Skincare Articles

Avoid these common acne treatment mistakes.

Toning the skin with Cytotone Waterless Cleanser is a key step in maintaining a healthy skin pH.

 By Dr. Stacy Matthews  The unpleasant sensation we know as pain is a common bodily response to many different stimuli. For example, we often experience varying levels of pain after exercise, particularly after starting or re-entering an exercise program. This is often a reaction of the tissues to activity that they are not accustomed to. This is referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness and is mainly due to very small tears in the muscle fibers. These tears provoke an immune response by the body’s leukocytes (white blood cells) so that the muscle fiber repair process begins. Various types of leukocytes in this process release inflammatory cytokines that cause the post-exercise muscle pain (1) by acting on nociceptors, receptors that sense damage and send pain signals (2).   If muscle and skin trauma occur with limited inflammation, simply resting the muscles for a couple of days can give the body time to recover and prevent additional trauma. Applying an icepack on the sore muscle areas in the earliest stages (first few days of pain occurrence) has analgesic effects. Before resuming activity, a little warmth can then be applied to the muscles. If these approaches do not provide enough relief, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic properties (such as ibuprofen) or a plain analgesic such as acetaminophen can be used to help with muscle pain. However, topical pain relief gel is also beneficial and a great option to s without taking medications.   An example is the Post-Traumatic Response Gel with MatrX B, which can be applied directly to the skin for pain relief of skin and muscle soreness. MatrX B contains natural ingredients arnica, astaxanthin, and witch hazel. The combination of these ingredients provides antioxidant effects, relieves pain, and supports the skin and muscle repair processes (3, 4, 5). For minor skin and muscle trauma from other causes (bumps, sprains, strains), the same recommendations can be applied. However, if severe pain is felt or soreness does not subside within a week, medical attention of a healthcare provider should be sought to determine the existence of other more serious injury or illness and to get the best specific therapy.        1. MacIntyre DL, Reid WD, McKenzie DC. Delayed muscle soreness. The inflammatory  response to muscle injury and its clinical implications. Sports Med. 1995 Jul;20(1):24-40.   2. Shubayev VI, Kato K, Myers RR. Cytokines in Pain. In: Kruger L, Light AR, editors. Translational Pain Research: From Mouse to Man. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2010. Chapter 8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK57275/   3. Pumpa KL, Fallon KE, Bensoussan A, Papalia S. The effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise. Eur J Sport Sci. 2014;14(3):294-300.    4. Djordjevic B, Baralic I, Kotur-Stevuljevic J, Stefanovic A, Ivanisevic J, Radivojevic N, Andjelkovic M, Dikic N. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on muscle damage and oxidative stress markers in elite young soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2012 Aug;52(4):382-92.   5. Korting HC, Schäfer-Korting M, Hart H, Laux P, Schmid M. Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin. Influence of vehicle and dose. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1993;44(4):315-8.    

Read about our feature in LA YOGA Magazine for after sun care.

By Dr. Stacy Matthews  Millions of surgical or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are performed in the U.S. each year. The most common surgical procedures are breast augmentations, nose surgeries, and liposuction, while Botox injections, soft tissue fillers, and laser hair removal are some of the most common minimally invasive procedures performed. In addition to the skills of a board-certified trained medical specialist, proper pre- and post-procedure skincare is essential to achieve healthy, glowing, and desirable results.   Invasive (including surgical) and minimally invasive procedures induce trauma. Trauma induces inflammatory changes that are inevitable, but after healing, the best results are realized if proper care is performed pre-procedure and during the healing process. Since the skin is the first barrier to pass when doing any invasive procedure, it is necessary to follow your doctor’s advice and be sure that the skin is in its healthiest possible state to prevent long-term side effects, including infection.    Effective and gentle cleansing prior to a procedure can help prevent infection and other undesirable post-procedure effects. A cleanser that can be ideal to achieve soothing and thorough skin cleansing is Cytotone Waterless Cleanser with MatrX B . This is a multi-use, alcohol-free cleanser composed of organic ingredients that have gentle cleansing action and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the ingredients are aloe, neroli hydrosol, tea tree essential oil, sage extract, MatrX B™, and others. This cleanser purifies the skin and helps reduce inflammation, making it ideal for pre-procedure skin cleansing.    Post-procedure skin trauma is accompanied by inflammation that is seen as bruising, redness, swelling, and pain. These effects can be minimized with appropriate self-care. MatrX B™ Response Gel is formulated to facilitate healing from skin trauma including those resulting from cosmetic procedures. It contains natural ingredients such as cucumber hydrosol, aloe, gotu kola, and dandelion extract. MatrX B™ works by supporting the skin’s natural healing process and reducing inflammation. Whether cosmetic procedures are performed to address a medical condition or to make elective changes to your appearance, following pre-procedure cleansing and post-procedure skincare reduces stress to the skin and help ensure the best results.

By Dr. Stacy Matthews Clear and healthy skin is something we all want, and we commit to measures to achieve and maintain this. With the intention of achieving healthy skin, or at least healthy looking skin, many actually unknowingly use products that do the opposite. Many cosmetics contain ingredients that hinder skin health. These include anything from moisturizes to those that are used as make-up. However, many of these products have ingredients that take the skincare journey in an unwanted direction. Read more to learn about common skin irritants and how to achieve healthy skin. Some of the most common skin irritants in cosmetics are fragrances and dyes(1). Many cosmetics and shampoos contain these chemical substances that can cause irritation and inflammation. With repeated exposure to harmful substances, a number of responses can occur such as rashes, swelling, clogging of pours, and more. For example, eczema, a group of conditions that cause dermatitis (skin inflammation), can flare up from exposure to various skin irritants.  These chemicals can irritate any skin type, but are particularly irritating to those with sensitive skin or who are prone to eczema flare ups.  Acne is a skin condition that results when follicles of the skin are clogged with dead skin cells and oil. These clogged areas can become infected with bacteria, swell, and lead to pimples. Many common skincare products contain ingredients that can make acne worse or cause it by promoting clogged pores. A study was reported about skin comedones in women after receiving skin beauty treatments (2). One example of a comedogenic ingredient is stearic acid.In addition to avoiding products that can cause inflammatory responses, nightly cleansing of the skin with non-irritating and non-comedogenic products like Cytotone Waterless Face Cleanser is an excellent way to help achieve healthier, clearer, and hydrated skin and prevent dermatitis and clogged pores due to exposure to irritating substances. Skin cleansers, moisturizes, and other skin cosmetics are available that contain these types of alternative healthier ingredients. Learning more about and being aware of the ingredients in common skincare products and opting for organic alternatives is a positive step toward healthier vibrant skin.1. Handa S, Mahajan R, De D. Contact dermatitis to hair dye: an update. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012 Sep-Oct;78(5):583-90.2. Khanna N, Gupta SD. Acneiform eruptions after facial beauty treatment. Int JDermatol. 1999 Mar;38(3):196-9.

Our experts talk to Consumer Health Digest about the natural healing power of skin and best remedies to speed up the process.   The largest organ of the body, the skin, has one of the most important protective functions of the body. This protective function can be disrupted or compromised by trauma or disease. Therefore, the skin’s ability to heal is essential to preserve health and prevent effects on other organs and overall health. Fortunately, your skin is amazing because it has built within it the capacity to heal itself from mild to moderate insults in order to ensure its many indispensable functions. The Skin’s Function In addition to acting as a protective barrier, the skin is crucial in a number of other functions[6] that preserve life and health. The skin provides* mechanical support* to the body and has a role in body temperature regulation, maintenance of body fluid balance, filters excessive passage of sun-related radiation, and protects* from the passage of toxic substances to internal organs.  Read More

  By Dr. Stacy Matthews Many typical medicine cabinets contain the well-known Neosporin ointment or cream as the “go-to” first-aid remedy. It is used for common cuts and scrapes resulting from falls or other minor skin traumas. This antibiotic ointment contains harmful ingredients like bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate. As the most popular over-the-counter skin ointment drug, Neosporin is effectively marketed as the best first line of defense against minor wound infection and for speedy wound healing. Yet, many who trust and rely on this product do not consider the problems with Neosporin.  Besides a lack of evidence that it heals wounds any faster than the body’s natural mechanisms, the main concern regarding widespread use of Neosporin is its three main antibiotic ingredients. People are becoming increasingly aware of the concept of bacterial resistance. Improper and unnecessary use of antibiotics run the risk of overgrowth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This phenomenon is a public health problem that leaves many people with infections and side effects from Neosporin products that are hard to treat. Our skin and other areas of the body contain bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that are actually good guys. This collection of microorganisms on our skin is called our skin microbiome or flora (1). Instead of hurting us, they actually help protect us from being overcome by disease-causing microorganisms. Unfortunately, these good organisms can be killed by antibiotics such as those in Neosporin. This risk is higher when the triple antibiotic is used when there is not even an infection. What can result are skin problems (side effects) much worse than the minor cut that was treated in the first place. Due to the loss of the good microorganism defenses, fungal and other microorganisms take advantage and cause infection. Furthermore, Neosporin active ingredients pose a risk of allergic reactions (2) and irritation to skin.  As mentioned, the product contains neomycin. This antibiotic is the main component responsible for the incidence of allergy seen with Neosporin use. These allergic reactions can be immediate or take a little time (up to a week) to develop. Better approaches to minor wounds are to clean the affected area and use alternative natural products that are nonallergenic, nonirritating, and that do not contain unnecessary antibiotics. Take a look at our non-toxic Post-Traumatic Response Gel for fast relief.  1. Grice EA, Segre JA. The skin microbiome. Nature reviews Microbiology. 2011;9(4):244-253. doi:10.1038/nrmicro2537.   2. Shahbazian JH, Hartzell TL, Pandey AK, Azari KK. Allergic Dermatitis Due to Topical Antibiotics. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2012;13(4):380-382. doi:10.5811/westjem.2011.9.6851.

by Stacy Matthews Branch Health consciousness is steadily rising and more people are appreciating the role of diet in overall health and quality of life. Much of a person’s state of health is reflected in the appearance of the body’s important protective covering, the skin. Many are well aware of the importance of a balance of vitamins and minerals, but are not aware that the type of diet affects whether one can receive quality proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and more. Plant-based diets provide many important elements that are necessary for ideal health, including skin health. Some of the health benefits of going vegan include a diet that is lower in saturated fat than a typical omnivorous diet. Unsaturated fats found in plant-based diets are skin friendly because they help prevent severe photoaging (1). Vegan diets also provide higher water intake that is absolutely essential for the health of all the body’s cells including the skin. Skin health also benefits from the abundant antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Going vegan is not the only benefit to healthy and radiant skin. Vegan skin care products are also valuable for magnificent skin health. This class of skin care products does not contain substances derived from animals including some gelatins, lanolin, and beeswax. Instead, vegan skin care products contain plant-based ingredients that are gentler to the skin and a better choice for those with allergies or sensitive skin. In addition to personal skin health and cosmetic benefits, the use of these products helps to promote animal welfare and reduces or eliminates animal testing. Furthermore, since animal-based foods and products have a negative impact on the availability of water supplies, vegan skin care products are environment-friendly by promoting the conservation of water. To be sure that a vegan product has not been tested in animals, check the product packaging to see if it states that the ingredients have not been tested in animals or identify the international symbol commonly used to specify this (usually a drawing of a leaping bunny rabbit).   1. Latreille J, Kesse-Guyot E, Malvy D, et al. Dietary Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Intake and Risk of Skin Photoaging. Soyer HP, ed. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(9):e44490. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0044490.