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 in antioxidants

PRODUCT REVIEW: YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE SUPERFOOD SKIN DRIP SMOOTH + GLOW SERUM - What are superfoods? What are the benefits of superfoods in skincare?

Apr 10

Apr 10 PRODUCT REVIEW: YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE SUPERFOOD SKIN DRIP SMOOTH + GLOW SERUM - What are superfoods? What are the benefits of superfoods in skincare?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, Peptides, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, antioxidants, Niacinamide, damaged skin barrier

THE 2023 SKINCARMA PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: PAVISE DYNAMIC AGE DEFENSE SPF 30 MINERAL SUNSCREEN - Do any mineral sunscreens not leave a white cast?

Dec 29

Dec 29 THE 2023 SKINCARMA PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: PAVISE DYNAMIC AGE DEFENSE SPF 30 MINERAL SUNSCREEN - Do any mineral sunscreens not leave a white cast?

Carmine Montalto

AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, face cream sensitive skin, sensitive skin, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, antioxidants, best anti-aging, Niacinamide, 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: PAVISE DYNAMIC AGE DEFENSE SPF 30 MINERAL SUNSCREEN - Are mineral sunscreens better? What are the pros & cons of mineral sunscreen? Do all mineral sunscreens leave a white cast?

Jun 19

Jun 19 PRODUCT REVIEW: PAVISE DYNAMIC AGE DEFENSE SPF 30 MINERAL SUNSCREEN - Are mineral sunscreens better? What are the pros & cons of mineral sunscreen? Do all mineral sunscreens leave a white cast?

Carmine Montalto

AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, face cream sensitive skin, sensitive skin, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, antioxidants, best anti-aging, Niacinamide, wrinkle cream

PRODUCT REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY 10% PURE VITAMIN C SERUM - What does vitamin c do for your skin? Should I use vitamin C on my face everyday? What not to mix with vitamin C?

May 28

May 28 PRODUCT REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY 10% PURE VITAMIN C SERUM - What does vitamin c do for your skin? Should I use vitamin C on my face everyday? What not to mix with vitamin C?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: KIEHL'S ULTRA PURE HIGH-POTENCY 5.0% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What is the perfect percentage of niacinamide? Should I use 5% or 10% niacinamide? What should I use niacinamide for?

May 22

May 22 PRODUCT REVIEW: KIEHL'S ULTRA PURE HIGH-POTENCY 5.0% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What is the perfect percentage of niacinamide? Should I use 5% or 10% niacinamide? What should I use niacinamide for?

Carmine Montalto

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

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: LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS UV CORRECT SPF 70 DAILY LOTION SUNSCREEN - Is Anthelios UV Correct Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin? Which La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Is Best for You?

Apr 18

Apr 18 PRODUCT REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS UV CORRECT SPF 70 DAILY LOTION SUNSCREEN - Is Anthelios UV Correct Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin? Which La Roche-Posay Sunscreen Is Best for You?

Carmine Montalto

best anti-aging, anti-aging, anti-aging creams, wrinkle cream, antioxidants, best sunscreen, brightening creams, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, Facial sunscreen, Niacinamide, sunscreen, sunscreen for face

PRODUCT REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY 10% PURE NIACINAMIDE FACE SERUM - What Is Niacinamide? What Does Niacinamide Do to the Skin? Can I Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C at the Same Time?

Mar 22

Mar 22 PRODUCT REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY 10% PURE NIACINAMIDE FACE SERUM - What Is Niacinamide? What Does Niacinamide Do to the Skin? Can I Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C at the Same Time?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: SUNDAY RILEY B3 NICE 10% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What Niacinamide Does to Your Face? Which Is Better Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid?

Feb 22

Feb 22 PRODUCT REVIEW: SUNDAY RILEY B3 NICE 10% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What Niacinamide Does to Your Face? Which Is Better Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING VITAMIN C SERUM - What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Can I Use Vitamin C on My Face Everyday?

Feb 17

Feb 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING VITAMIN C SERUM - What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Can I Use Vitamin C on My Face Everyday?

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: DRUNK ELEPHANT BOUNCY BRIGHTFACIAL BRIGHTENING MASK WITH AZELAIC ACID AND SALICYLIC ACID - What Is Azelaic Acid? What Does Azelaic Acid Do to Your Skin?

Jan 17

Jan 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: DRUNK ELEPHANT BOUNCY BRIGHTFACIAL BRIGHTENING MASK WITH AZELAIC ACID AND SALICYLIC ACID - What Is Azelaic Acid? What Does Azelaic Acid Do to Your Skin?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, antioxidants, face cream sensitive skin, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, Azelaic Acid, acne prone skin, brightening, brightening creams, brightening serums, dark spots, face cream for oily skin, hyperpigmentation, oily skin moisturizer

PEPTIDES ARE HOT! PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM MULTI-PEPTIDE MOISTURIZER - Best Face Cream with Peptides, What Are Peptides? What Do Peptides Do for Skin?

Jan 10

Jan 10 PEPTIDES ARE HOT! PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM MULTI-PEPTIDE MOISTURIZER - Best Face Cream with Peptides, What Are Peptides? What Do Peptides Do for Skin?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, antioxidants, anti-aging creams, sunscreen, anti-aging, best face cream, best moisturizer, face cream, face cream for dry skin, face cream sensitive skin, moisturizer, Peptides, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, 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

THE SPF 50 SUNSCREEN YOU NEED NOW! PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM DEW-GLOW MOISTURIZER SPF 50 - BEST SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, BEST SUNSCREEN UNDER $20

Dec 19

Dec 19 THE SPF 50 SUNSCREEN YOU NEED NOW! PRODUCT REVIEW: NATURIUM DEW-GLOW MOISTURIZER SPF 50 - BEST SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, BEST SUNSCREEN UNDER $20

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, dark spots, antioxidants, brightening serums, hyperpigmentation, brightening, anti-aging creams, best sunscreen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen for eyes, sunscreen for face, sunscreen