Ultimate Pigment and Sun Damage Repair Kit

My Ultimate Pigment Fading and Sun Damage Repair kit is like the time-honored Obagi Nu Derm. It includes the same synergistic combination of important ingredients but I omit the questionable preservatives and allergens in other skin rejuvenation lines.

Have confidence in your anti-aging skin care

This is the age fighting skin care routine that you would get in my dermatology office. I've done the homework for you and know that it's important to include key products to fight irritation and enhance skin penetration of ingredients so that you achieve success and quickly see results. You don't get that level of clinically relevant detail in other anti-aging skin care lines.

In my kit, you’ll find the highest quality and modern formulations of medical grade skin care ingredients to fight the signs of skin aging:

• Proven skin pigment lighteners such as kojic acid, arbutin, and bearberry. My staff make up the pads fresh when you place your order so the preservative fiesta found in popular brands is not present. (Please note that our pads are hydroquinone-free.)
• AHA Glycolic Acid at the right concentration to refresh your complexion and stimulate skin repair to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. AHAs also enhance penetration of other actives in the kit.
• Retinol at clinical strength. Retinol is a powerhouse for building collagen. Any pigment and sun damage repair kit needs to include a professional strength retinoid so that you see results quickly.
• Mineral Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with iron oxide. Without sun protection, there’s no progress. UV stimulates skin pigmentation as a protective mechanism. You need to wear mineral zinc oxide sunscreen every day to achieve pigment correction. This will also enhance skin rejuvenation since UV rays kickstart collagen destruction enzymes that keep running until you turn them off with retinoids. Another reason why this kit is amazing!
• Skin cleansing and toning that enhances penetration of the powerful correcting actives without irritation. Yes, your cleanser matters to your results. In my kit you have the right cleanser and toner to enhance the powerful pigment and sun damage correcting actives - your skin will look and feel better fast!
• The right antioxidants and moisturizer to fight skin irritation so that you have success with such a powerful and professional anti-aging skin care routine.

This is strong, clinically effective skin care that yields results. You'll see the changes in the mirror within the first few weeks and can expect your complexion to be healthier and more attractive for years to come. This is a powerful, smart and Complete Skin Care routine developed by a seasoned Board Certified Dermatologist with over 30 years of experience treating pigment problems and sun damaged skin.

Kit Contents include 8 Key Products:

1. Extremely Gentle Foaming Cleanser
2. Naturally Hydrating Pore Minimizing Toner
3. Pigment Fade Pads (Please note that these pads are made when you order to preserve potency and one jar contains 60 pads)
4. Green Tea Antioxidant Therapy
5. Glycolic Acid Face Cream
6. Retinol Night Cream
7. Daily Moisturizing Face Cream
8. Sheer Strength Pure Physical Tinted Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen

By using my products, you will avoid allergens and unnecessary ingredients present in similar products from most popular brands. These ingredients offer no benefit beyond marketing appeal. They often irritate skin and cause allergic rashes that reverse your progress.

References:

Siddharth Mukherjee, Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety, Clin Interv Aging. 2006 Dec; 1(4): 327–348.

Improvement of Naturally Aged Skin With Vitamin A (Retinol), Reza Kafi, MD; Heh Shin R. Kwak, MD, Arch Dermatol. 2007;143:606-612

Improvement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study. Kikuchi K, Suetake T, Kumasaka N, Tagami H, J Dermatolog Treat. 2009;20(5):276-81

Choosing Topical Retinoids for Aging Skin, Sachs, DL, Dermatology Focus, Summer 2013 Vol 32 No 2 page 4

Application of Retinol to Human Skin In Vivo Induces Epidermal Hyperplasia and Cellular Retinoid Binding Proteins Characteristic of Retinoic Acid but Without Measurable Retinoic Acid Levels or Irritation, Sewon Kang, Elizabeth A. Duell, et. al., J Invest Dermatol 105:549-556, 1995

Vitamin A Antagonizes Decreased Cell Growth and Elevated Collagen-Degrading Matrix Metalloproteinases and Stimulates Collagen Accumulation in Naturally Aged Human Skin, James Varani, Roscoe L Warner, Mehrnaz Gharaee-Kermani, et. al., J Invest Dermatol (2000) 114, 480–486;

Mechanisms of Photoaging and Chronological Skin Aging, Gary J. Fisher, PhD; Sewon Kang, MD; et. al., Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(11):1462-1470

Topical Tretinoin for Photoaged Skin: a Double-blind Vehicle-controlled Study, Weiss JS, Ellis CN, et. al., JAMA. 1988, 259: 527-532

Tazarotene Cream for the Treatment of Facial Photo Damage: a Multicenter, Investigator-Masked, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled, Parallel Comparison of Tazarotene 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1% Creams and Tretinoin 0.05% Emollient Cream Applied Once-Daily for 24 Weeks. Kang S, Leyden JJ, Lowe NJ, et al., Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:1597-1604.

Mechanisms of Photoaging and Chronological Skin Aging, Gary J. Fisher, PhD; Sewon Kang, MD; et. al., Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(11):1462-1470

Dermal Damage Promoted by Repeated Low-Level UV-A1 Exposure Despite Tanning Response in Human Skin, Frank Wang, MD; Noah R. Smith, MD et. al., JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(4):401-406.

Bernstein, EF, et. al. (including Van Scott, E), Glycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type 1 Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human Skin, Dermatologic Surgery2001;27:429-433

Ditre CM et. al. (including Van Scott, E), Effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on photoaged skin; A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1996;34:187-195

Key Ingredients:

• Pharmaceutically pure and stable retinol 1%/10X
• Ultra-pure medical grade glycolic acid 15% formulated to a pH of 4
• Skin 'lighteners' including kojic acid, arbutin, and bearberry
• Antioxidants: Green tea polyphenols, Ubiquinone (CoQ-10), resveratrol
• Glycerin
• Botanicals: Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum (Silymarin) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, aloe
• Silk Amino Acids
• Squalane
• Vitamins A, C and E
• Organic rose hydrosol and witch hazel
• zinc oxide, titanium dioxide (both are non-nano) and iron oxide

Free of:

• Sulfates
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Petrochemicals
• Artificial dyes and fragrance

Oil free and non-comedogenic.

Always cruelty-free and made in the U.S.A.

Please read the instructions which will help to guide you through this powerful Complete Skin Care Routine. You have synergistic and compatible products for each of the 4 essential skin care steps of CLEANSE, CORRECT, HYDRATE and PROTECT.

 AM

CLEANSE skin by wetting skin with warm to tepid water. Use your fingertips to lather your facial skin with the Extremely Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Towel dry. Do a second cleansing step using the Naturally Hydrating Toner by dripping a small amount on on a cotton ball or cotton pad and swabbing skin gently to remove residual product and oil.

CORRECT and HYDRATE together during the day by first swabbing skin with one Pigment Fading Pad to the treatment area and let dry. Then layer one scant pump of Green Tea Antioxidant Cream and let dry. Finally, apply the Glycolic Acid Face Cream to the treatment area. 

Pro-tips: Avoid applying glycolic acid/AHAs to the immediate area around the eyes. Cream can migrate into eye creases and cause irritation. Also remember glycolic acid can sting when you first apply it. Any good glycolic acid product needs an adjustment period. If the stinging is too much, skip a day or two, or even a week. Wait until your skin has adjusted to The Kit before resuming. Apply the Daily Face Cream instead. Also, if you have a rash or injured skin, don't apply any AHA product until the skin has healed. 

Some complexions need to first start with the Retinol Cream at night to let the skin adjust for a month, and then start the glycolic acid cream. This is professional strength skin care, both in terms of results and the care needed to initiate use of this complete and powerful routine.

PROTECT by applying your Sheer Strength Pure Physical Sunscreen to the entire treatment area. Remember that facial skin requires 1/3 tsp (a nickel size dollop) to benefit from the full SPF of sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen if you are in the sun for extended time. A great option for reapplication is the Sheer Strength Pure Physical SPF50  Refresh Powder Sunscreen, which is easy to carry with you throughout the day.

Pro-tip: Makeup, if applied, always goes on after mineral sunscreens. Mineral makeup powder will give you additional protection from UV ray damage when applied on top of your sunscreen. 

 PM

CLEANSE as above by wash with the Extremely Gentle Foaming Cleanser followed by the Naturally Hydrating Toner. Check the cotton ball to be certain all of the day's accumulation of dirt, debris and product residual has been removed. 

HYDRATE by applying the Daily Moisturizing Face Cream on top of the Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

This is powerful and transformational skin care combining the best products. Remember combining AHAs and Retinoids is tricky for some complexions.

Take it slow if you suspect your complexion might need a gentle approach. I find that starting with the Retinol is often easiest. Once a complexion has acclimatized to the Retinol Night Cream, I then add the day application of the Glycolic Acid Cream. I have included the Daily Face Cream to give you the ability to modulate your routine according to your skin’s needs. Also, there may be portions of your facial skin that are more sensitive than others. For example, the skin around the nose and on the chin is often more sensitive. Applying Glycolic Acid and Retinol may be more reliably tolerated daily on the peripheral portions of the face and may require less frequent application on the central areas around the nose and chin. 

On the other end of the spectrum, tolerant complexions may eventually benefit by using the Glycolic Acid Cream twice a day. If there is no irritation after a month or so of using the kit, the Glycolic Acid Cream can be applied at night after the Retinol Cream (in place of the Daily Face Cream) as well as during the morning as described above.

Sensitive skin?

Don’t apply the Glycolic Acid Cream for a few weeks. See if any flaking, redness or irritation develops from the Retinol. If not, then start using the Glycolic Acid Cream in the morning as tolerated. Anytime your skin stings for more than a few seconds with the Glycolic Acid Cream, discontinue its use for a few days or a week or so. This is important because applying glycolic acid to irritated skin is like applying lemon juice on a cut. Normal skin handles lemon juice just fine, but skin with enhanced permeability does not; skin must not be irritated, red or flakey when using glycolic acid. Let your skin return to normal barrier strength before resuming application of glycolic acid to avoid irritation. Increased permeability can occur from products, wind burn, sun burn, cosmetic procedures, waxing etc. When in doubt, consult your skin care professional.

Tolerant Skin?

Start with the routine above. If your skin is tolerating it well after 4 weeks, try applying the Glycolic Acid Cream at night over the Retinol to get more results. Anytime your skin becomes sensitive and stings with the Glycolic Acid Cream, don’t apply it. Always let your skin barrier normalize before resuming application of Glycolic Acid to avoid irritation.

Want to add Vitamin C?

Once you have totally adjusted to these products, add Vitamin C. It’s the only other ingredient with proven benefit for pigment correction and meaningful structural rejuvenation. Vitamin C alone is not as powerful as Glycolic Acid or Retinol, but all together, these ingredients are synergistic. Vitamin C is also a great antioxidant if your complexion will tolerate it. Like Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C must be formulated with an acid pH to benefit your complexion. Any acid pH product will irritate skin with enhanced permeability; skin must not be irritated, red or flaky when you use these acid pH products.

The best place to add Vitamin C is in the morning.  With this kit, in place of the Glycolic Acid Cream, apply your favorite vitamin C serum after the Green Tea. You can apply vitamin C as little as every 4 days to reap the benefits. You can apply Glycolic Acid Cream on the alternate days, and/or at night after the Retinol. This combo is the absolute best skin care available for pigment control and rejuvenation!

Caution: inform your skin care professionals that you are using AHAs and retinoids before having any skin care or cosmetic procedures done! You may be counseled to discontinue using these products before procedures.

Extremely Gentle Foaming Cleanser (6.7 fl. oz.): Purified Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates Coplymer, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silk Amino Acids, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ubiquinone (CoQ-10), Xanthan Gum, Superoxide Dismutase, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA.

Naturally Hydrating Pore Minimizing Toner (4 fl. oz.): Certified organic rose water (food grade) hydrosol, distilled water, certified organic witch hazel, certified organic glycerin (vegetable derived), hyaluronic acid (vegetable derived low molecular weight), optiphen (preservative).

Pigment Fading Pads (60 pads): Ethoxydiglycol, Water, Calcium Pantetheine Sulfonate, Kojic Acid (2%), Arbutin, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Ascorbic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum (Silymarin) Fruit Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi (Bearberry) Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phosphoric Acid, Polysorbate-20.

Green Tea Antioxidant Therapy (1 fl. oz.): Purified Water, Squalane, Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Capryl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Resveratrol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Rosamarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polysorbate-20, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA.

Glycolic Acid Face Cream (1.6 oz.): Purified Water, Glycolic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ammonium Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q-10), Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA.

Retinol Night Cream 1%/10X (1 fl. oz.): Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Caffeine, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 20, Cyclomethicone. 

Daily Moisturizing Face Cream for Dry to Normal Skin (1.6 oz.): Purified Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-Myreth Propionate, Squalane, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Yucca Glauca Root Extract, Ceramide 3, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Beeswax, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Capryl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA. 

Sheer Strength Pure Physical Matte Tinted Créme Sunscreen SPF 50 (1.9 oz.)

Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 16.5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.2%

Inactive Ingredients: Alumina, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cermide NS, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Iron Oxides, Isodoecane, Methyl Trimethicone, PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-8 Methyl Ether Triethoxysilane, Phospholipids, Phyllanthus Emblca Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Purified Water, Resveratrol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Silica, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q-10).