Erica Alexis

I'm a transplant to the Asheville, NC area and discovering everything this beautiful, mountain city has to offer. An active downtown scene, art galleries, festivals (every weekend, free classes 7 workshops, live music and scenic views all around. Come along on my journey of top, affordable things-to-do for exploration, entertainment & of course great eating!

Hello all! My background as a clinical esthetician, cosmetic chemist, academic dermatology and clinical skincare researcher is applicable on this topic. But here's what really matters…I'm a perimenopausal, 40 something y/o with a history of melasma and acne who plays to win at personal skincare! Here's my take on exfoliation and chemical peel products for more advanced skincare users (men & women) at different price points & accessibility options (brick & mortar v online). Check with your personal derm &/or esthetician to see what's right for you and of course…Always SPF!

Hello all! My background as a clinical esthetician, cosmetic chemist, academic dermatology and clinical skincare researcher is applicable on this topic. But here's what really matters…I'm a perimenopausal, 40 something y/o with a history of melasma and acne who plays to win at personal skincare! I know…super long list title, but each of these conditions have a different definition, cause, clinical presentation and ingredient(s) that target them best. Here's my take on treatments & pigment inhibitor products for more advanced skincare users at different price points & accessibility options (brick & mortar v online). Check with your personal derm & esthetician to see what's right for you and always SPF!

Hello all! My background as a clinical esthetician, cosmetic chemist, academic dermatology and clinical skincare researcher is applicable on this topic. But here's what really matters…I'm a perimenopausal, 40 something y/o with a history of melasma and acne who plays to win at personal skincare! Here's my take on retinoid products for more advanced skincare users at different price points & accessibility options (brick & mortar v online). Check with your personal derm & esthetician to see what's right for you and always SPF! Please note the following strength scale as you evaluate retinoid products…I will indicate what category a product falls in for each of my recommendations: Retinyl Esters < Retinol < Retinaldehyde < Adapalene (Differin) < Retinoic Acid (tretinoin, retin-A) < Tazarotene < *Trifarotene*Note- Trifarotene is 4th generation retinoid designed to safely treat acne vulgaris over large areas of the face and body. It is not yet proven to be universally accepted to address the indications I discuss here.