Octisalate: Your Guide to This Common Sunscreen Ingredient
Discover the benefits, safety, and environmental impact of Octisalate, a key ingredient in many sunscreens. Learn how it protects your...
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Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist | CEO | Functional Textile Expert | Bioethicist | Educator | Author | Mom
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Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 95 min read
The Truth About Avobenzone: Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices
Avobenzone is one of the most commonly used ingredients in sunscreens today. Known for its ability to absorb the full spectrum of UVA...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 93 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Titanium Dioxide in Sunscreen
Discover the benefits of titanium dioxide as a sunscreen ingredient, its safety, effectiveness, and environmental impact. Learn why it's...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 84 min read
Everything You Need to Know About Octocrylene in Sunscreen
Learn about Octocrylene, a common sunscreen ingredient that offers broad-spectrum UV protection. Discover its benefits, potential side...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 83 min read
Understanding Octinoxate in Sunscreen: Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives
Learn about Octinoxate, a common sunscreen ingredient, its benefits, potential risks, and eco-friendly alternatives. Discover why only 3%...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
May 144 min read
SPF for Lips
Lip balms tend to use thicker wax-based ingredients intended to protect the thin skin of the lips while also sealing in moisture to add...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
May 82 min read
Saffron Benefits for Skin: Exploring the Effectiveness and Value of Saffron in Skincare
Discover the powerful skin benefits of saffron. Learn how saffron can protect, enhance, and rejuvenate your skin.
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Feb 242 min read
Tea tree oil | Why is this in so many skin and hair care products?
Tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It is found in numerous skin and hair care products. Read more......
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Feb 222 min read
Niacinamide in skincare
Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3. Although this can hydrate the skin as well, most of its reputation is built on its...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jan 217 min read
Snail mucin | Is snail mucin good for your skin?
One of the ways I can gauge how far down the rabbit hole of skincare my patients have gone is when they tell me they have added snail...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Dec 2, 20234 min read
Chin hair
Some women report the development of chin hair as early as puberty while many women note these hairs poking out by their mid-30s....
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Nov 9, 20235 min read
How to shop for retinol
If you are just starting on a retinol product, I recommend starting with brands found at the drugstore. The reason is simple. These...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Nov 6, 20233 min read
Nicotinamide | Vitamin B3 & Skin cancer
Nicotinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, also known as niacin or nicotinic acid. Nicotinamide has been shown to play an important role in...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Nov 4, 20235 min read
Night Creams | How to choose a Retinol
Nighttime is the best opportunity to help your skin repair itself from the damage it sees during the day from UV rays and free radicals...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 30, 20233 min read
Green Tea in Skincare
Green tea has been a staple of diets in Asian cultures and increasing in popularity in Western countries. The consumption of green tea...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 21, 20232 min read
Flame Retardants & Pajamas
There is a long history behind flame retardants and pajamas. In 1953, the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA) was passed to regulate highly...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 21, 20233 min read
Antioxidants in Photoprotection
In some ways, you can think about safe sun protection similar to sex education. In other words, abstinence or avoiding the sun and photo...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 21, 20232 min read
50 Ways to Shade | Polypodium leucotomos
There are phenolic compounds in polypodium leucotomos that can work by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide induced by UV exposure...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 2, 20235 min read
What’s in your clothing | Textile Dyes
Most textiles will have some sort of textile dye to impart a color to the garment and yes, this may trigger some skin issues that it's...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Sep 18, 20234 min read
Turmeric | 8 Health Benefits, including if it's good for skin care
Turmeric is a spice that serves as a source of curcumin, a polyphenol. Curcumin has several health benefits and has been used in skin...
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