Pharmacymix.com, Skin Care Pharmacy and Blog Specializing in Anthelios and Mexoryl Sunscreens

Benign Summer Light Eruption

Benign Summer Light Eruption, or BSLE, is a common sun allergy that usually presents itself as small, red spots accompanied by extreme itching.  Despite the name, Benign Summer Light Eruption does not occur only the summer.  It is believed that the trigger to this condition is prolonged exposure to UV rays, and in particular UVA rays.  Typically appearing 2 to 3 days after initial exposure to the sun, the rash tends to decrease after 5 to 14 days.  However, chances of recurrence are high.

Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of the population experience Benign Summer Light Eruption, mostly women between the ages of 15 and 25.  The main areas of the body affected are the neckline, the upper chest, arms and legs.  One of the distinguishing features about this condition is that the face is usually free of the rash.  BSLE differs from heat rash in that the latter condition develops when sweat ducts become blocked and perspiration is trapped under the skin.  Although a red rash also appears with heat rash, this tends to be limited to skin folds or wherever clothing causes friction.

Primary treatment of Benign Summer Light Eruption is prevention via effective sun protection.  Its impact may be minimized by following these sun-smart guidelines:

• Choose a stable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen with a high protection factor and reapply every two hours.  Select from our wide selection of Anthelios sunscreens.
• Layer an antioxidant under your sunscreen. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals generated by UV rays. Apothekari Undercover Agent Vitamin C/E/Ferulic Acid Serum contains an effective combination of ingredients and may be used by all skin types.
• Avoid the sun during its peak hours between 10am and 4pm
• Seek shade wherever and whenever you can
• Wear protective clothing

Follow the above tips and you’ll be less likely to develop  BSLE, sunburn or heat rash this summer or on your next warm weather holiday.

 

5 Skin Changes During Menopause

Although menopause brings with it the much talked about symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, fluctuation of hormone levels can also initiate a series of changes in the skin.  The decline in estrogen levels during menopause, coupled with a lifetime of UV exposure and the natural slowing down of cell turnover due to age, are at least partially responsible for those subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) changes that we see when we look in the mirror.

Cells in the body and the skin have estrogen receptors. During puberty the increase in estrogen production sends messages that tell the body to ramp up the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.  During perimenopause and menopause, however, estrogen levels drop and those messages don’t get through.  For the skin, this can mean a few extra challenges to deal with. Here’s how to meet them head on:

1. Acne:  Often a result of hormonal changes, acne is experienced by nearly half of women going through menopause.  The same advice that you heard during puberty still holds true: keep the skin clean with a gentle, soap-free cleanser and avoid over cleaning or scrubbing.  Consider adding either a salicylic acid treatment, like Unagel Calming Acne Treatment, or a retinoid such as Green Cream.  Both ingredients help to unplug pores and exfoliate.
2. Age spots:  Some of us show our age via fine lines and wrinkles, others develop age spots.  Hereditary disposition plays a part, but a lifetime of sun exposure and UV damage can make them appear seemingly overnight during menopause.  Incorporating an alpha hydroxy acid treatment into your routine may help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation and sun damage.  Legendary MaMa Lotion is formulated with 20% AHA.  As a bonus, AHAs also counteract the “crepiness” of the skin that is so common during menopause.  To prevent future age spots, keep up with the daily application of a stable, broad-spectrum sunscreen like Anthelios, rain or shine.
3. Dryness:  Likely the most common change in the skin during menopause is increased dryness.  Think about switching to a richer, more emollient moisturizer, like Neostrata’s AquaYouth Anti-Wrinkle Cream with Hylasome, a cross-linked hyaluronic acid for serious hydration.
4. Deep wrinkles:  As estrogen levels drop, collagen production slows down, resulting in deeper wrinkles and loss of elasticity.  Adding a retinoid treatment will help boost collagen production, increase cell turnover and plump out the skin.  Backed by clinical studies, the effectiveness of retinoids like retinaldehyde (retinal) or retinol has been proven over and over again . This top anti-aging ingredient can be found in our new Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging serum as well as customer favorite La Roche Posay Redermic R.
5. Loss of contrast between our facial features and skin:  Menopausal skin can get darker while the color of our eyebrows, eyelashes, eyes and lips lighten, giving us a pale, washed out look.  The changes are so gradual that we may not notice them right away.  Since we appear younger when the contrast between our skin color and our features is more marked, this is a great time to reassess our makeup routine, too.  What may have seemed too heavy in our 20’s may just help knock ten years off that reflection in the mirror.

 

 

Apothekari A is For Anti-Aging: New at PharmacyMix

We’re delighted to introduce new Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging Retinaldehyde Serum.

Formulated with retinal (the gentle and effective cousin to retinol and retinoic acid), A Is For Anti-Aging is formulated with a patent-pending stabilized retinaldehyde, IconicA. Retinaldehyde is the direct precursor to retinoic acid (active form of Vitamin A in skin cells), so that it delivers the ultimate in wrinkle reduction and age prevention. It is the least irritating retinoid, which makes it ideal for use in all skin types.

A is For Anti-Aging comes with a number of benefits:

• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
• Stimulates collagen and elastin production and increases skin cell turnover
• Reduces the appearance of blemishes and hyperpigmentation leading to brighter skin
• Increases skin’s moisture content; soothes irritation
• Protects against photo-aging
• Exfoliates

Beyond retinaldehyde, this serum is filled with other key active ingredients to deliver results:

• Cloudberry Seed Oil – Rich is essential fatty acids and antioxidants
• Helioguard 365 (Porphyra Umbilicalis (Red Algae) Extract) – A natural UVA-screening compound from sea algae to protect the skin against photo-aging
• Carnitine (L) – Increases skin cell turnover, moisturizing, exfoliator
• Bisabolol (L-alpha) – Anti-inflammatory, promotes wound-healing, reduces sensitivity, alleviates heat while soothing skin irritation
• SymWhite™ (Phenylethyl Resorcinol) – Skin brightener and antioxidant
• Niacinamide – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, improves epidermal barrier function, inhibits skin pigmentation, smooths fine lines/wrinkles

Apothekari A Is For Anti-Aging Retinal Serum may be applied nightly to face, neck and décolleté after cleansing to help moisturize, reduce wrinkles and for skin cell renewal. For sensitive skin, apply 3-4 times weekly to begin with and gradually build up to using nightly. As with all retinoids, it may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.

Retinaldehyde (Retinal): Your Skin Will Love It!

You already know that I love, love retinoids for skin so I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear about retinaldehyde (also known as retinal), a gentle and effective alternative to more commonly used retinoids like retinol and retinoic acid.

We’ve written about retinoids extensively before. Derivatives of Vitamin A, they are essential to any anti-aging skin care regimen. In addition to boosting collagen production (think smoother, firmer skin), reversing sun damage and hyperpigmentation, increasing skin cell turnover and increasing the moisture content of skin, retinoids are also useful in the management of acne. Backed with an abundance of evidence to support their use, retinoids do come with some downsides. In particular, they are sensitive to light, which can break them down and render them ineffective. This makes it important to choose products that are formulated and packaged appropriately. And, because they are so effective, they can be irritating. That’s where retinaldehyde comes in.

Retinaldehyde is the direct precursor to retinoic acid (the form of Vitamin A used directly by the body). Yet, it is also the least irritating retinoid – less irritating than retinol and less irritating than retinoic acid. So, individuals previously unable to tolerate retinoids (those with sensitive skin) are more likely to be able to incorporate it into their daily routine without problem. New technology has also allowed for retinal to be stabilized thereby ensuring its efficacy.

Where can you find retinal? Try it in new Apothekari A Is For Anti-Aging Serum. Formulated with stabilized retinaldehyde (as patent pending IconicA), A Is For Anti-Aging provides the ultimate in wrinkle reduction and aging prevention. Beyond the benefits of retinal, it is enhanced with UVA protecting, exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, skin brightening and antioxidant benefits. This is one treatment that belongs on your counter!