Estrogen appears to aid in the prevention of the skin’s aging in several ways. Topical and systemic estrogen therapy can increase the skin collagen content and therefore maintain skin thickness. In addition, estrogen maintains skin moisture by increasing ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the skin and by maintaining the stratum corneum’s barrier func­tion. Sebum levels […]

It has been said that menopause starts the day you get your first menstrual cycle. I don’t know if that’s a hopeful comment or a depressing one, but any way you slice it a woman will have periods for about 30 to 40 years after they first begin, and then they’ll stop. There is still […]

the basics There are no special cosmetic skin-care products that can affect skin that is experi­encing perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, so you need to follow the skin-care routine for your skin type or special concerns. Consider talking to your physician about hormone replacement therapy, a topical hormone cream or lotion, or alternative hormone replacement therapy. […]

One of the fundamental characteristics of sun-damaged skin is that the outer layer be­comes thickened and yellow and the underlying layer, where new skin cells are produced, becomes damaged, generating abnormal cell growth and hypermelanin production. The abnormal cell growth also results in malformed elastin, collagen deterioration, and distorted circulation of the blood and lymph […]

Cellular renewal and repair are well-established marketing terms used by the cosmetics industry to sell skin-care products. Having the ability to generate healthy cell growth (in other words, the way that younger skin cells reproduce) is a claim many antiwrinkle and antiaging moisturizers make. This idea of stimulating healthy cell growth definitely has some basis […]

How the skin ages and wrinkles is a very complicated process that involves an almost limitless range of physiological occurrences. There isn’t any single cause that can be addressed with a cosmetic to erase or minimize the inevitable, because the “aging” process itself is so complex and intricate. Skin, all by itself, ages in many […]

Or why can’t any skin-care product work better than dermal fillers? Or laser resurfacing? Or chemical peels? Or face-lifts? Or eye lifts? Because no skin-care product can address the complex physiological processes that cause wrinkles. Even a specific medical cosmetic cor­rective procedure or surgery cannot address all the issues that cause the face to look […]

Dry skin’s enduring association with wrinkles is as inseparable in the mind of the consumer as love and marriage. Nonetheless, the simple truth is dry skin and wrinkles are not related in the least. I know that statement may be hard to accept because we’re so conditioned by advertising and product claims to think otherwise, […]

the basics TWICE a day: Gentle cleanser (preferably fragrance free with no coloring agents added) Recommended cleansers: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser; Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Mild Formula; Paula’s Choice One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin; Kiehl’s Ultra-Moisturizing Cleansing Cream; Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser. NIGHTTIME: Makeup remover (preferably fragrance free with no coloring agents […]