Skin Care Tips
Cyspera Pigment Corrector | Decrease Hyperpigmentation & Melasma With Cysteamine
Cyspera- What is all the hype about? Updated Dec. 2022: Cyspera is now discontinued, but don't worry: it's been re-released as Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector. For more information about Cysteamine HSA, check out our blog post that breaks down the ways it's improved on the existing Cyspera formula. Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector as you know and love it is still available for purchase here at Harben House, while supplies last. Cyspera is the first topical pigment corrector formulated with cysteamine, an ingredient that corrects stubborn pigmentation issues for those with melasma, post-Inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), within the U.S. skincare market that just recently became available. This new addition is thanks to SENTÉ Skincare's partnership with the Scientis dermatology group based in Switzerland, and due to the fact that it has already been launched in other countries, the raving response for this product has been heard worldwide. View Product Sold out Clinical studies backing the product are vast and impressive, and even from Harben House's product page, numerous reviews show how truly effective Cyspera has been for our patients/customers. These clinical studies include multiple, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials performed comparing Cyspera to other hyperpigmentation ingredients, like Klinger’s formula & to a placebo. In every study, Cyspera has proven to be more effective than current products on the market, and significantly more effective than the placebo. Cyspera is the brand name for Cysteamine, which is the main ingredient. Cysteamine is a chemical compound present in human tissue, and interestingly, it's highest concentration is within breast milk - tested and clinically proven as SAFE and well tolerated for long-term topical use. Cysteamine’s natural presence in human tissues and a long history of human use make it a safe product for cosmetic and aesthetic use. Now cysteamine is proving, through numerous studies, its high efficacy in skin pigment correction, and is a serious contender as a novel first-line non-hydroquinone option for the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders. — Dr. Jennifer David, Dermatologist, Schweiger Dermatology Group Unique Application Process: Cyspera is a cream product that is used on dry skin for 15 minutes and washed off using a gentle cleanser. It is important to only use the product on skin that is DRY and has not been washed or wet for over 1 hour, so the best time to use is first thing in the morning or over your makeup before beginning you skincare routine in the evening. After application, you will need to wash it off with a gentle cleanser, and make sure a good moisturizer or hydrator is applied in your routine after. It is recommended to not use any irritating ingredients in your skincare routine immediately after. So no acids, tretinoin, etc. However, you can use these in your alternate routine. As an example, if you use Cyspera in the morning, you could use tretinoin or acids in the evening, just not within the same routine. PRIME Journal's Detailed Clinical Feature: Cysteamine For Treating Hyper-Pigmentation More on Cyspera → Additional Information & Clinical Trials: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30537063 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28678558 https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(12)02060-9/fulltext
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Exfoliation: Part 3 | Chemical Exfoliators: Acids
Acid exfoliation is the most common and well-known type of exfoliation. While extremely effective, it is a type that is easy to overuse and is the most susceptible form to user error. The two primary types of acid exfoliation are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). Currently, exfoliating acids are seen everywhere in the marketplace – and for good reason!
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Exfoliation: Part 2 | Chemical Exfoliators: Enzymes
Most have heard of top chemical exfoliators Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), but enzyme exfoliants haven’t yet received the notoriety they deserve. Active enzymes are just as important as other prominent cell-sloughing ingredients, and for some, are a powerful everyday solution against accelerated skin aging. What are Enzymes? An enzyme is a protein substance formed by organic matter to catalyze a certain chemical reaction. More simply put, enzymes cause and speed up the many vital functions of our body, including the break down process of some protein substances within the skin. Most enzymes in skincare come from a variety of plant-based sources such as fruit-types like papaya, pineapple, and cranberry; from grass-like plants such as bamboo and lemongrass; while some enzymes are even gathered from animals, like baby salmon! A Few Examples of Skincare Enzyme's Origin Also of note, enzymes are extremely active to the point where scientist have debated describing them as being alive. We won’t get into the debate now, but what is important to note is that enzymes remain active when in suitable conditions. Therefore, if you apply a serum or cream with an active enzyme, it will continue to chip away at dead skin cells until it is physically washed away or destabilized. How are Enzymes Used in Skincare? Enzymes work to gently break down protein buildup on your skin – a perk compared to acid exfoliants that can be too harsh for healing skin or those with sensitive skin. Like we discussed in our first blog on exfoliation, our skin is constantly removing dead skin at its own pace (which is good!), but we should either physically or chemically assist in this process to quicken cellular turnover, which is ultimately anti-aging. The dead skin on the outer surface of our skin is held together by proteins, which enzymes work to exfoliate by breaking down these proteins. In doing so, it loosens up the bonds and helps release the dead skin without physically scrubbing it away or using a stronger, deeper acid exfoliation. Hence the reason enzymes are a much gentler approach to exfoliating. However, due to being gentler, they can take longer to take effect than other forms of exfoliation. Which Skincare Products Contain Enzymes? Like other exfoliants, most enzyme exfoliators come in cleansers and masks, but enzymes can also be found in some serums and moisturizers. Formulating products with enzymes can be tricky due to their unstable and ever-changing nature. Some enzyme ingredients are easier to work with than other active forms. Top skincare brands, like Restorsea, have based their entire skincare line around enzymes. Restorsea’s enzyme, Aquabeautine XL, is derived from salmon roe. This enzyme is released upon the hatching of baby salmon within the shell and is unique because it is strong enough to break apart the outer, hard shell layer but gentle enough not to harm the delicate salmon roe. More information about Restorsea’s enzyme, AqubeautineXL, can be find on our blog titled, "Salmon Egg Skincare? Restorsea’s One-Of-A-Kind Aquatic Exfoliant". All of Restorsea’s products contain this patented enzyme, however, they have had to discontinue some of their products in the past due to the overactive state of the enzyme. Since the enzyme is somewhat ‘alive’, or continuously active, it has caused erratic color changes to some products and has even caused deterioration of some of the product’s packaging. Therefore, Restorsea had to discontinue the products due to the inconsistent output of the products color and state. Though these may be considered examples of faults, it has absolutely piqued our interest as you can see the product at work and know that the active ingredients truly are active! Featured Collection: Restorsea. Powered by Enzymes → What is the Best Enzyme Exfoliant? Personally, I like to use enzyme exfoliants in cleansers and mask, with an occasional lotion or serum. Masks like the Osmosis Polish Mask and iS Clinical’s TriActive Exfoliating Mask are among my favorites. Enzyme cleansers are some of my favorites as well, although you are not getting the full effect of the enzyme by washing it off so quickly. I do, however, think that enzyme cleanser are a great tool, because really anything in your cleanser is getting washed off as well. Some of my favorite enzyme cleansers are the Revision Papaya Cleanser and LeahLani Tropical Enzyme Cleansing Oil. Leave-on products will give the enzyme the most time to work, but you want to be careful if you have reactive skin. Since the enzyme is active, it can continuously chip away at the dead skin, and can cause some skin sensitivity at first. However, some find that using leave-on enzymes can replace and be an alternative to some other exfoliating products, like retinols, for those who don’t tolerate it well. Restorsea’s Rebalancing Lotion is a great retinol alternative and leave-on enzyme product as is their All Day Every Day Lotion 3x which is in their PRO, physician-only dispensed line. My personal favorite leave-on enzyme exfoliant from Restorsea, or any skincare brand, is their Intensive Hand Treatment 10X and Firming Eye Serum, both of which are in their PRO line as well. Harben House's Top 3 Enzyme Cleansers Sold out Sold out Leahlani Tropical Enzyme Cleansing Oil $54.00
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Exfoliation: Part 4 | Physical Exfoliation: Scrubs, Treatments & Tools
Physical exfoliation is when you use a product or device to manually scrub, rub, or scrape off dead skin. You can achieve this type of exfoliation with skincare products, in-office treatments, or tools. Most product types containing a physical exfoliant component will be scrubs, masks, and cleansers, and that component is almost always something that is washed off your skin. Additionally, there are various treatments and tools that can be done either professionally or at home to physically exfoliate, and we will discuss those as well.
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Exfoliation: Part 1 | Exfoliation 101
Learn the basics of why exfoliation is a key aspect of all skincare regimens. We will also discuss how and when to exfoliate.
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Truth Treatment Systems | Full Step-by-Step Skincare Routine
Morning Routine: Hyaluronic Honey Cleanser or Peppermint Salicylic Cleanser – Use a small amount of the concentrated cleanser and work into wet skin. Transdermal C Serum – Allow 1 to 2 drops mixed with the mist or water to absorb into skin. Omega 6 Healing Cream – Apply as much as needed as a moisturizer throughout the day. Apply after cleansing and serums. Sunscreen – There’s no sunscreen from Truth Treatment Systems (yet, or at least one can hope!), but vitamin C and retinol treated skin of any kind is more susceptible to sun damage. Night Routine: Hyaluronic Honey Cleanser or Peppermint Salicylic Cleanser – Use a small amount to scrub away the day’s makeup, dirt, oil and sweat. Transdermal C Serum - Allow 1 to 2 drops mixed with the mist or water to absorb into skin. Transdermal C Balm - Apply a pea-sized amount to dampened skin and massage in. Omega 6 Healing Cream – Apply the moisturizer as needed. Retinol Gel 1% or 5% - Best to apply the retinol gel as the very last product in a small pea-size amount. Important - start off slow. Begin by applying the retinol every 14 days to test tolerance and work up to applying it every other night or as tolerated.
Learn moreA Letter From Harben House's Founder - Courtney Broder
Welcome to Harben House. I sincerely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to visit our site and read our story. I want to be sure that everyone has a delightful experience while shopping at Harben House. Learn more about our beginnings and future goals.
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A Plastic Surgeon's Skincare Staples
We sat down with Dr. Staci Hix-Hernandez to see what skincare products this plastic surgeon uses. We get asked this daily in our offices. Who doesn't want to know what a Plastic Surgeon is using on their skin? We've gone behind the counter with our in-house Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to see exactly what secrets she has for healthy skin.
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Perfect Skin Care Routine for Exercise
You shouldn’t have to choose between clear skin and a fit lifestyle. Whether you are sweating it out inside a spin class or running outdoors, perspiring during a workout can wreck your complexion. We will breakdown these breakouts and help you choose the products right for you.
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