Blog: Everything Under the Sun
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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CEO Interview: Renee Plato
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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No more 'sunscream' days!
We all remember fun times in the sun as kids, and we may also remember the dreadful moment when our parents would ask us to put sunscreen on. It did not always smell good, it did not always feel good and you certainly did not want to ‘reapply’! Fast forward to today, and thankfully, those dreadful ‘sunscream’ days are over. Why? Because dermatologists have worked hard to develop formulas that blend in smoothly, feel great to wear, are safe for people and for the environment! It’s so important to teach our kids that sun protection should be part of our daily routine, just like brushing your teeth. Here is a checklist to help you choose the right sunscreen for your child: The first and most important thing is that babies under the age of 6 months should stay out of the sun because their skin is highly sensitive. Sun protective clothing and shade structures are the best way to safeguard infants according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. For babies and kids over 6 months, make sure you use a Sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher for everyday use, and SPF 30 or higher for a day outdoors. Make sure to select a Broad-Spectrum sunscreen that will block both UVA and UVB rays. Check whether your sunscreen is water resistant, and for how long. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming and towel drying. Apply on all exposed skin, face and body. Remember to also apply a lip protection with SPF, we often forget to protect our lips. Be generous, you should use the equivalent of a shot glass on an adult’s body for each application. Obviously, adjust the quantity according to the size of your child! Of course, we are partial to KidCréme SPF 50 when it comes to little ones… here’s what one happy parent had to say about it: “Here is what I LOVE about this sunscreen 1) NO funny smell 2) Kids actually willing to put on sunscreen on themselves 3) ... It’s easy to put on; and their face, arm and leg are not left with white residue. 4) ... It’s almost as if this is a combo of moisturizer and sunscreen. If you kids are like mine, who hates sunscreen. This is definitely something to try out” We could not have said it better. Let’s recap and see why it checks all the boxes: Kidcreme is unscented, no unpleasant sunscreen smell, no synthetic fragrances. It’s creamy, easy to apply and goes on silky smooth. It’s made with non-Nano zinc oxide which blends instantly and easily onto skin, no white cast. It’s a Broad-Spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50. Because it’s a mineral formula, it will not sting your child’s eyes. It contains Vitamin E and antioxidants (cranberry and pomegranate extracts) Formula is reef safe, which means it does not contain Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, two ingredients known to damage the reef. (You can bring it to Hawaii with you if you are lucky enough to visit!) All MDSolarSciences formulas are cruelty free. KidCreme is safe for all skin types, even the most sensitive, acne or rosacea prone skin. Regardless of where you spend the summer, make sure you help protect your little ones’ skin and show them how to develop good sun habits for the future. Have a great summer and stay safe! If you have any questions, reach out to our team at info@mdsolarsciences.com. We love to hear from you and are happy to answer any questions about our products. And tag us on social channels @mdsolarsciences.
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WHAT DOES SPF STAND FOR?
Summer is here, and while we should be thinking about SPF all year round, the onset of the warmer season means sunscreen is going to be front and center of our skin care routines. But how much do we really know about sunscreen? What does SPF mean? Does a higher SPF mean better protection? To give us the lowdown on SPF, we turned to dermatologist and MDSolarSciences friend, Dr. Diane Berson, for help in answering some of the questions that confound most of us about sunscreen. What is SPF and how do sunscreen companies measure it? Dr. Diane Berson: The SPF of a product only relates to its protection from the UVB or “burning” rays. The SPF of a product does not mean it protects you from UVA or “aging” rays. Companies use independent testing companies to test the SPF levels in their products in compliance with the FDA testing guidelines. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure that you’re choosing a product that has been tested for broad-spectrum protection (protects from both UVA and UVB). That way, you’ll be protected not only from the immediate effects of sun damage (sunburn) but also from long-term damage that shows up as wrinkles, sunspots and worse–skin cancer. What does it mean when a sunscreen is SPF 50? Dr. Berson: An SPF 50 product protects you from 98% of the UVB “burning” rays that penetrate your skin. Before the FDA introduced its new labeling requirements a few years ago, SPF levels caused a lot of confusion for customers. Some people thought that the SPF number corresponded to the number of minutes the sunscreen protected the skin, the percentage of rays the sunscreen filtered, or other misguided logic. The SPF number theoretically correlates to how long a person can stay in the sun without burning. For example, when wearing an SPF 30, you can remain outside for 30 times longer than if you were unprotected. However, that doesn’t take into consideration your skin type, any toweling, swimming, sweating or the level of the UV index that particular day. Confusing, right? Now, all sunscreens have mandated directions and water resistance testing results visible on their packaging. Sunscreen can either be effective for up to 40 minutes or up to 80 minutes in water. It’s much easier for people to understand the need to reapply at least every 2 hours. You should reapply every 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, depending on the product. These directions are now easily seen on the packaging. Why did the FDA limit the SPF to just 50? What’s wrong with sunscreens higher than 50? Dr. Berson: Since an SPF 50 protects from 98% of UVB rays and nothing offers 100% protection, there is no statistical significance to using an SPF over 50. Products with higher SPF values may be misleading and give consumers a false sense of security. When customers see a product marketed as an SPF 100+, some may think that means they’re protected from 100% of the UVB rays, or that the product will work all day. There’s no such thing as a total sunblock—and all products must be reapplied in accordance with the FDA guidelines. Does a higher SPF mean better protection? Should we all just use SPF 50 then instead of 30 and 15? Dr. Berson: An SPF 50 offers a high level of protection and is best for those with a history of skin cancer or those that are fair skinned or at higher risk for skin cancer. An SPF 15 covers 93% of UVB rays and an SPF 30 covers 97% of UVB rays. There is a fairly big difference between an SPF 15 and 30 but the difference in coverage lessens considerably between SPF 30 and SPF 50. Protection afforded by products over SPF 50 is only incremental. What is the easiest way to know if a sunscreen provides proper protection? Dr. Berson: You must look for sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum protection and say so on the label. Only broad-spectrum sunscreens protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Using sunscreen products that contain antioxidants gives you another layer of protection. Wearing sun-protective clothing, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats is also important in total sun protective care. Cover up, slather up and read up! Think about it: we are hardwired to check the nutrition facts on foods before eating them, but we should also always check the drug facts on sunscreens. It’s just as important to understand what we’re putting on our skin to protect us and our families. Now that you’re armed with a higher SPF IQ, it’s time to pack those beach bags and enjoy a fun, sun-safe summer. and remember that your SPF habit should continue in the Fall and Winter!
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A NOTE FROM OUR CEO
Ahhh….Summertime! It’s hard to believe it’s winding down and a new seasonal transition will be upon us soon. It hasn’t been your typical summer, but we’ve all managed to make the best of the beautiful weather, time together and exploring local destinations. We’re still in a “work from home” situation which has been a little chaotic, as has back to school planning. Hard to imagine we remain in a pandemic and the overall impact it has had on our lives, our loved ones and our communities. It makes you constantly evaluate what you truly have control of. And through that evaluation, I’ve found I have control over how I personally choose to treat others, control on how I choose to support my community and the health and well-being of my family. Being more available and more present has led to some very fulfilling moment this summer. It’s also given me more time to step back and appreciate the little things, the big things and strength we have as a nation to do the right thing. The selfless acts of kindness are what raise our bar as individuals and as a community. At MDSolarSciences, we’re constantly striving to raise our bar. To ensure we’re delivering the best quality of premium, natural skin wellness, for you and your families. We continue to receive amazing press from our community and top publications. For this, we are truly thankful. I believe this speaks to the care we put into our small batch, natural products. From naturally derived “super foods” for your skin to the best in moisturizing complexes that help us all look younger while staying protected. We are growing and this is all because of your support. So, while a lot of things feel out of control, just know we’re here to help put some balance into your daily routine and keep your skin healthy so you can shine on! With great appreciation,Renee Plato Renee PlatoCEO, MDSolarSciences
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HOW TO WEAR SUNSCREEN
You might think wearing sunscreen is as easy as slathering it on your body. However, there a few tips we want to share to ensure that you’re getting the most protection from your sunscreen. Tip #1 : The Forgotten Areas The face, arms and legs get the most love when it comes to putting on sunscreen. However, there are smaller parts of the body that many people forget to put sunscreen on. Places like the tops of your feet, back of your neck, scalp, ears and lips also need sunscreen. The general rule is: Any skin that is exposed to the sun needs sunscreen. Tip #2: The Shotglass Rule On days where you’re going to the beach and exposing a lot of skin, 1.5 oz of sunscreen is enough to sufficiently cover your face and body. No need to guess how much 1.5 oz is, just use a shot glass! It may seem like a lot once you start to fill the glass, but you don’t want to skimp on sunscreen. Inadequate coverage can lead to sunburn and skin irritation. Tip #3: Reapply as needed Have you ever put sunscreen on at the beach and come home with a sun burn 8 hrs later? That’s because you forgot to reapply. Be sure to read the instructions on the back of your sunscreen bottle. It should tell you how often you need to reapply your sunscreen. As you long as you follow those directions, you’ll be maximizing your SPF protection and minimizing the chances of coming home with sun burnt skin.
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WE SEA CHANGE
Sunscreen should be safe for the environment and lawmakers agree! They want our oceans free of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, two chemicals that are toxic for coral reefs. You probably never thought sunscreen could have an effect on the environment, but it does. Every year 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes off of people and into the ocean. Unfortunately, a lot of that sunscreen contains Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, chemicals that cause coral reefs to bleach. In good health, coral reefs are usually bright blue, green, pink or orange. When they bleach, coral reefs turn white. That is not a good sign. White coral reefs mean their health is severely compromised, making them more likely to die off. Coral reefs are home to 25% of all underwater creatures. We can’t just let them die! So we’ve said sayonara to the killer chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs. Thankfully, we are not alone in this. Some of your favorite beach destinations including, Key West, Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands have passed legislation banning the sale of sunscreens containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. We sea change and we’re loving it! When you wear our sunscreen on your next beach trip, swim with pride. Not only are you keeping your skin safe, but you’re keeping the reefs safe too!
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BUSTING MYTHS & TAKING NAMES
You skipped sunscreen way too many times! We get it. It was too gooey, too sticky and left streaks all over your skin. Your sunscreen was a problem. And MDSolarSciences has created the perfect solution. Myth #1: Sunscreen leaves your skin and fingers greasy. We know you tried sunscreens that take forever to rub in and leave your skin feeling oily. At MDSolarSciences, we want you to wear sunscreen that you enjoy putting on. Whether it’s our Mineral Crème SPF 50 or our Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 40, we make sunscreen that leaves your skin soft and smooth. Myth #2: Sunscreen won’t blend in with your skin. Our sunscreens are formulated to work with your skin tone, not against it. When you wear our products, you won’t be left with visible layers of sunscreen on your face. We’re all about the blend! Our sunscreens will blend in seamlessly with light and dark skin tones. The only things you’ll be left with are SPF protection and an extra glow. People marvel at the silky feel of our sunscreens and sun repair formulas. How can something that works so well feel so light and luxurious? We know you thought sunscreens had to be thick and gloopy to get the job done, but we’ve busted those myths.
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