Is Your Moisturizer Safe?

You may have heard recent reports about certain moisturizers being potentially dangerous. A study from Rutgers University found that some moisturizers, including the dermatologist favorite Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream, seem to spur skin cancer growth in mice. But before you freak and toss your favorite lotions, hear this: previous studies on mice have been found to be unrelated to any effects in humans. In any case, for all my obsession with face lotions and potions, I stick to completely natural stuff for the rest of my body. (My all-time favorite: Mother's Special Blend, a preservative-free blend of different nut and vegetable oils. It's made to prevent stretch marks but it does wonders for the whole body). Will this study effect what you slather on your skin?

What Works (Really!)

There are a zillion different products on the market that promise to reduce wrinkles ... but, as most of us know, few deliver. According to a new study in The Archives of Dermatology, there are just three anti-aging treatments that are actually clinically proven to be effective: topical retinol, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing; and the injection of hyaluronic acid (think Restylane). Now, those last two are a bit extreme for my taste--but topical retinoid is something that's easy to use, and you can even get it over the counter. Years ago, my dermatologist recommended RoC products, and I still use the eye cream regularly (although I use Rx Retin-A for the rest of my face). Do you use retinoids?

Shortcut of the Week

Short on time? Who isn't? Well, uber-talented (and semi-famous) dermatologist Dennis Gross M.D., creator of MD Skincare, has devised a product that will cut your p.m. beauty routine in half: the EZ4U 4-in-1 Facial Treatment. These pocket-sized towelettes contain cleanser, tone, wrinkle fighter and moisturizer. Just wipe your skin down and crawl between the sheets. Brilliant!

A Kinder Clean

Confession: I'm a bit of a germ-phobe. Living in New York City, where it's not unusual to see someone pick their nose on the subway or to get sneezed on when walking down the super-crowded streets, I feel like the fear of germs is practically a survival tactic. But most hand sanitizers seem so ... harsh. Which is why I'm so excited about Surya Brasil's Organic Hand Sanitizer. Made with great ingredients like aloe, acai and peppermint--and without parabens, petrochemicals or artificial fragrance--it's far more natural than your average alcohol-laden sanitizer, yet it kills 99.9 % of bacteria and germs. Guess what I'm arming myself with the next time I walk out the door?