If you’re thinking back to history class when you learned about Mount Vesuvius’ eruption burying Pompeii in volcanic ash, you’re on the right track. That’s the same type of volcanic ash we’re talking about, but with a happier ending.

According to the Volcanic Ashfall Impacts Working Group, volcanic ash consists of fragments of rocks, minerals, and volcanic glass that forms during explosive volcanic eruptions. In the beauty world, these particles serve as nature’s exfoliator.

“Volcanic ash is a combination of natural ingredients including bentonite clay and sulfur,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. “Its high mineral content gives it antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.”

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Synthetic and plant-based ceramides are similar in structure to ceramides found in the skin, explains Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

While synthetic ceramides are probably more common, phytoceramides have been recently gaining popularity as a skin care ingredient due to their supposed anti-aging powers.

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It’s probably a safe bet to say your hands are feeling drier than normal these days. All that hand washing you’ve been doing can do a serious number on your hands’ delicate skin, not to mention the impacts of dry, cool weather.

“The most common thing that can dry out your hands is frequent hand washing,” says dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre. “The constant wet-dry cycle of frequent hand washing can really strip the skin of its natural moisture and disrupt the protective barrier.”

That’s why Pierre says it’s important to follow up every handwashing session with a generous application of hand cream. The good news is, you can find a high-quality hand cream right at the drugstore, meaning you don’t have to shell out much money to keep your hands soft and smooth. “You want a product that focuses on replenishing moisture with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin,” says Dr. Pierre. “Equally important are ingredients that help repair the moisture barrier, such as ceramides, squalane, and essential fatty acids.”

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And yes, you should definitely stock up on your favorite lip balm — but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD also explains that lip scrubs will come in clutch. “Sometimes, simply moisturizing the lips isn’t enough,” says Dr. Pierre. “You may need to use a lip scrub to not only get rid of the dead skin cells, but to also promote better hydration of the lips, and to increase the absorption of other products.”

A couple tips: Dr. Pierre advises selecting a gentle formula to minimize irritation. You’ll also want to stick to using it once a week for the same reason. And be sure to follow up with moisturizing lip products afterwards, he adds — they’ll keep your lips looking and feeling their best.

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“Guttate psoriasis appears as small, red, scaly spots that resemble teardrops,” says Peterson Pierre, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California. “They’re not as thick as the spots you get from plaque psoriasis, and they tend to appear on the trunk and extremities but can also involve the face and scalp.”

These spots, called papules, tend to be pink or red in color and are raised and round, appearing in various sizes. The papules themselves are sometimes scaly but not always.

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Soap is very effective at cleaning your body, as it removes all dirt and oil. But it can be a bit harsh, especially if you have sensitive skin.

“A body wash can do a good job cleaning your body, but typically will be much gentler as it can help maintain the healthy oils in the skin without potentially disrupting the moisture barrier,” advises Dr. Peterson Pierre, board certified dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skincare Institute.

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Let’s be real: the million-plus strong r/SkincareAddiction subreddit is an absolute gold mine of skin care tips and advice. One Reddit-approved ingredient that’s been grabbing our attention lately? Azelaic acid.

It’s not just a passing trend, either — it’s got the dermatologists’ seal of approval. “Azelaic acid is a fruit acid derived from grains such as wheat, rye, and barley,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD. “It’s been around for years, and is fantastic for acne and rosacea because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It also helps improve the appearance of pores, tone and texture, and eliminates whiteheads, blackheads, and pigmentation.”

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Dr. Peterson Pierre of Pierre Skin Care notes, “Scalp hair and facial hair are very similar and require the same care. Hair in Black men tends to be dry and brittle and therefore, requires extra moisture…to keep it looking and feeling its best. [The hair] is also very curly and is prone to getting trapped under the skin, so proper hair care and skin care are vital to minimize these issues.”

From essential oils to naturally-derived moisturizers, look for quality beard oil ingredients that have been tested and formulated with your hair texture in mind. Ask your barber for beard oil recommendations, and once you get a feel for how the ingredients interact with your skin and hair, choose your favorite. Often, Black-owned grooming brands offer products with uniquely-tailored formulations that work. “Be sure your product includes at least one of the following: coconut oil for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties; tea tree oil for its antimicrobial activity; argan oil to help strengthen the follicles; hyaluronic acid, [and finally] ceramides, and shea butter, to moisture, hydrate, repair and protect the skin barrier,” adds Dr. Pierre. “And if you have sensitive skin, steer clear of added fragrance as this can cause skin irritation.”

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Face wash comes in a variety of forms including gels, creams, and foams.

“If you have oily skin, you’re probably better off with gel cleansers, but if you have dry and sensitive skin, a creamy hydrating cleanser will be a better option,” dermatologist Peterson Pierre of Thousand Oaks, California, based Pierre Skin Care, told Greatist.

Finally, don’t let anyone tell you you’re being lazy if you don’t wash your face every morning. Too much face washing actually can rob your skin of its natural oils.

It’s better to just wash off any accumulated dirt nightly, which also helps to stretch your budget by making your bottle of face wash last longer.

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While the research on cica cream’s benefits is promising, it’s far from conclusive.

Studies on wound healing, collagen production, and inflammation have been done in animals, notes Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

He adds that there are no high-quality, peer-reviewed studies proving cica cream’s benefits for eczema, psoriasis, or acne.

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“Though scientific evidence is lacking, gold is thought to have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

Some makers of gold beauty products claim that gold flecks warm your skin to help with circulation. But most gold skin products are made with colloidal gold. These are nanoparticles suspended in liquid that are tiny enough to penetrate your skin.

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Viral challenges showing and encouraging kids to do things like the “skull breaker challenge” (depicting people tripping someone so they hit their head) has resulted in serious injuries.

It’s also proven to be a conduit for serious misinformation, said Dr. Peterson Pierre, founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California.

“Science has largely been replaced by popular opinion for a large portion of the population,” Pierre told Healthline. “With information overload and no way to properly assess it, people are being led astray.

“Millions of voices are now easily heard and everyone fancies themselves an expert, especially if they have millions of followers,” Pierre said. “Most of these individuals are posers with no formal training or experience in anything skin related.”

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To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the CDC recommends washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if they are not available, using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Following that advice is essential, but “increased contact with irritants and allergens may increase the risk of hand dermatitis or ‘eczema.’ This commonly manifests on the skin with redness, dryness, cracks, and even blisters that cause itch or pain,” Caroline Nelson, M.D. a Yale Medicine dermatologist and instructor at Yale School of Medicine, tells Eat This, Not That! Health.

The Rx: “It’s important to not overdo the sanitizer and to moisturize after every use,” advises dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., of the Pierre Skin Care Institute.

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“As we age, our brains shrink in volume, particularly the frontal cortex and hippocampus, areas involved in higher cognitive function and encoding new memories,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California, and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute.

The Rx: “It’s important to keep the mind stimulated, and one of the best ways to do that is with the brain training app Lumosity,” says Pierre. “This app is personalized and trains key areas of your brain. Just a few minutes a day can help your mind stay sharp and can even help you improve in certain areas.”

When you’re over 40, you can’t ignore any chance to get physical exercise. And what’s easier than move your legs rhythmically to the sound of music? “Studies show that regular physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain with dancing having the most profound effect,” says Pierre. Dancing decreases risk of dementia, improves your balance, reduces stress and helps you lose calories–and last, but not least, makes you a socially attractive person.

The Rx: Next time you hear some music, show your moves.

“We all know that cardiovascular training is good for the heart and helps keep weight off, but weight training is just as important, maybe even more so,” says Pierre. “Weight training has been shown to have similar cardiovascular benefits and can actually reverse age-related muscle loss. It burns fat, exercises all your muscles, including your heart, lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the brain.”

The Rx: Aim to get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, including two strength-training sessions weekly.

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“In the eternal quest to lose weight, this symptom may be viewed as a blessing rather than a potential warning sign,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California. “But this can be a problem, especially if accompanied by loss of appetite or changes in bowel habits. A number of cancers can present this way, including cancers of the esophagus, liver, colon and pancreas, as well as leukemia or lymphoma.”

The Rx: “It’s important to report these changes to your doctor as soon as possible to maximize your quality of life, treatment options and survival,” says Pierre.

Any changes in a mole or freckle, or the appearance of new moles, could be a sign of skin cancer. “Performing self exams regularly and reporting changes to your board-certified dermatologist could lead to early detection and save your life,” says Pierre.

The Rx: “To help with self exams, remember the acronym ABCDE when you’re assessing changes,” says Pierre. “A stands for asymmetry; B is for border changes; C is for color changes; D is for diameter changes, increase in size; and E is for elevation, vertical growth or evolution, a growth that has changed over time.” If you observe any of those, schedule a doctor’s visit ASAP.

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So many women take care of their bodies but forget about their brains. “As we age, our brains shrink in volume, particularly the frontal cortex and hippocampus, areas involved in higher cognitive function and encoding new memories. Myelin (a conduit sheath around nerves) is also thought to shrink with age resulting in slow processing and reduced cognitive function,” Peterson Pierre, MD, board-certified dermatologist, and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute, explains.

The Rx: Dr. Pierre points out studies show that regular physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain with dancing having the most profound effect. “It’s also important to keep the mind stimulated,” he explains. “No matter your age or skill level, just a few minutes a day can help your mind stay sharp and can even help you improve in certain areas. You exercise your body regularly; don’t neglect your brain!”

We all know that cardiovascular training is good for the heart and helps to keep the weight off. Weight training is just as important–maybe even more so–according to Dr. Pierre. “Weight training has been shown to have great cardiovascular benefits and can actually reverse age-related muscle loss,” he explains. The more muscle you have, the higher your basal metabolic rate, which means you burn more calories at rest, a distinct advantage in weight control. It also is key to strengthening your bones, minimizing your chances of fractures and osteoporosis. It burns fat, exercises all your muscles, including your heart, lowers blood pressure, and improves blood flow to the brain.

The Rx: Make weight training a part of your exercise habits. “With all these benefits and more, there is no reason not to make it a regular part of your weekly schedule,” Dr. Pierre states.

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Skin can be dehydrated both from the inside out, and from the outside in. If you’re not drinking enough fluids and/or consuming lots of salt, this can make your skin appear flaky and flat. Not moisturizing regularly and using very hot water (which strips your skin of its oils), can dehydrate skin from the outside.

“Make sure you stay well hydrated every day by drinking at least eight glasses of water at 8 ounces each. The easiest way to accomplish that is to carry around a water bottle with you, which will serve as a constant reminder and will provide ease of access,” suggests Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

In addition, make sure you’re washing and showering with warm water versus scalding hot, and moisturize your skin from head to toe at least twice daily. (Psst. Even if your skin doesn’t feel dry, you should still moisturize). For your face, try using a moisturizing toner followed by a hyaluronic acid serum, and then top it with a cream to help lock everything in. For your body, reach for your favorite body lotion or oil.

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What most people are looking for in a natural deodorant is something that is aluminum-free. “Deodorants are designed to prevent or mask the body odor that results from sweating,” explains dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD, founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute. “Meanwhile, antiperspirants are designed to stop sweating altogether by blocking the sweat glands. Antiperspirants rely heavily on aluminum and, although this is a ‘natural ingredient,’ typically natural refers to products that are aluminum-free.”

However, notes Dr. Pierre, there is no “natural” substitute for aluminum, which means there is no such thing as a natural antiperspirant. “Anything that blocks sweat is considered a chemical, so natural deodorants don’t prevent you from sweating,” says board-certified New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. “But they do help attack the bacteria that cause smells and odors.”

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Are you on the hunt for a sunscreen that can stand up to the beach? A go-to for your everyday routine? Whatever you decide, stick with it. “Use at least a SPF 30, with 50 being even better,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, Pierre Skin Care Institute. “Damage from ultraviolet radiation is cumulative over time and the sun doesn’t discriminate, regardless of the color of your skin. A good sunscreen regimen is a serious, long-term affair. “You must protect against sunburns to reduce your risk of future skin cancers, as well as reduce your risk of fine lines and discoloration, which tends to be an issue–zinc is the best ingredient available because it has the broadest spectrum of coverage.”

Check out the 13 best sunscreens for dark skin tones that will provide the protection you need, without any white cast or residue.

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Fact: Not all body washes are created equally. While it’s tempting to grab whatever option is on sale at the drugstore, you may want to consider your skin’s specific needs the next time you go shopping to avoid ending up with an overly-harsh cleanser that’ll dry you out.

“Look for a body wash that contains ingredients that will moisturize your skin, such as coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin,” suggests dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre. “You may want to avoid a common foaming agent known as sodium lauryl sulfate if you have sensitive skin.”

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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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That’s where supplements like collagen powder come into use. “Collagen powder is made from animal tissue, primarily the skin and bones,” explains dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre. “The protein is processed into a gelatinous form, which is further hydrolyzed into peptides to make the protein easier for your body to absorb.” Pierre explains that “collagen peptides can potentially benefit the skin by increasing hydration and elasticity while reducing fine lines and wrinkle depth.”

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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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.

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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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Chances are you muster enough energy to wash your face at the end of the day, but it is important to also start your day with fresh, cleansed skin. Even if it does not look dirty, your skin can still build up pollutants and irritants (from your sheets, for example) while you sleep. Your morning face cleanser should focus on hydration (a gentle milk, oil or gel cleanser is perfect for this) while your nighttime cleanser “involves cleansing the skin thoroughly of make-up, oil, dirt and environmental pollutants that our skin is exposed to every day,” explains Peterson Pierre, M.D., dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California.

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Skin-Care Makeup Products

Surprise — the very products you use to care for your skin could actually be damaging it. “Ingredients to avoid include fragrances, essential oils, cocoa butter, algae extracts, lanolin and sodium lauryl sulfate, which is common in cleansers,” says Peterson Pierre, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and owner of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. Assess your product arsenal and eliminate things you suspect could be problematic for several weeks, then reintroduce each product individually and give it a weeklong test run to see how you react, Pierre suggests.

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“If you are really sweating through everything, you probably need to try Certain Dri which is the most effective over-the-counter antiperspirant available,” says Dr. Pierre. This roll-on product promises up to 72 hours of protection against excessive perspiration when applied before bed, thanks to the 12 percent aluminum chloride. And with over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, users agree it lives up to the hype. “Before I used this product I was unbelievably skeptical,” admits one reviewer. “Fast forward maybe six years and it has changed my life. I literally NEVER have a drop of sweat!”

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This body exfoliator contains the same professional-grade crystals that many of the machines have on the tip of their wands for physical exfoliation, says Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Los Angeles. It also features lactic acid for a gentle chemical exfoliation, as well as jojoba oil to moisturize, chamomile to soothe, and aloe vera to quell inflammation.

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You’ve likely heard several opinions on how often should you wash your hair. Some people can’t start their day without a vigorous wash, while others live and die by their dry shampoo. The good news is: They’re all right.

“Unfortunately, there’s no universal answer for this,” Joesph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Sophia Bush and Ashley Benson, tells TZR. “Different hair textures and lifestyles can require different regimens.” To be clear, shampoo is a non-negotiable in most routines. “If you don’t wash enough, you may have a buildup of oil. This is more of a concern if your hair is naturally oily, which can also lead to dandruff and itching,” Dr. Peterson Pierre, M.D. of the Pierre Skin Care Institute tells TZR. Dandruff is usually a reflection of inflammation and irritation occurring in the scalp that leads to dryness, itching, and flaking. “It’s important to moisturize and condition the scalp to decrease the chances of developing dandruff,” the dermatologist says.

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The mom of four “has probably had Botox on her forehead and in her frown lines,” suggests cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, adding that laser resurfacing or a chemical peel may explain why her skin’s no longer crepey.

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So, when it comes to protecting our largest organ, what is a Black or dark-skinned person like me supposed to do? First of all, wear sunscreen. “Black people need sunscreen for a number of reasons,” starts Peterson Pierre, a Black California-based dermatologist. “First, we need protection against ultraviolet radiation to decrease our risk of skin cancer.” he says. “Also, ultraviolet radiation causes the development of free radicals which not only lead to the development of cancers but also accelerates the aging process.” Sun damage — wrinkles and other physical signs — occur at a slower, and less noticeable rate in people with darker skin, Mokaya adds, but they do indeed occur.

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When shopping for a new shampoo, you likely start by standing in the aisle and staring at the dizzying array of options. Do you want a clarifying shampoo to remove build-up? A purple shampoo to cut brass? Once you’re thoroughly overwhelmed by the choices, you’ll probably resort to grabbing bottles off the shelf until you find the one that smells the best. While that buying practice may work for most, if you’ve been noticing your scalp looking flaky, itchy, or red, that beloved fragrance may be to blame.

“Most shampoos contain fragrance, and fragrance is the number one cause of allergic contact dermatitis,” says Peterson Pierre, M.D., dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute. (FYI: Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction resulting from contact with a substance or an allergy to it, according to the Mayo Clinic.) Similarly to how fragrance can irritate the skin on your face, it can also cause a reaction on the skin of your scalp. The symptoms for contact dermatitis could be redness, itching, or rash, says Trang Vu, a cosmetic sciences researcher and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cincinnati.

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Imagine how awesome it would be to have a dermatologist for a parent–someone you could talk to or text, day or night, about all things skin. Well, it turns out, derms’ kids are no different than anyone else when on the receiving end of advice from their parents: “My daughter’s eyes kind of glazed over the first time I started telling her what to do about her acne; I had to remind her that people pay me for my opinion,” laughs Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California who has a daughter, 20, and son, 18.

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If you use OTC retinol

Dr. Pierre recommended over-the-counter retinol for his kids’ mild acne because it’s anti-inflammatory (and therefore cuts down on zits’ redness), reduces oil production, helps refine pores and banishes blackheads and whiteheads. As with Rx treatments, start retinol slowly, applying only every few nights to start. “And apply moisturizer on top to deal with dryness,” he says.

If you use benzoyl peroxide

Although a killer acne-fighter (literally–it kills the bacteria that cause zits), BP can leave skin extra dry and it can bleach your clothes. So Dr. Pierre made sure his kids knew to get dressed before applying. Dr. Baumann also suggests that if your skin gets red or dry after using BP, apply barrier-repair moisturizer first. That gives skin a buffer, helping it better tolerate the treatment.

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1. Recognize the social injustice. Don’t deny its existence simply because you haven’t experienced it directly. If there is a situation whose outcome would have different simply by changing the victim’s skin color and nothing else, that evidence of a major problem.

2. Educate yourself. Seek to listen to others who have been harmed, seek to learn about matters that may be foreign to you, things you may never even have thought of, then take action.

3. Morality is not doing what is wrong. If you’re not racist, that’s great! You’re not participating in evil acts. But it’s not enough.

4. Develop character: not only should you avoid doing what is wrong, you should actively do what is right. Speak up, speak out against evil.

5. Each step requires courage. Each step takes you out of your comfort zone. Each step demands that you overcome fear: fear of what your family might say, what your friends may do, and what others may think. Real lives hang in the balance.

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Wearing a mask for many hours can increase your chances for infection and irritation, creating a favorable environment for yeast.

To avoid any facial irritation, dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre said it’s helpful to take breaks whenever you wear a mask.

“The more breaks you can give yourself from wearing a mask, the better,” he told HuffPost. “You will decrease heat, sweating, humidity, irritation, while also improving airflow, all of which should decrease your infection risk.”

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Wearing a mask for many hours can increase your chances for infection and irritation, creating a favorable environment for yeast.

To avoid any facial irritation, dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre said it’s helpful to take breaks whenever you wear a mask.

“The more breaks you can give yourself from wearing a mask, the better,” he told HuffPost. “You will decrease heat, sweating, humidity, irritation, while also improving airflow, all of which should decrease your infection risk.”

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Quarantine seems to have done Maria Shriver some good! The journalist, 64, was recently spotted looking spectacularly well rested stepping out as lockdown restrictions eased in California. But some suspect the mom of four’s newly smooth face may be due to something other than time out of the spotlight.

“In addition to Botox and filler, you can see the texture of her skin is a lot better,” notes Dr. Peterson Pierre, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks. (Pierre does not treat Maria).

“She’s probably had laser resurfacing and skin-tightening procedures.” Maria, whose digital newsletter, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, has been highlighting the work of helpers during the pandemic, might want to extend the treatments to her neck and decolletage, adds Pierre, “so the contrast is less apparent.”

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Growth factors activate different mechanisms in the skin that allow it to repair itself; for instance, “growth factors turn on the collagen-making factory in the skin and also boost elastin production,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA. “This results in significant improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, tone, texture and discoloration.” Yes, that’s a lot.

Who should use skin care products with growth factors?

Anyone is welcome to dip into these products, as Dr. Pierre explains, because “growth factors are universally well-tolerated, which makes them accessible to every skin type.”

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Like hormones, genetics can also play a big part in bacne, and board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D. confirms that a family history of bad acne can up your chances of having breakouts: “If there is a history of bad acne in your family, although not a given, chances are high that you will experience acne at some point in your life.”

Yes, even the foods we eat can contribute to bacne; a 2010 study revealed that high-glycemic-index foods can trigger acne in susceptible individuals. Dairy items like milk can also spike acne flares, according to Dr. Pierre, who says that whole milk has fat, which prevents the rapid rise of blood or blood sugar. This makes it important to switch to a non-dairy milk if you can because, he says, it doesn’t contain the high-fat content of whole milk. He adds that, similarly, sodas and high-sugar drinks, candy bars, and fast- and fried foods should be consumed in limited quantities as, they too, can contribute to breakouts.

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Like hormones, genetics can also play a big part in bacne, and board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D. confirms that a family history of bad acne can up your chances of having breakouts: “If there is a history of bad acne in your family, although not a given, chances are high that you will experience acne at some point in your life.”

Yes, even the foods we eat can contribute to bacne; a 2010 study revealed that high-glycemic-index foods can trigger acne in susceptible individuals. Dairy items like milk can also spike acne flares, according to Dr. Pierre, who says that whole milk has fat, which prevents the rapid rise of blood or blood sugar. This makes it important to switch to a non-dairy milk if you can because, he says, it doesn’t contain the high-fat content of whole milk. He adds that, similarly, sodas and high-sugar drinks, candy bars, and fast- and fried foods should be consumed in limited quantities as, they too, can contribute to breakouts.

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Like hormones, genetics can also play a big part in bacne, and board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D. confirms that a family history of bad acne can up your chances of having breakouts: “If there is a history of bad acne in your family, although not a given, chances are high that you will experience acne at some point in your life.”

Yes, even the foods we eat can contribute to bacne; a 2010 study revealed that high-glycemic-index foods can trigger acne in susceptible individuals. Dairy items like milk can also spike acne flares, according to Dr. Pierre, who says that whole milk has fat, which prevents the rapid rise of blood or blood sugar. This makes it important to switch to a non-dairy milk if you can because, he says, it doesn’t contain the high-fat content of whole milk. He adds that, similarly, sodas and high-sugar drinks, candy bars, and fast- and fried foods should be consumed in limited quantities as, they too, can contribute to breakouts.

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