November 14, 2018
Most people have heard of B-group vitamins and Vitamins C and E, but although Vitamin K is less well-known it is no less important. It has been shown to have some surprising properties when applied to the skin.
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November 14, 2018
Biofilms are diverse communities of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi and yeasts) that embed themselves within a self-produced matrix and in doing so firmly attached themselves to one another and/or to surfaces. These surfaces may be biological (e.g. skin, wounds, teeth, or other body membranes), or not (e.g. implements, medical devices, furniture, or jewellery). The biofilm promotes the growth of the microorganisms, resulting in the thickening of the biofilm. In extreme cases, biofilms may appear as a “slime” to the naked eye.
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November 14, 2018
Nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide) is the active, water soluble form of vitamin B3, whereas nicotinic acid (also known as niacin) is converted into nicotinamide in the body (1). As vitamins, niacin and nicotinamide are identical. Their pharmacological effects, however, are considerably different. Unlike nicotinamide, niacin lowers cholesterol, causes vasodilation, skin flushing, headache, and hypotension.
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November 14, 2018
Vitamin D is not technically a vitamin at all, but rather a kind of hormone that is essential for life. It increases the absorption of calcium from foods in the gut, promotes the healthy growth of bone, and is important for the absorption of iron, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc. It also has beneficial effects on nerve, muscle and immune functions.
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November 14, 2018
Everyone’s skin is different, as unique as your DNA. Many ingredients in commercially-available skin and hair care products can be irritating or simply inappropriate for some skin types, leaving your skin dry, oily, clogged, scaly — or even inflamed. Sadly, not all products are formulated well, and some use cheap ingredients.
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November 14, 2018
Moisturisers (or emollients) are complex mixtures of ingredients. They work by increasing the skin’s hydration (water content) by decreasing the evaporation of water and by trapping it in the skin. Moisturisers are not one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s skin is as different as their DNA, and it is possible to select the best oil for your skin. One of the key factors that determines how well a moisturiser will work is the kind of oils that it contains.
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November 14, 2018
BCP Custom Skincare is an easy four-step system to help you design a moisturiser that is best suited for your skin and needs.
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November 14, 2018
As both pharmacists and industrially-trained cosmetics formulators, it was clear to us that there was a massive gap between the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sciences, a gap in both thought and approach.
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November 14, 2018
During pregnancy, nausea and vomiting known as “morning sickness” is a common problem… but a treatable one.
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November 14, 2018
Silibinin is a purified form of Silymarin, a standardized extract from the seeds of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum)—a traditional herbal medicine that has been used since antiquity (1). Silibinin is also found abundantly in globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus).
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November 14, 2018
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. Medically, it is known as acne vulgaris. It occurs when skin pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin (sebum), and so usually affects skin areas where oil glands are present in relatively high numbers, such as the face, back, and upper chest.
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November 14, 2018
Everyone knows that the sun can burn your skin. The main culprit in sunlight is a high-energy radiation called ultraviolet (UV) light.
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