Boost your Skintelligence!

Revolting against aging and dryness is possible with a push from Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell. World-renowned dermatologist and founder of VMV Hypoallergenics, Rowell’s skin sensitive brand catalogs the number of allergens omitted from each product with an easy to follow rating system that diminishes the likeihood of having an allergic reaction. Educating us on the line and tackling our skin concerns (the chapped lips, old age, lifeless hair, etc, etc, etc!), Rowell’s skin smarts will shed enlightenment on your next walk down the beauty aisle.

What defines a product as hypoallergenic?
“Hypo” means less than, and “allergen” is a chemical that goes through the epidermis, or top layer of the skin, and becomes recognized as foreign. Therefore, hypoallergenic is a product that is less capable of inducing an allergic reaction than other products of the same kind.

How do you find the right product for each individual?
I pair products according to skin type and the expected problems for that skin type. Skin types include: dry and prone to wrinkles; dry/oily and prone to pigmentations; dry/oily and prone to allergies; oily and prone to adult onset acne, etc.

What would you recommend for someone who is prone to wrinkles?
Bland cleansers, light moisturizers that contain a lot of coconut oil, and a tinted SPF 60 sunscreen daily in the morning. Overnight, I’d suggest therapeutic products that contain acids like kojic, retinoic, glycolic and antioxidants with growth factors such as kinetin.

Products that fall under Dr. Rowell’s ingredient recommendations include:

Armada Face and Body Shield SPF 60

Glykeros Lift Primer with Glycolic Acid and Kinetin Growth Factor

Illuminants Comfort Cleansing Créme with Kojic Acid

How do alpha and beta hydroxyl acids prevent aging?
Oil based acids (retinoic acid/retinol and beta hydroxy/salicylic acid) are able to penetrate deeper into the dermis than water based acids and produce a thickness of collagen to prevent the clinical evidence of aging. Used over a long period of time, they can improve already photoaged skin.

What are a few guidelines to follow when selecting a facial product?
Start with the number of ingredients. Fewer ingredients are always better. Know your skin type and what it is prone to develop. Select a product that in general is hypoallergenic so that your chance of developing a reaction is minimal, and read the labels for your specific needs.

Is it true facial scrubs with micro beads are bad for your pores?
No. “Micro” beads are not small enough to get through the skin’s barrier layer. The natural exfoliation process of skin ejects any that may lodge on the surface of really wide pores.

What should you avoid to protect the skin from aging?
1. Smoking – causes oxidative damage
2. Sun exposure – onsets aging
3. SIMPLE sweets – affects the skin’s cellular level and makes the skin look old
4. Stress – degrades collagen in the skin

Can certain makeups harm the skin?
Definitely! Ingredients that are allergenic include the preservatives in plasticizers, which allow makeup to go on smoothly, the dyes themselves, and of course the scent. Our powders, eye shadows and blushes have sun protection benefits and are made with iron oxide pigments. Instead of mineral oil, we use pore-friendly, soothing coconut oil whose fatty acids are a natural component of the skin’s barrier to moisturize more effectively.

Shown Above:  Eye Oh My! Eye Colour Trio, Glow Lip and Cheek Tint, Lip Bliss Lipstick, Lipped Crème Lipstick, The Big O, Glow Spectacularly Glossy Lip and Cheek Lustre, Skin Savvy 60, Antioxidant 2-Way Foundation, and So Fine Pressed Powder.

Is there a huge difference between a SPF 10 and SPF 50 when it comes to sunblock protection and cancer prevention?
Absolutely! SPF 10 only partially protects your skin against UVB light, sunburn and direct damage leading to skin cancer. If the sunscreen indicates SPF only, this means it does not have a UVA protective effect, which is just as important in preventing skin damage and cancer.

What is the best way to quickly get rid of a blemish?
A product containing retinoic acid or retinol, and monolaurin is great also.

And for a rash?
The best thing is to stop everything you would normally use on that area from cleansers to makeup. Use coconut oil and water only to clean the face and give your skin a rest. Once the rash clears, restart your products one at a time giving a three day interval of no reaction before moving on to the next one.

Besides frizz control and smoother feet, what other at home beauty dilemmas does coconut oil solve?
For starters, it’s great for repairing dry skin. Just apply coconut oil from your face to your toes in the morning and again at night. On blisters or scrapes, use coconut oil to prevent infection and increase healing. If you want to improve dry, colored or frequently styled hair, wash hair in the evening with shampoo and massage coconut oil into your scalp. Then wrap hair with a flexible plastic like saran wrap. Keep on overnight and rinse out in the morning with a mild shampoo. It’s also makes an excellent makeup remover!

How can lifeless hair be revamped during the winter months?
Dry temperatures indoor and out are usually the cause for lifeless hair in the winter months. Try the coconut oil method above to give it some oomph!

What’s the secret to stopping dry skin and chapped lips?
To counteract wintertime conditions that predispose dry skin, just remember two things – adequate oil and water in the barrier layer of your skin. Drink lots of water, apply creams with water, and use a heavier ointment base overnight. Exfoliate on a weekly or semi-weekly basis so your moisturizer is effective. It’s also import to avoid stress, cold showers, low humidity and sun exposure. AND SLEEP 7 TO 9 HOURS DAILY!


To learn more about VMV Hypoallergenics and other skin sensitive products, visit http://www.vmvhypoallergenics.com/.

- Jessica Krznaric, Online Beauty Editor