The Top Glycolic Acid Face Wash Products for Amazing Exfoliation

Glycolic acid can help naturally exfoliate your skin, leave your skin looking refreshed and trigger changes in the dermis to even make you look younger. 

All of these benefits stem from the alpha hydroxy acid known as glycolic acid and you can get all of these benefits with certain washes.

Learn how to determine WHICH products are worth it and which aren’t in this glycolic acid face wash guide: ​

More…

Quick NavigationThe Best Glycolic Acid Face Wash Products#1. Overview of Jan Marini Skin Research Bioglycolic Face CleanserWhy it works:How to use it:#2. Overview of iS Clinical Cleansing ComplexWhy it works:How to use it:#3. Anthony Glycolic Facial CleanserWhy it works:How to use it:#4. Overview of Nu Derm Exfoderm & Exfoderm ForteWhy it works:How to use it:#5. DDF Glycolic 5% Exfoliating WashWhy it works:How to use it:Other Tips to Consider when Buying a Glyolic Acid Face Wash#1. Watch for the concentration. #2. Does the product contain other ingredients? #3. Do you have sensitive skin? #4. Are you more interested in looking younger or anti-aging? #5. ​Do you suffer from acne or oil production? ​Back to you

Why you Want Glycolic Acid in your Face Wash

Chances are high that you have already used some form of glycolic acid in your face washes without even knowing it!

And don’t let the acid part of glycolic acid scare you, because in this sense it is extremely helpful for your skin.

Glycolic acid is part of a family of acids known as alpha hydroxy acids but which includes acids like lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid and others.

What’s important here is that these acids have extremely beneficial effects on your skin.

Studies have been done to determine the exact benefits of these acids and have shown that glycolic acid and lactic acid tend to provide the MOST benefit with the LEAST amount of harm.

What do I mean by harm?

Well, because of the special properties which these alpha hydroxy acids possess they can cause some irritation, redness or swelling in certain people.

It turns out that glycolic acid (along with lactic acid) is probably the BEST tolerated while still providing you with extreme benefits.

What kind of benefits are we talking about?

#1. For starters glycolic acid has been shown to help reduce ​acne scars: 

Studies have shown that up to 45% of people who use glycolic acid notice an improvement in acne scars! 

You can see from the graph that almost everyone (except around 7% of people) noticed some kind of benefit in their acne scars ranging from mild improvement to very good improvement. 

​This type of improvement is amazing when you consider that the medical community thinks a prescription drug is good if it can help even 10% of people. 

What’s even more amazing is that glycolic acid can be purchased over the counter in a cleanser (but you have to make sure you get a high enough concentration) and used at home.

Another important benefit is that you can get even better results if you increase the concentration of glycolic acid and use it as a chemical peel once a week. ​

​#2. Glycolic acid helps reduce hyperpigmentation and even skin tone. 

In addition to reducing acne scars, glycolic acid has been shown to improve pigmentary lesions and reduce hyperpigmentation. 

You can think of hyperpigmentation as changes to your skin color and tone that occur due to a variety of reasons including: acne, inflammation, rosacea, photodamage, etc. 

Studies have shown that over 50% of people who use glycolic acid noticed “good improvement” in their skin tone! ​

Again, we aren’t talking about a small number here – this is a HUGE improvement. 

But we aren’t done yet:

Glycolic acid also has other benefits, one of the most important is its ability to exfoliate the skin.

Start around age 30-35 we naturally lose the ability to exfoliate our skin cells.

This leads to a “dulling” of the skin unless you either mechanically or chemically remove these skin cells.

Removing the excess skin cells in the epidermis leaves your skin looking refreshed and new and is REQUIRED if you want healthy and beautiful skin. ​

The entire list of glycolic acid benefits include: ​

• Naturally exfoliates the upper layers of the epidermis leaving your skin looking fresh and clean
• Helps reduce oil and sebum production
• Helps promote collagen production and reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Helps directly treat acne, black heads and pimples by reducing oil production
• Helps treat and prevent hormonal acne (especially if caused by PCOS or testosterone/androgens)

But, in order to get these benefits you must be using the right concentration and dose of glycolic acid. 

Purchasing a cheap and watered down glycolic acid will NOT lead to the desired results.

Below I will discuss the highest quality products that contain glycolic acid and other ingredients to naturally help improve your skin. ​

The Best Glycolic Acid Face Wash Products

You have two ways that you can use glycolic acid:

#1. Daily application with lower concentrations (in face wash, toners and other facial products)

#2. ​Once a week or once a month application in higher concentrations in chemical peels. 

In my opinion the best way to use glycolic acid is in small concentrations more frequently (preferably every day or 3-4x per week). 

Why?

Because higher concentrations like those found in chemical peels can potentially lead to peeling and irritation in certain people. 

The beautiful part is that you can really do both. 

You can start with a daily facial cleanser and then if you want further results you can purchase higher concentrations of glycolic acid and do a 5 minute chemical peel once a week. 

But for the purposes of this article we are going to focus on the best daily facial products that exist: 

#1. Overview of Jan Marini Skin Research Bioglycolic Face Cleanser

Overall Quality

Contains high concentrations of glycolic acid with non irritating inactive ingredients

Price

Moderate price range, but worth the splurge

Why I Love it

Works on a variety of skin types: normal, dry, oily, acne prone and sensitive

Why it works:

• Contains: glycolic acid (to promote exfoliation and skin regeneration) and Sorbitol (which acts as a natural moisturizer)
• Adequate concentrations of glycolic acid combined with non irritating inactive ingredients help soothe the skin while gently exfoliating. 

How to use it:

• Gentle massage a small amount (dime size) into damp skin both morning and night. 
• Start with once a day application for 7 days to make sure you tolerate the glyolic acid before using twice per day (morning and night)

This is my preferred brand if you don’t know where to start. If you have oily skin, mature skin or aged skin you may need a stronger concentration.

See other reviews

#2. Overview of iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

Why it works:

• ​Ingredients include: Willow bark extract(a natural and gentle exfoliator), sugar cane extract(natural and gentle form of glycolic acid to help reduce oil production)
• This combination acts to provide your skin with natural forms of both salicylic acid and glycolic acid which help exfoliate the skin, reduce oil production and deep clean your pores without inflammation or irritation. 
• This product also acts as both a toner and a make up remover which means you can save on other products and not have to risk reacting to these products (remember that a complete skin care line must include a toner). 

How to use it:

• This cleanser can be used in both the AM and the PM – I usually recommend starting with once a day usage (at night) and increasing to both morning and night if you need more of a boost. 
• Can be combined with moisturizers but make sure you use the moisturizer AFTER the cleansing complex and only AFTER your skin is completely dry. 
• I also recommend you combine this with active serum which naturally provides retinol and can seriously ramp up your skin care line. You can read more here. 

This product is the best product for those with SENSITIVE skin. If you fall into that category jump straight into this complex because it is very light weight and won’t cause irritation. 

See other reviews

#3. Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser

Overall Quality

Contains 5% glycolic acid with other anti inflammatory ingredients to nourish your skin

Price

Best price point of all high end glycolic cleansers

Why I Love it

Works best for those with very oily skin (adult onset acne, men, those with lots of black heads and those with acne prone skin)

Why it works:

• Contains: Glycolic acid at 4.9% (to promote exfoliation,  calendula, chamile and aloe vera (to help provide moisture and nourish the skin) and Vitamin A, C & E (to provide protection and act as anti oxidants to reduce inflammation)
• The combination of glycolic acid with anti inflammatory agents like natural vitamins helps to further reduce oil and cool down the skin. These combinations make this facial cleanser perfect for those who suffer from oily or acne prone skin. 

How to use it:

• Apply a small amount to your hand and massage into your face in circular motions. Repeat daily in both the AM & the PM. 
• Avoid use if you have sensitive skin (unless no other glycolic acid products are working for you). 
• For acneic skin should be combined with a toner, retinol and Vitamin C serum for best benefits. 

Use this product if you have acne prone skin or skin with lots of oil production.

See other reviews

#4. Overview of Nu Derm Exfoderm & Exfoderm Forte

Overall Quality

Contains a combination of ingredients designed to both moisturize and exfoliate – should be used after cleansing and toning. 

Price

Highest price but backed by one of the best brands in the industry

Why I Love it

This product is NOT a facial cleanser but more of a moisturizing exfoliator and really helps for those with wrinkles and heavy skin damage. 

Why it works:

• Contains alpha hydroxy acids (to promote skin regeneration and turnover), glycolic acid (to promote exfoliation), lactic acids (removes dead skin cells) and caprylic triglycerides (to gently moisturize). 
• The combination of lactic and glycolic acid makes this moisturizer act more like a cleanser than a true moisturizer, but this extra step may be very beneficial for older more mature skin. 

How to use it:

• Should be used in the AM (not the PM) and after cleansing, toning and the application of the Clear FX. 
• This product adds another layer of complexity to the Obagi system but may not be necessary for every person. 
• This product comes in two forms: Exfoderm Forte and Exfoderm -> the exfoderm forte is designed for people who have oily skin, whereas the exfoderm should be used for those with normal to dry skin types. 

Use exfoderm forte if you have oily or acneic skin at baseline. 

See other reviews

Use this exfoderm if you have normal to dry skin at baseline. 

See other reviews

*Note: This is NOT a facial cleanser but acts more as a moisturizer that ALSO exfoliates. I recommend that you consider using this product if you have mature skin or if your primary goal is younger looking skin or anti-aging. 

#5. DDF Glycolic 5% Exfoliating Wash

Overall Quality

High concentration allows for deeper penetration into pores (part of the reason why it’s great for males)

Price

Moderate price point of high end glycolic cleansers but one of the strongest in terms of ability

Why I Love it

Best option for MEN and great for those who tend to need STRONGER products and who don’t have sensitive skin

Why it works:

• Contains: Glyolic acid at 5%, Aloe vera (help moisturize the skin and improve skin penetration of glycolic acid), Vitamin E, Zinc & Magnesium (help reduce local inflammation and really reduce oil production)
• The combination allows for deep pore cleansing which is why it is better suited for men. Glyolic acid helps exfoliate while zinc and magnesium help reduce oil production to prevent black heads and acne. Can still be used for women who suffer from adult onset acne or menstrual related acne. 

How to use it:

• Because of the strength this product should only be used once daily. Using this product two times per day may result in changes to skin pH and acid mantle. 

Men or women who suffer from hormonal or menstrual related acne should use this product FIRST. Avoid if you have sensitive skin. 

See other reviews

Other Tips to Consider when Buying a Glyolic Acid Face Wash

#1. Watch for the concentration. 

Remember that not all facial products are created equal.

In general, especially when it comes to facial products, you get what you pay for and you should NOT skimp on spending money on a facial cleanser.

Why?

Because chemicals placed on your skin do get absorbed transdermally and may low quality ingredients may cause issues or prematurely age you!

​Glycolic acid cleansers are no different. 

I recommend looking for a product with around 5% glycolic acid concentration (assuming you want to use daily).

Any higher concentration should be used for chemical peels only and should not be applied daily.

#2. Does the product contain other ingredients? 

Another point worth considering is the synergy of glycolic acid with other active ingredients.

Most skin care products (who know what they are doing) will combine anti inflammatory vitamins like C, E and A to the product to enhance the function of glycolic acid.

Adding other ingredients can help improve the quality and effectiveness of your cleanser.

Does that you mean you NEED to have other ingredients?

Not necessarily.

Especially if your other skin care products contain these ingredients.

Remember, too much of a good thing isn’t always good.

Try to match your skin care regimen so that you don’t overdo it with certain nutrients and vitamins. ​

#3. Do you have sensitive skin? 

​If you have sensitive skin make sure to start low and go slow!

​Glycolic acid is generally well tolerated but you should use caution if you have sensitive skin. 

If you fall into this category I recommend starting with a less frequent dosing schedule – something like every other day or 3-4x per week instead of each day.

It’s possible to have sensitive skin but also suffer from acne and therefore you may need the stronger glycolic acid products.

If you fall into this category just make sure to listen to your skin and don’t overdo it.

You will know that you’ve used too much if you start to develop redness or peeling. ​

#4. Are you more interested in looking younger or anti-aging? 

If you’re looking for younger skin then glycolic acid is perfect for you!

That being said I recommend that you use products that are focused on this outcome.

Why?

Because anti-aging nutrients and vitamins differ from the basic ingredients in skin care lines.

If you are serious about anti-aging then the Obagi products are probably your best bet.

You can learn more about using the Obagi Nu derm system ​to make your skin look younger here. 

#5. ​Do you suffer from acne or oil production? 

Acne, oil production and black heads – these are serious issues and glycolic acid can help.

Just realize that if you want to treat acne with a cleanser you will need a heavy duty cleanser with at least 5% glycolic acid.

Another trick is to find products targeted towards men (like the last product on my list).

Why?

Because these products are meant to be absorbed deep into your pores and contain ingredients like Zinc which reduce androgen influence on your skin cells.

​Back to you

Have you been using glycolic acid face wash products? 

Are they working for you?

Why or why not?

Leave your comment below so that we can find the BEST products out there! 

The Best Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin + 7 Tips for Beautiful Skin

Why The Obagi Blender is the Best Product in the Nu Derm System

The Obagi blender is probably the single best product in the entire Obagi 6 step nu derm system. 

The reason is because it can be combined or “blended” with another powerful skin care product known as retinol to effectively BOOST all of the positive effects of the blender. 

Learn why the blender is so helpful for your skin, and more importantly, how and where to get it! 

More…

What makes the Obagi Blender so special?

The Obagi blender is probably one of, if not the best product, in the entire Obagi nu derm system.

But why is that?

Don’t worry, we are going to talk about using this product by itself (and why you might want to) later on in the post.

But first let’s establish some of the basics:

If you don’t already know about Obagi products (where have you been?) then you need to know a few things.

Obagi is a skin care line that was created by dermatologists and is meant to be sold by health professionals like dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

This means that the Obagi skin care product line is filled with high quality ingredients AND that these products really work.

The Obagi blender is part of a 6 step series known as the Obagi Nu derm 6 step system.

I’ve written about this entire system and which of the 6 products you should incorporate into your daily regimen (and which ones you can skip) in this detailed post. ​

The Obagi blender is actually called Obagi Nu Derm Blend Fx, but has been nicknamed the “Obagi Blender”, so don’t let that little bit of information confuse you.

It’s also the 5th step in the 6 step series, but it can and should be used even if you don’t use that entire 6 step system!

​The reason that it’s nicknamed the blender is because it’s meant to be used and “blended” with another very helpful product called “retinol“. 

The combination of these two ingredients create amazing results for your skin that seriously help reverse the aging process and make your skin look 5-10 years younger.

But more on that later…​

Can you use Obagi blender alone?

While Obagi certainly wants you to buy their 6 step system, that doesn’t mean that you have to!

Luckily the Obagi blender can be purchased on its own which means you don’t have to buy all 6 products just to get the one you want. 

But the question remains: ​

Who should use the Obagi Blender?

• Those with premature signs of aging (wrinkles around the eyes and around the lips)
• Those in their 20’s and 30’s who want to PREVENT aging
• Those with severe sun damage A.K.A photo damage
• Those with sun spots or “age spots”
• Those who have discoloration in their skin tone from acne, rashes or dermatitis
• Those who want to clear their skin from acne AND improve the texture and quality of their skin
• Those with mature skin who want to look younger

​If you fall into any of these categories then using the Obagi blender would stand to be helpful for you. 

The main reason to use the blender is if you really want to kick your skin care regimen to the next level.

Why?

Because it contains special ingredients that aren’t found in common skin care products like Arbutin (which is a natural skin lightener). ​

The best part about the blender is that it can easily be added to your current regimen.

If you choose this route make sure you use it only at night and make sure it is the LAST product you put on your skin (after you cleanse, tone and moisturize). ​

Obagi Blender vs Obagi Clear Fx

If you know about the Nu derm system then you might be aware that in the SAME system is another product called Obagi Clear Fx.

This product is like a miniature Obagi blender but doesn’t quite work as well.

So the question becomes:

Should I use the Blender or Obagi clear?

​Well, here is what I recommend:

In most cases just using the Obagi blender is sufficient UNLESS you have mature skin and you have significant sun damage, photo damage, aged skin or sun spots.

Remember that the blender is stronger than the clear fx, which is why the blender should only be used in the evening.

Obagi clear has similar ingredients but they aren’t in the same concentration and this product can be used in the morning and the night.

If you are 50+ years old and want to get serious about your skin, then using the clear and the blender may be your best option.

If you just want to improve your skin regimen and you are in your 20’s, 30’s or 40’s then the blender by itself is probably sufficient.

Obagi clear does contain the natural lightener Arbutin, but it also contains basic anti-oxidants and vitamins designed to cool off the skin in a more natural and softer way.

You can learn more about Obagi clear fx below if you fall into these categories (if not you can skip down to the obagi blender section): ​

Overview of Nu Derm Clear Fx

Why it works:

• Contains Arbutin (natural skin lightening agent), Vitamin C (read more about the amazing benefits of Vitamin C here), Antioxidants (to fight free radicals and prevent skin damage long term) and Vitamin E (promoting proper skin barrier function)
• Arbutin prevents melanin production and therefore reduces pigment in the skin, Vitamin C helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation while vitamin E nourishes the skin. 
• Special consideration should be given to this formula especially if you have mature skin (those who are more prone to developing sun spots, aging spots and other hyperpigmentation issues)

How to use it:

• Should be used in the am and pm and should be used AFTER cleansing and toning -> using a toner will help increase absorption of Vitamin C + Vitamin E + the antioxidants in this formulation. 
• Can be used if you have dry skin, oily skin, acneic skin, mature skin or sensitive skin.
• *Note: Does contain sulfities so if you have a sulfite allergy you should NOT use this product. 

See other reviews

​Obagi Blender Ingredients

What makes the blender so effective?

Much of this has to do with the ingredients in the product itself.

You can find a list of both the active and inactive ingredients below. ​

Main & Active ingredients: ​

• Arbutin – This is a natural skin lightener that is as effective as hydroquinone as evening skin tone but doesn’t come with the negative side effects. Arbutin will naturally balance skin colors and skin tone, perfect for people with sun spots, acne or melasma by reducing melanin synthesis in melanocytes. 
• Lactic Acid – This alpha hydroxy acid helps to naturally boost the exfoliation process while reducing break outs, acne and also helps reduce the signs of aging. It reduces the aging process by stimulating collagen production in the dermis. 
• Vitamin C – This powerful anti oxidant helps reduce inflammation, stimulates collagen production in the dermis and reduces the signs of aging while nourishing the skin. 
• Vitamin E – This acts as the base for the product and naturally helps to moisturize the skin, reduce inflammation, keep moisture from escaping your skin and boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin C and other nutrients. 

ALL ingredients (including inactive ingredients): ​

• Water
• Glycerin
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Arbutin
• TEA-salicylate
• Tocopheryl acetate
• Lactic acid
• Phenyl trimethicore

• PPG-2 myristyl ether propionate
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Stearyl alcohol
• Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)
• Ascorbic acid
• Saponins
• BHT
• Disodium EDTA

The blender does NOT come with the Retinol and that is what it is designed to be used with (funny how that works). 

​You can get my recommended retinol product here. 

The benefits of using retinol WITH the blender include:

• Boosted effect to anti-aging process
• Boosted effect to skin lightening and balancing skin tone and color
• Boosted effect to reduce acne and sebum production (oil)
• Increased collagen and elastin production in the dermis

How to Get the Best Price for Obagi Blender

One of the problems with Obagi products in the past was that there were many counterfeit and fake products floating around on places like Ebay.

That isn’t the case anymore since amazon signed a contract to provide legitimate Obagi products.

The best way, and the cheapest way, to get Obagi products including the Obagi blender, is by purchasing it through amazon.

The only thing you have to make sure it includes is the ​”professional beauty” tag underneath the price. 

I only recommend high quality products, so if you ever see me recommend a product you can rest assured that it IS high quality and legitimate. ​

You can get the Obagi blender here. ​

Overview of Nu Derm Blend Fx

Why it works:

• Ingredients include: Arbutin (designed to naturally help brighten your skin), Lactic acid (to help exfoliate and improve skin texture and pore size), Vitamin C & Vitamin E (to help act as anti-oxidants and further improve skin texture)
• This combination helps to naturally brighten your skin while helping to exfoliate the epidermal layer of the skin and provide defense against oxidation and sun damage. 
• Intended to be “blended” and mixed together with Obagi retinol which will dramatically reduce the signs of aging and improve your skin (Obagi Retinol products do NOT come in the nu derm system and must be purchased separately). 

How to use it:

• The blender should be used in the PM only – this will enhance results and improve absorption (Retinol products should be used in the pm)
• Combine a small amount of blender with Obagi retinol and mix both creams in your hand before applying to your face and neck -> you can also apply the mixture to the back of your hands and upper chest area (anywhere with age spots). 
• *Note: Not everyone will need BOTH the clear fx and the blend fx as they both have Arbutin (skin brightening agent). You may benefit from using both of these if you have severe hyperpigmentation issues or difficult to treat melasma, age spots or sun damage. 

See other reviews

Your turn:

​The obagi blender is my favorite product in the Obagi nu derm system. 

It helps naturally balance and brighten your skin, and this effect is multiplied if used with a retinol containing product. 

Retinol products have been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and help reverse the aging process!

But now I want to hear from you…

Have you tried the obagi blender before?

If so, did it work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comment below and I will respond! ​

The Benefits of Liquid Collagen for your Hair, Skin & Nails

Liquid collagen is a supplements that contains special types of proteins that can dramatically improve your hair, skin and nails. 

It’s not unusual for people to be deficient in this proteins and this deficiency is what leads to the premature signs of aging and even hair loss in many people!

In this article you will learn how taking liquid collagen can help you with all of these things and how it can actually help with weight loss in the process.

Let’s jump in: ​

More…

What Liquid Collagen does for your hair, skin and nails

So what is collagen and why does it help your hair, skin and nails?

Collagen is a structural protein that is found in very specific tissues inside your body.

You can probably guess which ones, but let me fill you in:

Collagen is found in your hair follicles, in the dermis of your skin and throughout your nail beds.

In addition collagen is also very important for muscle growth and so is obviously found in your skeletal muscle tissues (which is how it helps with weight loss, but more on that later). 

But why does this matter?

It turns out that most people living in the United states eat foods that are largely collagen depleted. 

What that means for you is that there is a HIGH chance you are already deficient in collagen and other certain amino acids (after all, these are proteins). 

You can get collagen from your food, but unless you are eating ligaments, cartilage or lots of dark meat you probably aren’t consuming very much.

As a result of this deficiency many people walk around with symptoms of low collagen including:

• Damaged hair including hair loss or hair breakage
• Damaged nails or structurally weak nails (floppy nails that break or bend)
• Skin problems like acne
• Premature signs of aging including early wrinkles
• Gastrointestinal problems like gas and bloating
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Decreased muscle mass

If you show any of these signs then you should seriously consider a trial of liquid collagen. 

​Liquid Collagen and Wrinkles

Another amazing benefit of liquid collagen is that it has been clinically PROVEN to help fight the aging process.

If you’ve been reading my blog you know that there are very few supplements or products that can actually do this (Vitamin C serum being one of them).

So how does this work?

Collagen is a structural component of your skin and it resides predominately in the dermal layer.

As you age the amount of collagen and elastin in your dermis starts to reduce and this process leads to aging and wrinkles in your skin.

But, here’s the bigger deal:

Having low levels of collagen in your diet can ACCELERATE this process and lead to the premature signs of aging including early wrinkles (especially in women in their 30’s and 40’s).

Taking liquid collagen helps restore collagen levels in the dermis and can reverse some of the early signs of aging!

So if you are looking for a comprehensive anti-aging approach to your skin you can’t forget about liquid collagen in addition to Vitamin C serum and retinol. ​

Does Liquid collagen help with weight loss?

Another benefit of using liquid collagen is that it can actually impact your weight and waist line, but not how you think.

Most women are searching for a magical pill or supplement to help them lose weight, and unfortunately things are that easy.

While collagen isn’t a magical pill, that doesn’t mean it won’t help.

Clinical studies have proven that collagen does 2 important things:

1) Helps your body directly burn fat mass

2) Increases muscle tissues in your body

Collagen is really just a special form of amino acids which means that it is a special form of protein. 

Taking protein (as you probably know) helps build up your lean muscle mass.

The more lean muscle mass you have the more calories you burn at rest and that’s how it can help with weight loss.

While it isn’t the primary benefit, maybe losing a few pounds while taking this supplement is certainly not a bad thing! ​

I just tend to be more focused on the hair, skin and nail benefits. ​

The Best Liquid Collagen supplement

When it comes to using liquid collagen there aren’t many to choose from, so I’ve picked the best below.

It’s also important to realize that you can still get some of the benefits of collagen by using powder or encapsulated supplements as well.

So if you have any issue using the liquid supplements then don’t worry, I’ve also provided other recommendations below. ​

How to use Liquid Collagen

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

High quality supplement that also contains anti oxidants in addition to collagen

Price

Great price for the quality of the product, remember you want a high grade amino acid profile

Why I Love it

You should see results in hair growth and skin within 8 weeks of daily use

Who should use it: 

• ​Anyone who wants to improve the quality and texture of their skin (this is a great anti-aging skin care product)
• Those who want to improve the quality, texture and density of their hair
• Those who want to improve or increase the growth of their nails
• Those with sensitive skin or skin issues like acne
• People who want to prevent wrinkles or who are experiencing pre-mature aging (those with wrinkles around their eyes or the corners of their mouth)
• Those with gut problems like gas, bloating or acid reflux
• Those struggling to lose weight

How to use it: 

• Once a day add 1 tablespoon of Collagen+C liquid collagen to 6 ounces of water or fruit juice and drink
• If using for weight control you can double this amount and use in the morning and at night

Recommended product: 

Start with liquid collagen: 

See more reviews here

If you can’t tolerate liquid collagen then you can get similar benefits by using collagen peptides: 

See more reviews here

How much collagen do you need?

Believe it or not you don’t actually need that much liquid collagen.

I recommend that you consume around 4-5 grams of collagen (preferably type I and type III) each day. 

​If you are using liquid collagen for your hair, skin and nails then you only need to use 1 tablespoon each day for about 8 weeks to notice the benefits. 

If you are using collagen for weight loss then you should use about double that amount (2 tablespoons per day) and split the dosing up so that you can 1 tablespoon in the morning and 1 tablespoon in the evening.

This allows for a steady amount of collagen in your system throughout the entire day.

If you decide to use collagen peptides or collagen powder over the liquid powder, then you can simply substitute 1-2 scoops which is about 18 grams of collagen and protein (you get much more collagen if you use the hydrolyzed and powder forms).

Remember that you can also combine liquid collagen with collagen powder! ​

Are there any side effects from using liquid collagen?

Generally liquid collagen is VERY well tolerated.

That means that there are very few side effects.

Some people don’t like the taste of the liquid and if you fall into that category then you may want to consider collagen powder.

Collagen powder can be easily mixed with smoothies or drinks and is tasteless.

The only side effects you should notice from liquid collagen is an improvement in your skin, hair, nails and maybe even your weight.

Don’t forget other hair, skin & nail supplements

​If you are serious about improving the quality and texture of your skin and nails then I also recommend that you take more supplements than just collagen alone. 

Why?

Because adding collagen to other supplements adds a synergistic layer to your therapy.

If you want to improve your skin then make sure you also are putting something on the outside of your skin like Vitamin C serum.

If you are growing your hair then I recommend also using this supplement orally.

​Now it’s your turn:

Liquid collagen can seriously help improve your skin, help reverse the aging process and even improve your hair.

It’s one of those “hidden gems” in the supplement world and I hope you will love it as much as I do.

Now I want to hear from you: ​

​Have you ever used liquid collagen?

Did it work for you?​ Why or why not?

Leave your comment below! ​

How to use Retin A for Wrinkles & Why it Works

Retin A has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in many, many studies. 

But in order to get this benefit you must be using it correctly!

That means you need the right type of Retin A at the right dose and concentration. 

Learn how to use Retin A for wrinkles in this guide: 

More…

Using Retin A to Reduce Wrinkles on your Face

One thing we need to get across right away is that Retin A does indeed work to reduce wrinkles.

In fact it is probably the most well studied and most researched compound and has been proven time and time again to do this in clinical studies.

But what is Retin A and how does it work?

It turns out that Retin A is really just Vitamin A (as the name suggests) in a very specific form that allows your skin to absorb and utilize this nutrient.

​One thing you need to realize is that in order for Retin A to reduce your fine lines and wrinkles you need to be using the right type of Retin A in the right dosage and for the right length of time. 

What’s even more interesting is that until recently Retin A was only available through a prescription from your Doctor.

Previously if you wanted to get the benefit of Retin A that meant going to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon and asking for Retin A and hoping that your doctor knew how to use it.

Nowadays you can get high quality Retin A over the counter which allows for the same same (in most cases better results) and removes most of the impurities and inactive ingredients found in pharmaceutical tretinoin preparations.

​We will talk about how to use Retin A, where to get it and what strength you need, but first we need to show that it does indeed work! 

​Retin A before and After photos

Below you will find before and after pictures of people who used Retinol products.

Retinol is ​a variation of Retin A and therefore a variation of Vitamin A. 

The best part about Retinol is that you can get the same results using retinol as you can with Retin A but the difference is you don’t get the redness or dry skin that usually accompanies Retin A.

So in essence you get all of the benefits without the negative side effects.

​The first picture is a before and after picture showing how Retinol and Retin a. 

You can see the difference over 24 weeks and includes:

• Reduction in scarring and uneven texture (Retin A and retinol have been proven to do this)
• Reduction in uneven pigmentation
• Smoother surface and texture to the skin
• Reduced wrinkles surrounding the eyes and peri-orbital area
• Reduction in poor size and sebum production (noticeable on the nose area)

You can see another before and after on more aged skin and this really outlines the improvement that can be seen around the eyes (crows feet). 

You can see at least a 60-70% reduction in wrinkles around the eye area, again over a period of 24 weeks. ​

Both of these before and after pictures were done using Obagi retinol serum which is available over the counter and at a pharmaceutical concentration to provide amazing results (more info below). 

How to use Retin A properly & What strength to start out on

One of the challenges ​of using Retin A and retinol is that Vitamin A is no joke for your skin. 

What this means is that a strong concentration can leave your skin dry and flaky, and a weak concentration will not have the desired effect that you are looking for.

This means that you need to understand how to properly titrate your retin a to match your skin.

Because this is a big problem I always recommend using Retinol over prescription Retin A.

This allows you to control your concentration better and allows you simply change your strength much easier than using a true prescription.

For instance:

If you find that your ​prescription tretinoin or retin a is too strong then you will have to reschedule another appiontment to reduce the concentration – which will cost you more time and money.

 A better approach is to use retinol which you can start out low and titrate up as you know your body tolerates it. 

I recommend the following guidelines for using Retin A and Retinol…​

Who should start out using Retinol 0.5% strength:

• Those with very sensitive skin
• Those who have never used Retin A or Retinol products in the past
• Those who have tried Retin A or tretinoin and have reacted with redness or flaky skin or a rash

Who should start out using Retinol 1.0% strength:

• Those people who don’t suffer from sensitive skin (you have tried facial products in the past and you don’t have issues with redness or rashes)
• Those people who have tried retinol in the past but want even better results
• Those people who have extremely photodamaged skin
• Those who are older than 40 years old and want to prevent further wrinkles or sun damage

​Instructions for using Retin A:

• When in doubt always start at a low concentration and try to find products that contain Retinol in it over Retin A or other Vitamin A derivatives
• Retin A should always be applied in the evening
• If you use Retin A make sure you avoid direct sun light as Vitamin A increases your skin turn over and makes your skin more sensitive to the sun
• Apply only a small amount to provide a light “cover” to your skin (don’t put a thick layer on, a little goes a long way)
• If you are sensitive to the lowest concentration then try applying it every other day or every third day – this will help reduce any sensitivity
• Over time you will gain a tolerance and may need to increase the concentration of your Retin A or Retinol
• Be patient! It may take up to 6-8 weeks of daily use for you to see a big difference, but if it helps you can take before and after pictures to really see the difference (sometimes it’s hard to notice small changes when you look at your face every day)
• Find a high quality product that does not contain poor inactive ingredients – this will prevent you from reacting negatively to the serum/cream

The Best Retin A serums and products​

​Once you’ve determined you’re ready to start using Retin A the next step is to find a high quality product to get you the results you are looking for. 

My recommendation is to start with high quality over the counter products like Obagi (more info on why below).

Obagi is a brand that was designed for plastic surgeons and dermatologists and so it contains pharmaceutical grade ingredients and concentrations.

Not only this, but it’s also been studied and used effectively by many practices around the US.

In addition Obagi has also gone through several of their own internal studies which show impressive results.

After 4 weeks of use people noticed the following: ​

• 84% said their skin looked and felt smoother
• 78% said their face felt rejuvinated
• 81% said their face appeared firmer
• 78% said their skin improved in terms of clarity (it looked more clear)
• 81% said they were satisfied with the overall results of the product

These results are actually VERY impressive when you consider that every person reading this has a different skin type and complexion. 

That means that in a perfect world your retin a product or retinol product would be specifically designed to YOUR skin.

Obviously we can’t do that, but with a success rate of about 8 in 10 the odds are in your favor with this product – and this is why it’s one of my favorites. ​

If you don’t know where to start, or want to start with a high quality product I recommend starting with the Obagi Retinol products below: ​

Obagi Retinol 0.5 & 1.0 Review

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

Very high quality product that comes in different concentrations (0.5% and 1.0%)

Price

Higher price but comparable when compared to prescription tretinoin & retin a

Why I Love it

Works very well with about a 80%-90% success rate among all people

Who should use it: 

Ingredients: 

• ​Anyone looking to have younger looking skin (this is one of the best anti-aging skin care products)
• People with mild to moderate acne
• People looking to improve their skin texture
• People (especially women) with early signs of wrinkles around the eyes or around the corners of the mouth
• People with oily skin looking to reduce sebum production
• People also undergoing laser therapies, microdermabrasion, microneedling or microdermabrasion

• Retinol 0.5% or 1.0% (depending on which concentration and strength you choose)
• Green tea extract (camellia sinensis)
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

How to use it: 

Why it works

• Once a day apply a pearl sized amount to your fingers then spread evening throughout your entire face and neck (avoid your eyes)
• Make sure to apply product in the evening
• If you experience dryness, redness or flaking then use every other day until your skin acclimates

• Retinol increases cell turnover and directly stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis which results in a reduction in wrinkles. In addition this product contains 20% Vitamin C which further promotes collagen production and stimulates growth in the skin to even skin tones. 

Recommended product: 

Obagi 0.5% (start here if you’ve never used Retinol products before)

See more reviews here

Obagi 1.0% (start here if you have used retinol products in the past and/or you don’t have sensitive skin)

See more reviews here

​Retin A Prescription vs OTC products

One question I get a lot is something like this:

Should I use prescription Retin A from my Doctor or should I use an over the counter Retinol product?

The answer is not as simple as it might seem and my general recommendation is to prefer over the counter products over prescription products and here’s why:

When you get a prescription for Tretinoin (AKA Retin A) you are getting a high quality concentration of Vitamin A, the only problem is that this product is formulated by pharmacies and not companies that focus on skin care. 

What this means to you is that your product contains lots of inactive ingredients and fillers (alcohol derivatives, etc.) to try and increase the absorption of the Vitamin A. 

Unfortunately these inactive fillers often lead to skin reactions, rashes and other undesirable effects. 

When you purchase an over the counter retinol product you are getting the high quality Vitamin A derivative but you are also getting a high quality serum or cream that contains MINIMAL inactive ingredients. 

These companies also formulate their retinol with other precious and valuable skin care ingredients like Vitamin C and green tea which act as anti inflammatory agents and boost the effectiveness of the existing Retinol. 

This means over the counter retinol products cause less side effects like rashes, bumps or flaky skin. ​

This makes over the counter products a better fit for most people. ​

My recommendation is to start with the product mentioned above (at a small dose) and work yourself up in your dosage until you get your desired results – this will only take about 4-8 weeks. ​

​Can you use Retin A around your eyes and around your mouth?

The beautiful part about Retin a is that it can be used pretty much anywhere on your skin.

I personally know people who use it on their chest and on the back of their hands (these are both areas that usually suffer from heavy sun damage).

That means you can also use it around your mouth and around your eyes!

It’s important to realize though that the skin around your eyes is very sensitive and VERY thin.

Some people need to use a higher concentration of Retin A everywhere else, but they may need to use a lower concentration right around their eyes.

It should also go without saying, but please don’t put the Retin A IN your eyes!

You can also use Retin A around your mouth and that shouldn’t cause any issues.

If you notice any dry skin just make sure to apply it every other day instead of daily and you will still get great results. ​

​Will Retin A work for Forehead wrinkles?

Retin A will definitely help with your forehead wrinkles, but you need to understand what that means.

Most people (who use a high quality Retin A product for a long enough time) will experience about a 50-70% reduction in wrinkles.

This means that you will still have SOME wrinkles but the majority will be reduced.

You can combine your retinol with other products like Vitamin C serum or microneedling to enhance your results and reduce wrinkles even further! ​

How long do I have to use Retin A before I see results? 

Most people start to see results in as little as 4 weeks, but it may take as much as 8 weeks for all of the results to set in. 

This is because it takes time for your skin to turn over and to stimulate both collagen and elastin production. 

The important part is to STICK WITH IT while you wait!

Trust the process and trust your product and you will see your results. 

Over to you!

The bottom line is that Retin A can definitely help reduce your wrinkles, but it must be used correctly and at a high enough dose. 

When looking for products make sure you find a high quality product that contains other ingredients like Vitamin A (these help boost retinol effects). 

My recommendation is to stick with the over the counter brands whenever possible.

Are you using Tretinion, Retin A or Retinol? 

Is it help​ with your wrinkles? 

Leave your comment below!​

Obagi Nu Derm Reviews – Should you use this 6 Step System?

Is the Obagi nu derm system really as good as everybody says?

If you didn’t already know, the Obagi nu derm system is a high quality medical grade skin care system designed to completely transform your skin – but does it live up to the height?

In this Obagu nu derm review I will walk you through each step to help determine IF you should use this system and how to tailor it specifically to your skin.

Let’s jump in: ​

More…

The Obagi 6 Step Nu Derm System – How & Why it Works

​Does the Obagi nu derm system actually work?

The answer is a resounding YES.

Why?

Well for many reasons, but one of the more important reasons is because it is a medical grade skin care system.

That means it was designed by medical professions (Dermatologists) and it also means that it contains prescription strength and pharmaceutical quality ingredients.

​This means you can’t get Obagi products at a convenience store or just anywhere. 

In order to get these products it needs to be supplied from someone who has a medical license like a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic dermatologist.

What you need to realize is that over the counter products (even if they contain the same type of ingredients) can’t contain the same amount or percentage that Obagi products do.

Take for instance Retinol.

Over the counter retinol (or retin-a) products, by law, can only contain a certain amount of retinol – which makes the product less effective.

Compare this to Obagi products which can contain pharmaceutical concentrations of the same ingredient.

What does this mean?

It means that your skin care products are high quality and WILL work better. ​

​The Obagi nu derm system was designed as a 6 step system to combat the aging process and to seriously revamp and renew your existing skin. 

It contains a​ combination of products meant to be layered on one another for maximum benefit. 

But just because it is a 6 step system doesn’t mean you necessarily need to use the ENTIRE system to get optimal results. 

It also doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match the best Obagi products with other high quality skin care products!

Let’s talk about each of the Obagi nu derm steps to help you determine which ones would be most beneficial for YOUR skin. 

​But first, some pros and cons about the Obagi nu derm 6 step system (what I like and don’t like about it): 

PROS

• Contains very high quality ingredients at pharmaceutical strengths
• Can be purchased as individual products to mix and match products for your skin
• 2 separate systems designed to treat dry skin and oily skin
• Has been tested on thousands of patients and has been shown to work
• Has clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of the ingredients

CONS

• Not everyone needs ALL 6 steps
• Must be purchased from a medical professional which can increase price
• Does not come with a Vitamin C serum or a Retinol containing product (which are essential to a complete skin care set)

The Obagi nu derm system isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely one of the better skin care lines available – and with the right knowledge you can create your own personal product line that will give you amazing results. 

Let’s go over the entire system product by product so you understand what each one does and how it works…​

​Step #1: Nu Derm Foaming Gel

The 6 step system starts with this foaming gel. 

The whole goal of the foaming gel is to act as a gentle cleanser for the skin.

A cleanser is a necessity for any skin care regimen because it is required to help exfoliate the skin and prepare the skin for the next steps. 

Exfoliation is necessary because as we age (especially women) the natural aging process of the skin makes it so that your skin cells do not slough off as easily as before.

This leads to “stacking” of dead skin cells in the stratus corneum (the superficial part of the epidermis) which makes your skin look dull.

Exfoliation helps bring brightness to the skin as you remove dead skin cells and also remove the barrier of skin cells to help your skin naturally absorb the next steps.

Remember that women over age 30 start to experience a reduction in their ability to exfoliate! ​

Overview of Nu Derm Foaming Gel

Why it works:

• Contains aloe vera, amino acids, apricot kernel oil and panthenol (Vitamin B3) to help nourish the skin
• Panthenol has been shown to increase skin integrity and reduce water loss throughout the day
• Helps slough off dead skin cells to naturally exfoliate the higher epidermal layers
• Improves absorption of the next steps by preparing the skin and opening pores
• Can also be used to safely remove makeup
• Can be used on sensitive skin

How to use it:

• Use in the morning and night -> apply a small amount of the gel to your face
• The foaming gel should be used for people who tend to have oily skin or who are more prone to developing acne (acneic skin). 
• The gentle cleanser should be used for people with dry to normal skin or for those with very sensitive skin (those who react to skin care products). 
• Both products are used for the same purpose: to cleanse the skin – but you should use the product designed for your complexion and oil product using the guide below. 

Use the foaming gel if you have oily skin or skin prone to developing acne. 

See other reviews

Use the gentle cleanser if you have normal to dry skin. 

See other reviews

Step #2: Nu Derm Toner

The second step in this 6 step system is the Toner. 

Regardless of your skin type (dry or oily skin) ​you should be using SOME sort of product acting as a toner. 

What does the toner do for you?

It helps to restore normal pH levels to your skin and prepares your skin for the next step in the 6 step regimen.

It does this by opening your pores and restoring the acid mantle to your skin.

This mantle acts as a permeable barrier so that only certain nutrients can get in and so that moisture cannot escape. ​

It also helps remove dead skin cells so it acts as an exfoliator (though less than other steps). ​

Your toner should always be used after your cleanser!

Overview of Nu Derm Toner

Why it works:

• Contains Witch hazel (astrigent), sage leaf extract, flower extracts, panthenol (Vitamin B3), aloe vera and hyaluronic acid
• These ingredients help promote moisture (one of the downsides to harsh toners is that they promote dryness and can create flaking) while still restoring normal pH balance to the epidermal layers of the skin
• Witch hazel acts as an anti-inflammatory agent which protects against cellular damage
• Ingredients help to open your pores up and increase absorption of nutrients in the other products to follow

How to use it:

• Your toner should ALWAYS be used after your cleanse (to restore pH balance)
• If you choose to use the cleanser twice per day then you should use the toner twice per day (immediately after cleansing)
• Sensitive patients should only cleanse and tone once per day (usually in the evening)
• Toner should be used regardless of skin type (oily skin, normal skin, combination skin, hyperpigmented skin and mature skin)

See other reviews

Step #3: Nu Derm Clear Fx

​The third step in this 6 step system is the Nu Derm clear Fx. 

The nu derm clear fx has some very special benefits that are worth mentioning here. 

First it contains a special ingredient (arbutin) which acts as a skin lightening agent. 

This is really important because it can help reduce the appearance of freckles, skin changes from sun damage (sun spots), age spots and skin hyperpigmentation syndromes like melasma. 

It helps to naturally restore an even skin tone to your entire face and neck area, which makes your skin look blended, younger and smooth. 

​Another important aspect worth mentioning is that this formula can be used on the chest (for sun spots) or even on the back of your hands (for age spots). 

Arbutin is a more gentle version to the more harsh hydroquinone (which is a prescription strength skin bleaching agent). 

Arbutin helps to naturally reduce pigmentation in the melanin in the basal layers of your skin. 

 ​The obagi nu derm contains 7% arbutin. 

But note, if you have serious skin hyperpigmentation issues then you may need to use hydroquinone for best results (though this is usually not necessary). ​

Overview of Nu Derm Clear Fx

Why it works:

• Contains Arbutin (natural skin lightening agent), Vitamin C (read more about the amazing benefits of Vitamin C here), Antioxidants (to fight free radicals and prevent skin damage long term) and Vitamin E (promoting proper skin barrier function)
• Arbutin prevents melanin production and therefore reduces pigment in the skin, Vitamin C helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation while vitamin E nourishes the skin. 
• Special consideration should be given to this formula especially if you have mature skin (those who are more prone to developing sun spots, aging spots and other hyperpigmentation issues)

How to use it:

• Should be used in the am and pm and should be used AFTER cleansing and toning -> using a toner will help increase absorption of Vitamin C + Vitamin E + the antioxidants in this formulation. 
• Can be used if you have dry skin, oily skin, acneic skin, mature skin or sensitive skin
• *Note: Does contain sulfities so if you have a sulfite allergy you should NOT use this product. 

See other reviews

Step #4: Nu Derm Exfoderm Forte

The exfoderm system is a combination of a moisturizing lotion which simultaneously acts as an exfoliator. 

​There are actually 2 different products, so don’t let that confuse you. 

The exfoderm forte is desginged specifically for those with oily skin – which means that this moisturizer is much lighter.

The exfoderm is designed for those with dry to normal skin – you should use this product basically if you have any skin type that is NOT oily.

This particular product is designed to help shed excess dead skin cells and promote regeneration of newer skin cells in the basal membrane of the epidermis.

The natural exfoliating process promotes brighter and healthier skin.

This is obviously important because as you age your ability to exfoliate diminishes greatly – which means you have more dead skin cells that just don’t want to be exfoliated.

But because there are already other steps designed to exfoliate your skin cells in the system, this particular step may be not necessary unless you have mature skin (meaning you have early signs of aging or your are post menopausal). 

Overview of Nu Derm Exfoderm & Exfoderm Forte

Why it works:

• Contains alpha hydroxy acids (to promote skin regeneration and turnover), glycolic acid (to promote exfoliation), lactic acids (removes dead skin cells) and caprylic triglycerides (to gently moisturize). 
• The combination of lactic and glycolic acid makes this moisturizer act more like a cleanser than a true moisturizer, but this extra step may be very beneficial for older more mature skin. 

How to use it:

• Should be used in the AM (not the PM) and after cleansing, toning and the application of the Clear FX. 
• This product adds another layer of complexity to the Obagi system but may not be necessary for every person. 
• This product comes in two forms: Exfoderm Forte and Exfoderm -> the exfoderm forte is designed for people who have oily skin, whereas the exfoderm should be used for those with normal to dry skin types. 

Use exfoderm forte if you have oily or acneic skin at baseline. 

See other reviews

Use this exfoderm if you have normal to dry skin at baseline. 

See other reviews

Step #5: Nu Derm Blend Fx

Step 5 of the Obagi nu derm system is the Nu Derm Blend Fx and it might be one of my more favorite products in this line up. 

Why?

Because it’s a skin lightening agent but it’s designed to be blended ​together with Obagi retinol products for a huge boost to skin quality and texture. 

The only downside to this system is that it does NOT come with the retinol product (which means you need to purchase it separately).

The blender is literally meant to be blended with the retinol product.

That means you take a small amount of the Blend fx in your hand, and mix it with another small amount of the Obagi retinol product and rub them together.

You then place THAT mixture on your face in the evening. ​

​The two vitamins and nutrients (Arbutin plus retinol) have synergistic properties that helps smooth out your skin, even skin tones, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and help naturally brighten your skin. 

I have gone over an in depth review of Obagi retinol products that you can read more about here (remember this is intended to be used WITH the blend fx). ​

As you may have noticed both the Obagi clear fx and the obagi blend fx have similar ingredients.

This means not EVERYONE will need BOTH of these products (in fact I will go over who should use both and who shouldn’t below): ​

Overview of Nu Derm Blend Fx

Why it works:

• Ingredients include: Arbutin (designed to naturally help brighten your skin), Lactic acid (to help exfoliate and improve skin texture and pore size), Vitamin C & Vitamin E (to help act as anti-oxidants and further improve skin texture)
• This combination helps to naturally brighten your skin while helping to exfoliate the epidermal layer of the skin and provide defense against oxidation and sun damage. 
• Intended to be “blended” and mixed together with Obagi retinol which will dramatically reduce the signs of aging and improve your skin (Obagi Retinol products do NOT come in the nu derm system and must be purchased separately). 

How to use it:

• The blender should be used in the PM only – this will enhance results and improve absorption (Retinol products should be used in the pm)
• Combine a small amount of blender with Obagi retinol and mix both creams in your hand before applying to your face and neck -> you can also apply the mixture to the back of your hands and upper chest area (anywhere with age spots). 
• *Note: Not everyone will need BOTH the clear fx and the blend fx as they both have Arbutin (skin brightening agent). You may benefit from using both of these if you have severe hyperpigmentation issues or difficult to treat melasma, age spots or sun damage. 

See other reviews

Step #6​: Nu Derm Hydrate

The final step in the 6 step process is the moisturizing step. 

Unlike the previous moisturizer (which acts more as an exfolitator) this moisturizuer does exactly what it is supposed to do: help maintain normal skin barrier and hydrate the skin. ​

​One of the main benefits to using Obagi hydrate is that it contains a special ingredient known as hydromanil. 

Hydromanil has been clinically shown to maintain hydration in the skin by creating a barrier which prevents moisture from escaping.

What’s more impressive is that this hydration lasts for up to 8 hours (which is a long time as far as moisturizers go). ​

Hydromanil also helps to create a “plumpness” to the skin which is why the Obagi line is so effective for anti-aging. ​

Overview of Nu Derm Hydrate

Why it works:

• Contains ingredients including: Hydromanil (designed to reduce water loss through the skin), Shea, Avocado and Mango butter (designed to both cleanse and moisturize the skin). 

How to use it:

• Designed to be used in the AM and the PM -> should be the last “layer” of your system
• Can be used for oily skin, dry skin, combination skin and acneic skin. 
• If you have oily skin then only use once per day (or reduce the total amount you use). 

See other reviews

Do you need the complete set for optimal results?

Now that we’ve gone over each step of this 6 step system the next question we need to answer is this:

Do you actually need to you ALL of the 6 steps?

In my opinion you don’t necessarily have to unless your PRIMARY goal is to reduce the aging process and make your skin look 5-10 years younger OR if you suffer from hyperpigmentation syndromes. 

If this is your mail goal then YES, you should use this entire system.

Why?

Because it was designed with this purpose in mind.

But what if you are in your 20’s or 30’s and you just want better looking skin?

What then?

For those women who are younger and aren’t AS concerned about the aging process then you can mix and match products to make the perfect set for you.

I recommend (and personally use) a system that looks something like this:

• Step #1: Obagi gentle cleanser (you can use the foaming gel if you have oily skin) 
• Step #2: Obagi Toner (everyone needs both a cleanser AND a toner)
• Step #3: Combination of Blender + Obagi Retinol containing product
• Step #4: Vitamin C Serum (iS clinical or obagi)
• Step #5: Obagi Moisturizer (depending on how much oil your skin produces)

This combination helps you cut out several steps in the system that are designed to further enhance and lighten the skin. 

Who should use the Obagi Nu Derm system

If you aren’t sure if you should use this system (either the entire system or piece together your own regimen) then use these guidelines to help. 

If you suffer from ANY of the following issues then a trial of the Obagi nu derm system would be a good idea: ​

• You have tried other facial products (usually cheaper products) that didn’t work or help your skin in any noticeable way. 
• You suffer from mild to moderate acne and traditional over the counter facial products aren’t working. 
• You’ve noticed the beginning stages of aging (wrinkles around the eyes or around your lips) and you want to get a HEAD start at reversing those signs. 
• You have MATURE skin and you are serious about taking care of your skin from here on out. 
• You are in your 40’s to 50’s and you want to look 5-10 years younger (I can’t think of any better product system than this one for anti aging purposes).
• You suffer from uneven skin tones or hyperpigmentation syndromes like melasma. 

​Obagi Nu Derm Before & After Pictures

Does the Obagi nu derm system actually work?

The answer is definitely, as you can see from the images below. ​

It’s worth pointing out that these before and after pictures were taken with the Nu derm system but in combination with Obagi retinol. 

Remember that the nu derm system doesn’t include the Retinol products as baseline, which means that you will have to add this to your regimen.

I have to say that the addition of this product is essential if you are serious about your results.

If you don’t want to purchase the entire system then you can go back up to the previous section and see my abbreviated version. ​

How to get Obagi Skin care products online safely

​One of the big issues with getting Obagi products is that there are (used to be) a lot of fake and counterfeit products on the internet. 

The cheaper prices lead people to purchase low quality knock offs that didn’t contain the REAL obagi ingredients.

This lead obviously to a lot of distrust from online purchasing which left people to get their products from medical professionals if they wanted to get the real deal.

All you need to do is make sure you see either “Professional Beauty” or “Luxury Beauty” underneath the price tag to know you are getting the real deal.

​Of course, all of the products listed in this guide ARE high quality AND the heal deal. 

Obagi Nu derm vs Obagi 360

​Obagi also has a starter pack known as the Obagi 360 system. 

This system is like a watered down Obagi nu derm system which contains only 3 products:

• Exfoliating cleanser
• High quality retinol product
• And Hydrating moisturizer

​The Obagi 360 system does NOT include the blender (to brighten the skin), Vitamin C serum or a Toner (which I consider to be an integral part of any complete skin care system). 

​Having said that the Obagi 360 system may be beneficial for certain people. 

Who should try the Obagi 360 system over the Obagi nu derm system?

If you have NEVER used Obagi products before and are a little bit nervous about spending a lot of money on high quality products then purchasing this mini system may be the best FIRST step for you.

That way you can dip your toes in the water to try out their products before purchasing the bigger more comprehensive package.

I have to say that your results will be limited if you use the Obagi 360 system but you should definitely still see some improvement.

​After you’ve tried the 360 system you can then move to the Nu derm system (based on your needs). 

Back to you

​The bottom line?

The Obagi nu derm system is a 6 step comprehensive system that is designed to completely change and revamp your skin.

Each step is designed with a specific purpose ranging from exfoliating dead epidermal skin cells, maintaining the acid mantle, whitening and brightening your skin to reducing the aging process by 5-10 years.

Having said that the complete Obagi nu derm system isn’t necessarily for every person.

People who do the best on the entire system include those who are serious about anti-aging therapies and those with hyperpigmentation syndromes.

If you don’t fall into those categories then you can mix and match the Obagi system to compliment your skin perfectly!

Now it’s your turn:

Have you used the Obagi nu derm system before?

Did it work for you?

Why or why not?

Leave your comments below!​

Obagi Retinol Review – How & Why you should use it

Retinol is an amazing skin product that has been proven in studies to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 

Everybody knows that which is why retinol products are becoming more and more common.

But what you might not realize is that in order to get the benefits of retinol you must be using a high enough concentration in a high quality product!

That’s where Obagi retinol steps in.

In this Obagi retinol review I will walk you through why you should seriously consider adding this product (or another retinol containing product) to your daily regimen…

Benefits of using Retinol

In terms of creams and lotions that actually work, retinol competes with Vitamin c for the best facial product of all time.

Why?

Because unlike other facial products, retinol has been battled tested through clinical research studies over many years.

It’s one of, if not the most, well studied product and it has been clinically proven in several studies to reduce the signs of aging.

It turns out that in order to get the benefits of using Retinol the product must be formulated correctly. 

For instance: 

It has been shown that retinoic acid causes considerably more side effects than retinol. 

Even though these are both Vitamin A products, their absorption and side effects differ greatly. 

That’s one of the reasons why Obagi is ahead of the curve… 

Their formulations are trusted by Dermatologists and Plastic surgeons because their products are well researched and have been shown to work. 

​So how does Retinol work on the skin?

It works through several mechanisms, but one of the most powerful is felt to be how it increases skin turnover time.

You see:

Your skin is constantly producing more skin in the epidermal layer. This is one of the reasons why exofliating your skin is so important. 

New skin grows underneath old skin which pushes the dead skin to the surface.

This dead skin ​can sometimes stay on longer than normal and creates several negative side effects like increasing your risk for developing clogged pores and making your skin look dull or uneven. 

This process is constantly happening and your skin turns over every 50-60 days or so.

Retinol speeds up this process and reduces it to around 21-28 days if used at high enough dosages!

That means it makes your epidermal layer thinner which increases the absorption of other facial products and improves your skin texture (making you look younger). ​

​But beyond its effects on aging it also helps benefit your skin in several other ways. 

• Increases collagen production in the papillary dermis
• Reduces photodamage(helping to make you look younger than your current age)
• Increases epidermal skin turnover time
• Helps treat acne
• Reduces sebum production(makes your skin less oily) 
• Prevents sun damage by blocking UV induced activation of nuclear transcription factors
• Increases blood flow(angiogenesis)to the papillary dermis(making your skin look more “plump”)
• Reduces inflammation and inflammatory conditions like acne and rosacea

Most women (including me) use retinol because they want their skin to look younger and that’s perfectly fine. 

• Bottom line: Retinol helps benefit the skin by reducing the aging process, protecting against photodamage/sun damage and by increasing blood flow to the deeper layers of the skin. Retinol should be part of your skin care regimen if you are serious about looking younger. 

Prescription Tretinion vs OTC Obagi Retinol​

What’s the difference between tretinoin and retinol?

You probably know that you can get a prescription for tretinoin in various dosages from your Doctor (usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist), but how is this different from retinol?

It turns out that due to various laws only certain concentrations of retinol are allowed in over the counter products.

What this means is that prescription medications contain higher quantities of retin-a or tretinoin (retinol).

This is important because all of the studies I’ve listed above were conducted using this HIGH concentration of retinol.

What does this mean for you?

It means that over the counter products can claim to have “retinol” in them, but they don’t have to list the concentration in their formulation!

As a result many cheaper products put just a tiny amount of retinol in a product and slap on an anti-aging label and sell it as a product that’s supposed to be as good as Obagi or iS clinical products. 

This couldn’t be farther from the truth and is why you have to make sure you purchase from a high quality brand. 

One of the benefits of using Obagi products is that they are formulated at the concentrations required for optimal results. 

For instance the concentration of the Obagi 1.0 is 0.1% (which is a prescription strength dose). 

The Obagi retinol 0.5 is 0.05% concentration (again another prescription dose). 

Obagi can do this because it requires a medical license to purchase their products which means you get pharmaceutical strength dosages if you use obagi products, including Obagi retinol. 

This also means that the Obagi retinol may have some side effects that you need to watch out for because it’s quite potent (more on that below). ​

Another advantage of getting Obagi retinol over prescription tretinoin is that they put less inactive ingredients ​in their formulation which makes the product BETTER for your skin. 

So just because you can get tretinoin at the same concentration from a pharmacy doesn’t necessarily mean you will want to.

Consider these factors before getting prescription tretinoin from your pharmacy: ​

PROS

• Works well and contains high quality active ingredient (tretinion)
• Confidence in knowing you are getting the right concentration from the pharmacy
• Can be compounded with other medications like hydroquinone to help with hyperpigmentation or melasma

CONS

• No control over fillers or inactive ingredients
• Requires Doctor visit and prescription which increases cost
• May be too strong for some people
• Inability to change dosing easily

How to use Obagi Retinol Correctly

So we know that Retinol definitely works, but what about Obagi retinol products?

Luckily Obagi products have been tested in satisfaction trials and the results are impressive.

In a 3 week trial people using the Retinol 1.0% Obagi product people noticed the following: ​

• Very little issues with erythema (which means redness) or dryness of the skin versus the baseline (where they started from)
• No flaking of the skin at any point during the study

This basically means that Obagi products are well tolerated – and this is important because as we mentioned previously retinol products can be powerful and one of the concerns is redness, flaking or dryness that can occur at higher doses. 

In addition to these benefits people using Obagi retinol for 3 weeks also noticed: ​

• 90% saw an improvement in facial appearance
• 88% said that their skin was more resilient
• 88% would purchase the product again
• 88% would recommend the product to a friend

​Obviously these results are not perfect, but when it comes to your skin there is no perfect product that works for EVERYONE out there. ]

But Obagi retinol has about a 9 in 10 chance of working for you (which is pretty darn good all things considered). ​

In order to get these kind of benefits the product must be used correctly, however, which is what I will outline below: 

Obagi Retinol 0.5 & 1.0 Review

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

Very high quality product that comes in different concentrations

Price

Higher price but comparable when compared to prescription tretinoin

Why I Love it

Works very well with about a 90% success rate among all people

Who should use it: 

Ingredients: 

• ​Anyone looking to have younger looking skin (this is one of the best anti-aging skin care products)
• People with mild to moderate acne
• People looking to improve their skin texture
• People (especially women) with early signs of wrinkles around the eyes or around the corners of the mouth
• People with oily skin looking to reduce sebum production
• People also undergoing laser therapies, microdermabrasion, microneedling or microdermabrasion

• Retinol 0.5% or 1.0% (depending on which concentration and strength you choose)
• Green tea extract (camellia sinensis)
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

How to use it: 

• Once a day apply a pearl sized amount to your fingers then spread evening throughout your entire face and neck (avoid your eyes)
• Make sure to apply product in the evening
• If you experience dryness, redness or flaking then use every other day until your skin acclimates

Recommended product: 

Obagi 0.5% (start here if you’ve never used Retinol products before)

See more reviews here

Obagi 1.0% (start here if you have used retinol products in the past and/or you don’t have sensitive skin)

See more reviews here

Side effects of using Retinol

Now that you know why you should be using it, we should spend some time talking about any potential issues that might arise when using retinol (this applies to Obagi retinol but also applies to retinol products in general).

First you need to realize that retinol is a Vitamin A derivative and is a powerful vitamin for your skin.

Because it’s powerful, and if not used correctly, some patients may experience some minor side effects – these side effects can be treated easily, which we will explain below, but let’s talk about what to look out for: ​

• Redness (one of the most common symptoms and an indication that you might be using too high a dose)
• Flaking of the skin or peeling (another common symptom indicating your dose may be too strong)
• Slight break outs (happens only upon starting retinol in some people)
• Rash (very rare, usually related to inactive ingredients and not retinol itself)

What’s important is that these side effects do not necessarily indicate that you need to stop using retinol. 

Instead they are usually caused by using a concentration that is too strong for your skin, or it simply means that you need to start out lower and increase your concentration slowly over time.

Luckily these symptoms (if you do experience them) will go away over a few weeks if you back down on the concentration or use the your retinol less frequently. 

​If you do experience these symptoms the best thing you can do is one of the following: 

• Purchase a lower concentration retinol (don’t worry, you will be able to use the stronger concentration later so you won’t waste your original purchase)
• Apply your retinol every other day, instead of daily (you may need to use every third day, etc.)
• Don’t change your retinol product and instead allow up to 2-3 weeks for your body to acclimate to the concentration – and just deal with some minor flaking or redness

​By using these strategies you will be able to handle pretty much any of the side effects associated with retinol. 

But remember:

Most people don’t even have these side effects if they use a high quality product! ​

Retinol 0.5 vs 1.0

​This Obagi retinol comes in two different concentrations and it’s important to understand them so you know which one you should start with. 

​The ONLY difference between these two products is the concentration of the retinol it contains. 

Your goal should be to get up to the 1.0% dose if possible (most of you will be able to get there).

But in some cases you may have to start out on the 0.5% dose first. ​

​Who should start with Obagi Retinol 0.5%

• Those with VERY sensitive skin (Fitzpatrick type I and II)
• Those who have never used Retinol containing products in the past
• Those who have used retinol or tretinoin in the past but who reacted with redness or dry skin

Who should start with Obagi Retinol 1.0%​

• Those people who have used retinol or tretinion in the past without any issues
• Those with more resilient skin and those who don’t react to ingredients in skin care products
• Those with extreme photodamage or advanced signs of aging (wrinkles or thickened leathery skin)
• Those with a history of using tanning beds frequently in the past
• Those people who have used Obagi retinol products in the past (or other retinol products from high quality brands like iS clinical)

If you stick to these guidelines then you shouldn’t have any issues regarding reacting to the retinol. 

Also, remember that Obagi products are formulated with other active ingredients like Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) designed to help your skin tolerate the retinol and increase absorption. ​

Complete Obagi Retinol Ingredient list​

If you have any concern that you might react to the ingredients found in this product then please see the ingredient list below: 

• Shea butter
• Jojoba
• Hyaluronic acid
• Vitamin A (retinol)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Dimethicone
• Vitamin E

Obagi retinol has been shown to help people with the following skin types: 

• Sensitive skin (those who react to skin care products)
• Oil prone skin (those with naturally oily skin) 
• Acneic skin (those prone to developing acne or those with active acne breakouts) 
• Mature skin (those over 50+, usually after menopause)
• Combination skin types (those with a combination of skin types) 
• Dry skin
• Normal skin
• Hyperpigmented skin (those with uneven skin tone or those with hyperpigmentation syndromes like melasma)

Over to you

Obagi retinol can seriously make a difference in your skin care regimen. 

If you haven’t tried high quality retinol containing products then you should consider a trial run of obagi retinol.

The benefits of using retinol range from a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles to an reduction sun damage from years spent in the sun. 

Regardless of your age or skin type retinol containing products CAN work for you. 

Now it’s your turn:

Have you used Obagi retinol in the past?

Did it work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comment below! 

Obagi C Serum Review – The Best Vitamin C Serum on the Market?

Are you thinking about buying Obagi C serum?

​Vitamin C serum in general has the ability to provide so many benefits to your skin and might just be one of the single best serums out there. 

Why?

Because Vitamin C serum helps slow down and reverse the aging process, helps improve the texture of your skin, even skin tones and much more…

It also turns out that Obagi has one of the best Vitamin C serums on the market. ​

More…

Obagi Professional C Serum – Does it work?

One of the big problems with cosmetic products is that you never know if you are getting high quality ingredients or if the product will work.

With Obagi products, you really don’t have to worry about that.

Why?

Because Obagi is a brand trusted by plastic surgeons and dermatologists and their products are formulated by Doctors.

And that’s actually important, especially in the case of Vitamin C serum.

It turns out that Vitamin C serum might be one of the best nutrients you can put on your skin, BUT (and this is a big but) in order to get the benefits of Vitamin C serum it must be formulated correctly.

That means your Vitamin c serum needs to have the following: ​

• The Vitamin C must be in the L-Asorbic acid form
• The pH of the serum must be 3.5
• Vitamin C must be protected and shielded from light and oxidation
• The Vitamin C must be in a high enough concentration (at least 10%, but preferably 20%)
• It can be formulated in a carrier that contains other vitamins to help increase absorption into the skin

This explains why some Vitamin C serums are more expensive than others. 

It takes a LOT of time and energy to formulate the product in the right way so that it actually works.

Cheaper Vitamin C serum products skip out on necessary steps to make their product cheaper, but as a consequence they simply don’t work as well.

So does Obagi fit the bill and meet all of these requirements?

Yep, it sure does. ​

You can see some consumer studies below showing the benefits of Obagi C serum (in this case the 20% concentration): 

One of the big problems with using Vitamin C serum is knowing if it’s actually being absorbed through the skin. 

You might not think about it, but your skin acts as a barrier to creams, lotions, water, etc. 

So, in order to get the Vitamin C INTO your skin, it must be formulated correctly. 

Obagi went head to head with another brand Skinceuticals to see which product was absorbed based on testing of the concentration of Vitamin C in the epiderms.

The results showed that Obagi had superior concentration reaching a total concentration of 333 ug vs the 238 ug of Skinceuticals. ​

This means that you can use LESS of the obagi Vitamin C serum and still get lasting results (making your Vitamin C serum last longer!). ​

In addition Obagi also went head to head with skinceuticals to see how much was absorbed into the skin 19 hours after application. 

The results showed that Obagi had about 5x the absorption of Skinceuticals 19 hours after application: ​

This is a big deal because your body can’t create Vitamin C naturally which means it’s dependent upon serums or food to increase levels. 

Sustained levels of Vitamin c throughout the day mean your skin will look better long term. ​

 ​But those aren’t all the benefits of Vitamin C serum: 

6 Reasons to Add Vitamin C Serum to your Regimen

Beyond what we’ve discussed, Vitamin C serum also has several other VERY attractive benefits. ​

Real benefits of using Vitamin C Serums:

• Prevents photo damage
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Increased collagen and elastin production
• Evens skin tone and complexion
• Reduces break outs and can treat acne
• Acts as an anti-aging therapy

One of the most important benefits of using Vitamin C serum is the benefit it has on photodamage. 

Why is this important?

Because the amount of photodamage accumulated throughout your life helps, in part, to determine how OLD you look!

You can see from studies that sun damage (even just 3%) can make you look 3 years older than your stated age.

This also means that if you reverse the photodamage of your skin by using Vitamin C serum you can make yourself look younger than your stated age: ​

What’s even better is that Vitamin C serum also helps promote collagen and elastin formation in the dermis of your skin. 

These both work in part to keep your skin looking plump and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in your skin – AKA keep you looking younger. ​

My personal favorite benefit, and the main reason I use Vitamin C serum daily, is that it makes my skin look soft and evens out the skin tone.

​You can find all of the benefits of Vitamin C serum in this post. 

One of the benefits of using Obagi Vitamin C serum is that you know you are getting a high quality Vitamin C serum that has been shown to penetrate deep enough into the skin to help with these benefits.

Remember that not all Vitamin C serums will help you in this way! They MUST be formulated correctly (read the guidelines above again). ​

How to use Obagi Vitamin C Serum

In order to get the benefits listed above you must use your Vitamin C correctly. 

One thing you need to watch out for with Vitamin C serum is that it is oxidized and becomes inactive if left in the light (meaning it is photosensitive).

Because of this you have to take care when applying your Vitamin C.

What this means for you is that you want to store your Vitamin C serum in a place where light doesn’t touch it (think in a drawer).

You also want to make sure whoever formulated your Vitamin C serum put it in a dark container that doesn’t allow light to get through (Obagi takes care of this for you).

It’s also important to apply your Vitamin C at NIGHT!

Applying it at night allows for superior absorption and will actually act as a minor sunscreen during the daytime hours.

Applying it in the morning may cause some oxidation throughout the day and slightly inactive the product – so I always recommend using it at night. ​

Obagi Professional-C Serum Review

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

Contains high concentrations of L-ascorbic acid but no other ingredients

Price

High price, but high quality

Why I Love it

Definitely works but may be better for women older than 40 or women with oily skin

Who should use it: 

Ingredients: 

• ​Woman between the ages of 30-60
• Women and men with oily skin
• Women with photo damage or extreme sun damage (those that are trying to look younger)
• People who have done well on other obagi products in the past

• L-Ascorbic acid 20% (active ingredient)
• prpylene glyccol (inactive)
• Zinc chloride (inactive)
• Calcium hydroxide (inactive)

How to use it: 

Why it works

• Apply 5-7 drops directly to your face after cleansing
• Spread evening throughout your face and to your neck line
• Use in the evening
• Make sure product is protected form the sun while storing
• If you have sensitive skin start with 10% or 15% and work yourself up to the 20% concentration

• Contains 20% Vitamin C which promotes collagen production and stimulates growth in the skin to even skin tones

Recommended product: 

See more reviews here

To get the best results I recommend that you use Vitamin C serum as part of a solid skin care regimen. 

You can mix and match products (that’s what I do), but I still recommend that you use a basic skin care regimen as outlined below:

Why?

Because you really want to make sure you have more than just Vitamin C, you also need a retinol product and other products to bring balance back to the skin. ​

Optimal skin care and anti-aging regimen:

• Cleanser – To help with exfoliation
• Toner – To bring back pH balance to the acid mantle that is taken away during cleansing
• Moisturizer and/or Retinol product – To provide a barrier and maintain moisture and hydration in the skin
• Vitamin C serum – Final layer that improves skin quality, texture and balances out your skin care regimen

This is the exact formula that I’ve been using for my skin and it works amazing. 

Just realize that vitamin C serum is just 1 part of the 4 step process, and each step must be a high quality ingredient. ​

How to get Obagi Products Online

Traditionally Obagi products were only available to physicians like Dermatologists and Plastic surgeons. 

Unfortunately this created a scenario where people thought they were getting Obagi products but they were really getting fraudulent products that did NOT have the stated ingredients.

This also mean that previously you had to go to your Doctors office (medical spa or dermatologist office) to buy the Obagi products. 

So in addition to buying the product you were often hit with the consulting price of the Doctor!​

Fortunately this has changed.

The way to tell if the product you are about to purchase is high quality and authentic is with the branding below the price tag.

High quality and real products will be labeled as either “Professional Beauty” or as “Luxury Beauty”.

Concentration: 10% vs 15% vs 20%​

The next big question you need to ask yourself is this:

What percentage of Vitamin C serum should I start with?

Because ​Obagi understands how Vitamin C works on the skin they have created several concentrations to help your body adjust. 

The 20% concentration is the highest absolute concentration of Ascorbic acid that can be effectively absorbed into the skin, but there’s one problem:

That concentration can sometimes be too much for certain people.

It may result in some redness or flaking of the skin unless you are already used to higher concentrations of Vitamin C or if you have tough skin.

So should you start with a lower concentration?

My rule of thumb is to start with the 10% concentration of Vitamin C IF you are a very sensitive person or have a VERY light skin tone (think very fair, red hair, etc.).

If you have normal skin tone, normal oil production, etc. then 1 bottle of the 15% is a great place to start because it will allow your body to adjust and you will still get results.

If you have tough skin and tend to tolerate pretty much anything touching your skin then you should be safe to start with the 20% concentration right off the bat.

​If you purchase the 20% and it turns out to be too strong for you, you can also go to an every other day application schedule which will not be as harsh on your skin and will prevent you from having to purchase a lower quality strength. 

When I first started out using Vitamin c serum I jumped to the 20% concentration and tolerate it just fine (some red spots came up for about 5 days but went away over time). ​

Side Effects of using Obagi Professional C

​Next up on the list is side effects. 

Shouldn’t Vitamin C cause some serious side effects if it’s so beneficial?

Actually it turns out that Vitamin C serum is tolerated quite well.

Rarely do some people experience some negative side effects, but this is usually because they are using a cheap product or because they have sensitive skin and started out at the 20% concentration.

So with that in mind let’s talk about side effects of Obagi C ​serum: 

• Redness or rash around the nose area (occurs with a high concentration and generally goes away if you reduce concentration or application frequency)
• Dryness of the skin (occurs when starting out with a high concentration and fades over a couple of weeks, if this occurs then go to an every other day application cycle)
• Yellow tint to your skin (goes away over time)

And that’s pretty much it!

Wrapping it up

​Obagi professional C serum is one of the best Vitamin C serums on the market. 

In head to head comparison trials Obagi comes out on top in terms of depth of absorption and in terms of absorption concentration – especially against skinceutical products.

Because the benefits of Vitamin C are amazing, I encourage pretty much any woman to try Vitamin C serum (from a high quality brand).

Have you used Obagi products in the past?

Did they work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comment below!​

Proactiv Plus Review + Better Alternatives for Beautiful Skin

Are you hoping that proactiv plus will actually help you treat your acne?

If so there are a few things you need to understand about proactiv before you actually purchase the product. 

Things like:

Does it actually work? should you be doing more with your acne? do other products work better?

In this proactiv plus review we are going to go over ALL of this and more (including products I think work way better than proactiv plus, and that’s from a person who has used proactiv for 10 years): 

More…

Does Proactiv Actually Work?

​If you’re reading this it’s probably because you’re wondering if proctiv plus is going to finally be THE facial product that will clear up your skin. 

​In fact you’ve probably been burned by other facial products in the past that may have slightly worked but still left you with acne that you need to get rid of. 

​If that’s the case then I think you will find this review incredibly helpful!

Why?

Because we are not only going to take a look at proctiv, but we are going to evaluate WHY you might have acne and what other steps you can do to treat it – things you probably haven’t looked into before.

So let’s start with the obvious question:

Does proactiv plus really work?

​The answer is that it CAN work, but it may not work for everyone. 

In terms of its raw potential I will say that it has more potential to help you than other facial creams and products.

Like you are probably figuring out, each person needs a different skin regimen that is personalized to that persons skin type, skin type and oil production. 

The reaso​n proactiv products tend to work so well is because they contain a powerful anti bacterial therapy known as benzoyl peroxide. 

This is THE active ingredient in proactiv plus products and is one of the main reasons that it works so well for so many people.

But just because it works, doesn’t necessarily mean it should be used in every person…​

My 10 year Experience Experience with Proactiv

I have personally struggled with acne in the past (both as a teenager and into my adult years).

Thankfully through hours of research and experimentation I have figured out how to deal with my acne and I will share some of the advanced things that I learned below.

But what’s important for this discussion is how proactiv fits in.

I am a personal user of proactiv products and even used their products for 10 years.

For my skin type (which is oily) and skin tone (very fair) it actually worked quite well.

But that’s not the main problem…

The problem with proactiv is that it is a product that should NOT be used long term.

And this is unfortunate because that’s exactly how proactiv products are branded:

As long term solutions to acne.

​Despite this, there is good data to indicate that long term anti biotics should not be used to treat mild to moderate acne. 

Why?

Because antibiotics (like benzoyl peroxide) kill ALL of the bacteria on your skin.

And persistent and long term use of proactic will result in permanent damage to your skin microbiome.

You are lead to believe that acne is caused by bad bacteria and that the treatment is to kill this bacteria. 

But what you probably didn’t realize is that people who have acne and those who don’t have acne still have the same bacteria on their skin.

The difference is the relative concentrations and other issues going on in their body (hormone imbalances, inflammation, etc.).

Proactiv takes a very general approach:

To kill all bacteria on your skin. 

And the issue with this approach is that it works temporarily but it isn’t a long term solution. 

This is why people who stop taking proactiv later in life end up with WORSE acne. 

This has to do with the severe damage that occurs to your skin as a result of the powerful antibiotics inside proactiv plus. 

Understanding Acne & How Proactiv Works​

​Just because proactiv kills off bacteria on your skin doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. 

Proactiv actually works quite well for those people who are dealing with inflammation and have an overgrowth of BAD bacteria on their skin.

It also helps certain people who have high oil production (because benzoyl peroxide and witch hazel can help reduce this oil).

But what you need to understand is that acne is an INTERNAL problem.

Acne is a manifestation of other issues going wrong INSIDE your body.

And no amount of lotions, or creams will permanently remove or reverse your acne if it’s caused by something on the inside of your body.

This is why proactiv plus will work for some people and NOT for others.

Why?

Because it depends on the CAUSE of your acne.

People that do really well on proactiv are those who actually do have some degree of skin issues.

Those with an overgrowth of bad bacteria and those with heavy oil production.

If your acne is caused by hormone problems, too much testosterone, not enough thyroid hormone or gut issues – then proactiv is NOT the best product for you.

​One of the main beauties of the proactiv plus system is the 3 step system they created. 

The system consists of the following:

• Cleanser to help exofliate the epidermal layers of the skin
• Toner to help bring back the pH of the skin that was stripped off during the exfoliation phase
• Moisturizer to help bring back natural moisture to the skin and create a barrier to protect the skin

​The active ingredient during the exfoliative phase is benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% strength (which we have discussed previously). 

Now, you can use pretty much anything during the first phase – you don’t HAVE to use benzoyl peroxide.

So other products like glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid, etc. can all be used with some success during this phase.

The other inactive ingredients are meant to help with absorption of the benzoyl peroxide and to provide a barrier (dimethicone) to the skin. 

The ​second stage (the toner) also has the active ingredient of benzoyl peroxide at the 2.5% strength. 

The toner is meant to add back pH to the skin to normalize it after the exfoliating phase strips off the acid mantle. 

The final stage is the moisturizer which contains 0.5% salicylic acid. 

Salicylic acid, in this setting, is simply used as an adjunct therapy to the benzoyl peroxide. 

Studies have shown that salicylic acid is helpful for the treatment of mild acne and can reduce the number of lesions if used by itself. 

The beauty of the 3 step system​ is that this combination of therapies can be used with OTHER and more effective products. 

What you will find is that other products and brands have created better active ingredients (those that are less harmful to the skin if used long term) to treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne.

I do believe that proactiv brought this concept into the main stream, and it works really well due to the layering of products on top of one another, but it doesn’t mean you HAVE to use their products to get the same benefit.

Who should use Proactiv Plus

Just because I’ve been critical of proactiv plus doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily a bad product. 

Quite the opposite: 

I think proactiv plus is a great product for CERTAIN people and only if used correctly – meaning for less than 90 days.

So who should actually use proactiv plus?

​It’s best if you use proactiv plus if you fit any of the following criteria: 

• You have inflammatory acne (moderate to heavy) and have failed traditional and weaker facial products like salicylic acid or glycolic acid
• You NEED to get your acne under control for some special event (wedding, pictures, work interview, etc.)
• You are using supplements or other medications to treat your acne but you want to boost your results while you wait for other therapies to kick in
• Those with mild to moderate acne during their teenage years (it will most likely go away over time so long term use of proactiv probably won’t be necessary) 

Who should NOT use proactiv plus: 

• Those with mild to moderate regular acne
• Those with Adult onset acne
• Those with mild or slight acne scars (you can use combination therapy with microneedling to get better results)
• Those with heavy or cystic acne (you may need more intensive therapy than just proactiv)
• Those who have acne as a result of hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism, PCOS or high testosterone (You will need to address these imbalances to treat your acne)
• Those with gut imbalances SIBO or SIFO (Again treating this problem is more important)
• Those with food intolerances or allergies causing their acne (Don’t damage your skin with antimicrobials if you can simply change your diet)

​If you determine you fit the criteria above then you can give proactiv plus a shot…

Also remember that proactiv has a big budget and uses celebrities to endorse their products.

Generally you should be weary of any product line that uses this kind of marketing tactic because these brands can spend more money on marketing their products than on developing them!​

Proactiv Plus Review & Instructions

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

Decent quality, but not the highest quality products (still uses cheaper inactive ingredients)

Price

Reasonable price for the quality

Why I Like it

Works well for SOME people but should not be used long term

Ingredients: 

• Active ingredients include benzoyl peroxide at 2.5%
• Salicylic acid is in the moisturizer at 0.5%
• Also contains dimethicone which is a silicon based inactive ingredient

How to use it: 

Why it works

• I recommend starting with once a day application (preferably after your shower)
• Apply facial cleanser, followed by the toner, followed by the moisturizer
• Allow skin to dry between EACH application (do not apply moisturizer until the toner has completely dried off)
• Do not use for longer than 90 days in a row

• Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful topical antibiotic that will kill both bad and good bacteria
• Salicylic acid has also been shown to reduce acne in mild to moderate cases
• The 3 step system helps exfoliate dead skin cells, balance pH levels in the acid mantle and bring back moisture and protection to the skin surface

Recommended product: 

Read more reviews here

Pros and Cons of using Proactiv Plus: 

PROS

• Works well for mild to moderate acne
• Can be layered with other serums and high quality products
• Will work to get rid of acne if your acne is due to inflammation or bad bacteria overgrowth

CONS

• Should NOT be used long term
• Contains benzoyl peroxide which will kill both good and bad skin bacteria
• May cause worse acne if you stop using proactiv
• Better options exist for most forms of acne and are less harsh on your skin

Better Products for your Skin

Now that we’ve discussed proactiv plus and WHO should use it, it’s also worth mentioning other BETTER products.

In addition it’s important to realize that in order to adequately treat your acne you need a comprehensive approach.

Below I go over what I think is the best approach to managing your acne (and it is the same plan that I used to take care of mine): ​

• 3 Step system that doesn’t completely eliminate skin flora
• Vitamin C serum to help repair and nourish existing skin
• Addition of special therapies like microneedling, dermaplaning, chemical peels or dermarolling all of which can be combined with creams/serums
• Oral supplements to balance hormones, nourish the skin and reduce inflammation
• Treatment of existing SIBO or other inflammatory gut conditions to reduce inflammation
• Evaluation of hormone systems like your thyroid, estrogen levels and androgen levels
• Lifestyle changes to improve diet, add exercise and reduce stress

As you can see we take advantage of the 3 step system that proactiv plus uses but we change up the actual products and instead add several other therapies. 

The other therapies are designed to tackle acne from ALL areas and this is what really gets great results.

I should also point out that if you decide to use proactiv plus (if you fall into the categories listed above) please also make sure you add other things to your regimen like the supplements AND lifestyle changes below. 

Before we jump into those areas, I w​ant to go over what I think is a better all around product and that is the Obagi 360 system. 

This is a 3 step system (much like proactiv) but from a brand that dermatologists and plastic surgeons use.

Obagi is a seriously high end brand with high end ingredients that actually work.

Why do I like the Obagi 360 system?

First off the system uses products that have been tested and scientifically proven to help reduce acne AND help nourish the skin in the process.

​In addition Obagi products are endorsed by physicians because they actually work. 

In studies, as little as 12 weeks of therapy reduced photodamage, break outs and pore visibility compared to other leading brands: ​

In addition, other studies show that patients experienced the following benefits while using Obagi 360: 

• 84% said that their skin looked and felt smoother
• 78% said that their face felt rejuvenated
• 81% said their face appeared firmer
• 78% said that their skin clarity (reduction in acne, etc.) looked better

While no product is perfect, the reason I like the Obagi system is because it’s designed to be used LONG term and it’s not harmful to do it (unlike proactiv). 

The ingredients ​like retinol help reduce photo damage and reverse the aging process, so your skin will look better in addition to treating your acne. 

You can also see before and after pictures of the Obagi system in action below: 

One thing I would draw your attention to is the quality and texture of this persons skin in her after picture. 

The softness and glow to the skin is from the retinol containing products which act to reduce the signs of aging especially from photodamage. ​

Bottom line?

The obagi system is superior to the proactiv plus 3 step system because it uses less harsh ingredients, it can be continued long term and because it will also help treat scarring and the aging process. ​

Obagi 360 Review + How to use it

Overall rating: 

Overall Quality

Contains Vitamin A (Retinol) to help reduce aging and directly treat acne

Price

High price but very high quality ingredients – your face is worth the splurge

Why I Love it

This product was critical in treating my acne

Who should use it:

Ingredients:

• Anyone who has failed cheap over the counter acne cleansers and face wash
• Those with mild to moderate to heavy acne
• Those transitioning OFF of proactiv or other more harmful acne face wash systems
• Those who want a face cleansing system that will also result in healthy skin, complexion
• Those who want a facial product that will also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles

• Retinol 0.5%
• Avobenzene
• Oxybenzone 5%

How to use it:

Why it works

• Cleanser: Use twice daily (morning and night)
• Retinol: Use in the PM only
• Moisturizer and sunscreen: Use in the morning to provide protection from the sun all day

• Retinol (Vitamin A) helps directly treat acne while also increasing skin turnover time and acting as an exfoliative therapy. Oxybenzone helps act as a sunscreen protecting the skin and Avobenzene helps nourish the skin naturally. 

Recommended product: 

Read more reviews here

Using Supplements in Conjunction with Skin Care Products

​Whether you choose to use my recommended product or use Proactiv plus you should ALSO consider using supplements and these other tips. 

Why?

Because as I’ve mentioned before treating acne takes a comprehensive approach – one that takes into account what is going on INSIDE your body.

The next thing you should consider is the use of supplements. 

Certain supplements can help treat acne by reducing inflammation, providing your skin with basic nutrients to heal faster and reduce the impact that hormones have on the skin.

Below I will go over what supplements I use and why they work (scientifically). ​

Consider using supplements in ADDITION to facial creams, lotions and serums:

• Zinc bound to picolinic acid: Zinc helps increase wound healing (which means if you pick your face it will help heal faster!), zinc also helps reduce the impact that high testosterone has on your skin by reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Most people are deficient in zinc due to a poor diet which makes zinc a serious consideration for most people. Make sure to take 60mg per day of a high quality zinc supplement. 
• Biotin + Silica: Biotin and Silica are required for optimal hair growth and are basic nutrients that your skin needs to function. This is why these supplements are inside almost every hair, skin and nails supplement! I recommend using this if you have active acne because it can indirectly improve the texture of your skin – plus the bonus if that it will help your hair grow. 
• Fish oil: Fish oil works well for acne because it is a powerful anti inflammatory supplement. As you probably know acne is an inflammatory condition, so anything you can do to cool down inflammation in your skin will help. Also, omega 3 fatty acids can help nourish your skin naturally by increasing natural moisture and making your skin look softer. Take up to 2-3 grams per DAY to get the most benefit. 

If you are serious about treating your acne I recommend using ALL of these supplements in addition to either proactiv plus or the Obagi 360 system. 

Other tips for healthy skin:

In addition to using a skin care regimen you also want to take basic steps to improve your skin by working on lifestyle factors. 

Believe it or not these factors are probably MORE important than what you put on your skin.

Why? 

Because these factors indirectly influence your hormones which can directly contribute to acne. 

Take for instance your cycle:

Heavy stress before your menstrual cycle can cause issues which may result in a delayed cycle and therefore more estrogen resulting in more acne. 

#1. Drink plenty of water

You should be drinking up to 1 gallon of water per day!

Water is AMAZING for your skin. 

Water helps naturally moisturize your skin while helping your body detox out any harmful endocrine disruptors you may come into contact with throughout the day. 

Make sure to drink enough so that your pee is clear!

#2. Eat healthy and organic food

Lots of people will tell you that your diet does NOT influence your acne and this couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

You have to consider that general and non organic products contain growth hormones and other artificial hormones that DO have impact in your body. 

These chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors and they can impact the hormone receptors in your body.

Make sure to avoid those chemicals by eating CLEAN, that means organic and natural whole foods.

#3. Exercise regularly (you want to sweat)

Exercise helps your skin because it acts as a natural way to detox. 

How?

Through your sweat. 

Your body can eliminate toxins through your skin (via sweating or through acne!) or through your pee and stools. 

Make sure to eliminate any excess crap by sweating it out instead of having your body form pustules and pimples (acne). 

#4. Reduce your stress and get enough sleep!​

Lack of sleep actually has been scientifically linked to acne and here’s how: 

Lack of sleep causes increased cravings for processed and refined foods. 

These foods directly damage your intestinal lining causing something called increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut).

Because of this permeability toxins and other products are absorbed and either directly damage your skin cells or must be released through the skin as acne. ​

• Bottom line: Make healthy changes to your diet, exercise schedule, sleep schedule and do things to help reduce stress. These changes WILL help your skin look clear and amazing. 

Other therapies to complement your Acne regimen

Next up on the list of things you should also add to your skin regimen is certain therapies that have been clinically proven to also help reduce acne and acne scarring. 

#1. Microneedling

First up on the list is microneedling. 

Microneedling is done by taking a pen with 10+ small hypodermic needles which pierce the skin thousands of time to the level of the dermal epidermal junction. 

 This process directly results in a decrease in sebum production and has been proven to reduce acne scarring and pock marks. 

Microneedling is also a powerful anti aging therapy and should seriously be considered if you have acne.

You can find more about the benefits of microneedling here. ​

#2. Chemical peels

Chemical peels can also be used in conjunction with supplements, lifestyle changes AND with a 3 step therapy. 

Chemical peels help exfoliate excess epidermal dead skin cells which reduces the chance of your pores being clogged. 

It also helps reduce acne scars (but not as much as microneedling).

The good news about chemical peels is that you can do lighter and more gentle peels at home and they are effective.

In order to get the deeper chemical peels you may need to see a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist, however. ​

#3. Dermarolling

Dermarolling is like the microneedling procedure in terms of how it works, but it’s not quite as effective. 

Instead of using a mechanical pen to poke the skin thousands of times, this procedure uses a ball that has lots of little needles which poke into the skin as it “rolls” across your face. 

The benefit of using a dermaroller is that you can use it at home, the downside is that it’s not quite as powerful as microneedling in terms of reducing acne scarring. 

Wrapping it up

​Bottom line?

Proactiv plus is a good product, but it’s not THE best product.

Long term use of proactiv can result in damage to your skin microbiome and make coming off of proactiv very difficult.

Because of this I generally recommend a more balanced product like the Obagi 360 3 step system which is superior.

If you decide you want to use the proactiv system just make sure you don’t use it for longer than 90 days at a time.

Also, if you are treating acne, make sure to add other therapies including lifestyle changes, supplements and medical therapies for the best results!

Now it’s your turn:

Do you have acne? Have you tried proactiv plus?

Did it work for you? Why or why not?

Leave your comments below!​

7 Benefits of Lipotropic B12 Injections – Weight Loss + Energy & More

Lipotropic B12 shots can help you lose weight, improve your metabolism, grow your hair back and improve your mood. 

Interested?

To be honest, these aren’t even all of the potential benefits that you might experience while using B12 shots.

​In this post I will walk you through the reason that I use a B12 + MIC injection EACH and EVERY week, what kind of benefits you might experience while using them and how to properly use them. 

Let’s jump in: 

Why Consider Lipotropic B12 Injections

Lipotropic B12 injections might be one of of the best shots you’ll ever receive.

Why?

​Because certain vitamins and nutrients have been scientifically proven to help you in various ways (more on that below). 

Enter lipotropic B12 injections.

These shots are formulated to contain a combination of the following vitamins:

• Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
• Methionine (Essential amino acid)
• Inositol (Critical vitamin)
• Choline 

​This combination of vitamins and nutrients has some very interesting properties that make them very attractive if you are trying to lose weight. 

This is one of the main reasons that these B12 shots are used in weight loss offices around the United States.

​But what might be more shocking to you is exactly HOW they work to help with weight loss and what other benefits you might get by using them. 

Let’s jump into the more obvious benefits, like weight loss, and move toward the less obvious benefits. ​

#1. More Weight Loss

Lipotropic B12 injections help you lose weight but probably not how you think. 

We are conditioned to believe that there is some magical pill to help us lose weight, and that just isn’t the case. 

Why?

Because weight gain is through a combination of factors including diet, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, lack of sleep and immune system imbalances. 

Knowing that gaining weight is ​more complex than simply eating more food, it’s easy to understand that losing weight may require more than just 1 therapy. 

​So how does B12 + MIC fit into the equation?

Well through several mechanisms:

First the B12 helps increase energy levels and boost your metabolism which both indirectly lead to weight loss.

Secondly the MIC portion (standing for methionine, inositol and choline) help to actually BURN more fat while exercising.

So the combination of the two can really improve your overall weight, but for best results they should ALWAYS be used as part of a complete treatment plan.

That means the combination of exercise, stress reduction, diet, and specialized hormones.

#2. Increased Metabolism

Another very important benefit of using B12 + MIC is that it directly impacts your metabolism. 

Why?

Because B12 and Inositol are involved in the mitochondrial production of energy.

This may not sound important until you realize that your metabolism DEPENDS upon your mitochondria.

Let me explain:

Your mitochondria produce most of the energy in your body. This energy is then released as heat through daily living such as breathing, eating, sleeping and moving.

The more energy you burn at rest the higher your metabolism will be and the more calories you will burn.

Vitamin B deficiencies are quite common and they can lead to a lower than normal metabolism resulting in weight gain over time. ​

So that means that if you have low vitamin B12 (there’s a high chance you do) taking B12 injections will BOOST your metabolism back to normal and help with weight loss.

Don’t forget that when it comes to weight loss one of the most important factors for determining if you will keep your weight off is your metabolism. ​

#3. Improved Liver Detoxification

This one may not sound very interesting until you realize that your liver is required to get rid of pretty much everything you come into contact with on a daily basis. 

And nowadays, that is quite a lot.

Even your own hormones must be metabolized through the liver for proper elimination!

Certain nutrient deficiencies, like choline, are required for optimal phase I and phase II elimination pathways in the liver.

These are the same pathways that help you metabolize certain medications, nutrients and hormones.

A reduction in the efficiency of these pathways means you will have a build up of endocrine disruptors and other chemicals that act on hormonal receptors in your body.

These endocrine disruptors can lead to hormone imbalances like hypothyroidism and weight gain, so it is critical that you take care of them ASAP. ​

​The C part of MIC stands for Choline which is involved in these pathways!

That means that taking choline can help boost your detox and help you get rid of these endocrine disruptors. ​

#4. Better sleep

Are you having difficulty with sleeping? 

You probably didn’t realize but lack of sleep is well known, and proven, to cause weight gain and blood sugar issues. 

You probably also didn’t know that Vitamin B12 actually improves your circadian rhythm and helps the depth and quality of your sleep.

​It’s worth pointing out that the study above showed that methylcobalamin and NOT cyanocobalamin helped improve the quality of sleep. 

This is important because cyanocobalamin is a cheap form of Vitamin B12 that is used in certain supplements and its the type of B12 that you DON’T want to use.

Stick to high quality vitamin B12 in the methylcobalamin form. 

#5. Better and Stronger Hair

Are you having issues with the texture or quality of your hair?

Have you noticed that your hair is not quite what it used to be?

Or even that your hair might be falling out more in the shower?

If you’ve noticed that ANY of the following situations may be true in your life you should consider using B12.

Why?

Because it turns out that studies have shown that in order to have optimal hair growth you NEED to have the following nutrients optimized:

• Vitamin B12: Serum levels must be greater than 600
• Ferritin: Serum levels be higher than 50
• Hemoglobin: Serum levels must be higher than 13

It’s important that you evaluate your hair loss and get these nutrients checked if you are experiencing hair loss. 

​Because of this connection it’s not uncommon that women notice an improvement in both the texture and the quality of their hair after using B12 + MIC injections. 

Why?

Because they are probably deficient in B12 without even realizing it until they replete the B12 in their body. ​

#6. More Energy

You probably already know that Vitamin B12 is considered the energy Vitamin. 

That’s why it’s in almost every energy drink known to man. 

For the reasons we discussed previously (its involvement in the mitochondria) B12 can actually boost your energy. 

But what you may not know is that oral B12 supplements may not be properly absorbed into your body. 

Why?

Because absorption of B12 requires proper amounts of stomach acid and hormones to be functioning properly to be absorbed. 

Because of this many people are taking B12 but still remain deficient and no amount of oral B12 is enough to fix the problem because they don’t absorb it. 

That’s where B12 shots come in:

B12 shots are ALWAYS absorbed because they bypass the GI tract and go directly into your subcutaneous tissues and muscles. 

This is why so many people notice an increase in energy while using B12 shots! 

#7. ​Better Mood

Another huge benefit to using MIC + B12 shots is that they can improve your mood AND concentration. 

Nowadays so many people suffer from the symptoms of depression or just feeling “down” that it’s almost considered normal.

It is NOT normal to feel depressed and it is NOT normal to feel down.

These feelings are almost always an early indicator of something wrong inside of your body, usually nutrient deficiencies or hormone imbalances.

B12 shots have been shown to IMPROVE mood if used by themselves or in combination with other medications.

Back to you

​Bottom line?

B12 injections when combined with MIC have the potential to do so much more than help you lose weight.

BUT…

In order to get these benefits you have to make sure you are using them correctly.

That means the right type of Vitamin B12 at the right dosage.

Make sure if you use B12 you get methylcobalamin and that you take ​at least 5,000mcg of B12 each week along with the MIC component. 

If you have any questions about how to use this combination please leave your comments below! ​