Your questions answered by Dr. Goldfaden

Q: What makes "Bright Eyes" so magical? I've tried so many eye creams over the years and I've honestly never used a better product! I'm also curious what Dr. Goldfaden's most recommended skin care tip/technique is to help keep skin looking refreshed and hydrated (other than drinking tons of water, of course!). 

A: The three main culprits under and around the eye area are dark circles, puffiness and fine lines/wrinkles. All of these are caused by the breakdown or deterioration of the fibrous network composed of proteins, elastin, and collagen, resulting in thinner skin in the eye region as you age. Bright Eyes is a triple action powerhouse.  Formulated with arnica, soy peptides, rice bran extract, organic red tea, hyaluronic acid and crushed mica to deliver de-puffing and brightening properties in addition to delivering a radiant appearance to eyes. A fun tip is to keep Bright Eyes in the refrigerator for that extra cooling effect!
 
Q: I have really dry skin and no matter what I use it does not seem to really resolve the dryness. I have tried your foam face wash but is there something better to exfoliate with to lift that dry layer without doing damage. 

A: A dry complexion can be such a conundrum. You want to achieve smooth skin but not dry it out more with aggressive exfoliators. Try our Doctor’s Scrub Ruby crystal infused exfoliator 1-2 times a week to exfoliate away stubborn dry and dead skin cells. You may also like to try our gentle hypoallergenic cleanser, Pure Start. A great tip for dry complexions is to mix a little Pure Start cleanser in with Doctors Scrub. This loosens the scrub up ever so slightly and will allow you to use it more frequently.
 
Q: I just started using the bright eyes treatment, looking for something to feel more awake since I have a baby at home and do not sleep much! I'd like to know what he would recommend for a skin care routine when short on time. If you only had 5 min a day, what would be the best way to work towards and maintain healthy skin?

A: Congratulations on becoming a mom! This is a terrific question and one I get asked frequently. The modern life is busy and keeping a daily regimen simple is crucial. Three must do steps in a regimen are exfoliate, repair and protect. Our Doctor’s Scrub is a great product to have in your arsenal against aging! Repair and protect go hand in hand, choose a powerhouse anti-pollution serum loaded with antioxidants (vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin b and vitamin e). I created our Brightening Elixir exactly for this purpose! All regimens must be sealed with the ultimate protection of an SPF.
 
Q: I love Dr. Goldfaden's products.  I am currently using the Needless line smoothing and the brightening elixir. I am a 49-year-old mother of three boys. I am a vegetarian since the age of 13 and in great shape, as I am a runner and do Strength training and conditioning 3x a week. Though, I am now starting to see a few fine lines underneath my eyes. Does he have any suggestions for what products to use, other than what I have?

A: Sounds like you’re in terrific shape-keep up the good work! Stubborn fine lines and wrinkles are part of life but of course, we all want to look as young as we feel. Needle-less is a terrific serum for all targeted areas where you may need lifting or filling, except for under the eyes. Think of Needle-less as an alternative to an in-office injectable (great for the forehead, crows feet, frown lines, nasolabial folds (aka laugh lines). For under eye purposes you should be using our Bright Eyes triple action eye treatment. Soy Peptide, Rice Bran Extract, Organic Red Tea and Arnica work together to deliver de-puffing and brightening properties while ensuring the eye area has a luminous and youthful-looking appearance. A cult favorite and good for all ages and skin types!
 
Q: I have been using IS Skincare overall, and I love it. My main reason is the potency of the product and the instant results, as well as them being fully recommended, trained and specializing in products ok for use for cancer patients. I don’t like IS’s eye cream, so I have been trying Dr. Goldfaden’s for dark circles, as cancer treatments often leave that area dark and depleted. I am a recent cancer survivor and any info on this topic would be of relevance.

A: Thank you for your question and wonderful to hear your health is good, we hope you’re feeling great! In basic physiological terms, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes indicates a problem retaining blood in the skin’s upper layers. This is caused by poor or compromised hemodynamic properties and limited blood flow. Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by medications, allergies, health treatments, hereditary, and certain illnesses. Our Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate is the perfect choice for your desired results. Soy Peptide, Rice Bran Extract, Organic Red Tea and Arnica work together to deliver de-puffing and brightening properties while ensuring the eye area has a luminous and youthful-looking appearance.
 
Q: I currently use his daily moisturizer and I am loving it. My question would be about sourcing.  How does he choose ingredients, where does he source all the wonderful ingredients in his products from and how does he choose who to source from?

A: We are so happy to hear you love Vital Boost. As a brand, we continue to scour the globe for innovative and effective natural ingredients. Advancements in the uses of natural actives--meaning substances produced by a live organism— in medicine have been significant. And we have witnessed a massive shift in the beauty industry toward a demand for “cleaner” products. It seems that new natural active ingredients with unique treatment benefits are being introduced almost daily, so we are constantly working to stay at the forefront of discovery and sourcing the best possible ingredients for our formulas. We aim to source and produce from and with ethical suppliers. All of our packaging has been made with love and care from recyclable materials as well.

Q: If he had to choose one product that he is the proudest, which one would it be and why?  

A: Fleuressence Native Botanical Oil because of the amount of active ingredients and the texture. We went through many versions of this oil to get it just right. When we finalized this product we knew we had something special. This product is the perfect example of incorporating exotic ingredients. This oil features extracts from plants in the Kalahari Desert in Africa to the Rooibos (organic Red Tea) fields of South Africa.

Q: I would love to know how much is too much when it comes to actives and acids. I use a glycol night serum and was wondering if also using his cleanser is TOO much.

A: When it comes to acids your skin will tell you. Glycolic products can make skin dry and red if overused or used in conjunction with other aggressive acids.  If you are referring to our Pure Start cleanser, you can use it every day and night in conjunction with any other products in your regimen.  If you are referring to our Detox Clarifying Wash, which contains two AHA acids), you should not have an issue, but listen to your skin. If you start to feel dry then back off and only use the cleanser on days you don’t use your glycol serum. Over exfoliation can cause dryness. The climate you live in and the time of year will dictate your skin’s susceptibility.
 
Q: My only question for Dr. Goldfaden is if there are any plans to come out with an SPF moisturizer anytime soon.

A: SPF can break down the ingredients in products and affect the efficacy of them. So, unfortunately not anytime soon.  
 
Q: I am a mom of three kids and work full time so I feel like I do not have much time for my skin care routine. What are Dr. Goldfaden's top three daily tips for keeping skin looking vibrant and fresh? What are his thoughts on moderate alcohol use and its effect on the skin? Lastly, are there products you can use at home that can help achieve the benefits of facials if you are not someone who schedules monthly facials?

A: This is terrific question and one I get asked frequently. The modern life is busy and keeping a daily regimen simple is crucial. Three must do steps in a regimen are exfoliate, repair and protect. Our Doctor’s Scrub is a great product to have in your arsenal against aging! Repair and protect go hand in hand, choose a powerhouse anti-pollution serum loaded with antioxidants (vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin B and vitamin E). I created our Brightening Elixir exactly for this purpose! All regimens must be sealed with the ultimate protection of an SPF.
Moderation is the key to everything but alcohol absolutely takes a toll on the quality of the skin. Alcohol not only dries out the skin but also causes redness and inflammation.

All of the above-mentioned products would keep your skin looking like you get weekly facials! I would also recommend adding our Wake Up Call overnight regenerative facial treatment to your regimen. A luxurious, creamy moisturizer may help leave you with luminous, more youthful-looking skin. Powerful rejuvenating and firming ingredients such as CoQ10, DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Retinol, and Organic Red Tea may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, while nourishing and restorative vitamin E, avocado, and Grapeseed Oils may deliver intense hydration and long-lasting skin soothing benefits.
 
Q: I do have a question for Dr. G - in terms of brightening, what differentiates his product from other brighteners on the market?  What makes it 'clean' and is it just as effective as non-clean options?  The same question applies for all of his products, generally speaking.
Also, what is the number one thing he has seen women do to their skin in his over 40 years of experience that is most alarming (and fixable)?

A: In most cases, our products differ due to what we do not formulate with. Many products utilize Vitamin C and Retinol, but what type of Vitamin C and where is the Retinol derived from (animal or plant based)? Many ‘non-clean’ products contain fillers or ingredients that are not on our formulation list. We don’t put harsh ingredients into our products that cause irritation to the skin. We are result focused and naturally conscience.  A good example of this is Our Brightening Elixir, which features Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) 9%, Ferulic acid 3%, Vitamin B 3%, and Vitamin E 2% (alpha tocopherol). This serum is meticulously formulated at percentage levels to deliver maximum visible results while remaining suitable and well-tolerated by all skin types (including sensitive). 

Sun damage is the number one mistake people make, with smoking coming in a close second. Sun damage doesn't show the signs of damage on the skin until years afterward.  Sun damage and all that comes with it (hyperpigmentation, dull complexion, wrinkles) are very difficult to fully reverse. Exfoliation, brightening serum, acids, peels, and lasers can all help with the appearance and quality of the skin.  Stay out of the sun and do not smoke.