Just Ask David

Personal care products we use on a regular basis like shaving cream, body wash, and even toothpaste can have toxic chemicals hidden in their ingredient lists.

In fact, the European Union recently banned over 1,100 chemicals from being used in any beauty or personal care products.

The United States, on the other hand, has only banned 11.

Hidden Ingredients and How to Look for Them

1,4 dioxane is a carcinogen.

But because it’s a by-product created through a process called ethoxylation, it’s not included in the ingredients list.

And actually, the big brands could spend the extra money to purify these chemicals from cancerous byproducts.

There are even safer and equally effective (and slightly more expensive) chemicals that could substitute for chemicals that create hazardous by-product.

But many brands refuse to change their formulas.

While the Safe Beauty movement is amping up the standards for chemicals used in our products, there is still much work to be done.

Empower yourself by remembering these 3 rules the next time you shop for beauty products.

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Most people don’t realize it, but there’s a world of beauty remedies right in your pantry!

DIY beauty is a fantastic (and frugal!) way to avoid harmful chemicals in beauty products without sacrificing your looks.

A lot of everyday food products - like honey or lemons - are surprisingly effective at improving the appearance of skin and hair.

How to Remove Waterproof Makeup

While it’s true that soap and water won’t get rid of waterproof makeup, that doesn’t mean you don’t have what you need to do the job.

All you need is olive oil and a cotton ball. Saturate the cotton ball with olive oil and dab it lightly on your face.

The oil will actually mix and dissolve makeup instantly. It’s the same idea as using an oil-based makeup remover by using the oils to break down stubborn waterproof pigment.

Hey Snowbirds - Get Sandal Ready Fast!

Instead of being too embarrassed by your cracked heels to wear sandals, here’s a beauty lifehack that will help your skin go from crocodilian to baby soft!

All you need is a basin of hot water and a lemon. Squeeze the lemon juice into the basin and soak the affected area in the basin for a few minutes.

Apply your favorite lotion, and that’s it - you’re beach-ready!

But how can such a simple solution work?

You’ve actually just created your own chemical peel for your hands and feet.

The acidic lemon juice helps loosen up dirt and the dead layers of skin cells, but is still gentle enough to not irritate your skin.

You can rinse and go, or you can amp up the exfoliation with a foot and hand scrub. Keep listening for the recipe!

Listen for More Beauty Tricks You Can Do at Home!

I have hundreds of DIY beauty recipes that can rejuvenate your skin, hair, and well-being.

And the best part? You can find all the ingredients in your kitchen.

For more beauty hacks, keep listening! Don’t forget to follow on Instagram @JustAskDavid!

As the seasons change, our outfits change. We put up our holiday decorations. We spring clean.

And it’s always a refreshing experience, right?

Well, when’s the last time you did that to your medicine cabinet? When’s the last time you reevaluated the beauty products you’re using?

Spring (and Fall) Cleaning!

“Every six months, you want to get rid of old makeup,” David says. Why? “Things can get contaminated, dry out, or even flake into the eyes, which can be harmful.”

Mascara, lip gloss, and eyeliner and the biggest culprits of drying out or becoming a hotbed for bacteria after a few long months of use.

David’s advice?

“Just treat spring and fall as the time of the year to get rid of old makeup,” he says.

New Season, New Face

“As we change seasons, we just talked about cleaning some of our makeup. You want to do the same for your skin,” David says.

But instead of using just a physical exfoliant, like a facial scrub, David suggests using a targeted serum, too.

“That’ll give you a chemical exfoliation without being irritating,” he says. Plus, any skin issues you’re constantly dealing with, like redness or dryness, can be addressed with a special serum. Awesome!

Clean Products All Year Round

Many commonplace personal products contain chemicals that are suspected to be irritating or even potentially cancerous!

Luckily, all it takes to purge poisonous products from your medicine cabinet is a little research.

“You want to look at the ingredient statement and make sure to avoid all of the harmful chemicals,” David suggests.

But what are some of the chemicals we should be avoiding? “Anything ending in ‘eth,’ sulfates, anything that’s a glycol or a PEG,” he adds.

Need a full list of chemicals to keep out of your medicine cabinet?

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Listen to the podcast for a coupon for 50% PUR attitude’s entire skincare line!

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If you’ve been following this podcast, you already know a great deal of anti-aging skincare secrets from inside the beauty industry.

But beauty is more than skin deep. Sometimes you have to go a little deeper.

Board certified plastic surgeon and award-winning author Dr. Anthony Youn, MD, FACS, joins Just Ask David to give us a few fillers beyond skincare - pun intended.

Dr. Youn, better known as America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon® or America’s Holistic Beauty Doc™, believes that everyone can achieve their true beauty by taking a holistic approach - which may or may not involve plastic surgery.

Pretty Doesn’t Have to Hurt

“There’s so much out there now that’s non-invasive that we can do to create these massive changes,” Dr. Youn agrees.

“In the past, we looked at aging in a very two-dimensional fashion: Things sagged, and so we pulled them up.

Things have gotten more three-dimensional since then.

“Not only are we adding volume to fill out areas that have gotten thinner and more gaunt with age, but we’re also then changing the surface,” Dr. Youn adds.

“We’re removing blemishes and wrinkles and age spots. And the great thing is that so much of this is non-invasive, doesn’t hurt, and yet you see those results.”

How Your Sweet Tooth Sabotages Your Anti-Aging Regimen

“Diet is a huge thing. If you did one thing outside of skincare that could really help to make your skin healthier, I would recommend that you decrease the amount of sugar that you eat,” suggests Dr. Youn.

So why does sugar have such a disastrous effect on our skin and overall appearance? How could something that tastes so good be so bad for you?

Lose Fat FAST: The Holy Grail of Plastic Surgery!

“The Holy Grail of plastic surgery is losing fat without diet, exercising, surgery, or needles,” says Dr. Youn.

And plastic surgeons have it figured out.

“You can lose up to 25% of the thickness of your fat without any type of invasive procedure,” Dr. Youn adds.

But how? Is it possible to lose weight without diet, exercise, or surgery?

Listen to the podcast and find out!

Follow Dr. Youn on Social Media!

Don’t forget to “Like” him on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter @TonyYounMD!

Why are social media filters so popular?

Do we really want to look like puppy dogs? Or do we like how the filter blurs out our blemishes and imperfections?

Probably the second one.

“I think there is a quest for complexion perfection and the resurfacing of the skin,” beauty expert and style writer Felicia Walker Benson says. “And I think social media filters are helping to drive that trend.”

Felicia is publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the well-known fashion and beauty blog, ThisThatBeauty. And she’s written for Marie Claire, Lucky, Allure, Harper’s Bazaar, just to name a few.

She has a couple ideas on how the skincare industry is being transformed in new ways by social media.

Specifically… how to get skin as flawless as the puppy filter.

The Must Have Tool Everyone Needs for Perfect Skin

People like to take cute selfies while they’re doing it. (That’s why sheet masks dominated Instagram for so long!)

That’s absolutely the case for charged face rollers.

The smooth crystal stones in soft, marbled colors are so beautiful that it’s easy to be convinced that they can make you look just as lovely.

Not only that, but the crystals can vary by healing properties, making them perfect for anyone who likes to make their own laser-focused skincare regimen.

“I’m a very choose-your-adventure skincare person. So if my skin is feeling dull, I’m definitely going to reach for my rose quartz facial roller,” Felicia explains.

“I might reach for my jade roller if my skin is feeling kind of acne-prone or if it’s feeling a little irritated. Jade is supposed to be the clarifying and purifying stone.”

AHA! The Beauty of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

“So many new AHAs are being introduced to the market and you’re seeing that the consumer is very into this kind of product because it promises and delivers resurfaced skin,” Felicia says.

AHAs are booming in popularity, but Felicia warns against the harshness of some types.

She says her favorite AHAs are ones that aren’t harsh on the skin, citing Glow Recipe and Glossier as favorites.

“These are actually meant for daily use versus the super-charged glycolic acid peels. Lower concentration AHAs are better for daily use.”

Check Out Felicia Walker Benson on Social Media!

Visit her blog ThisThatBeauty, and don’t forget to follow on Twitter and Instagram @ThisThatBeauty!

With so many skin care products on the market, it’s impossible to figure out what you really need.

Some skin care routines (like the Korean method) have 10 or more steps!

In this segment, beauty guru David Pollock cuts to the chase: Which ingredients are essential for smooth, glowing skin?

Hyaluronic Acid

With that much moisture-retaining power, hyaluronic acid is especially perfect for smoothing fine wrinkles and replenishing dull, dry skin.

“This is a key ingredient in serums and moisturizers to help draw moisture out, bind it to the skin, and help plump up the skin, help it look moist, help it stay moisturized,” David says.

Vitamin C is excellent for the skin, especially when it comes to aging and sun damage. “It’s a powerful antioxidant and so it’s going to fight the signs of aging,” David says.

And you can get your daily dose of Vitamin C in a variety of ways. Take a supplement or use a serum - you’re still reaping the benefits.

“Vitamin C, whether it’s from orange juice or however you’re getting it, it’s going to work from the inside out,” David explains. “Topically, you’re going to have great results when you put it onto the skin.”

There are also several different types of Vitamin C which vary in purity and potency.

“The purest and most potent is l-ascorbic acid,” David says.

Glycolic acid is one of the best chemical exfoliants around.

“It’s the smallest molecule, which means that it’s going to go to the lower layers and it’s going to loosen that bond to the dead skin cells,” David explains.

And as harsh as glycolic acid may sound, it’s actually gentle enough to use at home.

“You don’t have to hump to the large peels or necessarily get them done at the doctor’s office… those have their place and are great to do,” David says. “A light level of glycolic use several times a week, and you’re going to see such a great difference and more radiance to your skin.”

“The items from earlier are more for those in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and up,” David says. “Retinol is for those with more damage as you get into your 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s - you get the deep wrinkles.”

Retinol is well-known for its anti-aging properties, but use this one with caution. It can be dangerous to be exposed to the sun’s rays after application. And just a little goes a long way.

“You’re going to want to find something that’s 0.5-1%,” David suggests. “It doesn’t take much.”

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Prescription medication can burn a serious hole in your wallet.

Rising healthcare costs mean that many of us are scrambling to get the money for prescriptions we need to be healthy.

It’s a depressing reality. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you can do to shave a few dollars off the price tag.

Wellness reporter Ruben Castaneda of the U.S. News & World Report returns to Just Ask David to offer insider advice on little-known ways to save money on your prescription medications.

“Ask your doctor about possible alternatives”

Generic medications, natural remedies, even trying a different brand name are all fantastic ways you can spare your bank account from pricey prescriptions.

Ruben suggests asking your pharmacist or healthcare provider follow-up questions before picking a new medication.

“Ask for other, less expensive options,” he advises. “What will this medication do for me? What are potential side effects?”

“Make an appointment with your pharmacist”

They’re often knowledgeable about the different kinds of medicines available on the market and what they’re used for.

“Have him or her review your complete medication list,” Ruben adds. “They can often find ways that you can save money.”

“Shop around for the best price”

There are other places you can go to shop for your medical essentials. And plenty of them offer competitive prices.

Besides your obvious pharmacies, Ruben also recommends checking prices at local independent drug stores and big box store pharmacies.

Listen for #4, 5, and 6!

Just Ask David fans know that David Pollock’s dedication to Safe Beauty all stems from cancer awareness.

Our special guest Caitlin Kiernan joins us right before the month of October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month - to share an extraordinarily inspiring opportunity for women who have dealt with or are currently dealing with cancer.

Even as an award-winning journalist and beauty director for the likes of Life & Style Weekly, Star!, and OK! magazines, the Cancer Wellness Expo is a passion project for Caitlin.

Caitlin has been featured as a contributor in The Wall Street Journal, Refinery29, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New York Times, among other prestigious media outlets.

But after the rewarding feeling of releasing her book Pretty Sick: The Beauty Guide for Women with Cancer, Caitlin wanted to do even more for cancer patients and survivors.

“It’s all about taking care of yourself during treatment because sometimes that gets lost in the mix. I wanted women to have access to all the information I had access to when I was going through treatment.”

Caitlin calls the Cancer Wellness Expo her book come to life.

What is the Cancer Wellness Expo?

And while treatment can help get rid of the cancer, many cancer patients become so worried about surviving that they neglect other parts of their overall wellness - understandably so.

Simply put, the Cancer Wellness Expo gives women who are cancer patients or survivors the best spa day they’ve ever had.

Let’s put it this way: your morning begins with a peaceful yoga session and ends with a VIP cocktail party.

“It’s all the different facets of wellness just for cancer patients and survivors,” Caitlin explains. “All the unique things that affect us, from how our medicine changes our body to how we reposition our relationship with food and exercise.”

And the Cancer Wellness Expo is just as educational (and star-studded!) as it is rejuvenating.

“We’re bringing in all the leading experts and influencers and celebrities to have these kinds of provocative conversations and to also have a lot of pampering,” Caitlin says. “Who doesn’t need that when you’re going through treatment?”

Follow Caitlin Kiernan and the Cancer Wellness Expo on Social Media

Want to keep an eye on Caitlin and her cancer awareness work? Visit her website, “like” her on Facebook, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @caitkiernan.

There’s something about autumn that inspires us to turn over a new leaf.

Maybe because summer vacation is over and we’re all getting ready to focus again. Maybe it’s as simple as the leaves changing color that makes us want to do the same.

Our skin care routines adjust with the changing of the seasons, too.

But for those of you new to skin care, rotating your routine to match the season can be a bit confusing.

What products should we be adding to our fall skin care routines? Are there any steps we can skip now, like putting on sunscreen? Is autumn skin care actually just regular skin care with a pumpkin spice scent?

Lucky for us, David Pollock is the beauty guru who you can trust to cut to the chase and expose industry secrets that skin care companies don’t want you to know.

More than switching out any of the products you’re using for the fall, it’s important to stay committed to taking care of your skin.

When autumn creeps up on us, most of us are getting ready to go back to school or are helping our kids get ready to go back.

It’s a busy time. We know. But don’t let it sidetrack your skin care routine!

“The biggest thing I see is as we get busy, everyone wants to skimp on skincare because there’s just not enough time,” David says.

“But it’s important to keep up that routine and to take care of your skin. One of my favorite things is to exfoliate the dead skin cells... Whether it’s through a serum with glycolic [acid] in it, or some other enzyme.”

Here’s a little-known secret in the beauty industry: if you’re using good skin care products, you actually don’t need a toner.

Not just in the fall. Ever.

“If you get properly formulated products, you don’t need a toner,” David says. High quality products are going to clean your face and keep it at a healthy pH balance - which is all a toner does.

So this fall, try dropping your toner from your daily skin care routine and see what happens. (Hint: Probably nothing.)

Listen for #3 (Plus Bonus Beauty Tips This Season)!

Follow Just Ask David on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @JustAskDavid for more!