You’ve tried face creams, serums, sheet masks, and more to try and clear up a variety of skin issues, but how many times have we turned to Mother Earth for the answer? News flash: There’s an array of botanical skincare ingredients that can help calm down nearly any skin-related situation, and you’re probably missing out on them.

Here’s one of our favorites: African black soap. This skincare multihyphenate does just about everything that your whole skin routine can, in just one simple ingredient. Below, we dive deep into this skincare wunderkind with board-certified dermatologist, Peterson Pierre, M.D., of the Pierre Skin Care Institute — plus, we share a few of our favorite African black soap-infused skincare products.

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“Bar soap is definitely messier to use and can potentially harbor more bacteria if it’s sitting in a pool of water–a risk you don’t run with liquid soap,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre of Pierre Skin Care Institute in California. “However, your hands are washed and rinsed off in the end, so the germs are simply washed away, regardless of which product you use.”

More reassuring news: Studies have shown that your bar of soap probably won’t transfer bacteria. Even if you come into contact with a bar of soap that’s contaminated, you don’t need to panic.

But keep in mind, liquid soap dispensers can be hot spots for bacteria in their own right. Ultimately, the question of bar soap versus liquid soap comes down to personal preference.

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“Bar soap is definitely messier to use and can potentially harbor more bacteria if it’s sitting in a pool of water–a risk you don’t run with liquid soap,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre of Pierre Skin Care Institute in California. “However, your hands are washed and rinsed off in the end, so the germs are simply washed away, regardless of which product you use.”

More reassuring news: Studies have shown that your bar of soap probably won’t transfer bacteria. Even if you come into contact with a bar of soap that’s contaminated, you don’t need to panic.

But keep in mind, liquid soap dispensers can be hot spots for bacteria in their own right. Ultimately, the question of bar soap versus liquid soap comes down to personal preference.

(more…)

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), also known as von Zumbusch psoriasis, is a rare and serious condition characterized by severely itchy pustules covering large portions of the body. It may begin with large areas of reddened, painful skin. Pustules then cover the skin in a matter of hours. It is typically accompanied by fever, chills, rapid heart rate, and nausea.

“If pustular psoriasis involves your entire body, it can become life-threatening. The high degree of inflammation can lead to rapid temperature shifts, an increased risk of dehydration (which can lead to electrolyte imbalance), and increased risk of infection,” explains Peterson Pierre, M.D. of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

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