•MAstringent Properties – Zinc oxide also has subtle astringent properties and acts as a skin drying agent. It controls inflammations and relieves the skin against irritations and rashes. A moisturizer with Zinc is vital to skincare when preventing skin dryness.

•MAcne Treatments – Zinc also helps to heal acne blemishes and reduce inflammations related to acne breakouts. A strong moisturizer provides healthy skincare.

You can feel good about using Likewise Skincare Moisturizers both day and night.  Moisturizer with  Zinc, will help protect you during the day – while calming and healing the skin at night.

Next we’re going to hear from a Likewise Skincare user on their experience with our Face+Body Wash.

We’ve just finished discussing the different “skin types” – normal, oily and dry – and the special skincare needs of each one.  What I want to share now, is how your skin type and skincare needs can CHANGE with the seasons.  Not only can skincare needs change with the seasons, but also with the geography.  That is why I developed “skin type” specific moisturizers to deal with this problem. For instance, in Florida in the winter I have oily skin but when I go to Boston I am dry.  How do I adjust my skincare routine to ensure my skin is adequately hydrated but not oily?

The key is to not lock yourself into one moisturizer for the entire year.  I keep all three Likewise Skincare moisturizers  (Normal to Dry, Normal to Oily, and Oily) on my bathroom vanity and use them strategically in the same season. My T-zone is oily and my cheeks are normal.  I will use the moisturizer for oily skin on my entire face during the summer. In the winter I may use our Oily treatment on my T-zone but often find I don’t rely on it as much. I use the Normal to Oily moisturizer during the winter.  Sometimes I even find myself reaching for the Normal to Dry moisturizer for my face, during the winter, which is surprising to me.  Typically, I reserve that moisturizer formula for my neck and hands.  But hey, if my skin’s oil production is under check and I need the hydration, I am not going to deny myself proper skincare!

I notice that when I visit the South or Southwest I need the Oily moisturizer but if I visit the Northeast I make sure I have my Normal to Dry moisturizer with me.  My friend who lives in the Northeast gets really dry in the winter.  He switches from the Normal to Oily moisturizer to the Normal to Dry moisturizer during the winter months.  Sometimes he even needs to add spring water first to adequately hydrate his skin.  As I mentioned in our last blog on dry skin, a great skincare technique for adding moisture is to get a spring water spray formulated specifically for your face. After you wash and gently blot your face to remove dirt and makeup, gently spritz your face.  While it is still wet, apply your moisturizer trapping the water against your skin, preventing evaporation.  This “double” moisturizing technique may allow you to use a lighter moisturizer in the morning if you prefer, and get extra hydration to your face.  For dry skin, hydration is critical for both protection and a healthy looking face.  This is something you may want to add to your “Winter” skincare routine.

So today’s Truth in the Skincare Aisle is that your skin type and skincare needs can change with the seasons and with the geography you are in during the seasons.  Be prepared with the all the right moisturizing and skincare tools to keep your skin healthy.

First, just as with Oily and Normal Skin, you want to begin your skincare regimen for dry skin with gentle cleansing. It is very important that you wash with a cleanser that does not create significant suds since suds indicate ingredients that can dry the skin.  Some very gentle moisturizing and sudsless cleansers work to lift the dirt and makeup off the face which may result in better skincare.  That is ok.  These non-drying cleansers were formulated specifically to do just that and not strip your skin of important oils and moisture.  Also, avoid HOT water when you wash.This can be very drying to your skin.

Next, of course, you use moisturizer.  Some of my patients with dry skin say even after you use moisturizer, their skin still feels very dry.  It is important in caring for dry skin that you use a thicker moisturizer, especially at night.  One great technique for adding moisture is to get a spring water spray formulated specifically for your face. After you wash and gently blot your face to remove dirt and makeup, gently spritz your face.  While it is still wet, apply your moisturizer trapping the water against your skin, not allowing it to evaporate.  This “double” moisturizer technique may allow you to use a lighter moisturizer in the morning if you prefer as well as getting extra boost in skincare.  For dry skin, hydration is critical for good skincare.

Next we will talk about how our face’s skin type can vary within the face, as well as with changes in the season’s, geography and age.

So the first step in caring for your face is to wash it gently every morning and night.  You may want to wash with a gentle cleanser that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids (glycolic, salicylic, or malicacids).  These acids help cell turnover, collagen rejuvenation, and acne control.

The next step for your skincare is to use moisturizer. Often I hear the question, “My facial skin is normal – Do I really need moisturizer?  Isn’t washing my face each day enough?

If you have “Normal” skin, you are very fortunate.  It is not something you want to take for granted; you want to maintain its good health.  Your skin is a dynamic organ, always trying to protect you from the elements.  Help your skin maintain its proper balance by using moisturizer as part of your daily skincare routine.

You might consider moisturizer as your preventative care, just like flossing and brushing your teeth.  As you age, you may find that since your skin does not work as hard to protect you from the elements, it may not be as dry or have as many wrinkles, but you still should use moisturizer.  So, today’s “Truth in the Skincare Aisle” is that caring for your “Normal” skin will keep it healthy and young in the future; washing and using moisturizer will do this.

There are many ways to live a simple and healthy life. Today we’re going to discuss how to manage time. Managing our time in such a way that we can focus on both who and what is truly important to us is a critical component of positive living. As a dermatologist with three offices and two cosmetic centers, four children, a husband, friends and community interests, I am a very busy person. Time management is an extremely important factor to my health, well-being, and ultimately my skincare. So, what’s the first step in simplifying how we spend our days?

It begins with “resolution”. As we discussed earlier, resolution means decision. Time management begins with deciding how we spend it. One way to make wise decisions is sitting down and deciding what is important to you this year. Who are the people you need to be with this year? What do your children need from you? What time does your spouse need? What do you need to do to feel challenged, healthy, and calm? Where do you want to give? Is it a neighbor, a friend, the homeless? Where do you need to spend time in your career? Do you need to take a class, choose a new line of work? Look at your life in terms of spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Then decide what is truly important. Set some goals in each of those areas. Help your children set goals. Set goals for your important relationships.

As the demands come from the outside world, use your goals as a guide to make wise decisions. Do I really need to be on that committee or is my time better spent helping my friend who lost his spouse? Do we really need to go to that school event, or does our family need a quiet game night at home? Do I really want to go to the arts festival, or would I rather be alone for the afternoon? What do your goals say?

We look forward this year to encouraging one another to live simple, authentic and healthy lives. We’ll share ideas along the journey of 2012. Next time we’ll get back to talking about simple, healthy skincare with the topic of the skincare needs of normal skin.

•MWashing your skin carefully and using skin moisturizers every day.
•MWearing a Zinc based skincare moisturizers every morning
•MWearing Vitamin Moisturizers every night

First, what is so critical about how you wash your face in 2012? Well, in my practice, I see many clients who use harsh soaps and sponges on their face. The point of washing your face is to loosen the dirt, oils, and makeup so they can come off easily as you rinse with water and pat your face. Many people are actually “taking off their face” with the rough manner in which they wash. If you have oily or normal to oily facial skin, you may want to wash with a gentle cleanser that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids(glycolic, salicylic, or malic acids). These acids help with cell turnover, rejuvenation of collagen, and help control acne. If you have dry skin, you want to wash with a cleanser that does not create significant suds since suds indicate ingredients that can dry the skin. Some very gentle skin cleansers sudsless cleansers lift the dirt and makeup off the face which may result in you seeing makeup on your towel. That is ok. These non-drying moisturizers were formulated specifically for skincare.

Second, to practice good skincare in 2012, you need to wear a Zinc based sunscreen every day. Were exposed to sun not only outside when we walk and exercise, but inside our house, office, and while driving in our car as rays come through the windows. Zinc is critical to sunscreen because it blocks the rays coming through windows thus protecting you while you are driving . It also blocks the suns rays as opposed to chemical sunscreens that absorbing suns rays, often heating skin. I tell my patients to think of sun protection like using skin moisturizers everyday. You use toohpaste everyday, so use moisturizers everyday. Get up, wash your face gently, and put your sunscreen. Protection and prevention in skincare is half the battle. As much as we enjoy the sun and having a “glow” that seems healthy, the sun is the NUMBER ONE CAUSE of aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer. In 2012, enjoy being in the sun, but be in it with daily zinc protection skincare.

Finally, wear a Vitamin A moisturizers at night. Vitamin A compounds have a wealth of scientific data to show they can reduce aging. They do this by affecting cellular proliferation and differentiation and extracellular matrix synthesis. The result is improvements in both fine and coarse wrinkling, skin roughness, and mottled pigmentation. I believe using a Vitamin A derivative is also preventative, so it should be used even if you have not developed wrinkling or uneven pigmentation. The benefits of a Vitamin A derivative or moisturizers round out healthy and comprehensive skincare.

In looking up the definition of resolution, I was surprised to find that resolution not only means “decision”, but also means “solution.” This is an exciting thought for our team at Likewise – we feel our skincare line offers a wonderful solution to your resolution to have healthy skin in 2012. Next time, we’ll discuss how to add good skincare to your goal to have healthy skin and practice good skincare