How to Keep Your Beauty Products Safe to Use in the Era of Social Distancing

Name: The Oasis Barrier Booster
Brand: Acaderma

Cherie had a chance to talk to CEO and co-founder of Acaderma, Dr. Shuting Hu about how to protect your products.

korah

May 22

Cherie is an online community of beauty lovers sharing their stories; whether that's their favorite products, makeup tutorials, or skincare routines. Download the app today to be a part of #BeautyWithoutBarriers and show the world what beauty means to you!When it comes to living in unprecedented times, there are a lot of different factors to consider when it comes to your health and safety. However, the safety of your beauty and skincare products can be just as important as whether or not you choose to participate in social distancing. I had the chance to speak with IFSCC award-winning young scientist and CEO and co-founder of Acaderma, Dr. Shuting Hu.Tell me about your background as a cosmetic scientist in skincareDuring my Ph.D. and post-doctoral research, I specialized in skin biology and phytochemistry. In my nine years, I discovered a series of amazing natural, active ingredients that are novel and unlike many others widely used in the market. I created my clean skincare line, Acaderma, by screening, purifying and identifying more than 1,000 compounds over the years. Harnessing these potent actives, I studied their action mechanisms and conducted clinical trials to target what was most efficacious. Then came formulation design: a delivery system that made sure our active botanical ingredients penetrate your skin to the basal layer. It’s my mission to ensure our scientific integrity is delivered to the final product in your beauty cabinet.Why is it important to take care of your beauty and skincare products?It may seem self-evident, but you use your skincare and beauty products every day, if not frequently. It’s important to treat these with care by knowing exactly what you are applying to your face, as your epidermis is sensitive. If you don’t sanitize or cleanse your product surfaces, your skin may be more prone to irritation or contamination from accumulated germs. What is important to know about skincare/beauty products in a time like this?During this time of social distancing and staying indoors, we are all exposed more than ever to blue light rays. It’s important to incorporate protective skincare products like the Invisible Shield Defense Serum to help fight free radicals and environmental stress from damaging the skin surface. Research has shown that even indoor blue light can progress the development of photo-aging, fine lines and wrinkles.

Invisible Shield Defense Serum, Acaderma, cherie

AcadermaInvisible Shield Defense Serum

In addition, if you occasionally step out and wear face masks, you might notice skin irritation and dryness. It’s also beneficial to incorporate gentle moisturizers or serums such as the Oasis Barrier Booster to soothe, calm, and repair redness and skin barrier damages.

The Oasis Barrier Booster, Acaderma, cherie

AcadermaThe Oasis Barrier Booster

How can people keep their products safe to use?It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly prior to contact with your beauty products and applying them on your skin. As long as you are conscious of your contact surfaces, you are reducing the chances of spreading any contamination. More generally, read instructions on your products carefully and avoid leaving your products open, as once it comes into contact with air, the efficacy decreases while microbial risk increases.What are some best practices for at-home skincare right now?If your beauty products were possibly left open, it depends on what part of it has been in contact. If you’re worried about the container, you can make it safe by using 60% or higher alcohol to sanitize and cleanse. If you’re worried about the content inside—for example, you didn’t wash your hands, then opened the jar and touched the cream—leave it untouched for several days before the next use, as the virus cannot survive on its own for a long period of time after leaving human contact. Another common misconception is that we are safe from UV radiation indoors. However, we are still exposed to UV light rays indoors for up to several feet from windows, which can also lead to free radical skin cell damage. It’s best to use an antioxidant serum in combination with sunscreen to provide broader protection for your skin. Is there anything else you think readers need to know about product safety?The best precautions start prior to even touching your skincare products. If you want to take precautions at home, it will be most effective to treat it like a lab — a set “contamination zone” near your front door and designated “clean zone“ for the rest of your space. From the moment you return home, you can leave all contaminated items (outer clothes, shoes, handbags, etc.) in the “contaminated zone” and then wash your hands and sterilize all items you bring into the “clean zone“ - like cell phones - to prevent further spread into your beauty cabinet!