Madge Love Talks 001: Dr. Sandy Skotnicki
Madge Love Talks is a series of live conversations and discussions held on Instagram where various dimensions of women’s wellness are unpacked and explored by experts and members of our community. The series supplements and enhances the educational information available on Madge Love, our blog and community platform, while advancing MADGE AND MERCER’s mission to destigmatize cannabis and other topics related to women’s wellness including aging, perimenopause and menopause, stress and anxiety, intimacy issues and many more.
In our first edition, MADGE AND MERCER founder and CEO Shauna Levy was joined by dermatologist, author and sensitive-skin guru Dr. Sandy Skotnicki for an Instagram Live to celebrate the launch of MADGE AND MERCER MODERN APOTHECARY’s newest product and first cannabis oil facial serum available in Ontario, MM 004 ÉMOLLIENT. Dr. Skotnicki played a key role in the development of the CBD meadowfoam facial serum, and her passion for ingredient safety and clean, minimalist formulations shines through in MM 004 ÉMOLLIENT. She also shared her science-backed tips for aging well and the essential items in her self-care toolkit. We’ve compiled some of our biggest takeaways from Shauna and Dr. Skotnicki’s discussion below.
What was the starting point for the product?
The starting point was creating a formula that was minimalist and clean. Many products available in the CBD marketplace have formulations that contain essential oils that are unnecessary and potentially problematic as they may hinder the delivery of active ingredients.
What challenges did you face in the formulation process?
Ensuring the formula remained clean and minimal while also masking the scent of cannabis was an issue that came up in the final stages of formulation. Orange peel oil was chosen for its high vitamin C content, an important antioxidant especially for aging skin, and its gentle citrus scent perfectly masks the scent of cannabis. It also ensured we only had to use one fragrance and one allergen, preserving the integrity of the formula and ensuring it remained suitable for sensitive skin types.
What other factors guided your approach to the formula?
As we age, our skin carrier may begin to function less well. The rich plant and seed oils included in MM 004 ÉMOLLIENT were intentionally chosen because of their ability to enhance skin barrier function. We intentionally selected oils that have good scientific data showing that they repair barrier function, are non-comedogenic and won’t irritate skin, specifically oat oil, squalane, meadowfoam seed oil and rosehip oil.
What’s the best way to use MM 004 ÉMOLLIENT?
The serum was designed to be easily incorporated into your current skincare routine – it is great to layer with other products, especially face oils, and is suitable for use in the morning (layer under your sunscreen) or at night.
CBD is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin C, and is one of the most powerful antioxidants around! Antioxidants decrease free radical damage UV light, pollution, smoking are all sources of free radical damage, so when we apply a product high in antioxidants in the morning, the antioxidants function as a sponge, absorbing the damage throughout the day. When applied at night, products can be better absorbed by your skin while you rest.
Any application tips?
Gently dab the serum into your face, and allow a few minutes for it to absorb before applying another product.
Is MM 004 ÉMOLLIENT suitable for all skin types?
Preliminary studies on CBD show that it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it would potentially be very useful for people with sensitive skin. Always try the product in isolation to make sure it doesn’t cause any irritation. The serum could also be helpful for acne-prone skin because of the ability of CBD to regulate oil production.
What are your essential tips for aging?
Getting a good night's sleep
Exercising 3 times a week
Avoiding foods that cause sugar spikes
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!
What are the essential items in your self-care toolkit?
Sunscreen
Vitamin C
Retinol (when appropriate)