Why does Paula Begoun’s site disagree about Phoretin CF the antioxidant?

Dr. I, I have been your patient and enjoy your site. I also visit Paula's choice (reviews based on evidence and not opinion) when I am interested in a product. They gave a poor review of skinceuticals ferrelic cf and you named it "product of the month". I am torn as I wanted to love it, but it's so pricey I would like to know the facts. Here is a piece of their review: Although there are compelling reasons to consider phloretin as another potent, beneficial antioxidant to improve skin's appearance and healthy functioning, in the case of this product it is completely wasted. Why? Because the amount of denatured alcohol in this serum negates any antioxidant benefit of the phloretin. The inclusion of alcohol is extremely disappointing because alcohol causes free-radical damage, cell death, and irritation (see the Appendix for details). Phloretin may be the antioxidant du jour, but not in this product. Please keep in mind that despite the published research for phloretin and SkinCeuticals’s claims, it is not the best antioxidant to "attack damage on every level." There are lots of brilliant antioxidants in skin-care products, but there isn't a miracle or magic bullet out there.

Okay ……. first I gotta say that I love Paula Begoun and most of what she says!   But…..many dermatologists, chemists, and skin care companies disagree with her about the use of small amounts of certain kinds of alcohol in skin care products, myself included!

One of the problems, in my opinion, with Paula’s site is that the reviews are based off of ingredient lists, pretty much soley, with no experience in real patients/people to leaven that opinion

I and many other dermatologists have seen this particular product – antioxidant Phloretin CF – perform well and sometimes shockingly well, in thousands of real patients.

But…..having said that…..I always really think that you as an individual should do what you are comfortable with.  🙂

Hope this helps, Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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