Emma's World

 Hi, babes! Emma here, and today's post will be about post-inflammatory erythema, better known in the skincare world as PIE. But what is it? Keep reading to find out.  If you’ve ever experienced acne, you know that once a pimple itself is finally gone, the skin can often look red or irritated in the area where the original blemish was. There’s a technical term for this: Post-Inflammatory Erythema, often referred to as PIE. And it can often be just as stubborn and frustrating as the original acne itself. This usually happens when inflammation occurs associated with an acne bump and it triggers an increase and dilation of blood vessels and vascularity. This is where that redness comes from, relating to an increased concentration of blood vessels in that area. Additionally, the general redness that goes along with the inflammation can linger and also contribute to post-inflammatory erythema.  Mild, non-inflamed acne, which includes blackheads and whiteheads, or comedonal acn...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today I'll be sharing some tips for lightening your underarms. I'm sure that many of you, including me, have encountered this issue so here's some things that have worked for me. But first, a little breakdown on why this happens.  How do I brighten my underarms? was a question my sister and I asked our mum when we were in our teens. She told us that this was a question she was very well used to and we weren’t the first to ask or wonder about it. She said the issue humbled her greatly because it was a hard thing to treat, but she’d try.  So here are some tips and pearls of wisdom my mum, a dermatologist of over twenty years of experience, shared with us that I’ll in turn share with you.  Before we get into the how, I first need to tell you the why. Underarm skin is delicate. In terms of depth, it is analogous to eyelid skin. This means that it is very easy to irritate this skin, and unfortunately, irritation also produces additional pigmentation. ...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today we'll be talking about the key differences between face oils and serums. I'm sure many of you are already familiar with what each does, but I'm still here to provide a deeper understanding for those just starting out.  Serums have become a staple in most beauty routines, from hyaluronic acid solutions that reduce the appearance of wrinkles to vitamin Cs that help to promote a more even skin tone. On the other hand, face oil is a more recent subcategory of skincare, yet it is growing in acceptance. Numerous skincare enthusiasts used to object to the idea of using oil to their faces in the past, and yet today jojoba and marula oils are popular choices for those seeking to soften their skin.  Oil and Water Both oil and water are essential for the skin’s proper function. The dermis holds collagen, elastin, and skin water to give the skin a plump and youthful appearance. The epidermis (skin barrier) contains important skin oils in the form of lipi...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today we're talking about cinnamyl alchohol, a fragrance compound many of you have, either unknowingly or knowingly, encountered in your routines by now. Not sure? Keep reading to see.  Cinnamyl alcohol may be one of those substances that makes you wonder why it's on the label. Nevertheless, before you start to wonder what it is and what it does, the name ought to offer you a hint. It is a fragrance component extracted from cinnamon and balsam and cosmetics and skincare products are usually fragranced with it. This ingredient is typically found in perfumes, shower and bath products, anti-aging skincare, deodorants, and other toiletry-like products. I’ll take the opportunity to tell you more about it in today’s article.  Basically, cinnamyl alcohol is an organic compound (when speaking about chemicals, this just means that it is derived from carbon) that is frequently used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics. Although it is naturally occurring, it i...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today's topic will be focused on blue light treatments, what they do and how effective they are. I'm sure you're aware of it, but I'm here to provide the info in a concise manner for you, as per usual.  If you’re a seasoned reader on my blog, you know there are a lot of dermatology procedures and treatments out there. One treatment in particular that's been gaining in popularity is blue light therapy, which is different from the protective sprays many people use for screen exposure so instead of blocking it, this procedure takes advantage of the best properties of blue light. Dermatologists often use blue light on its own to treat acne, but it also can work alongside a broader, more complex therapy regimen to treat precancerous, sun-damaged skin. But how well does blue light treatment for sun damage actually work, and what should you know before considering it for yourself? Then read on.  What Is Blue Light Therapy? Blue light is a specific...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today's topic will be centred around sunscreen allergies. Even though a fairly small amount of individuals suffer from them, I believe it's a topic worth writing about. Without further ado, let's get into it.  After a day of fun in the sun, sometimes it isn’t a surprise to see some redness and feel the uncomfortable itching sensation that comes with it. But that isn’t necessarily caused by missing a few spots with your sunscreen or forgetting to reapply. (Remember that it’s crucial to thoroughly slather on SPF every 90 minutes or so when you’re enjoying some time al fresco.) That could actually be an allergic reaction to your sunscreen. How common is it really for people to be allergic to sunscreen? Uncommon, according to experts. There are some ingredients that are somewhat irritating to people with sensitive skin, causing what is called an irritant allergy, and this is much more common than having a true allergy (or a contact allergy). Read on to...

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today I'll be sharing with you some tips and trick to prevent your sunscreen from pilling. This is quite a common occurance that quickly becomes a nuisance and inevitably leads to wasting your product, so I'm here to help you prevent that.  We've all been there: your face has been cleaned and moisturised, yet something goes awry right before you apply sunscreen. Instead of sliding over your skin lusciously, the lotion suddenly becomes gritty, forming small lumps or "pills," as industry jargon goes, causing you to repeat your entire routine. Not only is sunscreen pilling inconvenient, but it is also a waste of product, so what can you do? Here is some advice on how to prevent this. But first, how and why does this happen?  Anyone experiencing sunscreen pilling for the first time is forced to ask: Is it me or the product? Experts believe it could be both, with two major causes: the products you use and how you use them. Fortunately, experts...