So I am often asked, if there was one skin care product that you could not live without, what would it be?  The answer is easy – Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream by Neocutis.  You can read my previous post on The Top 4 Ingredients That You Should Be Putting On Your Skin, which breaks down the ingredients that are proven over and over again in medical studies.  Remember that there are many products out there which claim to be the best but when it comes right down to it, have no studies that back up their claims.  Strivectin is a perfect example of this.  Why in the world would you spend money on a product that is not proven?  Who has the time or money for that?  I don’t!!!

Back to my favorite product, Journee has 3 of the 4 ingredients that we should all be putting on our skin daily to prevent our skin from aging.   Let’s go through them….a broadspectrum SPF 30 or greater sunscreen, check!!  Journee has a combination of octinoxate and microfine zinc oxide, a killer combo for sun protection.  How many of you can say that you can go to the beach or on the boat with just one application of your daily moisturizer and not worry about a burn?  I can!!

Next, human growth factors, check!! Neocutis, the makers of Journee call them PSPs Processed Skin Cell Proteins.  There are only two skin care companies that make products with human growth factors.  The competitor is Skin Medica.  I LOVE Skin Medica’s TNS Recovery Complex which is the most potent form of human growth factors available BUT their sunscreen with human growth factors is only SpF 20, which doesn’t cut it in my book.  I have cut off too many skin cancers to skimp on my sunscreen protection.  No facial scars for me if I can avoid it!!  Human growth factors are ranked up there with retinoids for their ability to increase collagen and in turn decrease those lovely fine lines and wrinkles that we accumulate over time.  They do all this without the irritation that retinoids can cause!! Anything that you buy that contains human growth factors for the skin is AWESOME!!!  Dr. Jeffrey Dover backs up the importance of human growth factors in his book The Youth Equation: Take 10 Years Off Your Face.

Next, antioxidants, check!! Journee has not one but three potent anti-oxidants.  Anti-oxidants have been proven over and over in studies to help prevent the aging process that occurs from the sun and many other enviromental stresses that we expose our skin to daily.  Journee contains 0.25% of green tea extract, stabilized vitamin C and vitamin E each of which have been proven to help slow down the aging process.  I could go on and on and on about each of these antioxidants and why they are so great.  Green tea for instance is FANTASTIC for post laser procedures and rosacea type skin, so don’t worry if you have one of these issues.   There are articles out every month touting the benefits of Vitamins C and E as antioxidants.  We need them and Journee has them.

So….if I have a rough day and I forget my SkinCeuticals Phloretin, my TNS Recovery Complex and my Retin-A and was only able to quickly slather on my Journee before I run out the door, I know that my skin is safe.  The Journee is working all day long to prevent damage and to get rid of damage that has already been done.

Not to mention Journee is oil-free, non-comedogenic and slightly tinted.  The tint is great because any sunscreen that contains zinc oxide is WHITE WHITE WHITE, who wants to put that on their face?  Because of this nice tint, there is no yucky white residue that you have to rub in all day to make it look like it isn’t there.

When people tell me they want to start a regimen but don’t know what to start with….don’t buy the whole store, don’t buy everything that is recommended unless you are good at applying 3 things in the morning and 3 things at night and you KNOW that you will do it.  Otherwise you get home and look at all these products you just bought and wonder what you were thinking.  Start with Journee in the morning and Retinol at night, if you can consistently apply these two things for a month, get back to me.  Then you are ready to add on a human growth factor serum (TNS Recovery Complex) and/or an antioxidant serum(Phloretin or CE Ferulic by SkinCeuticals).

I hope this helps, as always my goal is to get each of you on a skin care regimen that is proven to do what you want it to do.

I have seen thousands of cases of rosacea over the last 9 years and this is my explanation of it.  Rosacea is a genetic skin condition in which your blood vessels are closer to the surface of the skin than the average person’s and they get inflamed more easily than in the average person.  So….if you have red cheeks, forehead or chin you might have rosacea.  Do you become red when you exercise, are hot, agitated, drink caffeine or red wine?  Then you probably have rosacea.  As time goes by instead of only becoming red in these circumstances, you may start to be slightly pink on a consistent basis.  So when you are sitting in a nice air conditioned room, drinking a cold glass of water and you have pink cheeks…this is rosacea.  Sometimes acne comes along with rosacea, thankfully the pimples, bumps, pustules portion of rosacea is fairly easy to treat.  As is most acne….that is a subject for another blog post.

So, if you have rosacea, what should you do?  Move to a cool climate and avoid anything that will get you excited or hot and never drink red wine or caffeine.  Not to realistic right??  I wish rosacea were as easy to treat as acne, unfortunately what might work for one person doesn’t always work for another.   I will say this, those permanently dilated blood vessels on your face can be treated with a laser or IPL machine.  Both with great results, this does not mean that you won’t continue to get red in certain circumstances but it does mean that we can decrease and sometimes completely eradicate the redness when you are calm.   It is definitely a very achievable goal to have rosacea and to only be red when you are in the aforementioned circumstances.  It is my goal with each of my patients to give their skin the appearance of little to no redness when they are not hot, exercising or drinking wine or caffeine.  Can this be done?  Yes!!!

Their are a few products that consistently receive praise from my rosacea patients, you know, when a patient comes back and says “I really LOVE that product, thank you so much for telling me about it, it makes a huge difference in the color of my skin!!”  My first highly recommended product is Green Tea Serum with Caffeine by Replenix.  Studies have shown that both green tea and caffeine used topically help to decrease the vasodilation that occurs with blood vessels in the case of rosacea.   This is not an expensive product and gives noticeable results.  The second product that I HIGHLY recommend is Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream by Neocutis.  You probably know that I am a huge proponent of human growth factors for many reasons, well this cream contains human growth factors, green tea and SPF 30 – that is a lot of good stuff in one cream.  I don’t have rosacea and I personally make sure to apply this every single morning for the benefits of all the ingredients this amazing cream contains.  My third recommendation is Rosaclear by Obagi.  Obagi is known for their Nuderm System.  In fact they are the number one skincare system sold in the world because of their Nuderm System.  I never recommend the Nuderm System for rosacea patients, it is just way too irritating for their skin.  That being said, Obagi’s Rosaclear system was introduced in 2009 and quickly became a huge hit with my patients.  This was one of those creams that people would come back and rave about.  So finally after years of seeing patients with this annoying yet very common skin condition, I have three topical treatments that I can turn to and will almost always end up with a very happy patient.   As always please feel free to leave your comments, or contact me with any questions.

Omega 3s are the new buzz word.  Everyone is talking about them.  Do you ever wonder why?  Google Omega 3s and studies and you will quickly realize why everyone is talking about them.  Omega 3s are essential fatty acids.  What does this mean?  They are fatty acids that our bodies need, yet we cannot make them, they have to be put into our bodies.  What happens if you don’t?  You will be more likely to come down with almost every disease and calamity known to man than someone who is taking Omega 3s.  Still don’t get it?  Here is just a taste of what Omega 3 deficiencies have been linked to.  

Decreased memory and mental abilities, tingling sensation of the nerves, poor vision, increased tendency to form blood clots, diminished immune function, increased triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels, depression/mental illness, impaired membrane function, hypertension, irregular heart beat, learning disorders, menopausal discomfort, growth retardation in infants, children, and pregnant women. 

That was just a small taste of what deficiencies in Omega 3s can cause, I have read study after study showing what the proper amount of Omega 3 intake does for our bodies.  Decreased cancer risk, decreased risk of heart disease and erectile dysfunction, decreased ADHD symptoms, decreased risk of developing diabetes, autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, seriously the list goes on and on.

So…..are you taking Omega 3s?  I wasn’t until August of 2008, because I just did not know how important they were and I had tried fish oil in the past (because I heard it was good for me) and couldn’t handle burping it up while seeing my patients.  Now my entire family takes Omega 3s on a daily basis.  We take it in the form of a grain, Mila.  I bake it into muffins 3 times a week, I add it to orange juice in the morning, I put it in spaghetti sauce at night and add it to hamburger meat.  Mila is the most potent source of Omega 3s on the planet, it is easy to get my boys to eat it and they are also getting fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, selenium, and antioxidants every time they eat it.  It has been certified as a food by our FDA, so it can be compared to bread, potatoes, corn- it is just much better for you than any of these other foods.  If you are not eating Omega 3s, eat them, make your kids eat them, and make your parents eat them.  Your health and the health of your family depends on it.

Okay, I will be the first to admit that for many years in my career, I was not a fan of Obagi’s Nuderm program- why?  Because I personally didn’t think that I would ever be able to do that many steps in one day.  But you know what guys?  It works! Obagi is the #1 selling skin care system in the WORLD.  This is not a small statement, why is it the number one seller?  Because it works.  So if you are one of the many who has experienced brown patches appearing on your skin as those of us in Florida do after a long hot summer, get on the Obagi Nu-Derm System.  It is a pain in the butt to go through five steps in the morning and five steps at night, but it works.  You have to put up with dry, flaking, sensitive skin for the first four to six weeks, but it works.  So no more complaining about it, if you have dark spots on your skin that you don’t like- just do it. 

I recommend it for any of my patients who have melasma or dark patches on their skin.  Now remember this is not a hard core anti-aging routine.  The process works through exfoliation and bleaching with hydroquinone.  Retin A is added in a few nights a week which is great for fine lines and wrinkles, but this is really the only anti-aging portion of the regimen.  I recommend that once the hot, scorching months of summer are over and we are getting close to holiday season, take a break.  Give your skin a vacation from Obagi and treat it to some human growth factors, moisturization and antioxidants – that is an anti-aging regimen.  It is good to keep your skin guessing and switch things up every once in awhile. 

I am going to post the Obagi Nuderm Regimen for all of you to see.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me. 

AM:

Step1 Foaming Gel

Step2 Toner

Step3 Apply Clear

Step4 Apply Exfoderm

Step6 Apply Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 or Sunfader SPF 15

 Apply Makeup

PM

Step1 Wash with Foaming Gel

Step2 Apply Toner

Step3 Apply Clear

Step5 Apply pea sized amount of Blender with pea sized amount of Tretinoin/Retin A Micro- plan to do this only 2 nights a week at first if you can handle more- go for it- your ultimate goal is nightly

YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH YOUR SKIN FOR THE FIRST 4-6 WEEKS, KEEP PRESSING ON -DON’T GIVE UP IT WILL GET BETTER AND WHEN IT DOES YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

Call us at 904-996-0600 if you have any questions or email us at info@skinsolutiondmd.com.

One of the most commonly asked questions in my office is “What eye cream do you recommend?”, I usually answer that it depends on what you are looking for.  Do you have dark circles, bags, or fine lines?

In the past, I have recommended freezing green tea bags,thawing them with a little cold water and relaxing for 10 minutes with the tea bags on your eyes to help reduce eye puffiness.  I have recommended human growth factors that you can find in Skin Medica’s TNS Night Eye Repair and Neocutis’ Lumiere as well as Renova for fine lines around the eyes.  Dark circles, hmmmmmm…. in eight years of seeing patients and trying creams I have yet to find one that I LOVE for dark circles.  Now I don’t have dark circles around my eyes, but plenty of my patients do.  When they don’t come back in raving about what I have recommended, I stop recommending it.   Last but not least, if your eyes are bothering you enough to depress you every single morning when you look in the mirror, sooner or later you will likely be consulting with a plastic surgeon about a blepharoplasty (which is a fantastic procedure) but in the meantime….

It looks like there is finally an eye cream on the market that claims to do all of the above. SKinCeuticals, a company known for their extraordinary antioxidant serums has just released A.G.E. Eye Complex.
This eye cream contains a complex of flavonoids and synergistic peptides that strengthen blood vessel walls, improve lymphatic drainage and eliminate hemoglobin’s colored end-products which ultimately greatly decreases dark circles and puffiness surrounding the eye.  This all occurs in 4 – 12 weeks based on the company’s clinical studies(which have produced some pretty amazing pictures).

How does it work to reverse fine lines and wrinkles?  These are big claims, but this is how they are doing it.  By twelve weeks and beyond, blueberry extract interrupts the formation of advanced glycation end-products (A.G.E.) and Proxylane restores water and nutrient content to the dermal epidermal junction (D.E.J.) to increase skin elasticity and thickness for dramatic improvement of wrinkles and crow’s feet.  Now you all know that I am a huge fan of human growth factors, but I sure am willing to give this a try, besides whose to say that I can’t apply human growth factors as well?  I have been using it for a few weeks now and must say that I love the texture of the eye complex as well as the cooling sensation that I feel after applying it.   I can’t wait to get some feedback from my patients on this new eye cream.

For those of you who don’t know, Skin Solutions MD and myself Rachel Garcia, have joined Dr. James Hardy at his Plastic Surgery Center located on 11512 Lake Mead Avenue, Suite 605, Jacksonville, FL 32256.  Unfortunately, the dermatology office that I have worked in for three years is closing and I thought long and hard about where to plant my feet and start fresh.  After receiving many job offers I chose Dr. Hardy.  He is a very gifted plastic surgeon, who specializes in breast work although does fantastic work on all body parts.  I worked with a plastic surgeon for 2 years in Gainesville, Florida so I have some past experience with one and knew what I was looking for this time around.   I am still injecting fillers and Botox as I have been for the past eight years as well as continuing to use all of the lasers that I have in the past. Please come visit us at our new location for a free skin care consult at anytime, we would love to see you.

Are you confused by what is available in your dermatologist’s office, online or at the store?  This is a breakdown of what some of the most popular dermatologist recommended sunscreens contain.  I hope that it helps when you are trying to make the decision about what sunscreen to purchase.  We all need to wear it, but you won’t wear it if you don’t love it- so find one you love.

Z-Silc SPF 30 contains micronized zinc oxide, goes on clear, and is fragrance free.  This sunscreen is great for sensitive skin, children and all over body usage.

Ti-Silc SPF 45 contains micronized zinc oxide and is waterproof.  This sunscreen is essential for those long days on the boat or those mornings at the tennis court.  This is also what I keep in my car to put on my hands while I am driving.

Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream SPF 30 is my favorite sunscreen for daily use on my face, neck and chest.  It contains three of the essential four ingredients we should be putting on our skin.  Green tea (antioxidant), PSP (processed skin cell proteins, also known as human growth factors), and SPF 30.  I advise all of my patients to make sure that their daily sunscreen is SPF 30 or greater, if it is not, it’s protective abilities are gone by lunch.    I love this sunscreen because I think of it as my anti- aging cream, it does not smell and I am actually doing something good for my skin when I put it on (reversing the signs of aging as well as preventing damage).  It is slightly pricey, but so is anything with human growth factors, and this bottle will last at least six months if not nine.

Anthelios SPF 40 is a light non-greasy, fragrance-free daily use moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen.  It combines Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) with an innovative ingredient, Mexoryl SX (the most effective FDA approved organic filter designed to protect against UVA rays), with high photostability, a key factor in sunscreen protection efficacy.   This high photostability means the sunscreen will maintain a higher UVA protective ability longer and not degrade as quickly as other FDA approved UVA filters when exposed to the sun.  This moisturizer/sun block is great for daily wear and specifically for those who are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without the ability to reapply.

Replenix CF Advanced Anti-Photoaging Complex SPF 45 has been formulated with Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and Micronized Zinc Oxide to block UV radiation and provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.This advanced sun protection product also delivers a unique antioxidant free radical quenching and neutralizing complex composed of Silymarin, Activated Vitamin E, Bisabolol, Green Tea Polyphenols, Ectoin and Caffeine.  Studies have shown that both green tea and caffeine help decrease the visible erythema (redness) seen in rosacea patients, therefore this sunscreen is a great option for those patients with rosacea.  This is one of our most popular sunscreens largely because it has no unpleasant odor, goes on clear and smooth, but most importantly has two of the top four recommended ingredients for our skin green tea (antioxidants) and sunscreen (spf 45).

Skin Medica’s Environmental Defense SPF 30.  This sunscreen contains mineralized zinc oxide that provides both UVA and UVB protection in a single ingredient.  It is transparent, therefore invisible on the skin and will not stain clothing. It also contains Parsol MCX (octinoxate) an FDA approved organic sunscreen (chemical sunscreen) that provides additional UVB absorption.  Green tea extract and caffeine which have proven antioxidant and UV protective qualities, studies have shown that this duo does wonders for decreasing erythema (redness) of the skin.  Hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturizer, provides instant hydrating and skin soothing properties. Vitamin E, one of the most active, natural, free radical scavenging antioxidants.  Ceramide 3, a plant-derived, lipid that helps to rapidly restore the skin’s lipid barrier and greatly influences the water-holding capacity of the skin.

This sunscreen is fantastic for all skin types, it is oil-free and therefore great for acne-prone or rosacea skin types, also great as a post procedure sunscreen. It is one of our most popular sunscreens as it contains 2 of the top 4 recommended ingredients for our skin, antioxidants and sunscreen.

Obagi C Sunguard is an SPF 30 UVA/UVB Broadspectrum Sunscreen that is part of the Obagi C RX System Skin Care Regimen.  It has 9 % Micronized Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate as active ingredients and goes on extremely smooth.  I recommend this sunscreen for oily, acne prone skin.

Obagi NuDerm SPF 35 Sunscreen is step 6 of the Obagi NuDerm System.  It is a broadspectrum UVA/UVB Sunscreen which includes 9 % Micronized Zinc Oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate as active ingredients.  Users of Obagi NuDerm are lovers of this sunscreen.

SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is a fantastic sunscreen for a day out on the boat, the beach or the golf course.  It is waterproof and sweatproof to deliver maximum protection during high-energy activities.  This sunblock contains 4.5 % transparent zinc oxide as well as 7.5% octinoxate to block both UVA and UVB rays and help prevent the premature signs of aging while enjoying the great outdoors.  All ingredients are encapsulated in dimethicone to provide increased SPF with fewer chemicals, thus reducing the chances of irritation.

Sport UV Defense contains transparent zinc oxide as well as other active sunscreens to help protect against damaging UVA rays proven to cause premature signs of aging. All sunscreen ingredients are encapsulated in dimethicone to provide increased SPF with fewer chemicals, reducing the chances of irritation.  It is PABA-free, oil-free and fragrance-free, thus great for any skin type.

Last but certainly not least, is Anthelios SPF 15 with Mexoryl.  This was the first sunscreen released in the US with the ingredient Mexoryl. Like the Anthelios SPF 40, it is a light non-greasy, fragrance-free daily use moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen.  It combines Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) with an innovative ingredient, Mexoryl SX (the most effective FDA approved organic filter designed to protect against UVA rays), with high photostability, a key factor in sunscreen protection efficacy.   This high photostability means the sunscreen will maintain a higher UVA protective ability longer and not degrade as quickly as other FDA approved UVA filters when exposed to the sun.  This moisturizer/sun block is great for daily wear and specifically for those who are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without the ability to reapply.  You know me, I prefer SPF 30 or higher for daily use, but for darker skin types, this sunscreen is ideal.  It is invisible when applied and does not leave a white residue like many of the other sunscreens available on the market.

I am actively researching a GREAT sunscreen for kids, and have stumbled on one that I personally love so far, stay tuned to learn more about it.   My goals in this quest: easy to apply (so a spray of some kind would be great), not expensive, large bottles so that you don’t run out after one weekend on the boat with two kids and two adults, broad-spectrum; you would think this sunscreen would be easy to find but believe me it is not.

I hope that this helps you in your quest for the perfect sunscreen.  If you have any questions, regarding a sunscreen that you personally use or have been researching , please feel free to leave your comments and I will get back to you.

So, the summer is fast approaching and most of us are starting to pull out all of our old sunscreen bottles and thinking about buying more.   Hopefully, my regular patients are already applying sunscreen on a daily basis at least to their face, neck, chest and hands.   If you are not you should be, because if you don’t have brown spots yet, you will….and then you will be going to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon asking how to get rid of them.  Let me assure you, it is not easy to get rid of those dreaded brown spots, I have lasered my back and chest multiple times, with good results and bad results.  I wish that I had just worn sunscreen from the start.  I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a patient say, “Well when I was young, they didn’t have sunsceen, we used baby oil and iodine.”.  Now we do have sunscreen no more excuses.  So what kind should you be using?

The key is this, make sure that whatever you use it is broad spectrum or says UVA/UVB coverage on the bottle.  If it does not stop both types of rays, I am not going to waste my time applying it to my skin or my children’s skin.  So what is the difference in these two types of rays? UVB light penetrates the skin and causes tanning, burning and skin cancer.  UVA light comes right through glass windows and penetrates our skin more deeply than the UVB light.  It’s effects on our skin are those that we associate with aging, wrinkling, dullness, discoloration and likely skin cancer as well. 

Believe it or not over 50% of the sunscreens available to us at our local drugstores are not broad spectrum.  Personally, I look for a few specific ingredients, if the sunscreen does not contain at least one of these ingredients, I will not use it. 

Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone)

Helioplex

Mexoryl

Zinc Oxide

Titanium Dioxide

Avobenzone was developed in the late 1980s and was the first decent sunscreen to address UVA light but it breaks down in sunlight, it is not stable.  Mexoryl and Helioplex are two recent chemical sunscreen advancements that address UVA light and remain stable for longer periods of time than Avobenzone does by itself.  Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are physical blockers, sunblocks that physically shield your skin from the sun much like your clothing does.  Thankfully newer micronized versions of these sunsceens have been invented which have made the application of some sunscreens much more cosmetically elegant. 

How much should you use?  One full shot glass, every two hours if you are out between the hours of 10 am to 4pm.  Seem like a lot?  Ask me that question again when I am giving you quotes for laser procedures to remove wrinkles and brown spots, or after a biopsy to rule out skin cancer on your nose.

In my next blog, I will break down each of the sunscreens sold on this site so that you know what their active ingredients are and what situations they are best used in.

This is the skin care regimen that I follow and recommend to my patients:

Morning Skin Care

• Wash your face (my favorite gentle cleanser is Toleriane and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Clarisonic Brush which removes all of my dead skin cells,  it is like microdermabrasion in my bathroom).
• Apply Phloretin by SkinCeuticals (antioxidant that has had amazing results at preventing sundamage)
• Apply TNS Recovery Complex (most potent form of human growth factor) one pump is enough and try to put it on slightly wet skin
• Apply Journe (SPF 30 sunscreen, human growth factor and green tea all in one oil – free sunscreen- AMAZING!!!)
• Apply makeup

Evening Skin Care

• Wash your face, if acne prone, I recommend a salicylic acid wash, Acne Foaming Wash by Skin Medica is my favorite
• Apply TNS all over face
• Apply Retinoid of some sort
• Apply Moisturizer if necessary
• Apply Eye Cream

Now regarding the retinoid… you can get a rx from a dermatology office or you can buy retinol in non prescription strengths as well.

My favorite moisturizer is Hydraphase by La Roche Posay it is oil free, light and cheap.

Last but not least my favorite eye cream is TNS Night Eye Repair, I apply this am and pm to my eye area.

There are four ingredients that have been medically proven over and over again to be essential in preventing and reversing the aging process of our skin.

1. Sunscreen SPF 30 or greater  If you can see without a light on you are getting sun on your face.  If you are getting sun on your face, damage is occurring.  SPF 15 in your moisturizer or makeup is not going to do the job.  With an SPF 15, when you are driving around in FL at lunch you are getting tons of sun exposure on your face.  That is why one of the most common complaints I see in my office is “Why do I have all these brown spots on my face?”. Find an SPF 30+ that you LOVE to put on every morning and use it.
2. Retinoids, multiple studies have shown that retinoids stimulate collagen production and cell turnover which reduces the appearance of wrinkles as well as brown spots.  This is the number one skin treatment for reversing damage already done.  You can get this in a variety of strengths, the strongest being prescription and the lowest over the counter at your drugstore. Prescription strength tends to be a little irritating and most people can only handle putting it on their face a few times a week. It is important to find a strength that works for you and use it as much as you possibly can.  Retinoids are inactivated in sunlight so be sure to always apply them at night. The only reason not to use it is if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
3. Human Growth Factors- this stuff is awesome, multiple medical studies have shown that this ingredient (which is derived from fetal foreskin) does what Retinoids do just without the irritation.  We use this in our office after laser procedures because it helps to heal the skin as well as for daily usage to reverse aging.  I have personally found that I can use prescription strength Retin -A- Micro 7 nights a week when I use Human Growth Factors twice a day.  When I don’t use Human Growth Factors, I can only use my Retin -A-Micro 2 to 3 nights a week.  We carry two product lines with Human Growth Factors, Neocutis and TNS by Skin Medica.
4. Antioxidants, we all know these are good for us to eat but they are also great for our skin.  Antioxidants are huge in preventing further damage to our skin.  Remember the line about seeing without a light on, causing sun damage to your skin?  Well we live in Florida, anything that I can do to prevent further damage I am going to do.  Vitamin C is one of the most studied and proven antioxidants available.  CE Ferrulic and Phloretin by SkinCeuticals are two of my favorite products filled with potent, stable antioxidants. Green tea is another topical antioxidant that I favor especially for calming skin that is prone to redness or after laser procedures.

All the other stuff that is out there might be good in one study here or there but these ingredients have been proven to work over and over again.  I can choose to put anything on my skin that I want, as owner of a skin care store I have access to every cream you can imagine- I have done my research and I am not going to waste my precious time putting stuff on my face that does not work-this is the stuff that has been proven to work and I have seen the results on my skin and my patients’ skin.

So what do I recommend?  See my Personal Skin Care Regimen