You've got questions and we've got the answers. We get a lot of emails here at Skin Actives, so we've compiled some of our most-asked questions into one handy post. Here are the top seven questions we've gotten from customers like you that we can answer.

1. What is the number one mistake that people make when it comes to anti-aging skincare?

Following “tradition”. Tradition is not necessarily based on science or experience but rather a set of rules that may not hold up under close scrutiny. For instance: should you cleanse your skin? Certainly! But you should also always be careful to not remove valuable lipids that make up the skin barrier.

2. Which key ingredients should a person look for in an anti-aging product?

Epidermal growth factor, essential fatty acids, antioxidants. Vitamin A is also a messenger/signal, like EGF. You need to give your skin the nutrients it needs to follow the instructions given by EGF or vitamin A, etc.

3. How long should someone try a skincare product before they decide whether or not it is effective?

Always remember: If it hurts or inflames, stop immediately. A good product should not hurt. If you are allergic (or become allergic) to an ingredient, you are very unlikely to get over this allergy but very likely to make the symptoms worse. If the product does not hurt and the ingredient list make sense to you, give it time. You are trying to modify the biochemistry and physiology of your skin and that takes months, not minutes. It took decades of sun, pollution and life to age your skin, it will take months to reverse some of that structural and functional damage.

4. What breakthrough ingredient/s are you most excited about?

All the proteins that we can now manufacture and afford as consumers, like epidermal growth factor and antioxidant proteins. Until recently they were not available commercially and we are very fortunate that now they are!

5. Are there ingredients that are commonly used in skincare that should be avoided?

Yes! Benzoyl peroxide and hydrogen peroxide will accelerate skin aging and modify the DNA of your skin’s stem cells (and that can’t be reversed). Natural ingredients have the potential to be highly allergenic. For instance: Balsam of Peru. So, if you are into natural ingredients, take the time to be aware of what you are using and what the potential adverse reactions could be.

6. Describe an ideal skincare regimen for a person over 40 (example: cleanser, antioxidant serum, etc.).

Clean your skin with a cleanser that does not contain detergents or alcohol, rinse well with water. Then apply serum containing epidermal growth factor plus every nutrient your skin needs, followed by an oil-based serum that contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants. We also recommend using a vitamin A cream twice a week. Don’t forget that your lips, eye-brows, eye-lashes and scalp need care too!

7. What skincare treatments and procedures do you consider the most effective?

We recommend avoiding anything that includes using high energy tools, unless the objective is to kill cells (for instance, removing facial hair). You can improve much with topical treatments but it is important to remember that treatments can harm too. For example, before resorting to an eyelid lift surgery, first try a good serum with epidermal growth factor.

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