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 dark spots

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY RETINAL 0.2% EMULSION SERUM - What does retinol do? what is the difference between retinol and retinal? Should I use retinal or retinol?

Apr 21

Apr 21 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY RETINAL 0.2% EMULSION SERUM - What does retinol do? what is the difference between retinol and retinal? Should I use retinal or retinol?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, dark spots, Retinol, Retinol serum, Retinol treatment, Retinoids, Wrinkle serum

PRODUCT REVIEW: MURAD VITA-C GLYCOLIC BRIGHTENING SERUM - Can you use vitamin c and glycolic acid together? Is glycolic acid too strong for sensitive skin?

Mar 17

Mar 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: MURAD VITA-C GLYCOLIC BRIGHTENING SERUM - Can you use vitamin c and glycolic acid together? Is glycolic acid too strong for sensitive skin?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, brightening serums, dark spots, Glycolic Acid, hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: THE ORDINARY ALOE 2% + NAG 2% SOLUTION - How do I even out my skin tone? How can I remove my acne marks? What are the best products from The Ordinary?

Apr 30

Apr 30 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY ALOE 2% + NAG 2% SOLUTION - How do I even out my skin tone? How can I remove my acne marks? What are the best products from The Ordinary?

Carmine Montalto

AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, acne marks, acne treatments, acne prone skin, adult acne, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, sensitive skin

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: SUPERGOOP! UNSEEN SUNSCREEN SPF 40 PA+++ - What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens? Should I Use Chemical or Mineral Sunscreen?

Jan 25

Jan 25 PRODUCT REVIEW: SUPERGOOP! UNSEEN SUNSCREEN SPF 40 PA+++ - What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens? Should I Use Chemical or Mineral Sunscreen?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, acne prone skin, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, oily skin moisturizer, anti-aging serums, anti-aging creams, best anti-aging serum, best anti-aging, clean beauty, clean sunscreen, Facial sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen for face

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

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: FIRST AID BEAUTY 10% VITAMIN C BRIGHTENING SERUM - BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, BEST BRIGHTENING SERUM WITH VITAMIN C

Nov 27

Nov 27 PRODUCT REVIEW: FIRST AID BEAUTY 10% VITAMIN C BRIGHTENING SERUM - BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, BEST BRIGHTENING SERUM WITH VITAMIN C

Carmine Montalto

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

PRODUCT REVIEW: COCOKIND SILK SPF - BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN, BEST SUNSCREEN WITH NO WHITE CAST

Sep 25

Sep 25 PRODUCT REVIEW: COCOKIND SILK SPF - BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY SKIN, BEST SUNSCREEN WITH NO WHITE CAST

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: FIRST AID BEAUTY MINERAL SUNSCREEN - BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SUNSCREENS, BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN WITH NO WHITE CAST

Sep 19

Sep 19 PRODUCT REVIEW: FIRST AID BEAUTY MINERAL SUNSCREEN - BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SUNSCREENS, BEST MINERAL SUNSCREEN WITH NO WHITE CAST

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