Fresh Faced Applies Science to Beauty
Erica Suppa was a cancer research scientist for more than 13 years who, when let go from her job in Delaware a few years ago, was not sure what her next step would be. She watched a beauty advertisement on television one day, and it dawned on her that the ingredients in beauty products would not give women’s skin better results. So, she enrolled in skincare school to learn the ins and outs of how to make beauty products. With that knowledge and her scientific background, she launched Fresh Faced Skin Care, a beauty brand that lends credibility to its products through its scientific approach.
Suppa says her products take skin biology and mixes it with cosmetic ingredients. Early on, she tested her products on friends and her husband so she could get firsthand feedback about what worked and what didn’t. The Fresh Faced Purifying Bar is handmade by Suppa and was one of the products she tested on those she knew. The winning formula even made her husband’s doctor ask what he was using on his skin because the inflammation on the back of his neck had gone down. Others noticed improvement in skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Since June is acne awareness month, I asked Suppa what product she recommends for women who suffer with acne, and she said her Clarity Serum. The serum is an exfoliant. She explained that acne is not specifically caused by bacteria, but rather by dead skin cells that are not effectively removed from the face. She said that not many people are aware that acne forms because people with genetically predisposed skin to acne shed skin five times faster than the average person, filling pores five times faster. That is essentially giving the bacteria fertilizer.
Suppa said the key to managing acne is to continually remove the dead skin. The serum can be used once a day and uses an ingredient, which is gentle enough for even sensitive skin, that is not normally in acne products. The serum chemically exfoliates simply by rubbing it into your face and wearing it under your makeup, instead of the tugging and pulling that popular devices do.
A second myth she debunked is that oily skin does not need to be moisturized. Just because oily skin makes your face shiny, it does not mean that it is moisturized enough. Your skin will actually over produce oil if it is not properly moisturized. So Suppa advises to always keep your face hydrated with a water-based moisturizer. She made the point of pointing out that women will always struggle with oil production since it is caused by hormones, and as women we have our monthly periods or menopause, etc. So finding a good regimen to keep your skin hydrated is an important step after exfoliating dead skin cells.
Suppa’s purifying bar will be sold later in 2017 on HSN, but can also be purchased on her website. Did I mention it can also be used as shaving cream? Anything to lessen one step of the shower process is always a good thing in my book.
Born and raised in the DMV, Emma Blancovich has a big appreciation for discovering things to do around town, such as new restaurants to try and supporting the local music scene by attending live shows. During the week she is an editor for trade associations, but on the weekends you can find her hiking up trails with the latest fitness gadgets then getting ready for a night out using the latest beauty and health products.