Retinol this, retinol that. There’s plenty to love about retinol, the miracle ingredient that helps to prevent wrinkles, fade scars and improve skin texture. But let’s not forget that the ingredient has its drawbacks: skin irritation, redness and photosensitivity, not to mention that most retinols are either animal-derived or lab-engineered. 

That’s where bakuchiol — the plant-based ingredient that’s being hailed as the natural alternative to retinol — comes in. 

Bakuchiol? What?

Pronounced ba-koo-chee-ul, it’s an antioxidant sourced from the Babchi plant. The ingredient has its roots in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, where it’s used to treat everything from psoriasis, vitiligo, leukoderma and even osteoporosis. 

That’s why it makes sense that the ingredient has been gaining traction in the skin care community. Some people refer to bakuchiol as nature’s botox, and for good reason— it increases your skin’s cell turnover, thereby helping to diminish signs of aging, even out skin tone, restore firmness and refine pores. 

So what’s the difference between bakuchiol and retinol? 

Molecularly speaking, bakuchiol and retinol are nothing alike. Bakuchiol is always derived from a plant, but retinol can be harvested from a variety of sources, including animal byproducts. Both, however, are known for their ability to increase cell turnover and address signs of aging. One study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that bakuchiol performed just as well as retinol in reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. 

The study also found that retinol users reported more skin irritation and scaling. For many bakuchiol users, its soothing properties  are the main appeal of bakuchiol. It’s a gentler, vegan alternative to retinol. 

Because it’s an antioxidant, bakuchiol is also pregnancy-safe and doesn’t make your skin photosensitive in the same way that retinol does. 

That being said, bakuchiol has only recently entered the cosmetics world, so there isn’t nearly as much research behind the ingredient as there is with retinol. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that bakuchiol is the gentler, pregnancy-safe little sister to retinol. If you’re looking for an ingredient that’s similar to retinol without the harsh side effects, bakuchiol is your match made in heaven. 

How do I incorporate bakuchiol into my routine? 

Bakuchiol is having its breakthrough moment in the skin care industry, which means that your options for incorporating the ingredient into your routine are endless.

For the Korean skin care junkie: Neogen Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum

This Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum from Neogen pairs bakuchiol with powerhouse ingredients like vitamin C, squalane and tea tree extract to refresh and recharge your skin. It’ll leave your skin glowy, bouncy, and hydrated without that sticky residue. Yes, please. 

 For the beauty queen that needs an overnight facial: Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask

Who wouldn’t want to wake up with baby-soft skin? Ingredients like bakuchiol, wild indigo extract and beta-glucan work overnight to reduce redness, dryness and sensitivity, all while leaving your skin soft and supple. 

For the indecisive retinol user that just can’t give up retinol: Versed Gentle Retinol Serum

 If you’re in a long term relationship with retinol, but you want to branch out and try bakuchiol the Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum from Versed is the best of both worlds. With a mix of microencapsulated retinol and bakuchiol, this serum was specifically formulated for first-time retinol users in mind. Apply it at night and you’ll wake up with supple skin and unclogged pores. 

For the skin care slacker: Naturium Retinol Complex Cream

We’ve all been there. Sometimes, applying a bunch of serums at the end of a long day is a chore. This Retinol Complex Cream from Naturium does it all for you, blending bakuchiol with retinol, squalane and lipids to tune up your skin without the irritation. 

The bottom line: bakuchiol is a gentler, natural alternative to retinol that offers the same great benefits. 

+What’s your favorite skin care ingredient on the rise?

The post Here’s How to Incorporate Bakuchiol, AKA Nature’s Botox, Into Your Skin Care Routine appeared first on The Klog.

There are many reasons to take your skin care seriously.  Perhaps you want a clear, glowing complexion for the confidence boost it gives you, or maybe you slather on the SPF to decrease your risk of skin cancer. But chances are, one of the main reasons you’ve adopted a K-Beauty skin care routine is because you want your skin to look as youthful as possible.

Dewy, bright skin, and an even-tone are all markers of young-looking skin, but the most obvious marker of youth is a complexion free of fine lines and wrinkles. These little lines can appear on our foreheads, at the corners of our eyes and around our mouths for many reasons, but no matter their cause, the right skin care can help delay the appearance of these lines and soften ones that have already shown up.

Before using skin care to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, it’s important to understand why they show up in the first place. Different areas of our face can show signs of age for different reasons, so read on to understand how these lines are formed (and how to keep them at bay!)

Crow’s feet & fine lines around the eyes

Crow’s feet are the V-shaped lines that show up at the outer corners of our eyes. They tend to be most pronounced when we’re smiling or squinting, as they are “dynamic” wrinkles—made more noticeable with frequent movement and expression in the eye area.

Crow’s feet can also be made worse by sun damage, which is why applying your SPF to the orbital area is so important. However, SPF alone is not enough when it comes to keeping the skin around your eyes looking healthy and smooth. Since squinting from either poor vision or exposure to bright light can cause these lines to deepen, it’s important to care for the health of your eyes themselves. This means regular check-ups with the optician if you have eyesight that’s anything other than perfect 20/20, wearing contacts and prescription glasses as needed, and finding sunglasses with UV 400 protection (which blocks both wrinkle-causing UVA and cancer-causing UVB rays).

If your vision is clear and protected, you are less likely to spend time squinting to see properly, and these lines will have less of a chance to make a deep impression.

If you’ve had a particularly rough day in terms of eye exposure—maybe you’ve been staring at a computer screen too long, or forgot your sunglasses on a trip to the beach—try treating tired eyes with a hydrating eye patch, like the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Hydrogel Eye Patch. These patches not only sooth and depuff with seaweed extract, but the snail mucin in the formula helps infuse moisture back into the skin, helping to fill out and fine lines that may have formed in this tender area of the face.

Forehead lines

If you’re an overly expressive person, chances are you’ve noticed your forehead tends to wrinkle up—especially when you’re feeling surprised, stressed, or confused. These wrinkles start out as faint lines across the forehead, but can deepen into something permanent without preventative measures. Exfoliation with AHAs, like glycolic acid, is a great way to soften these lines and give skin a smoother appearance. Then I Met You’s Birch Milk Refining Toner is packed with glycolic and lactic acids to smooth fine lines and tackle acne.

Of course, the best way to prevent these lines is to ensure you’re wearing SPF everyday. Exposure to UVA rays is the fastest way to cause permanent aesthetic damage to the skin, and an unprotected forehead is likely to wrinkle faster. Pair your favorite daily SPF with regular use of antioxidant-infused products, like vitamin A and vitamin C, which will help your skin protect itself against free-radicals: those annoying aging atoms that skin is exposed to through air pollution and UV rays.

If you notice fine lines on the forehead beginning to appear, try the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine. This is a star product for smoothing these lines, as it combines the power of AHA exfoliation with the antioxidant properties of resveratrol, an ingredient naturally found in wine that helps fight free radicals in the skin.

Smile lines and lines around the mouth

Our mouths move a lot throughout the day: from talking, eating, smiling and frowning, this is a very expressive area of the face and naturally, the skin around our lips is prone to show lines fast if it is not properly cared for. Staying hydrated is an important first step to keeping these lines minimal, so try to include drinking plenty of water in your daily routine, and try to ingest hydration-boosting foods like lettuce, watermelon, cucumber, broccoli, and pineapple.

Additionally, you may notice fine lines form faster if you have skin that’s on the drier side, since lines are more noticeable on the tight and flaky surface of dry skin. It’s important to exfoliate gently on a regular basis if you have a dry complexion, and to ensure that moisture in the skin is regularly replenished. The Son & Park Beauty Water contains willow bark and papaya extracts to gently sweep away dead skin cells, leaving skin prepped to better absorb hydrating treatments afterwards.

After exfoliating, try following up with a collagen-boosting serum or ampoule. Over time, our skin naturally loses collagen—the protein that keeps skin firm and plump—but certain ingredients can help stimulate collagen growth. Look our for products with retinoids, rose hip oil, or collagen-boosting vitamin C, found in the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop. This brightening and plumping ampoule also contains niacinamide, another fine line fighter!

Neck lines

Checking your phone too frequently could be the sneaky cause for lines along the neck. “Tech neck” is the name given to deep lines across the neck region that occur due to staring down at our phones too much, or slumped posture in general.

Minimizing screen time and working to correct your posture will help maintain the appearance of a smooth and elongated neck, but lines can still occur since the neck is so frequently left out of our skin care regimens!

Giving attention to the neck and extending your K-beauty routine beyond the face, including SPF application, can help keep your neck youthful looking and smooth. Try the Cocokind Daily SPF, a gentle hydrating sunscreen that will protect your neck area without leaving a greasy residue.

Additionally, try a gentle exfoliating treatment on the décolletage and neck once a week, and follow up with a hydrating serum applied in gentle, fluttering upward strokes.

The bottom line:

Overall, daily sun protection and antioxidant-packed skin care products are your best friends in the fight against all kinds of lines. Exfoliation can also help improve the overall smooth appearance, particularly in drier complexions prone to flaky, tight skin. Look out for products that encourage collagen production, and keep an eye out for free radical fighters like vitamin C and vitamin E.

+ What sneaky reasons have you found for why wrinkles form? Which products do you love for smoothing fine lines? Do you have any secrets for keeping wrinkles away? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Reason Why Different Types Of Wrinkles Form (And How To Prevent Them) appeared first on The Klog.

As we age, our lips go through an aggressive physiological change. We’re used to hearing about the skin on our face sagging and getting more wrinkled, but the lips, in particular, can age you drastically. The orbicularis oris is a set of muscles that surrounds the lips and circles around the mouth. This muscle gets affected significantly during aging as it starts to atrophy, leading to sagging, drooping and increased fine lines and wrinkles. As with the rest of the face, we see a loss of subcutaneous fat and collagen which causes once voluminous lips to draw inward and deflate.

Also, the lips don’t have an oil producing epidermal layer like that of the face so the only real moisture it can get is from a routine that hydrates them properly. To combat these signs of aging, you need to have a consistent routine that will target the various different layers of complexity that comes with age.

Here’s a sample routine to get you started:

Exfoliate

It’s time to start exfoliating! Exfoliation is natural process, and just as we need to do so for our face, the same goes for your lips. Especially in the winter! Once the colder weather hits, it’s a battle to avoid constant chapped lips. When the lips age, they tend to droop and move downward and studies suggest circulation can help to delay this trend and exfoliation is a great way to get the blood moving.

The Unpa Bubble Lip Scrub is perfect for this because it’s formulated with sclerotium gum and a blend of switch hazel, papaya, peach, and grapefruit extracts. This formulation helps to exfoliate the lips all while leaving behind a lasting moisture. It works well for travel too! Just pop it in your bag and you’re good to go. Remember, you don’t want to exfoliate too much as this can lead to irritation and ultimately, the dreaded chapped lips. We suggest doing so at least one to two times a week to keep them looking smooth and hydrated.

Treat

Masks are not just for your face anymore. Once in awhile, it’s worth it to give your lips an extra boost. The Unpa Bubi Bubi Lip Mask is a night mask that works to infuse your lips with a mix of four antioxidants. The addition of jojoba oil works wonders since it’s extremely moisturizing.

Pro-tip: Try to use your anti-aging serums on your lips as well, especially those that contain peptides to help to stimulate collagen production. Adding those peptides into your routine will help to combat the loss of elasticity that leads to sagging. Check out The Plant Base Time Stop Collagen Ampoule, which is a highly concentrated serum packed with peptides and mushroom extracts. These all work together to deeply nourish the skin, helping to smooth out fine lines as well as improve elasticity.

Moisturize + Protect

After all that exfoliation, you’ll want to moisturize to keep your lips smooth and protected from environmental and sun damage. If you want a little shine, go for the Em Cosmetics Morning Dew Crystal Lip Gloss in Quartz works like a hydrating gloss, packed with vitamin E. It also comes in chic packaging that you won’t mind pulling out to re-apply throughout the day.

If you prefer, you can combine moisture plus SPF protection in one. At The Klog, we’re always preaching about the benefits of sun protection and your lips are no exception. It’s important to use a lip balm or lip tint with SPF included so you can protect them from sun damage. Lips are often overlooked during your normal SPF application, but ignoring this vital step will leave them exposed, which helps them age faster.

If you’re looking for a typical lip balm, the Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30 will work wonderfully. It’s packed with a hydrating blend of vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba that help to strengthen and protect your lips from premature aging. The addition of SPF 30 will help to create a barrier against damaging UV rays that destroy necessary collagen.

Bottom line:

Your lips are just as important as the rest of your face and you should be taking care of them as such. This routine will help to keep them smooth, hydrated and protected, ensuring that they look as youthful as possible. Plus, following this routine has helped to make my favorite matte lipsticks apply easier and keep my lips hydrated all day long.

+What is your lip care routine? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The 3 Step Routine That Will Keep Lips Smooth and Wrinkle-Free appeared first on The Klog.

Calming Tide Gel Cream

by Then I Met You addresses these skin concerns with its signature formula. Here, we dive deep into the benefits of antioxidants found in the hibiscus flower and the peptides in the Tri-Tide Complex, the hero ingredients found in this light-as-air innovative gel cream.

Did you know that antioxidants and peptides go hand in hand when it comes to placating skin concerns like aging and skin damage? Read on to learn more about this powerhouse duo that is designed to minimize the appearance of these concerns. 

RELATED: Glow Deeper Series: Charlotte Cho Makes Waves With New Light-As-Air Skin Care Innovation

What are Antioxidants?

You’ve probably heard the term “antioxidants” when referring to the benefits of eating certain fruits and vegetables. In fact, they’re also commonly used in skin care products and serve a variety of benefits to the skin when applied topically including  preventing signs of aging as well as skin cancer. 

“Antioxidants are found in many foods, including dark leafy green vegetables (such as kale), berries (such as blueberries, pomegranate), and raw nuts, i.e. many of the healthy, colorful foods found in a Mediterranean diet. In relationship to the skin, antioxidants are compounds that help to repair free radicals created mostly by sun (UV light) and environmental damage. In doing so, antioxidants help both prevent and repair the damage that leads to collagen degradation manifesting as fine lines, wrinkles, and harm to cells in the skin leading to increased photodamage pigmentation and skin cancer,” says dermatologist and Arbonne Scientific Advisor Dr. Naissan O. Wesley. 

The Benefits of Antioxidants in the Hibiscus Flower

Although the antioxidants found in many plants aid in the prevention of free radical damage, one plant in particular, the hibiscus flower, has earned the title as “the anti-aging plant” amongst estheticians. 

“The hibiscus plant is sometimes referred to as the ‘anti-aging plant’. Hibiscus is an antioxidant powerhouse. Antioxidants for the skin are the best way to fight free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to the skin through a process known as oxidation. The process of oxidation will increase signs of aging and inflammation in the skin. The high mucilage content in this plant also allows the skin to better store water, increasing hydration levels,” says esthetician Josie Holmes of Skinney Medspa. 

Besides its abilities to combat free radical damage and to hydrate the skin, Holmes says this flower also serves as a gentle exfoliator to help lighten dark spots. 

“The hibiscus plant contains gentle acids that will help to exfoliate and purify your skin. These gentle, natural acids will help to break down dead skin cells, increase cellular turnover, and balance oil production. Hibiscus is also full of vitamin C, an ingredient found in many skincare products to help combat signs of hyperpigmentation and sun damage,” she says. 

Who Benefits from the Antioxidants of the Hibiscus Plant? 

Everyone can benefit from them, but Elina Fedotova, celebrity esthetician and founder of Elina Organics Spas, says antioxidants serve different benefits amongst different age groups. 

“People of all ages need antioxidants. For younger people, it is prevention and this will help heal the skin from sun exposure, and for people 40 and above, it is more about slowing down the aging process and restoring the tone and elasticity and texture of the skin,” says Fedotova. 

Holmes agrees that everyone can benefit from the antioxidants in hibiscus flowers, but she says people who are experiencing signs of aging can benefit from these antioxidants the most. 

“Some skin care experts compare the anti-aging benefits of the hibiscus plant to Botox! That being said, anyone with mild to moderate signs of aging would greatly profit from using products that include this magical flower. The hibiscus plant is known to slow down the production of elastase. Elastase is an enzyme found in our skin that breaks down elastin. Elastin is a key protein in the skin that helps to maintain elasticity, firmness, and shape. Elastin production can be increased by implementing products containing hibiscus,” she explains. 

While the antioxidants of the hibiscus help to prevent skin damage from free radicals and increase cell turnover, the peptides in the Tri-Tide Complex help to repair damaged collagen and activate its production. In order to understand how this special formulation of peptides works, we explain what these chemical compounds are. 

What Are Peptides?

If you’re not familiar with this popular skin care ingredient, “peptide” is a term that describes a type of protein. 

“A peptide is a fragment of protein made from just several amino acids linked together,” Fedotova says. These peptides are the building blocks for many important elements of the skin and body, such as collagen, elastin, and keratin.

The Benefits of Peptides

Think of peptides as the skin’s signalers and repairmen, prompting when the skin should start producing collagen and where to fix disfigured collagen. 

“They have the ability to penetrate through the skin barrier, deep into the live skin cells and signal your cells to regenerate collagen and other proteins. Skin cells communicate with each other by peptides and proteins. Natural peptides, whether applied topically, have the ability to restore damaged skin cells,” she explains. 

Who Benefits From Peptides?

Anyone can benefit from peptides, though esthetician Airi Williams of Los Angeles-based facial spa, Skin Camp, advises that people with particular skin concerns, such as damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots, would benefit most from peptide-based products. 

“Someone with scarring, premature aging or mature skin could benefit from the use of peptides. It’s reparative as opposed to anti-aging. Typically, a more mature skin type should consider incorporating peptides into his or her regimen,” says Williams. 

Fedotova says that people who are experiencing signs of aging as well as young people who are grappling with specific skin concerns would also benefit from peptides. 

“Even young people can benefit from peptides if they have unwanted brown spots as a result of over sun exposure, or have problem complexions resulting in acne scars. Peptides have the ability to speed up the healing and restoring process of their skin. For people with mature complexions, peptides should definitely be one of the most important ingredients in their every day skin care routine because they will help to firm, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin,” she says. 

+Have you ever tried peptides? Let us know below!

The post Glow Deeper™ Series: We Love This Dynamic, Anti-Aging and Restorative Skin Care Ingredient Duo appeared first on The Klog.

What is Carrot Seed Oil?

If you’re anything like me, when you first heard “carrot seed oil” you immediately thought of some sort of not-so-pleasant orangey pulp. However, my conjured image is completely off-base. Carrot seed oil is actually extracted from the seeds of the Daucus carota, a wild carrot that’s commonly referred to as Queen Anne’s lace. This plant boasts beautiful and delicate white flowers. This oil is essentially a one stop shop, boasting anti-aging, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Benefits of Carrot Seed Oil

Carrot seed oil is sure to deliver some serious anti-aging results thanks to its combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. 

We’re all aware of the plethora of benefits vitamin C doles out. One of the most powerful anti-aging and brightening ingredients, vitamin C “stimulates the synthesis of new collagen production and as a result, minimizes the appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines”  according to Dr. Lucy Glancey, founder of aesthetic and cosmetic surgery Dr. Glancey Clinics.

The vitamin A and vitamin E in carrot seed oil also do some heavy lifting. Vitamin A, which is a group name for retinoids, is an antioxidant that reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines while it also simultaneously combats whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne. Whereas Vitamin E serves as more of a protector, with its antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radicals that damage our cells. These three vitamins band together to protect the skin from free radicals, restore the skin’s barrier, and produce collagen to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Better yet, carrot seed oil possesses a carotenoid, beta carotene, that helps remove skin impurities through further antioxidant properties.

Additionally, it has antifungal, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Carrot seed oil provides a killer combination- this super powered cocktail oil’s rejuvenating properties were backed up in a recent study that explored all things carrot seed oil.

RELATED: The Best Vitamins in Skin Care to Use, Based on Your Skin Concern

What Skin Types Does Carrot Seed Oil Benefit?

Carrot seed oil is a universal ingredient whose benefits can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. However, if you have sensitive skin, be sure to consult your dermatologist or conduct a patch test before you incorporate carrot seed oil into your routine, as vitamin C and vitamin A can be irritating for some. 

We get our daily dose of carrot seed oil in Neogen’s new Carrot Deep Clear Remover Oil Pad, a gentle cleansing pad what combines the anti-aging properties of this new holy grail ingredient with niacinamide, moringa, and the gentle exfoliators poly hydroxy acid (PHA) and beta-lipohydroxy acid. The results? Clean, smooth skin.

If we feel we need an extra age defying boost in our serums and oils, we reach for the Benton Let’s Carrot Multi Oil. Chock full of beta-carotene, this oil also helps to keep moisture within the skin!

RELATED: The Right Way to Use The Popular Neogen Exfoliating Pads For the Best Results

The Bottom Line 

Carrot seed oil is here to stay. It’s perfect for lazy days when you want to skip out on your anti-aging creams, vitamin C serums, and antioxidant rich moisturizers because, well, it can do pretty much everything.

A powerful vehicle for vitamins and antioxidants, there’s no end to the amount of products that this oil can and soon will be incorporated into. We can’t wait to see future products, but for now, we’re obsessively using our Neogen Carrot Deep Clear Remover Oil Pads.

The post Ingredient Spotlight: Why Carrot Seed Oil is the Unsung Hero of Anti-Aging appeared first on The Klog.

You’ve invested oodles of cash into your anti-aging skin care regimen, but the results you hoped for have left you wanting more. It’s a familiar and frustrating story, and unless you know the exact reasons why your anti-aging products aren’t working, then it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to correct the problem. From user error to product formulation and beyond, we asked dermatologists to weigh in on the most common reasons why you’re not seeing the results you want from your anti-aging skin care regimen.

SPF is Missing From Your Regimen

“You can use all the right products and elect to have all the cosmetic procedures in the world, but if you don’t protect your skin from UV damage then it’ll still break down and expedite aging. Not to mention, it’ll also subject you to developing skin cancer,” says Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

In other words, even if the anti-aging products you’re using are working, you’re negating their effects by not shielding your skin from sun damage. Also, daily sunscreen application can protect the actual products you’re applying in the morning, rendering them more effective throughout the day.

Dr. Bhanusali says to wear an SPF 30+ all over your face, neck, and chest, and to reapply every two to four hours. If you’re outdoors or at the beach/pool for long periods of time, an SPF 50+ and hourly reapplication is recommended. Missha’s All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ ($26) is a lightweight sunscreen that hydrates while it protects, and Acwell UV Cut SPF 50+PA++++ Natural Sun Cushion ($35) makes for super easy reapplication.

RELATED: 6 Reasons Why Your Sunscreen Isn’t Working

Lifestyle Factors Are Negatively Interfering

Certain lifestyle factors can expedite the signs of aging, which might counteract the effects of your products. The biggest culprit is extended unprotected exposure to the sun, as mentioned above. Numerous studies have also shown that smoking cigarettes (and even exposure to second-hand smoke) can cause premature aging, as can excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise, subpar sleep, and even stress. Finding balance in your life is key for not just aesthetics, but for your overall physical and mental health.

The Ingredients Aren’t Cutting It

The skin care market can be very overwhelming with promising packaging claims and overhyped ingredients. The bottom line is that there are only a handful of anti-aging ingredients that have been scientifically proven effective.

Dr. Bahnusali says one of the best ingredients to start with is a retinoid (vitamin A). He also recommends bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinoids with studies demonstrating similar anti-aging effects. A great one to try is Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum ($54).

Other effective anti-aging ingredients include vitamin C (which can help brighten and ward off free radicals), ceramides (which can plump and improve skin barrier function), peptides (which can help promote collagen production), and AHAs (which exfoliate, brighten, and regenerate). Other ingredients are wonderful and can supplement an anti-aging regimen, but to slow down and reverse signs of aging you must use the above ingredients in addition to SPF.

“When in doubt, I recommend sitting down with a skin care professional to identify your specific concerns and the results you’re hoping to achieve. From there, you can customize a routine that focuses on reaching your skin goals and boosting your confidence,” says Sarah Akram, a celebrity esthetician based in Washington, D.C.

Your Products Have Expired

It’s important to keep in mind that all skin care products have a shelf life. This is clearly indicated on either the product itself or the exterior packaging, and this helpful guide can help you decipher expiration dates. At best, expired products will either become less effective or won’t work at all, and at worst can cause negative reactions such as infections or breakouts. Toss out anything past its expiration date and any product that’s changed in color, consistency, or scent.

You Haven’t Been Consistent

Consistency is king if you want to reap the results of your anti-aging regimen. Many ingredients — including vitamin C, retinol, ceramides, peptides, and AHAs — require long-term usage before any significant difference is visible.

“All too often, people will get drawn into buying a ton of products they’ll use for a few evenings, and then occasionally after that. Eventually they will move on to more products they don’t use consistently when the first one doesn’t deliver instant or lasting results,” says Akram.

To help create consistency, write down your regimen and follow it daily. Dr. Bahnusali recommends completing it right after you brush your teeth in the morning and evening so that it becomes second nature. You can even put timers or reminders into your phone so it’s on your top priority list each day. It might take as little as a month to see any results, or as long as a year, so be patient.

Bottom Line

As you can see, many factors contribute to how well your anti-aging products work. The absolute best things you can do is wear SPF daily, maintain a balanced lifestyle, use scientifically proven ingredients, and be consistent in your regimen over many months and years. Keep at it and your hard work will pay off.

The post Why Your Anti-Aging Products Aren’t Working appeared first on The Klog.

We get a lot of great questions from readers in our inbox about common topics like acne, the do’s and don’ts of mixing ingredients like acids, and how to build a skin care routine from scratch. Recently, we got one we hadn’t heard before and we weren’t quite sure how to answer it. 

The reader who wrote in said that after he started incorporating the double cleanse method into his routine, he noticed lines developing on his forehead. He wondered whether his products were actually causing wrinkles to form and if he should stop double cleansing.

Our instinct was to tell him, “No way! Double cleansing improves your skin, it doesn’t give you wrinkles!” But to be sure, we consulted Dr. Debra Jaliman,  an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, and her answer made a whole lot of sense.

While using a cleanser for a few weeks can’t exactly cause new wrinkles to develop, it can make existing lines that may not have been so noticeable more pronounced, depending on the formula.

“Skin care that lacks the right ingredients will end up drying your skin out. When skin lacks proper hydration your fine lines and wrinkles are accentuated,” says Dr. Jaliman.

Cleansers that contain ingredients like harsh surfactants (cleansing and foaming agents) can strip the skin of natural oils and weaken the moisture barrier. While that squeaky clean feeling may seem like a good thing at the time, your skin shouldn’t be tight and devoid of moisture after cleansing.

In addition to tautness, you can tell that your skin is dehydrated if it appears dull, has a rough texture, if you’re breaking out, or if your fine lines look deeper. For more on signs of dehydration, click here.

Look for a cleanser that contains natural surfactants like amino acids, has a low pH, and is infused with soothing and hydrating ingredients like aloe leaf extract and hyaluronic acid. The Acwell pH Balancing Bubble Free Cleansing Gel, for example, contains hyaluronic acid, and is formulated to balance the skin’s pH level and protect the moisture barrier.

RELATED: How to Shop For a Water-Based Cleanser

Once you’ve made sure that you’re using a non-dehydrating cleanser, Dr. Jaliman recommends reassessing the rest of your routine.

Any skin care routine, no matter how expansive or minimal, should include a good moisturizing product. Dr. Jaliman suggests looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and fatty acids that can help replenish skin’s moisture levels after cleansing. The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100 is both soothing and helps skin maintain moisture. 

Then, to prevent lines from forming in the first place, Dr. Jaliman recommends incorporating an anti-aging product like retinol into your routine. “Retinol stimulates a quicker renewal of skin cells – the outer layer of the skin is sloughed off and the newer skin underneath is revealed. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and helps with skin discoloration by fading dark spots.” Because retinol can be extremely drying, make sure you’re using it correctly and moisturizing well. Dr.Different’s Vitalift-A Eye & Neck is formulated with retinal to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

Lastly, reevaluate your daily habits. “Smoking and sun damage all contribute to fine lines and wrinkles looking more noticeable,” says Dr. Jaliman. “It’s important to stay hydrated. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water. Your skin will look better and your makeup will go on smoother.”

The post Are Your Skin Care Products Giving You Wrinkles? appeared first on The Klog.

You may be thinking to yourself, “A wrinkle is a wrinkle… right?” And though that’s accurate on a surface level (get it?), the truth is that not all wrinkles are the same in terms of how they form, how you can prevent them, and how you ultimately treat them. To learn more about this topic, we spoke to Sejal Shah, a Manhattan-based cosmetic dermatologist and the founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology, who offered some wonderful insight that’ll enable you to think more strategically about your current skin care routine. 

First, let’s discuss what wrinkles are and how they form.

The DL on wrinkle formation

“Wrinkles are a part of the normal aging process and form via a multifactorial process that involves both intrinsic and extrinsic aging,” says Shah. “Intrinsic aging refers to the natural aging process regardless of outside factors. For example, as the skin ages, the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans naturally diminishes, contributing to the formation of wrinkles.”

Extrinsic aging, she explains, is caused by environmental factors and other outside factors that also decrease or damage collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans. This is essentially the stuff we have control over, such as diet, habits, and sun exposure. Air pollution, not applying SPF, smoking, and drinking, are all examples of extrinsic aging.

Now that you know the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic aging as they relate to wrinkles, let’s discuss the two types of wrinkles: dynamic and static.

“Dynamic wrinkles form as a result of muscle movement that occurs when you make facial expressions or other repetitive movements. When the underlying muscles contract, the facial skin creases and lines form. The skin bounces back as the muscles relax when we’re young, but as we age, the skin no longer bounces back and the dynamic wrinkles start to become permanent,” explains Shah. “Static wrinkles are caused by loss of volume and elasticity. They are visible regardless of muscle movement and [are] more like folds, for example the nasolabial folds that run from the nose to the sides of the mouth.”

How to treat different types of wrinkles:

“The best topical treatment available for wrinkles—regardless of location—is retinoids,” says Shah. “This should, of course, be combined with a good preventive regimen such as sunscreen and other sun protective measures and a topical vitamin C.”

Shah also recommended AHAs, peptides, and growth factors as other ingredients that treat and prevent wrinkles. She reiterated that no matter where the wrinkles are located, all of the above applies. Things get a little more complicated, though, when we begin discussing deeper types of wrinkles, which are more likely to form on the forehead and around your mouth and eyes.

“Wrinkles around the mouth can be challenging to treat topically, especially those ‘laugh lines’ or ‘parenthesis’ on the sides of the mouth, as those are generally caused by loss of volume and elasticity and skin sagging,” she says. “The ingredients I mentioned earlier may help prevent worsening as they can boost collagen and elastin synthesis, but often you do need to consider more procedural treatments to replace lost volume and lift the skin.”

For lines that are very deep or are not responding to topical treatments, there are a number of minimally invasive procedures that have proven effective when administered by a board-certified dermatologist. Those include Botox or other neuromodulators, fillers, chemical peels, lasers, ultherapy, radiofrequency, and microneedling, says Shah.

Wrinkle prevention:

Though intrinsic aging is difficult to control, you can prevent extrinsic-related aging. And bonus: treating and preventing can be done at the same time and with the same products.

“Topical ingredients that are used to treat wrinkles are also good for prevention because they promote cell turnover and/or stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, thereby, helping maintain the skin’s structure,” says Shah. “One of the most, if not the most, important things you can do to prevent wrinkle formation is practice good sun protection because we know that ultraviolet radiation is a cause of extrinsic aging.”

Other tips: quit smoking, rest often, eat well, exercise consistently, avoid unnecessary repetitive facial movements (but never stop smiling, babe), and sleep on your back or on a wrinkle-preventative pillow.

Wrinkle treatment:

We’d be remiss not to recommend the Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum. It’s formulated with 3% vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and 75% galactomyces ferment filtrate to hydrate and smoothe your skin. 

Another favorite is the Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen, a cult favorite SPF in the K-beauty community that protects from both UVA and UVB rays while hydrating the skin. Because it’s so light, you won’t even notice it’s there (unlike some other bulky, greasy, and heavy sunscreens) and you can easily wear it under your makeup. We also recommend Acropass Line Care Patch, a luxurious cream loaded with fermented argan oil and lavender oil. Apply it at night and wake up to firmer, plumper skin.

For your under-eye area, which tends to be thinner and requires a different type of moisturizer, try the Dr. Different VITALIFT-A Eye & Neck, which is loaded with retinal to stimulate cell turnover, reduce wrinkles, and improve elasticity and firmness.

As for your neck area, which is made up of a thinner skin that’s prone to sagging and wrinkling, try the Neogen Agecure 3D Lifting Wrinkle Neck Mask. It’s doused in a potent cocktail of niacinamide, galactomyces ferment filtrate, and collagen to quickly plump, lift, and tighten while reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

+ What do you think are the best products for wrinkles, especially neck and smile lines? Share your picks below!

The post The Best Treatments for Different Types of Wrinkles appeared first on The Klog.

If you’re the type of someone who likes to top off the night with a glass of wine, then you might already be familiar with resveratrol, an antioxidant both loved in skincare and found in your nightly glass of red wine. 

Studies have proven that as an antioxidant overall, resveratrol can generally improve overall health in addition to skin health, so what is resveratrol really? Let’s find out. 

What is Resveratrol? 

At the baseline, resveratrol is classified as an antioxidant found in grapes (and subsequently, wine), deep berries, and dark chocolate. What makes resveratrol so special is that it is a part of vital compounds called polyphenols, which are essentially your front line of protection against free radicals, sun damage, and pollution.

Although we are here to talk about skincare, it’s important to note that resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and serves to help the body function optimally whether applied topically or ingested. It’s part of the reason you might have heard the legend that a glass of red wine each night keeps you around longer.

What Does Resveratrol Do?

Okay, we’ve all heard the term “antioxidant” and know we should care about it in terms of skincare, but why?

Frankly, because resveratrol, as an antioxidant, does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your skin as healthy as can be. 

First and foremost, it can help protect the skin from UV based sun related damage by boosting your skin’s natural barrier. In turn, resveratrol slows down the aging process by inhibiting free radicals from wreaking havoc on your skin (see: damaging collagen and elasticity). As a result, the production of collagen is oftentimes encouraged and brings forth plump, younger looking skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Resveratrol is also naturally fermented, making it naturally acidic and a mild AHA. This lends to generally more even skin tone and texture as a side effect (a positive one, no doubt) of introducing resveratrol into your routine.

Resveratrol also helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barriers overall, resulting in more hydrated skin by way of an enforced moisture barrier. This improved skin health also lessens redness and the general look of irritation and inflammation on the skin over time. 

Does it Have Any Side Effects? 

Resveratrol is so widely loved because it can be so widely used – no negative side effects from resveratrol usage have been reported whether used topically or ingested. It also gets bonus points because it’s not reported to conflict with any other topical ingredients (even active ingredients!), rather, it’s actually reported to boost the effectiveness of vitamin C and is often found in some of the cult favorite vitamin C serums. 

How Do I Use Resveratrol in My Routine?

As we mentioned, resveratrol is definitely found in some of your favorite sweet treats and night-topping bevs, but what is the most effective way to reap the skincare benefits? While consuming dark chocolate and acai bowls most definitely have their internal health benefits, including resveratrol in your diet will not necessarily have a great turnaround for your skin. To see the biggest glow up externally, you need to opt for topical products that contain resveratrol to bring into your skincare rotation. See some of our favorites below. 

Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask – The latest from Charlotte Cho’s jeong inspired skin care line, Then I Met You, this sparkling facial mask combines the power of resveratrol with lactic, gylcolic, and salicylic acids to renew and refresh skin.

Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine – This Soko Glam Best of Beauty Award Winner is one of the easiest ways to incorporate resveratrol into your routine. Use it as a toner or a second cleanse to slough off dead skins and clear pores of impurities like dirt and oil. The antioxidant properties of the resveratrol, coupled with the mildly exfoliating properties of the naturally fermented AHAs from grapes and lactic acid, serve as a great single use product that cleanses, exfoliates, and most importantly, protects the skin. 

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Revitalizing – Banila Co cleansing balms are an absolute cult classic, and this Revitalizing spin includes the star of our show, resveratrol. This cleansing balm also contains vitamin E, grape seed oil, and grape root extract, all of which lend to a hydrating and clarifying experience. This balm emulsifies under water and washes off leaving no residue behind and skin feeling soft, clean, and hydrated. With resveratrol built right into the formula of this amazing first-step cleanser, it’s impossible not to incorporate this ingredient. 

Dr Althea Resveratrol Intensive Repair Cream – This repair cream’s ingredients go above and beyond at being for all skin types. With resveratrol for antioxidants, adenosine for further anti-aging, and centella asiatica for anti-inflammatory properties, this cream boasts reducing signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles as well as reducing acne and the look of acne scars. We all need a moisturizer, so why not grab one that’s working overtime?

Resveratrol + Ferulic Acid – This serum from The Ordinary has a cult following after a Redditor revealed it was also found in Drunk Elephant’s pricey vitamin C. Ever since, people have sought out this singular serum to use in their routine and the efficacy of all of their products, too.

The post Ingredient Spotlight: Resveratrol, The Powerful Anti-Aging Compound Found in Your Favorite Wine appeared first on The Klog.

If there’s anyone who has her finger on the pulse of Korean beauty trends, it’s Soko Glam’s very own founder, Charlotte Cho. In an article she recently penned, Charlotte outlined what she believes will be some of the biggest beauty trends for 2019. One of them is an increase in “hanbang” ingredients, a.k.a. traditional herbal ingredients that have played a key role in Asian health and beauty regimens since ancient times.

Ginseng is a perfect example of a hanbang ingredient, and is one that should be part of your skin care regimen if wrinkles and dark circles are among your skin concerns. 

A Brief History of Ginseng in Health and Beauty

“Ginseng — also known as the ‘root of immortality’ — is a sweet, tonic herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat various disorders. It is believed to both stimulate and relax the nervous system and improve stamina,” notes Barbara Close, an esthetician who specializes in therapeutic herbalism. She’s also the founder of her own natural skin care line, Naturopathica.

As you probably gathered from the above, ginseng has traditionally been consumed orally, especially via tea and tinctures. Such usage has been documented as far back as 196 AD, which means it was probably used even years before that.

Interestingly, it took another 2000 or so years before ginseng was formulated for topical usage. You can thank K-Beauty brand, Sulwhasoo, for that. In 1960, the brand’s founder, Sung-hwan Suh, made it his goal to incorporate traditional Korean medicinal plants in skin care, and his sights fell on ginseng specifically.

Since then, ginseng has been utilized in numerous skin care products across a variety of brands. Many of these brands are from the East, though a few Western brands — such as Origins and Fresh — have incorporated the ingredient into their lineup, as well.

Ginseng’s Skin Care Benefits

Though it took quite some time for ginseng to be used in skin care, the benefits aren’t any less notable.

“Ginseng root contains numerous bioactive compounds, including saponins, polysaccharides, pectin, sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B12, pantothenic acid and minerals, which help to increase oxygenation and circulation to skin cells [for] a healthy glow,” says Close. “In addition, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities help to protect skin from free radical damage.”

Close says that all skin types can benefit from ginseng, though it’s particularly useful for anyone who’s concerned about aging. She notes, “Ginseng has a complex of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, which form a weightless film on the surface that helps to firm and smooth the appearance of fine lines.”

In addition to firming and reducing lines, ginseng helps de-puff the area around your eyes and can help minimize dark circles. As such, you’ll find the ingredient in a number of eye creams.

K-Beauty Product Recommendations with Ginseng

One of our favorite ginseng-infused lines is from Danahan. The brand uses a complex of ginseng extracts including seed oil, which contains more antioxidants than other forms of the ingredient. The Danahan Ginseng Seed Secret Essence is both richly moisturizing and anti-aging and the brand’s Secret Emulsion offers additional firming and revitalizing benefits.

For eye cream, Erborian’s Ginseng Infusion Total Eye is a great product to start with. It’s a hearty moisturizer, made with ginseng root extract, centella asiatica (cica) extract, licorice extract, and shea butter, that melts into the delicate skin around your eyes. 

In the face cream department, look to Beauty of Joseon, a brand that builds its formulas around traditional hanbang ingredients like ginseng. Its luxe Revitalize Sleeping Mask utilizes ginseng to energize and smooth skin overnight. Other star ingredients in the formula include black soybean (to tighten) and orchid (to brighten and soften). The brand’s cult favorite Dynasty Cream also contains ginseng, along with orchid, and honey to hydrate, brighten, and firm.

Ginseng root extract is also prominently featured in the Dr. Althea Essential Skin Conditioner Silk Masks to help promote skin renewal and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

The post Why Ginseng Is the Natural Ingredient Your Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine Is Missing appeared first on The Klog.