Blog: Everything Under the Sun
Five Questions with Dr Dray
Dr Dray is a Board Certified Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast based in Houston, TX. She has built a strong presence on Youtube and other social media platforms where she answers her followers' most pressing skincare questions. 1. What is your favorite thing about your job?I like helping patients understand their skin conditions so that they can better manage triggers and modify their skin care routines accordingly. When it comes to chronic diseases, knowledge is power and patients like being able to take control of their skin issues beyond their medications. 2. If you could make all your patients pick up one skincare habit, what would it be? Sunscreen! It makes the biggest difference long term. 3. And if you could make them drop one bad skincare habit, what would it be? Tanning. Nothing destroys the skin faster than a sun tan or a trip to the tanning bed. What are the best skincare routines for the 3 main life stages: 20s, 30s-40s, 50+? Sunscreen, moisturizer, cleanser. Keeping things simple is the best thing for skin across all age groups and is the most sustainable. What is your goal on Tik Tok next year 😊? Or what do you most enjoy about Tik Tok? The TikTok audience is a younger demographic compared to those who follow me on Instagram and Youtube. I hope to tap into this group to influence them to protect their skin from the sun. The younger these habits start, the greater the long term benefits. Dr Dray sums it up best in her bio, "don't forget to sunscreen and subscribe for more!": https://www.youtube.com/c/DrDrayzday/featured https://www.instagram.com/drdrayzday/ https://www.facebook.com/DrDrayzDay/ Check out our other 5 Questions with a Dermatologist blog featuring Dr. Tomassian.
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Q&A with Dr. Tomassian
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?A: One thing I truly love about my job is that I can help make changes to someone's skin, skincare routine, or skin disease that helps heal them physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is important for me to help my patients feel their most confident in their own skin. Each patient is so unique and I try my best to help them all individually. Q: If you could make all your patients pick up one skincare habit, what would it be?A: If there is one thing I can ask all my patients to do in regards to their skincare routine it would be applying quality sunscreen (at least SPF 30) every single day. Wearing sunscreen every day not only helps prevent skin cancer but also helps prevent and reduce the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Q: And if you could make them drop one bad skincare habit, what would it be?A: Unfortunately, there is a long list of bad skincare habits I wish I could enforce. However, if I had to pick the worst it would be applying products that you don't understand and don't need for your skin. So many people are buying skincare products just because they "look good", send trendy, or have seen someone else use them. Many times adding more than one product into your skin care routine can actually irritate your skin or make your skin worse. Understanding what your skin needs is the first and most important step for a successful skincare routine. Be cautious and careful with what products you start incorporating into your skincare routine. Sometimes, less is more. Q: What are the best skincare routines for the 3 main life stages: 20s, 30s-40s, 50+A: 20s: Cleanser, basic moisturizer, Sunscreen 30s: Cleanser, Vitamin C, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Retinoid 50 +: Cleanser, Vitamin C, Sunscreen, Retinoid and incorporating a moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy acids such as lactic acid to help thicken thin skin. Q: What is your goal on Tik Tok next year 😊? Or what do you most enjoy about Tik Tok?A: My goal with my TikTok platform for 2021 is the same as when I started TikTok in April 2020. I want to create valuable, science-based skincare videos that are accessible for everyone. My intention from day one is to make relatable, digestible, and science-based content. It's also very fun for me! I enjoy interacting with users as well as fellow dermatologists. It is so motivating for me to see the results of my content come to fruition. If you have purchased any products you love, changed anything in your skincare routine or have learned anything new about skincare because of my content, please tag me in a post or DM me at @dr.tomassian!
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5 ways to stay winter sun-safe with your FSA
When the days start getting shorter and the temperatures drop, we’ll forgive you if one of the last thoughts on your mind is your sun care regimen! But if you ask any dermatologist, he or she will tell you that winter is not the time to rest on your laurels when it comes to sun care. Creating a year-round sun care regimen is essential to helping reduce your risk of skin cancer, skin damage, and other potential long-term issues that can affect your skin. The sun’s rays are also the main cause for skin aging, so your SPF is really your anti-aging first step. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) backs this up as well. The AADA recommends sunscreen use every day if you will be outside. They go on to say, “The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.” Thankfully, if you are interested in boosting your daily sun care regimen, your FSA gives you a massive advantage. Luckily, many of your favorite MDSolarSciences sun care products are covered by an FSA or HSA. So if it’s time to up your winter sun care regimen, use your tax-free funds first! How FSAs make sun care safer Shopping for eligible sun protection products with your FSA should always be your first move. The fact is, eligibility requirements for FSA eligible sun care products can help eliminate products that may not be as effective. For a sun care product to be FSA eligible, it must utilize a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above, and provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. So as you work more sun care practices into your daily routine, shopping with your FSA first can ensure that you have a solid foundation to build on. Here are a few FSA-friendly winter sun safety tips that can help you maximize the potential of your FSA dollars and protect you and your family from UV rays every day. 1. Consult the weather and activity level when shopping sunscreen When you’re building a year-round sun care regimen, think about how your skin reacts to different weather conditions. Does your skin tend to dry out in the winter months? Is it more oily during the summer months? Pay particular attention to the ingredients in your sunscreen and use the one that is best for the conditions on that day. For instance, if it’s going to be a windy, dry afternoon, go with a daily SPF with a built-in moisturizer that uses ingredients like lanolin or glycerine. If you’re going to be active and build up a sweat, opting for a water-resistant sunscreen of 80 minutes (highest-level) may be the better option. When in doubt, pick the sun care product that is best for what you’ll be doing and where you’ll be heading. MDSolarSciences Pick: Daily Wear SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen 2. Pay attention to altitude Skiing and snowboarding rule the roost of winter activities, and if you’ve ever spent a day on the slopes without any sunscreen, you may have endured your share of cold weather sunburns. According to the University of Texas MD Anderson Center, the sun’s rays are more damaging at higher altitudes as less UV radiation is filtered out, while the snow on ski slopes has the potential to reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays. Always apply sunscreen on exposed areas before you hit the slopes, and be sure to reapply throughout the day. A pure mineral sunscreen that forms a physical barrier on the skin surface also affords a level of protection against windburns. MDSolarSciences Pick: Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 50 3. Don’t forget lip sun care! If chapped, dry lips are a fact of life for you during the winter months, regular sun protection may be the answer you’re looking for. Your FSA also covers sun protective lip balm (SPF 15 or above and broad-spectrum) that will stop your lips from drying out due to sun damage and wind burn, while nourishing the underlying skin layers with active ingredients like aloe vera and other essential oils. Apply throughout the day to keep your lips hydrated and healthy and safeguarded from the sun’s rays. MDSolarSciences Pick: Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 Trio 4. Don’t skip sun care on cloudy days Cloudy and rainy days mean you can slack a little bit on your sun care regimen, right? In reality, even during overcast days, UV rays will reach the Earth’s surface and your skin. In fact, the MD Anderson Center reports that some studies have shown that cloudy days could even be worse for UV levels during an effect called cloud enhancement of UV radiation. This refers to when the sun’s beams reflect off the sides of clouds causing radiation to be more focused and dangerous. So even if rain is in the forecast in the future, stick to your sun care plan! MDSolarSciences Pick: Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 405. Are your eyes protected? Finally, winter sun care means more than just sunscreen! While sunscreen needs to be applied around the sensitive eye area that is prone to skin cancers; your eyes are also susceptible to internal damage from the sun’s rays. Even long-term health issues like melanoma and cataracts can arise in the eyes without proper sun protection. If it’s time to invest in a new pair of prescription sunglasses, your FSA covers that too! Look for designs that have additional protection on the sides of the face to block out UV rays that may enter from the side. And if you’re going to be skiing or snowboarding in the future, be sure to wear goggles or another form of wrap-around eye wear to keep your eyes protected. Unfortunately, your ski goggles aren’t covered by your FSA! Year-round sun care is not just a smart choice for your overall skin health, it could help you avoid potentially dangerous skin cancers and other conditions that could arise from excessive UV exposure. Whether you have excess funds to spend before your FSA deadline, or you’re simply looking to fully maximize your FSA’s potential, proper sun care is one of the best choices you can make for your health now and into the future.
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Pregnancy, Motherhood & Skincare
A few months ago, we reached out to Jayme Squires to collaborate on Kid content. We loved the look and feel of her Instagram (make sure you follow her to see what we are talking about)! Originally, we sent Jayme our Kid products - KidCréme SPF 50 and KidStick SPF 40. She wanted to get a chance to test them, look at the ingredients and experience how they worked. We knew Jayme was expecting and busy with a toddler. We added a few goodies to our package, including our new Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 and our best-selling MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50. When Jayme connected with us a few weeks back, she said she was ready to share some content, and it turned out it was all about the Skincare product we sent along… I think we can say that she fell in love with our Beauty Balm. During pregnancy, your skin can become more sensitive to the sun with some women developing the ‘mask of pregnancy’ or melasma. It is very important to protect your skin from the sun to avoid this or the development of any dark spots. And since you want to be on the safe side, dermatologists tend to recommend a mineral or physical sunscreen. This is because mineral or physical sunscreens sit on top of the skin and do not penetrate it. You also want to select a product that has a Broad-Spectrum formula blocking both UVA and UVB rays; and choose products that have an SPF of 30 or higher. Jayme has freckles and has a tendency to get melasma so she was interested in a product with SPF that would help her prevent these pregnancy side effects. As a busy new mom, any shortcuts and timesavers are greatly appreciated! MDSS’ Beauty Balm is a tinted BB crème with SPF in a formula packed with amazing ingredients that help improve the quality of skin over time. Instead of using 2-3 products, use Beauty Balm and you’re done, giving you back more time to spend with your little ones or some precious ‘me time’! This might be why Jayme enjoyed using Beauty Balm so much 😊. Here’s how it works: Beauty Balm comes in 2 universally flattering sheer shades that blend in seamlessly, priming skin perfectly and giving you the option to add makeup or go without. Add blush, mascara and lip tint and you are ready for the day (or night). It’s packed with antioxidants including CoQ10 and Green Tea to help fight free radicals. It contains Niacinamide and Caffeine, 2 ingredients known to help calm and repair skin, and suitable for all skin types. It also includes Squalane, a lightweight moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory properties. As Jayme put it recently:To follow Jayme, head to @jaymesquires. To learn more about how to pick Sunscreen for Kids, check out our blog post based on our Instagram Live with Dr Britt Craiglow, Pediatric Dermatologist.
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Different Types of UV Rays
UVA, UVB, & UVC Let’s talk Solar facts! Ever imagine how something so far can affect us all? The Sun emits sunlight in a form of rays that reach 150 million kilometers from the Earth. Sunlight gives out ultraviolet (UV) radiation that poses different effects on our skin and we’re gonna tell you all about the ABC’s of UV. The “A” in UVA stands for “Aging” Ultraviolet Aging (UVA) rays have the longest wavelengths out of all the three. It accounts for approximately 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since UVA rays are highly penetrative, they can get into the deeper layers of the skin and can contribute to premature aging. The “B” in UVB stands for “Burning” Ultraviolet Burning (UVB) rays have Medium-wavelength and account for 5% of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UVB rays can only reach the skin’s surface. It may not be as highly penetrative as UVA rays but long exposure to them can make as much damage. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburns and may have a delayed effect with long-term exposure that may even cause skin cancer. The “C” in UVC stands for “Cataracts” Ultraviolet Cataracts (UVC) rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest energy levels of the three types of UV rays. This means that it can cause serious damage to all life forms. On the bright side, UVC radiation is all filtered-out by the ozone layer and these rays from the sun never reach the ground. However, man-made sources of these rays do pose damage ranging from severe burns of the skin to eye injuries. Hence, staring at the sun too long may give you cataracts or permanent blindness. Knowing these ABC’s, how can you protect yourself? Avoid long-term exposure to the sun! It’s nice to soak up vitamin D every once in a while, but too much may be too bad for you. Keep your skin protected by covering up with some light-clothing and pair it up with your favorite sunglasses and hat! Also, remember to soak up on Sunscreen with the right amount of sun protection factor (SPF). Here at MDSolarSciences, we stand behind our science-backed formulas that were developed by dermatologists and continue to be recommended by some of the top skincare experts in the country. Check out our blog Skincare Routines to know the best routine depending on your skin type!
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Sunscreen for Kids
What you need to know when picking SPF for your kids…. and more! A few weeks back, we presented an Instagram Live with Dr Britt Craiglow. She is a widely recognized expert in pediatric dermatology. She has authored over fifty publications, speaks at national and international conferences, and has served as an investigator on numerous clinical trials. She practices in Fairfield, CT if you are lucky enough to live in the area. You can also find her on Tik Tok @dermdrbritt. We loved our Instagram Live with Dr Britt so much that we decided to turn it into a blog. If you prefer to watch the IG Live, head over to Instagram, the episode is saved in the IGTV icon. Why is Sunscreen important to you? My kids get the importance of sunscreen (4 and 6). From the beginning, we have been very rigorous about skincare. Last year, I realized how much. My then 4-year old came to me and said ‘can you get my Legos from the driveway’ and I asked him why he could not get them himself. He replied ‘I don’t have sunscreen on!’ Maybe we have done too good of a job!! One of the things I tell parents is to ‘make it part of your routine from the beginning’. My kids know we don’t go out or play outside without protection, sunscreen, a rash guard. Now that they are older, I let them participate, choose the one they want to use, put it on themselves. It’s really like wearing helmets on a ski slope, no one did that when I was growing up. Now everyone wears a helmet skiing. And same thing for sunscreen. It’s what their friends do too, so it’s easier when they do what their friends are doing too. Wear sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard. As a dermatologist and a mom, what is the key thing to look for when picking out SPF for kids? My number one rule is “The best sunscreen is the one they will wear!” As dermatologists, we like sunscreens that are at least SPF 30 or more, that is water resistant and in general, for kids, I prefer physical blockers or mineral blockers which contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. I often say look for zinc and/or titanium and you will be ok. I don’t love the aerosol sunscreens because the application may not be sufficient. People should use the equivalent of a shot glass of sunscreen to cover their whole body. What do you recommend for a beach day with kids in terms of clothes/bathing suits? I love rash guards or long sleeve UPF clothing. The more you can cover with clothing the better. Make sure they wear a hat as the scalp is a place we see a lot of skin cancer in older patients. Rash guards or full-on suits for littler kids. And make sure to reapply every couple of hours and on the important areas – top of the ears, back of the hands, feet, behind the knees, you want to cover every square inch of exposed skin. Sticks or Crème? My boys like the sticks a lot, especially for the face. You need to make sure you cover every square inch. They are great for getting the nose. The crèmes can feel nice too if they are well engineered like MDSolarSciences’. Any tips for application on kids? The earlier you start and make it part of your routine, the more they get used to it. I also like to tie something to it, ‘when you have your sunscreen on, you can do ____.” Also let them participate, choose where to put it on first, give them a little control over the situation. Or put a big blob on their face and take a funny picture. Once you get through the younger years, it becomes relatively easy, especially if they have something they want to do afterwards – go to the beach, to the pool, play outside… However creative you have to be, make it happen, make a little game of it – you can use a beauty blender if you want, that can be fun. I have had multiple skin cancers so our family does not stay out on the beach for hours, but it’s hard when they are having fun to remember to reapply. It’s important to reapply every 2 hours or if they have been in the water for a long time, or are sweating a lot. Always err on the side of caution for reapplication. Why physical over chemical sunscreen? There is a lot in the media about chemical sunscreen and the jury is still out over safety data. There are studies that suggest that chemical sunscreen can be absorbed into the blood stream, but keep in mind that in these studies, people used a lot more than is typical. But in general, something sitting on the surface of the skin is probably safer, so that is why we tend to prefer mineral sunscreens, especially for babies and toddlers. Why start them young? Starting sunscreen young is the best anti-aging tool. Also skin cancer happens. I got too much sun as a kid, I am very fair and would get tanned in the summer. A lot of the damage is done in childhood. Also, when you are young, you don’t think about what your skin will look like later, so we are here to remind them. Toddlers, elementary school age kids are getting a much better sunscreen message than before. For teens, talk about it as something that is essentially skincare. When you are 50 and if you did not use sunscreen, you will not be happy. Is skin more fragile when you are a child? For sure, an infant or young toddler, especially babies, are more susceptible to sun damage. Every skin type needs sunscreen, we recommend it for any skin type, even if you don’t burn, you might get skin cancer and aging happens to everybody. What do you recommend to parents of kids with very sensitive skin or eczema? For them, physical blockers for sure. Trying to find products that have fewer ingredients. Some additives can be irritating. Usually winter is the worse for eczema but some get worse in the summer when they get sweaty. In the summertime, I recommend more frequent bathing because there are more irritants, also to remove sunscreen at the end of the day. For teenagers, what are some of the best ingredients for acne prone skin? Or rosacea type skin? Again, generally less is more. Some suncreens like MDsolarSciences' contain anti inflammatory ingredients like Niacinamide which has added benefits. Biggest recommendations for teenagers? Tips for better skin in the future? Skincare is very trendy. Everybody gets their skincare tips from Hyram and Tik Tok. Some of my patients ask me if they should have a skincare routine. If you are a teenager and have great skin, you may not need to have a multi step skincare routine. If you cleanse, moisturize and apply sunscreen, you are probably fine. Also, just because something works for your friend, it might not work for you. Stay away from peer pressure and do what is best for your skin. Most common issues you see in kids and teens skincare? Most common things I see in little kids is atopic dermatitis (eczema). Very common in babies. It tends to improve over time. For them, my recommendation for skincare is to be gentle. Less is more. Natural or organic formulas may have a lot of plant-based additives that can be irritants. Minimize irritants. Use a soap free cleanser, make sure you moisturize. For teens, acne is the #1 issue. I try to get a sense of how much it bothers them. The most important thing is matching them to the right product or treatment, as they might be using a product that does not work for their type of acne. Also, they may be spot treating and that is not enough. You also need to be patient, you need a good 2 months of treatment to see long term improvements.A lot of acne treatments make you more susceptible to the sun, so you need to be more careful if you use topical retinoids, Accutane, etc. Adding sunscreen is so important. Teenagers don’t want to look like they have sunscreen on. That’s why I love products like the Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 from MDSolarSciences because it does not look or feel like sunscreen. If you have acne scars that are pink or red, sunscreen is the best thing you can use. What are your thoughts on removing sunscreen at the end of the day? Double cleansing is definitely trendy. I don’t double cleanse, I don’t have time! Cleansing is a place where you can save money, splurge on sunscreen, Vitamin C serum, but not on cleansing. People are using micellar water, that can be very effective. If you wear a lot of makeup, that could be a good start. With kids, you can just use a cloth to help remove the sunscreen in the bath. But it’s totally ok if a little bit is left on the skin. KEY TAKEAWAYS: KIDS• Start them young, make it fun• Prefer a physical/mineral SPF blocker TEENS• Keep it simple – cleanse, moisturize, protect with SPF• See a dermatologist if you are dealing with recurring acne EARLY 20s and beyond…• Once you hit 25, the top 3 things to do for your skin are:• Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!• Add a retinoid to your routine (introduce it slowly + use SPF)• Anti oxidants (Vitamin C) IN GENERAL• Find a product with SPF that feels good to wear• Find a routine that works for you• Ask yourself, Is it effective and how does it feel? To learn more about our Kids' formulas, check out this blog.
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Reef Safe Sunscreen
Reef Safe Sunscreen, does it matter beyond the reef? At MDSolarSciences, we take our commitment to sustainability very seriously and it has come to life in 3 important ways. Our commitment to Humans - Our mineral formulas are made with Eco-Cert Zinc Oxide.- Our collection is PABA free, oxybenzone and octinoxate free, paraben free.- All our SPF formulas have the Skin Cancer Foundation seal for Daily or Active protection.- All our SPF formulas are gentle enough for children 6 months or older. Our commitment to the environment - We have been Reef Safe since the beginning.- Our formulas are waterless.- Several of our products are top EWG rated (Environmental Working Group).- Our cartons are made in a facility powered with wind energy, thus reducing our carbon footprint. Our commitment to Animals - Our formulas are Cruelty Free and we do not test on animals. Before we dive into the heart of the matter, let's make sure we all know what we are talking about here. What does it mean for a sunscreen or sunblock product to be reef safe or reef friendly? Since there are no official guidelines, it can be confusing. Most companies and non-profits agree that products made without oxybenzone or octinoxate are reef safe or reef friendly. In 2008, the governor of Hawaii signed a bill into law to ban the sale of any sunscreens made with these two chemicals. The city of Key West voted a similar ban, and these will both come into effect in January 2021. The intention is to help preserve our fragile marine ecosystems. Why oxybenzone and octinoxate? These two common chemicals have been found to cause coral bleaching. Coral bleaching happens when the coral expels the algae living in its tissues, turning it white. The algae provide the coral reef with nutrients. While the reef can survive a short-term episode of coral bleaching, it becomes weaker and is subject to mortality. Now we can all agree that we (and the environment) are better off without these two chemicals. But does it matter beyond the reef? Should I buy products that are 'Reef Safe' if I am not an avid snorkeler, traveling to Hawaii, or swimming in the ocean? The Environmental Working Group ranks Oxybenzone and Octinoxate as the most toxic among sunscreen filters. They both penetrate into the bloodstream. There is some, but insufficient, data showing that they may cause hormone disruption. The answer is clear, a reef safe sunscreen is going to be better for the environment AND for you and your family. For more information about our commitment to sustainability, check out our ‘Ingredients with intentions’ blog.
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Ingredients with Intentions
At MDSolarSciences, we believe that Skin Wellness is at the heart of what we do every day. All our formulas contain powerful, natural ingredients that improve the quality and look of skin over time. These skin “Superfoods” are essential to our unique formulas, and were carefully selected by our founder, Dr Friedman and his team. They work together to help prevent, protect and repair; and they are clean, non toxic ingredients that respect your skin and the environment. They include Antioxidants and Vitamins, Calming Ingredients and Repair Agents. Get to know our ‘superfoods’ and how each one of them plays a significant role in improving the quality of your skin. Mushroom Extract BENEFITS Rich in Vitamin D, our Tremella Fuciformis extract helps soften, soothe and revitalize skin. As a powerful antioxidant, it helps protect against environmental aggressors. It is an effective hydrating agent that works by binding moisture to the surface of skin. Studies have shown Tremella Fuciformis to have a stimulating effect on cell growth, resulting in accelerated wound healing of the epidermal layer. It also has the potential to lighten spots and reduce fine wrinkles. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Revitalize Retinol Serum MD Restore Eye Gel Grape Extract BENEFITS Our Vitis Vinifera (grape) extract is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help protect stressed cell membranes from breaking down. It contains an alpha hydroxy acid that helps promote moisture restoration, while assisting collagen production to increase elasticity and hydration. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Pomegranate Extract BENEFITS Our Punica Granatum (pomegranate) extract contains high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help prevent cell damage. It can also help skin repair itself by regenerating the supporting collagen structure. By promoting chemopre-ventative activity, it enhances the topical effectiveness of sunscreens. PRODUCTS KidCrème SPF 50 Mineral Crème SPF 50 Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 MD Mineral Créme BB SPF 50 Vitamin A BENEFITS The protective and nourishing properties of Vitamin A help keep skin healthy, firm and radiant. Vitamin A contains retinal, retinol and retinoic acid, which activate cells responsible for manufacturing collagen. It also stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for developing tissue in the deep layers of your skin.This leads to smoother skin as fine lines are filled in by new growth below the surface. A potent antioxidant, it can lessen skin’s sensitivity to the sun, providing natural protection against redness and pigmentation. PRODUCTS MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Vitamin E BENEFITS The antioxidants contained in Vitamin E combat oxidation, a chemical reaction that’s often damaging to skin cells. It can protect individual cell membranes from breaking down under the stress of UV bombardment and air pollution, and help skin retain its natural moisture. PRODUCTS KidCrème SPF 50 MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50 Seaweed Extract BENEFITS The repair agents in our seaweed extract can help skin recover from sun and environmental damage. Seaweed extract can help increase levels of hyaluronic acid, a protein building block that can promote elasticity by binding collagen, keratin and elastin together. The vitamins and minerals in seaweed can help maintain a natural moisture balance. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide BENEFITS Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are organic minerals that provide a protective barrier between you and the sun. Our unique formulations produce a silky crème that blends smoothly and evenly. They're non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores. Plus, zinc oxide has wound healing properties and can help with minor abrasions. PRODUCTS All our mineral SPF formulas (Kids, adults) Chamomile BENEFITS Naturally soothing and calming, the antioxidants contained in Chamomile help protect against sun damage by preventing the formation of free radicals. Chamomile promotes smooth healthy skin and relieves irritations by penetrating below the skin surface to deeper layers, helping to create a youthful appearance. Chamomile is hypoallergenic and possesses the ability to neutralize skin irritants, lower inflammation and reduce redness PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Revitalize Retinol Serum MD Restore Eye Gel Caffeine BENEFITS Caffeine possesses a variety of anti-aging benefits. It can aid collagen production and protect skin against premature aging. It tightens and tones skin by drawing excess fluids out of cells, creating a more youthful appearance. It’s natural anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce swelling and redness, leaving a bright even tone. It can also help diminish the appearance of fine wrinkles and darkness under the eyes. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50 MD Revitalize Retinol Serum MD Restore Eye Gel Vitamin C BENEFITS Sun and air pollution can initiate oxidation, a chemical reaction often damaging to skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect stressed cell membranes from breaking down. Antioxidant like Vitamin C can also neutralize free radicals created by UV radiation and pollution. PRODUCTS Mineral Crème SPF 50 Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30 Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 40 Solar Stick SPF 40 KidCrème SPF 50 KidStick SPF 40 Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50 MD Restore Eye Gel Sunflower Seed Oil BENEFITS Rich in Vitamin E, our sunflower seed oil (Helianthus annuus) promotes cell regeneration, leading to healthier looking skin. A powerful antioxidant, it can neutralize free radicals as well as help skin retain its natural moisture. Sunflower seed oil has also been shown to reduce redness, flakiness and assist in healing abrasions. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Rose Hips BENEFITS Rose hips can brighten the complexion, protect against environmental stressors and combat premature aging. It contains high levels of vitamins C and A whose antioxidant properties can protect skin from damage caused by ultraviolet light. The gamma-linolenic acid in rose hips provides an omega fatty acid that helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. The main bioactive component in rosehip seed oil is all-trans retinoic acid and tretinoin which has been shown to help make the healing process more efficient. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Aloe BENEFITS Our Aloe Barbadensis Leaf extract contains polysaccharides that moisturize and hydrate skin. It speeds the replication of cells that synthesize collagen, increasing elasticity and diminishing wrinkles. It can disrupt the enzyme that produces melanin deposits, reducing the formation of dark spots. PRODUCTS Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel MD Revitalize Retinol Serum Niacinamide BENEFITS Niacinamide is a ‘hot’ ingredient right now but it has been in our formulas for years! It is a form of Vitamin B3. It has many benefits and is mostly known for its anti inflammatory quality, making it a favorite in acne and rosacea friendly formulas. It also combats free radicals and helps increase the production of ceramides, contributing to the preservation of your skin’s protective barrier. PRODUCTS MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50 Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 MD Restore Eye Gel Ceramides BENEFITS Ceramides are Lipids, the good kind! This is another popular ingredient these days, one you want to look for if you are dealing with dry skin. Ceramides help reinforce your skin’s natural barrier and restore moisture. They also help protect against environmental stressors. PRODUCTS Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 If you have read this far, congratulations, you are a true skincare enthusiast! Keep learning about our formulas. Next, check out our blog on reef safety.
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CLEAN UP
We should wear sunscreen. We know. Our dermatologists remind us every time we finally stop by for that essential checkup. Plus, many beauty articles get around to dropping the hint about damaging sun rays. Yet who hasn’t had some less-than-fun-in-the-sun experiences with sunscreen-greasy, turns our skin white, feels heavy- and/or stumble on the pronunciation of at least one of the ingredients. Time for a clean start this summer, because MDSolarSciences has a collection of natural, ultra-smooth, mineral SPF formulas that are also reef-safe and cruelty-free as well as follow the safety standards set forth by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). That covers all the bases. Fairfield Living magazine was lucky enough to grab a moment with its CEO, Renee Plato to ask a few questions. Q: Why don’t people wear sunscreen? Renee: “One of the top reasons many people don’t wear sunscreen is that they don’t like the way it feels. Most SPF formulas just don’t feel good. They can be goopy, greasy, sticky, leave a white cast or sting eyes. MDSolarSciences products are especially formulated to feel amazing on, while being highly effective. We pride ourselves in having some of the best feeling, clean and natural SPF formulas on the market. Our formulas have a heritage of leveraging science to ensure every product provides healthy protection, helps repair the skin and prevents from future environmental damage such as sun or blue light. Another reason many people don’t wear sunscreen is they believe they’re getting SPF protection in their makeup or daily moisturizers. This may be the case, but unless you’re wearing a 30 SPF or greater, you may not be getting the level of protection you need on a daily basis. The sun and environmental factors are more severe than even ten years ago. That has had a significant impact on the health of our skin, the body’s largest organ. We need to continually educate consumers on the importance of SPF as a daily habit - not only for adults, but also children.” Q: How is MDSolarSciences different? Renee: “MDSolarSciences is doctor developed by Robert J. Friedman, M.D., a leading dermatological oncologist, and clinical professor at the NYU School of Medicine. Our formulas are first and foremost science backed and clean; free of any toxic ingredients that are harmful to skin and alter endocrine functions, which can happen with most chemical-based sunscreens that use oxybenzone or octinoxate. Our products live at the intersection of “clean” and “clinical”, a phrase we’ve coined as “cleanical”. Unlike many cosmetic SPF brands, we’re dedicated to true skin wellness through the creation of luxurious, clean products that feel wonderful on the skin, are safe for all skin types and the environment - no harsh chemicals. It’s what’s not in our formulas that makes us special. MDSolarSciences is vegan and gluten, paraben and fragrance free, won’t clog pores and is free from any nanos and oils. At the heart of MDSolarSciences is another unique point of difference; Our proprietary ProVention-R™ technology, a unique combination of cutting-edge antioxidants, calming and repair complexes with key ingredients such as peptides, naturally derived CoQ10, green tea, pomegranate, aloe, seaweed, vitamin E and more. These complexes deliver unique and relevant anti-aging and reparative benefits that, over time, will improve the quality of your skin. Not your average SPF skincare. We are proud to be Environmental Working Group top rated, a reference in our industry, and all of our SPF formulas are backed by the American Skin Cancer foundation.” Q: What does reef-safe and cruelty-free mean? Renee: “Common sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate or aminobenzoic acid, are actually known to irritate skin and cause harm to ocean life by accelerating coral bleaching - essentially killing coral reefs. We never formulate with these ingredients. Our formulas have always been safe for people of all ages and for the environment. All consumer products need to be far more aware of the impact being made to the environment. Something as intrinsic to sea as sunscreen/SPF should have this as an underlying mission. Our products are also cruelty-free, which means that there is no animal testing anywhere in our supply chain.” Q: What’s the latest news? Renee: “This year, we launched a hydrating lip balm with SPF, a perfect balance of hydration – avocado oil – sheer coverage with a lovely hint of tint. We are always listening to our customers and developing formulas that work for them and go that extra mile to deliver protection and restorative complexes. Over the next several months we will be expanding our distribution to additional omnichannel and natural retailers. We see a lot of room in the market for skin-wellness products that feel great to wear and deliver true results.” By Diane SembrotAs featured in Fairfield Living Magazine, July/August 2020 Edition Photography credits: Tomira Wilcox
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