Skincarma - best skincare blog

Welcome to Skincarma.

These are the musings of Carmine Montalto, NYC-based writer, skincare junkie and brand guru. The former copywriter at Kiehl’s, Carmine has more than 25 years of experience in beauty. Through the Skincarma Blog, he puts all of his product wisdom to work demystifying the ever-evolving world of skin care.

You can change your skin’s destiny.™

All tagged Paula's Choice

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE SKIN PERFECTING 6% MANDELIC ACID + 2% LACTIC ACID LIQUID EXFOLIANT - Is Mandelic Acid good for sensitive skin? Which is better Salicylic Acid or Mandelic Acid?

Jan 16

Jan 16 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE SKIN PERFECTING 6% MANDELIC ACID + 2% LACTIC ACID LIQUID EXFOLIANT - Is Mandelic Acid good for sensitive skin? Which is better Salicylic Acid or Mandelic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, best face cream, best moisturizer, AHA treatments, Best exfoliators, brightening, dark spots, Exfoliators, hyperpigmentation, Lactic Acid, sensitive skin, Salicylic Acid, Toners

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE RESIST BARRIER REPAIR ADVANCED MOISTURIZER - How can you tell your skin barrier is damaged? What do ceramides do? What is Tripeptide-5?

Dec 10

Dec 10 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE RESIST BARRIER REPAIR ADVANCED MOISTURIZER - How can you tell your skin barrier is damaged? What do ceramides do? What is Tripeptide-5?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging, best anti-aging, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging creams, best anti-aging serum, best face cream, dry skin, face cream for dry skin, wrinkle cream

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE 25% VITAMIN C + GLUTATHIONE CLINICAL SERUM - What percentage of vitamin c is effective? Should I use 10% or 20% vitamin C? Is higher percentage of vitamin C better?

Sep 18

Sep 18 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE 25% VITAMIN C + GLUTATHIONE CLINICAL SERUM - What percentage of vitamin c is effective? Should I use 10% or 20% vitamin C? Is higher percentage of vitamin C better?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, brightening, brightening serums, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening creams, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE YOUTH-EXTENDING DAILY HYDRATING FLUID SPF 50 - How do I choose between mineral and chemical sunscreen? What's the best sunscreen for oily skin?

Aug 7

Aug 7 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE YOUTH-EXTENDING DAILY HYDRATING FLUID SPF 50 - How do I choose between mineral and chemical sunscreen? What's the best sunscreen for oily skin?

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, best anti-aging, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for face, hyperpigmentation, anti-aging creams, antioxidants, sunscreen for oily skin, wrinkle cream

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE TRIPLE ACTIVE TOTAL REPAIR SERUM - Can you mix retinol and niacinamide? What's the difference between retinol and retinoid?

May 7

May 7 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE TRIPLE ACTIVE TOTAL REPAIR SERUM - Can you mix retinol and niacinamide? What's the difference between retinol and retinoid?

Carmine Montalto

AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, sensitive skin, anti-aging serums, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening serums, Niacinamide, Retinol, Retinol cream, Retinol serum, Retinol treatment, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID + COLLAGEN ACTIVATING SERUM - What Is Collagen? Does Collagen Really Help Skin? Can You Rebuild Collagen in Your Skin?

Mar 28

Mar 28 PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX BARRIER+ TRIPLE LIPID + COLLAGEN ACTIVATING SERUM - What Is Collagen? Does Collagen Really Help Skin? Can You Rebuild Collagen in Your Skin?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, best anti-aging, Peptides, dehydrated skin, dry skin, face cream for dry skin, Niacinamide

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE PRO-COLLAGEN MULTI-PEPTIDE BOOSTER - What Is Collagen? Does Collagen Really Help Skin? Can You Rebuild Collagen in Your Skin?

Mar 16

Mar 16 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE PRO-COLLAGEN MULTI-PEPTIDE BOOSTER - What Is Collagen? Does Collagen Really Help Skin? Can You Rebuild Collagen in Your Skin?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, best anti-aging, Peptides, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM BHA LIQUID EXFOLIANT 2% - What Is BHA? What Does BHA Do to Your Skin? Is BHA the Same as Salicylic Acid?

Mar 7

Mar 7 PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM BHA LIQUID EXFOLIANT 2% - What Is BHA? What Does BHA Do to Your Skin? Is BHA the Same as Salicylic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, best moisturizer, acne treatments, best acne treatments, Best cleansers, Best exfoliators, best organic skincare, Best toners, Exfoliators, oily skin, Salicylic Acid, Toners

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE CLINICAL 1% RETINOL TREATMENT - What Does Retinol Do to Your Skin? Should I Use Retinol Every Night? Should You Moisturize After Retinol?

Feb 7

Feb 7 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE CLINICAL 1% RETINOL TREATMENT - What Does Retinol Do to Your Skin? Should I Use Retinol Every Night? Should You Moisturize After Retinol?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging, best face cream, face cream for dry skin, Retinol, Retinol cream, Retinol treatment, Retinol serum, retinol face oil, wrinkle cream

YOU NEED THIS NIACINAMIDE SERUM NOW! PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST SUPERSOLUTIONS 20% NIACINAMIDE SERUM – Best Niacinamide Serum, What Is Niacinamide? What Does Niacinamide Do for the Skin?

Dec 28

Dec 28 YOU NEED THIS NIACINAMIDE SERUM NOW! PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST SUPERSOLUTIONS 20% NIACINAMIDE SERUM – Best Niacinamide Serum, What Is Niacinamide? What Does Niacinamide Do for the Skin?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, antioxidants, brightening, oily skin, dark spots, brightening serums, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, brightening creams, hyperpigmentation, Niacinamide

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKIN PROUD RECHARGE OVERNIGHT 0.5% RETINOL SERUM - BEST RETINOL FOR OILY SKIN, WHICH IS THE MILDEST RETINOL?

Aug 18

Aug 18 PRODUCT REVIEW: SKIN PROUD RECHARGE OVERNIGHT 0.5% RETINOL SERUM - BEST RETINOL FOR OILY SKIN, WHICH IS THE MILDEST RETINOL?

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, best anti-aging, anti-aging creams, clean beauty, face cream for dry skin, wrinkle cream, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for eyes, sunscreen for face, hyperpigmentation, face cream for oily skin, dark spots, clean skincare

THE BEST SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN: MY PICKS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE INKEY LIST, GLOSSIER, SKINFIX AND MORE - BEST TONER FOR CLOGGED PORES, BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN

Aug 3

Aug 3 THE BEST SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OILY SKIN: MY PICKS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE INKEY LIST, GLOSSIER, SKINFIX AND MORE - BEST TONER FOR CLOGGED PORES, BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, best anti-aging, anti-aging creams, clean beauty, face cream for dry skin, wrinkle cream, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for eyes, sunscreen for face, hyperpigmentation, face cream for oily skin, dark spots, clean skincare

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE STRAWBERRY SMOOTH BHA + AHA SALICYLIC ACID SERUM - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Jul 6

Jul 6 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE STRAWBERRY SMOOTH BHA + AHA SALICYLIC ACID SERUM - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, Best exfoliators, Exfoliators, Salicylic Acid, oily skin, oily skin moisturizer, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE C5 SUPER BOOST MOISTURIZER - BEST VITAMIN C FACE CREAM, BEST VITAMIN C MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Jul 5

Jul 5 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE C5 SUPER BOOST MOISTURIZER - BEST VITAMIN C FACE CREAM, BEST VITAMIN C MOISTURIZER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, PM Regimen, antioxidants, AM ROUTINE, brightening, brightening serums, dark spots, PM ROUTINE, Vitamin C

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% MASQUE - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Jun 20

Jun 20 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% MASQUE - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, Best exfoliators, Exfoliators, Salicylic Acid, oily skin, oily skin moisturizer, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% ANHYDROUS SOLUTION - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Jun 17

Jun 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% ANHYDROUS SOLUTION - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, Best exfoliators, Exfoliators, Salicylic Acid, oily skin, oily skin moisturizer, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% SOLUTION - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Jun 15

Jun 15 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% SOLUTION - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, Best exfoliators, Exfoliators, Salicylic Acid, oily skin, oily skin moisturizer, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne

THE BEST SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENTS FROM THE ORDINARY - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Jun 14

Jun 14 THE BEST SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENTS FROM THE ORDINARY - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, Best exfoliators, Exfoliators, Salicylic Acid, oily skin, oily skin moisturizer, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne

THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SUMMER MOISTURIZERS SS22 FROM SKINFIX, THE INKEY LIST AND PEACH & LILY – BEST FACE CREAM FOR OILY SKIN, WHICH LIGHT MOISTURIZER IS BEST?

May 30

May 30 THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SUMMER MOISTURIZERS SS22 FROM SKINFIX, THE INKEY LIST AND PEACH & LILY – BEST FACE CREAM FOR OILY SKIN, WHICH LIGHT MOISTURIZER IS BEST?

Carmine Montalto

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST HYALURONIC ACID CLEANSER - BEST HYDRATING CLEANSER, WHAT IS TRANS-EPIDERMAL WATER LOSS?

May 4

May 4 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST HYALURONIC ACID CLEANSER - BEST HYDRATING CLEANSER, WHAT IS TRANS-EPIDERMAL WATER LOSS?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, clean beauty, clean skincare, anti-aging creams, anti-aging, best anti-aging, best sunscreen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for face, Best toners, face cream for dry skin, face cream for oily skin, face cream sensitive skin, oily skin moisturizer, sensitive skin