Posts in category: Beauty & Skincare

There are a lot of annoyances and aggravations when it comes to face masks.

Too big, and they slip right off.

Too small and your ears are aching!

Remember that cute pastel outfit you had planned?

Well, now imagine it with your run of the mill black paper face mask.

On top of it all, in case you forgot you just wore your mask for 8+ hours, acne will remind you.

For all their aggravations, face masks have a very important job to do.

Primarily, we wear face masks to protect the people around us from COVID-19.

They are quite literally a necessity in our modern-day lives, yet we aren’t seeing much product innovation outside of new fabrics and adjustable straps.

What if your face mask could do good for your skin and still protect others from the virus?

That’s what got us thinking and turning to our arsenal of skincare products to find a mask that doesn’t sacrifice our skin’s health or the health of others.

How do face masks affect our skin?

The team at Skincare by Alana is used to being surrounded by the latest and greatest in skincare.

We stay up to date on the trends and tune in to the issues people are starting to experience.

Not to mention, we’re going through them too!

Maskne was among the top priority skincare concerns this past year.

Sure, we have lots of advice on preventing and treating maskne, but it tends to come in cycles; we wash our masks, we wear them out, we trap in bacteria, we wash our faces, then we have to wash our masks again and spot treat any acne that pops up.

Maskne, and acne in general, can be quite stubborn when you continually repeat the same patterns, much like we are all forced to do now.

Breakouts occur because the face mask covers our nose and mouth, which allows air and humidity to get trapped inside and clogs our pores with dirt, sweat and oil.

In short terms, this is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Although we just refer to it as maskne, it’s very similar to acne mechanica, a rash-like type of acne common among athletes.

This is usually caused by the sweat, heat, and friction in helmets, straps, bandages, and crutches can cause.

It can also cause dryness, redness, dark spots, or patches of inflamed skin.

Think about where your maskne is popping up – it’s probably where the fabric meets your face.

On top of this (and I promise we won’t dwell on the negatives for much longer), many of us are getting stress acne and aren’t following the same good-for-your-skin routines as we were before.

When it comes to treating acne, we’ve got you covered with a thorough anti-maskne plan from washing your mask to washing your face.

We’ve also gone one step further to avoid maskne altogether by developing a face mask that can help your skin, not hurt it, and we’ve used a surprising ingredient – copper.

Introducing, the Copper Face Mask

Copper is a fairly common ingredient in skincare, but we were happy to learn that it’s also a great element when it comes to killing bacteria.

We’ll get into all the nitty-gritty of how it works below, but let’s just touch on our latest face mask (and no, we don’t mean a sheet mask) – the Anti-Aging Protective Copper Face Mask.

This mask is made of soft and lightweight polyester and lined with a soft antibacterial copper fiber cloth.

We made sure to create a luxe yet comfortable face mask that can hold its own against a nice outfit yet is simple enough to style every day.

It can be hand washed or tossed in the washing machine and comes with adjustable straps, making it perfect for everyday wear.

These are perfect for the frontline worker who wants to run some quick errands without worrying about irritation or aggravation to their face mask-familiar skin.

Once we learned about copper’s ability to fight off germs, it was a no brainer!

Here’s what we found.

How does copper affect germs?

Copper has antimicrobial properties, which is why it’s important for skincare and for face masks.

This means that microorganisms like bacteria and viruses die when they come into contact with fiber.

Though it’s not fully understood how, many independent studies have revealed that copper can kill germs in a few ways.

Firstly, copper ions can damage cell membranes and destroy the DNA and RNA of the microbe.

Secondly, it can generate oxidative stress and create hydrogen peroxide to kill the bacterial cells.

Lastly, because copper is not considered a stable metal, it interferes with the proteins that keep these bacterial cells through mis-metalation.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, remained viable for up to 2 to 3 days on plastic and stainless steel surfaces vs. up to 4 hours on copper.

The study also found that no viable SARS-CoV-1 was measured after 8 hours.

You can read the full study here.

It may also be able to effectively kill Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, Influenza A, and Norovirus, according to a 2015 study.

So what does this all mean?

Essentially, since the face mask is lined with a copper woven cloth, it may help to kill bacteria and help to slow the spread, disinfect your mask quicker, and keep these harmful bacteria off of your face.

With that said, in accordance with CDC guidelines, no face mask including our own should be used as a sole method to guarantee the spread of any virus, including COVID-19.

It also bears saying that many surfaces that you believe to be copper should not be trusted to be bacteria-free due to protective coatings and oxidation.

Simply, if we are going to wear face masks every day, we might as well keep up with the latest studies to protect our skin and hopefully continue to help others.

What does copper do for the skin?

Copper peptides have been a very buzzy ingredient over the past couple of years.

They’re believed to be extremely effective because they work hand in hand with a naturally occurring and incredibly important anti-aging factor – collagen.

As you might already know, collagen is what keeps our skin firm, tight, and wrinkle-free./span>

It’s often referred to as scaffolding, making it easy to build strength and volume in the layers of the skin.

Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but as we age, our production begins to slow down and the collagen already in our bodies can be damaged.

Most anti-aging products leverage collagen’s natural anti-aging abilities and try to stimulate the skin to make more.

This is the case with copper.

The scientific name for copper peptides is glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine or GHK for short.

You might see copper peptides listed on some products and GHK on the other, so just know that they are the same thing.

Copper is able to penetrate the skin below the epidermis where collagen and elastin are produced.

This makes it extremely useful for wound healing, improves the take of transplanted skin, and also possesses anti-inflammatory actions.

Studies have shown that copper can help to “fill in” fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the collagen proteins in the skin.

It also creates plumper, firmer skin by also stimulating elastin.

It may also help to make skin smoother and more supple.

Since copper is so important in skin healing and repair, it may also help to even out skin tone and improve the appearance of age spots, sun spots, scars, and acne scars.

Lastly, copper may have antioxidant properties!

A study found that copper may help to decrease the risk of infections.

Since our anti-aging protective copper face mask is lined with copper, this means that all day your face mask is working for your skin.

It can help to reduce the wrinkles and irritation that you’d typically experience with a regular face mask.

It also means that it can disinfect itself in between wears rather than a dingy cotton mask that soaks up moisture and bacteria.

Metal allergies or hypersensitivity are not that uncommon.

You may have experienced discoloration or irritation due to wearing jewelry with copper in it.

People with autoimmune disorders can have a higher risk of metal hypersensitivity, as their immune system is in a constant state of activity.

You should always test a small amount of the product on your skin before applying it to the face to test your skin’s sensitivity.

Copper for your Hair

Interestingly, copper can also support most of your hair goals!

Copper both maintains and stimulates blood flow within the skin, including the scalp.

By ensuring that your scalp is healthy, it means that your hair can grow healthier, longer, and stronger.

It may also stimulate oxygen flow which your hair needs to breathe and grow!

Copper is also necessary for the skin and hair to produce melanin, so the more we have and the longer we hold onto it, the longer we retain our natural hair color and keep grays away.

Other Minerals for Better Skincare

Copper isn’t the only mineral that’s good for your skin! It also “plays” well with:

Magnesium

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Absorbent: A clay that is absorbent and used for its anti-caking properties.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Derived from Vitamin C, this substance is used in skincare products. It is an antioxidant and the body can easily convert it to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It also assists in collagen production as well as being used as a skin lightener.

Magnesium Citrate: This agent is a magnesium salt that comes from citric acid. Sometimes made into dietary supplements. It is frequently used before surgeries or diagnostic tests to empty the bowels. It is also an ingredient in products for the hair to help set a style or add body.

Zinc

Without zinc, the body could not process fats, proteins, carbohydrates and alcohol. Zinc is also necessary for ridding the body of carbon dioxide and using Vitamin A effectively. Zinc also gives the immune system the boost it needs to heal wounds more quickly. It is a critical aspect of growing and maintaining body tissue.

Biomin Aquacinque

This is a specific mixture of magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and silicon (with a yeast additive) mixed together in an aqueous solution to form a skincare product.

Iron

A mineral that is in both animal and plant tissue. Its main function is combining copper and protein together to make hemoglobin. Iron also combats fatigue and supports good skin tone.

Vitamin C

Okay, this one is a mix-up from the list above but it’s worth including. Vitamin C is necessary for the body to produce collagen, thus it’s necessary for copper to work its magic! There are plenty of products with vitamin C from serums to sheet masks, but your first line of defense should be eating a diet with plenty of vitamin C! That means your fruits and veggies, people!

Products with copper

If you want to incorporate copper into your skincare routine whether you stay in or go out, there are a couple of creative ways to do it! Here are some of our favorites

Alana Mitchell Anti Aging Protective Copper Face Mask: Our first ever face covering that uses an anti-aging copper technology to keep your skin fresh and clean while you’re out and about!

iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist: This hydrating facial refresher protects against dehydrated skin, soothes irritation and sunburn, and even sets your makeup to give your skin a dewy glow. It’s a great no-hassle product that you can grab and go whenever you need a little boost!

June Jacobs Age Defying Ultimate Overnight Copper Marine Masque: This product is loaded with natural ingredients! Sea lavender, red algae, marine-derived elastin, and sweet almond seed extract help skin maintain elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while locking in natural moisture. Copper, zinc and magnesium (essential minerals) help restore skin vitality.

Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase with Anti-Aging Copper Technology: Beauty sleep upgrade! This pillowcase is woven with copper to help you get your best night of beauty rest. It will defy wrinkles and kill bacteria rather than soaking it all up. I love a skincare routine that includes sleep!

June Jacobs Age Defying Copper Serum: This lightweight, luxurious serum is a must-have. It uses copper, zinc, and magnesium to boost your skin’s natural elastin and collagen production while locking in moisture. It’s gentle enough to use every day!

Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask with Anti-Aging Copper Technology: Want to focus solely on your eyes? You don’t need to add another step to your skincare routine, you just need to sleep! This eye mask is also woven with copper to help soothe tired and irritated eyes to help you look young and rejuvenated!

Need more help crafting your perfect skincare routine? Start here with our free online skincare quiz or read through our blogs to shine a spotlight on the most talked about skincare ingredients.

Who says anarkalis have to be cake-like, heavy silhouettes? Vaani Kapoor recently made a case for sensual, summer-ready occasion wear with her strappy yet lightweight anarkali from Rohit Bal. Vaani Kapoor, who has two films in the pipeline this year, is already gearing up for one of their releases, Raid 2, alongside co-actors Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh. At its promotional event, she opted for an ivory look with a floor-length kurta showcasing a fit-and-flare silhouette. Instead of a conventional yoke, the bodice stood out for its corset-esque style, which created a cinched look.

The noodle-thin straps and the Chanderi fabric made her look warm-weather appropriate. Originating from the eponymous historical town in Madhya Pradesh, the fabric is characterised by its weightlessness. Chanderi was once handwoven with 200-count cotton only for royal and aristocratic families to make pagdis, dhotis and saris. Today, silk yarn is used to introduce some sheen and luxuriousness to the handloom, much like Kapoor’s anarkali.

Traditional patterns are often woven into the textile, however, the actor’s monochromatic base served as a beautiful canvas for enhancing it with resham thread embroidery and aari work. The same handiwork echoed on her dupatta, too.

Keeping things classic, she accessorised her anarkali with all but a pair of silver chandbali earrings and kadas by Silverstreak. Sleek, middle-parted blow-dried hair and dewy makeup were the finishing touches. With her look, Kapoor proves that despite its conventional connotation, you don’t need to subscribe to tried-and-tested anarkali styles. It is the small details that will give your look a contemporary update.

Also read:

Vaani Kapoor’s sari spotlights block prints from Ri By Ritu Kumar’s archival collection

Vaani Kapoor paired her pre-draped Arpita Mehta sari with a sexy racerback blouse

Vaani Kapoor does it all from HIIT and stretching to weight training, and more for a toned figure

Vitamin C skincare has been increasing in popularity over the past few years. We are seeing more and more products hit the shelves featuring it as a key ingredient in a variety of product types, from cleansers to moisturizers to even vitamin C serums. Thanks to the incredible benefits vitamin C provides to the skin, it is no wonder everyone wants to get their daily dose! If you are looking to incorporate a topical vitamin C product into your daily skincare routine, keep reading to learn more about how you can easily add this ingredient to your regimen and why you’ll want to!

Using Vitamin C in Skincare

When you are excited to try a new skincare ingredient, it can be tempting to search for it in every single product you pick up so you can load your skin up with its benefits. However, no one ingredient will be able to address all your skin concerns effectively. Instead, you would be better served to add vitamin C into your regular routine by simply adding it in one or two of your products and using the products before or after the vitamin C to enhance its benefits. Here are some tips for selecting the best vitamin C products for your routine.

Cleansers

As you select a cleanser, bear in mind that its primary purpose is to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other debris from the surface of your skin. This helps to prepare your skin for the products and ingredients that follow in your skincare regimen. There are many vitamin C infused cleansers currently available which can deliver some of the powerful benefits of vitamin C products. However, the concentration of vitamin C in a cleanser will be substantially less than what is found in other types of products. As such, it will take regular use over an extended period of time to see noticeable results of the vitamin in your cleanser. Our recommendation would be to use a vitamin C cleanser to help maintain the benefits to your skin, but it is not the best choice for the initial introduction of vitamin C to your routine.

Toners

Typically designed to remove any remaining dirt left on your face after cleansing, toners can also help to hydrate and condition your skin, allowing products applied after to be more easily absorbed. When found in a toner, vitamin C can help to balance the skin so it is more receptive to other treatments while giving environmentally stressed skin a refreshing boost of hydration. Still, toners will not have a high concentration of vitamin C in their formula, and as a result, it will take some time before significant changes to your skin are seen as a result.

Exfoliators

Perhaps one of the most popular products to feature vitamin C as an ingredient are exfoliants. First, regular exfoliation helps to slough away dead skin cells on the surface of your skin which opens your pores and allows any vitamin C present in the product formula to penetrate deeper, making it more effective. However, vitamin C is also considered a natural exfoliant which means that when it is present in the formula of an exfoliating product, such as the ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, it can help boost the exfoliating power.

Serums

Generally speaking, facial serums tend to be formulated with only one or two ingredients as its focus. These ingredients will be found at a higher concentration than what is seen in other products so that the serum is able to deliver obvious benefits to your skin in a much shorter time frame. For this reason, we recommend adding a vitamin C serum to your routine if you are trying to maximize the benefits a product can deliver. The Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum, for example, is specially formulated using both retinol and vitamin C to combat the visible signs of aging while simultaneously brightening skin tone. We also have a Kx Active Concentrates Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C Serum designed to improve tone, texture and clarity as it brightens, targeting discoloration and unevenness while enhancing radiance and luminosity.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers act as a seal, sealing in all previous skincare steps and ingredients to maintain skincare benefits throughout your day and evening. And while it’s not as powerful as a serum, incorporating a moisturizer formulated with vitamin C as a primary ingredient can be a great way to deliver a daily dose of the nutrient to your skin. That’s why we developed our +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer! Clinically formulated with retinol to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while vitamin C helps to brighten and smooth uneven skin tone as you sleep, you wake up to firmer, smoother, glowing skin.

Masks

Facial masks with vitamin C have become a popular addition to many people’s skincare routines, and for good reason. Adding a mask with vitamin C to your routine can provide numerous benefits for your skin and is a simple way to efficiently work Vitamin C into your skincare routine. Our Mega C Brightening Facial is formulated with 30% vitamin C, which is the highest level of potency in our vitamin C offering which means maximum results with minimal effort. Apply this mask for 20 minutes once or twice a week to see visible results in just two weeks.

Finding the Right Product

There are a lot of factors to consider as you look best vitamin C skincare products for your needs and routine. Beyond the type of product, you will need to make choices about the form of vitamin C found in the product, the packaging, any accompanying ingredients, and your skin type.

In skincare, vitamin C is rarely listed as such on a product label. This is because the powerful ingredient has a few different forms which can be used for topical application. First, there is ascorbic acid which is the highest potency used in skincare products and absorbs quickly into the skin, making it a popular choice in formulas. Vitamin C can also be listed as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) which is actually a derivative of the vitamin that is water-soluble and more effective in lower concentrations. Though either of these types of vitamin C will effectively deliver results, ascorbic acid will likely be a better selection for serums or moisturizers while MAP would be most effective when used in a cleanser or toner.

Beyond the type of vitamin C used, the actual packaging of the product can influence the effectiveness of it. As a skin care ingredient, vitamin C is volatile and can destabilize quickly when it comes into contact with oxygen or sunlight. As a result, you will want to look for products with opaque glass or plastic packaging to ensure that sunlight will not reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients. It is also best to look for a product with a pump or other mechanism that will limit the product’s exposure to air. Vitamin C’s temperament is also essential when considering the other ingredients listed alongside it in any given product. For example, vitamin E or ferulic acid are commonly used to help stabilize vitamin C and increase the longevity of the product’s effectiveness. Plus, these ingredients may help to enhance the benefits of vitamin C, giving your skin an extra boost of nutrients.

Vitamin C is typically considered safe for all skin types, though everyone’s skin will react differently to new products. For those with sensitive skin, especially, it is best to find a product with a simple formula and introduce it into your routine slowly. This will help you monitor your skin’s reaction and quickly discontinue use of the product if necessary. However, if you react to one type of vitamin C, you may have more success with another form so do not be afraid to experiment in order to find the best product for your skin.

Why Use Vitamin C for Skincare?

Vitamin C is actually a powerful antioxidant known for maintaining the health of connective tissue throughout your body, including your skin. It is able to deliver many benefits to the skin when applied topically. Here are a handful of the reasons you should consider adding vitamin C into your daily skincare routine.

Protection from Free Radicals

Simply put, free radicals are destructive molecules found throughout our environment which can wreak havoc on our skin and cause harmful effects. Produced as the result of pollutants such as smog, dust, cigarette smoke, and even the sun itself, free radicals can cause skin discoloration as well as a loss of skin volume and resiliency. Fortunately, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C help to neutralize the effects of these molecules and minimize the harm done to your skin.

Brightens Complexion

Vitamin C is a natural acid which can work on the skin as a gentle exfoliant, helping to slough away layers of dead skin, revealing smoother and more even skin beneath. If used on a consistent and regular basis, vitamin C can have some anti-aging effects such as softening the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, minimizing the visibility of dark spots or other discoloration such as hyperpigmentation. The result is a brighter and more youthful complexion.

Reduces Inflammation

As a natural anti-inflammatory active ingredient, vitamin C can also help to reduce redness and inflammation of the skin which can develop in conjunction with a variety of skin conditions including acne, sensitivity, or psoriasis. By this same mechanism, vitamin C is also thought to promote the healing of the skin and help improve the appearance of acne scarring or other surface imperfections.

Addresses UV Photodamage

Unfortunately, no matter how much sunscreen we wear on a daily basis, our skin still suffers some sun damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is known as UV photodamage and can manifest on the skin as patches of discoloration such as freckles or larger areas of hyperpigmentation. When applied to the skin, vitamin C can help strengthen the skin and minimize the effects of sun exposure. This helps to even your skin tone and texture, providing a youthful glow. 

When to see results from using Vitamin C?

Using a topical vitamin C skincare product can improve the health and appearance of your skin. Studies show improvements can be noticeable after a few weeks of regular use. To maintain healthy skin, remember to also include sun protection and choose a product suitable for your skin type to avoid skin irritation [1].

If you’ve decided to incorporate vitamin C into your daily skincare routine, make sure you adequately research the unique products you’ll add. Each brand and type of product is formulated differently which can impact its effectiveness so take care to read labels, assess packaging, and evaluate your skin’s reaction. It may take some time, but once you find the best product selection for your unique skin and its needs, you will be happy with the results!