13 Comments
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Pola's avatar

Great article, thank you! You should get an award for debunking myths. I've been using SPF for years, exclusively Korean and sometimes Japanese ones. I have the least confidence in anything called "natural." I think it's a marketing ploy that exploits people's tendency to fear. When someone says chemicals are bad, I'm astonished. After all, our bodies are one giant chemical factory. I prefer a well-formulated, fragrance-free chemical product to anything labeled "natural," not to mention that natural oils very often cause allergic reactions and my skin is prone to allergies.

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Thank you, that means a lot! And exactly, we're walking chemistry, so "chemical = bad" never holds up. "Natural" is often the riskier bet for sensitive skin. Fragrance-free and well-formulated is spot on, and great taste in SPF!

Naheed Kamal's avatar

Succinctly written. The fear mongering is out of control. I'm sharing this with tonnes of people in the hope they will come to their senses.

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Thank you, that means a lot! Fear-mongering is spreading way too fast for us to keep up.

martha m's avatar

Thank you for the article. I am a convert to wearing SPF recently because, ahem, I wore it only sporadically in the past and…I had a squamous cell carcinoma cut out of my face last year. Yup. Some of the other patients at the dermatologist’s office had been in more than once for the same cancerous area and were receiving grafting to reconstruct nostrils and lips. So, I had the fear thrown into me and began wearing sunscreen. I had read elsewhere that the beauty creams we apply to our faces and bodies simply sit on top of our skin and aren’t absorbed, but your article breaks it down and explains it very neatly.

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Thank you for sharing this, and I'm really glad you're okay. A squamous cell carcinoma is no small thing. Better late than never, and you're clearly making up for lost time now. Glad the absorption piece landed, too. Wishing you clear scans from here on out!

Laura Daly's avatar

What a thoughtful beautifully written article.

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Thank you, Laura. I am very happy to read this positive feedback. Writing is something I very much enjoy.

Jennifer Becker PA-C's avatar

Love this article! Thank you! I’m so sad about HA though. My skincare routine just got easier :)

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Thank you for your feedback! I am very pleased to hear it. I apologise if I wasn’t clear regarding HA. It doesn’t penetrate deep but it doesn’t need to, it works perfectly fine on the surface, providing superficial hydration, so the skin surface looks smoother and more reflective. If you see a positive difference in your skin after applying HA serum, don’t stop.

Jennifer Becker PA-C's avatar

Alastin HA is so nice. It’s like your skin is taking a big drink of water. Perimenopausal skin is so dry, even w/HRT. I use estradiol a couple of times a week on my face, but I honestly think it takes a village to keep skin healthy. I’m a big fan of Rx Tretinoin and Azelaic Acid too. Thank you for your reply! 🤎

Yousef's avatar

Thank you did the beautifully written article Marina! I love how you have used the scientific method to explain your points. Your metaphors are beautiful, and they have made the information land beautifully! From now on, I’ll be referencing your metaphor of how the skin barrier is more like a raincoat rather than a sponge! 🥰🥰

Marina | 4COMPLEXION's avatar

Oh, this made my day, and coming from someone who works with language for a living, the metaphor praise means even more!