If your skin isn’t impacted, or you’re done treatment and want to amplify your skincare routine, we’ve tapped the experts for their top advice.
BRIGHTEN & PROTECT
Vitamin C is a workhorse ingredient. This overachieving antioxidant helps improve uneven skin tone, fine lines, dullness and rough texture. It also helps prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals. “Antioxidant molecules help to neutralize these harmful atoms by giving up some of their own electrons,” says Dr. Vincent Richer, a medical and cosmetic Dermatologist at Pacific Derm. Think of it as nature's “off” switch.
SERUM VS MOISTURIZER
A serum and moisturizer combo can enhance your skincare routine —but what is the difference? "Serums are formulated to penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver targeted active ingredients," says Dr. Arisa Ortiz, a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist. This means they’re thinner and lighter to their creamier counterparts and also a more powerful delivery method. "Moisturizers help to reinforce the surface of the skin and work to increase hydration," she adds.
THE RULES OF LAYERING
Whether you are a product minimalist or maximalist, the order you apply your skincare matters—both for your skin’s health and the products’ efficacy. For the less-is-more folks, keep it simple: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. If your routine is more robust: cleanser, toner, serum(s), eye cream, moisturizer, face oil, sunscreen.
PLUMP IT UP
If you've noticed your skin getting drier as you age, or that's just your skin type, one active ingredient to be on the lookout for is hyaluronic acid, especially in a serum. The molecule, famous for holding 1000 times its weight in water, helps brings moisture to the surface of your skin. In the right formulation, it can produce immediate plumping effects, leaving skin looking dewy. But for folks with very dry skin or who live in a dry climate, Dr. Julia Carroll, dermatologist and co-owner of Compass Medical, suggests layering moisturizer on top of your hyaluronic acid serum to seal it in and provide a barrier to moisture loss.
This article is sponsored by Nuveev.
Two things you may have never paired up in your mind before – but believe us when we tell you, they go together like salt and pepper. Before we get into the specifics, detailing exactly how the cannabis plant can work wonders, let’s take you through the basics.
Cannabis is derived from the Cannabis Plant Species and is made up of two main active ingredients called Cannabinoids and Terpenes. The two main and most relevant cannabinoids are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). THC is known to create a more psychoactive affect, or the typical ‘head high’ and euphoric feeling cannabis is famous for bringing. CBD, on the other hand, does quite the contrary. CBD is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, balancing and calming properties, and can have no psychoactive feeling; That’s the cannabinoid we’re going to be focusing on.
Cannabinoids (like CBD) and terpenes work together synergistically through a process called the entourage effect, and they have a unique ability to activate, and interact with, the body’s endocannabinoid system - a cellular subset of the nervous system which maintains balance in your body. That’s why you either experience that ‘high’ feeling, if using THC, or experience symptoms of balance and relief when using CBD.
That’s what makes CBD such a standout skincare ingredient; using Cannabinoid Receptors called CB1 and CB2 to interact with the brain, and other parts of the body via the nervous system, CBD engages with the body through its own system, in a unique way, allowing for unique results. CBD-infused skincare products are known to be anti-inflammatory, which may help reduce swelling, discomfort and redness. CBD may be found in many forms – including moisturizers, serums, cleansers.
There are three common types of CBD that may be infused in a skincare product:
If a CBD product contains several naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, such as terpenes, and other cannabinoids — including up to 0.3% THC (a non-psychoactive dosage) — it will be labeled full-spectrum CBD. If the CBD contains several cannabis plant compounds, but it is typically entirely free of THC, it is labeled broad spectrum. The purest form of CBD, containing no other cannabis plant compounds, is CBD Isolate. CBD Isolate is Ideal for skincare because, as the purest form of the compound, it’s the least likely to create a negative reaction from other components of the plant that can potentially irritate skin.
You may see products that are hemp or hemp seed oil-based. While both hemp and CBD can be derived from the cannabis plant, they vary greatly in terms of composition and effects. For the product to interact with your endocannabinoid system, the ingredients must include some level of actual CBD.
As a final note, always discuss incorporating CBD into your routine with your doctor to understand correct uses, relevance and doses. Legal products are commonly identified by warning labels on the front of pack, clear disclosure of CBD/THC content, and child Resistant Packaging. If you’re interested in the quality of the cannabis source, you can always request a Certificate of Analysis from the brand to ensure your product is clear of pesticides, heavy metals and anything else that could potentially be harmful to the body.
For more information on CBD, skincare, and everything in between, visit us at www.nuveev.com
