New Skincare Find!

I'm unbelievably excited about this post!  So excited that I am taking a very naughty study break away from therapeutics (naughty because I have a exam tomorrow.... Yikes!).

  

So first off...

I recently signed up for a brand new beauty product subscription service called BeautyDNA.  This happens to be the first month of the new service and my first product from them as well.  I heard about BeautyDNA from the latest addition of New Beauty magazine, which I purchased at the airport in Denver, while on a layover, because there was a chance I wasn't going to get back to Indianapolis.  Side note: This winter has been ridiculous!  So to make along story short I signed up and waited for an invite to join when the program launched, which was earlier this month:).  The philosophy behind this service is their extensive questionnaire.  They not only ask about your skin, hair, and body concerns but also your opinions on ingredients and natural or organic products.  I wasn't sold on it after filling out the questionnaire but I liked the idea of the program and decided to try it out.

So how does it work?

Once you set up your account you will be matched with a single full-sized product each month!  I like that they are full sized and not samples.  The service is $25 a month and each month you will receive a product from one of their 3 product categories (Skincare, Haircare, or Bodycare).  This month I received a Skincare item!  A little birdie must have told them that's my favorite catergory *wink wink*.

I received the Pure Enzymes Exfoliating Mask from Cosmedix.  I have never tried anything from the brand so they were totally new to me. I had seen a few products online and saw that they use a lot of natural products In their formulations, I'm not a huge fan of all natural and organic products so I didn't

have high hopes for the product honestly.  

Please ignore random immunology book.... I was/am studying today.

Ingredients

Being the pharmacy student that I am, I HAVE to read thought the ingredient list before I try any new product.  I am impressed by this little guys ingredient list for 2 reasons!  The first reason is it doesn't contain any "nasties" as a call them.  Secondly, there are less than 10 ingredients in this product!  Now having a long ingredient list isn't always a bad thing but it makes me wonder if they are all going to be doing something good for my skin.  In the case of the Pure Enzyme mask. All of these ingredients have a purpose and most of those are skin benefits.  Also, its packaged in an airtight pump so the actives stay ACTIVE longer :D  

      

I'll start from the top 

1. Pure cranberry purée,  this is the base for the mask and contains the "enzymes".  Cranberry is also antibacterial, anti inflammatory and full of antioxidants.  All things I like in my skincare.  What enzymes I cranberry actually do for the skin was difficult to find and I still don't have an answer for that.  It is possible that there are enzymes that will help loosen dead skin cells and smooth the skin.  
2. Aqua, aka water. 
3. L-lactic acid, exfoliant!  Here's the money:). This is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), lactic acid is great for skin because of its gentle exfoliating effects.  Lactic acid peels are general great for skins that have sun damage and are used to exfoliate away pigmentation in med spas and or the dermatologist's office.  The great thing about lactic acid is that it can help moisturize as well and make it the star in this formulation. It only causes a light tingle on me but I use some sort of acid exfoliant daily in my Skincare.  It should be safe for sensitive skins but always start slow when introducing AHA's or any acid into your Skincare. 
4. D-glucoronic acid, helps the skin retain moisture.  Glucoronic acid is a component of the hydration booster hyaluronic acid.  
5. Benzyl alcohol, used as a preservative.
6. Xanthan gum, a thickening agent to give the product a serum texture.  Doesn't really have any skin benefit.
7. Superoxide dismutase (SOD),  an enzyme that has great antioxidant power.  Most likely will be used to stabilize the formulation and prevent the breakdown of other components.  If the formulation allows this to be absorbed into the skin it will help fight free radicals and thus fight against aging, it won't correct signs of aging just prevent free radical damage. 
8. L- glutathione,  another great antioxidant.  As a pharmacy student I appreciate this one because glutathione is naturally produced in our bodies.  It functions as a scavenger and in the blood can a help remove toxins from drug breakdown and metabolism.  In the skin it will act as an antioxidant and prevent free radical accumulation.  

So 8 ingredients in total, 6 of which have proven or potential Skincare benefits.  It's a simple, somewhat natural, formula suitable for all skins and the best part is that it works pretty well.  I have only tried it once so can't fully review it yet.   I will say its a smart, but simple product that does what it should.  The Pure Enzyme Exfoliating Mask retail for $52 and can be found online at CosMedix.com, Dermstore.com and SkinStore.com

If you are interested in signing up for BeautyDNA to get your own specially chosen full-sized product head over to BeautyDNA.com to learn more or sign-up.  They are still in Beta right now so only a limited number of spots are available hurry before they all fill up!

Now back to the books,

-Justin

First empty post, Clarins Cleansing milk with alpine herbs

Today I just finished a bottle of Clarins cleansing milk with alpine herbs. I have been using this almost exclusively as my morning cleanser for the majority if this very cold winter.  It has become on of my staple cleansers for when my skin is being finicky. This cleanser has never given me problems, just a nice clean face without stripping the skin.

Clarins Cleansing Milk with alpine herbs.  Smells good too!

How do I use my milky cleanser you might ask?  Well I always make sure to start with clean dry hands.  I apply about a quarter sized amount of cleanser into the palm my hand then  I massage it onto my forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and neck.  I really enjoy a good face massage so cleansing is easily my favorite part of the day. 

I like the milky cleanser because it has a great light texture with good slip for massage. It's not as good as an oil or a balm for massage because your skin will drink up the moisture in this cleanser if you massage for a while. But, in the morning I'm not worried about that at all. 

I always remove this, and all my facial cleansers for that matter, with a warm washcloth or muslin cloth.  This cleanser had been great for my combination skin and I would actually recommend it to anyone who wants a nice milky cleanser. Clarins also makes a formula for combo/oily skin but I like this one better because it has more skin loving ingredients. I also like that it has retinyl palmitate in it which you will come to find out is one if my favorite ingredients.  It is the form of vitamin A that our skin stores the most. 

I have another bottle of this cleanser that I've already started to use and I plan to repurchase when that one runs out. I would recommend this product for men and women of all skin types even oily and especially acne prone. It won't strip the skin and is light enough for an everyday morning cleanse as long as it's applied to dry skin and wiped off with a washcloth or rinsed very well.  It not a holy grail product but definitely a basic staple in my skincare wardrobe.  

This cleanser can be purchased online at clarinsusa.com and any department store website or at your nearest Clarins counter. It is also available in a fantastic luxury size right now on the clarins website:)

Enjoy,

-JHair

Hautelook and upcoming product reviews.

I just wanted to say that when shopping for new Skincare brands. There are few places that I tend to start and one of the most recent obsessions has been with Hautelook.  I have been a member of the website since soon after it launched and have spent countless hours checking the site for new deals and steals. If you haven't heard yet, it's a flash sale site that is owned by Nordstrom and if you are new you can sign up here (Hautelook sign up)   I like it much better than the other flash sale sites because they have a dedicated beauty section with new sales every single day.   Some brands that I have discovered on Hautelook and continue to love include: Somme Institute, the Balm cosmetics, Crown brush, and Rodial.

Spray hydration is the best!  Dragon's blood tonic from Rodial is so calming.

This is my absolute favorite mask for anytime of year. Boost by Somme Inst.

Most recently I picked out a few items from some brands that I haven't heard much about yet.  The first order came in the mail yesterday and contained products from BRAD biophotonic skincare.  I almost purchased the entire collection of BRAD products but skipped out on a few pieces.  I gravitated towards this line because of the ingredients list which I will talk about more in the reviews of these products, but I was most excited about the ACE + MSM serum.  Its packed with antioxidant vitamins C and E and a form of vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) all of which I believe are must haves in any skincare routine.  I'm very excited about this brand so far and there will be plenty of reviews to come.  

Another brand that I've decided to splurge on is a haircare brand called Philip B.  It's s luxury botanical hair are brand from LA hair treatment guru Philip B.  I picked up several things from Hautelook and the sale is still going on now if you want to get over there and check it out,  and hurry because the sale ends Saturday morning 11am EST.   Some of the most exciting things for me were the kits with lots of little travel sized shampoo conditioner and body wash.  I also picked up the pomade and gel just for fun.  I just placed the order yesterday so I have to wait but I'm very excited about this brand because it's a haircare line that uses therapeutic levels of essential oils and extracts to treat the hair and scalp (wish more brands would do this)...more on that when I give it a proper review.  

I can't wait to start testing these products and writing reviews.

So stay tuned. 

-Dr. Hair

Who is Dr. Hair and Why Fresh Face Pharmacy?

My name is Justin Hair, aka Dr. Hair

I am a student of pharmacy and an skincare fanatic.  I'm not a Doctor yet, but in few years I will be....Doctor of Pharmacy that is *winks*.  I have a background in pharmacy and in laboratory science as a Microbiologist.  I received my B.S. in Microbiology from Oregon State University where I did laboratory research to find new antibiotics.  It was all good fun but I decided if I was to spend hours in the lab it would have to be for something WAY more interesting than a few bacteria.  I then went on to pharmacy school so that I could...well...uh...save the world I guess.  

Me and Lil bro on vacation, I'm the one with the porcelain skin...Obvi

A very "professional" selfie taken before work at the pharmacy

And here I am a second year student pharmacist with a skincare blog.... how'd that happen?  Oh wait I forgot to tell you that I used to work as a beauty advisor at Nordstrom!  That is, of course, where I found my love for all things luxury and my obsession for great skin and haircare.  I did a few short stents with brands like Chanel, Dior, Clinique and then I landed at the Estee Lauder counter where I worked for most of my undergrad and up until very recently.  Even in pharmacy school!  I love working with women and men to find suitable skincare and I believe that there is not one perfect brand for anyone.  I will be posting a lot about ingredients and where to shop or how to shop for skin and haircare to get the results you want.  

SO... now I'm here trying to help men and women with their skincare problems and to share with everyone my favorite new skincare finds.  I will be posting routines, product reviews, how to's and cheat sheets on everything from acne to aging with a little bit of a pharmacy knowledge sprinkled onto all of it.  Gotta rep the profession you know.  Can't wait to start posting for you guys,  so until next time,  Dr. Hair out.