The Skin We're In

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The Skin We’re In Q&A

Summer Skin Care with Allana Davison, Lifestyle and Fashion Blogger Allana Davison, a Toronto-based content creator and blogger, discusses her summer skin care routine and offers tips to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays.

What's your biggest skin concern during the summer in Canada?

I think that a lot of us Canadians leave sun care and sun concerns as an afterthought and that we're generally behind on the topic as a society. Growing up on the west coast, sunny days were few and far between. Because of this, I was a regular at tanning bed salons and took any opportunity to bask outside on the rare sunny days.

In recent years, I’ve realized that just because I don’t live in a hot, tropical climate, it doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t be concerned about the sun. There's so much misinformation out there regarding the sun and tanning and whether it’s good for you, but I’ve learned that my habits surrounding sun care and tanning needed to change.

For Canadians wanting to enjoy the sun, what steps do you recommend people take to protect their skin?

Wear sunscreen every day! I even keep

a little travel-friendly sunscreen balm in my purse, which I try to remember to apply to my hands while on the road.

I also wear polarized sunglasses with large frames to keep my eyes protected, especially when driving. There are so many amazing sunscreen brands on the market nowadays that make daily sunscreen wearing so doable.

Why did you decide to get screened for skin cancer?

In 2019, I had “margarita burn,” also known as phytophotodermatitis, on my hands, which came about from squeezing limes to make a lovely beach beverage. This led to bulbous third-degree burns all over both hands. Since then, the skin on my hands has become extra sensitive and I’ve had to pay more attention to taking care of the skin on my hands in the sun. “Margarita burn” is a real thing and I would definitely suggest looking it up so that you can prevent it from happening to you. After

this ordeal, I became more invested in the practice of sun care in general and started to take note of the spots and patches on my skin.

The following year, I noticed that two really small black spots had suddenly appeared on my leg and they looked different from the rest of the spots in the area. A dermatologist confirmed that the moles were of concern, and after a biopsy, further confirmed that the moles contained pre-melanoma cells. They informed me that if the moles were left untreated, the cells would become cancerous over time and that I was relatively young to have them as the cells can take years to develop.

I had to go in a few weeks later to have a larger surface area removed around the spots to ensure that nothing had spread beyond the visible mole. It was a minor procedure and I was only left with two scars on my leg, but it acted as a huge wake-up call for me and my sun-worshipping attributes.

To learn more about Allana's summer skin care routine, follow her on YouTube @allanaramaa.

Self-Examination Steps to Check for Signs of Skin Cancer Aside from being detrimental to your skin, the sun's harmful rays can leave you exposed to developing skin cancer.

Canadian Dermatology Association

M

ost people understand that sunburns are bad for the skin, especially the deep, blistering type. Most sun damage to the skin is cumulative, caused by many days of sun exposure, thus making it essential to take the necessary precautions while outside in the sun and to monitor your skin regularly throughout the year.

The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) is committed to informing Canadians about the harmful effects the sun can have on their skin and providing preventative methods and essential steps to perform a skin cancer self-examination.

Sun safety prevention methods • Apply sunscreen that is broad-spec• • • •

trum with an SPF of 30 or higher Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck, and ears Wear UV-protective sunglasses that offer "UV400" or "100% UV protection” Seek shade when the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is the strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

ABCDEs of melanoma: what to look for • Asymmetry: The shape on one side is different from that on the other side

• Border: The border or visible edge is irregular, ragged, and imprecise

• Colour: There is a colour variation, with brown, black, red, grey, or white within the lesion • Diameter: Growth is typical of melanoma. It can measure more than six mm, although it can be less • Evolution: Look for changes in colour, size, shape or symptoms, such as itching, tenderness, or bleeding If you believe you've spotted signs of skin cancer, schedule an appointment with your health care provider, who can then refer you to a dermatologist.

For more information about the CDA’s National Sun Awareness Month campaign and sun safety resources, visit dermatology.ca or checkyourskin.ca.

Publisher: Maddie MacNeil Business Development Manager: Melanie Kosev Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Content & Web Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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The Dermatologist-Tested Clinical Skin Care Brand That's Flying off the Shelves This Summer Skinfix creates clean, clinically-proven, dermatologist-tested and recommended products that heal, replenish, and maintain the vital skin barrier.

Abigail Cukier

W Amy Gordinier Founder & CEO, Skinfix

Dr. Katie Beleznay Canadian & U.S. Board-Certified Dermatologist

Hyram Yarbro Content Creator & Skin Care Enthusiast

Dr. Nowell Solish Assistant Professor of Dermatology & Director of Dermatologic Surgery, University of Toronto, & Founding Board Member, International Hyperhidrosis Society

Yasmin Shariff Toronto Resident Living with Hyperhidrosis

e may not always think about the role our skin plays as the largest organ in our body — providing an airtight, watertight, and flexible barrier between our internal systems and the outside world.

The skin’s outermost layer is the skin barrier and our body’s first line of immune defence. You can imagine the skin barrier as a brick wall, where the cells are the bricks and the mortar that holds the wall together contains vital lipids such as ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids.

“The skin barrier performs the critical function of keeping essential water and electrolytes inside the body while keeping harmful micro-organisms out. The barrier supports the skin’s immunity and helps regulate inflammation,” says Amy Gordinier, Founder and CEO of Skinfix.

“But over-exfoliation, cosmetic procedures, dehydration, growing older, and environmental stressors like sun damage and indoor heating and cooling systems can all weaken your skin barrier and make it more vulnerable.”

Dr. Katie Beleznay, a Canadian and U.S. board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist, says signs of a damaged skin barrier can include dehydration, dull and itchy skin, redness, chronic skin irritation, and skin that's prone to infection and delayed wound healing.

“A damaged skin barrier can also worsen conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and even acne, so it's important to try and preserve skin barrier health by keeping skin protected and hydrated.

If you're experiencing symptoms of a damaged skin barrier, it's important to stop using active ingredients that may be irritating the skin and focus on a simple, gentle routine until the skin

has time to heal,” says Dr. Beleznay. “A good gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF are the keys at this point.”

Providing cutting-edge biotechnology as a leader in skin barrier health Skinfix started with an eczema healing balm made with pharmaceutical-grade active ingredients and natural ingredients created in the 1870s by a British pharmacist named Thomas Dixon. His family continued to make the balm and sell it privately when they immigrated to Canada.

After working in the beauty industry in the U.S. and Europe, Gordinier moved to Halifax and met Dixon’s great-great-granddaughter. “I was captivated by the idea that a natural product could go up against prescription products to treat serious skin issues,” Gordinier says.

Skinfix partners with dermatologists to understand the skin and the root cause and symptoms of skin concerns. It formulates using the latest, cutting-edge technology with a focus on biomimetic actives to deliver the most effective skin barrier health products. As a result, Skinfix can offer powerful, non-irritating products with a combination of patented active ingredients and other emollients, minerals, and nutrients chosen for effectiveness for specific skin concerns.

“I think it's important to look for products that don't include common potential irritants like harsh exfoliants, fragrance, and drying alcohols,” says Hyram Yarbro, a content creator and skin care enthusiast. “Focus on products that are formulated for sensitive skin, are deeply nourishing, have rich consistencies, and feature ingredients that calm the skin, like niacinamide, centella, and green tea.”

Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream helps replenish ceramides and fatty acids Skinfix’s Barrier+ Triple LipidPeptide Cream, which is currently the leading moisturizer at Sephora Canada, features the patented Triple Lipid Complex™ technology and is proven in a clinical study to help replenish ceramides and fatty acids by 212 percent.1 The Skinfix Barrier+ line with the patented Triple Lipid Complex™ technology improves skin barrier function by 95 percent in one hour while maintaining long-term hydration.2 Skinfix also has product lines that are clinically proven to target specific skin issues, including eczema, keratosis pilaris, and rosacea. Skinfix is certified Clean + Planet Positive at Sephora, which means its products are formulated without specific ingredients known or suspected to be potentially harmful to human health, and the brand is focused on climate commitments, sustainable sourcing, responsible packaging, and environmental giving.

“We formulate for the most sensitive skin, so what we leave out of our products is as important to Skinfix as what we put in,” Gordinier says. “We're obsessive about healthy skin. People dealing with skin concerns have typically tried a lot of products and spent a lot of money in their search for skin wellness. We take our obligation seriously and do our utmost to improve skin barrier health.”

REFERENCES: 1 Based on a 28-day clinically-controlled study on 27 volunteers, used as part of the Barrier+ 3-step regimen 2 Based on a 1-hour clinical study on a key formula component on 15 subjects

To try Sephora Canada’s number one moisturizer, Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream, visit sephora.com or find a location near you.

This article was sponsored by Skinfix.

Feeling Less Confident Due to Excess Sweating?

Take Action Now Hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that's characterized by excessive sweating, is relatively common and, unfortunately, often affects both mental and physical well-being.

Angela Ballard, RN, Educator & Advocate, International Hyperhidrosis Society

S

weat is normal. We sweat to keep our body temperature at a safe level and as a natural reaction to stress. But what if you sweat too much? From annoying to debilitating, here’s what you need to know about sweat.

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis (Hh) is a medical condition that causes extreme, uncontrollable sweating, beyond what’s considered necessary or “normal.” People with Hh can drench clothing, damage electronics, and even slip and fall, and research shows that anxiety and depression are increased among people with Hh. Even though it’s not talked about much, Hh is more common than peanut allergies and about two million Canadians are affected — while about 450,000 Canadians are allergic to peanuts. But, just as there are numerous people suffering from Hh, there are also numerous solutions to the medical condition.

Dr. Nowell Solish, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Director of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Toronto and Founding Board Member of the International Hyperhidrosis Soci-

ety (IHhS), says, “Excessive sweating is a real problem for many people — getting in the way of their daily lives and emotional health. But it doesn’t have to. We can help manage disruptive sweating and make a difference.”

People with hyperhidrosis sweat

5x more

than is necessary to control body temperature or deal with stress.

The International Hyperhidrosis Society was created to help.

“No matter the weather, my sweating didn’t stop,” says Yasmin Shariff from Toronto. “I was always worried someone would notice my condition and find it disgusting. Finding treatment for excessive sweating was a breakthrough. Now I feel positive about myself and my life.”

Diagnosing hyperhidrosis “Health care professionals use a frame-

work to diagnose excessive sweating,” says Lisa J. Pieretti, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the IHhS. “But there’s a spectrum. What’s acceptable for one person might be disruptive and embarrassing to another. If your sweating is getting in the way of living your life or feeling confident, there's help. You can learn more about all of the available treatments and find support at SweatHelp.org.”

Lisa J. Pieretti Executive Director & Co-Founder, International Hyperhidrosis Society

Customized treatment options The right intervention for your situation will depend on how much and where you sweat. Hands, feet, underarms, groin, and head each have their own best practices and hacks. From shoe liners to stain-blocking shirts to extra-strength antiperspirants, there are several unique items that can help.

For more serious sweating, or as periodic add-ons, a health care provider can provide botulinum toxin injections, prescription antiperspirants, iontophoresis, miraDry®, oral meds, and combinations of these. No matter how much you sweat, you have options.

To learn more about hyperhidrosis and how to treat the medical condition, visit SweatHelp.org.

This article was made possible with support from Perspirex.

This article was written by the International Hyperhidrosis Society, the experts in all things sweatrelated.

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STAYING HYDRATED IN THE SUMMER HEAT:

Q&A with Skinfluencer Hyram Yarbro

As a co-founder of the skin care line Selfless by Hyram, influencer Hyram Yarbro talks about his summer skin care routine and products for varying skin types.

How does your skin care routine change in the summertime?

I have combination/oily skin, so controlling the shininess of my skin in the summertime becomes a top priority!

I primarily use lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas that help to combat humidity and heat. Salicylic acid, niacinamide, and sunscreen are my go-tos for ensuring my skin stays healthy and controlled during the summer.

What's your go-to product to ensure your skin is feeling and looking its best in the summer?

Sunscreen is number one! I always make sure to apply a generous amount of sunscreen in the morning and reapply throughout the day, particularly when I’m going to be outside.

How do you keep your skin hydrated in the heat?

I make sure to use lightweight products that incorporate hydrating ingredients to ensure my skin stays properly hydrated without compromising the appearance of my skin. I tend to get very oily, so ingredients like niacinamide to

support the health of the skin barrier while reducing excess sebum production are great, and I always make sure that my nighttime routine heavily focuses on deeply moisturizing the skin. By ensuring my nighttime routine packs a punch for hydration, my skin will stay properly balanced throughout the day without looking oily.

What additional advice would you give to someone who doesn’t know where to start in their skin care routine?

Start simple! Skin care can feel overwhelming, but having a consistent routine is the best first step. Plus, it’s always better to start with the basics — cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen. If that’s too overwhelming, find a moisturizing sunscreen you can use every day and put your cleanser in the shower — it’ll be much easier to cleanse your face every day while already cleansing your hair and body.

Focus on building the habit of using these products every day and then slowly incorporate more products as you become more consistent.

To learn more about Hyram's summer skin care routine, follow him on Instagram @selflessbyhyram.

Skin Care Meets Self-Care: Building a More Confident You These products will help provide the blueprint to build a skin care routine for your lifestyle.

Sonya Friesen

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El t a M

PC

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I K S

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ur skin can be one of our mo st emot iona l pa in points. Whether it’s due to the changing seasons or aging, skin changes over time — which means building a healthy relationship with your skin isn’t always easy.

Skin is a direct reflection of one's physical health, but it also says a lot about mental and emotional health.

We’re all familiar with the concept of self-care. While some elements of self-care may be external in practice — like skin care — the real appeal of self-care lies in how it makes you feel.

The better we feel on the outside, the more confident we feel on the inside.

Finding a way to start that cycle can be tough. Dedicating time to skin care is one of the easiest ways to grow and develop lasting confidence. A proper skin care routine will not only help manage various skin concerns but the sooner you integrate skin care into your daily routine, the better chance your skin has of staying healthy for longer — in turn, providing lasting self-esteem benefits.

Finding what works for your skin care routine Skin care isn’t one-size-fits-all. What sometimes makes skin care seem challenging is that everyone’s skin is unique and each person faces their own set of concerns and environmental factors.

When you’ve reached your limit with drugstore options, medical skin care lines like PCA SKIN and EltaMD provide more potent, higher-percentage ingredient options to help address a variety of individual skin concerns.

Focused on products that are researched, designed, and executed by an in-house PhD chemist, PCA SKIN prides itself on medical-grade products that address all skin types and

concerns, using new ingredients to amplify the benefits of tried-and-true components. It helps you to build and stick to a routine that won’t just work for you but will help you feel more confident. PCA SKIN comes directly from a professional, giving you the chance to consult with someone knowledgeable, rather than just choosing from the shelf.

The key to healthy skin is no secret No routine is complete without the world’s — thankfully — worst-kept secret to lasting skin: sun protection.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a timely reminder to everyone that while the sun may feel great, it can be incredibly damaging for the skin. With an ever-present risk of melanoma, it’s important to find a sun product that will work for your entire body yearround. And yes, while the connection between summer and sunscreen is obvious, during harsh Canadian winters sun protection is just as important, because it serves as a barrier and aids in hydration. It's safe to say that proper skin care will greatly assist your skin health for the rest of your life.

EltaMD is the number one dermatologist-recommended professional sunscreen brand in America, and unlike other sun care products, it feels good on your skin. Not everyone has the same relationship with the sun, which is why EltaMD provides formulas and products for different lifestyles, preferences, and needs across a variety of skin conditions, tones, and types.

A proper skin care routine can feel overwhelming, but PCA SKIN and EltaMD make for an easy starting point.

This summer, it’s not just about finding your confidence but holding onto it. That journey can start with your skin — just don’t forget the sunscreen!

This article was sponsored by Salient Medical Solutions.

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Redefining Beauty — So It’s Good for You and the Planet A top-rated beauty line is building better industry standards by offering sustainable, natural products that are highly effective.

Katherine Cappellacci

F

rench brand Caudalie is a leading entity in the clean beauty industry — all of its face and skin care products are made up of at least 95 percent natural ingredients. “We take a natural approach to product formulation, packaging, and beyond,” says Liz Kwitman, Vice President of Education for the Americas at Caudalie. “Committed to environmental sustainability, we’re members of 1% for the Planet and are nearing our 2023 goal of planting 10 million trees.”

All Caudalie product packaging is either constructed from recyclables or ethically sourced FSC-certified paper or wood. Plus, Caudalie’s products go unmatched in effectiveness — the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is its number one product worldwide, treating all forms of dark spots including sunspots, acne scarring, melasma, and more.

It’s 62 times more effective than vitamin C, and clients see a 63 percent improvement after just one bottle.

Liz Kwitman Vice President of Education for the Americas, Caudalie

A guide to managing sweat this summer (and beyond).

Sonya Friesen

W

Science-backed skin care — the Vinoperfect Collection The serum is part of Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Collection, which also includes two moisturizers, a glycolic mask, and an essence to combat dark spots and improve skin brightening. Entirely vegan and safe on sensitive skin, the collection’s products are biologically engineered to work together, rejuvenating skin cells at the molecular level.

What truly sets the collection apart is the use of Viniferine. This melanin regulator comes from grapevine sap and is scientifically proven to reduce and prevent the look of dark spots and make skin radiant.

Caudalie’s inception is rooted in scientific research and clinical studies — the company continues to conduct formulaic research in its own laboratory while also partnering with world-renowned researchers and institutions such as Harvard Medical School.

“Caudalie has brought Bordeaux to Toronto via its Hazelton boutique,” says Kwitman. At the boutique, clients can purchase products and book Caudalie’s world-renowned facials and body treatments — including the Vinoperfect Radiance Treatment.

Don't Sweat Your Sweat: The Antiperspirant Coming to Your Rescue

Discover the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Caudalie's bestselling serum for visibly radiant, more even skin.

Join Caudalie at its Hazelton boutique for a Vinoperfect Radiance Treatment or shop the Vinoperfect Collection at caudalie.com or Sephora Canada.

This article was sponsored by Caudalie.

e've all heard the saying “don't sweat the small stuff.” From an important work meeting to a first date, a spicy meal, or a stubbed toe, chances are you've experienced the uncomfortable moment when your underarms or hands and feet begin to feel damp.

Sweating is a response to heat, stressors, or even indigestion and can be caused by any number of reasons — diet, pregnancy, or genetics. We all sweat, but sometimes that sweat can feel a little more than "just the small stuff," and when it starts to impact your confidence, there are solutions available.1 Excessive sweating affects approximately three percent of the population — almost one million Canadians.2 DRYSOL® is an effective topical antiperspirant that's proven to help in managing hyperhidrosis — a condition characterized by abnormally excessive sweating.3 DRYSOL®, having met the Canadian Dermatology Association's Skin Health Program (SHP) criteria,4 offers various strengths in both solution and dab-on formats, allowing you to target the problem areas. The best part? It's easy.

At bedtime, apply DRYSOL® to dry skin. For DRYSOL® Dab On, there's a handy applicator to apply, and for DRYSOL® Solution, just dampen a cotton ball, making sure not to rub it in. The next morning, wash the area with soap and water.

After three days, switch to applying just once a week.3 Yes, it really is that simple. Keep in mind that it should not be applied to broken, irritated, or recently shaved or waxed skin.

If your sweat is causing you to sweat, DRYSOL® has your back (or your underarms, feet, hands — you get the idea). For more information about this product, please contact your health care practitioner.

REFERENCES: 1 Rystedt A, Brismar K, Aquilonius SM, Naver H, Swartling C. J Neurol Neuromedicine (2016) 1(4):25-33 https://dermatology.ca/ public-patients/skin/ hyperhidrosis/

2

3

Drysol product label

The HRIPT is the standard human clinical test used for personal care and pharmaceutical products, and is used to help predict the likelihood for induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) of topically applied products. https://dermatology.ca/ industry/ industry-recognition-programs/shp/

4

Visit drysol.ca to learn more, and remember to chat with your doctor to make sure there's nothing serious behind your sweat.

Join the movement and follow #drysolidarity.

This article was sponsored

by Seaford Pharmaceuticals.

Is Psoriasis Affecting Your Body Image and Mental Health?

Help Is out There Skin diseases such as psoriasis can negatively impact several aspects of one's life including self-image and mental health, but help is available.

Canadian Psoriasis Network

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soriasis (suh-rai-uh-sis) is a chronic, non-contagious, in f la m mator y d isea se that’s estimated to affect over a million Canadians. There are different forms of psoriasis — plaque, guttate, pustular (generalized and localized), inverse, and erythrodermic — with plaque psoriasis being the most common, affecting about 90 percent of people with this condition.

Typically, skin cells shed every 28 to 30 days — but with plaque psoriasis, faulty signals in the body’s immune system cause this to happen every three to four days instead. Skin cells pile up to form sores (plaques) on the affected skin that appear reddish on lighter skin and purplish or greyish on darker skin. Thick, silvery scales form on top of these plaques, and the affected skin can be significantly itchy, flaky, uncomfortable, and painful. Due to underlying inflammation, people with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing associated conditions like psoriatic arthritis (which is estimated to affect up to one in three people with psoriasis), metabolic disease, and heart disease.

Psoriasis — more than skin deep Visit the Canadian Psoriasis Network at canadianpsoriasis network.com for more information and support for living well with psoriasis.

Though everyone experiences psoriasis differently and experiences may change over the course of one’s condition, psoriasis can affect every aspect of a person’s life including self-image, personal relationships, sleep, intimacy, social life, and work life. People with psoriasis often report

poor self-esteem and high levels of psychological stress. Estimates suggest that up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop anxiety and up to 60 percent develop depression over the course of the disease.

Psoriasis symptoms can vary from mild to severe, but even mild cases can have significant negative impacts on a person’s life, especially if certain body parts — the face, hands, feet, and genitals — are affected. Stigma plays a major role in the experiences of people with psoriasis when it comes to self-image and body image. A common misconception is that psoriasis is “only” a rash, diminishing the actual experiences of people with the condition, which can be significant.

You’re not alone If you or someone you care about is struggling with psoriasis, you’re not alone. While there’s no cure for psoriasis yet, there's still hope for living well through treatment and support. Often, help starts with talking to your doctor and getting a referral to a dermatologist.

It’s important to share any concerns you may have, including those that are more than skin deep — like joint pain, mental health issues, and questions about your health care and treatment.

Taking care of your physical and mental health by prioritizing things like good sleep, exercise, and self-compassion is also critical to living well with this chronic disease. A little goes a long way when it comes to self-care.