Few American-made brands can claim a history and heritage that predates women’s suffrage or the establishment of the Brooklyn Bridge. Fewer still are brands that remain tried-and-true staples available in the mass market today. Palmer’s Skin Success is one such brand. Established in 1840, the company was first headquartered in New York City until the 1960s when it was relocated to New Jersey, where it is currently headquartered today. Palmer’s Skin Success Ointment was the first product marketed back in the 1800s and was an all-purpose skin treatment, advertised for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, blemishes and burns. Nearly two centuries later, Palmer’s Skin Success is an established brand known for bringing affordable and efficacious tone-correcting products to consumers.
Coinciding with its 175th anniversary the brand was relaunched this year with new packaging and formulations that employ the most effective pigment-perfecting ingredients for fading unwanted discoloration. Now with the addition of Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, this powerhouse anti-aging ingredient does everything from improving fine lines, boosting collagen, improving skin’s texture and increasing cell turnover to help even out skin discoloration. While the packs have become fancier and the formulas more cutting edge, the one thing that hasn’t changed over the years is that Palmer’s Skin Success offers a complete regimen of skincare formulations with the unconditional guarantee of beautiful, radiant skin.
So why is skin discoloration a top skin care concern? Studies have revealed that more than wrinkles or loss of firmness, the first visible sign of aging is discoloration such as age spots or dark spots. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of discoloration and certainly genetics plays an important role. Discoloration, also referred to sometimes as hyperpigmentation, can be caused by environmental triggers, most commonly sun damage from UV exposure, but can also be prompted by hormonal changes, acne scarring and even severe dryness. An increase in the tyrosinase activity, the chemical responsible for melanin production, takes place and excess melanin forms in a concentrated area that creates a pigmented area of skin darker than the surrounding skin tone. UV light from unprotected sun exposure stimulates this activity as does inflammation associated with skin injury or post-acne scarring. Another form of discoloration can occur during pregnancy or use of estrogen/progesterone regulation such as oral contraception or hormone replacement medications. The hormonal changes can stimulate an excess production of melanin and result in a condition called melasma where dark patches form, most commonly on areas of the face.
Topical skin lightening formulations such as those found in the Palmer’s Skin Success line are formulated specifically to address these specific skin concerns. Fading discoloration requires a multi-layered approach that begins with inhibiting the production of tyrosinase and therefore the enzyme required for melanin. The next phase is to remove the discolored surface cells through gentle exfoliation and accelerated cell turnover using ingredients such as alpha hydroxy fruit acids and retinol. Once the hyperpigmented surface cells are sloughed away a more uniform, balanced layer of skin is revealed. The last step is to protect the skin and prevent darkening from recurring by regularly using sunscreen. Palmer’s Skin Success products contain a combination of the most the effective ingredients for delivering visible results in as little as two to six weeks of continued use. We’ve had 175 years to perfect the science!
