Erno Laszlo Blogs

How Much SPF Do I Need? To safely cover your skin in SPF and protect it from sun exposure, a nickel-sized dollop of sunscreen should be used. This would be equivalent to “two fingers” of SPF, from the base of the index and middle fingers to the tips. As a reminder, SPF must be reapplied every two hours, in order to maintain protection throughout the day!    What Does SPF Stand For? SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor,” meaning that it tells you how long the sun’s UVB radiation would take to redden versus the amount of time without using any sunscreen. This means that SPF 30 has twice the UVB protection offered by SPF 15. But, this is reliant on applying the appropriate amount and in an even manner. The numbers that you see that follows “SPF” is found via a calculation of protection and sun rays- it does not refer to how “long” an SPF lasts. It’s also important to note that, based on this equation, that the protection isn’t linear: SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB radiation. Try our cult-favorite Phelityl Day Lotion SPF 15 SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiation. Try Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30  SPF 50 blocks approximately 98% of UVB radiation This is a measure of UVB rays only- it doesn’t account for UVA or blue light protection values. When a sunscreen is considered “Broad spectrum,” it also protects skin in the UVA range. While blue light is becoming a greater concern as we spend more time in front of devices, there is no true definition for “blue light” by the FDA, but it’s still necessary to protect against oxidative damages. Look for SPF formulas that utilize antioxidants in order to protect skin from light in this wavelength. What Are the Different Types of SPF & How to Identify Which One Is Right for You: Chemical sunscreen, which is absorbed into the skin, absorb UV rays as they attempt to enter the skin. These sunscreen filters need to be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors to let the ingredients fully bind to the skin.  Chemical filters: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Omosalate Physical sunscreens use mineral ingredients and work by sitting on top of the skin to deflect damaging UV rays from the skin. They are naturally broad spectrum, meaning that they protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays.They take effect immediately and can be applied right before sun exposure. Physical filters; Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide  The best sunscreen for you is the sunscreen that you will   use on a daily basis!      Most Common Misconceptions About SPF? As we mentioned earlier, sunscreen doesn’t last all day and needs to be reapplied! Going to protect all day- have to reapply. SPF should be reapplied more frequently as we sweat, swim, or spend time outdoors. You should still wear SPF, even while you’re inside! You can still be exposed to visible light and therefore be exposed to rays. UV rays penetrate clouds and windows so wearing SPF 365 days a year is essential Wearing sunscreen everyday doesn’t mean you will get a vitamin D deficiency! Sunscreen does not prevent vitamin D from absorbing into the skin. SPF 100 doesn’t mean 100% protection. You can never achieve complete protection from the sun, even when using it in the appropriate amounts You can mix sunscreen with your face cream of foundation You are likely not applying enough of the sunscreen to have adequate protection and diluting the active ingredients and lowering its efficacy Products should be layered properly and sunscreen should be applied last; once that’s dry, foundation can be applied.    

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare, and different skin types require different approaches. However, there are a few universal ingredients that provide amazing benefits to all skin types. Maintaining healthy skin involves following good skincare habits and incorporating the right ingredients into your daily skincare routine. What you put on your skin can be just as important as what you eat, which is why the secret to healthy-looking skin lies in the ingredients you use. To ensure you're giving yourself the best chance at achieving healthy skin, here are 5 key ingredients you should look for when shopping and choosing your skincare products to get the most out of your skincare routine. 1. Ceramides Ceramides are lipids that form a protective barrier on the skin. They bind skin cells in the epidermis, trapping moisture and warding off allergens and external aggressors from entering the dermal layer to maintain its structural integrity. This makes ceramides essential for maintaining healthy and functioning skin. Ceramides retain moisture, prevent water loss, regulate oil production, and protect skin from environmental stressors. This helps reduce the look of redness, soothe irritation, boost hydration and moisture, clarify, and improve the texture and tone of the skin. Ceramides naturally occur in the epidermis, but as we age, their production decreases. This is why it's important to include ceramides in your skincare routine to preserve and restore skin's natural protective barrier, boost hydration, and help keep skin looking plump and healthy. There are nine different ceramides found in the skin. Based on clinical data, ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II have been proven to be the most effective, which is why they are commonly used in skincare products. To get the best results from your skincare, look for products that contain ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II. Extra Dry Phelityl Cream, which contains Ceramide NP, also known as ceramide 3, is the perfect choice if you're looking to nourish dry skin and replenish vital moisture and nutrients while fortifying skin's protective barrier. 2. Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic acid is a humectant found in the human body that draws moisture from the environment and binds it into the skin. This delivers maximum hydration and moisture to your skin cells, helping keep skin hydrated, moisturized, and plumped throughout the day by maintaining optimal water levels.This humectant has been called the "Molecule of Youth" because it has high water absorption capabilities (up to 1000 times its weight in water!). Because of this, Hyaluronic Acid is incredibly effective at retaining moisture, making it great for all skin types.Hyaluronic Acid not only helps hydrate and moisturize the skin, it also helps soothe signs of redness. It’s a popular ingredient for anti-aging as well because it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging by replenishing skin cells with lost moisture.Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the human body, but as we age, it decreases due to the complex process and the metabolic power of cells needed to create it. As a result, our skin loses its hydration, volume, and plumpness with time.Including hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine is a skin-changer because it's an all-star ingredient when it comes to hydration. To get the best results, look for products containing sodium hyaluronate — a derivative of hyaluronic acid — which has a smaller molecular size and greater penetration power, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum hydration. Skin Supplement Essence is perfect for those with extra dry skin that needs an instant boost of hydration to restore a comfortable feel. This essence’s unique formula helps replenish moisture, leaving the complexion feeling moisture-rich, refreshed, and energized. 3. NiacinamideNiacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in keeping our skin healthy and looking its best. It's one of the most effective ingredients for targeting multiple skin concerns. This water-soluble vitamin stimulates ceramide production to strengthen the skin's protective barrier, preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), boosting hydration, and reducing sebum production to help tighten large pores and minimize breakouts, making it an effective ingredient for acne-prone skin. Furthermore, it has antioxidant properties that protect your skin from environmental stressors. Niacinamide increases the production of NAD+, a molecule that helps cells proliferate and allows your body to absorb and neutralize free radicals — potentially dangerous molecules that can damage skin cells — to combat and reduce signs of premature aging. If that wasn’t enough to convince you to include niacinamide in your skincare routine, this powerful ingredient, also known for reducing hyperpigmentation and discoloration, works by inhibiting melanosomes from transferring pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes. This helps to even out skin tone and prevent dark spots, making it an effective ingredient for those looking to correct and brighten dull or uneven skin. Niacinamide has also been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting elastin and collagen production to firm and plump the skin, making it look smoother, brighter, and more youthful. Your body doesn't produce niacinamide naturally, so to get the skin benefits of this ingredient, you'll need to look for it in external sources such as skincare products. Phormula 3-10 Skin Repair is a great option that contains a high concentration of niacinamide, helping to support and strengthen the lipid barrier, boost hydration levels, and combat the look of dullness. 4. SqualaneThis non-greasy, non-comedogenic, and non-irritating ingredient has a small molecular size which allows it to absorb quickly into the skin for immediate moisture, making it an ideal ingredient for all skin types, even the most sensitive.Squalane is an antioxidant, making it great at protecting the skin from harsh environmental stressors, soothing signs of redness, balancing excess oil production, and fighting acne.Since squalane is a natural compound originating from our body's own scalene, it's considered an important lipid produced by skin cells. It makes up a substantial portion of our skin's natural sebum — accounting for somewhere between 14 and 16% — to lock in hydration and moisture while restoring and protecting your skin's barrier from dehydration and environmental damage. But with age, our body's natural production of squalane begins to decrease, resulting in drier and duller-looking skin. Introducing squalane into your skincare routine with a moisturizer such as Mattifying Gel Moisturizer is a simple way to replenish and restore the skin's natural barrier, resulting in softer, smoother, and healthier-looking skin. 5. Lactic AcidLactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from milk that works to exfoliate by gently breaking the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the surface of the skin, revealing smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking skin. This AHA helps exfoliate clogged pores to renew the appearance of skin, while its moisturizing properties boost hydration to help reduce oil production and keep skin feeling soft and supple. Lactic Acid has been found to effectively reduce hyperpigmentation by speeding up the shedding and resurfacing of skin cells that have developed an accumulation of extra pigment, thus diminishing any discoloration or dark spots. Lactic acid is also known to be a powerful anti-aging ingredient. It encourages skin cell turnover and the production of elastin and collagen — proteins responsible for giving your skin its structure — which in turn reduces acne scars, rough texture, fine lines and wrinkles all to reveal porcelain skin. Brightening Dual-Phase Peel is an innovative two-step treatment to get your skin looking brighter, smoother, and younger. The first step uses Polylactic Acid to mechanically exfoliate your skin, buffing away dead cells and revealing a brighter complexion. The second step, the Lactic Acid liquid activator, gives a secondary exfoliation to help eliminate any remaining dirt or debris from skin's surface. It is important to note that everyone's skin is unique, so before using any new skincare product, pay attention to how your skin reacts and adjust the frequency of use accordingly. When it comes to skincare, it's always best to start slow and introduce new products slowly so as not to disrupt your skin's balance.Keeping these 5 key ingredients in mind when shopping and choosing skincare products is a great way to get started with creating a daily routine that will help you achieve your very best skin. Written by Suyud Issa, a licensed aesthetician, who’s in love with the skin and its complexity. Her blog, All Skin Care Talk, focuses on providing the best skin care content to improve one's skin.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Adam J. Friedman. Professor and Chair of Dermatology, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC ________________________________________________________________________________________________ The epidermis—and in particular its outermost layer, the stratum corneum—contributes much of the barrier function of the skin and is a readily visible representation of skin health (Marieb 2019). Maintaining the health of the skin barrier has arguably become more important than ever in the modern world, in which a large majority of people are exposed to environmental chemicals (Quinovic 2021; CDC 2021). These external factors can damage the integrity of the skin barrier and promote premature aging of the skin (Roberts 2021; Schachner 2023). Thus, maintaining and protecting the stratum corneum has become increasingly important.Here, we briefly review the complex, multilayered structure of the skin and relate it to clinically translatable function, with an emphasis on the stratum corneum. In the context of epidermal structure and function, the formulation and clinical data for Phelityl® Reviving Cream will be reviewed.Skin Homeostasis: A Brief Review of Skin Barrier Structure and FunctionThe functionality of the epidermis extends far beyond simply forming an interface between the body and the environment, with roles in sensation, maintaining water content, defending against and responding to infection, photoprotection, and responding to and ameliorating oxidative stress, along with crucial regulatory, metabolic, and excretory functions (Lopez-Ojeda 2022). Among all of the body’s organs, the skin is the first point of contact and is most exposed to environmental insult from microorganisms, physical injury, temperature extremes, chemical pollution, and ultraviolet (UV) light. Its remarkable ability to self-repair is an essential element of healthy skin function for people of all ages, and progressive compromise of the skin barrier is common as individuals age, as well as in patients with dermatologic and certain systemic disorders (Roberts 2021). The most superficial layer of the epidermis—and the one that is largely responsible for the appearance of the skin to the observer and the main contributor to the skin barrier function—is the stratum corneum (Marieb 2019) (Figure 1). Only 10 to 20 µm thick, (Sandby-Møller 2003), the stratum corneum is composed of up to 30 layers of metabolically inactive, keratin-filled corneocytes that are shed at a rate approaching 50,000 cells per minute (Marieb 2019). The spaces between these cells are filled with a lipid-laden extracellular matrix. Far from being just a dead, dry layer, the healthy stratum corneum also contains about 20% to 25% water under average conditions, with water content changing dynamically in response to the humidity of the environment and the use of topical products (Murthy 2010). Figure 1.Epidermal Structure Focus on the Stratum CorneumThe stratum corneum has a “brick-and-mortar” composition, with the corneocytes forming the bricks and the extracellular matrix forming the mortar (Figure 2) (Kim 2020). The corneocytes are connected by corneodesmosomes that contribute to its resistance to mechanical stressors and selective permeability (Kim 2020). It is primarily composed of protein (75%-80%) and is rich in a variety of lipids that provide structural support and act as a barrier (Knox 2021). The extracellular space is a mixture of ceramides, cholesterol, and non-esterified fatty acids in approximately a 3:1:1 ratio (Knox 2021; Del Rosso 2011). Collectively, the relative composition of these lipids is critical for maintaining skin hydration and regulating transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Del Rosso 2011).   Figure 2. "Brick-and-Mortar" Structure of the Stratum Corneum (Harding 2004) Ceramides constitute about half of the stratum corneum lipids (Knox 2021). These molecules consist of an amino acid–containing sphingoid base linked to a hydrophobic fatty acid chain (Knox 2021). They play a critical role not only in forming the lamellar barrier of the skin, maintaining skin moisture, and preventing ingress of microbes, but also act intracellularly as second messengers for a broad range of processes (Cha 2016). Cholesterol constitutes about one-quarter of lipids in the stratum corneum (Knox 2021). It maintains the fluidity and rigidity of cell membranes and is, along with ceramides, critical for the barrier function of the stratum corneum (Knox 2021). Fatty acids, most but not all of which are synthesized de novo by keratinocytes, comprise an additional 10% to 15% of the stratum corneum lipid content (Del Rosso 2011; Khynykin 2011). These compounds are known to modulate skin-surface pH, helping it maintain its natural acidity, and to contribute to the regulation of permeability, the antimicrobial properties of the skin, and the inflammatory response (Khynykin 2011). In addition to the fatty acids synthesized by keratinocytes, the essential fatty acids (EFAs) linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid are critical elements of both the epidermis and dermis. These essential compounds are unique among the fatty acids in that they must be supplied by the diet or exogenously by topical application and are the parent compounds for more than 30 derivatives that are critical for healthy skin, as illustrated by early studies showing that deficiencies manifest as dermatitis and increased TEWL (Prottey 1975; Hansen 1958)Along with ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, the stratum corneum contains natural moisturizing factor, which is a mixture of small, water-soluble compounds derived from filaggrin, sweat constituents, and triglyceride turnover in the sebaceous glands (Gunnarsson 2021). These compounds make up approximately 10% of the dry weight of corneocytes and include a range of amino acids and amino acid derivatives, including pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, urocanic acid, lactic acid, sugars, urea, glycerol, and various ions (Gunnarsson 2021). Lipids supplied by the sebum—produced by sebaceous glands—are also present on the skin surface. Sebum consists of squalene, triacylglycerols, and wax esters and is present at the highest levels on the forehead, upper chest, and upper back (Knox 2021). Squalene, an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis, is a particularly potent natural emollient that is efficiently absorbed deep into the skin, maintaining its suppleness and flexibility (Huang 2009). Squalene also has a protective role, quickly neutralizing free radicals and protecting the skin against oxidative damage (Huang 2009).Normal Functions of the Stratum CorneumThe main functions of the stratum corneum include providing a selectively permeable barrier, protecting against UV light, serving as the first line of defense against pathogens and initiating the immune response to these microorganisms, quenching free radicals, and serving as a home for a diverse array of commensal skin microbiota.Barrier and homeostatic functions: The most commonly understood function of the skin is to act as a selectively permeable physical barrier between theinternal and external environment. The multiple layers of corneocytes that comprise the bricks of the stratum corneum, together with the glycolipids that serve as the mortar, maintain proper cutaneous water balance by preventing excess TEWL (Woodby 2020). Healthy skin is critical for maintaining body temperature to avoid uncontrolled water and solute loss (Marieb 2019).Photoprotection: The skin barrier is the primary site of exposure to UV radiation, and solar UV radiation (primarily UVA and UVB) is the primary driver of skin photoaging (Markiewicz 2019). Damage to the skin by UV radiation can be mediated by direct absorption of radiation by nuclear DNA, causing specific mutations in the skin genome. Indirect damage also may occur as a result of UV absorption into other skin constituents, the generation of reactive oxygen species, and the resulting formation of DNA photoproducts, in addition to characteristic alterations in cellular proteins and membranes (Markiewicz 2019). The skin contains an exquisite set of enzymatic pathways to continuously repair the damage caused by UV radiation and other environmental insults. Without proper care, the skin accumulates UV damage over time, leading to manifestations ranging from benign damage (wrinkling) to cancers (Markiewicz 2019). Antimicrobial functions: The stratum corneum is the first line of defense against many microbes and contains multiple mechanisms to prevent colonization by pathogens. It responds to those that manage to survive the harsh environment of the skin, and prime the downstream immune response. The first line of defense is the acid mantle—a pH that is maintained in healthy skin of between 5.4 and 5.9—a range that is inhospitable for many potential pathogens but is tolerated by commensal bacteria (Nguyen 2019). The skin also produces a number of antimicrobial peptides that can be present constitutively or produced in response to inflammatory stimuli (Nguyen 2019). The defensins and cathelicidins, which are produced by keratinocytes, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands, among other sites, and dermcidin, which is expressed by sebocytes, have broad bactericidal activity against microbes and also may play a role in initiating the immune response (Nguyen 2019). Certain skin lipids also have intrinsic antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Propionibacterium acnes, among other bacterial species (Marieb 2019; Cartron2014; Nguyen 2019).Antioxidant: UV radiation, air pollution, and other environmental pollutants are well-understood to cause oxidative stress. After entering the skin as nanoparticles, air pollutants can produce reactive oxygen species that negatively impact the enzymatic and nonenzymatic activities of the skin and stimulate the release of proinflammatory mediators, among other negative effects (Roberts 2021). The skin contains an endogenous network of enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems to counter oxidative stress by quenching free radicals generated by environmental insults (Del Rosso 2011).Host to the skin microbiota: The skin also hosts a diverse array of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that collectively compose the skin microbiota, the composition of which varies substantially depending on the local physiology of the skin (Byrd 2018). Commensals on the skin surface actively prevent colonization by pathogenic microbes; furthermore, evidence suggests that there is crosstalk between the immune system and microbiota to assist in the maintenance of the normal microbial composition of the skin and eliminate pathogens (Byrd2018). The normal microbiota not only defends against potentially harmful microorganisms but can also produce substances that are directly beneficial for the skin. For example, data suggest that commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis produces protective ceramides that contribute to skin barrier homeostasis, and thus help to prevent skin dehydration and aging (Zheng 2022).Importance of Maintaining the Skin BarrierAs discussed, the skin barrier is both a multifunctional structure with critical roles in defending against environmental assault and homeostasis, as well as the structure that reflects our outward appearance to the world. Many of the functions of the epidermal barrier are the responsibility of the stratum corneum; thus, maintaining the stratum corneum is a priority for overall skin health. In addition to exogenous factors, aging has been shown to compromise the integrity of the stratum corneum, with changes in its biomechanical properties including stiffening of keratin fibers, increased cellular cohesion, and decreases in water movement through the stratum corneum (Biniek 2015). Levels of all 3 major classes of skin lipids—ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids—also decline significantly with age, leading to compromise of the barrier function of the skin (Rogers 1996). Furthermore, the pH of the stratum corneum tends to increase with age, which has been shown to increase serine protease activity and reduce corneodesmosome density (Choi 2007).Several modifiable risk factors for poor skin barrier function can be readily addressed with appropriate routine skin care, including gentle cleansing and use of topical products designed to moisturize and support skin barrier function and avoiding unnecessary environmental exposure, the use of irritating topical products, and extended exposure to low-humidity environments (Del Rosso 2016). Conversely, without proper attention, the integrity of the stratum corneum can be compromised, leading to both visible and invisible manifestations such as dry, flaky skin, itching, and irritation.Phelityl® Reviving CreamThe science underlying the structure and function of the skin barrier was carefully considered in the development of Erno Laszlo’s Phelityl® Reviving Cream. Central to the product formulation is the Phelityl® Complex, a blend of botanical substances with evidencebased benefits on skin barrier health, which was combined with other ingredients to support the skin barrier and enhance hydration. Phelityl® Reviving Cream Key Components Phelityl® Complex Biobotanical blend Acacia gum biopolymer Plant-derived polyglycerides Rosehip oil Squalane Ceramides Red algae African tree and oleanolic acid blend Glycerin Phelityl® ComplexThe Phelityl® Complex is composed of a blend of botanical substances, including acacia gum biopolymers, plantderived polyglycerides, and rosehip oil, along with squalane and ceramides.Acacia gum (also known as gum Arabic) is an exudate gum produced by the Acacia senegal tree and a primary ingredient in Phelityl® Complex. Acacia gum is among the oldest substances used by humans, with the first recorded use over 5000 years ago. In clinical studies, acacia gum was shown to improve skin barrier and hydration (Data on File).The plant-derived polyglycerides and rosehip oil in the Phelityl® Complex each contribute EFAs to the formula. The mixture of polyglycerides is of 100% vegetable origin and includes oleic, linoleic, and linolenic fatty acids, the latter 2 of which are the parent fatty acids of the omega-6 and omega-3 series of EFAs (Linus Pauling 2024). Rosehip oil, an extract prepared from Rosa damasca, contains high amounts of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids (Kutaitiene 2020).Squalene is a triterpene intermediate in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway (Huang 2009). In humans, squalene is present in the highest concentrations in the skin, where it is produced in abundance by the sebaceous glands and constitutes approximately 13% of sebum (Huang 2009). Squalane, a hydrogenated derivative of squalene, is a powerful emollient and is absorbed into the skin, where it plays an important role in maintaining the suppleness and flexibility of the skin (Huang 2009). Beyond its emollient properties, squalane, sourced from renewable sugarcane, contributes to the ability of Phelityl® Reviving Cream to limit TEWL (Huang 2009).Finally, the Phelityl® Complex contains a ceramide blend. Ceramides are the predominant lipid in the stratum corneum and act to maintain skin moisture (Dragicevic 2015; Knox 2021).Additional Key Constituents of Phelityl® Reviving CreamPhelityl® Reviving Cream contains an extract from red algae (Porphyridium cruentum). The marine exopolysaccharide derived from this organism contributes to the long-lasting moisturizing properties of Phelityl® Reviving Cream, and its high molecular mass contributes to its film-forming properties, which together help to preserve and maintain skin hydration for extended periods (Data on File; Mourelle 2017; The Derm Review 2024).In addition to red algae, Phelityl® Reviving Cream contains a blend composed of extracts from the African Tree (Enantia chlorantha) in combination with oleanolic acid. In particular, extracts from this plant have been reported to regulate sebocyte differentiation and proliferation and to mildly inhibit 5α-reductase activity in the skin, leading to a reduction in sebum secretion (Data on file). Finally, glycerin, a natural humectant, contributes to the hydration of the stratum corneum and may protect against skin irritants (Milani 2017).Phelityl® Reviving Cream: Clinical Study ResultsThe effect of Phelityl® Reviving Cream on key skin parameters was evaluated in a study in which female subjects (N=31) aged 20 to 60 years who were predominantly of combination face skin type applied the product twice daily for 56 days.The use of Phelityl® Reviving Cream was associated with statistically significant improvements in a broad range of parameters, including skin barrier (TEWL), hydration, and sebum on the skin surface, while helping maintain a physiologic acidic skin pH (Data on file, Erno Laszlo 2024). Specifically, there were statistically significant results including a decrease in TEWL (P<0.0001), an increase in hydration (P<0.0001), and a decrease in skin surface sebum (P<0.0001) compared with baseline. The skin’s acidic pH was maintained with no change throughout the study. On the forearm portion of the study for assessing hydration, when comparing treated and untreated areas, there were statistically significant increases in hydration immediately after application (P<0.0001) and after 24 hours following a single application (P<0.0001). In the subject questionnaire, 97% of the subjects reported that their skin felt hydrated after use, 90% reported that the product left a soft matte finish, and all the subjects were satisfied with the results. ConclusionsComplex and multilayered, the skin performs a multitude of essential functions. The health of the stratum corneum is at considerable risk in today’s environment, with people exposed more than ever before to air pollution and environmental chemicals that can damage its structural and functional integrity (Roberts 2021; Schachner 2023). It is clear that preserving the epidermal barrier—the stratum corneum—is a priority for proper skin function and appearance. Carefully formulated topical products that have long-lasting moisturizing properties and can potentially optimize skin barrier health are an important way to support overall skin health. Phelityl® Reviving Cream is formulated with ingredients that have synergistic benefits that, together, help strengthen the skin barrier and maintain skin hydration. The effects of Phelityl® Reviving Cream were confirmed in a study in which Phelityl® Reviving Cream was shown to be associated with improvements in both immediateand long-term parameters, including a significant positive effect on the skin barrier and immediate and long-lasting hydration. Phelityl® Reviving Cream also had a statistically significant, effect on skin-surface sebum, consistent with subject reports that the product left a soft-matte finish to their skin. Together, these results indicate that Phelityl® Reviving Cream provides important skin benefits including supporting the skin barrier and enhancing hydration, to help maintain healthy looking skin.ReferencesBiniek K, Kaczvinsky J, Matts P, et al. Understanding age-induced alterations to the biomechanical barrier function of human stratum corneum. J Dermatol Sci. 2015;80:94-101.Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16:143-155.Cartron ML, England SR, Chiriac AI, et al. 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StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Markiewicz E, Idowu OC. DNA damage in human skin and the capacities of natural compounds to modulate bystander signaling. Open Biol. 2019;9:190208.Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human Anatomy & Physiology. 11th ed. Pearson Education Ltd; 2019.Milani M, Sparavigna A. The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:311-315.Mourelle ML, Gomez CP, Legido JL. The potential use of marine microalgae and cyanobacteria in cosmetics and thalassotherapy. Cosmetics. 2017;4:46.Murthy SN, Shivakumar HN. Topical and transdermal drug delivery. In: Kulkarni VS, ed. Handbook of Non-Invasive Drug Delivery Systems. Elsevier Inc.; 2010:1-36.Nguyen AV, Soulika AM. The dynamics of the skin’s immune system. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20:1811.Prottey C, Hartop PJ, Press M. Correction of the cutaneous manifestations of essential fatty acid deficiency in man by application of sunflower-seed oil to the skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1975;64:228-234.Roberts W. Air pollution and skin disorders. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020;7:91-97.Rogers J, Harding C, Mayo A, et al. Stratum corneum lipids: the effect of ageing and the seasons. Arch Dermatol Res. 1996;288:765-770.Sandby-Møller J, Poulsen T, Wulf HC. Epidermal thickness at different body sites: relationship to age, gender, pigmentation, blood content, skin type, and smoking habits. Acta Derm Venereol. 2003;83:410-413.Schachner L, Alexis A, Andriessen A, et al. The importance of a healthy skin barrier from the cradle to the grave using ceramide-containing cleansers and moisturizers: a review and consensus. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22:SF344607s3-SF344607s14.The Derm Review. Marine extracts in skin care. December 10, 2022. 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The golden rule of SPF in skincare is to apply sunscreen daily, regardless of cloud cover or time spent outdoors. While we know the sun looks and feels brighter on blue-sky days and beach vacations, invisible UV rays are always present in the atmosphere, piercing clouds, windows, and doing damage to our skin. Working SPF into your daily skincare ritual is a best practice that benefits skin in both the short and long term.   What does SPF Stand For?SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” The number that follows “SPF'' is determined by a calculation of protection and sun rays—it does not refer to the number of minutes the sun protection lasts. Rather, the number tells you how long the sun’s UVB radiation would take to redden your skin, versus the amount of time without using any sunscreen. This means that SPF 30 has twice the UVB protection offered by SPF 15. However, this is reliant on applying the appropriate amount of sunscreen to your skin in an even manner and recommended frequency for optimal protection. What does Broad Spectrum mean?Broad-Spectrum protection is important as it defends skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are associated with skin aging and are present year-round, shining through clouds and windows, penetrating skin and damaging cells. UVB rays are associated with sunburn and are mostly present during peak hours and at high altitudes. Broad-Spectrum protection works to shield skin from both of these harmful rays. Mineral vs. Chemical SunscreensThere are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreen is also known as physical sunscreen. These sit on skin’s surface, creating a physical barrier to shield skin from UV rays. A chemical sunscreen will soak into the top layer of skin and absorb UV rays, effectively neutralizing their negative effects. Both are suitable for a range of skin types. Chemical sunscreen filters need to be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors to let the ingredients fully bind to the skin. Chemical filters include: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Omosalate Physical sunscreens take effect immediately. They can be applied right before sun exposure to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. With Zinc Oxide physical sunscreens, they can be nano or non-nano. This is a reference to the size of the particles used in the sunscreen. Nano-zinc particles will absorb and scatter UV light while slightly larger Non-nano particles won’t penetrate your skin, making it a safer and effective option.Physical filters include: Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide   Applying SPF: Best PracticesWhen protecting skin with SPF, apply about a nickel-sized amount or half-teaspoon per application. Use the two finger method to ensure skin receives the maximum protection as labeled on your sunscreen. This would be equivalent to “two fingers” of SPF, from the base of the index and middle fingers to the tips. This is the recommended amount for your face and neck. Apply liberally to your face and neck 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply at least every 2 hours. Use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.SPF Rumors DebunkedVitamin D: Sunscreen does not prevent vitamin D from absorbing into the skin. Wearing sunscreen everyday doesn’t mean you will get a Vitamin D deficiency.SPF 100: If you use SPF 100, that doesn’t mean 100% protection. While SPF 100 is not common nor necessary, it only protects 99% of sun rays, while an SPF 50 protects 98% of rays. You can never achieve complete protection from the sun, even when using the appropriate amounts of sunscreen. Makeup Mixology: Sunscreen and foundation don’t mix. When you mix SPF with makeup, you dilute the protection and lower the efficacy. Instead, complete your skincare ritual and apply SPF after your moisturizer or use a 2-in-1 moisturizer with SPF like Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30. Allow the SPF to dry completely before layering makeup.Go Beyond SPF Our Sun Protection collection features a suite of moisturizing sunscreens that go beyond SPF, delivering broad-spectrum protection alongside targeted skincare benefits to support overall skin wellness and radiance. If you aren’t sure which SPF is right for you, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using SPF 15 for indoor days with occasional exposure to rays and SPF 30 or higher for a day outdoors. Our SPF products deliver the recommended protection while providing additional benefits to suit your skin’s unique needs. In this collection: UV Defense Masque SPF 30Mineral Sunscreen • UVA + UVB ProtectionOur sheer, weightless sunscreen shields skin from the effects of UV rays and blue light while helping to strengthen the moisture barrier and smooth the look of aging skin.Suitable for: All skin types, best for sensitive skin Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30Chemical Sunscreen • UVA + UVB ProtectionOur everyday rich, protective cream is formulated with mineral-drenched seawater and marine botanicals to improve skin’s firmness and elasticity. Suitable for: All skin types Phelityl Day Lotion SPF 15Chemical Sunscreen • UVA + UVB ProtectionOur lightweight, daily moisturizer is filled with essential vitamins to hydrate, soften, and soothe the skin while delivering broad-spectrum protection.Suitable for: All skin types Discover more and shop our Beyond SPF Collection.

Whether you snooze your alarm to the point of double digits or make it to the gym for the crack of dawn and still have time to spare, skipping your skincare routine should never have to be a part of your dressing up (or down) routine. With the introduction of our new mini sizes found in our Travel collection, you can take your whole routine to your morning workout - or any overnight activities the week might have in store. We did the math, and after many a skincare session, we’ve locked down the perfect skincare routines based on how much time you have to spare. Want to create your own? Browse our new mini versions (perfect for travel) and add your five favorites to your shopping cart for only $80! 5-Minute Routine Time is not on your side this morning. Last night’s happy hour may have turned into hours and hours, or maybe you just needed the extra 15 minutes of pillow time. Either way, we have a skincare routine that you can burn through in 5 minutes or less, starting with our Hydra-Therapy Foaming Cleanse. Simply lather a dime-sized amount of the cleanser in your hands with water and apply to your face in circular motions. Rinse away, pat dry, and complete your routine with a generous layer of our Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30. Keep a mini on hand in your bag for on-the-fly application throughout the day. 10-Minute Routine Today is a good day. You know what you’re wearing, the coffee is on, and you have ten whole minutes devoted to your precious face! Naturally, we recommend starting off with your favorite Double Cleanse. Follow up with Light Controlling Toner, our cult favorite toner to remove any residual makeup and bacteria while soothing and prepping your skin for the next steps.  Next, pat and press the Phormula 3-9 Repair Serum into skin to restore your youthful glow with the help of some concentrated nutrients. Finally, seal it all in with our Phelityl Day Lotion SPF 15! 20+ Minutes Consider us impressed if you’re someone who makes time for a 20-minute skincare routine in the morning. Start things off with a leisurely double cleansing session and pat dry before going in with our White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel to exfoliate dead skin away and reveal a glowing, soft complexion. Apply a layer of Hydraphel Skin Supplement before really getting into it with one of our masks, and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes while you go about with the rest of your morning rituals. To make sure your skin is primed to perfection post-mask, apply Hydra-Therapy Boost Serum before finishing it all off with our Phelityl Day Lotion SPF 15. The day is really at your fingertips now! You’re putting your best face forward; let the universe take care of the rest.  

Erno Laszlo’s reputation as a science-backed, ritual-focused skincare brand began with the groundbreaking discoveries of our founder and his personalized approach to skincare. Dr. Laszlo pioneered an innovative skincare philosophy: “observe and listen.” He asked patients about their unique routines and behaviors, then worked to create research-based, efficacious formulations designed for them. A man of innovation, he was the first to introduce the idea of a skincare ritual, double cleansing, pH-balancing skincare, no-makeup makeup, personalized solutions, and more. Nearly 100 years later, Dr. Laszlo’s ritual-based philosophy remains at the heart of everything we do. Decades of research and formulas have shown that a daily routine makes all the difference in overall skin health and well-being. If you’re new to ritual skincare, our experts recommend starting simple, focusing on cleansing, repairing, hydrating, and treating to address your skin’s unique concerns. Cleanse: Double Cleanse Method Cleansing is your essential first step to skincare. Dr. Laszlo famously said, “If you do nothing else, wash your face.” Cleansing thoroughly every day ensures a clean canvas for the rest of your skincare ritual. It allows active ingredients and nourishing moisture to penetrate the skin, so products can perform to their maximum potential. Dr. Laszlo took cleansing to a new level with his signature Double Cleanse Method. What is Double Cleansing? Double cleansing is a two-step process. First, apply an oil-based cleanser to dry skin to break up surface oils, buildup, makeup, SPF, and other impurities on the skin's surface. Next, use a cleansing bar to nourish, balance, and rinse away all residue. Why Choose to Double Cleanse?Thoroughly double cleansing helps unclog pores, diminish breakouts, and purify the skin from dirt, makeup, SPF, and sweat. Today, our double-cleansing systems do more than just cleanse. They target specific skin concerns so your complexion is left not only clean, but supported in all the right ways. Choosing Your Double CleanseDetox Cleansing DuoBest For: Normal to Oily skin typesStep 1 Detox Cleansing Oil: Formulated with Charcoal and Shea Butter Seed Cake Extract, this lightweight clarifying oil deeply cleanses, dissolving surface impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. With Color-Change Technology, the dark oil turns creamy-white upon application for activated cleansing you can see.Step 2 Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar: This detoxifying cleansing bar purifies, unclogs pores, and absorbs excess surface oil. Together, Charcoal and Dead Sea Mud work to draw out toxins and replenish nutrients, bringing skin back into balance. Charcoal absorbs excess surface oil, while Dead Sea Mud cleanses, gently exfoliates, and delivers a rich cocktail of minerals essential to skin nourishment. Together: The oil grips onto the worst impurities and skin stressors, while the bar removes any remaining residue. Skin is left looking and feeling smooth and soft, clear and refreshed. Hydra-Therapy Phelityl Cleansing DuoBest For: Normal to Dry/skin typesStep 1 Hydra-Therapy Phelityl Cleansing Oil: Formulated with our nourishing 10 Seed Oil Blend and antioxidant Vitamin E, this gentle cleansing oil supports skin’s moisture barrier, dissolving surface impurities while delivering a surge of hydration. Step 2 Phelityl Cleansing Bar: This nourishing treatment bar gently cleanses without drying. Ingredients packed with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) help maintain moisture, bringing skin back into beautiful balance. Safflower Seed Oil and Macadamia Esters infuse skin with essential hydration, boost radiance, and leave skin with a silky-smooth feel.Together: The moisture-rich oil restores hydration as it cleanses, while the bar works to nourish and bind essential moisture to the skin. The complexion is left softer, smoother, and instantly refreshed. Pro Tip: Adjust your cleansing ritual as skin’s needs change between seasons and climates. You might choose a detoxifying double cleanse in oil-prone summer months, or hydrating care in the dry cold of winter. Repair: Phormula 3In your ritual, include products that target your skin’s specific needs. The right formulas can help repair damage and maintain skin health. Dr. Laszlo’s signature restorative treatment, Phormula 3, helped diminish the look of a scar on Marilyn Monroe’s abdomen. Our latest iteration, Phormula 3-10, continues this legacy of repair through the science of Epigenetics.What is Phormula 3-10 and Epigenetics? Phormula 3-10 is our most advanced anti-aging repair line formulated to address the six key signs of aging skin: firmness, elasticity, hydration, tone, texture, and depth of lines. Inspired by the science of Epigenetics, Phormula 3-10 is infused with our proprietary Epigene-6™ Complex. It’s not a miracle—it’s science. Learn more about Epigenetics and Epigene-6 here. Why Choose Phormula 3-10? Phormula 3-10 is a powerful multitasking anti-aging collection, addressing the six key signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Because time affects all complexions, Phormula 3-10 is the perfect addition to any ritual focused on keeping skin looking and feeling its best. This is skincare for life. Choosing Your Phormula 3-10Phormula 3-10 Eye IntensiveBest For: Mature skin & suitable for all skin typesAbout: Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive revives the eye contour, softening the look of fine lines for a smooth, bright-eyed appearance. The formula is incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, yet richly nourishing. Results: This powerful yet gentle eye treatment leaves skin renewed and radiant. In a 28-day clinical study, 91% reported that under-eye bags and puffiness looked diminished, while 85% reported a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles around and under their eye.Phormula 3-10 Serum ConcentrateBest For: Mature skin & suitable for all skin typesAbout: Phormula 3-10 Serum Concentrate is a powerful treatment serum that supports skin rejuvenation, improves complexion vitality, and targets the six key signs of aging. Results: This light, refreshing serum leaves skin soft and supple, resulting in a renewed glow. In an 84-day clinical study, 100% reported skin felt softer, smoother, and looked healthier after use. 97% also reported that skin felt firmer. Did You Know? Dr. Laszlo’s 8th iteration of Phormula 3, known as Phormula 3-8, was formulated for Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe for a scar on her abdomen. Nearly 30 years after Dr. Laszlo’s passing, Phormula 3-9 was discovered in a hidden vault. Initially formulated for a mystery client in 1973, the legendary formula was finally released in 2001. Hydrate: Phelityl™ ComplexHealthy skin is hydrated skin. By maintaining optimal moisture, skin looks and feels smooth and soft with improved tone, texture, and the look of lines and wrinkles visibly improved. To replenish and preserve skin hydration, incorporate products that support the moisture barrier, such as those formulated with Dr. Laszlo’s innovative Phelityl™ Complex. What is the Phelityl™ Complex? Our Phelityl™ Complex is a blend of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and replenishing ingredients that help fortify skin’s moisture barrier to lock in hydration and keep skin soft, supple, and plump. Dr. Laszlo professed that EFAs were manufactured by skin itself, and without them, skin would diminish in moisture, glow, and vitality. Why Choose Phelityl™?While the body naturally produces EFAs that play a key role in skin function and appearance, we start to make insufficient amounts of EFAs as we age. When this happens, we have to look to external sources, such as our Phelityl™ products, to replenish skin’s nourishing EFAs. Choosing Your Phelityl™ FormulaPhelityl™ Night CreamBest For: Normal to Dry skin typesAbout: Phelityl Night Cream is our best-selling, award-winning, tofu-textured cream that delivers moisture by replenishing EFAs. The formula is enriched with moisturizing emollients, helping to nourish and condition the skin.Results: Working overnight, skin wakes up re-hydrated with a youthful tone and glow. Note: You can also use Phelityl™ Night Cream day or night when skin needs an extra dose of rich hydration. Extra Dry Phelityl™ CreamBest For: Extra Dry to Dry skin typesAbout: Extra Dry Phelityl Cream is our rich-textured day-to-night cream that delivers EFAs to help nourish dry skin and replenish the vital moisture and nutrients that daily life depletes. Results: Skin’s protective barrier is left supported, moisture is preserved, and hydration levels are balanced revealing a mattified, velvety-soft finish. Phelityl™ EmulsionBest For: Normal to Combo/Oily skin types About: Phelityl Emulsion is a lightweight, almost-fluid moisturizer formulated with Essential Fatty Acids and plant-derived Antioxidants to boost skin’s moisture barrier.Results: The complexion is left healthy and hydrated with a supple tone and glow.Did You Know?Dr. Laszlo received credit for many of the current skin care technologies seen on the market today, such as the use of emollients. Our iconic Phelityl™ Night Cream, earlier named pHelityl (emphasizing the importance of the skin pH), still utilizes Dr. Laszlo’s emollient complex, now known as the Phelityl™ Complex. Learn more about the Phelityl™ Complex here. Treat: Shake-It Tinted Skin TreatmentYour last step to skincare, Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment is Dr. Laszlo’s innovative finishing touch to give skin a sheer-matte finish. What is Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment? With 80% skin treatment and 20% pigment, Shake-It gives a subtle wash of color—available in four blendable shades to personalize your experience. This shake-to-activate, last step to skincare gives an unparalleled feeling of skin confidence while allowing skin’s own radiant personality to shine. Why Choose Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment? Applied as your last skincare step, after moisturizer and SPF, Shake-It works to even skin for a more-uniform tone, tightens the appearance of pores, controls excess surface oils, and gives skin a shine-free, natural finish. In short, it’s the perfect finishing touch for putting your best face forward. Shake-It Tinted Skin TreatmentBest For: All skin typesAbout: Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment is formulated with Cosmetic Grade Alcohol to reduce oil and refines pores, Powdered Pigment to help even skin’s tone, and Glycerin to help skin maintain balanced moisture. Results: Shake-It is clinically proven to deliver on its promises. After one use, 98% reported that Shake-It was lightweight & easily absorbed. 95% reported Shake-It controlled shine for a matte-finish look. And 94% reported their skin appeared smoother after use. Did You Know?Dr. Laszlo believed in the “beautifying” part of the skincare ritual, which is why he created his unique finishing product that came to be Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment—the first no-makeup makeup. Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Greta Garbo all used Shake-It to perfect their complexions, both on and off the camera. After nearly a century of exceptional advancements in the science of skin, we at Erno Laszlo continue to celebrate results-driven formulas, clinical efficacy, and the confidence that comes with skin wellness.Ready to create your perfect ritual? Our Skin Concern Quiz can help pinpoint your skin’s unique needs and offer solutions, and our Skin Type Guide will help you create a ritual based on skin type. You can also book a personalized Skin Consultation with one of our experts.

An Erno Laszlo icon reinvented, our newly-reformulated Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment boasts beloved, timeless benefits: evening skin tone, refining the look of pores, and controlling excess surface oil for a sheer-matte, natural finish. With 80% skin treatment and 20% pigment, Shake-It gives a subtle wash of color, now in four blendable shades to personalize your experience. This shake-to-activate, last step to skincare gives an unparalleled feeling of skin confidence while allowing skin’s own radiant personality to shine. As Dr. Laszlo said, “A face represents not only beauty but all the qualities of the heart, soul and brain.” By supporting a confident complexion, Shake-It supports overall well-being. Shake-It: A Cult ClassicLaunched in 1927, this one-of-a-kind tinted makeup-skincare hybrid was prescribed by Dr. Laszlo to top clients like Princess Stephanie of Hungary as well as Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo, who used Shake-It to achieve their signature on-screen glow.  The original Shake-It was discontinued in 2016, but returned due to high demand in 2020. We spoke with Anne McFadden, one of Erno Laszlo’s foremost beauty advisors who has been with the brand for over 40 years. Anne fills in the history: "When Dr. Laszlo was developing his line, he wanted a finishing product. He believed in cleansing, toning, and beautifying. Shake-It was the beautifying part of the ritual. The doctor gave it to every celebrity he waited on." Eventually, Shake-It also came to be available not just to the elite, but to everyone. When this skin-finishing favorite became unavailable in 2016, Anne never heard the end of it. "Every single day, somebody called me to ask if Shake-It was coming back," she says. "There's a great demand for it! I'm excited for its reinvention because there's nothing like it on the market.”It's not just Anne's phone that was ringing off the hook with the devotees yearning for the return of their beloved Shake-It. The online love for Shake-It proved just as strong: "I have been using this for 45 years! Wouldn't change a thing!" Linda J. Sturm posted. "This is flawless skin in a bottle. My Laszlo skin looks perfect with Shake-It on!" says Angel Loza. Science-Backed Formula & Benefits Our unique Shake-It formula delivers clinically-proven results for your last skincare step. Within the formula, you’ll find: • Cosmetic Grade Alcohol: Reduces oil & refines pores• Powdered Pigment: Works to even skin’s tone• Glycerin: Helps skin maintain balanced moistureKey benefits of Shake-It: • Evens skin for a more-uniform tone• Tightens the appearance of pores• Controls excess surface oils• Gives skin a sheer, shine-free finish• 4 shades to suit a range of skin tones • Leaves skin feeling refreshed Shake-It is clinically proven to deliver on its promises. After one use, 98% reported that Shake-It was lightweight & easily absorbed. 95% reported Shake-It controlled shine for a matte-finish look. And 94% reported their skin appeared smoother after use. *Based on a clinical study “Shake-It Tinted Treatment is a toner while doubling as a naturally flattering skin veil to reduce pore size and control excess oil. Best of all, using it was a piece of cake. Once I allowed the solution to dry, my skin neutralized and radiated a natural glow.” – Ruby McAuliffe, ‘The New York Post’Shake-It in Your RitualTo get the most out of Shake-It in your skincare ritual, apply as your last skincare step, after moisturizer and SPF. Anne recommends prepping skin for Shake-It with a moisturizer that suits your unique skin type. For Dry Skin: Choose a rich and hydrating moisturizer like Firmarine SPF 30 or Phelityl Night Cream before applying Shake-It. For Oily Skin: Choose a lighter yet hydrating formula like Mattifying Gel Moisturizer or Phelityl Emulsion before applying Shake-It.Applying Shake-It Getting a flawless finish with Shake-It is easy as 1–2–3. After your moisturizer and SPF, follow these simple steps: Step 1: Shake to activateShake the bottle to mix the treatment and color.Step 2: Press into skinApply to a reusable pad or cotton round and press into skin. ​Step 3: Blend and layerEvenly blend any remaining powdered pigment using your fingers or a kabuki makeup brush. Apply a second layer as desired.For insider tips on Shake-It application, we turn again to our expert, Anne: “I always advise customers to apply Shake-It to a section of their face at a time, to ensure that they get the right blend. If it looks a bit light when you first put it on, wait a few seconds—your skin will warm up to it.”Bring home Shake-It Tinted Skin Treatment to discover the proven benefits and beauty that comes with skin confidence. TIMELINE

It’s easy to go through life on autopilot, never stopping to notice or appreciate the present moment. If left unchecked, we’d spend every minute ruminating on the past or worrying about the future, rather than being in the here and now. This inability to be present can hold us back. It traps us in a cycle of worry, stress, and anxiety. Today, I want to share something life-changing that helped me combat this cycle: mindfulness. What is mindfulness? In a nutshell, mindfulness is a technique that involves grounding yourself in the present moment. It’s staying curious about your thoughts, emotions, or surroundings, and accepting the current moment for what it is. I find it’s an incredibly powerful tool for improving your mental wellbeing. There’s a wealth of research linking mindfulness to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as evidence it can improve your physical health. Becoming more present can make you more self-aware and calm. By taking a step back and observing how we feel, we can better understand why we feel and act the way we do. And by doing this without judgment, we can separate ourselves from fleeting emotions and thoughts, taking back control and eventually letting them go altogether. Simple daily habits Living a life in the present isn’t easy, especially when we practically condition ourselves to worry about our past and future. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated or intense. It can start with some super simple habits. Throughout the day, practice tuning into the present. Think of it like pressing the mute button on your life. Put down all the stress and anxiety you’re carrying for a minute or two. Some of my favorite ways to practice daily mindfulness are: Take 5 deep belly breaths when you first wake up. Notice any feelings of excitement or anxiety for the day ahead. This isn’t limited to the morning either—you can press pause and take deep breaths whenever you feel like life is getting to be a bit too much.   Brush your teeth with intention. Rather than jumping ahead to thinking about your first meeting of the day or where you’re going to pick up your daily coffee, focus on the action and sensations of brushing your teeth.   Do a five-sense exercise while you’re on your morning commute or walking in your local park. Think about what you can see, smell, hear, touch, and taste. Focus on the birds singing in the trees or the feel of the grass under your feet. Mindful skincare Another pocket of time that’s perfect for mindfulness is your skincare routine. Like brushing your teeth, you already set aside this time every day. So why not turn it into an act of self-care? Plus, by slowing down the process, you’ll also maximize the effects of your products and encourage brighter, clearer skin! My daily skincare ritual is the place where I always take a moment to relax and be mindful. I find it’s such a perfect way to start the day with intention and end the day with reflection. Here’s what a mindful skincare routine might look like to you: 1. Cleanse away any negativity. While you’re massaging your VTM Cream-to-Foam Cleanser into your face and neck, set positive intentions for the day ahead or, at night time, imagine you’re washing away any stress. 2. Massage around your eyes. As you gently work in my favorite eye cream—Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive—to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, take a moment to practice gratitude for your day. What are you most thankful for? 3. Take a moment to relax. As you use your serums of choice, close your eyes and allow the aromas and essential oils to create a deeper sense of calm and relaxation. Pay attention to the fragrance you smell and the feel on your skin. Personally, I love pausing to appreciate the Madonna Lily found in VTM Micro-Essence. 4. Encourage glowing, happy skin. Take a few minutes to work a moisturizer into your face and neck. I’m currently using the Phormula 3-10 Skin Repair, which is like velvet on the skin. Appreciate the cold sensation and say any positive affirmations or intentions to get you ready for work or sleep. I know how difficult it can be to switch off the noise and stay truly present. But the more you complete these little habits, the easier it will be to detach from the negative thoughts and patterns that hold you back. With love, Poppy  

Erno Laszlo is built on science-backed skincare that delivers proven results. We’re proud to deliver that care while keeping our Clean Promise and Sustainability Pledge at the center. In honor of Earth Day, we’re renewing these promises and sharing a deeper look at what Clean and Sustainable means for us as a skincare brand and for you as our customers. The Meaning of CleanErno Laszlo has always centered on science and innovation, striving for better results. With our Clean Promise, we’re upholding this legacy of ingenuity, using integrity as our guide and advances in skincare technology as our opportunity. We’re constantly raising the bar on what goes into our formulas, ensuring our science-backed, results-driven products are as safe as they are efficacious. As a 100-year-old brand, we are working to revisit existing formulas, as well as develop new favorites that deliver safer skincare with the very best results. Our Clean PromiseOur Clean Promise means being proactive about our formulations. To date, Erno Laszlo has developed a list of 26 categories of 86 ingredients that we pledge to avoid in our formulas, while ensuring all new developments are sulfate-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, and cyclo-silicone free. Every year, we will examine and update our list of off-limit ingredients to ensure we stay current. You can read more about the ingredients we’re using and why here. Removing these potentially-harmful ingredients is one way of minimizing skin irritation and supporting skin health. Steps Toward SustainabilityWhen it comes to sustainability, our goal is to provide science-backed skincare that’s better for both your complexion and our planet, committing to less plastic and less waste in our packaging. By choosing mono-material components to aid in recycling, incorporating post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, and reducing the use of plastics in our products, we can help promote a more sustainable future. Our Sustainability PledgeOur Sustainability Pledge is a four-part endeavor that we aim to fully implement by 2025: 1) Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging 2) Move away from single-use sachets and reimagine our sampling programs3) Ensure all packaging contains an average of 30% PCR content4) Introduce glass packaging whenever possiblePutting our pledge into action, we’re shifting away from virgin plastics in our product packaging in favor of post-consumer waste (PCW) or glass, both of which are highly recyclable. We’re working to eliminate “bad” resins and prioritizing recyclable plastics. Because not all plastics have established recycling streams, we’re actively seeking out the most recyclable resins available and incorporating PCR material whenever possible. We’re wasting less by reimagining more sustainable solutions to packaging. Changes include switching to 100% PCW, using FSC-Certified paper, and resizing our cartons to eliminate wasteful space. One of our first major changes was removing all plastic from our Cleansing Bars and replacing it with parchment wraps. We’re also changing our overall look to increase recyclability. Removing black plastic and adopting a marbling technique allows for easier identification in plastic recycling streams. Recycling facilities sort plastics by bouncing a beam of light off of them, and because black plastic absorbs light, it can’t be sorted and goes straight to either a landfill or incineration. To combat this, we partnered with Better Future Factory to help introduce the use of PCW in our redesigned caps, paying homage to our original marbled jars. Lastly, wherever possible, we’re choosing glass over plastic. Glass is one of the most sustainable materials available for new products. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, but it is also reusable. Clean & Sustainable in PracticeWe’re making great strides in our Clean and Sustainable initiatives. Here’s where you can see these promises in action: Phormula 3-10 Collection• Glass Jars & Bottles: Our 100% direct-fill glass jars and bottles (no plastic cups) are fully recyclable.• Plastic Caps: Mixed-materials plastic caps are made with a marbling technique that allows for PCW material, as well as gives each cap or lid a custom look.• Metal Accents: Our metal spatulas are made from recyclable metal materials—a 100% gold zinc alloy—alongside an aluminum gold cap ring.• Paper Packaging: There are no plastic or foam pieces and no foil- or plastic-coated papers. The box itself is 100% paper pulp, and the paper insert is made of 100% uncoated paper. To recycle, remove any stickers or wafer seals before discarding. • Recyclability: Glass and paper packaging is recyclable with other glass and plastic materials. Plastic lids are recyclable with other plastic materials—just separate the marble cap from the gold ring before recycling Sensitive Skin Collection• Glass Jars & Bottles: Our 100% glass bottles are fully recyclable.• Plastic Caps: Each recyclable plastic cap is mono-material and designed to use less plastic.• Paper Packaging: Each box is made of 100% paper pulp.• Recyclability: Be sure to separate glass from plastics when recycling. For example, our Soothing Relief Hydration Emulsion features a screw-on pump that needs to be removed before recycling. Extra Dry Skin Collection• Recyclable Plastics: In this collection our jars, bottles, and caps are 100% plastic for easy recycling. • Paper Packaging: Packaging features pulp paper materials. • Recyclability: All boxes, jars, and bottles are fully recyclable. VTM Micro-Essence • Premium Meets Sustainable: In developing packaging for VTM Micro-Essence, we worked hard to keep the presentation premium while adhering to our Sustainability Pledge.• Plastic Cap: The cap is mono-material to reduce the amount of plastic needed, and foil decoration is minimized.• Glass Bottle: The glass bottle has no additional parts for easy rinsing and recycling. • Paper Packaging: The carton is 100% PCW and FSC-certified uncoated board with minimal foil—again, to ensure recycling is a breeze. Updated Reusable Soap Dish• Mixed-Materials Plastic: To support our Cleansing Bars, this new design is made using the same marbling technique as our bottle caps and lids.• Less Plastic: Not only does this soap dish feature more PCR material, it is also a lighter design that uses less material in the first place.• Recycled Cloth: The final dish is then packaged in a recycled cloth pouch before being shipped. Read more about our Clean Promise and Sustainability Pledge.

Considering we spend roughly half our lives asleep (or at least trying to be asleep), you’d think we’d give it a little more attention. But the truth is that many of us take our quantity and quality of sleep for granted. I know I have in the past!  Research shows that one in three adults don’t get enough sleep. And the impact of this on your life can be huge. Not only are you missing out on rest that will keep you physically able to maintain your life, but you’re also skipping out on giving your body time to repair.   So, with National Sleep Awareness Week in March, I wanted to share my top 3 sleep tips for a happier and healthier you. Work a few of these into your daily life and I’m confident you’ll come away a healthier, happier, and more energetic person!  1. Create a wind-down routine Everything you do in the few hours before bed will influence your sleep - for better and for worse. So try to create a bedtime routine full of habits that promote better rest. Your personal routine will depend on what you enjoy most. But it could include reading a good book, taking a relaxing bath or shower, moving your body with low-impact yoga, or meditation. Then there’s your evening skincare ritual. There is truth to the phrase “Getting Your Beauty Rest,” and here’s why: In the evening, skin cell mitosis (the division of skin cells) begins, and your skin starts to renew and repair itself. This is also why it is best to take off your makeup when you get home at night. Finding a routine that works for you is essential. Plus, there’s something so relaxing about massaging your skin and inhaling the delicious scents of different products.   For my night time routine, I have some favorite Erno Laszlo products I love to use:  VTM Cream-to-Foam Cleanser – Wash away the day with this gentle cleanser  AHA Resurfacing Sleep Serum – A must for dull, uneven skin  Phelityl Night Cream – A rehydrating miracle worker  Memory Gel Sleep Mask – Amazing for replenishing moisture lost while you sleep  Our minds and bodies love routine. And predictable night times will help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and distract you from any worries that keep you up. Over time, your body will also learn to associate these habits with sleep, making it even easier to drift off.   2. Ditch the devices It’s difficult to get a restorative night’s sleep if you’re glued to your devices until the second you switch off the light. Scrolling through social media, reading the news, or even checking your messages will keep you up for longer. It stimulates your brain, switching it into ‘on’ mode, and can take hours to counteract. Research shows that turning off your device at least 30 minutes before bed can improve sleep quality and duration. Another concern is the impact of blue light, which is found in the LED screens of most of your devices. Ordinarily, the sun goes down, and the darkness tells our bodies it’s time to sleep. In response, they start producing melatonin – a sleep-inducing hormone. Exposure to blue light confuses this process. It can decrease your levels of melatonin and trick your mind and body into thinking it’s still daytime.If you can’t avoid screens late at night, consider using blue light glasses. They contain filters that block or absorb blue light, reducing your exposure. If you do this, it could help you sleep 60 to 90 minutes more per night, which has been shown to make you happier and healthier.   3. Make time to journal Journaling is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a deep sleep. And it’s something you can easily incorporate into your bedtime routine. Writing down your thoughts in the evening helps put any unresolved feelings or stresses out of your mind and onto the page. It sounds simple, but it can be a brilliant emotional release, stopping you from ruminating on your day for hours in the dark. In fact, one study found that participants who journaled before bed fell asleep quicker and slept for longer. Even writing down tomorrow’s to-do list can be beneficial for switching off.High-quality sleep is one of the best ways to keep yourself feeling happy and healthy. So why not use National Sleep Awareness Week as inspiration to improve yours? If you try any of these tips out, let me know – I’d love to hear how you get on!With love,Poppy

As we enter a new year, Erno Laszlo devotees will notice a refreshed look and feel to our packaging, beginning with our new Multi-Task Full Circle Eye Serum Mask and Sensitive Skin Collection. As we continue our sustainability journey by selecting thoughtful materials for our packaging, our new design elements keep customer experience and ease at the center.  Our ritual collections are formulated to address specific skin concerns, such as Sensitive Skin or Eye Care. With minimalist color-coded designs, our new packaging communicates at a glance: this collection is formulated for your concern. To bring this design update to life, we partnered with London-based independent design agency, Free The Birds. “We continue to evolve and grow at Erno Laszlo, and with this we are engaging with new customers all over the world,” says Erno Laszlo’s Executive Creative Director, Marla Sough. “Our new direction balances our Doctor-founded heritage with our mission to lead with the Science of Skin Since 1927. Our partnership with Free the Birds brought together a new photography style and direction for Erno Laszlo. This new direction emphasizes our luxury position while elevating our scientific credentials as we focus on addressing the skincare needs of each and every individual.” Going forward, we will slowly adapt our new packaging across all products. But rest assured that our commitment to science-backed formulations and improved formula efficacy will remain constant, advancing as skin science advances. The reason for our packaging refresh is simple: our brand has a rich 95-year history that is ever evolving. Our goal as we continue to build our legacy is to put forth packaging that reflects the Erno Laszlo ethos and manifesto, all while ensuring customers can easily navigate and enjoy our skincare to the fullest.    History & Heritage—The Mind-Skin Connection When Doctor Erno Laszlo created his namesake brand, he was focused on prescribing science-backed, bespoke rituals and treatments for the individual. He also understood the connection between the skin and mind—that how a person feels on the inside can affect the way their skin looks on the outside. Our new packaging celebrates this relationship between mind and skin.  How it’s reflected in our packaging: In order to connect this idea of skin and mind, intertwined with our brand’s heritage, we’ve updated our brand tagline to “The Science of Skin Since 1927.” You will see this on all of our outer packaging.    The IndividualToday, we carry on Dr. Laszlo’s philosophy and principles by continuing to focus on the individual, or the “I.” Skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Rather, a ritual is best and most effective when customized to each individual. The “I” has become a strong visual for Erno Laszlo, and once you know it’s there, you’ll notice it time and again across our brand imagery. How it’s reflected in our packaging: When you see “The Science of Skin Since 1927” logo, notice the “I” in the words “Science” and “Skin” are connected into one “I”. This represents the link between the science of skin and mind, and how it is always connected to the individual.  For each skincare collection, the color of the “I” down the front center of our packaging will change. This will ensure a cohesive look and easy navigation from collection to collection. Brand ManifestoWe partnered with Free The Birds to establish our brand manifesto—something that greatly informs our new packaging and overall creative direction:  The inner and outer self are not just connected, they are one.What is outside is inside.What you see is what you feel.To care for one is to care for the other.Balance is the key.Harmony is at the heart.So, our products understand you and know you.You, the individual. The “I.”The unique circumstances behind your life and your skin.We design treatment programs for you and only you.Transforming how you feel with proven, revitalizing rituals.Using our science to soothe and revive your skin and yourself.For inner and outer well-being begins with “I.”   Sustainable, Recyclable Packaging Erno Laszlo has made a pact to ensure all of our inner and outer packaging is recyclable by 2025. Our new packaging reflects the changes we have made to uphold this promise. Outer Packaging: All our product bottles, jars, and tubes come in boxes that are made of 100% pulp paper and are completely recyclable with other paper materials. Product Packaging: We are working toward crafting all of our product bottles, jars, and tubes out of 100% glass or 100% plastic so that all parts can be recycled. Did you know that any black-colored plastic or glass that is two inches or smaller is not picked up on the conveyor belt at the recycling facility, and therefore, not recycled? We want to ensure all our packaging is completely recyclable, so we’re changing our product caps from all-black to a marbleized black and white blend to ensure recyclability. About Free The BirdsThroughout this process, it has been an immense pleasure and inspiration to partner with Free The Birds. They are a creative agency that elevates brands through beautiful thinking. Since 1997, Free The Birds has created meaningful identities for brands giving them a soul and driving awareness, affection, and sales.Free The Birds works with a myriad of leading organizations, from start-ups to global businesses and social enterprises. They have a strong heritage in the beauty, homecare, and health & wellness sectors, making them a perfect fit for Erno Laszlo. “As specialists within beauty, we understood the semiotics of the category instantly,” says Nick Vaus, Partner and Creative Director. “It’s been a fascinating exercise applying these visual cues down to a luxury level. We can’t wait to watch the brand develop further.”

  I love the optimism that accompanies a new year. There’s something so empowering about having the entire year laid out before you, knowing that it’s within your power to choose your own narrative and outcomes.With 2022 drawing to a close, now is the perfect time to check in with yourself. Look at everything around you—your relationships with friends and family, your professional career, your love life, your outlook, your happiness, and your truths. What’s gone well for you this year? What do you want the next 12 months to be?To set ourselves up for success, fulfillment, and mental strength, we need to approach this new year in the right way. Usually, we half-commit to a resolution that we know deep down won’t stick. Hands up if you’re guilty of that—I know I am. Instead, let’s set intentions. Whether it’s making time for meditation, spending more time outside, or actually sticking with your skincare routine, intentions are my secret for personal progress. What do I mean? Let’s walk through the process and set you up for a fantastic 2023! Resolutions versus intentions When it comes to resolutions, we often set ambitious new goals without a second thought about how we’re going to get there. We say we want to lose weight, eat healthier, or learn a new language. But the lack of structure or strategy leaves us feeling overwhelmed. We wonder why we end up falling off the bandwagon by the time spring rolls around.Such an all-or-nothing approach might work for some people, but for many of us, it only sets us up to fail. It becomes something else to beat ourselves up about, rather than staying focused on the positive end result we’re actually craving.This is why I prefer setting intentions. Where resolutions are specific and loaded with ‘good’ or ‘bad’ connotations, intentions are much softer. They’re based on how you feel on the inside, and they bring you further along your journey to personal growth. They set you up for long-term success, fulfillment, and will help you feel more connected to yourself on a daily basis.   Lead with compassion No matter your goals for the year, I encourage you to approach 2023 with a more compassionate mindset. We often focus on all that we lack. But that negativity and pressure doesn’t get us anywhere, which is probably why only 9% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. Try to be kinder to yourself when thinking about what to focus on this year. There are better ways to inspire and improve yourself than by coming up with a list of what you’re lacking in your life. Why not focus on what brought you joy last year and think about how you could expand this more in 2023? Setting your intentions Here’s a quick list of tips to start your intention setting well: Uncover your why. There are going to be moments over the next year that test your motivation and resilience, which is why it’s important to figure out exactly why this intention is so important to you. What will it help you achieve? How does it fit into the bigger picture of your personal growth? Start small. Giving yourself 10 intentions right off the bat is only going to overwhelm you and stunt your progress. The trick is to start small and devote all your time and energy to seeing each goal through. Maybe give yourself a new intention every month or every quarter.  Keep yourself accountable. Self-improvement is a huge test of our discipline. With no one watching over us, it’s all too easy to stop when the going gets tough. I personally find it helpful to write my intentions and affirmations down and keep them somewhere I’ll see them every day, such as on my bathroom mirror or at the front of my journal. This way, I’m frequently reminded of what I want to achieve. Sharing your goals with someone you trust is also just as useful for holding yourself to account.  Setting your affirmations There will be times when you falter. After all, self-improvement is a journey with ups and downs. That’s why I pair my intentions with affirmations. They’re the boost of motivation I need to stay committed. But what makes a good affirmation? Start with “I” or “my” so they feel personal to you. Keep them grounded in the present moment. We want to channel some ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ energy here. Make sure to link it to your intention Tie your intention to a daily action. This way, it becomes another part of your day—a new habit.  Let’s look at an example you might have. Say your intention is you want 2023 to be a brighter, happier year. Here’s what it could look like: Intention: Happiness. May I find happiness with any experience. Affirmation: I choose happiness, even in the small and tough moments. How to use: As you moisturize using Erno Laszlo’s Firmarine Moisturizer SPF 30 (a personal fave), repeat your intention and affirmation to yourself 10 times, allowing the words to really sink in.By repeating the affirmation, you help your brain spot new opportunities aligned with your intentions.  I hope you take this next month to prioritize yourself and think about where you’ve been and where you’d like to go next. When it comes to setting your goals for the next year, remember to be kind and compassionate to yourself. Approaching your self-development from a positive, empowered perspective is always going to bring better, longer-lasting results.  Think of your skincare routine as a chance to slow down, realign, and focus on your intentions, recentering your mindset before moving forward.  With love, Poppy

The holiday season is right around the corner, and just the thought of it is enough to send my heart racing. When it comes to this festive period, I always feel equal parts excitement and terror. I’m sure I’m not the only one! As a chronic people pleaser, all the extra organizing, expectations, and crippling fear of everything not going to plan can quickly send me spiraling.  And where’s one of the first places I notice this additional festive stress? My skin. No matter if it’s dry, puffy, inflamed, or breaking out in spots, I know I need to channel more Zen into my life when my skin is acting out. If you often find yourself running around the grocery store, panicking because you’ve forgotten to buy the cranberries or gift wrap, then don’t worry. We’re here to share some super easy tips and tricks to keep your mind and skin as relaxed as possible over the coming months. #1 Try not to compare your experience to othersEvery year, the holiday season brings with it some huge expectations. We want to have the most picture-perfect, joyful time ever. This leads to us building up this expectation to deliver. And social media only exacerbates this, with everyone seeming to have the time of their lives. But my first tip to minimize stress over the coming months is to let go of some of this unnecessary weight on your shoulders. A lot of this comes down to how we manage our expectations. Remember, what you see on social media is only the highlight reel of people’s lives. The holiday season doesn’t have to be some grand, show-stopping experience. You could do all the right preparation and planning, yet still feel inadequate compared to someone else’s perfectly manicured Instagram feed.  Instead of trying to match these sky-high expectations, embrace it as a time to focus on yourself, recharge, and reconnect with your loved ones. Anything else is simply an added bonus.  #2 Stay well rested Every doctor and therapist will agree that sleep helps everything feel more manageable. It’s our most vital way of recharging, allowing us to better handle the stresses that come our way. Trust me, all the additional socializing and organizing will feel a thousand times easier if you’re consistently sleeping well.  In one study, 21% of adults reported feeling more stressed if they didn’t get enough sleep. Those who slept for less than eight hours a night said they experienced higher stress levels than those who slept a minimum of eight hours. So, no matter how busy your life gets over the coming weeks, make sure you’re allowing yourself enough time to rest and reset.  And what better pairing for a good night’s sleep than an indulgent under-eye pick-me-up? The Multi-Task Full Circle Eye Serum Mask is a favorite of mine for injecting some extra moisture and brightness back into my face. The silky hydrogel patches help to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and under-eye bags. Plus, they’re versatile! You can use them before bed as a way to wind down or during your morning skincare routine to create the perfect base for the day’s makeup. #3 Brush off those stressful thoughts Anyone who knows me is well aware of the fact I’m all about connecting my skincare routine with mindfulness. This holiday season, use your cleansing ritual to say goodbye to any stressful thoughts or anxieties. Think of it as visualization meets cleansing. Studies on the brain show that our thoughts produce the same mental instructions as our actions. By visualizing your worries melting away, your brain will begin to believe that’s exactly what’s happening, leading to a greater sense of calm and inner peace. I have the perfect product recommendation for this. The VTM Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is a mild product that will leave your skin feeling soft, refreshed, and soothed. And I adore it! Packed full of nourishing amino acids, it’s ideal for re-energizing the skin after a late night, or prepping it for a day of festive activities. What starts as a velvety cream becomes a luxurious foam, so set aside a few extra minutes to massage it into your skin and release your worries and stresses.  #4 Set aside time for yourself With more plans to juggle and people to see, it becomes harder to set aside time for ourselves to decompress and recharge. Extended disruption to our day-to-day lives can leave us feeling unsettled, which in turn can lead to poor sleep, more turbulent emotions, and troubled skin. So wherever possible, find little pockets of time for yourself. This might include getting outside and going for a daily, mindful walk - alone or with the people you love. Walking increases blood flow and circulation and is great for your central nervous system, which is responsible for your stress response. It’s the ideal way to restore some calm and alleviate the festive stress.  You might also want to block out an evening to run a hot bath and put on a face mask. The rest of the world can wait for a few hours! Hot baths have been shown to reduce inflammation, a key symptom of excess stress. They’ve also been known to improve sleep quality—a perfect full-circle moment back to tip #2.  And why not use the Vitality Treatment Mask to make it an even more relaxing, indulgent experience? This product has been shown to increase skin hydration levels by up to 48%, making it a real treat for a self-care night in. It’s creamy, cooling, and a miracle worker for your skin’s complexion.  No matter what you’re doing over the holidays, or how manic life might get, always make some time for yourself. Even if it’s only for a few minutes every day, remember to show your skin and your mind some extra love. And always keep in mind that this festive season is about having a good time—whatever that looks like to you! With love, Poppy

Two of the fantastic main ingredients in Erno Laszlo’s Phormula 3-10 collection are ginger and apple. Both are fabulously repairing in nature to nourish and, rejuvenate aging skin. But what makes these super ingredients so good for both your physical and mental health? It all comes down to the gut-brain connection. I’m sure we’re all familiar with those pesky gut feelings we get when we know something’s not quite right. Or the butterflies in our stomach before that first date or job interview. These are all indicators that our emotions influence how we feel physically. But what if I told you this relationship goes both ways? The gut-brain connection Your gut is there for more than just digestion. It’s also the main hub of your ‘microbiome’ - the collection of bacteria in your body. And it also happens to share a lot of structural and chemical similarities with your brain. We have something called the ‘enteric nervous system’, which is made up of millions of nerves lining the gut. It’s these nerves that lead some people to call the gut our ‘second brain’. But that’s not the only connection; there’s a much more direct one. The gut-brain axis is the communication system connecting - you guessed it - your gut microbiome and brain. And neurons pass along the nerves, such as the vagus nerve which runs from your brain down to your colon, sending messages back and forth. As well as this physical connection, your gut and brain also connect chemically. Many neurotransmitters are produced by gut cells. In fact, large amounts of serotonin (the happy hormone) come from the gut microbiome.   What about apples and ginger? Learning that our gut microbiome can impact brain function is brilliant. It’s empowering to know that how you fuel your body can also be the perfect antidote for your mind! So where do apples and ginger come into it? The general rule is this: the greater the variety of bacteria you have, the healthier your gut will be.   Apples contain an impressive 100 million bacteria. And there is some research that says organic apples specifically have a wider range of microbes, increasing the diversity in your gut. They also contain a fibre called pectin, which helps maintain good bacteria in your gut. In fact, there are at least eight different types of fibre in apples, and all of them are good for your gut health! Ideally, you could eat the entire apple - seeds, core, stem, and all - but I’ll leave that choice up to you. Similarly, ginger incorporates into the healthy bacteria in your gut. It multiplies them over time, until you’re able to produce anti-inflammatory cytokines. Which basically means ginger can help improve gut disease. It’s also been found to remodel the microbiome, changing the composition of gut microbes to improve overall gut health. The gut-brain connection shows us how daily choices can influence our health and wellness. It highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to health. And the cherry on top? A healthier gut will show on your face! Radiant, blemish-free skin is one of many rewards for taking care of your gut, along with a clearer, more positive outlook. With love,Poppy   Shop our Anti-Aging Repair Phormula 3-10 Collection now and learn more.  Phormula 3-10 is powered by Epigene-6™, a proprietary complex made of apple, ginger, and niacinamide) to target the six signs of aging. Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive revives the eye contour, softening the look of fine lines for a smooth, bright-eyed appearance. Phormula 3-10 Serum Concentrate supports skin rejuvenation, improves complexion vitality, and leaves skin soft and supple.  Phormula 3-10 Skin Repair rejuvenating moisturizer formula melts into the skin, delivering vital moisture. If you have any questions, slide into our DMs on Instagram! We're always here to chat!  

Content for this white paper was derived from an advisory board meeting of experts in epigenetics and/or skin aging as well as from the literature. This white paper was supported by Erno Laszlo, Inc. Advisory Board Meeting Participants and Affiliations Brian Capell MD, PhD (University of Pennsylvania), Raymond Cho MD, PhD (University of California at San Francisco), Manel Esteller MD, PhD (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute), Elena Eshkova PhD (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai), Taihao Quan MD, PhD (University of Michigan), Jouni Uitto MD, PhD (Thomas Jefferson University), Christos Zouboulis MD (Dessau Medical Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane) Introduction Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors interact to result in the accumulation of macromolecular damage and molecular deficits that manifest as aging. Studies of diseases of aging have definitively shown that genetic changes alter the behavior of cells; this process often begins with mutations that inactivate normal cellular mechanisms for monitoring the fidelity of DNA replication, resulting in the rapid accumulation of mutations in genes involved in controlling the growth and death of cells. Similarly, aging has long been known to be associated with the accumulation of mutations, leading to cellular dysfunction and, ultimately, to a senescent phenotype (Lee 2018). On the single-cell level, lifespan has been shown to decrease in a logarithmic fashion as mutation burden increases (Lee 2018). It has been increasingly recognized that other types of alterations in the genome, known as epigenetic changes, can modulate its structure and function without affecting the underlying DNA sequence. The term “epigenetics” was initially defined by Conrad Waddington in the 1940s, but in the modern context, it was formally defined in the 1990s by Wolffe and Matzkeset as “the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence” (Alokail 2015). Epigenetic alterations, acting both independently and together with increasing mutational burden, genomic instability, and stem cell exhaustion, can influence gene expression in ways that promote aging (Saul 2021). Each of the 3 major epigenetic regulatory pathways—DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics (histone modifications), and expression of noncoding RNAs—has been shown to be associated with changes in cellular and organ functions as organisms age (Alokail 2015; Saul 2021). The skin, as the protective envelope of the body, is exposed to multiple environmental insults. Perhaps the most prominent of these is ultraviolet sun radiation. However, other factors such as pollution also have a profound impact on the structure and function of the skin. Recent data show that these extrinsic environmental factors synergize with intrinsic age-related changes to influence epigenetic regulation of gene expression, ultimately contributing to the visible—and invisible—signs of skin aging (Chevalier 2019). This white paper will first provide a brief refresher on the central paradigm of molecular biology, the rigorously controlled process by which genetic information flows within cells and biological systems. Subsequent sections focus on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and its relevance to skin aging. 1. A REVIEW OF FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY It is important to have a fundamental understanding of how information flows from gene to protein to understand the role of epigenetics in aging. The Central Paradigm of Molecular Biology Setting aside sporadic mutations, every somatic cell in the body contains an identical genome with an identical complement of genes, each of which encodes a specific protein. However, cell types are differentiated by their program of gene expression. When a signal is sent to express a specific gene, the DNA sequence encoding that gene is used as a template to produce single-stranded RNA in a process called transcription. After transcription, the pre-mRNA transcript is spliced, joining coding exons together while excising introns and generating messenger RNA (mRNA), which is exported from the nucleus and read by ribosomes to produce polypeptides that fold into the final 3-dimensional structure of proteins (Figure 1.1). Although the DNA content of all somatic cells is identical, different cells appear and behave differently. Thus, gene expression must be tightly regulated so that only appropriate genes are expressed in a particular cell type. To accomplish this, the transcriptional unit is preceded by regulatory elements, such as promoters and enhancers, that modulate production of its protein encoding transcript (Figure 1.2). All protein-coding genes require a promoter, a regulatory element that is necessary to initiate the process of transcription. The core promoter is a short length of noncoding DNA that overlaps the transcription start site. Many genes have additional regulatory elements such as enhancers, repressors, or insulators (Allison 2017). Finally, epigenetic mechanisms can also play a role in the modification of gene expression and protein synthesis. Figure 1.1 Flow of genetic information in a cell Figure 1.2 A typical gene and regulatory regions (Allison 2017) Packaging of the Eukaryotic Genome The term “genome” refers to the totality of DNA in the nucleus. All DNA in the cell’s nucleus is organized into chromosomes—thread-like structures of nucleic acids and proteins. The human diploid genome contains approximately 6 billion base pairs. The total length of DNA is about 2 meters, all of which must be accommodated in the nucleus (Annunziato 2008). To accomplish the necessary compaction, negatively charged DNA is complexed with positively charged histones to form nucleosomes, each of which is composed of 8 histone proteins (2 copies each of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) wrapped about 1.65 times by DNA. (Figure 1.3). Additional compaction is achieved by a series of folding and coiling steps, ultimately resulting in the chromatid of a chromosome. The compression and unwinding of DNA are tightly regulated through processes that can “tighten” or “loosen” chromatin, allowing regions of the genome to be accessed for transcription. 2. AN INTRODUCTION TO EPIGENETIC REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION Consider that all cells have the same DNA but organisms contain many different types of cells: skin cells, neurons, liver cells, pancreatic cells, inflammatory cells, and many others. The ability of many different cell types to be derived from the same instruction set—the cell DNA— is driven by differential gene expression. Therefore, different subsets of genes are expressed depending on cell type. Epigenetic mechanisms are one way in which gene expression programs are managed in a temporally and spatially appropriate manner to determine cell type, govern cellular behavior, and drive cells along specific differentiation pathways (Simmons 2008). Broadly, there are 3 epigenetic pathways that regulate gene expression: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-associated silencing (Simmons 2008). DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA. It primarily occurs in region tracts of DNA called CpG islands, where cytosine nucleotides alternate with guanine nucleotides. Figure 1.3 DNA is packaged in multiple steps to compress its 2-meter length into a structure that can fit into the cell nucleus (Annunziato 2008) Histone modifications involve posttranslational modifications that alter chromatin structure. Some of these “loosen” chromatin, allowing it to be accessed by transcriptional machinery. Other modifications condense chromatin into heterochromatin, which is not transcriptionally active. Acetylation and methylation are the primary, but not the only, epigenetic mechanisms governing chromatin dynamics. Genes can be silenced by antisense RNA. RNA may also affect gene expression by causing heterochromatin to form, triggering histone modifications, or by modulating DNA methylation. DNA Methylation Methylation of the DNA base cytosine is the major DNA modification in most animals and plants (Allison 2017). Cytosine DNA methylation is a covalent modification of DNA. In this reaction, a methyl group (CH3) is transferred from s-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the carbon-5 position of cytosine by cytosine DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt). 5-methyl-cytosine is the only modified base in most cells (Allison 2017). DNA methylation occurs almost exclusively at the dinucleotide CG in mammals, often denoted as “CpG,” where p stands for the phosphate group. CpGs can occur in islands consisting of multiple CpG repeats. These islands are found in the promoter regions of about half of the genes in the human genome, where they are sparsely methylated. In contrast, 80% of CpGs outside these islands are heavily methylated (Alokail 2015). Importantly, methylation is maintained during DNA replication, so daughter cells retain the methylation patterns of the parent cell. After replication, the DNA double helix is hemimethylated—the template strand retains its original methylation pattern, and the newly synthesized strand is unmethylated. A maintenance DNA methyltransferase, DNMT1, recognizes only hemimethylated sites and methylates the new strand of DNA appropriately (Allison 2017). Methylation is usually, but not always, a way of marking genes for silencing, although the precise effect varies by the location of the methylated DNA region (Figure 2.1): (Aquino 2018) Methylation in the promoter region shuts off gene expression Methylation of the transcription initiation site also shuts off gene expression Methylation inside the protein-coding region gene is often correlated with increased gene expression Histone Modification Histone modifications are important in transcriptional regulation. DNA that is wrapped tightly around histones is not accessible to the transcription machinery. To make it accessible, the region wrapped around histones must “relax.” The compressed state is referred to as “heterochromatin” and the relaxed state as “euchromatin.” The transitions between heterochromatin and euchromatin are accomplished by enzymatic modification of histones. This process is tightly regulated to control gene expression and is highly tissue-specific, with each tissue displaying a characteristic pattern of transcriptionally accessible regions (Simmons 2008). The N-terminal tails of histones, which protrude from the core histone octamer, are subject to at least 6 different types of covalent modifications: acetylation, methylation, ubiquintinylation, phosphorylation, ADPribosylation, and sumoylation. These modifications control access to the DNA wrapped around the histone (Allison 2017). The enzyme histone acetyltransferase (HAT) adds up to 3 acetyl groups to ≥1 of the lysine residues in histone tails (Alokail 2015). The addition of a negatively charged acetyl group reduces the overall positive charge of histones, reducing the affinity of histone tails for negatively charged DNA. The action of HAT is countered by histone deacetylase (HDAC), which removes acetyl groups from lysine in histone tails. Acetylation of histones is generally associated with active regions of gene expression, while deacetylation generally correlates with regions of reduced gene expression (Simmons 2008). Methylation and demethylation are catalyzed by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs), respectively (Figure 2.2). Methylation of histones has a more complex set of outcomes than acetylation; while methylation of certain residues can suppress transcription, methylation of other residues may have an activating effect. Figure 2.1 The effects of DNA methylation vary by location (Aquino 2018) Figure 2.2 Methylation of histones can “relax” chromatin, allowing the transcriptional machinery to access DNA regions RNA-Associated Silencing As discussed earlier, mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where it is translated to proteins and is thus referred to as coding RNA (RNA that codes for proteins). Large regions of the genome do not code for proteins and were long regarded as “junk” DNA. It was not until the 1990s that a role for this DNA was elucidated. Today, it is known that many types of RNA are transcribed from these DNA regions but are never translated into proteins. These RNAs—referred to collectively as noncoding RNAs—function as posttranscriptional epigenetic regulators of gene expression (Chhabra 2017). There are at least 5 classes of noncoding RNAs that play roles in mammalian cells, including but not limited to regulation of apoptosis, signaling, embryonic development, and tissue differentiation (Table 2.1).  Type Length Functions Number in Humans MicroRNA (miRNA) 19-24 mRNA degradation or repression of translation -2500 Short-interfering RNA (siRNA) 20-25 mRNA degradation Unknown Piwi interacting RNA (piRNA) 26-31 Transposon silencing, germline development -23,000 Small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) 60-150 Modification of rRNA -400 Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) >200 Chromatin reprogramming, precursors of small RNAs -120,000 Table 2.1 Classes of noncoding RNAs associated with epigentic phenomena (Chhabra 2017)   Figure 2.3 miRNA transcription, processing, and mechanism of action (Magri 2017) miRNAs are transcribed from DNA by RNA polymerase 2 and then undergo a number of processing steps before being loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex, or RISC, which utilizes the noncoding RNA to recognize target sequences on mRNA. If the RISC complex encounters a perfectly complementary sequence, the target mRNA is cleaved. If the RISC complex has partial complementarity to the target, translation of the target mRNA is suppressed (Magri 2017, p 3A) (Figure 2.3). 3.THE EPIGENETICS OF SKIN AGING Skin Aging The skin is the largest organ of the body. Because it is continuously exposed to environmental insults, efficient and continuous replacement of its outer layers is critical for proper function. The epidermis is a relatively thin layer composed of epithelial cells that serves as a protective shield, while the underlying dermis—which makes up the bulk of the skin— is composed of dense, connective tissue penetrated by nerves and blood vessels from its lower side and skin appendages (pilosebaceous units and sweet glands) from its upper side. The epidermis itself has a layered structure characterized by progressive differentiation of cells as they move toward the surface. The stratum basale, the deepest layer of the epidermis, is composed of a single layer of undifferentiated epithelial cells, with a few progenitor cells among them, that continuously divide to produce differentiating keratinocytes. As these cells divide, they push cells upward to begin differentiation into keratinocytes and, ultimately, into the heavily keratinized anucleate corneocytes that form the stratum corneum. The dermis contains fibroblasts that produce an extracellular matrix composed of collagen, elastic fibers, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans, which together maintain skin architecture and confer elasticity, resistance, and strength to the tissue (Orioli 2018; Marieb 2015; Kang 2018). The cells of the epidermis and dermis are characterized by tightly controlled programs of gene expression. During epidermal self-renewal, each stem cell must choose between divisions that result in self-renewal or divisions that result in a daughter cell that is fated to undergo terminal differentiation (Zouboulis 2008). Once this choice has been made, a complex series of temporal and spatial changes in gene expression occur as the keratinocyte progressively differentiates and ultimately ejects its nucleus to become a heavily keratinized corneocyte (Orioli 2018). In the dermis, tightly regulated gene expression programs manage the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis, wound healing, and production of the extracellular matrix, among other activities. (Orioli 2018; Kang 2018) Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors synergize to produce skin aging (Zouboulis 2011; Figure 3.1). Young, healthy skin is characterized by a thick, well-organized dermal layer abundantly populated by fibroblasts producing elastic fibers and collagen. In aged skin, dermal fibroblasts become senescent, resulting in reduced production of elastic fibers and a loose, disorganized, and degraded collagen structure. Figure 3.1 Morphologic features of young, aged, and photoaged skin (Orioli 2018) At the same time, the epidermis thins, resulting in the appearance of wrinkles. As with intrinsic aging, extrinsic aging of the skin—such as that caused by photodamage or pollutants—is characterized by dermal atrophy. In contrast, photoaging is associated with a heterogeneously thickened epidermal layer that contributes to skin wrinkling (Orioli 2018). Role of Epigenetics in Skin Aging Modifications in all 3 epigenetic pathways—DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and RNA-based silencing—are seen in aging skin. Due to the sheer abundance of data on this topic, this section will only touch on some examples of changes in aging skin. Suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of this white paper for those interested in more detail. DNA Methylation DNA methylation patterns in epidermal and dermal tissue have been shown to change with aging. While methylation patterns are similar in young individuals, they display increasing divergence as organisms age, suggesting a role for environmental factors in modulating methylation marks (Orioli 2018). Increased methylation heterogeneity has been linked to cellular senescence, at least in vitro, and has been demonstrated in aging fibroblasts (Koch 2011). Expression of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 decreases as fibroblasts are sequentially passaged, and experimental silencing of DNMT1 in young fibroblasts induces a senescent phenotype (De Paoli-Iseppi 2017; Lopatina 2002; Wang 2017). Methylation patterns change over time in multiple genes implicated in dermal aging. For example, the TET2 gene is hypermethylated in epidermis samples from elderly individuals (Gronniger 2010). Recent data suggest that TET2, which is itself an epigenetic regulator, has roles in modulating cell viability, apoptosis, and the expression of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes (Liu 2020). Similarly, DDAH2, an enzyme in the nitric oxide pathway, is hypermethylated in aging and chronically sun-exposed tissues (Gronniger 2010). Downregulation of DDAH2 may predispose the keratinocytes cell to accelerated oxidative damage. The evidence for an impact of extrinsic factors, such as ultraviolet radiation, on DNA methylation is inconsistent. Some studies have shown distinctive patterns of hyperand hypomethylation in photoaged tissues, while others have not demonstrated a consistent link (de Olivera 2020). Chromatin Dynamics Aging is associated with changes in chromatin organization. In particular, aging is associated with the replacement of canonical histones by histone variants. For example, the histone variant H2A.J—which differs by only a single amino acid from the canonical H2A histone—is expressed and incorporated into the chromatin of human fibroblasts during senescence, which allows the transcriptional machinery to constitutively access previously tightly regulated inflammatory genes (Contrepois 2017). Further, H2A.J is deposited in response to DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (Isermann 2020). H3K27me3, denoting the addition of 3 methyl groups to lysine (K) 27 on histone H3, is currently the beststudied histone modification with a potential role in skin aging (Orioli 2018). This mark, which is associated with transcriptional suppression of nearby genes, is added by the methyltransferase Polycomb Repressor Complex (PRC) and removed by Jumonji family demethylases (Leon 2019). PRC manages epidermal stem cell identity and self-renewal by suppressing nonlineage, differentiation, and senescence genes; reduced expression of subunits of this complex have been linked to skin aging and senescence of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts (Perdigoto 2014; Sen 2008). PRC activity is directly affected by UVA radiation, resulting in reduced hyaluronic acid production by and senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (Orioli 2018). The Jumonji demethylases have also been strongly implicated in fibroblast senescence (Orioli 2018). Changes in histone acetylation over time are also strongly implicated in skin cell aging. The sirtuins (SIRTs 1–7) are nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent enzymes involved in managing energy metabolism and oxidative stress, response to UV damage, and inflammation, among other activities. SIRTs 1–6 are involved in the deacetylation of histones, and they also regulate the acetylation status of transcription factors. SIRT1, in particular, has been shown to play critical roles in the regulation of skin homeostasis, including the induction of keratinocyte proliferation, inhibition of epidermal cell senescence, and stimulation of type 1 collagen in fibroblasts. SIRT1 expression is downregulated in aging epidermal tissues. SIRT6, which is thought to manage access of DNA repair proteins to chromatin, is also downregulated in aging keratinocytes and fibroblasts, resulting in increased susceptibility to DNA damage (Orioli 2018). RNA-Mediated Silencing While there are a number of different noncoding RNA species that play a role in gene regulation, at present, miRNAs are the best studied in aging. Differential expression of miRNAs has been demonstrated in aging tissues. In one study that evaluated miRNA expression in the whole blood of over 5000 adults, 127 miRNAs were identified that were differentially expressed based on age (Huan 2018). Of particular importance, the microRNA miR-217, which targets DNMT1 RNA, has been shown in vitro to promote senescence in human fibroblasts by suppressing DNMT1 expression (Wang 2017). In vivo, skin samples derived from patients of different ages showed that miR-217 expression was significantly upregulated in skin tissues from older ndividuals (Wang 2017). miRNAs play direct roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of extracellular matrix proteins, including but not limited to collagen type I and type IV, decorin, fibronectin, and epidermal growth factor (Maurer 2010; Kwan 2015; Shan 2009; Giles 2011). Many other miRNA-mediated regulatory pathways are important in aging-related gene networks. Members of the miR-30 family are overexpressed in skin aging. This family of microRNAs is associated with autophagy, a catabolic process involved in the degradation of worn, abnormal, or malfunctioning cellular components in lysosomes. Autophagy declines in effectiveness as tissues age and may allow for the accumulation of nonfunctional cellular debris that contributes to the aging process. Similarly, members of the miR-200 family are overexpressed in aging tissues. These miRNAs help regulate the oxidative balance and overexpression allows for the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, disturbing skin homeostasis, promoting DNA damage, and accelerating apoptosis. Finally, expression of the miR-181 family is induced in aging skin, where they act as repressors of SIRT1 and also disrupt mitochondrial function (Chevalier 2019). Other miRNAs may influence sebaceous lipogenesis, which generally declines with age (Schneider 2013). miRNA expression may be a critical link between UV exposure and skin aging. Exposure of cultured keratinocytes to UVB radiation results in >2-fold changes in the expression of 44 miRNAs (Zhou 2012). Further, miRNA expression is involved in the regulation of several aspects of the DNA damage response to promote cell survival after UV exposure. Experimental knockdown of components of the miRNA processing pathway was shown to compromise the checkpoint response and, ultimately, the survival of UV-exposed cells (Syed 2014). At least 5 miRNAs are upregulated in photo-aged skin, including miR-101, which silences translation of EZH2, a subunit of PRC (Greussing 2013; Syed 2014). 4. CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND THE PHORMULA 3-10 COLLECTION As products are developed to address the appearance of skin, it is important to understand the science behind the signs of aging skin, including the contribution of epigenetics. At Erno Laszlo, we consider this science in the development of our products and in particular our new Phormula 3-10 line. These Phormula 3-10 products all contain Erno Laszlo’s proprietary complex, Epigene-6, and are formulated to minimize the appearance of aging by providing an optimal environment for the skin to repair itself. Epigene-6 encapsulates three key active ingredients, apple, ginger and niacinamide, to support skin exposed to environmental triggers and target the six signs of aging skin: wrinkles, elasticity, firmness, skin tone, skin hydration, and skin texture. The Phormula 3-10 line includes Phormula 3-10 Repair and Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive products: Phormula 3-10 Repair is an advanced nurturing balm with Epigene-6, niacinamide and the skin conditioning Cera-Skin complex to provide a nourishing environment for the skin to accelerate the recovery of a compromised skin moisture barrier. It has been clinically tested and shown to significantly decrease the appearance of wrinkles, and improve elasticity, firmness, skin tone, skin moisture barrier, hydration and texture. Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive is a multiaction eye cream with Epigene-6 as well as hawthorn and jasmine flower extracts to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Phormula 3-10 Eye Intensive has also been clinically tested and shown to significantly decrease the appearance of wrinkles and eye bags while improving skin hydration around the eye area.  5. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic mechanisms have long been understood to play a critical role in age-related diseases such as cancer, and treatments directed at modulating the activity of various elements of epigenetic pathways are becoming increasingly common in oncology. The skin is not only subject to intrinsic aging but is also exposed to numerous extrinsic insults. Data suggest that the confluence of these factors results in changes in the epigenetically controlled expression of genes that play roles in skin homeostasis. The disruption of these pathways likely contributes to the visible manifestations of aging. As products are developed, it is important to consider the science of aging. 6. FURTHER READING The role of epigenetics in skin aging is complex. For those who are interested and would like to read further, we recommend the following reviews. Chevalier FP, Croteau J, Lamartine J. MicroRNAs in the functional defects of skin aging. In: Noncoding RNAs. InTech Open. 2019. Orioli D, Dellambra E. Epigenetic regulation of skin cells in natural aging and premature aging diseases. Cells. 2018;7:1-30. Syed DN, Khan MI, Shabbir M, et al. MicroRNAs in skin response to UV radiation. Curr. Drug Targets. 2013;14:1128- 1134. REFERENCES Allison LA. Fundamentals of Molecular Biology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. 2017. Alokail MS, Alenad AM. DNA methylation. A Concise Review of Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer. InTech Open. 2015. Annunziato A. DNA packaging: nucleosomes and chromatin. Nature Education. 2008;1:26. Aquino EM, Benton MC, Haupt LM, et al. Current understanding of DNA methylation and age-related disease. OBM Genetics. 2018;2. Chhabbra R. The epigenetics of noncoding RNA. In: Handbook of Epigenetics. Elsevier Inc. 2017. Chevalier FP, Croteau J, Lamartine J. MicroRNAs in the functional defects of skin aging. In: Noncoding RNAs. InTech Open. 2019. Contrepois K, Conderau C, Benayoun BA, et al. Histone variant H2A.J accumulates in senescent cells and promotes inflammatory gene expression. Nat. Commun. 2017;8:14995. de Olivera NFP, de Souza BF, Coelho MDC. UV radiation and its relation to DNA methylation in epidermal cells: a review. Epigenomes. 2020. de Paoli-Iseppi R, Deagle BE, McMahon CR, et al. Measuring animal age with DNA methylation: from humans to wild animals. Front. Genet. 2017;8:106-118. Giles KM, Barker A, Zhang PM, et al. MicroRNA regulation of growth factor receptor signaling in human cancer cells. Methods Mol. Biol. 2011;676:147-163. Gronniger E, Weber B, Heil O, et al. Aging and chronic sun exposure cause distinct epigenetic changes in human skin. PLOS Genetics. 2010;6:e1000971. Huan T, Chen G, Liu C, et al. Age-associated microRNA expression in human peripheral blood is associated with all-cause mortality and age-related traits. Aging Cell. 2018;17:e12687. Isermann A, Mann C, Rube CE. Histone variant H2A.J marks persistent DNA damage and triggers the secretory phenotype in radiation-induced senescence. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21:9130. Kang S, Chovatiya G, Tumbar T. Epigenetic control in skin development, homeostasis and injury repair. Exp Dermatol. 2019;28:453-463. Koch CM, Suchek CV, Lin Q, et al. Specific age-associated DNA methylation changes in human dermal fibroblasts. PLoS ONE. 2011;6:e16679. Kwan P, Ding J, Tredget EE. MicroRNA 181b regulates decorin production by dermal fibroblasts and may be a potential therapy for hypertrophic scar. PLOS One. 2015;10:e0123054. Lee MB, Dowsett IT, Carr DT, et al. Defining the impact of mutation accumulation on replicative lifespan in yeast using cancer-associated mutator phenotypes. PNAS. 2018;116:3062-3071. Leon KE, Aird KM. Jumonji C demethylases in cellular senescence. Genes (Basel). 2019;10:33-37. Liu X, Wang X, Liu N, et al. TET2 is involved in DNA hydroxymethylation, cell proliferation and inflammatory response in keratinocytes. Mol. Med. Rep. 2020;21:1941-1949. Lopatina N, Haskell JF, Andrews LG, et al. Differential maintenance and de novo methylating activity by three DNA methyltransferases in aging and immortalized fibroblasts. J. Cell. Biochem. 2002;84:324-334. Magri F, Vanoli F, Corti S. mRNA in spinal muscular atrophy pathogenesis and therapy. J. Clin. Mol. Med. 2018;22:755-767. Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human Anatomy & Physiology. 10th ed. Pearson Educational Ltd. 2015. Maurer B, Stanczyk J, Jungel A, et al. MicroRNA-29, a key regulator of collagen expression in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62:1733-1743. Orioli D, Dellambra E. Epigenetic regulation of skin cells in natural aging and premature aging diseases. Cells. 2018;7:1-30. Perdigoto CN, Valdes VJ, Bardot ES, et al. Epigenetic regulation of epidermal differentiation. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Med. 2014;4:a015263. Saul D, Kosinsky RL. Epigenetics of aging and aging-associated disease. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021;22:1-25. Schneider MR, Samborski A, Bauersachs S, et al. Differentially regulated microRNAs during human sebaceous lipogenesis. J. Dermatol. Sci. 2013;70:88-93. Sen GL, Webster DE, Barragan DI, et al. Control of differentiation in a self-renewing mammalian tissue by the histone demethylase JMJD3. Genes Dev. 2008;22:1865-1870. Shan SW, Lee DY, Deng Z. MicroRNA MiR-17 retards tissue growth and represses fibronectin expression. Nat. Cell. Biol. 2009;11:1031-1038. Simmons D. Epigenetic influences and disease. Nature Education. 2008;1:6. Syed DN, Khan MI, Shabbir M, et al. MicroRNAs in skin response to UV radiation. Curr. Drug Targets. 2013;14:1128-1134. Wang B, Du R, Xiao X, et al. MicroRNA-217 modulates human skin fibroblast senescence by directly targeting DNA methyltransferase 1. Oncotarget. 2017;8:33475-33486. Zhou BR, Xu Y, Permatasari F, et al. Characterization of the miRNA profile in UVB-irradiated normal human keratinocytes. Exp. Dermatol. 2012;21:317-319. Zouboulis CC, Adjaye J, Akamatsu H, et al. Human skin stem cells and the ageing process. Exp. Gerontol. 2008;43:986-997. Zouboulis CC, Makrantonaki E. Clinical aspects and molecular diagnostics of skin aging. Clin. Dermatol. 2011;29:3-14.

Insights from Skin Wellness Visionary, Dr. Erno Laszlo > This clearly and simply states the mind-body connection between what we feel and how we look, and is a foundational component of psychodermatology, an emerging specialty in dermatology and psychiatry addressing interactions between the skin and mind.2 That statement could have been uttered by any of the physicians affiliated with the Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA)3or the late Emiliano Panconesi, one of the founders of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP).4 These organizations, both started in 1993, aim to improve patient care by putting insights gained from research in psychodermatology into practice. But in fact, it wasn’t. This statement was made nearly 50 years before these organizations existed by Dr. Erno Laszlo, a man who dedicated his life and career to helping people let their beauty within shine through their faces, and who knew the complexities of “the essential harmony between a woman’s outlook on her life and her appearance.”5 Psychodermatology, also called psychosomatic dermatology6 or psychocutaneous medicine,7 while long recognizing the link between the skin and the mind, is still considered an emerging field. When you think that back in 400 BC, Greek philosopher Plato lamented that “this is the great error of our day that in the treatment of the human being, the physicians separate the soul from the body,” one could wonder why it’s not the standard of care in 2021. A review of the literature shows that 85% of dermatology patients have indicated that the psychological aspects of their skin disease are a major component of their illness.8 Fortunately, the science of psychodermatology is finally coming into its own—a good thing for patients who struggle with skin conditions and anxiety or other stressors. Yet, the young Dr. Laszlo had many insights into these concerns when he established his practice in 1927 in Hungary. Let’s explore. The Early  Years His formative years, Dr. Laszlo worked under Max Joseph, a physician noted as the “father of modern dermatology.”9 Joseph observed that when the young Laszlo was away for travel, a good number of patients stopped coming; when he returned, so did they. Laszlo confided that he had embarked on prescribing new formulations based on his own research. Why, asked Joseph, what’s wrong with what we’re prescribing? The answer summed up what would define Dr. Laszlo’s world-renowned approach to skin care: “I observed and listened,” he said. At the time, dermatological science focused on the treatment of disease, with little focus on what the patient was experiencing. In contrast, Dr. Laszlo listened to his patients first. For example, to get to the cause of why their conditions weren’t improving, he asked patients about their routines and how they were using the prescribed treatments. Patients confessed that they stopped using the foul-smelling ointments once they got home. No wonder their conditions weren’t getting better! With this insight into his patients’ behavior, Laszlo then worked to create his own formulations that were scientifically robust while being more pleasant to use. This was an early insight into the need for ‘listening and learning about what’s not seen while observing what is.’ He listened again when asked by the Royal Court handlers of Princess Stephanie of Belgium to meet with her to address a skin condition, presumably acne, that kept her hidden indoors and away from all social contact—even to the point of jeopardizing her marriage. He listened deeply enough to discern her angst over feeling ‘not good enough’ for her role in society, while he examined her skin. Instead of the heavy purplish glop or white powders that were the treatments of the day, Dr. Laszlo created a preparation that treated the skin while being invisible. He called this “no make-up make-up,” an early version of what is known today as Shake-It Tinted Treatment. The purpose was to treat the underlying problems while allowing Princess Stephanie to feel more confident in her appearance. This was unchartered territory! During that time, women still relied on hiding the skin’s imperfections using methods of covering it up with thick make-up made popular in ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures. Throughout his career, Dr. Laszlo was outspoken against the overuse of cosmetics to cover skin, often quoted in newspaper articles and speeches where he pleaded for an “educational campaign…[about how] the indiscriminate use of cosmetics on their faces can be worse for their skins than if they used nothing at all.”10 In the 1950s, he told his employees, “The old-fashioned theory of cosmetics as camouflage is out.”11 Much to Princess Stephanie’s good fortune, he persevered and with his tailored preparations and gentle coaching, and over time she built her confidence and took her place in society. He proved his theory about treating both the skin and mind yet again by developing preparations, based upon his phormula-3 technology, that helped heal scar tissue on the face of famous Hungarian actress, Frida Gombaszögi, when she was shot in the face by a rejected suitor. One can only imagine the intimate conversations between doctor and patient as he worked to restore her physical appearance while building her confidence by treating the unseen scars. After months of consultation and largely to Dr. Laszlo’s credit, Ms. Gombaszögi made a triumphant return the stage! These early successes spurred on the young doctor to focus more on his research, which led him to open the Erno Laszlo Institute for Scientific Cosmetology, first in Budapest in 1927, then in New York in 1939. His pioneering preparations and mindful rituals that went along with them resonated with European royalty, Hollywood stars and celebrities to whom he became skin advisor and confidante—but that wasn’t what drove him. From his early days throughout his entire career, the mind and body connection, the interconnectedness of how you look and how you feel was his mission, his message. The  Birth  of  Psychocosmetology Early on, Dr. Laszlo knew that how a person felt has major implications in how they looked—and it also worked in reverse: how a person looked played a significant role in how they felt. As an undergraduate, he began “wedding medical science to cosmetics”12 to create preparations that would enhance the natural beauty of the skin. From those early days in the laboratory to the laboratories at his Institutes, Dr. Laszlo continued to formulate preparations for his patients, perfecting and refining them to provide options for clean, healthy skin for his ever-growing clientele. The tradition of Dr. Laszlo’s research continues today as new discoveries in skin care join the tried-and-true treatments that stand the test of time. Bringing skin care treatments that were revolutionary for the times, Dr. Laszlo took great pride in knowing he was improving the lives of his clients. At this point, he was treating mostly well-off and often famous women, who had the means to afford customized care at his Institute. His deep belief that all women were, or could be, beautiful with his skin wellness treatments and tailored regimens spurred him to explore how to get his preparations into the hands and onto the faces of what he called “the average woman,” whom he praised as highly and with as much respect as he did his celebrity patients. Skin  Wellness for    Everyone In 1952, Laszlo decided to make his preparations available to women and men outside of his Institute by forming partnerships with select upscale department stores. His mission was to help people everywhere feel empowered to be their best selves through a healthy skin complexion. He didn’t want to just sell products; once again, he trained his team of skincare advisers to listen to their clients. Consultants, who were specifically trained in Laszlo’s methods, carefully documented an individual’s skin conditions, then recommended the exact preparations and rituals they needed for their skin types. Each client became a member of the Erno Laszlo Institute following completion of a detailed questionnaire for an “invisible consultation.” This gave them the opportunity to get Laszlo’s expertise all over the USA without the time and expense of a trip to his Fifth Avenue Institute in New York and eventually expanded Dr. Laszlo’s reach to thousands all around the world. Completing the questionnaire was to be done at home by the client. Each questionnaire, whether for men, women or adolescents, had a unique code to protect the person’s privacy while allowing the Institute to track their product use and make the right recommendations and modifications to each ritual. In keeping with Dr. Laszlo’s holistic approach, in addition to an exhaustive list of questions about skin conditions, skin care routines and make-up use, probing questions were asked about stress levels, relationships, sleeping and eating habits, moods, medications and much more. His pioneering and unique deep enquiry is akin to the modern approach taken today by most psychodermatologists. The questionnaires were reviewed by Dr. Laszlo himself to be sure he agreed with the consultants’ observations and tailored regimes. He also reviewed periodic progress reports the consultant would complete about client’s skin and their compliance with the prescribed rituals. This strict approach to treating the skin and the rigorous process and to become an Erno Laszlo skincare consultant was confirmed by Ms. Anne McFadden, the company’s longest-serving employee. “You had to work at Saks for a full year before you could get into the highly coveted Erno Laszlo Institute training program. After that, it took another six months of education and practice before you could start consulting with clients and prescribing the line,” she recalls. Ms. McFadden, who is in her 80s and without a wrinkle on her face, is still going strong as an ambassador for the brand after more than 40 years with the company. “I have clients who have been with me all that time, from all over the world,” Anne says. When asked for the secret to her longevity, she replies simply with, “I believe in the Erno Laszlo preparations and scientific methods.” In a meeting with his new skincare consultants, Dr. Laszlo engaged them with these words: “I turn to you with confidence in our shared mission: bringing beauty and happiness to thousands of people through the science of cosmetology. Yes, I said science, for it has always been my greatest belief, a belief which I put into practice, that chemistry, medicine and psychology—all must be brought into play in the study and development of cosmetics.”13 Science of Skin and Mind Dr. Laszlo had an unwavering focus on the science behind the formulations and a deep insight into human behavior. The rooms of his Institutes were calming in décor and decorum. Consultations were private, personal and fully documented. He listened to his patients and his abiding respect for his clientele, mostly women, was evident in the way he talked to them and about them. He understood them when hemarveled, “Beauty is both physical and psychological. A beautiful skin, for example, can be a woman’s greatest psychological asset.  An unsightly one can reflect misery mentally and handicap a woman’s whole personality.”14  Taken all together—the interconnectedness of dermatologic science plus the preparations and rituals to beautify the skin plus the emotional wellbeing component—it can be confidently stated that Dr. Erno Laszlo is the father of ‘psycho-cosmetology,’ a phrase he coined early in his career. His insights and ongoing research paved the way for today’s focus on the benefits to patients that can be expected when the mind and skin are understood and treated holistically through the modern practice of psychodermatology. The  Laszlo  Method His approach was revolutionary for its time and stands the test of time, as well. Let’s see how. Of his science-based preparations, Dr. Laszlo said, “Ours is honest magic without trickery.”15 Let’s start with the basics: cleanliness. The facial cleansing method of choice in the 1940s and ‘50s was to use cold cream to remove makeup and moisturize the skin. Dr. Laszlo was aghast that women were leaving dirt and oils on their faces. In an article in the April 3, 1952, Atlanta Journal, he told columnist Lois Norvell, “Water is a daily necessity for every skin. People take baths every day, wash their hands 20 times a day. How is it possible that they say, ‘from the chin down, water; from the chin up, no water’? Water can give you a lift to skin beauty quicker than any cosmetic. If water did not exist, as a cosmetologist, I would have to invent it.”16 Maintaining clean and well hydrated skin is a cornerstone of the Erno Laszlo healthy skin ritual and promoted by all dermatologists today.  Next, Dr. Laszlo was a pioneer in the early science and understanding of the acid mantle17 on the skin (dubbed the “acid cloak” by Dr. Laszlo). The acid mantle is a thin film on the surface of the skin that acts as a barricade against bacteria and keeps moisture in. Its slightly acidic pH makes it the skin’s first line of defense against the elements.18 Essential fatty acids are components of a healthy acid cloak. Dr. Laszlo explained in a discussion at his NY Institute in September 1952: “Without these fatty acids, our skin would be a breeding ground for millions of bacteria. The appearance of aging skin is caused by fatty acid deficiency and an excess alkaline condition.” He called the discovery of the skin’s acid cloak formed by fatty acids one of the greatest advances in modern dermatology. He theorized that most complexion issues that were not from systemic causes could be avoided with a healthy essential fatty acid protective cloak. Working tirelessly on formulations using fatty acids, he developed a “unique substance entirely new to the science of cosmetics with a pH almost identical to the normal pH of skin.”19 He called it pHelityl.  Read how Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Cynthia Cabot described it in her April 2, 1952, article: “Revolution is a mild term for the beliefs and theories on which Dr. Laszlo has established his treatments. He has polished up a contradictory term called “fatty acids” to describe the X-quotient every skin should have to stay beautiful. The number 17,776 might sound like a telephone figure to you, but actually, it is the lucky number for thousands of women who have ‘discovered’ the discoveries of Dr. Laszlo. After experimenting for years with formulas and ideas, he finally settled on the results held by test tube number 17,776, the ‘fatty acid’ complex he has called pHelityl.” Medical Skin Wellness Dr. Laszlo often noted his mentor Joseph’s view that “only a doctor trained and experienced in all branches of medical science can be a good dermatologist.”20 Through his training as a dermatologist, his keen interest in people and his attentive listening, Laszlo brought the best of medical science to the practice of cosmetic dermatology. Because patients would use his preparations over the unappetizing concoctions from an older era, Dr. Laszlo noted that “this is where [cosmetic dermatology] comes to the rescue of dermatology.”21 He was interested in the health of the entire body, so his prescribed routines and regimens were not confined to skin care. Dr. Laszlo recommended healthy eating over, drinking plenty of water, exercising, avoiding sun overexposure, and paying attention to mental wellbeing. Reviews of current skin care literature bear out the theories Dr. Laszlo pioneered or championed: pH balance, essential fatty acids and a healthy acid mantle are still the route to a healthy, vibrant complexion. From an overall health viewpoint, current medical and mental health advice from physicians and psychologists concur with Dr. Laszlo’s recommendations from the last century. His cutting-edge insights and methods in his time are still relevant in ours. Self-care:  What’s Love  Got  To  Do  With  It? While physicians are acknowledging the holistic care of skin and the mind in the practice of psychodermatology, the public has swiftly embraced the concept of self-care. Self-care is defined as taking steps to look after your physical and emotional health. The goal is wellness, coping with daily stressors and being the best one can be. Certainly, accelerated by the global pandemic, interest in self-care is on the rise. Google Trends reports web searches for the term have more than doubled since 2015.22 It’s not about being indulgent or selfish; it’s about loving yourself enough to be aware of how you feel and to focus on your wellbeing so you can do your daily tasks, including caring for others. Throughout his career, Dr. Laszlo counseled his patients in the art and importance of self-care, way before it became a “thing.” He expected his patients to rigorously follow his instructions, which included at least twice daily care of the skin in a specialized ritual of cleansing, splashing, moisturizing. He was known for dropping patients who didn’t take his counsel seriously. In what now seems like enforced self-care, Laszlo knew that a healthy, daily skin care routine had benefits well beyond a clean face. It provided his patients, mostly women, with time to themselves, a moment to pause, to think and regroup. Modern dermatologists note that any act of skin care can be considered self-care, which can be an important step to improving mental health. “By having a set routine, one knows what to expect, and this is a relief,” dermatologist Marie Jihn said. “The more a routine it becomes, the less stress it becomes. In the process, you also look better.”22 Read what NY Mirror columnist Alma Archer said about Dr. Laszlo’s approach over 80 years ago in a June 11, 1940, article: “The first tenet of the Laszlo credo of beauty is that it comes from within. Although the face and scalp treatments include the application of creams… and individual preparations for home care, immense stress is laid on the inner condition of the woman’s body. Even her psychology is explored to discover whether her beauty troubles are chronic or the temporary result of emotional or mental strain.”23 Talk about self-care! Beauty in One’s Own Mind  Dr. Laszlo was prolific in attestations about his view of women. Recounting with pride that he worked with and for women his entire career, he often noted his admiration because “women have achieved a miracle in the face of overwhelming odds – men!”2  While he is famous for being the skin care counselor for the likes of Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, he was enamored of all women and assured them they could get the same results as these famous ladies by strictly following his skin care instructions.  He maintained that beauty was ageless and shone from within stating that “A young girl can be pretty. It takes maturity to attain beauty. It is a question of nuance.”25 When accepting an award for his work, he likened his preparations to inventions of Edison, Bell, and the Wright Brothers, noting, “It is not my own importance that I wish to stress, but the importance of a woman’s face. A face represents not only beauty but all the qualities of the heart, soul and brain.”26 Dr. Laszlo spent his entire career changing the perceptions of his clients, moving them away from unconscious acts of self-absorption to a nuanced and deliberate process of self-actualization. Laszlo recognized that women should pursue beauty for themselves, a rather revolutionary perspective when he provided this viewpoint during an interview on January 31, 1940, with columnist Charles Estcourt, Jr.: “When a woman wants to be beautiful for her own sake, then she is happy. When she wants to be beautiful for the sake of someone else, she is not happy and is heading for greater unhappiness.”27 Actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn famously said, “I owe 50% of my beauty to my mother and the other 50% to Erno Laszlo.” This icon of beauty, poise and grace also said, “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.” Erno Laszlo concurred when he said in 1951, “The most miraculous of all beautifiers is happiness.”28 References  Institute Package_SKM_C30821070212490 Concepts in Psychodermatology: An Overview for Primary Care Providers, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j. 2020.04.015 Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA); http://www.psychodermatology. us/page-1823653 European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP); https://www.psychodermatology.net/page1. aspx?p=13&t=1 New York City Mirror, June 11, Laszlo Archive IIA46m.tif https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content_files/files/pdf/96/217/EditorialSuppl217.pdf https://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780199568741.001.0001/med-9780199568741-chapter-262 Marshall C., Taylor R., Bewley A. Psychodermatology in clinical practice: main principles. Acta Derm Venereol 2016; Suppl 217: 30-34. Jewell , The Angel of Beauty. 1998. Erno Laszlo LLC, p.14. 1951 Speech to Fashion Laszlo Archives, p.3 Employee Laszlo Archives The Story of Erno Laszlo. Laszlo Archives Employee Laszlo Archives, p.2 1951 Speech to Fashion Laszlo Archives, p.2 Honesty without trickery Atlanta Journal, Date Surber C., et al. The acid mantle: a myth or an essential part of skin health. Curr Probl Dermatol . 2018;54:1-10. Epub 2018 Aug ; DOI: 10.1159/000489512 Understanding your skin’s acid mantle and why it’s so Good Housekeeping Institute. Oct. 15, 2020. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a32497176/what-is-acid-mantle/ Address from Laszlo at the Erno Laszlo Institute, NY, Sept. 9, 1952 Laszlo manuscript 1965, p. 23 Lawler M, Laube What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Health? https://www.everydayhealth. com/self-care/ Rearick When Skin Care Is Also Self-Care. HuffPost, Feb. 26, 2018. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/skin- care-is-self-care_n_5a86e975e4b00bc49f4341dc NY Mirror columnist Alma Archer said about Laszlo’s approach 81 years ago in a June 11, 1940 1951 Speech to Fashion Laszlo Archives Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Cynthia Cabot described it in her April 2, 1952 Award Speech, Laszlo Archives January 31, 1940 interview with columnist Charles Estcourt, Jr 1951 Speech to Fashion Group. Laszlo Archives

Content for this white paper was derived from an advisory board meeting of experts in the mind-skin connection as well as from the literature. This white paper was supported by Erno Laszlo, Inc. Advisory Board Participants and Affiliations Cherie Ditre MD (University of Pennsylvania), Richard Fried MD, PhD (Private Practice), Marsha Gordon MD (Mount Sinai), John Koo, MD (University of California San Francisco), Ladan Mostaghini MD (University of Wisconsin), Even Rieder MD (NYU Grossman School of Medicine), Mary L. Stevenson (NYU Grossman School of Medicine), Richard Wortzel (University of Pennsylvania) Introduction The skin is an architectural marvel, designed by evolution to be both protective and resilient. Pliable yet tough, the skin combats environmental insults through a program of continuous self-renewal that maintains its function. However, like all other organs of the human body, the skin is susceptible to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that, over time, cause not only skin conditions, but also the visible and invisible signs of aging. The steady deterioration of the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin with age is caused by a combination of factors including reduced cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and changes in epidermal morphology (Crane 2015). The skin protects the body’s contents through a series of chemical, mechanical, and biologic barriers. The chemical barriers of the skin include antimicrobial substances and melanin. The skin is host to abundant bacterial populations, the composition of which is modulated substances secreted by the skin. The low pH of the skin—referred to as the acid mantle—inhibits the proliferation of bacteria. At the same time, dermicidin and antibacterial substances in sebum kill bacteria directly, and skin cells also secrete natural antibiotics, the defensins, that perforate and kill bacteria. Wounded skin releases cathelicidins—a protective antibacterial peptide that helps prevent infection by group A streptococcus bacteria. The physical barrier of the skin largely arises from the structure of the stratum corneum, which consists of multiple layers of dead, flattened cells and glycolipids that together defend against mechanical insults and work with the acid mantle and other substances secreted by the skin to ward off bacterial invasion. Finally, the skin acts as a biologic barrier by hosting elements of the immune system. Skin-resident dendritic cells act as a first line of defense, ingesting foreign substances, processing them, and presenting them to lymphocytes to activate the immune system. Dermal macrophages dispose of viruses and bacteria that penetrate the chemical and physical barriers of the skin and also act as antigen presenters (Marieb 2019). Stress is formally defined as a state of threatened homeostasis provoked by a psychological, environmental, or physiologic stressor. While stress has considerable value in adapting to disturbances, in modern life it can be maladaptive, as shown by the fact that stress has been directly linked to risk for a broad range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, various psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer (Cohen 2007). Stress can be considered both an intrinsic and extrinsic factor that influences skin aging. Increasing evidence suggests there is a 2-way relationship between stress and skin quality, with direct impacts on keratinocyte and fibroblast number and function as well as on the composition of the extracellular matrix. It is also clear that psychological stressors lead to aberrant barrier function, with decreased epidermal lipid and structural protein synthesis, decreased hydration of the stratum corneum, and increased transepidermal water loss (Maarouf 2019), and can also result in immune system dysfunction leading to systemic and local inflammation (Liu 2017). Together, these factors interact to generate the visible and invisible signs of aging, make the skin more susceptible to environmental insult, and lower the threshold at which skin diseases manifest.   This white paper will not consider patients with skin diseases associated with a primary psychiatric disorder. These disorders, such as delusional infestation, somatic symptom disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder, are best managed in the setting of a mental health practice. Instead, here we will focus on the interaction between stressors and skin health. Lessons will be derived from what is known about the interaction between stress and psychological health in both healthy individuals and people with common dermatologic diseases, such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis. Finally, this white paper will examine the interaction between the dermatologist and the patient and the benefits for both in managing not only the skin but also the mind-skin connection. The Link Between Skin Quality and Stress It is well-established that stress exacerbates disease severity in patients with dermatologic diseases. For example, among patients with acne—the single most common skin condition seen by dermatologists—it is clear there is a strong relationship between stress and severity (Chiu 2003).  After adjustment for change in sleep hours, perceived sleep quality, and perceived diet quality, increases in stress strongly correlated with a progressive increase in acne severity (r=0.61; P<0.01). Of note, stress experienced during an academic exam correlated with perceived acne severity, with patients who experienced intra-exam stress reporting a Leeds Acne Score that was approximately 30% higher than that reported during nonexamination periods (P<0.01). The relationship between stress and acne was further confirmed in a cross-sectional study conducted among 144 female medical students identified a strong relationship between stress severity and acne grade (P<0.01 for trend) (Figure 1) (Zari 2017). Similarly, stress ratings were directly associated with symptom severity in patients with rosacea or atopic dermatitis (Drummond 2017). Figure 1. Relationship between stress severity and acne grade among female medical students (N=144). Acne grades ranged from 0 (no acne) to 3 (severe acne). Error bars: ±1.00 standard error (Zari 2017) The connection between stressors and skin is perhaps best established in people with psoriasis, in whom stress has been associated with disease onset, flare-ups, and psychological distress. There is a 2-way interaction between stress and disease severity in many patients, as the perceived disfigurement and stigmatization of the disease results to anxiety, leading to a vicious cycle of increased stress and exacerbations in disease manifestations (Tampa 2018). In fact, more than two-thirds of patients with psoriasis report that stressful events have a direct association with disease flare (Xhaja 2014). This link between stress and skin quality also exists in the general population who have not been diagnosed with underlying dermatologic conditions. For example, a study conducted in 529 medical students—who are at significant risk for severe stress—divided the study population into 3 groups: least stressed, moderately stressed, and highly stressed, based on the results of the validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) (Bin Saif 2018). Skin issues were measured using a self-reported skin complaints questionnaire. In this study, as compared with the least-stressed students, highly stressed students suffered from significantly more oily, waxy patches or flakes on the scalp, dry/sore rashes, warts, pimples, itchy skin, itchy hands, hair loss, scaly skin, troublesome sweating, and other rashes on the face (all P ≤ 0.05). The odds ratios for these conditions ranged from 1.94 for nail biting to nearly 5 for face rashes. Mediators of The Mind-Skin Connection Stress alters a number of pathways that can contribute to skin quality. Embryologically, the nervous system and the skin are derived from the same origin tissue: the ectoderm. As such, the brain and skin have some overlapping capabilities—for example, the skin has its own equivalent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which may coordinate with the central HPA axis in the stress response. Table 1 summarizes the major stress mediators in the skin, their sources, effector cells, and functions in skin. Each will be discussed in greater detail in this section. Table 1. Major stress mediators in the skin. Adapted from Chen 2014 and references in the body of this white paper. Stress Mediator Sources Skin Functions Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) ·Hypothalamus ·Skin keratinocytes ·Sebacytes ·Mast cells ·Stimulation of ACTH and cortisol production ·Proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) ·Pituitary gland ·Skin melanocytes, epidermal and hair ·Follicle keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts ·Langerhans cells and macrophages ·Stimulation of cortisol and corticosterone production ·Melanogenesis ·Cytokine production ·Cell proliferation ·Hair growth ·Immune regulation Cortisol · Adrenal cortex ·Skin hair follicles, melanocytes, and fibroblasts ·Slows proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes ·Stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts and melanocytes ·Induces degranulation of mast cells ·Increases vascular permeability ·Induces expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines ·Compromises epithelial barrier function Neurotrophins ·Central nervous system ·Skin sympathetic neurons ·Mast cells ·T and B cells ·Keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanocytes ·Promote survival and differentiation of mast cells ·Modify inflammatory cytokines expression ·Promote proliferation of keratinocytes ·Important for melanocytes migration, viability, and differentiation ·Protect from oxidative stress and apoptosis ·Promote fibroblast differentiation and migration Substance P ·Sensory nerve fibers ·Induces inflammation by promoting cytokine release ·Activates mast cells ·Induces lymphocyte proliferation ·Induces vascular permeability ·May modulate the skin microbiota Prolactin ·Pituitary gland ·Skin hair follicle and epidermal keratinocytes, fibroblasts ·Adipocytes ·Sweat glands ·Sebaceous glands ·Stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and keratin production ·Stimulates sebum production in sebaceous glands ·May have an immunomodulatory role Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) ·Adrenal medulla ·Skin nerve fibers ·Keratinocytes ·Regulate keratinocytes proliferation, differentiation, and migration ·Promote melanogenesis in melanocytes ·Decrease fibroblasts migration and collagen secretion ·Decrease wound healing The Central and Skin HPA Axis The effect of stress on the skin is primarily mediated through the HPA axis. The sensation of stress is associated with the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which binds to its receptor on the pituitary gland and stimulates secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). ACTH, in turn, binds to receptors in the adrenal cortex, stimulating the production of glucocorticoids (GC) such as cortisol and corticosterone (Figure 2) (Marieb 2019). Cortisol is the primary stress hormone in the human body. After binding to its receptor, a complex cascade of events results in changes in gene expression. Cortisol levels, under non-stressed conditions, naturally oscillate daily, with peak levels in the early morning and a nadir at around midnight. Stress can disrupt both the pattern and amount of cortisol produced, which can result in a relatively immunosuppressed state (Chen 2014). Figure 2. A simplified representation of the HPA   The skin itself has its own “HPA system” in that CRH and ACTH are produced by skin cells, which also express the cognate receptors for these molecules. In the skin, CRH is produced by keratinocytes, melanocytes, and mast cells in the presence of stressors such as immune cytokines, UV light, and cutaneous disease states. CRH has diverse effects in the skin, including slowing the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and stimulating proliferation of fibroblasts and melanocytes. CRH also induces degranulation of skin-resident mast cells, increases vascular permeability, and induces the production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. ACTH stimulates production of IL-18, another pro-inflammatory cytokine (Chen 2014). Skin barrier dysfunction is tightly associated with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, acne, and other cutaneous diseases. However, variability in its health also contributes to skin quality in otherwise healthy patients.  Much of the mind-skin connection is attributable to the overproduction of cortisol and its effect on the skin barrier. Increased cortisol production has been shown to slow the production of beneficial oils, resulting in dry, rough, irritated skin and accelerated transepidermal water loss. At the same time, cortisol stimulates the overproduction of sebum, increasing the likelihood and severity of acne. These changes also alter the pH of the skin, compromising the acid mantle and inducing changes in the composition of the skin’s commensal microbiota (Altemus 2001). In a study that recruited 27 medical students without a dermatologic disease, levels of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, the enzyme that converts cortisone (the inactive form of cortisol) to cortisol, were measured and correlated with skin barrier function. In this study, elevated expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 in oral mucosa (which correlated closely with expression in epidermal keratinocytes) was associated with increased cortisol in the stratum corneum and deteriorated skin barrier function, as measured by decreased expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers. The Skin and the SAM Axis Stress is also associated with the release of catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, by modulating the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal medullary (SAM) axis (Chen 2014). These catecholamines are critical elements of the stress response and are involved in the fight-or-flight response to perceived danger. They have a broad range of well-understood effects, including heart rate and respiratory acceleration, vasoconstriction outside of muscles, and increased perspiration. In the epidermis, these signaling molecules downregulate keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and migration and increase melanogenesis in melanocytes. In the dermis, chronic epinephrine signaling appears to reduce fibroblast migration and collagen deposition—delaying wound healing—and also induces the expression of IL-6 (Romana-Souza 2011; Romana-Souza 2010). Signaling from these molecules has a less well-appreciated role in regulating the immune response; for example, data suggest that norepinephrine modulates human dendritic cell activation by altering cytokine release (Goyarts 2008). Other Physiologically Active Stress Mediators While the peripheral nervous system and the immune system are often considered wholly separate, abundant data suggest an intimate and bidirectional relationship (Chiu 2013). Both intrinsic factors—such as other stress mediators and inflammatory molecules—and extrinsic factors, such as noxious stimuli and microbial invasion, are detected by the peripheral nervous system, which responds via a number of secreted factors such as neuropeptides and neurotrophins. These factors amplify the local stress response and activate neurogenic inflammation (Chiu 2013). Nerve growth factor, a member of the neurotrophin family, binds to cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptors expressed on mast cells, immune cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanocytes (Chen 2014). Nerve growth factor is also secreted by immune cells and can act directly on peripheral sensory neurons to cause sensitization (Chiu 2013). Sensitization of nociceptors, in turn, results in increased release of neuropeptides that enhance immune cell activation, resulting in a positive feedback loop that drives the inflammatory response (Chen 2014). Substance P, a member of the tachykinin neuropeptide family, is a stress-related neurotransmitter and neuromodulator that binds to receptors present on a broad range of cell types, including blood vessel endothelial cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, and neurons. Stress is associated with a significant increase in substance P-positive nerve fibers (Chen 2014). It has long been recognized as a modulator of pain perception, but it also plays roles in gastrointestinal function, memory, angiogenesis, vasodilation, and cell growth and proliferation (Graefe 2021). In the skin, substance P has been shown to play a role in initiating and enhancing the inflammatory response by stimulating cytokine release, activate mast cells, and induce lymphocyte permeability (Chen 2014). Is There a Mind-Skin Microbiota Connection? While the importance of the microbiota in gastrointestinal function is widely appreciated, the skin is also the home for a rich community of commensal and potentially pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses (Byrd 2018). Many of the normal microbial residents of the skin actively defend the body’s envelope by producing molecules that inhibit colonization of other microorganisms or alter their behavior. In healthy adults, the skin microbiota remains stable over time; however, increasing evidence suggests that stress can have a dramatic effect on the composition and behavior of these organisms. For example, glucocorticoids, which—as discussed above—are critical mediators of the stress response, have been shown to have a direct impact on the release of antimicrobial peptides by the skin (Holmes 2015). In addition to its direct roles in neuroinflammation, substance P also appears to provide a link between stress and the microbial flora of the skin (Mijouin 2013). It is released in sweat during stress and has both direct and indirect antimicrobial activity by acting as an antimicrobial peptide and stimulating the release of cathelicidins and defensins. However, certain bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus—a common transient resident of the skin—can detect and respond to substance P in a manner that increases virulence. In the case of B cereus, substance P induces the release of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that protects the bacteria against oxidative stress, increases bacterial production of collagenase, and stimulates the formation of protective biofilms (Mijouin 2013). Similarly, both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis respond to the presence of substance P with a marked increase in cytotoxicity (Mijouin 2013). Data also suggest that cortisol significantly increases the inflammatory response to Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium associated with the pathogenesis of acne and several other opportunistic infections (Holmes 2015). What is the Impact of Stress on Inflammation? The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors is altered by stress. The net effect of stress on inflammatory mediators changes with the chronicity of exposure to stress. Acute stress is associated with an adaptive response that enhances immune response, whereas chronic stress often results in immunosuppression. Intense stress may overactivate the immune system, resulting in the release of a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β, and activate the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which is known to play a role in modulating the expression of pro-inflammatory products (Liu 2017). The effects of stress are mediated, in part, by glucocorticoids released by the adrenal glands during the stress response (discussed above). Glucocorticoids have a range of effects on the immune system that depending on the duration of release, have anti- or pro-inflammatory effects. As noted above, stress is a clear trigger for many inflammatory diseases of the skin, such as psoriasis, thus providing a direct clinical link between stress, inflammation, and symptoms. What is the Impact of Stress on Skin Aging? The data summarized above suggest the presence of a direct mind-skin connection and that stress has potentially detrimental effects that are mediated by multiple intimately interconnected pathways. It is also well understood and readily apparent that chronic stress is a major contributor to the appearance of aged skin; this connection may be mediated both through the neuroendocrine and immune systems (Dunn 2013; Liu 2017). Telomere shortening, leading to premature replicative senescence of skin cells, may also provide a link between stress and skin aging, although the precise underlying mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated (Chen 2014). Continuous, low-grade inflammation—such as that induced by chronic stress—may cause gradual tissue damage that, while present systemically, manifests visibly in skin aging (Zhuang 2014). This has been referred to by some authors as “inflammaging.” The effects of inflammation on the skin can be modeled through experimental exposure of skin to ultraviolet light, which induces epidermal keratinocytes to release inflammatory cytokines, induces mast cells to generate prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, and results in the massive infiltration of neutrophils into the epidermis and dermis, where they play roles in clearing apoptotic cells. However, these cells also indiscriminately release a number of degradative enzymes, such as neutrophil elastase and various matrix metalloproteinases, that degrade the extracellular matrix. The complement system is also induced under conditions of stress and can recruit and activate dermal macrophages. Table 2 summarizes the role of inflammatory factors known to have a role in skin aging. Table 2. Known key inflammatory factors and their role in skin aging (Zhuang 2014) Proinflammatory Factors Pathway and Potential Skin Damage Reactive oxygen species Cause skin cell damage; generate oxidized lipids; induce MMP expression in dermal fibroblasts TNFα, IL-1 Initiate inflammatory responses in skin and induce synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, etc Recruit neutrophils and macrophages; activate dermal fibroblasts to secrete MMPs Neutrophils Produce elastase and MMPs that cause ECM degradation MMPs Cause ECM degradation, damage dermal connective tissue and cause visible skin aging Complement system Activates macrophages; induced particularly by UV radiation Macrophages Infiltrate skin after UV exposure; generate ROS and MMPs that cause ECM degradation ECM = extracellular matrix; IL = interleukin; MMP = matrix metalloproteinase; ROS = reactive oxygen species; TNF = tumor necrosis factor; UV = ultraviolet. Of note, poor sleep quality—which is intimately connected to stress—is likely to contribute to skin aging. The skin of individuals who suffer from poor quality sleep is marked by relatively reduced elasticity, fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and slow recovery from skin barrier disruption (Oyetakin-White 2013). Stressors such as smoking and air pollution are both considered contributors to premature skin aging. The effects of these environmental stressors may be mediated by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, vitamin E depletion, lipid peroxidation, and the induction of collagen- and elastin-degrading matrix metalloproteinase expression (Chen 2014; van Doren 2015). Can Stress Reduction Interventions Improve Skin Quality? Direct Evidence for Stress Reduction and Improvements in Skin Quality The majority of evidence for a link between stress reduction and skin quality comes from studies in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The impact of stress reduction through mindfulness meditation has been prospectively evaluated in patients with psoriasis (Kabat Zinn 1998). In this study, patients were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness meditation guided by audiotaped instructions during phototherapy or photochemotherapy, or a control condition of the light treatments alone without meditation instructions. Patients who received mindfulness meditation instruction were significantly more likely to reach 50% skin clearance (P = 0.013) and complete skin clearance (P = 0.033). Similarly, a small case-control study of relaxation therapy found profound differences in clearing among patients with psoriasis: among patients who were trained in relaxation therapy, 70% achieved Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 50 at the end of 2 months, as compared with 13.3% of the control group (Neerackal 2020). The efficacy of stress-reduction modalities have also been explored in atopic dermatitis. In one trial, patients (N=102) with atopic dermatitis were randomly allocated to 12 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), delivered by internet, or a control that gave subjects about standard care; the primary outcome measure was the difference in atopic dermatitis symptoms, as measured by the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (Lagerlof 2021). At 12 weeks, patients who received CBT had significant, moderate to large reductions in atopic dermatitis symptoms, combined with significant reductions in itch intensity, perceived stress, sleep problems, and depression. Of note, these gains were maintained through 12 months. A second study found that psychological interventions in patients with atopic dermatitis were associated with significantly larger improvements in skin conditions than standard medical care and were associated with significant reductions in the need for topical steroid treatment (Ehlers 1995). Aerobic exercise has broad, systemic benefits in the human body, including reduction of stress, and data suggest that these benefits can also be extended to the skin. For example, in one recent study conducted in humans, short-term aerobic exercise was associated with reduced signs of skin aging, including a reduction in stratum corneum thickness (which generally increases in thickness with age), increased stratum spinosum thickness in elderly subjects, and increased reticular dermis content. These effects may be mediated by increases in circulating IL-15, an exercise-induced hormone that has previously been associated with reduced adiposity, increased muscle mass, improved mitochondrial function and exercise capacity (Crane 2015). Finally, limited data suggest that aromatherapy may have some benefit (with the caution that the aerosolized oils may exacerbate skin conditions in sensitive individuals). In one study, aromatherapy was associated with a reduction in stress-induced serum and salivary cortisol and enhanced skin barrier recovery, as measured by transepidermal water loss, in both animal models and humans (Fukuda 2012). Other Stress-Reduction Modalities Mindfulness is a popular meditation technique that consists of 2 parts: attention and acceptance. Attention involves “tuning in” to experiences to focus on what is happening in the present moment, while acceptance involves observing those feelings and sensations without judgment (American Psychiatric Association 2021). One case-control study and one randomized clinical trial with reasonable methodologic quality showed that meditation was associated with increased telomere length; this effect was significant in female meditators (Desanayaka 2021). The effect of meditation on stress markers, such as cortisol, has been better studied. For example, in one meta-analysis of 10 studies using blood samples, meditation interventions had a moderate, albeit statistically significant, effect on cortisol levels. This effect was primarily seen in subjects with existing somatic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (Koncz 2021). A number of additional stress-reduction modalities may be viable candidates to consider for improving overall stress. Yoga, as it is practiced widely worldwide, has been shown to impact both the neuroendocrine and immune systems. In 1 meta-analysis of 15 relatively high-quality studies, yoga was shown to reduce inflammatory markers, including IL-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor, with a distinct dose-response relationship (Djalilova 2019). Yoga has also been shown to be associated with reliable reductions in serum cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the human body (Katuri 2016; Cahn 2017). In 1 reasonably well-conducted study in 121 healthy individuals, guided relaxation was associated with improved skin barrier recovery following induction of mild skin damage by tape stripping (Robinson 2015). Similarly, some evidence suggests that rituals may have a potentially anxiolytic effect by reducing cognitive load (Karl 2018). Conclusions Dermatologists have long accepted the role of stress in skin health, as it is readily apparent in the clinic in otherwise healthy individuals. Abundant evidence exists that stress and skin function and quality are intimately linked, and some evidence suggests that interventions to reduce stress, such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, yoga, exercise, and even aromatherapy may have a positive impact on skin quality. Rituals, such as taking time with the daily application of cosmetic products, also may have the side benefit of decreasing psychological stress responses. There is an underappreciated opportunity in the dermatology clinic to improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction with their overall treatment plan by providing guidance on stress management through non-medical interventions. From a practical perspective, the dermatologist’s time to address the sometimes complex factors underlying stress is limited; thus, there may be a role for partnerships with outside services that specialize in helping patients manage stress.Additional Reading For those with a particular interest in the mind-skin connection, we recommend the following reviews. Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: Stress, inflammation, and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy—Drug Targets. 2014;13:177-190. Chiu A, Chon SQY, Kimball AB. The response of skin disease to stress. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:897-900. Holmes CJ, Plichta JK, Gamelli R et al. Dynamic role of host stress responses in modulating the cutaneous microbiome: implications for wound healing and infection. Adv Wound Care. 2015;4:24-37. Maarouf M, Maarouf CL, Yosipovitch G et al. The impact of stress on epidermal barrier function: an evidence-based review. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181:1129-1137.References Altemus M, Rao B, Dhabhar FS et al. Stress-induced changes in skin barrier function in healthy women. J Invest Dermatol. 2001;117:309-317. Bin Saif GA, Alotaibi HM, Alzolibani AA et al. Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students. Saudi Med J. 2018;39:59-66. Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16:143-155. Cahn BR, Goodman MS, Peterson CT et al. Yoga, mediation, and mind-body health: Increased BDNF, cortisol awakening response, and altered inflammatory marker expression after a 3-month yoga and meditation retreat. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017. Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: Stress, inflammation, and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy—Drug Targets. 2014;13:177-190. Chiu A, Chon SQY, Kimball AB. The response of skin disease to stress. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:897-900. Chiu IM, von Hehn CA, Woolf CJ. Neurogenic inflammation – the peripheral nervous system’s role in host defense and immunopathology. Nat Neurosci. 2013;15:1063-1067. Choe SJ, Kim D, Kim EJ et al. Psychological stress deteriorates skin barrier function by activating 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and the HPA axis. Sci Rep. 2018;8:6334. Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Miller GE. Psychological stress and disease. JAMA. 2007;298:1685-1687. Crane JD, MacNeil LG, Lally JS et al. Exercise-stimulated interleukin-15 is controlled by AMPK and regulates skin metabolism and aging. Aging Cell. 2015;14:625-634. Desanayaka NN, Sirisena ND, Smaranayake N. The effects of meditation on length of telomeres in healthy individuals: A systematic review. Systematic Rev. 2021;10:1-6. Djalilova DM, Schulz PS, Berger AM et al. Impact of yoga on inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review. Biol Res Nurs. 2018;21:198-209. Drummond PD, Su D. Increases in psychological stress precede flares of rosacea: A prospective study. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res. 2017;8:1-4. Dunn JH, Koo J. Psychological stress and skin aging: A review of possible mechanisms and potential therapies. Dermatol Online J. 2013;19:18561. Ehlers A, Stangier U, Gieler U. Treatment of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of psychological and dermatological approaches to relapse prevention. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996;63:624-625. Fukada M, Kano E, Miyoshi M et al. Effect of ‘rose essential oil’ inhalation on stress-induced skin-barrier disruption in rats and humans. Chem Senses. 2012; 37:347-356. Goyarts E, Matsui M, Mammone T et al. Norepinephrine modulates human dendritic cell activation by altering cytokine release. Exp Dermatol. 2008;17:188-196. Graefe S, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, substance P. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing 2021. Hedman-Lagerlof E, Fust J, Axelsson E et al. Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for atopic dermatitis: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157:796-804. Holmes CJ, Plichta JK, Gamelli R et al. Dynamic role of host stress responses in modulating the cutaneous microbiome: implications for wound healing and infection. Adv Wound Care. 2015;4:24-37. Neerackal RJ, Latheef NA, Sukumarakurup S, Jaffernay M. Relaxation therapy in the management of psoriasis. Derm Ther. 2020;33:e14030. Kabat-Zinn J, Wheeler E, Light T et al. Influence of mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UVB) or photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosomatic Med. 1998;60:625-632. Karl JA, Fischer R. Rituals, repetitiveness, and cognitive load: A competitive test of ritual benefits for stress. Hum Nat. 2018;29:418-441. Katuri KK, Dasari AB, Kurapati S et al. Association of yoga practice and serum cortisol levels in chronic periodontitis patients with stress-related anxiety and depression. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2016;6:7-14. Kinsinger SW. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: current insights. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:231-237. Koncz A, Demetrovics Z, Takacs ZK. Meditation interventions efficiently reduce cortisol levels of at-risk samples: A meta-analysis. Health Psych Rev. 2021;15:56-84. Liu Y-Z, Wang Y-X, Jiang C-L. Inflammation: The common pathway of stress-related diseases. Front Hum Neurosci. 2017;11:316-326. Maarouf M, Maarouf CL, Yosipovitch G et al. The impact of stress on epidermal barrier function: an evidence-based review. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181:1129-1137. Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Human Anatomy & Physiology. 11th ed. Pearson Educational Ltd. 2019. Mijouin L, Hillion M, Ramdani Y et al. Effects of a skin neuropeptide (substance P) on cutaneous microflora. PLOS One. 2013;8:e78773. Oyetakin-White P, Koo B, Matsui M et al. Effects of sleep quality on skin aging and function. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;S126. Robinson H, Jarrett P, Broadbent E. The effects of relaxation before or after skin damage on skin barrier recovery: A preliminary study. Psychosom Med. 2015;77:844-852. Romana-Souza B, Otranto M, Almeida TF et al. Stress-induced epinephrine levels compromise murine dermal fibroblast activity through beta-adrenoreceptors. Exp Dermatol. 2011;20:413-419. Romana-Souza B, Otranto M, Vieira AM et al. Rotational stress-induced increase in epinephrine levels delays cutaneous would healing in mice. Rain Behav Immunol. 2010;24:427-437. Sandoval MHL, Ayres EL. Skin aging and stress. Stress and Skin Disorders. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland. 2017. Tampa M, Sarbu M-I, Mitran M-I. The pathophysiological mechanisms and the question for biomarkers in psoriasis, a stress-related skin disease. Disease Markers. 2018;5823684. van Doren SR. Matrix metalloproteinase interactions with collagen and elastin. Matrix Biol. 2015;224-231. Zari S, Alrahmani D. The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clin Cosm Invest Dermatol. 2017;10:503-506. Zhuang Y, Lyga J. Inflammaging in skin and other tissues – the role of complement system and macrophage. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014;13:153-161.

Use your skincare to restore calm this holiday season Just thinking about the looming holiday season sends my heart racing. I can’t be the only one who greets the festive period with part excitement, part terror. Thoughts of all the extra organizing, expectations, and crippling fear of everything not going to plan can quickly send me spiraling.  And where’s one of the first places I notice extra stress? My skin. Whether it’s dry, puffy, inflamed, or breaking out, I know I need to find more zen when my skin is acting out. If you’re someone who also finds themselves running around the grocery store, panicking because you’ve forgotten to buy a critical ingredient (there’s always one), then fear not! This article will share some super easy tips and tricks to keep your mind and skin as relaxed as possible over the coming months. #1 Get a good night’s sleep Every doctor and therapist will agree that sleep helps everything feel more manageable. It’s critical to helping us recharge and better handle whatever stresses may be thrown our way. Trust me, all the additional socializing and organizing will feel a thousand times easier if you’re consistently sleeping well.  In one study, 21% of adults reported feeling more stressed after not getting enough sleep. Those who slept for less than eight hours a night said they experienced higher stress levels than those who slept a minimum of eight hours. To set yourself up for a night of high-quality rest, why not create a ritual to prepare and prime your mind for sleep? I personally LOVE Erno Laszlo’s Rising Star Sleep Set.  The kit includes the Hydra-Therapy Memory Gel Sleep Mask - perfect for indulging your skin and restoring moisture overnight. There’s also a pink quartz Gua Sha facial massage tool. Massaging your skin helps increase dopamine and serotonin - feel-good chemicals - so what better way to treat your skin and mind?  You can then use the Multi-Task Serum Eye Mask in the morning to hydrate and brighten.   #2 Wash away your stressful thoughts If you know me at all, you know I’m all about connecting mindfulness with my skincare routine. This holiday season, use your cleansing process as a way to wash away any stressful thoughts or anxieties. Think of it as visualisation meets cleansing. Studies on the brain reveal that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions. By visualising your worries washing away, your brain will begin to believe they actually are, restoring greater calm and inner peace. To target whatever skin concerns you may have while calming your mind, the Big Break Soap Set is incredible.  Is your skin feeling dry? Use the Phelityl Cleansing Bar, perfect for hydration and glow. Does your skin feel congested? If that’s the case, the Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar uses charcoal to detoxify. And, finally, if you’re just looking for an all-round pick me up, the Brightening Cleansing Bar will work wonders. #3 Make life easier The holiday season can be stressful, but your skincare doesn’t have to be. Despite how busy the season may get, schedule in non-negotiable time to relax. Block out an evening to run a hot bath and put on a face mask. The rest of the world can wait! Hot baths have been shown to reduce inflammation - a key symptom of excess stress. They’ve also been shown to improve sleep quality. A perfect full circle moment back to tip #1. The Vitality Treatment Mask is a favourite of mine to pair with an indulgent bath. It’s been shown to increase skin’s hydration levels by up to 48%, making it a real treat for your complexion and relaxation. No matter what you’re doing over the holidays, or how manic life might get, remember to always take time for yourself.  Even if it’s only a few minutes every day, put aside the time to treat your skin and mind. Sometimes this is all it takes to recharge and keep yourself at your best. This time of year should be fun, so go out there and have a blast! With love,PoppyFounder of @happynotperfect  and Not Perfect Podcast with Poppy Jami‪e‬

You might hear the word gratitude thrown around a lot. We’re told to be grateful regularly, but you never really hear why we should feel that way. It can be easy to discount gratitude as ‘just another wellness cliche’. Plus when you’re in a tough spot in life, trying to look on the bright side can feel near impossible. But you can’t underestimate the beautiful effect being grateful can have on your physical and mental health. It’s a cleanser for the soul, but what is the science behind it? Let’s look at the research behind why gratitude practices can truly work wonders for your mind and body. The Science of Gratitude Plenty of researchers have looked into what gratitude can actually do for us. The mountain of evidence is quite impressive!  One study found that students who were higher in gratitude were less stressed and depressed, and had higher perceived social support by the end of term. While another showed that grateful individuals experience more positive emotions and have greater satisfaction with life. It isn’t something to keep bottled up, either. Expressing your gratitude to others can improve your mental health and keep negativity at bay. In one particular piece of research, participants who wrote about what they were grateful for appeared far more optimistic about their lives after ten weeks. They also exercised more and had fewer doctor visits than those who focused on sources of aggravation or neutral events. Furthermore, gratitude can also lead to greater sleep quality and duration, as well as less sleep latency and daytime dysfunction. And sharing those feelings with your partner can help you feel more positive towards the relationship and more comfortable expressing any concerns. Why Does Gratitude Work?  Practicing gratitude can fundamentally change the neural structure of our brains, altering the way we see and perceive the world. Gratitude - like so many other behaviours - is a habit. And consistently practicing it helps train your brain to look out for everything that’s going well in your life. Over time, we can strengthen these neural pathways, with positivity and optimism becoming our go-to mindsets. It also has an impact on our biology at the neurochemical level. When we express gratitude or receive it from others, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, two feel-good hormones. These enhance our mood immediately and will have so many brilliant knock-on effects on your wider health and wellbeing. It’s amazing what can happen when you practice gratitude. Gradually, you begin to observe the good things in your life rather than habitually leaning on the negative. Building Your Own Gratitude Routine Erno Laszlo and I are passionate about helping you reduce your stress, be grateful for your wonderful life, and enjoy more radiant skin as a result! So, how can we all fit some gratitude practice into our hectic lives? My first tip is to link gratitude with another habit. We’re so much more likely to keep up with our practice if it’s connected to a staple part of our existing routine. Why not try linking your gratitude practice with your skincare?  Keep a note on your mirror that says “what am I grateful for today?” Whenever you’re massaging in your Hydra-Therapy Gel Cream or Firmarine Night Cream before bed, challenge yourself to think of 3-5 things that made your day. Another tip is to get others involved. Before bed, ask your partner what they’re grateful for, and have them return the question to you. Make this a daily habit between the two of you, encouraging you to always finish your days on a positive note. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking more about what you’re grateful for. It not only feels good, science has officially proven all the multiple benefits of this simple practice. Whether you’re thankful for your family, friends, career, home, or anything else, I’d love to hear how you include gratitude in your routine! With love,PoppyFounder of @happynotperfect  and Not Perfect Podcast with Poppy Jami‪e‬

We all have moments where life gets on top of us. 100 deadlines hit at once, we have to do months of work in one week and the inbox feels overflowing - I am sure you can relate. This is why Erno Laszlo and I are passionate about providing simple, easy ways to relax and take a step back from it all, such as turning your daily skincare routine into a mindfulness moment. Promoting pockets of relaxation before you start your day and go to bed.  But, in honour of National Relaxation Day on August 15th, we thought we’d give you a few extra ideas to up the relaxation and decrease the stress. I’m confident you’ll love them because they’re just so easy and effortless to fit into your daily life! #1 - Belly Breathing for One Minute One of the first physiological signs of stress is quick, shallow breathing. It’s a telltale sign of our sympathetic nervous system (stress response) kicking into action.  Belly breathing, however, forces you to slow your breathing down and tricks your body into thinking you’re relaxed - even if you aren’t yet! The phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” comes to mind. It triggers your parasympathetic nervous system to step up and return you to a place of calm and relaxation.  After you apply your serum or VTM Micro-Essence, take a moment to belly breathe. Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. As you inhale deeply through your nose, feel your belly push out. Then, as you exhale through your mouth, feel your belly fall, and gently use your hand to push all the air out. Repeat this for 1 minute, really taking your time to go through the motions, release tension and welcome in a peaceful calmness with each breath. You’ll be amazed at how you feel afterwards.  #2 - Walking The simple act of walking holds so many incredible health benefits for our minds and bodies - from loosening up our muscles and bodily tension to distancing us from the stressors that threaten our inner peace. Research shows that walking also promotes the release of endorphins (brain chemicals that make us more relaxed and improve our mood). Just a quick 10-minute walk can improve your mood. So whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, try to get outside today and move your body. Even better, see if you can get out in nature and away from the hustle and bustle. Dr Erno Laszlo was passionate about the benefits of connecting the mind, body and skin and used to encourage Marilyn Monroe to take a short walk every morning after her skin care routine!  #3 - Napping I’m here to reassure you that there’s nothing wrong with a mid-afternoon siesta. It can actually make you more alert, reduce stress, and improve your cognitive function. According to some studies, you can expect more benefits from getting 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon than you could from an extra 20 minutes in the morning. And experts also say that lying down and resting is a mood booster - whether you actually fall asleep or not! Why don’t you try out the power of napping today? Perhaps you could apply the VTM Pink Mask and take a 20 minute Zzz while the mask works its magic? Not only will this help you feel great, but also look great.   #4 - Relaxing Food Food changes how we feel quickly and studies prove that certain foods help us relax.  So in light of National Relaxation Day, why not start the day right with some oatmeal? Not only does it help you avoid sugary cereals, it also naturally boosts your serotonin levels - a chemical often found in antidepressants. Then you can finish your breakfast off with some yogurt. The probiotics have been linked to reduced brain activity in areas associated with stress.  For lunch, maybe try a salad full of leafy greens like spinach. These contain folate, which produces dopamine, the feel-good chemical in our brain. And for a mid-afternoon snack, opt for some dark chocolate - at least 70% cocoa. Dark chocolate has been linked to decreased cortisol levels (a stress hormone), lowered blood pressure, and improved circulation. All are great ways to keep your brain (and gut) happy, healthy, and relaxed!    Relaxed gut, happier skin :)   #5 - Being Around Great People Our emotions are contagious, with studies demonstrating our innate tendency to mimic the moods of others - for better or worse.  Meaning if you encounter a co-worker who’s in a bad mood, frowning and moaning about their day, you’re more likely to experience a drop in your own mental state. But if it’s someone beaming with love, positive vibes and energy, well, you can’t help but become affected by that in the best way! So on national relaxation today especially, consciously choose to surround yourself with people who make you feel great and peaceful.  Whatever you find relaxes you, I hope you indulge in even more of it today. If you would like a personalized meditation then please find details of the competition we are running on our social media @ernolaszlo ! Days like this are a great reminder to slow down, check in, and look after ourselves first. You cannot pour from an empty cup so take advantage of an entire day to refill you! If you try any of these tips, let me know how it goes! With love, as always! Poppy Founder of @happynotperfect  and Not Perfect Podcast with Poppy Jami‪e‬