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.™

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: FIG.1 VITAMIN C 15% TREATMENT - What should not be mixed with vitamin C? Can sensitive skin use vitamin C? What is Ferulic Acid

Nov 26

Nov 26 PRODUCT REVIEW: FIG.1 VITAMIN C 15% TREATMENT - What should not be mixed with vitamin C? Can sensitive skin use vitamin C? What is Ferulic Acid

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE POMEGRANATE PEPTIDE FIRMING SERUM - What are the benefits of peptides for skin? Are peptides better than retinol? Can peptides and vitamin c be used together?

Nov 7

Nov 7 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE POMEGRANATE PEPTIDE FIRMING SERUM - What are the benefits of peptides for skin? Are peptides better than retinol? Can peptides and vitamin c be used together?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: ELTA MD UV CLEAR BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 46 FACE SUNSCREEN - What is photoaging? Can photoaging be cured? Does sunscreen help photoaging?

Oct 19

Oct 19 PRODUCT REVIEW: ELTA MD UV CLEAR BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 46 FACE SUNSCREEN - What is photoaging? Can photoaging be cured? Does sunscreen help photoaging?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, dark spots, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for face, wrinkle cream

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SOOTHING & BARRIER SUPPORT SERUM - How do you know if your skin barrier is damaged? How do I repair my skin barrier? What does The Ordinary pink serum do?

Oct 9

Oct 9 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SOOTHING & BARRIER SUPPORT SERUM - How do you know if your skin barrier is damaged? How do I repair my skin barrier? What does The Ordinary pink serum do?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, Bakuchiol, best bakuchiol serum, face cream sensitive skin, Niacinamide, PM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, sensitive skin

PRODUCT REVIEW: BYOMA MOISTURIZING GEL CREAM SPF 30 - How do you know if your skin barrier is damaged? Can sunscreen improve the skin barrier health?

Oct 3

Oct 3 PRODUCT REVIEW: BYOMA MOISTURIZING GEL CREAM SPF 30 - How do you know if your skin barrier is damaged? Can sunscreen improve the skin barrier health?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, anti-aging creams, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, dehydrated skin, Hyaluronic Acid, sunscreen, sunscreen for face, sunscreen for oily skin

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: DERMALOGICA LIQUID PEELFOLIANT EXFOLIATOR WITH AHA, BHA AND PHA - What is the best percentage of glycolic acid? Is 10% glycolic acid too strong? What does PHA do for skin?

Sep 10

Sep 10 PRODUCT REVIEW: DERMALOGICA LIQUID PEELFOLIANT EXFOLIATOR WITH AHA, BHA AND PHA - What is the best percentage of glycolic acid? Is 10% glycolic acid too strong? What does PHA do for skin?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, brightening, brightening serums, Exfoliators, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Polyhydroxy Acid, Salicylic Acid

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS - What percentage of niacinamide is effective? Can I use niacinamide everyday? Can you use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Sep 3

Sep 3 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS - What percentage of niacinamide is effective? Can I use niacinamide everyday? Can you use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening, brightening serums, dehydrated skin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydration, Niacinamide, oily skin moisturizer

PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM RETINALDEHYDE CREAM SERUM 0.05% - What is retinaldehyde? What is better retinol or retinaldehyde? What does retinaldehyde do for your skin?

Aug 28

Aug 28 PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM RETINALDEHYDE CREAM SERUM 0.05% - What is retinaldehyde? What is better retinol or retinaldehyde? What does retinaldehyde do for your skin?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, anti-aging serums, best acne treatments, best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, Retinol cream, Retinol serum, Retinol treatment, wrinkle cream, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX ACNE+ ADAPINOID GEL - What does adapalene do for acne? Is adapalene stronger than retinol?

Aug 21

Aug 21 PRODUCT REVIEW: SKINFIX ACNE+ ADAPINOID GEL - What does adapalene do for acne? Is adapalene stronger than retinol?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, acne marks, acne prone skin, acne treatments, adult acne, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, face cream for oily skin

PRODUCT REVIEW: LION POSE UNSPOTTED 4X ACID JELLY NIGHT SERUM - How do I get rid of dark spots on my face? What causes hyperpigmentation?

Aug 14

Aug 14 PRODUCT REVIEW: LION POSE UNSPOTTED 4X ACID JELLY NIGHT SERUM - How do I get rid of dark spots on my face? What causes hyperpigmentation?

Carmine Montalto

best anti-aging serum, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, brightening serums, Exfoliators, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, AHA treatments, Azelaic Acid, Best exfoliators, dark spots

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: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING NIGHTLY EXFOLIATING TREATMENT - Is it okay to exfoliate sensitive skin? What happens if you don't exfoliate?

Aug 4

Aug 4 PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING NIGHTLY EXFOLIATING TREATMENT - Is it okay to exfoliate sensitive skin? What happens if you don't exfoliate?

Carmine Montalto

best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging creams, anti-aging serums, brightening serums, brightening creams, Exfoliators, face cream sensitive skin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, sensitive skin

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE SUNSCREEN SPF 50 - What does Niacinamide do for the skin? Can I use Niacinamide on my skin everyday?

Jul 24

Jul 24 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE SUNSCREEN SPF 50 - What does Niacinamide do for the skin? Can I use Niacinamide on my skin everyday?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: ACURE BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C & FERULIC ACID SERUM - What is Ferulic Acid? Is Ferulic Acid same as Vitamin C? Is Ferulic Acid necessary with Vitamin C?

Jul 17

Jul 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: ACURE BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C & FERULIC ACID SERUM - What is Ferulic Acid? Is Ferulic Acid same as Vitamin C? Is Ferulic Acid necessary with Vitamin C?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM & DAILY MOISTURIZING FACE LOTION - What are the benefits of ceramide for skin? Is ceramide better than hyaluronic acid?

Jul 11

Jul 11 PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM & DAILY MOISTURIZING FACE LOTION - What are the benefits of ceramide for skin? Is ceramide better than hyaluronic acid?

Carmine Montalto

best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, best face cream, best moisturizer, face cream, face cream for dry skin, face cream sensitive skin, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE

PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM UV REFLECT ANTIOXIDANT SPF 50 SUNSCREEN - Is SPF 30 or 50 better for daily use? Is SPF 50 really necessary? Does SPF 50 mean reapply every 50 minutes?

Jul 6

Jul 6 PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM UV REFLECT ANTIOXIDANT SPF 50 SUNSCREEN - Is SPF 30 or 50 better for daily use? Is SPF 50 really necessary? Does SPF 50 mean reapply every 50 minutes?

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, best anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, dark spots, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKIN PROUD SERIOUS SHADE SUNSCREEN SPF 50 - Does SPF 50 last longer than SPF 30? Does SPF over 50 make a difference? Why does my sunscreen pill under makeup?

Jul 2

Jul 2 PRODUCT REVIEW: SKIN PROUD SERIOUS SHADE SUNSCREEN SPF 50 - Does SPF 50 last longer than SPF 30? Does SPF over 50 make a difference? Why does my sunscreen pill under makeup?

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, best anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, best sunscreen, clean sunscreen, dark spots, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM RETINOL COMPLEX CREAM - What does Retinol do and how does it work? Can everyone use Retinol, or are there some skin types that should avoid it?

Jun 26

Jun 26 PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM RETINOL COMPLEX CREAM - What does Retinol do and how does it work? Can everyone use Retinol, or are there some skin types that should avoid it?

Carmine Montalto

face cream sensitive skin, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, best anti-aging, wrinkle cream, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, Retinol, Retinol cream, Retinol serum, Retinol treatment, sensitive skin