Kojic Acid is a completely safe and natural alternative to the popular yet controversial skin lightening ingredient Hydroquinone. Kojic acid is used to treat hyperpigmentation or Melsama, patches of dark pigmentation on the skin. Kojic acid is derived from mushrooms and is highly effective in small does. Hyperpigmentation is often the result of melanocyte damage due to excess sun exposure. Other common causes are hormone fluctuation during pregnancy and menopause. Kojic Acid reduces discolorations in the skin by blocking the production of melanin or pigment. By inhibiting melanin production, Kojic Acid can lighten existing dark spots for a more even complexion. Two popular and effective products that contain Kojic acid are SkinCeuticals Phyto+ and SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator. To keep your dark spots at bay, it’s critical to use a good SPF product daily. We suggest La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid or SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50.

Please note: we don’t recommend using these products while pregnant or nursing. Always consult with your physician before starting any new skin care regimen.

Melasma is a dark skin discoloration that appears on areas of the face that are exposed to the sun. A uniform brown color may appear on the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, or chin. It is often symmetrical on both sides of the face. Melasma is a very common skin condition that most often affects women that are pregnant, women that are taking oral contraceptives, or women taking hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Melasma is associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Melasma doesn’t cause any other symptoms besides skin discoloration which is only of cosmetic concern. Your physician can easily diagnose the condition based upon the appearance of your skin.

Melasma can be treated with a variety of topical creams. For severe cases your doctor may recommend seeing a dermatologist for laser treatments. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen are crucial to preventing melasma. Melasma often fades several months after giving birth or stopping the use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. It may return with additional pregnancies or use of medication again.

SkinStore.com offers a wide selection of products that help fade melasma. For use during pregnancy we suggest Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.  Caudalie is a natural baby safe alternative to stronger treatments that are not safe for use until after pregnancy, but please make sure to ask your doctor first before using any new products in your regimen. Vinoperfect Radiance Serum brightens and smoothes the skin boosting radiance. Your complexion looks more even improving the overall skin tone and clarity.

If you are not pregnant or nursing we suggest iS Clinical White Lightening Complex. White Lightening  Complex effectively brightens and lightens skin with beneficial moisturizing properties. Using an innovative blend of lightening ingredients and pharmaceutical grade botanicals, this formula concentrates on not one or two but all five mechanisms that address hyperpigmentation.

In addition to using these great products, it’s crucial to use a sunscreen daily with an SPF of at least 30. We love La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50. It’s a 100% mineral UV protection sunscreen that is super lightweight, non-greasy, and does not leave a white residue perfect for everyday use.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

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As we say goodbye to summer, why not say goodbye to sun spots and uneven skin tone as well?! Dr.Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum unites three forms of Vitamin C with a strong peptide to provide supreme brightening and anti-aging benefits. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a vital role in the production of collagen. You will see an improvement in sun damage, an increase in skin’s luminosity and a visibly firmer, more youthful appearance. For best results use daily followed by your favorite moisturizer. As with any Vitamin C serum you always want to wear SPF, as this product will make skin more sensitive to the sunlight.

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The seasons are changing, and we’re happy to embrace the cooler weather and all of the wonderful things that come with it. Some of our favorite autumn classics include pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, cozy wool coats, and chilly football games. But our most favorite things about the new season are the new beauty products and trends, of course! Switching seasons also means switching skin care routines and incorporating products that will get us through the cold months ahead. Fall is also a great time to preview holiday gift ideas! Here are some of our newest SkinStore.com launches that are quickly becoming staff and customer favorites.

Clarisonic PLUS Skin Care System with Deep Pore Cleansing in Blue. While you may go into lazy hibernation mode this fall, you shouldn’t let your skin do the same. Your face and body are in need of deep cleansing and exfoliation, and Clarisonic makes it fun and easy. The PLUS system works wonders for the face and the body with its four speed settings, and the new Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head gets those stubborn trouble areas clean and clear with the push of a button.

ARCONA White Ice will hydrate your skin through the icy cool weather to come, and because it’s now available in a jumbo size you won’t have to worry about running out too soon. This lightweight gel will moisturize deep within the dermis, won’t clog pores, but will protect your skin against environmental assault.

Even though it’ll be chilly out it doesn’t mean you have to hide your neck, your neck will get all of the tender loving care it deserves with StriVectin TL Neck Firming Cream so you’ll want to show off your new swan-like self. The TL Neck Firming Cream uses breakthrough niacin powered technology to visibly restore firmness, shape, and contour while providing an immediate tightening effect.

If you’re looking for a total regimen overhaul then look no further, because our newest addition is sure to be one of our best as Bioelements joins the SkinStore.com family. Since the early 90’s Bioelements products have been dominating the spa world with their innovative formulas that provide clinical-results. Founded by one of the first ever licensed estheticians the Bioelements brand brings innovative skincare technology and the spa experience straight to your home.

Cool weather doesn’t mean skipping sunscreen OR deodorant, so make sure to stock up on both, because getting a sunburn in the middle of fall is completely possible, and unfortunately smelling bad is too. We’re loving the new LaVanilla deodorants because they’re free of all the bad stuff like petrochemicals, phthalates, proplyne glycols, and synthetic dyes. They are chockfull of powerful antioxidants, essential oils, and soothing hydrators.

One of our worst things about cool weather is chapped, red, dry skin. We’re thankful for ATOAPLM! The original ATOPALM Intensive Moisturizing Cream has a cult following, and the new ATOPALM 130+ Concentrated Intensive Cream will surely be a hit. Enriched with olive oil, grape seed oil, and vitamin E, this parabens-free multi lamellar emulsion formula mimics the structure of the skin lipids, healing to restore the skin’s barrier function. It’s also great for rosacea, and for razor burn.

Dr.Perricone, a pioneer in the skincare industry is always coming up with the latest and greatest. Perricone MD Cold Plasma products were a hot hit during the summer time, and they’ll surely sell like hotcakes in the fall. In time for fall Perricone MD Cold Plasma had a growth spurt and is now available in a 2 oz super-size! The best thing is that it’s a $300 value for only $229!

Revaleskin is also taking their line to new heights with three new products. To rid of hyperpigmentation induced by too much fun in the sun, the Illuminesse Brightening Complex will help to lighten dark spots while brightening the skin with a potent coffeeberry complex. Revaleskin Skin Firming Serum helps increase resistance to stress and environmental aggressors. And the new RevaleSkin Elette 4% Creamy Wash rinses away dirt and residue while killing p.acne bacteria and zapping zits in a jiffy.

Save 20% at SkinStore.com for a limited time! More details.

Got a new favorite for fall? Share with us! We love to hear from you!
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A sunny complexion may be trendy, but comes with a hefty price. One in every three cancers diagnosed is skin cancer and 80% of all skin cancers are caused by over exposure to the sun or tanning beds. Each year in the United States and Canada there are more new cases of skin cancer diagnosed than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined.

There are plenty of alternatives to achieve a bronzed glow without hitting the tanning beds. Simply fake it, don’t bake it! CoverFX is the ultimate complexion destination for glowing, healthy, and beautiful looking skin! With its extensive color palette virtually anyone’s complexion can be flawless with coverage that is never heavy. This beauty of a brand is Dermatologists 1st choice for flawless looking skin. Check out all of the great Cover FX products at SkinStore.com!

One of our faves is the BritePrep FX SPF 50. This product is a complexion brightening primer with broad spectrum SPF 50. Tired, dull skin is instantly brightened and the appearance of sun spots and hyperpigmentation is reduced.

For the month of June our friends at Cover FX have launched their inaugural sun safety campaign. Check out the Cover FX’s Facebook page for details of their campaign! Don’t forget, you can purchase your BritePrep FX SPF 50 at SkinStore.com!

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation, http://www.skincancer.org/

If you’re on the market for a new sunscreen product for this year’s sizzling summer do we have good news for you! La Roche Posay, an innovative skin care company and progressive sunscreen pioneer launched their newest and best. La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 is a sheer and lightweight all-mineral sunscreen that provides broad spectrum sun protection. The formula is an elegant fluid that soaks right in without leaving a residue or a white caste on the skin. Micronized Titanium Dioxide offers long-lasting broad spectrum protection with advanced efficacy against UVA and UVB rays, while Cell-Ox Shield, a powerful patent-pending antioxidant complex featuring Senna Alata, protects the skin cells against damage.

The benefits are outstanding, and because this formula contains a natural mineral sunscreen there is no waiting time; once the fluid is applied it’s effective immediately. As minerals naturally adhere to the skin the sheer fluid formula is remarkably water resistant, too! It’s also great for sensitive skin, and acne prone skin as is non-comedogenic.

Do you have a favorite sunscreen product? Share with us in the comments below!

Skin discoloration is a top concern for many people these days. The sun, genetics, and environmental factors all play a role in the appearance of our skin. Fortunately, consumers are becoming savvier in their skin care choices. And the more research consumers do, the more they want safe and effective products to help with hyper pigmentation. Purlisse has the solution with their new product called Pur~Bright.

Pur~Bright is a safe and clinically proven hydroquinone-free skin brightening serum that is suitable for all skin types and ethnicities. Pur~Bright contains the signature Purlisse blend of 9 powerful plant extracts that will brighten and even out skin tone while helping to decrease age spots. Pur~Bright also contains powerful antioxidants like white tea and blue lotus to help protect the skin against free radical damage, and it also contains Vitamin C to protect and brighten the skin. A blend of avocado oils and natural squalene will help to soothe sensitive skin. Pur~Bright also contains extracts of neem, licorice and prune to further address hyper pigmentation and sun damage.

Found in all Purlisse products is the exclusive Lotus Lupine 5 complex which contains a blend of 5 key ingredients that are scientifically proven to address age prevention. The 5 effective ingredients are lupine peptides, blue lotus flower, white tea, soy proteins, and sea silk. You can use Pur~Bright twice daily or as needed to achieve optimal results.

As with any skin lightening product make sure to use sunscreen for optimum benefits and skin protection. The Purlisse Pur Protect SPF 30 Essential Daily Moisturizer is an outstanding choice!

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We all know that when it comes to skin health, wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is as essential as drinking plenty of water, taking our vitamins, and getting ample sleep. In fact, we know that sunscreen is the single most important step in our skincare regimen. What many of us don’t know if that most conventional sunscreen products only protect against UVB rays, but UVA rays, which are invisible, are just as damaging to our skin. UVB rays are known as the burning rays, the ones that force melanocytes into overdrive to produce color to protect our cells, and thus a tan line is an indicator of skin damage. UVA rays are the aging rays, the ones that makes our skin crinkly and wrinkly – but don’t always produce a burn. Both UVA and UVB rays are ever present, even on cloudy days. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to wear sunscreen on a daily basis to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB damage.

The new StriVectin-SH Age Protect SPF 30 is an ultra sheer yet highly potent oil-free treatment sunscreen that delivers the highest grade UVA protection available while shielding from UVB rays with sun protection factor of 30. This elegant formula also contains the patented NIA-144 molecule, which is clinically proven to repair sun damage while strengthening the skin’s barrier. The StriVectin-SH formula also contains a potent berry antioxidant blend to protect the cells and collagen against degradation and free radicals. And the product not only smells like delicious cucumber but also soothes the skin with cucumber and rose extracts.

Do you like StriVectin? We love the line, too! And we’re planning a very special giveaway surprise for you!!! Make sure to enter into our current giveaway on our Facebook page!

SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex is currently on SkinStore’s “What’s Hot” list.  But why is it such a hot product and what is all the attention about?  SkinMedica was founded by highly revered dermatologist Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick. Dr. Fitzpatrick was involved in the development of several medical devices including medical lasers.  His interest in helping customers reverse the signs of aging has driven him to develop a line of skin care products like no other.

Unlike most other products on the market that condition, pamper and nurture your skin, SkinMedica’s TNS line uses growth factors, naturally occurring proteins, capable of stimulating cellular growth.  TNS Recovery Complex contains 110 growth factors, Antioxidants, and Matrix Proteins.  With these key ingredients TNS Recovery Complex strengthens your skin’s natural ability to regenerate itself!  Instead of a product that just sits and conditions the surface of the skin the growth factors bind to the skin cells to stimulate rejuvenation!

After a three month study 44% of TNS Essential Serum users saw a reduction in coarse wrinkles, up to 37% saw reduction in fine wrinkles, up to 25% saw improvement in skin tone, and 100% reported an improvement in textural smoothness!

Don’t just take our word for it go to our website and read the reviews where 10 customers have given this amazing product a 5 STAR RATING!!!  Order your SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex now and have all your friends guessing how you turn back the hands of time!

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Growing up my dad would always joke around with me and say, “Sweetie, it looks like you’ve swallowed a millions dollars and popped out in pennies!” When I was ten I thought it was funny, but now it seems more like a nightmare I can’t get rid of. Since I learned to stay out of harms way by using sunscreen, my freckles have lessened, but if you’re like me you may need some extra help in fading residual pigmentation.

Hydroquinone and different forms of AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) are chemical approaches to lightening and exfoliating the top layer of the skin. Since melanin gathers at the surface, stimulating the cell turn over will trigger new cells to form and the pigmented upper layer to slough off, exposing fresh and new skin underneath.

If you need help picking out your anti-freckle products, our aestheticians here at SkinStore are always happy to help!

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