Sydney Morning Herald – 2014

Anyone who watches regular television would be hard-pressed to avoid cosmetic company ads claiming to unlock the secret to eternal youth.

These advertisers are highly adept to preying on people’s insecurities about ageing, yet in the main there is little scientific basis for their claims.

In June L’Oreal USA was forced to settle charges of deceptive advertising about its Lancome Genifique and L’Oreal Paris Youth Code skincare products. According to the US Federal Trade Commission’s complaint, L’Oreal products falsely claimed to be providing anti-ageing benefits by targeting users’ genes.

In and among all this an Aussie firm has been paving the way towards understanding how genes can be understood to improve skin care. Specialising in collecting a person’s individual genetic fingerprint, SkinDNA claims it is leading the world in analysing skin ageing and other skin problems.

The company says it can analyse a particular person’s susceptibility to sun damage and propensity to wrinkling, putting a scientific perspective on what has long been an entirely subjective beauty application.

Founder Stefan Mazy, 27, began work at the tender age of 19 in a cosmetic clinic. It’s probably the only glass ceiling for a male, he says, but it was not his gender which altered his career path, but a glaring gap in the market.

“Nobody were I worked could explain to me why some ingredients were better than others. Why was layering important? For me it was all about the whys. All they said was that the collagen breakdown was all in the genes. So I said, what’s in the genes?”

Mazy’s ardent curiosity led him on a one-man beauty crusade. Convinced Australia was too small, he set up SkinDNA, found the right people to help him to create a test kit and analysis reports and took his concept to America. Through his US distributor he managed to spruik his concept on several television shows including CBS’s The Doctors and Good Morning America. “We’re still waiting for the call from Dr Oz, although we did make it into his magazine,” Mazy laughs.

SkinDNA sells the test kit to distributors, who then sell it down the line to cosmetic clinics and eventually to the end customer. A swab is taken of the saliva in a customer’s mouth which is then sent back to the SkinDNA lab to create an individual skincare profile.

Mazy’s company, of which he owns 70 percent, is highly feted: SkinDNA was a finalist in the 2013 NSW Export Awards, in the healthcare and biotechnology category. The company now has 400 clinics offering his testing kit and analyses across Australia.

Mazy says a typical treatment will usually be ongoing from three to six months, depending on each person’s specific needs and age. The cost of initial testing varies from $299 to $499. Interestingly, he says Aussies tend to suffer more skin damage from their diet than from the sun. “We are a sunburnt country but our problem is glycation – excess sugar.”

Excess sugar will bind to the collagen, causing it to go brittle and develop crevasses. Other problems relate to an excess of a protein known as MMP1 which leads to a decline in the skin’s health and appearance, leading to wrinkles, roughness and sagging.

Mazy has been approached by several big cosmetic companies to acquire his data. SkinDNA has collected more than 15,000 DNA samples from various ethnic groups, all of which would be of interest to cosmetics firms. “Proctor and Gamble have requested our information twice,” Mazy says. “L’Oreal has three brands interested in partnering with us for a total solution package.”

All the same, Mazy realises this kind of intellectual property requires scale to be effectective. “Skincare companies would kill to have it. Imagine – that amount of DNA date of our customers,” Mazy says.

“That’s where the value will be. But it’s not big enough yet. When it is, we will list the company.”

MiNDFOOD – 2017

Elsewhere, beauty brands are combining a multitude of protective elements in order to defend and repair the skin from damage.

“Even with the best sunscreen products, some of the damaging UV rays will sneak through” advises Angela Frazer, plastic surgical and cosmetic nurse for Prescription Skin Care. “Using an antioxidant serum such as vitamin C will act as a second line of defence, picking up where your sunscreen leaves off [while] stimulating collagen production and lightening pigmentation.” Frazer advises layer antioxidants under a mineral make-up with broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

At Clinique, the current focus exciting researchers is infrared radiation (IR), which was previously thought to have a benign effect on the body. Recent research by a team from Seoul National University Hospital demonstrated IR adds to premature skin ageing. “What is exciting in the suncare research area is the news that IR and pollution is damaging to skin,” says Dr Tom Mammone, executive director of Skin Physiology and Pharmacology at Clinique Research & Development, Worldwide. “The future of protecting skin from suncare includes protection from IR and pollution. We are working on making our products not just stronger against these damaging environmental insults but also making them last longer.” When it comes to repair, the world’s leading dermatologists agree that a combination of antioxidants and peptides are needed to mend any sun damage that occurs despite using sunscreen.

“For repair, the technologies for the next 20 years are going to be extremely potent and will rival dermatologists in their efficacies. We are already making products that compete with prescription treatments and lasers. Our next wave of products will surpass them,” says Cliniques Dr Mammone. SkinDNA’s Stefan Mazy, points to the study of biomimcry, where science imitates beauty phenomena. “What stops plants from burning or shrivelling up during the long summer days? Scientists [are studying] these specimens and isolating the exact chemicals produced by the plant.” Two of Mazy’s suncare ingredients are resveratrol, which is released in some plants after sun exposure to repair UV damage, and kojic acid – which is used by plants to prevent browning, and can help reduce pigmentation in human skin.

Similarly, American skincare brand DNA EGF’s Intensive Renewal is a product that contains an enzyme derived from one of the most UV-resistant organisms known to science, according to Kim Larsen, national sales manager at House of Camille, supplies of salon brand including DNA EGF. Larsen says the enzyme, found in soil and the ocean, stimulates the recognition and elimination of damage to the skin, to reverse sun damage (dnaegfrenewal.com). Increasingly, genetics is being incorporated into the industry’s approach to skincare and protection. “Our genetic predispositions play an important role in determining how well your skin can naturally cope under the strains of the sun,” says SkinDNA’s Mazy. “The SkinDNA Genetic Test can help to identify many underlying issues that cause pigmentation and skin damage before the signs become apparent.”

TAILORED CARE

SkinDNA’s test kits involve taking a swab from inside your mouth and sending it to the company for analysis (available at inskincosmedics.com.au). The results can help uses to tailor their sun protection and care to their own genetic risk factors. “We know that two in five people have a genetic impairment affecting their body’s UV-protecting ability,” says Mazy.

“Genetic variations can lower your body’s ability to produce melanin, [causing] the skin to be highly sensitive when exposed to sunlight.” Such knowledge is seeing products customised to the individual and their personal needs, with the addition of specific sunscreens, peptides, antioxidants and photo protectants tailored to the user’s needs. Genetics will have an increasing role in the coming decade, as scientists isolate the individual genes involved in pigmentation and sun protection.

Researchers at Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Dermatology have been studying the possibility of stimulating skin pigmentation with a molecule rather than UV radiation, as a way of naturally boosting the skin’s melanin levels from within. The resulting “safe tan” would provide fairer skins with a more naturally protected state.

Good Housekeeping – 2017

Your friend raves about a moisturiser but, even though you have the same skin type, it does nothing for you? It may be time to consult your genes…

Since 2012, beauty brand Olay has been collaborating with genetics company 23andMe to investigate the genes linked to skin ageing and understand how they vary according to ethnicity. Led by a Harvard professor of dermatology, the study examined approximately 20,000 genes and identified that ‘exceptional skin ages’, those people who appear almost ageless, have a unique skin ‘fingerprint’ of around 2,000 genes. Decoding these could hold the keys to looking youthful for longer.
In the meantime, there’s a small but growing number of companies in the UK offering the ultimate in personalised skincare – a regime based on genetic tests. The latest service, FutureSkin DNA (£495, katekerrlondon.co.uk), comes from holistic facialist Kate Kerr at London’s Phi Clinic, and may just be the best skincare consultation I’ve ever had.

Kate begins by taking a DNA swab from the inside of your mouth. This goes off to an Australia company that looks at 16 genetic markers related to skin ageing and compares your results with its database of over 40,000 people. Kate also gives you a mini exploratory facial, asking endless questions about your skin and then yet more questions via an in-depth questionnaire that also goes off to Australia.

Two weeks later, you back to learn you genetic predisposition to collagen breakdown (think firmness and elasticity), sun damage and pigmentation, free radical damage, inflammation and sensitivity, and glycation (excess sugars link to skin’s collagen and elastin fibres, reducing their regenerative ability and, in the long term, causing deep wrinkles). Specific skincare, ingredients and supplements are identified that will work well with your ene profile, which Kate explains thoroughly. Armed with this information, you can buy tailored beauty products from her or simply read labels when you go shopping – and of course, re-assess your current skincare routine and any products you already have at home. Kate also gives plenty of lifestyle advice and tips, as healthy habits can override your genetic results – just as bad habits can eventually get the better of in-built genetic protection. Although I found I had plenty to thank Mum and Dad for, I do have a high risk of glycation. One solution? Eat less cake!

Sydney Morning Herald – 2016

Technology is offering tailor-made solutions for managing our skin, and its ageing process, better than ever before, writes Katrina Lawrence

With the spring 2015 haute couture collections kicking off today in Paris, the made-to-measure chich is in the spotlight. Ready-to-wear brands Burberry and Prada personalise some offerings, with monogramming and customisation services. But it’s in the skincare industry where personalisation is picking up a serious buzz.

The human genome was mapped back in 2003, but the implications for how we manage our skin’s aging process are becoming clearer, as more research is undertaken into the various skin genes. “The possibilities are limitless,” says Stefan Mazy, founder of SkinDNA, an Australian skin genetic testing service. “The personal genomics industry is still in infant stage because it’s not just about taking a test, it’s about understanding the information behind what the markers are all about.”

SkinDNA involves a cheek swab for a saliva sample, along with a questionnaire covering lifestyle factors. From here, the SkinDNA laboratory looks at 16 markers – or DNA sequences – within five categories; firmness, glycation, sun damage, free radical damage and sensitivity. A skin therapist utilises this report to design a treatment program focussing on the categories in which a patient is medium or high risk, and the most suitable active ingredients. “We’re always adding new markers to the test to understand more about the skin,” Mazy says. An expanding database also means SkinDNA is able to conduct correlate studies and accumulate more data, and a greater understanding of the skin’s ageing.

“It took the guesswork out for our O Cosmedic salons,” says Marie Enna-Cocciolone, CEO of Inskin Cosmedics, distributor of SkinDNA and several cosmeceutical brands.

“We now know which products and dosage are required to preserve skin.”
Facialists who in conjunction with a SkinDNA report have a clearer idea of where younger clients’ skin is heading, for mature clients, it allows therapists to focus on the most effective treatments.

“Some people think sugar they eat is contributing to their skin concerns, but then find their glycation levels are low,” Enna-Cocciolone says.
“However, if the high-risk is in collagen breakdown, you’d prescribe a program focussed on collagen synthesis.”

A personalised guide to skin ageing also allows the consumer to shop smarter. “We’re overwhelmed with so much choice that we can make poor decisions,” says Mazy. “With DNA testing, we can recommend ingredients to the products that will be best for them.”

For Singapore brand Skin Inc, available at Sephora Sydney, personalised skincare comes in the form of My Daily Dose, a set of three encapsulated serums that are custom-mixed at home in a dedicated bottle; the trio of active ingredients is prescribed based on a questionnaire, and are ideally taken every three months.

“In life, we customise a lot,” says Sabrina Tan, founder and CEO of Skin Inc.
“Every morning we choose a different outfit and make-up palette. But what changes the most? The skin. So it’s important to customise skincare. This is not a trend. It’s a fact.”

DNA Magazine – 2013

Wrinkling, sagging skin, sun damage.
What new skincare technology rarely interests me – but the SkinDNA Genetic Test got me excited! DNA Magazine interviews Stefan Mazy from SkinDNA

Will: New skincare technology rarely excites me but Skin DNA got me tingling. Tell me more about it.

Stefan Mazy:
Imagine if you can use brand name skincare products specifically suited to your genetic make-up, or undergo skin treatments that will actually work for your skin. Imagine if you could predict how your skin would age? This may all sound like science fiction, but it’s now possible. Skin DNA is… well, a DNA test for skin.

Skin DNA is tailored to helping men and women find out what exactly is the best thing for their skin. It’s a simple at-home saliva swab test that analyses your skin’s genetic make- up and, using science, can accurately predict whether wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation, firmness or elasticity will be the biggest problems as time goes by.

With the results comes the knowledge to apply the right skincare regime and products. It’s very common that people are using the wrong skincare. There are advantages to knowing what skincare to use. When people know what might happen to them in the future, they would be more aware about what kind of treatments they should be doing to their skin now.

Will: You checked my DNA. What did you discover? Was I immaculately conceived and born in a manger as my mother suggests, or is it just skin stuff you analyse?

Stefan Mazy:
Sorry mister, no magic tricks here. We’re all about science, the good, the bad and the ugly. Your results revealed that you were:
High Risk for a process called Glycation – unprocessed sugar binds to collagen fibers causing them to break creating wrinkles. My advice to is hit the gym, incorporate blueberry extract and green tea extract into your skincare and lower your sugar intake.
Medium Risk for sun damage and pigmentation – in particular how well you can tan (melanin production). This crucial component is what protects you from the sun (fake tan doesn’t count). Tanning issues can leave you very prone to pigmentation, wrinkling and accelerated skin aging, as well as a few other nasties like cancer. My advice: photo protectant ingredients like vitamin C and zinc in your skincare program. Lycopene and green tea extract as supplements and sun exposure for 10 minutes twice a week between 11am and 2pm to help get your body used to producing melanin.
Medium Risk for loss of firmness and elasticity – basically your body is breaking down collagen faster than it can produce it which means overtime gravity will become one of your nightmares; much sooner than other people. My advice is use retinol, CoQ10 and some peptides in your skincare. Also include Soy in your diet and LED treatments once a week.

Will: Look into your crystal ball. At what age will Will Fennell officially look old?

Stefan Mazy:
In my eyes you’ll be young forever Will, however, according to the data if you don’t do anything expect to see a speedy decline in the next two years. (At this point I put down my pen and contemplated stabbing him with it).

Will: For the non-believers out there, convince them.

Stefan Mazy:
The science is there. The proof is there and a 50 billion dollar industry can’t be wrong. If everyone were the same, there wouldn’t be so many skincare choices. Just like knowing your genetic risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease or lung cancer in the medical world and doing what you can to minimize the risk, Skin DNA is designed as a solution to better tailor particular aging traits before they become apparent.

It’s just like saying, do you start to go to the gym when you become obese and depressed or do you go to prevent this from happening in the first place? Better yet, what is going to be cheaper, preventing or fixing? Skin DNA is being used to advance beyond the one-size-fits-all suggestions. Gone are the days where we say, “eat an apple a day” or “just wear sunscreen and you’ll be fine”.

Femail.com.au – 2013

The Aussie Invention SkinDNA ™ Genetic Test has been so effective that it has now received global attention on the top US program, The Doctors.

Imagine having a blue-print of your skin that tells you exactly what products will work specifically for you? Well a simple Aussie invention using a swab test to identify your skin’s DNA in order to create customisable skincare routines/laser treatments programs for your skin is being hailed as the latest holy grail in scientifically combatting premature ageing and predicting genetic skin dispositions. The test has been so effective that it has now received global attention on the top US program, The Doctors which aired in the US on Monday 8th, October and to air in Australia on Ten on later this year.

SkinDNA ™ is an at-home DNA-based laboratory test which takes the power of our DNA’s unique blueprint to identify the skin’s genetic propensity to five key ageing pathways: Collagen breakdown; Photo aging; Wrinkling; Oxidation; and the skin’s ability to tolerate Environmental pollutants.

Co-creator, Stefan Mazy says: “SkinDNA is revolutionising the way we take care of our skin, this is the future of an industry and the key to combating skin aging before the signs even appear. All this information found inside us buried in our unique DNA blueprint”.

Using a non-intrusive swabbing of the inner cheek, the SkinDNA™ sample is analysed with our proprietary DNA DermXT™ micro-chip technology developed by a worldwide collaboration of scientists. The client’s sample data is used to create a personalised guide that allows them to advance beyond the ‘one-size-fits-all’ suggestions – using the right skincare products targeted to their own genetic blueprint. This custom tailored preventative skincare and health program allows the client to achieve the optimum levels of skin protection and long-term health.

Today heralds a new era in personalised skin care with the launch of SkinDNA ™ – the world’s first comprehensive genetic skin profile test is now available in Australia, USA, Brazil, China, Canada and United Kingdom. According to Dr Sarah Freilich, “SkinDNA is one of the most exciting, eyebrow-raising developments out there in the skin health and skincare arenas”.

Question: What is SkinDNA ™?

Stefan Mazy:
SkinDNA is a DNA based laboratory test which examines sixteen genetic markers that have been associated with skin ageing and this is done from a simple swab.

Question: How does SkinDNA work?

Stefan Mazy:
The purpose of the DNA test is to allow customers to know what to use, for their skin based on what their DNA results tell them. Every one of us is unique and different and even though there are good skin care brands, they’re not designed for everybody. The purpose of the test is to inform customers of their strengths and weaknesses and from that we can let them know the ingredients to be using for their skin. We provide our customers with the tool and the knowledge to shop for their skincare products based on what is right, for them, without trial and error or guess work.

We use science to let you know what to use for your skin.

Question: How did it feel to feature on the show, The Doctors?

Stefan Mazy:
Featuring on The Doctors was a major highlight! We were approached by The Doctors TV show and they wanted to bring us onto the show to talk about the role SkinDNA plays in the aesthetic industry.

They [SkinShift] used our product, and the results were spot on for their case study that had pigmentation issues and suffered from sun sensitivity; our case study had tried everything on the market and her skin was getting worse and our results showed that she was incredibly sensitive to certain perfume products and some chemicals. We were able to put the case study onto the right ingredients that work for her to calm down the skin and address the pigmentation issues whilst controlling them from reappearing in the future.

Question: Do you produce products also?

Stefan Mazy:
SkinDNA ™ is an unbiased tool; we do not push any particular products as we are simply an educational tool to allow customers to use the right skincare for their skin. I have been in the industry for many years and I know that all the skincare products are on the market already, which is why we developed this tool to allow customers to still use their favourite brands but to know exactly what product, from the range, is going to be the most effective, for them and provide the best long term results.

Question: What inspired the creation of SkinDNA?

Stefan Mazy:
I have been in this industry from a very young age and throughout my life I have been surrounded by doctors in the medical and aesthetic world who would teach me about the science of this industry. For me, it has never been about beauty but I love knowing how things work and throughout the past few years my job has been to interact with customers to inform them on what is right for their skin and tell them the science behind why certain products work as well as supplements and other topical ingredients.

Throughout my career the one underlying factor was that customers would tell me daily that they had used all these products but there skin was still incredibly dry or sensitive or otherwise and they didn’t know what to do. This passion led me on the journey to find out what else was out there which in turn started a research project in 2006. We conducted a lot of research to find any links or correlations that may play a role in skin ageing and three years on we had enough data to have our program validated and supported which allowed us to turn it into a consumer DNA test.

SkinDNA is a very scientific test and we’ve been fortunate enough to work with customers throughout the development of the product to make it perfect. Every single customer we have worked with has had a positive result as they have noticed an improvement; those who are younger have noticed an improvement in the preventative sense.

We are working worldwide with the product including shows in America and working in Hong Kong as well as recently receiving an innovation award in Hong Kong. The reason SkinDNA is doing so well is purely because of the fact that we are not pushing products and have taken a completely different approach.

My philosophy is about learning, it has never been about money. I enjoy empowering a customer to know what to put on their skin and giving them the control to know what ingredients to use. I want to educate and help people worldwide through a simple DNA test.

MiNDFOOD 2014

Instead of stashing and trashing products for your imagined skincare ailments, consider tailoring those formulas to your genetic needs.

Wrinkling. Sagging. Sun Damage. What to worry about first?

Take the guesswork out of buying skincare by discovering your dermal strengths and weaknesses with SkinDNA ™ Genetic Test. Take the swab from the inside of your cheek and send it to the labs. They will send you back a detailed report on your own genetic blueprint in reference to the five key aging pathways: collagen breakdown, photo aging, wrinkling, oxidation and the skin’s ability to tolerate environmental pollutants.

GQ Magazine – 2013

The future looks bright as SkinDNA technology brings new life to your daily regime.

Sure, DNA can absolve the innocent and unlock evolution’s mysteries, plus who wouldn’t want one of those model genomes on their bookcase? But what has DNA done for you lately? Once reserved for dubious advertisements, such technology can now determine the ultimate grooming regime. The SkinDNA company touts its service – the only of its kind in Australia – as “the most advanced skin diagnostic test available” and, as we discover, it mostly lives up to the hype.

What’s involved?

The first thing you are instructed to do is swab your mouth with what looks like a large toothbrush without bristles, before sending the sample off with a rather specific questionnaire about your hereditary background (I was able to check off “Ashkenazi Jew” for the first time in more than three decades of filling out forms).

What do you get back?

Two weeks later, the results arrive back from an American lab. These take the form of a detailed, seven-page report covering your skin’s “firmness and elasticity”, “wrinkling”,
“Sun damage” and “pigmentation”. It also covers damage by free radicals – groups of atoms with an unpaired number of electrons that form when certain molecules interact with oxygen. Not with us? Well, you know those guys at the bar spoiling for a fight? Those are free radicals, their prize is electrons and they damage healthy cells, resulting in sallow skin and a dull complexion (among a host of other body issues). The final truths this report uncovers is sensitivity to everyday pollutants – car fumes, chlorine and cigarettes – which play out in the form of redness or irritation.

Is it worth it?

As you’d expect for a service that starts at $189, you’re presented with a serious wad of details about each condition. But all you need to know is this: if dealing with wrinkles, for example, you’ll find out how you scored compared to the rest of the population, and what causes the lines and visible effects. The money shot lies in the “prescription” section of each page. These recommendations detail the topical ingredients and nutritional supplements you’ll need to help prevent further damage.

While the report doesn’t deliver specific lotions and potions (rather, it highlights the ingredients you need to be on the look out for), SkinDNA co-creator Stefan Mazy is happy to point customers in the direction of the readily available brands, which contains such players as biopeptides, whey proteins, retinol, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10 and carotenoid supplements. Says Sydney dermatologist Dr Elizabeth Dawes-Higgs: “While these analyses can provide a heightened level of detail, they are no substitute for a consultation with a dermatologist who can assess the bigger picture.

It’s also important to remember that no skin cream can alter your genetics, it merely works alongside your specific profile.” True, although certain skin conditions respond better to specific ingredients and, at the very least, a DNA test acts as a strong matchmaker between the two. It also represents a level of diagnosis once reserved for clinicians – real ones.

Women’s Health – 2013

From a full body MOT to a genetic test, the WH team has given blood, sweat and saliva to try out the six health tests every woman should know about.

Contributing health writer Helen Foster’s DNA revealed her skin age

Experience: It is so simple – swab your cheek, then send off the sample to Australia to be analysed.

Results: There’s nothing like seeing a score of 25% for your ability to retain collagen – the average is 66% – to make you think you’d better slap on the SPF. Sagging and jowls are the future if I dont act now. Helpfully, the report contains lifestyle and nutritional advice to help combat the negatives. I need to drink more green tea and eat less sugar as I’m prone to glycation, which leads to wrinking. The report also tells you ingredients to look for when buying skincare.

Active-life Magazine – 2013

Both from a medical and anti-aging perspective, it is important to care for and protect your skin… Start with your Genes.

There are 7 major factors that contribute to an increase in the rate at which your skin ages:

1. Inherited qualities: skin colour, type, thickness, sensitivity (the list goes on).
2. Overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (not only aging, but can cause skin cancer).
3. Lack of hydration in the body (water, water, water).
4. Lack of a balanced diet (you are what you eat).
5. Lack of protection against harmful environmental factors (weather, pollutants).
6. Not implementing a daily skin care program (however simple it may be) designed for your individual needs.
7. High stress level (your skin wears your stress).

Start With Your Genes

Until recently, we mainly relied on professional advice, product knowledge, plus trial and error to choose the right skincare products. Thanks to the discovery of DNA, we can move beyond the skin’s surface to find the ideal program. There is a simple skin DNA test available to determine skin’s unique qualities (the 0.1% of DNA that makes you different) that directly affect the rate of aging.

The results not only identify your skin’s genetic health in five areas: Firmness + Elasticity; Wrinkling; Sun Damage + Pigmentation; Free Radical Damage; Sensitivity + Inflammation, but recommends personalized nutritional supplements and topical ingredients that can contribute to your skin’s proper health and wellbeing, based on the deficiencies outlined in the test results.

From Sceptic to Believer

After preaching the value of skin care and protection over the years, I finally decided to have my skin DNA tested. I must admit that I was a little sceptical about the value of having the test done at my age (it’s like shutting the gate after the horse escapes). But after talking to Olwen Hyross, SkinDNA’s™ Canadian Distributor, I realized that it’s never too late (time to take my own advice).

I was guaranteed that the test was not connected with a specific brand of product. The topical recommendations would be from an ingredients point of view, and would help me choose the right products for my skin.

Let the Test Begin – How it Works

The test was over before it started – one inner cheek swab was all it took. Now the wait for the test results – it was surprisingly short.

The results were extensive, but very easy to understand. SkinDNA ™ looks at fifteen markers or genetic variations in the DNA, called SNPs, that affect normal gene functioning. The number and location of these variations determine your genetic score in each of the five areas of skin health, previously listed. The results are presented with your overall Risk ranging from High to Low Risk, with Low Risk being the optimum results.

Although an average score is given along with your percentage score, you cannot pass or fail this test, as results are personalized. The Risk factor in each category and the percentage score given can lead to a highly pre- ventative approach to improve the health and future of your skin.

The End Results

I am at high risk in two of the five areas: Wrinkling (I didn’t inherit my Mother’s skin) and Sun Damage + Pigmentation. I am at Medium Risk in Sensitivity + Inflammation. Along with a very detailed report, I was given a Clinical Prescription sheet that includes recommendations for topical ingredients and nutritional supplements (vitamin C and glutathione here I come).

Fortunately, I have always been aware of my skin’s sensitive and highly dry nature. What I did learn is what ingredients of greatest importance to include in my products and supplements.

It’s definitely worth the test.