HOME FAQ FAB TIPS
Introducing 5-in-1 Age Delay Face Cream with SPF 30: a summer “must have”. Available June 1, 2010.

First Aid Beauty: Q & A


1.  GENERAL


What is the philosophy of First Aid Beauty?

FAB provides its customers with modern, effective skincare essentials and solutions for problematic
skin. We’ve combined beauty industry standards with medical innovations to forge new treatments
for challenging skin conditions like acne and eczema. FAB products are uniquely designed to deliver maximum results with minimal irritancy. Finally, a product with medical engineering linked with a
luxury feel.


Are FAB products safe for sensitive skin?

Our products are ideal for sensitive skin. A number of popular skincare lines include various
fragrances, dyes, and botanicals that are potential allergens for the skin’s immune system. The result is itchy, red skin when the body's immune system attempts to target these antigens. At FAB we keep it simple - if an ingredient doesn't help deliver superior results, it doesn't belong in our bottles! FAB products are allergy-tested.


What is the benefit of using FAB products?

The benefit of FAB products is clearer, healthier looking skin. Whatever ails your skin, we’re here to
help, leaving your skin the way you remember it. The first step to fighting sensitive or “reactive” skin is to prevent flares in the first place. By using FAB every day, you’ll be avoiding harsh potential allergens found in many cosmetic and over-the-counter products that can trigger itchy, painful reactions and redness and blotchiness that may last weeks.


Who should use FAB skincare?

Anyone and everyone. We have certain products that target tough skin conditions, like our Ultra Repair Cream, Anti-Redness Serum, and Detox Eye Roller. Other formulations, like our Face Cleanser,
are perfect for everyday use. All of our items are formulated to be gentle on the most finicky skin, from
Age 0 to 99!


Can FAB skincare be used by men and children?

Because our products are fragrance-free, they are particularly well suited for men who wish to avoid heavy scents in their daily skin regimen. All of our therapeutic items work equally well for men who are faced with similar issues such as baggy under eyes and excessive facial redness. Our products are also designed to be safe enough for children. Since our formulas were designed by a dermatologist, extra attention was paid to ensure that all ingredients used in our entire line are appropriate for the special needs of maturing skin.


Is it necessary to use the entire First Aid Beauty line or can I use individual products in the line?

FAB was designed to work best with other products in the line, but if you have a favorite brand that you cannot live without, any of our formulations will compliment nicely without competing. FAB products are not contraindicated for use with any other line. We leave it to our customers to best target their own skin care regimen. Have acne? Use our Blemish Eraser either alone or together with our Face Cleanser.


I am going in for cosmetic procedure and have been told to stick with very mild products. Are FAB products safe to use before and after the procedure?

FAB products are exceptionally gentle and the perfect complement to any cosmetic procedure ranging from chemical peels to ablative lasers. With the exception of our Blemish Eraser, all of our products may be used immediately post-procedure – that’s how gentle they really are! After any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to cleanse AND protect – gently cleanse without allergens and irritants while preserving the natural oils that protect the epidermis.


Is First Aid Beauty a natural or organic skincare line?

The botanicals we’ve chosen for FAB are of the highest caliber and deliver superior potency. We’ve selected a special blend of science and nature to arrive at the FAB line. All of our chosen ingredients, both natural and man-made, carry an impeccable safety record.


Are FAB products fragrance-free?

FAB products are 100% fragrance free. No fragrances or potentially irritating masking agents have
been added.


Are FAB products safe to use during pregnancy?

There are no specific contraindications to using our products in pregnancy; however, it is always best to consult with your doctor on these issues, because he or she is the one who is best qualified to provide medical counsel. Caffeine found in our Detox Eye Roller and Anti-Redness Serum should be avoided during pregnancy.


I have Celiac disease. Which FAB products contain the wheat or gluten ingredients
I should avoid?
The majority of FAB products are gluten-free; however, our Ultra Repair Cream does contain oat flour.


What FAB products are appropriate for African-American skin?

FAB products were designed to excel with many skin types, including skin of color. Regardless of a patient’s ethnicity, FAB scientists have compounded powerful active ingredients that deliver targeted care to the epidermis, pigmented and pale alike!


Do you test on animals?

FAB has never tested on animals and never will, period.


Are FAB products vegan, or do any of them contain animal by-products?

The majority of FAB products contain no animal ingredients. Wherever possible, we seek alternatives to animal by-products. For example, instead of animal cholesterol, we use squalane derived from olives to help hydrate the skin. Our hydrocortisone Healing Stick contains beeswax to help maintain product stability and provide a consistent spread.



2.  FAB Antioxidant Booster


What is the FAB Antioxidant Booster that is found in each of your products?

The FAB Antioxidant Booster is a propriety blend of the most powerful antioxidants known to botanical science.  It includes licorice root, feverfew, and white tea extracts. Throughout the First Aid Beauty line, our FAB Antioxidant Booster is there, working hard to scavenge free radicals and prevent future photodamage.


What do antioxidants do?

The primary purpose of our FAB Antioxidant Booster is to supply the skin with a selection of effective and potent antioxidants. The regular application of antioxidants reduces the effect of environmental aggressors (such as sun exposure and environmental allergens). Our FAB Antioxident Booster allows the dermis to maintain its integrity, so that the skin’s immune system can function properly.


What are the benefits of antioxidants?

Antioxidants decrease free-radical damage generated by sun exposure and environmental allergens. The reduction of free-radical damage results in less skin inflammation and photoaging. Numerous studies have shown that decreased free-radical damage means stronger, healthier collagen. With more robust collagen within the dermis, you’ll notice less sagging and firmer skin.


Will the concentrated antioxidants interfere with any of my other products/medications?

No. These products can be used with any other skincare product and are also compatible with all topical prescription medicines.



3.  FAB PRODUCTS


3.1. Face Cleanser


So many dermatologists recommend Cetaphil as the cleanser of choice for sensitive skin,
what advantages do FAB’s Face Cleanser offer?

Cetaphil contains ingredients that are known skin irritants and/or that score poorly on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Parabens, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate are all examples of ingredients with a questionable safety record. Our Face Cleanser avoids these as well as any other ingredient with a questionable record of safety. In addition, FAB Face Cleanser includes our special antioxidant blend to combat free radicals as it cleanses. And one more thing, in contrast to Cetaphil, we have added luxury to the mix: FAB Face Cleanser has a beautiful whipped texture that transforms into a silky cream when blended with water.


Why doesn’t the FAB Face Cleanser lather more?

We’ve gone to great lengths to remove unnecessary irritants from the FAB product line. Our Face Cleansers only create a slight lather, but is still incredibly effective. It will remove dirt, grime, and makeup while leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth.


Should I use the Face Cleanser once or twice a day?

We generally recommend twice daily: In the morning to remove loose epidermis and at night to cleanse makeup, oil build-up, and dirt.


How much do I use?

A dime-sized amount is perfect for the face.


Is the Face Cleanser pH balanced?

The pH is just slightly acidic, around 6.5, the same as the skin's pH! We want to cleanse without changing your skin’s natural acidity.


Will the Face Cleanser sting if it gets in my eyes?

The cleanser is exceptionally gentle, but you might experience slight stinging if exposed directly to eyes. Simply flush with water and any irritation will improve after fa few minutes.


I suffer from a dermatologic condition that my dermatologist is treating with prescriptive medications on my face. Is there any interaction between the Face Cleanser and what I’m using?

Our Face Cleanser was designed to complement any prescriptive regimen. It is designed to be non-irritating and hypoallergenic, so that any topical medication applied to your face can do its thing without interference from a harsh soap that may cause further trouble. Individuals with eczema and other dermatoses are often counseled to use “non-soap cleansers without colors or fragrances” and that’s just what FAB Face Cleanser delivers.


3.2. Ultra Repair Cream


What is FAB’s Ultra Repair Cream?

Ultra Repair Cream is FAB’s thickest, richest, most emollient product. It is designed to provide the utmost protection and healing for very dry areas. The cream contains two high-powered emollients, shea butter and colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is the only FDA-approved ingredient approved for eczema/atopic dermatitis. Not only does our Ultra Repair Cream hydrate down deep with exceptional penetration, it also provides improved barrier protection for people who suffer from eczema or the ravishes of harsh climates.


How does FAB Ultra Repair Cream Compare to Eucerin and Aquaphor, two products that are frequently recommended by dermatologists to address eczema and dry, scaly skin conditions?

Thick, petroleum based moisturizers have been around for hundreds of years and no one has changed the formula!  Dermatologic science has emerged to support the role fo ceramides, a naturally occuring lipid on the skin's surface, as a superior "humectant" (hydrator) to this sticky, greasy alternative.  Over the last several years, dermatologists have acknowledged this new technology by recommending ceramide-based moisturizers with overwhelming frequency.  At FAB, we don't set out to put other products down, but we are pretty excited about using the very best in skin science th keep your skin hydrated and healthy.


Can I use the Ultra Repair Cream on my face?

The Ultra Repair Cream is an effective facial moisturizer for anyone with very dry skin and can be used over extended periods of time just like any other rich facial moisturizer.


I use prescription strength Retin A cream that makes my face flakey, can the
Ultra Repair Cream help?

Using our Ultra Repair Cream in combination with Retin A treatments will certainly help eliminate the flakiness without interfering with the absorption of the Retain A. We suggest mixing the two creams and smoothing it over the entire facial area.


What other conditions does the Ultra Repair Cream specifically treat?

The Ultra Repair Cream is our most unique product in terms of its broad range of applications. This item was designed to powerfully deliver hydration deep into the dermis. A common theme that many dermatoses share is the excessive loss of water from the skin’s surface resulting in dehydration of the skin. Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris – all of these inflammatory dermatosis begin with excessive water loss. The Ultra Reapair Cream returns moisture to the skin, so that healing can begin. If you have a mild case of any of the conditions listed above, the Ultra Repair Cream may be all you need, without a prescription! Even after your dermatologist’s treatment either with a medication or an in-office procedure, the Ultra Repair Cream is ideal for moisture retention and maintenance.


3.3 Blemish Eraser


What are the strengths of FAB’s Blemish Eraser?

3.5% benzoyl peroxide is the perfect concentration to start fighting acne breakouts. It is strong enough to drop pimple-causing bacterial counts by the thousands. The formula also contains soothing agents, such as witch hazel and aloe, that protect underlying skin while benzoyl peroxide goes to work. FAB’s Blemish Eraser feels light and fresh on the skin, leaving no residue. The product dries down to a soft matte finish that will not interfere with makeup application.


What makes FAB’s Blemish Eraser different from other similar products on the market?

Sure, there are other benzoyl peroxide containing products out there, but none that have the
parallel cooling action of witch-hazel alongside our unique FAB Antioxidant Booster. These agents cool down unnecessary inflammation while our benzoyl perozide goes to work on the tough bacteria that cause acne.


I suffer from different types of pimples – some are blackheads while other are like angry red pimples. Can the blemish erase tackle all these different types?

Yes, our benzoyl peroxide acts immediately to kill bacteria on contact. Witch hazel within the product gently exfoliates dead skin trapped within sebaceous units that can cause black and white heads. Finally, aloe serves to sooth any inflammation that an acne pimple has created.


How often should I use this product?

We recommend applying the Blemish Eraser at least twice daily directly on affected areas or a
thin layer over any part of the face that is prone to breakouts. It may be used every four hours for a more rapid response.


How long will it take to see a difference?

Results will be visible within just a few days. Our acne solution can help decrease a pimple’s life cycle by several days!


If I use FAB’s Blemish Eraser every day, will I still break out?

The FAB Blemish Eraser works wonderfully for active breakouts. It also helps prevent development of new acne. No acne product can completely prevent breakouts, but our product can help reduce and control them.


Can my child or teenager use the Blemish Eraser?

FAB’s Blemish Eraser is excellent for tweens and teens, because it’s exceptionally gentle. Our product contains no alcohol or other irritants. Instead, witch hazel and aloe calm redness and inflammation associated with breakouts. Nevertheless, if irritation or a rash occurs, discontinue use immediately.


I use acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide and have noticed some of my towels and/or pillowcases have become stained, almost as if they were bleached. Why does this happen?

Because these products contain peroxide, they may bleach hair or dyed fabrics. Apply carefully around hairline and eyebrows and allow product to absorb and dry completely before coming in contact with hair or dyed fabrics.


Why benzoyl peroxide and not salicylic acid commonly used in other acne products? Why not both? And why 3.5%?

Benzoyl peroxide has been shown to work against both inflammatory (“pimples”) and non-inflammatory (“white/blackheads”) acne. Most acne sufferers exhibit a mix of these two forms of acne. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, works mostly against non-inflammatory acne only and then not as well as benzoyl peroxide. The problem with combining the two chemicals is two-fold: 1) Lots of irritation can result since both agents together may severely chap the skin and 2) They don’t mix well together, resulting in a non-uniform solution. Benzoyl peroxide works in as fast as five days and has been shown superior to even prescription antibiotics like clindamycin, because antibiotic resistance can never delvelop! The best part is that more is not better – 3.5% has been shown to have the exact same killing power against P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, as 10% without the drying that results from higher concentrations.


3.4. Detox Eye Roller


Why do I have dark, puffy circles under my eyes?

Undereye skin is the thinnest on the body, so it is the most susceptible to photodamage, gravity, and fat atrophy that naturally occurs as we age. As this tissue below the eye thins, blood vessels become more prominent, imparting a bluish discoloration. This bluish color can make our eye sockets appear sunken or sullen. Look closer…because the skin here is so paper thin, sun damage (brownish pigment) often develops quickly. So we’ve packed our Detox Eye Roller with licorice root, nature’s most powerful lightener. Temporary puffiness can also be caused by factors such as a lack of sleep and dehydration.


Is FAB’s Detox Eye Roller product right for me to correct this issue?

FAB’s Detox Eye Roller contains caffeine, a potent vasoconstrictor. Applying this product to the skin’s surface helps constrict fine blood vessels that impart a bluish discoloration to the under eye skin. By constricting these superficial capillaries, we can decrease unsightly blue color of the skin. Then hyaluronate in the formula attracts hundreds of times its weight in water to recapture lost volume in this dynamic area. While attacking bluish discoloration, we need to also protect very delicate skin. That’s where soothing witch-hazel comes in. Soothes as it corrects!


How can caffeine, applied just to the surface of the skin, act a vasoconstrictor?

Bisabolol and glycerin allow our potent caffeine concentration to reach down to the microvasculature of the superficial dermis. The papillary or upper dermis contains a high blood:tissue ratio, so it is acutely sensitive to any vaso-active ingredients in the area. Once these tiny vessels have constricted, red eases and the skin assumes its normal flesh color.


Why a roller ball with the Detox Eye Roller?

This is such a specialized area of tissue that we needed a delivery system that would stay put. Our roller ball is not only antiseptic but it also enables you to get results right where you want them. The delivery roller ball itself helps gently distribute lymphatic buildup from underneath the eyes, resulting in less baggy, saggy looking skin.


How often should I use the Detox Eye Roller?

We recommend twice daily use, in the AM and PM before bed, allowing the caffeine to work on non-engorged undereye vessels. However, the Detox Eye Roller can be used safely throughout the day to sooth tired eyes.


How long will it take before I see the results?

The results are immediate. Within minutes, you’ll notice a hydrated dermis that looks and feels healthier and fresher. Over time, these results will compound and become even more dramatic. For most, peak improvement is reached after daily use for about one month.


Why do I feel my skin tingle when I apply the Detox Eye Roller?

No need for alarm! Some people are especially sensitive to the powerful actives in the product, such as caffeine, which can produce a tingling sensation upon application.


Do I need to use an eye cream along with the Detox Eye Roller?

Not unless you feel you need the additional hydration. Our Eye Roller is a multi-tasker that restores volume, diminishes fine lines, and lightens and brightens the undereye area. However, if you do use an eye cream, make sure to apply the Detox Eye Roller first.


3.5.  Healing Stick


What is the Healing Stick?

The Healing Stick is formulated with 1% hydrocortisone and works on just about anything that inflames your skin. Bug bites, poison ivy, a bad-day at the fragrance counter, harsh soaps, chapped lips are just a few of the indications for this hydrocortisone product. Apply twice daily and watch inflammation melt away! However, if your rash persists beyond one week of use, please seek medical attention.


What is the benefit of the stick delivery system?

Unlike other hydrocortisone products on the market, ours is a thick stick so it is stays put and doesn’t run into areas where your skin doesn’t need it. Its easy application makes it ideal for on the go.


Should I be concerned with the use of petrolatum and mineral oil in this product? I thought these ingredients clog pores.

Mineral oil and petrolatum have both been proven to clog pores (“comedogenic”) when used continuously for over a month. This is why placing either of these ingredients in a daily cosmetic or moisturizer is a bad idea. Our Healing Stick is a unique therapy because it’s only intended for up to two weeks of use. For this short duration, on irritated, red, itchy skin, the Stick carries no acne side effects and serves to deliver powerful, soothing results quickly. Petrolatum and mineral oil are gold-standard, inert ingredients that help our hydrocortisone stay put where applied, so as to better target anti-inflammatory power where it’s needed most!


Can you provide more examples of what I might use the Healing Stick for?

Surely! The Healing Stick is used for the temporary improvement of red, itchy, scaly rashes. So, for example, eczema - whether caused by a harsh soap (irritant eczema) or poison ivy (allergic eczema) – is an ideal indication for our Healing Stick. But the indications for the Healing Stick just start there. Bug bites are red and itchy – a perfect summertime use for the Healing Stick! Psoriasis can be red and itchy and would be soothed with our Healing Stick. Keratosis Pilaris, those red, itchy bumps you can get on the backs of your arms…you guessed it, FAB Healing Stick!


Can the Healing Stick be used safely by children?

Absolutely. You can use it on your kids for the same indications as adults. In addition, it is the perfect item to throw into your kids’ camp bag or back pack. Just make sure to tell them not to use the product more than four times a day. Also, remind them that they should not apply the product to the same area for more than a week.


3.6. Anti-Redness Serum


Why do I have facial redness?

There are several conditions that can produce facial redness. One of the most common is rosacea, a condition that affects facial skin and has a strong familial link. Individuals with rosacea often note excess facial flushing with alcoholic drinks or spicy foods.  Its appearance can range from facial redness to red bumps and small pustules on the surface of the skin. Some individuals just have a reddish complexion without carrying the diagnosis of rosacea. For example, “ruddy” complexion is indicative of small blood vessels near the surface of the skin and tends to run in families. In addition, people with sensitive or excessively dry skin may experience facial redness due to temporary or chronic irritation.


How does the FAB Anti-Redness Serum work?

FAB Anti-Redness Serum is packed with caffeine, a natural vasoconstrictor that can help with visible skin redness. By shrinking blood vessels, FAB Anti-Redness Serum improves unsightly redness in the dermis. Colloidal sulfur in the formula works to combat the root cause of many types of redness. Aloe soothes while ginger works as a natural, powerful anti-inflammatory. Bisabolol is an exceptionally gentle anti-inflammatory that aids penetration of our formula’s actives.


Will FAB Anti-Redness Serum eliminate my facial redness?

As explained above, the ingredients in FAB Anti-Redness Serum are designed to help combat
redness from several different angles.  Using the Anti-Redness Serum may solve your skin problem. Caffeine, ginger, aloe and bisabolol all work in unity to soften the appearance of red skin. However, rosacea is a challenging medical condition that often requires medical attention, such as laser therapy, to treat effectively.


What about menopausal women who experience facial redness due to hotf lashes? Will the Anti-Redness Serum work here?

“Hot flashes” experienced by post-menopausal women are believed to result when the hypothalamus (a centralized part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature) is inappropriately triggered due to low circulating estrogen levels. The result of this stimulus is ito nitiate one of the body’s “cool down” processes, namely, dilating blood vessels in the skin to allow them to radiate off heat. Voila, a hot flash! Our caffeinated Anti-Redness Serum will help surface blood vessels shrink back down to their normal size, easing hot flash symptoms. Once these vessels are no longer dilated, the sensation of flushing eases, and concentrated aloe can then soothe any inflamed facial skin.


How can caffeine, applied just to the surface of the skin, act a vasoconstrictor?

Bisabolol and glycerin allow our potent caffeine concentration to reach down to the microvasculature of the superficial dermis. The papillary or upper dermis contains a high blood:tissue ratio, so it is acutely sensitive to any vaso-active ingredients in the area. Once these tiny vessels have constricted, red eases and the skin assumes its normal flesh color.


How often and when should I use the FAB Anti-Redness Serum?

FAB Anti-Redness Serum is best used twice daily, after washing with the FAB Face Cleanser.
Removing any impurities and make-up from the surface of your facial skin will allow the serum to get straight to work!


Will it prevent redness or should I only use it when I have visible signs of redness on my face?

FAB Anti-Redness Serum is designed as treatment for reddish skin; however, it also contains powerful preventative agents for individuals who suffer from chronic redness.