Tag Archive for: Aging

Congratulations new soon-to-be momma! You’re pregnant! Pregnancy brings more than a baby growing in your womb and an endless amount of different food cravings. While a new life is forming inside you, there will be some side effects that come along for the ride into motherhood such as morning sickness, more energy, gas, more or less sleep, hormonal acne, glowing skin, growing hair, and the list goes on. Since every women’s experience varies, it’s important to be aware of and gentle with yourself during this precious time. Understanding the experience is not a one-size-fits-all empowers you to take every month that passes by as a gift. That being said you’ll quickly begin to notice how your skin changes during pregnancy. This includes facial and body care as your physique takes on a new form. Just like you’ll get a list from your healthcare provider on foods to avoid within the next nine months, you’ll want to be mindful of specific ingredients to eliminate from your skin and body regime. Here are few ingredients that you should avoid during pregnancy: Retinoids, found in anti-aging products, Tetracycline, mostly in acne cream, Hydroquinone, within dark spot serums, Phthalates, found in fragranced soaps and lotions, Ammonia, within hair dyes, and Thioglycolic Acid, used in hair removal treatments. 

During a woman’s pregnancy journey, she may come across dark patches that were not there prior to conceiving. The appearance of hyperpigmentation is due to an increase in estrogen levels which promotes the skin’s melanin production. In order to prevent this from continuing, apply mineral SPF on a daily basis. This type of sunscreen is best for children, pregnant, or breastfeeding women.

While some women are lucky with the new mommy-to-be radiant glow, others may experience teenage-inspired breakouts. With hormonal changes that come with carrying a new bundle of joy, this skincare concern is normal. Many women claim this happens within the first trimester then goes away within the next few months. If you’re experiencing flare-ups and pimples, try using organic ingredients such as plant-based antioxidants, sulfur and/or camphor. These anti-inflammatory properties target bacteria, fight against free-radicals and promote healthy hydrated skin also known as the new mom glow. 

Stretch marks are a normal part of pregnancy. As you prepare to welcome your bun in the oven into the world, you may notice pink-purple lines in a zigzag pattern around your belly. First, embrace your shape and be gentle with your physical appearance, you’re carrying precious gold. Secondly, over 90% of women gain stretch marks during their pregnancy, therefore you’re not alone. You’ll want to invest in products that are cocoa butter-based, shea butter infused, and avocado-reviewed. These elements help with skin elasticity, boost collagen, and promote hydration. Lathering your skin with these types of products on a daily basis will result in smoother, healthier skin.

Here are a few pregnancy picks from Dr. Goldfaden you’ll want to add:

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub, $75, This daily facial exfoliator provides hydration while gently removing dead skin for a radiant, smoother looking canvas. 

Goldfaden MD Pure Start, $35, For a fresh and light daily cleanser start and end your day with this grapefruit and rosehip seed infused wash. It removes surface oils and impurities, leaving the skin fresh and makeup-free.

Goldfaden MD Facial Detox, $65, Adding a weekly face mask once a week will cleanse blemish-prone skin and minimizes the appearance of pores. Made with Zinc Oxide, Sulfur, and Camphor, this detox treatment is sure to result in a radiant even-toned complexion.

Goldfaden MD Vital Boost, $68, Enhance that motherly glow with a game-changing moisturizer. The brightening skin agents and Gooseberry Extracts will leave your skin looking dewy, radiant, and flawless. It’ll be a post-facial look that’ll have everyone swoon.

The bottom line: Pregnancy is different for all women. As you began to see changes within your skin, remember to ask your doctor and try using holistic, natural, and vegan ingredients. 

Disclaimer: GOLDFADEN MD products are based on a holistic approach to skincare, using key naturally derived ingredients. It is safe to use on sensitive skin, but always best to test any product on a small area first. Prior to use when pregnant, please consult your physician on the use of any products and for further questions related to skin allergies that may arise during pregnancy.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Ashley Jimenez is a multi-media journalist and Co-Founder of LatinaWatch. She oversees LatinaWatch.com and all of the website’s editorial and video content and strategy, as well as social media channels. As the former Beauty Director of HOLA! USA, the Puerto Rican-Dominican reporter, is an expert in identifying trends, highlighting multicultural content, and exploring thoughtful conversations within the influential Latina beauty segment. Her past roles include Senior Beauty Editor at Latina Magazine, where she created beauty, wellness, and lifestyle content specifically for women of color. She explored intersections of vision, Afro-Latina identity within the hair industry, socially conscious skin care, mental health topics. Ashley’s dedication to storytelling has created groundbreaking content that speaks to the duality women face as they navigate the world while honoring traditions and crafting new age customs.

By Kaitlyn McLintock

Here’s a fun (read: frightening) activity. Sit back and add up the amount of time you spend working on your computer on any given day. Take that number and add the amount of time you spend on your phone. Add any remaining screen time, including but not limited to Netflix binges, online shopping, and time spent scrolling through news sites. The number you end up represents how long your skin is being exposed to potentially damaging light emitted from digital devices. This high energy visible light (HEV light), otherwise referred to as blue light, could be affecting the health of your skin in more ways than one.

Research tells us that blue light can cause skin damage. More specifically, it can cause hyperpigmentation and premature signs of aging. It causes the former by inducing inconsistent melanin production in the skin. It causes the latter by exposing your cells to oxidative stress, or free radicals, which damage the collagen in your skin, leading to such signs of aging as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

That’s the bad news, but there’s good news, too. There are steps you can take to minimize the effect of blue light. From keeping an eye on your screen time to using antioxidant-rich skincare products, keep reading to learn more about how to care for your skin in the digital age.

Reduce Screen Time (If You Can)

The first and most obvious step in protecting your skin from an exorbitant amount of blue light exposure is to minimize your screen time. Even though that’s not always feasible when it comes to professional life (especially if, due to recent events, your laptop has become your office), there are ways to stay conscious of the time you’re spending on screens for other reasons. For example, limit time spent scrolling through social media to a few minutes each day. Track your screen time on your phone. Schedule screen-free time in your calendar, so you feel the freedom to walk away from your computer for a specific amount of time. At the very least, switch your phone display to night shift, which minimizes the amount of blue light it emanates.

Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep

Because there’s evidence that blue light disrupts our natural circadian rhythm (aka our sleep-wake cycle), it’s important to prioritize sleep, especially if you’re spending most of your day staring at a screen. After all, research links sleep deprivation with acceleration in physical signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. Sleep deprivation could also harm our skin’s natural reparative processes, meaning damage and inflammation could ensue from not getting enough shut-eye.

Load Up on Antioxidant Protection

We’ve already discussed how blue light exposes your skin to oxidative stress, or free radicals, which can damage collagen and lead to physical signs of aging. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the skin, which is the reason antioxidant-rich ingredients are so prevalent in blue light skincare products.

The efficacy of antioxidant-rich skincare is exactly why Dr. Goldfaden formulated the Mist Rx Daily Nutrient Face Mist with aloe vera, kale sprout water, Kakadu plum, and plant & fruit stem cells—all of which have antioxidant properties to fight free radical damage, thus mitigating the harmful effects of blue light on our skin.

While these blue-light-blocking tactics are all worth practicing, it’s important to note that our main source of blue light exposure is from the sun (and no, sunscreen won’t necessarily protect your skin. Remember that sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, not HEV…). This is something to keep in mind, lest we panic and blame our ceaseless Zoom meetings for damaging our skin beyond repair. It’s likely that our skin is happy and healthy if we remain conscious of our health and lifestyle habits, focus on getting good, quality sleep, nourish our skin with the right protective skincare products, and schedule regular check-ins with a dermatologist.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Kaitlyn McLintock is a beauty and wellness writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in such publications as Popsugar, Byrdie, Hello Giggles, Who What Wear, and more. When she’s not writing, researching, and editing, or testing out the latest skincare and makeup products, she’s drinking coffee and spritzing Goldfaden’s Mist RX all over her skin.

One of the most common questions Dr. G gets asked is, when to start using an anti aging regimen?’

“By the time your mid 20’s roll around, collagen production has already started slowing down. Collagen is one of three structural proteins that our bodies produce. Elastin and Glycosaminoglycans are the other two, which we will get to. Collagen is responsible for providing tissue and organs strength. As we age collagen is produced less and tissue begins to disconnect thus creating wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin. Elastin also plays a big role in aging, although not as plentiful in the skin as collagen, it is still important. Elastin is responsible for stretching abilities and ‘snapping back’, think of the word ‘elastic’. Once elastin starts to diminish, skin will look saggy, sunken and limp. Glycosaminoglycans are responsible for keeping collagen and elastin supported in the cellular space.” Dermatologist, Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

If you missed the mid 20’s starting mark, do not worry. The good news is it is never too late to start an anti-aging regimen!

Dr. G created a proprietary complex named PURFLORA, found in our Plant Profusion Collection , that includes ingredients which tackle many of the signs of aging. Plant Profusion is an anti-aging collection that is made up of plant stem cells and other supercharged anti-oxidants. The specialized complex, PURFLORA, combines a potent blend made up of Raspberry Leaf Extract, Comfrey Stem Cells, White Tea Leaf Extract, Garden Crest Sprouts and Birds of Paradise Extract. The benefits result in skin tone and texture improvement, overall brightness + reduction of unwanted pigmentation, increase of the skin barrier function and an overall hydrated glow.

If you are already on a Goldfaden MD regimen and are ready to start using superior anti-aging targeted products, Plant Profusion can be easily incorporated. Focusing on intense skin rejuvenation, hydration and brightness, we created a serum, eye cream, neck cream and night cream. While the new collection was created to enhance the core collection, there can be some confusion in the beginning.  Below are a few questions you may be asking yourself.

Q & A with Dr. G

Can I use The Supreme Serum with Fleuressence oil?

No. Fleuressence is an oil and the new Supreme Serum is oil free. Our suggestions is to use Fleuressence during the day and Supreme Serum at night. Or use one every other day. For intense anti-aging benefits Supreme Serum should be used at least once a day.

Can I use Bright Eyes + Energetic Eye Cream together?

Yes. Bright Eyes can be used during the day or during warmer months. Energetic Eye Cream is richer in texture and contains caffeine (de-puff) and Quinoa for its proteins and riboflavins (help to rebuild thin skin). Bright Eyes targets darkness and puffiness and Energetic eye Cream targets them as well in addition to rebuilding the thin eye area skin and encouraging collagen production thus getting rid of line and wrinkles.

Why can’t I use my neck creams on my face and vice versa?

The Lifting Neck Cream was formulated with specific ingredients (peptides and pink grapefruit oil) to target sagging thin neck skin, along with the horizontal bands and hyper pigmentation that can appear with age. The neck also tends to be drier than the face and needs more moisture. However, people make the mistake of using neck creams that are too heavy-when all they need to a medium weight neck cream. Your neck doesn’t absorb in the same manner the face does, so less is more when it comes to the neck.

We hope you love Plant Profusion as much as we do!