The derma e difference

Did you read your skincare label today?

Someone once told me if she can't pronounce an ingredient, she doesn't buy it.  I think this is B-A-N-A-N-A-S, cuz some things that aren't good for you are easy to pronounce.  Take the word "paraben".  Can you find that on your label?

Okay, I'm over-simplifying, cuz your label won't just say "paraben."  It will be one of these longer variations:

    •    methylparaben
    •    isobutylparaben
    •    propylparaben
    •    ethylparaben
    •    hydroxybenzoic acid
    •    hydroxybenzoate

But STILL - easy to spot (WHAT, lady, you can't SOUND things out?)

Parabens are one of the lovely things that corporations ladel into your skincare to make it last longer.  Of course, anything we put onto our skin is absorbed through our pores and goes directly into our bloodstreams and parabens can jack you UP.

Parabens are chemical preservatives used in 70% of all beauty products, which inhibit bacteria growth and extend a product's shelf life. The thing is, their chemical make-up is very similar to estrogen and sometimes you body can be tricked into thinking it IS estrogen.  And what this does, is disrupt your hormonal balance.  Parabens have been linked to a bunch of different diseases like breast cancer, and abnormal fetal development.  One study showed parabens can AGE the skin when exposed to UV light.  Beep - Beep - Beep - Backing up.  We're all about ANTI-AGING, not AGING!

Thankfully, we have choices.  And I'm a HUGE fan of getting it done the natural way.

I recently found a line that is free of parabens, phthalates (a toxin found in plastics), sodium lauryl sulfates, mineral oil and lanolin (pore clogging).  OF COURSE I'll share!

It's derma e.

All their products are cruelty-free, and 100% vegan.  Can it get any better?  How about it's family owned, been around for almost 30 years and manufactures its products using wind energy.  Can it GET any greener in here?  Oh and did I mention derma e's product line has a laundry list of awards?  (Whole Foods Magazine named derma e's entire line BEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS three different times - in 2006, 2009, and 2011!  And their age-defying night creme won BEST ANTI-AGING PRODUCT from Better Nutrition Magazine.)

derma e is located right here in Simi Valley.  They offer around 90 different skincare products.  The one I tried is DMAE-Alpha Lipoic C-Ester Creme.

While that sounds like a mouthful, just looking at the name triggers warm & fuzzy thoughts of anti-aging goodness.  Let's go over each ingreedy:

DMAE - You might have seen this on in Dr. Perricone's products.  A great supplement to take, DMAE is used in cremes for firming the saggs, improving skin tone and reducing wrinkles.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - Another great wonder ingredient.  ALA is capable of protecting all portions of the skin’s cellular structure and boosts the activity of all other antioxidants.  It also helps protect the mitochondria and our DNA, which is pretty cool.  This product contains 1% of ALA - so it's recommended you do a patch test first to make sure you're not sensitive to it.

C-Ester - I've read that C-Ester is the best type of vitamin C in skincare, cuz it's the most stable.  Dermae's Ester-C® products have vitamin C, of course, and are fortified with additional botanicals and skin vitamins to enhance the product’s effectiveness.  Vitamin C is a great anti-oxidant that prevents free radical damage.

So you're getting a powerful trio of ingredients and you won't break the bank:  A 2 oz. jar of DMAE-Alpha Lipoic C-Ester Creme will run you $22.50.


As a special offer, they now have a $4.00 mail-in rebate coupon!  Good until 9/30 on this cream, or DMAE-Alpha Lipoic - C-Ester cleanser, toner or serum. Click here to download a special PDF coupon.

derma e offers 90 different skincare products.  If this seems a little overwhelming, don't fret:  the dermae.com website has a skin evaluation quiz  that takes you through 6 easy questions about your skin concerns, then it recommends the perfect products for your skin type.

derma e's DMAE-Alpha Lipoic C-Ester Creme has a light consistency, is ultra-hydrating and the light scent does not overpower you.  And ladies:  This is the GO-TO creme for firming up the neck and "jowl" area.

Have to say I'm a big fan of their website because they make it EASY.  You can search for products by skin conditions - like acne, dark circles, dry hands, etc., and they also have a section called "Key Ingredients" so you can learn more about them... like WHO KNEW Oregano oil is used for anti-bacterial purposes?

derma e can be found in 5000+ retail outlets across the U.S. and on www.dermae.com.

You can find derma e in CA at The Whole Foods stores on San Vincente Blvd, 3rd Street and Santa Monica Blvd, The Vitamin Shoppe locations, as well as natural health retailers such as Sprouts and Mother's Market.   Here's their locations link to find out where to pick up some derma e near you:  it's natural bodycare formulated for results.