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 brightening serums

PRODUCT REVIEW: REMEDY FOR DARK SPOTS NIGHTLY ALL IN ONE TREATMENT - What is the cause of dark spots? How do you get rid of dark spots on your skin? What is Tranexamic Acid?

May 9

May 9 PRODUCT REVIEW: REMEDY FOR DARK SPOTS NIGHTLY ALL IN ONE TREATMENT - What is the cause of dark spots? How do you get rid of dark spots on your skin? What is Tranexamic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening, brightening serums, dark spots, Exfoliators, hyperpigmentation, Niacinamide, Retinol, Retinol 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: FIG.1 VITAMIN C 15% TREATMENT - What should not be mixed with vitamin C? Can sensitive skin use vitamin C? What is Ferulic Acid

Nov 26

Nov 26 PRODUCT REVIEW: FIG.1 VITAMIN C 15% TREATMENT - What should not be mixed with vitamin C? Can sensitive skin use vitamin C? What is Ferulic Acid

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, antioxidants, best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, brightening serums, hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C

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: DERMALOGICA LIQUID PEELFOLIANT EXFOLIATOR WITH AHA, BHA AND PHA - What is the best percentage of glycolic acid? Is 10% glycolic acid too strong? What does PHA do for skin?

Sep 10

Sep 10 PRODUCT REVIEW: DERMALOGICA LIQUID PEELFOLIANT EXFOLIATOR WITH AHA, BHA AND PHA - What is the best percentage of glycolic acid? Is 10% glycolic acid too strong? What does PHA do for skin?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, brightening, brightening serums, Exfoliators, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Polyhydroxy Acid, Salicylic Acid

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS - What percentage of niacinamide is effective? Can I use niacinamide everyday? Can you use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Sep 3

Sep 3 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS - What percentage of niacinamide is effective? Can I use niacinamide everyday? Can you use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Carmine Montalto

PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging serums, AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening, brightening serums, dehydrated skin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydration, Niacinamide, oily skin moisturizer

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: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING NIGHTLY EXFOLIATING TREATMENT - Is it okay to exfoliate sensitive skin? What happens if you don't exfoliate?

Aug 4

Aug 4 PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING NIGHTLY EXFOLIATING TREATMENT - Is it okay to exfoliate sensitive skin? What happens if you don't exfoliate?

Carmine Montalto

best anti-aging, best anti-aging serum, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging creams, anti-aging serums, brightening serums, brightening creams, Exfoliators, face cream sensitive skin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, sensitive skin

PRODUCT REVIEW: ACURE BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C & FERULIC ACID SERUM - What is Ferulic Acid? Is Ferulic Acid same as Vitamin C? Is Ferulic Acid necessary with Vitamin C?

Jul 17

Jul 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: ACURE BRIGHTENING VITAMIN C & FERULIC ACID SERUM - What is Ferulic Acid? Is Ferulic Acid same as Vitamin C? Is Ferulic Acid necessary with Vitamin C?

Carmine Montalto

anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, AM ROUTINE, AM Regimen, antioxidants, brightening serums, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, Vitamin C

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 INKEY LIST POLYGLUTAMIC ACID DEWY SUNSCREEN SPF 30 - What Is Polyglutamic Acid? Is Polyglutamic Acid Better than Hyaluronic Acid?

Apr 2

Apr 2 PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST POLYGLUTAMIC ACID DEWY SUNSCREEN SPF 30 - What Is Polyglutamic Acid? Is Polyglutamic Acid Better than Hyaluronic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, best anti-aging, dehydrated skin, anti-aging creams, best sunscreen, brightening serums, Facial sunscreen, Hydration, sunscreen, sunscreen for face

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: SUNDAY RILEY B3 NICE 10% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What Niacinamide Does to Your Face? Which Is Better Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid?

Feb 22

Feb 22 PRODUCT REVIEW: SUNDAY RILEY B3 NICE 10% NIACINAMIDE SERUM - What Niacinamide Does to Your Face? Which Is Better Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, antioxidants, brightening, brightening serums

PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING VITAMIN C SERUM - What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Can I Use Vitamin C on My Face Everyday?

Feb 17

Feb 17 PRODUCT REVIEW: CERAVE SKIN RENEWING VITAMIN C SERUM - What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Can I Use Vitamin C on My Face Everyday?

Carmine Montalto

AM Regimen, AM ROUTINE, PM Regimen, PM ROUTINE, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, best anti-aging serum, antioxidants, brightening, brightening serums, Niacinamide, Vitamin C

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