Dull skin’s a drag. We’re all aware of this, especially during this time of the year when it seems every environmental factor is out there trying to dim our glow.

In an effort to liven and brighten up our skin, a few of us (we won’t name names) reach for illuminating primers and shiny highlighters. Of course, these products will momentarily hide the skin’s dullness, but at the end of the night when you double cleanse, the dullness will once again rear its head as your shimmer and glow make their way down the drain.

K-Beauty brand Acwell knows many of us, especially during the colder seasons, struggle with dryness, dullness, and a lackluster skin tone. But, they also know trying to cover these skin concerns with glowy makeup products is definitely not the way to deal with them.

Instead, the brand seeks to treat them at their sources with brightening and hydrating ingredients that promote a glow and balance our compromised and deprived skin barriers. 

Lucky for us, Acwell’s helping us to brighten our skin from start to finish with their Licorice Trial Kit featuring 3 travel-sized award winners, their Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum, Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream, and Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner for an instant hydrating and brightening boost.

Ready to dive into how the balancing and brightening Acwell line eradicates unwanted dullness? Let’s go! 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum

Acwell’s kit is all about balancing and brightening the skin, so it’s a no-brainer that it contains a travel size of their 2021 Best of K-Beauty® award winner. 

Much like it’s Licorice pH Balancing line siblings, the lightweight fast-absorbing serum is formulated with brightening licorice root extract and licorice root water. However, this serum departs from its family due to the inclusion of Pycnogenol, AKA pine bark extract, in its formula.

It might sound odd to use tree bark in skin care, but its high antioxidant content makes it a soon-to-be staple ingredient in the beauty world. Together, Pycnogenol and licorice work to moisturize, even, and fight off free radical damage for a refined, bright complexion. 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream

Nothing says dull, tired skin like dark, dry under eyes.

Packed with licorice, peptides, squalane, and caffeine, the two travel sized Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Creams hydrate and depuff tired eyes for a refreshed look. 

Unlike other depuffing eye creams, this creamy moisturizing favorite also works to dispel under eye hyperpigmentation thanks to licorice root’s ability to block melanin producing enzymes.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

Old school powerful astringent toners often leave the skin a bit tight or squeaky clean. But, Acwell knows this is definitely not how it should be. 

This powerful cleansing toner is perfect for all skin types due to its pH of 5.5, and moisturizes as it cleans, meaning there’s no stripped feeling after usage. Kick dullness and pigmentation to the curb with potent levels of green tea, peony extract, and of course, licorice. 

We love this toner’s ability to create a moisturizing layer on the skin while it cleanses and prepares the skin for the rest of our skin care routine. 

+Are you ready to conquer winter dullness with licorice root? Tell us how you plan on achieving a seasonal glow below!

The post Balance Your Barrier With Acwell’s Unbeatable Soothing and Brightening Skin Care Kit appeared first on The Klog.

One product I’ve been focusing on curating because of your feedback is serum.

I have to admit that I have been holding out on curating one for you guys for a long time, but here’s why: Treatment products like serums are the hardest to curate. Serum is a product that people want to essentially “turn back time,” which is a tall order. I really, really want to recommend something that will give you results! This has taken me a lot longer to curate than usual, but hey it’s always the good stuff that is worth waiting for, right?

So let me tell you all about it. I’ve been freakishly obsessed with this superstar ingredient: Vitamin C!

Shoutout to Sheik G. who just requested Vitamin C serum on our Facebook page. Hope you like our latest curation, Sheik! But Sheik isn’t the only one — for a long time now, many of you have voiced that you wish there were more treatment products to explore on Soko Glam — things that target specific skin conditions such as pigmentation, scarring, dry patches, and more.

So I’m pretty stoked about curating a new product that uses this ingredient to help with some of your top skin concerns: Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop.

What’s to love about Vitamin C?

Many studies have proved that Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid or l-ascorbic acid) is one of the most effective ways to help fade pigmentation — those pesky brown spots from sun damage or even uneven skin tone from acne scarring.

It also improves the overall health of your skin by protecting it from free radical damage! Think of it as an anti-aging shield for your skin so you’re not only reducing what damage has already been done, but also preventing future damage.

To understand the science behind Vitamin C, let me breakdown how and why pigmentation occurs:

UVA/UVB, pollution, and smoking create free radicals that destroy your DNA — and skin cells. Sorry for the dramatics – but it’s true. Free radicals suck!

The result? Premature aging: mainly brown spots and wrinkles (and a bunch of other health problems besides).

Antioxidants help slow down/eliminate free radicals, so that’s why it’s important to include them in your diet and most importantly for your skin, apply them topically!

And you guessed it, the best of the best for the skin is…Vitamin C.

To demonstrate the effect of oxidation on the skin I’ve used an apple as my test subject. Everyone knows that when an apple is cut and exposed to oxygen, the apple will  oxidize and turn brown with time, but let’s see what happens when Vitamin C comes to the rescue.

I cut this apple in half. I didn’t alter the left half of the apple in any way, shape or form, but to the right half I applied a thin layer of the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, which contains 5% ascorbic acid — pure Vitamin C.

After several hours, the left half oxidized. You can see the yucky brown. However, the right half of the apple with the Vitamin C still looks freshly cut: clear and definitely not brown! (Side note: If you try this experiment at home, I’d love to see your photos/videos! You can share them with @sokoglam on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.)

This is just a powerful example of how amazing Vitamin C is, and it works just the same for your skin. Vitamin C keeps skin cells fresh and healthy and with consistent use can address skin concerns such as uneven skin tone.

Now that you’ve heard about my latest skin care ingredient obsession, stay tuned for my detailed review on the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop tomorrow!

I’ll reveal:

• How to shop for the best Vitamin C serum, and some myths about the ingredient
• Why the Klairs Freshly Juiced Drop is in my current skin care routine
• Why the Freshly Juiced Drop makes sense for sensitive skin types!
• How to incorporate it in your skin care routine

Let me know if you have any questions below so I can address them in the next blog post!

xx charlotte

The post Ingredient Spotlight: Vitamin C appeared first on The Klog.

If you’ve been tapped into the skin care scene, there’s a solid chance you’ve heard rumblings about niacinamide, a powerhouse skin care ingredient that supports skin barrier function and improves texture and tone. Today we’re exploring the primary benefits of niacinamide, explaining what concentration is ideal, and showcasing some of our favorite niacinamide skin care products.

The Benefits of Niacinamide  

A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide works overtime in a handful of ways. Let’s explore each. 

Bolsters Skin Barrier Function

Skin care lovers are aware that hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid aid in repairing and strengthening the skin barrier, but did you know niacinamide has its own way of helping to fortify the top layer of skin?

“Niacinamide stabilizes skin barrier function through a reduction in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). It also increases protein and ceramide production in the top [layer] of the skin and speeds up skin growth and repair,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eric Rudnick, owner of Dazzling Dermatology in Boca Raton, Fla. 

A healthy skin barrier makes for a more balanced, hydrated, beautiful-looking complexion and allows for fewer breaks in the skin.

Improves Skin Tone & Texture 

You’ll often find niacinamide in skin care products that improve discoloration, including sun-induced spots and acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. That’s because niacinamide inhibits the production of pigment-producing enzymes.

Looking to tackle smoothness? Because of the way it bolsters the skin barrier, consistent use of niacinamide can also improve overall texture of the skin, as well, including smaller-looking pores and skin that feels softer and smoother.  

Fights Premature Signs of Aging 

This super ingredient also helps to promote a more youthful appearance, making it a more gentle alternative to anti-aging powerhouse retinol.

“Niacinamide is an attractive topical therapy to fight signs of aging,” says Dr. Rudnick. “It improves the surface structure, lightens photodamaged skin, smooths out wrinkles, and reduces the cancer-causing effects of UV irradiation.” 

Helps with Oily and Acne-Prone Skin 

Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that have proven helpful for acne-prone skin. The ingredient soothes inflamed breakouts and reduces redness.

And because it supports the skin barrier and prevents TEWL, it can also improve overall hydration which can reduce excess oil production that can be a cause of acne.

The Best Concentration of Niacinamide in Skin Care Products 

We tend to have a “more is more” mindset when it comes to product formulations, but you actually don’t always want the highest concentration of niacinamide in skin care products. 

Instead, it’s better to focus on finding the optimal blend of ingredients that addresses your specific needs! Using higher percentages of impactful ingredients can do damage to the skin or actually render the ingredient useless.

“Most topical niacinamide preparations that have been tested in placebo-controlled studies are 4%, however there are some reports of preparations as low as 2% topical niacinamide having clinical benefit,” notes Dr. Rudnick. 

When considering the best niacinamide concentration for you, follow these guidelines: 

• Less than 2%: This is too low. You may not see the benefits of using the product
• 2% to 3%: Controlling oil production and acne 
• 3% to 6%: Improving tone, texture, and overall skin barrier, including hyperpigmentation and dull skin
• Higher than 7%: This is too high and may lead to irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

When it comes to percentages, you should also be mindful of how many niacinamide products you’re using during your routine. Using too many formulations containing niacinamide and layering them can cause temporary irritation, including redness, sensitivity, itching, and burning. Ideally, you should only use one niacinamide product at a time. If you’re not sure if a product contains niacinamide because it isn’t its hero ingredient, check the ingredient list- it may still be within the formulation and causing irritation!

Pairing Niacinamide with Other Skin Care Products

Niacinamide plays well with many of your favorite skin care ingredients, including antioxidants, sunscreens, peptides, ceramides, and retinol. In fact, pairing niacinamide with other skin care holy grails can often enhance its effectiveness.

“When used in combination with other topical antioxidants and/or serum peptides—including vitamins C, E, B5, and tranexamic acid—the healing effects of the niacinamide can be enhanced,” notes Dr. Rudnick. “Depending on whether you are looking to treat acne, hyperpigmented skin, wrinkles, or redness, looking for a specific product of niacinamide plus one of these additives may yield a better cosmetic outcome as the skin reparative effects can be enhanced.” 

Niacinamide also works notoriously well with hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid. When combined with these humectants, the skin care superstar ingredient amps up its moisturizing and own humectant properties resulting in ultimate hydration and skin barrier strengthening. 

Our Favorite Niacinamide Skin Care Products 

To help kickstart your niacinamide journey, we’ve laid out a few of our favorite products. Each falls within the ideal concentration range to ensure you see the true benefits of this sweetheart ingredient. 

Then I Met You Giving Essence, $50 

The Giving Essence features an optimal 5% percent of niacinamide to improve skin tone and texture along with polyglutamic acid and a blend of 80% naturally fermented ingredients, including galactomyces ferment filtrate and saccharomyces ferment filtrate. 

With just a few concentrated drops, the Giving Essence helps reduce the appearance of pores, blackheads, and excess oil, as well. This skin-nourishing blend of niacinamide and high-performing hydrating ingredients lends themselves to a hydrated, healthy complexion.

ISNTREE C-Niacin Toning Ampoule, $24.70

Target dull skin with this silky toning ampoule from ISNTREE. It’s formulated with a blend of 2% niacinamide and 70% sea buckthorn, which is rich in vitamin C.

Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Eye Cream, $30

The delicate skin around our eyes always benefits from a little extra TLC, which is exactly what this eye cream from Nacific delivers. In addition to niacinamide, it contains hyaluronic acid and adenosine to hydrate, brighten, plump, and smooth.

Hanskin Vitamin C Glow Capsule Lotion, $32

Kick dull skin to the curb with this lightweight moisturizer from Hanskin, which is formulated with both vitamin C and niacinamide. It also contains chlorella algae extract, another ingredient rich in antioxidants and minerals to help calm, balance, and protect skin.

+If you have any questions on niacinamide or the products we’ve highlighted here, ask away in the comment section below. 

The post Niacinamide: A Skin Care Sweetheart to Fall in Love With appeared first on The Klog.

When I first came across the term a year ago, I couldn’t understand why brands were actually marketing their products as whitening. Since this word conjured up scary images of people doing painful and very harmful things to their skin, I couldn’t understand for the life of me who would be buying these products.

So like any good skincare junkie, I was determined to get to the bottom of the whole skin-whitening thing. I wanted to know what it meant and why it seemed like I couldn’t escape it.

Skin Whitening Defined
When most of us hear the term skin whitening, we think of literally whitening the skin’s color—bleaching it. In some countries, where colonization has a painful past, that sadly is what skin whitening means. Since whiter skin is often a standard of beauty in these countries people take drastic and often unsafe measures to painfully remove the melanin from their skin in order to make it whiter in color.

However in East Asian countries, where our beloved K-beauty finds it home, skin whitening has a completely different meaning. In countries like China, Japan and Korea this term has nothing to do with the actual color of the skin but speaks more to the texture and overall health of the skin. The women in these countries strive to have skin that is radiant and luminescent – they want their skin to glow not have a lighter color.

What Skin Whitening Products Do
Due to factors such as sun exposure, stress and just living here on good ‘ol planet Earth, our skin can begin to experience hyperpigmentation or our complexions can start to look a bit dull – hello freckles, sun spots, and acne scars.

The ingredients, such as vitamin C, licorice root extract or mulberry extract, in these whitening products help to gently break down the melanin clusters that cause unwanted freckles or spots and even out the skin tone by getting rid of dead skin cells by helping the skin renew itself.

Unlike true whitening products these creams, lotions and serums do not contain a bleaching agent that strip pigmentation from the skin. Most are made with all natural ingredients. After checking the labels of countless whitening products in some of my favorite beauty stores, I have yet to see bleach included in the ingredients – even after the translation. That means that the majority of these cleansers, creams and serums are safe to use daily and by anyone, no matter your skin color, looking to fade dark spots, scars, or even out their skin tone.

Despite spending so much time afraid of and avoiding these products, which can be found in an abundance of forms and brands, I quickly learned that they do not cause any more harm than our current arsenal of beauty go-tos but instead help us find that glow that our favorite beauty editors and models are talking about.

A Few Faves
In the end, what I discovered is that more often than not the term whitening is a poor translation of the word brightening. The term is so widely used because most of our favorite K-Beauty products are imported from countries where consumers have an understanding of what whitening means in this context. I have however begun to see more and more of my favorite K-Beauty brands, particularly the larger ones, replace the word whitening with brightening.

After discovering the true definition of skin whitening, in the context of K-Beauty, I immediately started incorporating these products into my skincare routine.

A few of my favorites include:

1. Missha’s White Cure Lotion. Packed with highly concentrated brightening ingredients such as white flower extract, this serum-like lotion, is sure to make your skin radiant while also helping fade the appearance of dark spots.

2. Banila Co Clean It Zero Radiance. This cleanser not only removes even the most stubborn make-up but also brightens dull dry skin.

3. Manefit Bling Bling Hydro Mask – Whitening Platinum. Get ready for your skin to truly glow just like the name says bling bling.

I am so happy I learned the true definition of whitening and that I started using these types of products. So far, the results have been great and my skin is as glowy and radiant as ever!

—Siraad Dirsche

The post Skin Whitening Explained—It’s Not What You Think appeared first on The Klog.

Retinol is not a new ingredient and yet it has become a buzzword in beauty of late and suddenly it seems like everyone is attempting to incorporate some form of retinol into their routines. The ingredient is touted for its ability to smooth texture, clear skin, lighten hyperpigmentation, and reduce and prevent wrinkles. Personally, I have always been wary of it, as my only experience was in the form of a prescription Retin-A that dried the life out of my skin and made my breakouts worse. So as I noticed the uptick in retinol usage, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is it really an ingredient so many people should be diving into? Here, we break down what you need to know to make an informed decision about whether or not you really need retinol.

What Is Retinol?

Retinoids are “a family of compounds related to Vitamin A,” says NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner.  When asked why the ingredient is so popular he says, “Retinol helps calm inflammation, enhances cell turnover, and stimulates collagen production. Collectively, these effects improve skin radiance and strengthen the skin’s foundation to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Is There a Difference Between Over-the-Counter and Prescription Retinol?

According to Dr. Zeichner, the primary difference between the two are strength of the product. Prescription retinols are a form of Retin-A (the original brand name for the medication tretinoin), also known as tretinoic acid. Because this form is a direct acid, it is the most powerful form of retinol out there. The most common side effects include burning, redness, peeling, and flaking, and for that reason, is only allowed by prescription.  Typically, this prescription is given to patients suffering with deep, cystic, or persistent acne, but can be effective when it comes to mild acne, as well.
Over-the-counter retinols, on the other hand, are more gentle in delivery than Retin-A. Whereas prescription retinols deliver it as an acid directly to the skin, over-the-counter retinols must come in contact with the skin, so that enzymes within the skin can convert it to retinoic acid. Because the skin converts it itself, OTC retinols tend to have far less irritation, but it also takes longer to see results. It is typically not recommended to those who suffer from cystic acne, but instead to those looking for an effective form of anti-aging or an antidote to mild-mannered acne, or other forms of congestion such as closed comodones or blackheads.

So Should You Use Retinol?

If you get breakouts here and there, AHAs like glycolic acid and BHAs like salicylic acid can be perfectly sufficient for your skin. For more persistent or stubborn acne, be it inflammatory or non-inflammatory, retinol can be the right route. If you’re new to the ingredient or are unsure of which type is best for you, we recommend consulting with your dermatologist first, or at least starting with a more mild form of it to avoid an adverse reaction.
While some begin using retinol as a form of acne prevention at a young age, Dr. Zeichner suggests that using retinol for anti-aging purposes isn’t totally necessary until “about 30, as that us when skin cell turnover starts to slow down naturally.”
Because it is a strong, potentially irritating ingredient, we recommend easing into it by starting with use once a week at night and then ramping up to two to three times per week when your skin has adjusted.
One huge note would be that retinol, in any of the forms mentioned, is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Dr. Zeichner notes that the primary concern here are birth defects, such as improper development of the nervous system. Instead, seek out products with gentler acids, such as AHAs, to get similar results with no irritation to the skin or the health of your baby.

The post Do You Really Need…to Use Retinol? appeared first on The Klog.

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful skin care ingredients out there. It’s a strong antioxidant that helps protect skin from UV damage and prevent signs of aging from forming, it evens out skin tone, fades hyperpigmentation, and brightens the complexion.
The ingredient is typically found in serums and there are a lot of great options available, however, these types of formulas are not without a few cons.
The liquid form of vitamin C can oxidize after exposure to light, heat, and air, turning a murky shade of yellow or brown and more importantly, becoming less potent. This also means that vitamin C serums don’t exactly travel well. Plus, depending on the dosage, the ingredient can be too harsh for some and it can take time for one’s skin to adjust to it.
K-beauty brand Neogen is aiming to solve these issues with its new Real Vita C Powder Lemon ($20). It’s a powder that’s formulated with 17% ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C), along with ingredients we love like allantoin, hydrolyzed collagen, trehalose, and lemon extract for nourishing and even more brightening benefits. The powder, designed to be mixed in with your toner or essence, is not susceptible to oxidation and can be used on all skin types, including sensitive. 
We were lucky enough to get our hands on a few jars before launch and we shared them with friends of The Klog who were looking to brighten their complexions and target dark spots and hyperpigmentation. They each tested Vita C for six weeks. Here, they share their results.
Lauren
What she wanted the Vita C Powder to improve: 
I wanted to reduce dark spots – especially one on my chin – and I wanted a natural glow. I feel like other vitamin C products I’ve used have made me look shiny and oily, so I was hoping this one wouldn’t – and it didn’t.
Her first impressions:
I was a little thrown off by the powder form and I’ve never done a DIY skin care treatment before. At first, I was using two scoops of the product [Ed note: the product comes with a spatula for easy and precise application], and it wasn’t dissolving so it felt grainy on my skin. But once I cut down to using one scoop and got used to the idea of mixing in the powder with my toner, I became a pro!
When I first started using it, I mixed the powder with the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner, and noticed that my skin was really dry. After mentioning it to a co-worker, she pointed out that you shouldn’t mix vitamin C and BHAs like salicylic acid because they’re both strong, potentially irritating ingredients. She recommended the Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner instead. Once I switched, the dryness went away.
How she used it: 
I mixed it with the Klairs toner mentioned above three times a week at night.
Her results:
It took about three to four weeks to see results – that’s when I started getting compliments on how glowy my skin looked from my co-workers. I rarely wear makeup to the office, so I knew it was because of the vitamin C powder. In addition to brightening overall, I’d say the product definitely evened out my skin tone. I’m planning on continuing to use the product – I feel like it’s going to last me forever! In six weeks, I didn’t even make a dent in it.
Erin 
What she wanted the Vita C Powder to improve: 
I have long struggled with some acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. My end goal was to have an even complexion so I could say, “Goodbye foundation!”. I understand this is a big goal, but I was hoping this product would speed the process along.
Her first impressions:
I have never been a huge fan of the vitamin C step in my skin care routine. However, this product definitely seemed to work better on my skin compared to other brands. I do not love the gritty feeling of my face immediately following the application, however by the time I apply moisturizer the feeling is gone.
How she used it: 
I used it almost every night and mixed it with the Dewytree Ultra Vitalizing Snail Essence Water.
Her results:
I started to see subtle results after about two weeks. There was a slight improvement in my skin tone and dark spots around my chin area. I also noticed that any stress pimples I get on my chin fade faster now. It didn’t do much for the freckles on my nose. That being said, I will continue using this product in hopes that my skin progresses.

The post What This Innovative Vitamin C Powder’s Brightening Effects Look Like on Two Different Skin Tones appeared first on The Klog.

I used to be obsessed with getting facials. I was the kind of skin care-obsessed girl that was getting at least one facial a season, thanks to my Latina mom who hooked me up with my first facial when I was only 16. That was until I got one of the worst facials of my life last fall.  An aggressive aesthetician left me with a scar so dark, I thought it would never go away. 

In a nutshell, the aesthetician attempted to pop a pimple that hadn’t even surfaced yet and essentially bruised my face. I woke up with a big dark scab on my face the morning after. Not only did this aesthetician not listen to me when I expressed I have very sensitive skin and requested she leave the barely noticeable pimple she was trying to extract alone, but she clearly wasn’t well-trained when it comes to working with darker skin tones. If she was, she would have understood that brown skin is significantly more prone to hyperpigmentation because of the increased levels of melanin that already exist in our skin. My skin was so irritated after that facial that I even got new breakouts from it. My face was a mess!

RELATED: What to Expect When You Get a Facial

It took weeks for me to get over the panic of having a massive bruise on my right cheek and months for me to find the right formula to treat it. But after trying what seemed like every treatment and serum imaginable, I finally came across the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum ($23). I’m happy to report that it’s now been almost a year since the nightmare facial and you can barely tell the scar (pictured below) was ever there at all.

When I was first researching the serum, I was impressed by the number of before and after pictures I found that showed how much this serum cleared up and brightened some of the most severe cases of hyperpigmentation I’ve ever seen. But I wasn’t exactly sold right away. My already sensitive skin had become even more delicate after the traumatic facial, so it was important for me to find a formula that was going to be just as gentle as it is effective.

However I learned that this serum features 5 percent vitamin C — a percentage gentle enough for sensitive skin types while still effective. Now the question was, would it fade the horrible dark spot?

It was recommended that I use the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum in combination with the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask ($27). The unique pudding-like mask is lightweight but formulated with a high dose of vitamin E, that when combined with a vitamin C serum helps to stabilize the vitamin C ingredient, making it that much more effective.

After just a month of consistently using the serum day and night and layering on the vitamin E mask in the evenings, I began to notice a major difference. Because I treated the spot so early on with the serum, it quickly began to fade to a pink—ish color and after just a couple of months, I was finally able to leave the house without any makeup or concealer on because you could barely notice it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Johanna Ferreira (@cup_of_johanna) on Jan 25, 2019 at 5:56pm PST

In case you didn’t already know, vitamin C works wonders on dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It inhibits the production of excess melanin which works to fade post-acne dark spots, scars, and even melasma. Vitamin C is also loaded with anti-aging benefits as it works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, which for me is a major plus! It’s like my dark spot-fading and anti-aging treatment all in one. 

RELATED: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Using Vitamin C For Your Skin

I plan on keeping this magical serum in my skin care routine for years to come. If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation or just want a brighter and glowing complexion, I recommend you hop on this vitamin C bandwagon already. You’ll never look back!

The post The Korean Skin Care Serum That Saved My Face From a Traumatic Facial Scar appeared first on The Klog.

It can be frustrating to deal with acne itself, and then to make things worse, the aftermath can leave you with brown or red scars that take forever to go away. The way we deal with marks and acne overall is typically the same for all skin tones, but for hyperpigmentation, certain types of scarring affect certain skin tones more than others.

So, when we talk about acne scars and lump them all together under one umbrella this makes treatment difficult since there are several different types. Below, we break down the different types of hyperpigmentation, who they affect, and the best ways to treat them.

First, what is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation usually refers to any type of dark mark or uneven skin tone. It’s also commonly associated with acne lesions since they tend to leave marks behind, but pigmentation can also describe conditions like melasma or sunspots.

Pigmentation can be frustratingly hard to get rid of. For best results, it’s important to determine which type of pigmentation you have. While it is true that certain types of pigmentation affect particular skin tones more, you can also suffer from one or more of these types at the same time or at different times.

Post Inflammatory Erythema: Lighter Skin Tones

Post inflammatory erythema is a relatively new term in the dermatology world that is described as red or pink spots that result from experiencing acne or any type of inflammatory trauma to the skin. Lighter skin tones are more prone to this type of hyperpigmentation. One way to test and see if you have post-inflammatory erythema is by pressing your skin, and if the mark disappears, it’s likely you’re suffering from PIE. If the mark doesn’t disappear, you’re probably dealing with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (we’ll get to that later).

Since this is a newer term that’s being introduced to the dermatological vocabulary, it’s safe to say that there’s not enough solid research to determine the best ways to treat post inflammatory erythema. It’s generally thought to be a condition that’s caused by picking or popping a pimple, which damages capillaries underneath skin and results in red spots.

Much like other forms of hyperpigmentation, these tend to go away on their own but can take quite a lot of time to do so. A known effective way to get rid of these red spots is via laser, particularly lasers that target and disperse the broken capillaries beneath the skin. It’s similar to the methods used to target redness caused in those with rosacea.

While lasers are the most effective form of treatment for this type of scarring, ingredients that brighten (like niacinamide and vitamin C) and speed up cell turnover (like AHAs), as well as those that are anti-inflammatory (like green tea), can help minimize the spots.  

The Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum contains 3% pure vitamin C, plus 75% fermented ingredients that help brighten, hydrate, and target acne. We also love the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Green Tea pads for treating PIE since they contain green tea and chemical exfoliants glycolic and lactic acids.

It’s also important to avoid harsh, irritating products and instead use formulas that hydrate and protect the skin’s moisture barrier, like a nourishing essence. The Neogen Micro Ferment Essence has the added benefit of brightening. Seal it all in with a nourishing cream that also helps to increase healing while brightening the skin, like the SKINRx Lab Madecera Cream. This cream contains soothing madecassoside and niacinamide.

Sun Spots and Melasma: Light to Medium Skin Tones

Dr. Neil Sadick, a dermatologist in New York City, explains that “sunspots are more visible in Asian and Caucasian skin and melasma, and commonly affects Hispanic and South East Asian individuals.” Sunspots are also known as solar lentigo. “They’re patches of darkened skin, typically in areas of the body that are more exposed to UV like the face, hands and legs” says Dr. Sadick.

Melasma, on the other hand, are brown patches and splotchiness caused by overexposure to the sun without  proper UV protection. Melasma is a bit more complicated than sunspots since birth control, pregnancy or any general change in hormones can also be a cause. These spots are caused by an overproduction of melanin which means that they are best treated with products that work to break down the pigment within the cells.

For melasma, you should stick with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, which target and inhibit or prevent the overproduction of melanin. A combination of the Good (Skin) Days C’s The Day Serum (which contains 10% pure vitamin C) and the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask creates an enhanced spot treatment that has double the brightening power. This is because vitamin E increases the effectiveness of the vitamin C, so it can intensely target the spots and the pigments that produce them.

Despite the effectiveness of these ingredients, the most important form of treatment against sun spots and melasma is the regular use of sunscreen! Make sure to use SPF every day in order to prevent the formation of new spots and prevent the darkening of the previous ones.

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Medium to Dark Skin Tones

Dr. Sadick tells us that “post inflammatory pigmentation is a temporary condition that typically occurs after thermal burns (for example, after laser treatments) or after inflammatory lesions in the skin (acne).” These can be described as brown, not red spots, that are left behind post-acne. They are more common in medium to dark skin tones as they’re associated with the overproduction of melanin and darker skin tones have overactive melanocytes.

These are completely different from PIE since those are caused by broken capillaries beneath the skin. These are caused by overactive melanin production so you wouldn’t treat these the same as you would the other. 

For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the most effective forms of treatment are products that inhibit melanin production or those that prevent the transfer of that pigment, therefore decreasing your skin’s ability to create PIH. There are several products that do this. For example, vitamin C, hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin and licorice extract work by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that’s important for the development of skin melanin and essentially decreases the pigment production.

Other ingredients, like niacinamide, slow down the transfer of melanin to the cells and therefore effectively help to stop the scars before they can appear on the skin. You might have read frequently about other ingredients, like AHAs and BHAs, for treating acne scars. These are just as effective since they speed up cell turnover to reveal smoother, brighter cells that take over the pigmented ones that are on the surface of your skin. If you want to target this type of pigmentation effectively, you’ll want to choose products that contain these types of ingredients in them.

The Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon contains 17% pure vitamin C and is best mixed with a toner like the Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner. 

Another effective product to try is the Isntree Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence, which contains 4% of glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid to gentle yet effectively boost cell turnover.

The post The Best Ways to Treat 3 Types of Hyperpigmentation on Different Skin Tones appeared first on The Klog.

The Korean beauty world is a veritable, skin-nourishing garden when it comes to skincare ingredients. You’ve got aloe propolis, green tea, snail mucin and rice, and that’s just the beginning. At first, these ingredients often seem strange, but once you discover their benefits, it’s hard to look back. Even if that means you’re rubbing snail mucin on your face, am I right?

In any case, today I’m dishing on a shiny new ingredient that’s been popping up on our radar, and we’re sure you’ll be seeing much more of it in the future. We’re talking about yuza.

What Is It?

Yuza is a juicy, citrus fruit grown in Eastern Asia that looks like a miniature grapefruit. In South Korea, you’ll find it on tropical Jeju Island.

Before you get too confused, know that in Korean this fruit is called “yuza” with a soft “z “(유자), but in Japan it’s called “yuzu” or even “yuja.” Despite the different names, they’re the exact same fruit.

How Is It Used?

You often find yuza in Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, but this ancient ingredient is also used medicinally and as a skincare ingredient.

“Yuzu is one of my favorite Asian citrus fruits for fragrance and flavoring,” says Mindy Yang, an olfactory artist and the founder of TheArtOfLiving.Earth. She was very excited to talk to us about this mysterious, powerful fruit.

In terms of its use as a skincare ingredient, Yang says that yuza is most commonly used in hot baths to help soothe and soften dry, irritated skin. It’s been used that way for a very long time. Not only is the scent invigorating, but the fruit oil helps you feel more relaxed while it heals your chapped skin. Because it contains a high concentration of vitamin C, this fruit stimulates collagen production and serves as an anti-aging ingredient.

Where Can You Find Products Containing This Ingredient?

As we mentioned, this is an up-and-coming ingredient. For that reason, it’s not found in many products (at least in the Western world) just yet. But get excited, because the skincare brand, Saturday Skin has incorporated this multipurpose ingredient into their Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask!

The post The Perks of Yuza In Skincare appeared first on The Klog.

As someone whose job is to write about skin care, I am often approached by both men and women for all kinds of skin-related advice. One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I treat my hyperpigmentation?” which is an issue that seems to be on the mind of many women who are in their late 20s or older.

To fully explore the topic of hyperpigmentation—from its causes to prevention to at-home and in-office treatments—I spoke to Sameer Bashey, a cosmetic dermatologist at the Obagi Skin Health Institute.

What exactly is hyperpigmentation?

First thing’s first, let’s define hyperpigmentation and learn about how it develops.

“Hyperpigmentation is the process by which the melanocyte, which is the pigment producing cell of the skin, begins to respond to internal and external stimuli that creates pigment,” explains Bashey. “Many times, skin pigmentation and skin discoloration is the response to some sort of damage or inflammatory process in the skin, such as a scratch, burn, resolving acne lesion, cosmetic procedure (such as laser resurfacing or chemical peel), or a healing wound.”

When hyperpigmentation is a result of an inflammatory process that has resolved, such as psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, or acne, it is medically referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

“There are many other reasons for hyperpigmentation, but one of the most common is hyperpigmentation induced by sunlight,” Bashey adds. “Often times, this type of hyperpigmentation takes the shape of small lesions that are slightly darker than the surrounding skin tone.”

Race plays a big role in hyperpigmentation development

It’s true that some races are more likely to get hyperpigmentation than others.

“Generally speaking, Caucasians who do not have as active melanocytes as other skin tones do not have issues with hyperpigmentation,” says Bashey. “Hyperpigmentation largely affects pigmented skin tones, such as Asians, black people, Indians, Hispanics and Latinos, as well as populations from Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Because certain skin tones have active melanocytes, these active melanocytes are easily triggered by external and internal factors.”

Additionally, Eastern and Southeast Asian women are more prone to developing hyperpigmentation of the cheeks (and other parts of the face), a condition that’s called melasma. Melasma is also common for women, in general, during pregnancy. Speaking of women, we hate to be bad-news bearers, but those with double chromosomes are more likely to develop hyperpigmentation than men. 

Preventing hyperpigmentation 

Because hyperpigmentation is such a stubborn genetic, hormonal, sun, and gender-related condition of the skin, it can be a beast to prevent it. However, there are some effective steps you can take.

Regarding hyperpigmentation that’s caused by acne and skin inflammation, Bashey says it’s imperative to follow a comprehensive skin care regimen that controls the disease, strengthens your skin, and restores its natural health and barrier function. Regarding hyperpigmentation caused by the sun, religiously coating yourself in SPF, covering up, and avoiding extended sun exposure are crucial preventative measures.

As for melasma, Bashey says it’s a very difficult condition to prevent, as the triggering factors are largely genetic and hormonal. As mentioned, melasma is also more likely to affect pregnant women, and can also affect those who’ve just begun using birth control pills.

“We also know that this condition is worsened by sunlight,” noted Dr. Bashey. “It is difficult to prevent melasma, but general skincare and sun avoidance are the cornerstones of being prepared.”

Treating hyperpigmentation 

There are a handful of over-the-counter ingredients that can help reduce hyperpigmentation, and hydroquinone is one the most powerful and effective. It works by essentially bleaching or fading the pigment, and ought to be used only as directed, ideally under the guidance of a dermatologist. (Do note that hydroquinone is not approved for pregnant women).

“There are other ingredients that also help to blend pigment rather than bleach it directly, such as Retin-A and retinol,” says Bashey. “Other agents can improve hyperpigmentation without using hydroquinone, but not to the same extent. These include kojic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, arbutin, niacinamide, and azelaic acid.”

For at-home treatment, we recommend the Good (Skin) Days C’s The Day Serum, which has 10% pure vitamin C, the Neogen Probiotics Double Action Serum, which includes niacinamide to improve skin’s barrier, and the Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon, which is a powder form serum with 17% vitamin C.

Peels

“Some forms of hyperpigmentation are very intractable and do not resolve with cream programs alone, or with the prescription and over-the-counter medications mentioned above. Such type of hyperpigmentation requires the use of chemical peels,” says Bashey.

“When we are dealing with epidermal pigmentation, I often combine a comprehensive skin care program that includes hydroquinone with a series of superficial chemical peels,” he says. “For patients who cannot tolerate hydroquinone or are pregnant, I use non-hydroquinone based pigment control. For more stubborn pigment that is deeper in the skin, such as dermal melasma, we have had tremendous success utilizing the Control Depth Peel (AKA “The Zombie Peel”)—a TCA (trichloroacetic acid) based peel in which the depth of penetration is controlled by the operator.”

Of course, you can also temporarily cover hyperpigmentation with a cosmetic routine. We recommend using a primer, followed by a BB cream or other foundation, followed by a setting powder or spray to keep everything in place.

Bottom line:

In the end, try not to be too hard on yourself for something that is very common and very stubborn to prevent and treat. Do what you can to protect your skin via a comprehensive skin care regimen, a strict SPF routine, over-the-counter treatments, and when all else fails, cover up with makeup. If it’s something that bothers you, consider a more in-depth treatment administered by a professional.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Treating Hyperpigmentation appeared first on The Klog.