Q: Is popping pimples bad?

A: When done improperly by yourself, yes. However, it can be quite beneficial when a professional extracts the right kind of pimple with the correct protocols. But rather than asking, “Why popping pimples is bad?", which has a negative implied judgement, I think better questions are: "Is it safe to pop pimples?" and "Is it effective?" Unfortunately, squeezing a pimple may cause breakage of the follicle that pushes the pus deeper into the skin, which not only causes inflammation with redness, swelling, and potentially a worse infection, permanent scarring or pits. While the aim is to make them go away and appear less noticeable, this may delay healing and act like a highlighter, making the blemish more apparent than it was beforehand. When a pore is not completely emptied, this can further complicate factors. The best course of action is to see a professional who can properly prepare and treat the skin with high frequency and professional treatments.

I advise against popping pimples at home altogether but recognize that many people with acne want to take matters into their own hands for a few reasons. Popping a pimple not only relieves possible discomfort but is also gratifying as it triggers a release of the feel-good hormone dopamine, and this action gives some semblance of control over this vexing condition, with the illusion that popping is helping skin recover more quickly. But when it causes acne to spread or develop lasting scars, your skin and self-esteem will suffer - yet another reason why committing to a hands-off approach is essential. When you can’t resist, please only consider popping non-inflamed blemishes like blackheads and whiteheads that look like they’re about to open up on their own. But if the white or yellow center is surrounded with brown, purple, or redness around the edges, that is a pustule you must not squeeze. When a blemish has those same edges without a whitish center, those are likely papules you should also leave alone to heal. Trying to pop a papule will make it worse. “Is it safe to pop a cyst or nodule?” The answer is 100% no! Any painful, swollen lumps require a hands-off approach and an appointment with a dermatologist for medical treatments, including cortisone injections, sterile extraction procedures, lasers, and oral or topical medication. If you absolutely must pop or pick, which I don’t recommend, at least do the following:

1. Wash your hands well first, then cleanse your face with a multi-tasking cleanser and exfoliator for acne prone skin.
2. Wear gloves before proceeding as our hands harbor natural bacteria that can transfer to your face.
3. Pad your fingertips with clean tissue or use cotton pads and squeeze with gentle pressure from the outside and gently inward, with a slight upward motion. (No nails, please, as they can cause microtears!)
4. Follow with an alcohol free toner with purifying, calming ingredients.
5. Apply a clean skincare acne mask to soothe and help draw out any impurity residue.
6. After rinsing and toning again, apply an anti-acne spot cream to nip bacteria, redness, and irritation in the bud.
7. Finish with a non-comedogenic moisturizer for acne prone skin to support clearer skin with a healthy skin barrier.
8. Apply an SPF 30+ in the daytime to prevent post-acne marks and UV damage.

Pro Tip: Doing extractions immediately after showering or applying a warm towel for five minutes is the next best thing to steaming in a professional skincare center or clinic. It softens the skin, easing extractions and helping prevent undue trauma to your skin. But avoid blackhead extractors, which can damage the skin.


Q: Do I really need an eye cream? Do they do anything more than a facial moisturizer?

A: Yes, there are several reasons why eye cream is important. Like other face moisturizer products, eye creams boost the skin’s moisture content, but they do much more! A moisturizing eye cream is specially formulated to protect and care for this most delicate and sensitive area against surface dehydration and environmental assaults. This helps prevent visible signs of aging around the eyes while addressing other eye area concerns. Unfortunately, low-quality formulas have led many to believe the fallacy of why eye creams don’t work. But that is because they haven’t used effective skincare solutions with potent actives that support collagen production, even skin tone, fight free radical damage, and rejuvenate the skin! Well-formulated, ingredient focused versions can repair, renew, smooth, and minimize puffiness, dark circles, and sagging, with science backed skincare results.

Lines & Wrinkles: Naturally sourced Elastin, Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, superoxide Dismutase, Vitamins A (Retinyl Palmitate) and C found in the Pevonia Évolutive Eye Cream are the first line of defense against those first fine lines. Together, they help tone, prevent dead cell buildup, stimulate cell turnover, protect, postpone collagen breakdown, and bond moisture. To help smooth out deeper crow’s feet and more advanced signs of aging due to the passage of time, sun overexposure, and repetitive facial expressions, Pevonia’s Timeless Eye Contour offers a gentle holistic botulinum toxin alternative. Wrinkle-relaxing hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract combines with smoothing Collagen, Caviar Extract, and Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) to visibly smooth fine lines, reduce crepiness, and rejuvenate the eye area.

Dark Circles: For mild undereye circles, Pevonia’s “C” Évolutive Eye Gel improves blood flow and strengthens the capillaries with Hyaluronic Acid and decongesting Ginkgo Biloba. For stubborn, more complex dark circles due to faulty capillaries and poor lymphatic drainage, a product must break down the iron oxides accumulated beneath the eye. Chrysin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dipeptide-2, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, and Tetrapeptides-3 in the Timeless Eye Contour will help clear them away.

Puffiness: For visible "pillows" of puffiness surrounding the eye, the best natural eye cream for puffiness will address fluid stagnation, sluggish circulation, high salt intake, inadequate sleep or exercise, sinus problems, and allergies. Ginkgo Biloba and Chamomile in Pevonia’s “C” Évolutive Eye Gel calm and decongest. At the same time, while Hyaluronic Acid moisturizes, Vitamin C and Collagen smooth wrinkles, and Carrot Seed Oil helps prevent tissue degeneration. For “bags” due to loose skin and skin thinning due to age and ligament weakening, the Lumafirm® Eye Contour - Lift & Glow creates an illuminating gravity defying film. An under eye gel can’t change your genetics or put back lost fat. However, the right natural eye cream for dark circles and advanced signs of aging can minimize dehydration, skin thinning, and collagen loss due to aging, making skin more translucent and the blue vessels underneath appear darker.

For persistent eye area concerns, pair home care eye gels and creams with professional Pevonia treatments, like the Ginkgo De-Stress Eye Treatment, De-Stress Eye Treatment - Eye Wrinkles (Collagen Cryo), Smoothing Eye Treatment with Collagen, or Lumafirm® Lift & Glow Eye Contour Treatment. Lifestyle modifications such as reducing stress, getting plenty of rest and water, and becoming more active can definitely improve top eye issues.