Home Blog Page 98

Korean Serums Are Like a 10-Step Routine in a Single Bottle

Admin
-
0
Korean Serums Are Like a 10-Step Routine in a Single Bottle

Why we love it: If you were going to trust any brand to make retinol both effective and gentle, it would be Haruharu Wonder. The Rose PDRN Firming Serum is designed for mature skin, targeting fine lines, texture changes, and collagen loss without overwhelming sensitive skin. It uses 0.1% retinal—strong enough to smooth wrinkles and encourage renewal, yet carefully balanced for better tolerability. Vegan PDRN, derived from Damascus rose stem cells, which helps support skin regeneration and long-term resilience. And if your skin has struggled with retinol in the past, this one has your back: Adenosine, ceramides, Gotu kolaand a blend of peptides (including copper peptides) work together to calm, fortify, and firm the skin barrier. The velvety finish is the cherry on top, because no K-beauty formula is complete without a luxe, sensorial experience.

“This is a really solid option if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly retinal serum that plays nicely with sensitive skin. I use a prescription tretinoin that has to be refrigerated, which means on nights I’m too lazy to go back downstairs to grab it (which is pretty much five out of seven nights), this is one of the gentler retinoids I keep in rotation. The texture is spot-on—not too watery, not heavy—and it absorbs instantly without any stickiness. It feels comfortable the second it hits skin and my I haven’t experienced any irritation in the two weeks I’ve been using it.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

  • Key ingredients: rose PDRN, 0.1% retinal, Gotu kolapeptides, ceramides, adenosine
  • Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Acne: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule

Skin1004

Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule

Why we love it: Cica is one of the most popular ingredients in Korean skin-care products for several reasons. First and foremost, South Korea has high pollution levels, which cause skin sensitivity, and cica is known to be incredibly calming. Second, it’s chock-full of amino acids, beta-carotene, fatty acids, and phytochemicals, including vitamins C, A, B1, and B2, lending itself to a long list of skin-enhancing benefits, like firming, hydrating, smoothing, and blemish fighting, according to Shari Marchbein, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.

The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule takes the trending ingredient one step further with premium cica sourced from Madagascar and fermented to elevate its calming capacities and allow it to better heal breakouts and improve your skin’s moisture barrier function.

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

Pai after applying Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

Deanna Pai

5 Common Myths About Cervical Cancer I Learned the Hard Way

Admin
-
0
5 Common Myths About Cervical Cancer I Learned the Hard Way

I wasn’t worried—until my doctor asked if I was sitting down.

Earlier that week, I’d gone in to follow up on an abnormal Pap smear. I’d put screening off for a few years during the pandemic. She took a few small biopsies, but it didn’t feel urgent. In the past, any abnormal results I had soon cleared up. I’d even had a LEEP, a common procedure to remove precancerous cells from the cervix, in my 20s and moved on with my life.

When she called with the biopsy results, I expected, at worst, a small inconvenience. Another procedure. A light chiding for my delay.

Instead, she told me I had cancer.

Cervical cancer is often described as preventable. It’s usually caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted virus nearly 85% of people will contract in their lifetime, but which rarely progresses to cancer with regular screening and vaccination.

After my diagnosis, those facts felt like an indictment. I replayed the skipped appointments. The voice that said, You’ll reschedule next month. I thought: If this kills me, it will be because I didn’t take it seriously enough.

Spoiler: I did not die. Today, I am gratefully two years cancer-free. But once women in my life knew my story, they began sharing their own with me—and I got a window into how common it is to fall behind on Paps, panic over abnormal results, and keep questions about cervical health to yourself.

What I’ve come to understand is that none of us are reckless. We’re just trying to navigate a risk the medical establishment doesn’t explain well, that’s strangely hard to talk about and often feels abstract, until it isn’t.

So I sat down with my gynecologic oncologist, Amy McNally, MD, at Minnesota Oncology, to separate myth from reality and unpack what she wishes every person with a cervix understood.

Myth 1: Cervical cancer is rare.

Before my diagnosis, I could name exactly one person I knew who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer: an aunt in the 1990s. My mom, a nurse for decades, had never cared for a single cervical cancer patient. I genuinely believed it was something that just didn’t happen anymore.

And in the US, it is relatively uncommon—about 14,000 new cases a year, a fraction compared to the more than 300,000 cases of breast cancer. But worldwide, cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer in women, with deaths concentrated in countries where screening is harder to access.

How to Care for Your Skin During Cancer Treatment

Admin
-
0
How to Care for Your Skin During Cancer Treatment

If you’re reading this, it means that you or someone you care about may be navigating a cancer diagnosis and the twisty path that follows. Having lost my mother too early to cancer, I’d like to start by saying that cancer sucks, and that I’m sending you a huge wave of warmth, courage, and support right now.

As a medical doctor and a skin expert, I thought it might be helpful to summarize some of the most common skin issues that can arise during cancer treatment, and offer some ways to support your skin before, during, and after treatment. One of the reasons I created so many unscented, gentle products in our line was because I wanted to provide some beautiful options for taking care of your skin during a difficult time.

I hope this article helps, and please reach out to us if you have any questions after reading.

What Are the Most Common Skin Changes During Cancer Treatment?

Skin reactions during cancer treatment are extremely common. Radiation-induced skin reactions may be more common than chemotherapy-induced skin reactions, which makes sense since radiation treatment is happening directly through the skin, but problems can happen with either form of treatment.

Having both radiation and chemotherapy together can increase both the likelihood and the severity of skin reactionsas some chemotherapy medications can make your skin more sensitive to radiation damage.

Hair loss, which you probably don’t think of as a “skin change,” is one of the most common and distressing skin reactions to chemotherapy.

Skin cells divide rapidly, and cancer treatments are often designed to target rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, that includes healthy skin cells along with cancer cells. The result is often dryness, inflammation, impaired barrier function, and increased sensitivity.

Common Skin Changes During Chemotherapy

As mentioned above, hair loss is a very common side effect that is usually reversible after treatment is over. Some forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy can cause non-specific skin symptoms like dry skin, increased sensitivity and reactivity, rashes, itching, and burning.

Some medications can cause pigmentation changes in the skin, making your skin or nails either lighter or darker. Some chemotherapy drugs can also make you more sensitive to UV rays, making it much easier to get a sunburn during treatment. Be sure to use a mineral sunscreen to protect your skin, during treatment and beyond.

Another chemotherapy reaction is called Hand Foot Syndrome, or PPE (Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia). This can happen with certain drugs like cytarabine, doxorubicin, and 5-FU, and occurs on the palms and soles about 2–6 weeks after treatment. Symptoms include tingling, pain, redness, swelling, peeling, and blistering, and may require patients to wear special gloves or footwear, or reduce activities that place too much strain on the skin of the hands and feet, like excessive walking or lifting weights. If symptoms become severe, dose modification may be necessary, which should always be discussed with your oncology team.

Radiation Dermatitis and Other Skin Changes During Radiation Therapy

During radiation treatment, people often experience what is called acute radiation dermatitis. The symptoms are often dependent on the dose, with the most severe symptoms like ulceration occurring in patients who receive the highest doses.

At lower doses, acute radiation dermatitis presents as redness, pain, and hair loss at the site of radiation. Patients can also experience itching, scaling, dryness, and pigmentation changes. Symptoms can begin a few hours, days, or weeks after treatment, and damaged skin usually starts to heal after about two weeks, although healing time varies widely.

Dermatitis can sometimes be worse if someone is also receiving certain types of chemotherapy, or if someone is receiving multiple doses of radiation without sufficient time to heal in between treatments. If your skin gets to the point where it is super angry, raw, and moist, you need to talk to your care team to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent infection; you may need special wound dressings or prescription creams or gels.

Another phenomenon, called radiation recalloccurs when an area of the skin previously treated with radiation becomes inflamed after treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs. Most radiation recall happens when the chemotherapy is administered within two months of radiation, but it’s possible for it to occur after a longer period of time as well.

Chronic radiation dermatitis is the big bad wolf of radiation-induced skin changesbecause it’s less likely to repair itself, and more likely to result in permanent skin changes like fibrosis, hypopigmentation, and atrophy. It can even lead to a secondary skin cancer, especially if the dose was high or the patient’s radiation treatment happened at a young age. Long-term barrier support and vigilant sun protection remain important after treatment ends.

How Common Is Radiation Dermatitis?

Unfortunately, up to 85–95% of people have some form of radiation dermatitis. Considering that up to 70% of people with cancer end up needing radiation, and the fact that about two million people a year in the US get diagnosed with cancer, we’re looking at well over a million people in the US each year who could be dealing with a skin rash during cancer treatment. That’s a lot of unhappy skin.

A few factors that increase your chances of radiation dermatitis include female sex, advanced age, chronic sun exposure, smoking, and other systemic illnesses like diabetes. And, of course, the higher the dose of radiation, the greater the chance of having a more serious skin reaction.

How to Prepare Your Skin Before Chemotherapy or Radiation

There is no magic pill here, but there are a few things you can do to support your skin before you start treatment to minimize your chances of skin problems, or reduce their severity if it does happen.

The most important thing you can do is have healthy skin going into treatment. Daily washing with a gentle soap and water is a great way to prepare for treatment, as well as using an unscented body oil or body mousse on wet skin to fortify your skin’s barrier function in preparation for treatment. Avoid introducing new active ingredients or exfoliants in the weeks leading up to treatment.

Additionally, paying great attention to your nutrition and hydration prior to treatment can help prepare not only your skin, but your entire system for treatment. Adequate protein intake supports tissue repair, and hydration supports skin elasticity and resilience.

Another thing to note is that if you have a history of eczema, it can get much worse during cancer treatment. It’s a good idea to try to get your eczema under good control before your treatment begins, which you may be able to do with a few simple changes.

Talk with your healthcare provider to ask if the use of a steroid cream or ointment could be helpful prior to treatment. While it’s wise to use steroids sparingly given the chance of rebound dermatitis, there is some evidence to show that pre-treatment with a topical steroid can help reduce the severity of radiation dermatitis.

How to Treat Skin Rashes During Chemotherapy and Radiation

In a word, gently.

I generally recommend using simple, unscented products (not even essential oils) and avoiding ingredients like sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and synthetic fragrance, both of which can make your skin more susceptible to irritation. Take a look at your laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, and hand soap to make sure they’re free of those two ingredients as well.

In case you’re thinking about slathering your skin in diaper cream after radiation treatment, which would be a reasonable thing to think, don’t do it. It turns out that creams or treatments with metals like zinc and aluminum can actually increase the dose of radiation to the surface of the skinwhich could make the dermatitis worse. Opt for a balm that does not contain any metallic ingredients instead.

Another thing that could make your rash worse is using powders to dry the irritated areas, so keep the areas clean and dry, but don’t use powder to try to dry it out more.

If inflammation is significant, your oncology team may recommend prescription topical steroids, barrier films, hydrogel dressings, or other wound-care protocols. Follow their guidance closely.

Daily Skin Care Tips During Cancer Treatment

Other than the products you’re using on your skin and in your home, here are a few simple things that can be helpful:

  • Wear loose fitting, soft clothing
  • Avoid super hot showers or baths
  • Do not exfoliate or shave any irritated or sensitive skin
  • Wear hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, and sunscreen when outdoors
  • Continue to pay attention to nutrition and hydration the best you can during treatment to nourish your skin from the inside

Small, consistent habits often make the biggest difference.

Are Essential Oils Safe During Chemotherapy or Radiation?

It depends on how your skin is doing.

Don’t ever use undiluted essential oils on your skin, and if your skin is upset, avoid them entirely. If you want a little aromatherapy along the way and your skin is doing well, you can use a properly formulated face wash, serum, or body oil with a low dose of essential oils. If you experience any irritation, go back to using unscented products until you’re a few months out from your last treatment.

When in doubt, unscented is safest.

When Should I Call My Doctor About a Skin Reaction?

This is an important question.

Mild redness, dryness, and itching are common during chemotherapy and radiation. But certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention.

Call your care team if you experience the following:

  • Severe pain
  • Blistering or open sores
  • Weeping or oozing skin
  • Signs of infection such as warmth, pus, or fever
  • Rapidly spreading rash
  • Skin breakdown that interferes with daily function

It is always better to ask early than to wait too long. Oncology teams are very familiar with treatment-related skin reactions and can often intervene quickly to prevent complications.

Your skin is not just cosmetic. It is a protective organ. When its barrier is compromised, infection risk increases, especially during treatment when immune function may already be suppressed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skincare During Cancer Treatment

Should I stop retinol or exfoliating acids during cancer treatment?

Yes. Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, and other active exfoliants should generally be discontinued unless your physician specifically advises otherwise.

What is the safest type of sunscreen during treatment?

A mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is typically preferred, as it is less likely to irritate compromised skin.

When will my skin go back to normal after treatment?

Acute reactions often improve within weeks of completing treatment. Chronic changes may take months, and some may persist. Gentle, consistent care remains important long after treatment ends.

Cancer sucks. But skincare during cancer treatment does not have to add to your burden. Protect your barrier. Reduce irritation. Nourish yourself the best you can. Trust your organs to do the heavy lifting, and lean on your care team when needed.

And if we can help in any way, we’re here.


The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.

Resources:

Bray FN, Simmons BJ, Wolfson AH, Nouri K. Acute and Chronic Cutaneous Reactions to Ionizing Radiation Therapy. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2016 Jun;6(2):185-206

Salvo N, Barnes E, van Draanen J, Stacey E, Mitera G, Breen D, Giotis A, Czarnota G, Pang J, De Angelis C. Prophylaxis and management of acute radiation-induced skin reactions: a systematic review of the literature. Curr Oncol. 2010 Aug;17(4):94-112

Ryan JL, Bole C, Hickok JT, Figueroa-Moseley C, Colman L, Khanna RC, Pentland AP, Morrow GR. Post-treatment skin reactions reported by cancer patients differ by race, not by treatment or expectations. Br J Cancer. 2007 Jul 2;97(1):14-21

Skin Changes During Cancer Treatment by saintjude.org

Skin and Nail Changes during Cancer Treatment by NIH/NCI

Chloe Fineman Shares Her “Simple, No B.S.” Hair Routine

Admin
-
0
Chloe Fineman Shares Her “Simple, No B.S.” Hair Routine

Hair Full of Secrets

Our hair care routines are deeply personal. From our first salon experience to the first product we fell in love with, every moment is a part of our hair story. At Byrdie, we’re fascinated by the entire journey—the styling triumphs and the lessons we’ve learned from wash day disasters. With Hair Full of Secretswe’re bringing you the tried-and-true products, rituals, and recommendations your favorite celebrities, founders, and influencers swear by.

Chloe Fineman joins our call from the hair salon. “I’m going blonde—well, blonder,” she tells me, her head already covered in silver sheets. It’s fitting, since our conversation is about, well, hair. Fineman knows a lot about the subject, if you didn’t know. The Saturday Night Live star is not just a funny girl; she’s a well-versed beauty girl.

Playing multiple characters in different skits every Saturday night requires constant hair changes—wigs, extensions, the whole nine. Fineman says working on the small screen has been the “best thing ever and the worst thing ever” because it makes her want to change her hair all the time. “I wore this pixie wig for this Alexander Skarsgård skit,” she tells me.” “There was a platinum bob that had me like, ‘Oh!’ I keep photos of everything, and I honestly need to create an album called ‘Wig to Reality,’ so I can turn these set styles into IRL hair moments.”

While she works to bring that vision to life, maintaining healthy hair is very much part of her reality. Fineman is a huge advocate, of course, considering she’s Olaplex’s new Chief Hair Officer. “I’m really here to bring science and no-nonsense to hair and help guide people when it comes to taking care of it,” Fineman says. “My goal is to simplify it all. It’s not complicated, it’s not B.S.—it’s workable hair care.”

One of her first orders of business is introducing the brand’s new No.3Plus Complete Repair Treatment, a pre-shampoo treatment that promises stronger, softer, healthier-looking hair in just three minutes. To commemorate the launch, Fineman filled me in on her unhinged hair decisions, her current routine, and her 2026 beauty mantra.

What Would Be on Her Desk If ‘Chief Hair Officer’ Came With an Office

“Obviously, Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. My true star is the No. 4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo. It’s unbelievable. It doesn’t leave a white residue and gives my hair texture without that dandruff-y feel. Aside from that, I’d have my laptop, a cold brew, and a Diet Coke. Water too!”

How She Maintains Blonde and Color-Treated Hair

“It’s Olaplex all the way. I’ve been using it for the past 10 to 12 years. I’ve veered off at times to try trendier things, but my hair always feels best with Olaplex. It’s so intuitive with the numbers—you can go in order, you don’t have to overthink it. I’m always blown away. It works on my hair and even on extensions—it makes them feel as good as new.”

Olaplex


On Her Most Unhinged Hair Decision

“Oh, gosh. I’ve already had, like, six different shades this year, but I’d probably say it happened during Covid, when I couldn’t color my hair and didn’t know what to do. I discovered color-depositing conditioners and went from rose gold to brunette to suddenly orange. At one point, I think my hair was nine different colors. Color is fun and such a form of self-expression, but it’s all about going gradual.”

A Red Carpet Hair Moment That Lives Rent-Free in Her Head

“I have two. Cannes [2024]for sure. Jacob Schwartz took me to this beautiful shade of blonde, and it was the first time I had hair extensions. It was really beautiful—very Old Hollywood. Then, the Met Gala was really fun. I wore an updo, and it felt very Pamela Anderson–cool.”

Olaplex


Her Hair Routine in Three Words

“Simple, no B.S., Kate Moss.”

Her Go-To Hair Treatment

“The No.3Plus Complete Repair Treatment is the most beautiful, nourishing treatment. It has that signature grapefruit scent, and it’s a game-changer—especially as I’m going back to being blonder. It’s truly tried and true.”

What Her Hair Would Thank Her for Right Now

“It would say ‘thank you for taking us back to blonde.’ We know it’s nice to be in New York and be taken seriously as a brunette, but we’re happier as a blonde.”

A Hair Color She Wants to Try

“I’ve been wearing a lot of red wigs on SNL, and there’s this one that’s a dark, cool-toned red. It’s almost purple and seriously gorgeous. We call it my sexy wig and try to sneak her into different sketches. I wore her in an Uber Eats ad and a baby shower sketch—it’s just really fun, and I wouldn’t mind that being my actual color.”

Her 2026 Beauty Mantra

“Just because it looks good on someone else doesn’t mean you have to do it on yourself.”

Global Cosmetics News – Weekly Review | Week 9, February 2026

Admin
-
0
Global Cosmetics News – Weekly Review | Week 9, February 2026

This week, the global cosmetics and personal care industry highlighted the growing convergence of AI deployment, legal developments and portfolio restructuring, as global groups advanced technology rollouts, settled litigation and reshaped ownership structures across markets.

Artificial intelligence applications continued to expand across product development and retail. Clarins launched an AI Shade Finder claiming 96 percent foundation match accuracy. Coty unveiled an AI-driven fragrance concept store in Hong Kong. Shiseido developed AI systems designed to assess ingredient biodegradability and safety.

Legal and regulatory matters remained active across jurisdictions. Johnson & Johnson agreed to a US$4.7 million settlement over Neutrogena Skin360 BIPA claims. Nature agreed to pay US$67 million to settle US talc litigation. L’Oreal filed a lawsuit seeking a refund of Trump-era tariffs. Colgate confirmed it will defend its DEI-based board selection criteria amid a shareholder challenge.

Ownership and governance developments also featured prominently. The Arnault family increased its stake in LVMH to surpass 50 percent. L’Oréal was reported to have influenced the ouster of the Sanofi CEO and the appointment of a successor. In South Korea, Seo Ho-jung, heiress to Amorepacificsold ₩10 billion in shares to fund a gift tax payment.

Corporate restructuring and financial repositioning continued across the sector. Beauty Bay filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. LR Health & Beauty SE agreed a restructuring deal on its Nordic bond. The Honest Company reported FY2025 results and launched a US$25 million share buyback. ODDITY Tech reported record FY2025 results.

M&A and strategic investment activity remained active. Persán agreed to sell Mibelle Biochemistry to Solabia Group. COSMAX acquired a 51 percent stake in Italy’s Keminova to establish its first European production base. Hindustan Unilever acquired full ownership of OZiva and exited its stake in Nutritionalab, while separately confirming plans to invest up to US$221 million to scale premium categories.

Retail and distribution expansion continued across key markets. MCoBeauty launched in Canada through a partnership with Walmart. Bath & Body Works opened an official storefront on Amazon U.S.. M.A.C Cosmetics launched in Sephora U.S. and Sephora at Kohl’s. A dream expanded production in Spain with a new logistics hub and an Elizabeth Arden manufacturing line.

Pharma and biotech investment also intersected with the broader ecosystem. Turbine raised US$25 million in Series B funding and expanded into immunology through a partnership with a top 10 pharma company. South Korea and Brazil signed cooperation agreements covering K-beauty and broader trade collaboration.

Leadership transition was also noted, with Charlotte Tilbury CEO Demetra Pinsent confirming she will step down after 14 years.

Taken together, this week reflected continued momentum around AI integration, manufacturing expansion and portfolio consolidation, alongside sustained legal scrutiny and capital market activity. Developments spanned technology deployment, ownership shifts and cross-border trade alignment across the global cosmetics and personal care landscape.

The Magic of Salon Culture in the Black Community: More Than Just Hair

Admin
-
0
The Magic of Salon Culture in the Black Community: More Than Just Hair

Salon culture in the Black community is about so much more than a fresh set of braids or a perfectly laid silk press. From the moment you walk through those doors and catch the scent of peppermint oil and holding spray, you know you are in a sacred space. For decades, the Black salon has served as a sanctuary, a social club, and a second home where the capes come on and the guards come down.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

The Original Social Network

Long before we had group chats and social media threads, we had the salon chair. It is the place where the neighborhood news breaks first. Whether you are discussing the latest music drops, debating community issues, or sharing life advice, the dialogue is always rich.

The relationship between a stylist and a client is built on a unique kind of trust. You are trusting someone with your crown, and in return, they often become your unofficial therapist. There is a beautiful, unspoken rule that what is said under the dryer stays under the dryer.

GettyImages 723502385 1920x1280jpg 2
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

The technical skill found in Black salons is unmatched. Stylists are not just cutting hair; they are engineers of intricate braids, architects of gravity defying updos, and chemists balancing the perfect formula for color treated natural hair.

Historically, these spaces were also hubs for entrepreneurship. During eras when Black professionals were shut out of many industries, the beauty industry provided a path to financial independence and community leadership. Every time you sit in that chair, you are supporting a legacy of Black excellence and economic self reliance.

The Sunday Morning Ritual

For many, the salon visit is a weekend ritual that requires a cleared calendar. We all know the “salon time” struggle—your appointment is at ten in the morning, but you might not leave until the sun goes down. While the wait can be long, the atmosphere makes it worth it. Between the snacks being passed around, the movies playing on the small TV in the corner, and the constant hum of laughter, it is a communal experience that feeds the soul just as much as it fixes the hair.

Blackhairsalon

Today, salon culture in the Black community continues to evolve. While we now see luxury suites and high end studios, the core essence remains the same. It is a celebration of Black identity. It is a place where our textures are understood, our stories are heard, and our beauty is affirmed without question.

Next time you leave the shop feeling like a brand new person, remember that you didn’t just get a hairstyle. You participated in a vibrant, living history that continues to hold our community together, one stitch and one curl at a time.

The Importance of Prepping & Priming Hair – OLAPLEX Inc.

Admin
-
0
The Importance of Prepping & Priming Hair – OLAPLEX Inc.

Key Takeaways

  • Hair primer is the foundation of healthy hair, and priming hair can repair existing damage and strengthen the hair internally so that treatments, styling, and color perform better with less damage over time.
  • Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment repairs hair at both the cortex and cuticle, improves the 5 visible signs of hair health, and protects against future damage, making it a faster, easier, and more comprehensive upgrade from the original Nº.3 Hair Perfector®.
  • Creating a comprehensive haircare routine inclusive of a hair primer helps to create a healthy canvas that can hold color better, style smoothly, and resist breakage from environmental stress more effectively.

Jump to

Prepping the skin and priming before makeup isn’t new to the beauty world, but what about priming your hair? Just like your skin, hair needs a healthy, resilient foundation to perform its best. When hair isn’t properly prepped, things like treatments, styling, and color services don’t deliver the same results, and hair doesn’t look as healthy overall.

At OLAPLEX, priming hair starts with repairing it from the inside out through bond-building science, which is ever evolving through new products like the OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment. Learn how this universal, professional-inspired treatment helps to repair damage from past and present, while creating the ideal foundation for healthy hair, so your hair is primed and ready for anything.

What Is Hair Primer?

A hair primer is a treatment step that prepares hair by working through existing damage and fortifying it against future stress. It’s the act of properly preparing the hair so that treatments, styling, and color perform can better and cause less damage over time. Instead of just coating the hair, a true primer works internally, strengthening the hair structure from the inside out so that everything that follows can work better and the hair appears healthier and stronger.

OLAPLEX hair priming is powered by patented Bond Building Technology™which helps to target broken bonds often caused by chemical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental damage.

What Does Hair Primer Do?

A hair primer works within the hair fiber to strengthen, smooth, and protect. Unlike traditional masks or conditioners that focus mainly on softness, a primer improves the quality of the hair itself.

By leaving Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment on the hair for 3 minutes, hair is:

  • Repaired internally at the cortex and externally at the cuticle
  • Instantly revived for softness and manageability
  • Strengthened to reduce breakage and split ends
  • Better prepared for styling, heat, color, and other types of environmental stress

Think of it as setting the stage. When hair is healthy at the core, everything you do next is destined to shine.

Finding the Ultimate Hair Primer

When it comes to a hair primer, you want something with fast results, easy use, and more comprehensive hair repair. OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment builds upon the cult‑favorite Nº.3 Hair Perfector®, for a more universal primer with even better results.

Key Benefits of Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment

  • Repairs all three bond types in hair
  • Delivers immediate softness in just 3 minutes
  • Improves the 5 visible signs of hair health: strength, smoothness, softness, shine, and shape
  • Protects against future damage
  • Color-safe, vegan, and suitable for all hair types

When used consistently, Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment has the ability to transform damaged, dry, or compromised hair into a stronger, healthier canvas.

A Haircare Routine for Maximum Results

Healthy hair behaves differently. It holds color better, styles more smoothly, and resists breakage from heat and stress. When you prep and prime hair regularly, you’re not just fixing damage but also preventing further damage from happening, which is why having a good haircare routine is so important.

Prime & Repair

Apply OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment to damp hair from mid‑lengths to ends. Leave on for at least 3 minutes, then rinse.

Cleanse & Condition

Shampoo with OLAPLEX Nº.4 Bond Maintenance® Shampoo and follow with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner.

Use a Hair Mask When Needed

Adding a hair mask to your routine is a great way to keep hair healthy and hydrated. Use the Rich Hydration Mask on medium to coarse hair, or the Weightless Nourishing Mask on fine to medium hair about once a week to boost hydration, smoothness, and shine.

Protect & Style

Apply Nº.6 Bond Smoother® before styling to hydrate and reduce breakage, and OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ for instant shine and protection.

Stay Consistent with Your Haircare

Bond repair is permanent until hair is damaged again, which is common with all of the heat styling, UV exposure, chemical services, and other kinds of stress we put on our hair, compromising it over time. Like skincare, consistency is key. Regular use of a hair primer keeps hair resilient, healthy, and ready for anything.

Hair primer is a fundamental step in modern haircare. With the new OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment, priming hair becomes faster, easier, and more effective than ever before. If you start with a strong foundation, then the hair will perform at its best.

Treat your hair like your skin. Prep it. Prime it. Repair it.

The beauty habits affecting your eyes (according to an eye doctor)

Admin
-
0
The beauty habits affecting your eyes (according to an eye doctor)

We brush our teeth twice a day without even thinking, yet most of us can’t name a single thing we do to care for our eyes – even though we expose them daily to mascara, eyeliner, lash serums, powders, creams and makeup removers, often for decades at a time.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Dr Pam Theriot, optometrist, author and dry eye specialist, to unpack the rarely discussed relationship between beauty routines and long-term eye health.

As Dr Theriot explains, modern beauty habits such as tightlining, waterproof makeup and lash enhancements may seem harmless in isolation, but their cumulative impact can affect the eyelids, tear film, and the tiny oil glands that keep our eyes comfortable.

This unique episode shines a light on a missing piece of the beauty conversation.

From ingredient choices and everyday behaviours to the lack of industry education around ocular health, it challenges assumptions and offers practical insights that could change how you think about caring for your eyes, forever.

Listen here

“We care for our teeth every day, but most people can’t name a single thing they do to care for their eyes – even though sight is the sense we fear losing the most.” — Dr Pam Theriot

In this episode with Dr Pam Theriot, you will hear:

  • Why eye health is missing from the beauty conversation: Dr Theriot explains why ocular health has largely been ignored by the beauty industry, despite decades of product use around the eyes. She shares how recent advances in imaging technology and research are only now revealing the cumulative impact of everyday beauty habits.
  • How cosmetics interact with the eye’s delicate structures: You’ll learn how the eyelids, tear film and oil glands work together to protect the eyes, and why they are so vulnerable to products applied nearby. Dr Theriot explains how powders, pigments and creams can migrate into the tear film or absorb through the thinnest skin on the body.
  • The ingredients and products that raise red flags: From preservatives and alcohol to formaldehyde in lash adhesives and tea tree oil in eyelid products, Dr Theriot outlines which ingredients have been shown to damage cells or disrupt the eye’s surface. She also explains why “clean” or “natural” doesn’t automatically mean eye-safe.
  • Beauty behaviours that quietly contribute to discomfort: Tightlining, waterproof makeup, lash extensions and skipping proper removal are all discussed in detail. Dr Theriot explains how these habits can block oil glands, reduce tear quality and increase inflammation over time.
  • What needs to change in formulation, labelling and education: The episode closes with a powerful discussion on how the beauty industry could take ocular health more seriously – from ingredient choices and warning labels to influencer education and consumer awareness.

Key takeaways include:

  • Eye care deserves the same daily attention as oral care: Dr Theriot highlights a striking imbalance in how we approach self-care. While plaque removal and dental hygiene are ingrained from childhood, eye hygiene is rarely discussed. Yet the eyelids and ocular surface also accumulate biofilm, bacteria and residue that can affect long-term comfort and eye health if left unmanaged.
  • Cumulative exposure matters more than one-off use: Many beauty habits seem harmless in isolation, but the real issue lies in repeated exposure over decades. Daily application of products near the eyes can gradually damage oil glands, disrupt blinking and alter tear composition, increasing the risk of dry eye disease later in life.
  • Behaviour can be just as important as formulation: Even well-formulated products can cause problems when used incorrectly. Applying products too close to the lash line, rubbing the eyes, over-cleansing or failing to remove makeup properly can all contribute to irritation and gland dysfunction, regardless of how ‘gentle’ a product claims to be.
  • Not all irritation is immediate or obvious: Damage to the eye’s structures often occurs silently, long before symptoms become severe enough to seek help. Dr Theriot explains that many patients don’t connect mild dryness or discomfort with their beauty routines, even when clear clinical signs are present.
  • Education could transform how we use beauty products: Greater awareness – from formulators, brands, practitioners and influencers – could help consumers make informed choices without giving up makeup entirely. Understanding where and how to apply products and which ingredients to approach with caution could significantly improve eye comfort over time.

Meet our guest: Dr Pam Theriot, optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist

Podcast 305: The beauty habits affecting your eyes (according to an eye doctor)Podcast 305: The beauty habits affecting your eyes (according to an eye doctor)Dr Pam Theriot is an optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist based in Louisiana. With over 20 years of experience in eye care, she leads the Dry Eye Relief Center at Lusk Eye Specialists, where she helps patients find personalised, long-term solutions to chronic eye irritation.

Her own journey with dry eye began early in her career, when symptoms started affecting her ability to wear contact lenses, run comfortably and apply makeup. That experience shaped her professional mission to help others feel at ease in their own eyes again.

Dr Theriot shares her expertise through her book Alleviate Dry Eye, online courses, a weekly blog, and her Editor’s Pick Award-winning TEDx talk. She is on a mission to help 1 million people learn to care for their eyes as routinely as they care for their teeth by building simple, everyday habits.

Find out more about Dr Pam Theriot and her work:

Special resource mentioned in the episode:

Related episodes:

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

FREE TRAINING

Learn how to become an
Organic Skincare Formulator

Join over 100,000 other Formulators

By providing your details, you agree to receive additional educational & marketing emails from Formula Botanica, which further introduce our curriculum. Your data is never shared or sold. Read our Privacy Policy.

FREE TRAINING

How to become an
Organic Skincare Entrepreneur

Join over 100,000 other Formulators

By providing your details, you agree to receive additional educational & marketing emails from Formula Botanica, which further introduce our curriculum. Your data is never shared or sold. Read our Privacy Policy.

FREE TRAINING

How to become an
Organic Skincare Entrepreneur

Join over 100,000 other Formulators

By providing your details, you agree to receive additional educational & marketing emails from Formula Botanica, which further introduce our curriculum. Your data is never shared or sold. Read our Privacy Policy.

Leave us a comment

Is The New Vegan Formula Any Good?

Admin
-
0
Is The New Vegan Formula Any Good?

Nivea Creme Natural Touch is the first line extension of the iconic blue tin in over 100 years, and that’s not a small thing. This is Vicks VapoRub territory. Ivory Soap territory. A utilitarian, unpretentious staple so embedded in daily life across so many cultures that it long ago transcended the moisturizer category.

As inclusive as a United Colors of Benetton ad, and priced so that virtually anyone anywhere can access it. So when Beiersdorf extended the legacy, they did it the right way: kept the original untouched and added Natural Touch alongside it to meet growing demand for a vegan option. That’s exactly how it’s done.

Nivea creme formulas around the world.

Nivea Around The World

This is where Nivea gets a shaky reputation. The line thrives in Europe and offers far more targeted solutions than what’s available Stateside. Most importantly, the cream in the blue tin is superb compared to what is sold in the US. The latter is heavier, greasier, and far from a joy to use. I covered this in more depth in this post. TL;DR: only buy the Made in Germany tin.

Berlin train station Rossmann and drugstore shopping haul.
Berlin Hbf layover included Rossmann and Apotheke visit. Both successful.

Nivea Creme Natural Touch Ingredient Tweaks

The biggest difference between Natural Touch and the classic comes down to the base. The original is built on mineral oil, petrolatum, microcrystalline wax, and paraffin, held together with lanolin alcohol, known by its historic name Eucerit.

Nivea Creme Natural Touch

That last ingredient deserves more than a passing mention. Eucerit is Beiersdorf’s proprietary lanolin alcohol, a purified fraction of the waxy substance secreted by sheep. It was the discovery that launched the company in 1911, and it was groundbreaking for one specific reason: it was the first ingredient capable of forming a stable water-in-oil emulsion. That’s what made the original Nivea Creme possible.

It has been in this formula for over 100 years. Natural Touch drops it entirely, which is either admirably bold or mildly heartbreaking depending on how deep your skincare history rabbit hole goes. It had to go. Eucerit is animal-derived, and keeping it would have killed the vegan claim.

New vegan Nivea Creme Natural Touch ingredients.

Not to get all Elle Woods on you, but this is what needed to happen: the base became a fusion of caprylic/capric triglyceride, hydrogenated rapeseed oil, Brassica campestris seed oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter. The emulsifier system shifts to polyglyceryl-3 stearate and potassium cetyl phosphate, both plant-derived. Distarch phosphate, a modified starch, is the interesting one. It’s not a common moisturizer ingredient, but here it’s working as a texture builder to replicate that dense, waxy feel the original is known for. Six years and 2,100 prototypes to get there. For a moisturizer. That’s impressive.

Nivea Vegan Natural Touch creme texture on skin

But wait, there’s more!

Sodium ascorbate, a vitamin C salt, acts as an antioxidant to stabilize the plant oils. This matters more than it sounds. Plant oils oxidize. Mineral oil doesn’t. Keeping a plant-based formula shelf-stable without compromising texture is genuinely difficult work. Levomenol, natural bisabolol, rounds things out with a mild soothing element.

Panthenol and the fragrance allergen profile remain identical across both formulas, so the scent is unchanged. That matters, because the smell of Nivea Cream is essentially embedded in cultural memory. Getting that wrong would have been unforgivable.

Here’s the honest formulation read. Mineral oil and petrolatum are excellent ingredients. They’re hypoallergenic, stable, and genuinely effective occlusives. Replacing them with plant oils isn’t automatically better for skin. It’s better for a sustainability story. That’s not a criticism, it’s just worth saying plainly.

Texture comparison of original Nivea and vegan Natural Touch formulas.

It’s also worth distinguishing Nivea Creme from other occlusive heavy-hitters like Aquaphor or CeraVe Healing Ointments. Those are primarily repair-focused occlusives. They seal and protect. Their goal is to help heal from within. Nivea Cream is doing both jobs simultaneously. The glycerin and panthenol actively moisturize while the occlusive base locks everything in. Natural Touch maintains that same dual action, just with a plant-derived base. That’s a harder thing to pull off than it looks, and it’s what separates Nivea Creme from the ointment category entirely.

The Natural Touch is a well-engineered reformulation that earns its claims. That said, the original remains the stronger choice for very sensitive or reactive skin, precisely because of its simplicity.

Nivea comparison of original creme and new vegan formula.

My Experience With Nivea Creme Natural Touch

I opened my tin apprehensive but optimistic. My hesitation had history behind it. The Soft cream formula never won me over, and the Nivea Men version left me only slightly impressed. Natural Touch, however, absolutely wowed me.

Nivea Vegan Creme review (Natural Touch formula).

The texture is just a touch creamier than the original and absorbs just as well. The signature scent is completely intact. Given how central that smell is to the Nivea experience, that alone is a win.

I tested it as a night cream during a recent trip to freezing Poland, which is about as rigorous a dry-skin stress test as you can get. No clogged pores. No pillowcase stains. My complexion can handle Nivea Cream as a face cream, but with Madrid warming up fast, I’m currently rotating lighter options. Natural Touch will be back in heavy rotation come winter.

New Nivea vegan creme with no lanolin.

I picked up my tin for 2.99€ (150ml) at a Rossman in the Berlin train station. Right now, Natural Touch is only available in Germany. Check out eBay.de for a great deal on a multi-pack (the eBay store is by NIVEA btw). More markets should be coming. Based on this formula, the wait will be worth it.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. It helps keep my mist habit funded and this blog running. Thank you for reading.

The “Dragon Scale” Nail Trend Will Take You to Another World

Admin
-
0
The “Dragon Scale” Nail Trend Will Take You to Another World

Key Takeaways

  • The “Dragon Scale” manicure trend features jelly-like, ultra-glossy cat eye nails.
  • They can be any color, as long as they seem to glow from within.

Have you given your inner child a treat today? If not, it’s time you did—they’ve been so very good and you know better than anyone how much they deserve it.

Apparently, they’re still asking for one of the scales from Dragon Tales. Your mom said that wasn’t possible way back when, but times have changed and it’s absolutely something you can procure now. In fact, you can have ten of them! One on each nail, thanks to the “Dragon Scale” manicure trend.

@_o_at_/Instagram


The Trend

“Dragon Scale” nails are super closely related to cat eye or velvet nails, but glowier. They have a glass-like finish and somehow seem to shine from within. Like most nail trends, this look has roots in Korea. No one is doing it like the K-beauty brands (Japanese, too!), who often feature ultra-fine magnet particles in their polishes that help catch, and redistribute, the light.

“I create the look using ‘cat eye’ gel which is essentially a gel polish with metallic particles which are reactive to a magnet, creating that depth and iridescent effect,” explains Rosie Wainwright of Petal World Studio. “I love using Japanese and Korean brands for my magnetic gel products and am particularly drawn to products with that really fine shimmer effect, rather than chunky glitters.”

Honestly, it’s hard to even do these designs justice in photos. You need to see them glimmer in real life or a video.

@brushedbyb_/Instagram


The design can be any color you wish (new icebreaker question: “what color is your dragon?”), with a sparkly or simply glassy finish—as long as they have that glow, you’re in business. The shape is also up for interpretation, though there’s something special about trying out oval or soft almond if you want to get as scale-like as possible.

@nahands/Instagram


Get the Look

The best way to get dragon scale nails is to head to a salon that specializes in/stocks high-quality Korean or Japanese nail products. They’ll know the precise magnet placement and gel layering techniques so you can get that perfect finish.

@nahands/Instagram


Or, there are always press ons. Kiss has some nice purple ones, and Etsy offers an endless scroll of expert artists who can create a custom design for you based on your dream scale(s).

Come along, take my hand! Let’s all go to dragon land.

1...979899...289Page 98 of 289