One of the latest fads to hit the skincare market is strawberry-infused skincare. Where is the science for this one? There actually is some, but it’s also steeped in folklore as Marilyn Monroe and other 60’s actresses used to wash their faces with strawberries and use them in facial masks. So, let’s take a step back and think about fruit.  Fruit needs special superhero tactics to stay fresh and plump.  What causes the strawberry or any other fruit to get soft, mushy and basically “go bad”? Answer: Oxidation. Fruit and strawberries, in particular, have,&n ..read more

April is Rosacea Awareness Month, and while many people have heard of this chronic inflammatory skin condition, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding its diagnosis and treatment. As a dermatologist, I often see patients who have been told they have rosacea by someone who is not a medical professional, which can lead to a lot of misinformation and ineffective treatment. In this blog post, I will explain what rosacea is, its symptoms, and how to effectively treat and prevent it.  What is Rosacea?  Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of people ..read more

Hand washing is nothing new to doctors.   One of the first things drilled into us when starting our medical rotations is that excellent hand hygiene is critical to stopping the “chain of transmission” or spread of germs from person to person via the hands.   But with government and health officials touting the importance of proper hand hygiene throughout the Covid-19 crisis, that message has filtered down to the general public and it’s unlikely anyone will forget the importance of washing a ..read more

The world of skincare is more fragmented and confusing than ever. New brands and products pop up almost every week. Many are hyped up by celebrity endorsements, but are often lacking substance to justify the hype.  Everyone is talking about clean beauty, often without really understanding what it all means. Consumers are led to believe that natural products are always better for them and start shifting their buying trends accordingly. Smart cosmetic brand owners eagerly capitalize on the trend, pushing more and more “clean” products to the store shelves. Consumers fall for the hype, somet ..read more

Question: @DrSkotnicki can you elaborate on the safety of Phenoxyethanol in beauty products? In #BeyondSoap, you list the agent as a “less problematic preservative” when it comes to skin reactivity, but many sources claim it to be a potential hormone disruptor. What’s the deal? – @SaraDarvy Answer: Phenoxyethanol is used to preserve cosmetic products as well as to stabilize soaps and perfumes[1]Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (1990). Final report on the safety assessment of Phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 9(2), 259-277. Allergy to Phenoxyethanol is l ..read more

Emily came to see me after a year-long bout with allergic reactions around her eyes that seemed to come out of the blue.  She showed me pictures of severe swelling and redness; one reaction was so bad she could hardly open her eyelids.   What could be the cause?  It was clear Emily’s case didn’t fit the mould of a typical allergic reaction to makeup and skincare. Why? Because her flare-ups were sporadic, happening once a month or even less. And since allergies are all or nothing (meaning you can’t be allergic to something some days and not others), I could eliminate her eve ..read more

Patients often ask how do I know if a mole is ok?? It is one of the most common questions we get asked as Dermatologists. Over the years I have struggled with the answer.  Most will have heard of the ABCD. Some of the signs to look out for when checking your spots: A- Asymmetry B- Border irregularity C- colour variation D- diameter greater than eraser head E- could mean eccentric or different than your other spots or evolving/growing . But  what does it really mean? My response today is to tell patients that things in nature like a flower, tree, scrub or in this c ..read more

It should be obvious, but the great outdoors can actually make you healthier. Escape into the woods, climb those hills and hike through wooded trails or your neighbourhood park to help stimulate your body and your brain. Don’t just take my word for it! Here’s is the science to back it up: A 2008 study from the Journal of Aging and Health revealed that people who went outside everyday had fewer health-related problems and slept better. The results were even better if those outdoor activities are done in a group. Just looking at something green makes your exercise easier!  A study looking ..read more

It’s 2019 and the topics on everyone’s mind are climate change and the environment.  We often think about auto and industrial emissions as the culprits, but did you know the chemicals found in personal cosmetics produce the same amount of pollution as cars when coupled with other consumer products like paint and household cleaners? Take, for example, your showers and laundry. Do you know the carbon footprint of a daily shower or the amount of detergent put into the environment from your laundry?  How about the plastic bottles on your counter or in your drawers?  Where ..read more