749 replies to this topic

[Dtamer]

Cool, I'll have to look into this!

[Bahesmama]

I was wondering if any of you had seen this response titled "I Pissed Off the Owner of Green Cream!" by Paula Begoun about Green Cream and its poor rating at Beautypedia:

"My team and I recently reviewed the retinol products sold under the Green Cream brand. Despite lots of consumer interest in these products, I reported that none of them were worth the expense or even mild curiosity because all of them contained way too much alcohol. Retinol is a great ingredient for skin, and its many benefits are well-documented. However, Green Cream's attempt to offer their own retinol products is a dismal failure, at least in comparison to numerous retinol products from other brands.

Kevin Katechis, the founder and president of Advanced Skin Technology, the company behind Green Cream blogged that I was "factually incorrect"� in some of my statements, I would like to respond and offer the following information point-by-point:


I incorrectly stated that Advanced Skin Technology company that makes Grean Cream does not sell pre- and post-surgical treatment products. Another company with the same name Advanced Skin Technology does.

Mr. Katechis did not like my criticism of his company only offering retinol products. While retinol is a "performance-based" ingredient as Green Cream claims, so are countless others, including basic staples like cleansing agents, dozens of antioxidants, and even plain old glycerin. Katechis mentions in his blog that retinol has successfully treated over 150 skin ailments. Quite a boast, and one that isn't supported by abundant research. A medical study search doesn't even bring up even close to that number. I've seen research showing retinol is primarily helpful for wrinkles, sun damage, and limited research about a couple other problems such as psoriais, but that's about it. I would love to see the research Katechis has because it isn't in the scientific literature.

He was confused that on one hand I commend Dr. Terezakis (the physician who formulated Green Cream) for keeping things simple and then state that it's bad their product range is so limited. I clearly state in my review a simple approach to skin care isn't a bad philosophy, but then I explain that Green Cream may be simple but the products are badly formulated due to their alcohol content.
Katechis also took issue with my statement that his company was trying to skirt the issue of alcohol in their products by listing it as ethanol. He's right that ethanol is the technical name for common alcohol, but incorrect that the FDA requires cosmetic products that contain alcohol to be labeled as "ethanol"�. They only require drugs to be labeled that way and cosmetics must be labeled as either SD Alcohol (followed by a number), or denatured alcohol or in the EU as alcohol denat, a cosmetics company cannot just list ethanol.
What the FDA does state on their Web site is "a cosmetic is also a drug, the label must list first the established name of the drug ingredient(s) and the quantity, kind and proportion of any alcohol, in compliance with sec. 502(e) of the FD&C Act, as "Active Ingredients"� and then the remaining ingredients, in compliance with § 701.3(a) or (f), as "Cosmetic Ingredients".� The problem? None of the Green Cream products are considered drugs! That means ideally the ethanol should've been listed as SD-alcohol followed by a number indicating how the alcohol was denatured (made to taste bad if ingested) or ethanol denatured."

[LionQueen]

The primary problems with ethanol on skin are irritation and dryness. If anyone has a sensitivity to ethanol or alcohol, Green Cream is certainly not the right choice for them.

That said ... I have used it for years now with no irritation or dryness whatsoever ... my skin has never been so healthy or so balanced.

Also, Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com), a site which is extremely exacting about product purity and formulation, not only sells Green Cream but praises the formulation.

So I am not particularly impressed with Paula Begoun's review on this one. It's a highly effective product and I think she is over-stating the alcohol problem.

Each to their own, of course. And as I said: if your skin is particularly sensitive to alcohol, don't use GC.

[crazygamar]

Haha I just got done reading that not too long ago.

I posted in the other green cream is awesome topic about how I really want to use Green cream but am worried about the Ethanol content. (which i deleted, no use in having two of the same)

Trust me, I dont let too much worry me, I will argue till im blue in the face about such things as color and benzoyl peroxide being carcinogenic. Due to my major, I have read more medical journals than I care to count.

In that surplus of medical journals, I have come across numerous studies showing that ethanol causes apoptosis. If you dont know what that is, its basically rapid cell death in which they commit suicide.

I can post one study on here that talks about this and even if the ethanol is in small amounts (probably smaller than what green cream has in the product), however the rest you must subscribe to (like me) which is quite expensive. Again, basically the studies show that topically applied ethanol instigates cell death. Well correct me if im wrong, but isnt the purpose of many skincare ingredients, including Retinol to help create new healthier cells? Seems to me that may be hard to do with a cell killing ingredient.

Anywho, I dont want to scare anyone or turn anyone away from green cream, as said above, to each his own. But I do feel (just as paula) that information is power and I like to let people know about this.

[psybk]

do anyone know if there are any products that can't be used in conjuction with the green cream. Currently I'm using green cream level 3, but I'm thinking about going up to level 6 in the next couple of weeks and also including a hyaluronic acid serum in my regime. Is that a safe thing to do? Because I know AHA can't be used with retinoids...

These are the Ingredients:

Distilled Water
Tamarind Seed Extract
Yeast Extract
Sodium PCA
Hyaluronic Acid [Bio]
Optiphen

Thanks for your reply

In addition, I noticed that I've been breaking out a lot lately. I've been using level 3 for like 8 weeks now. I've never broken out this much before because I have dry skin and I start using the product to help with some hyper pigmentation spot I got due to my excessive tanning during my teenager years (I'm currently 22 yrs old).

[LionQueen]

Hyaluronic acid serum is fine to use with Green Cream .... it's a humectant, not an exfoliant.

oh, and AHAs actually can be used with retinoids. Diacneal, for instance, includes 6% glycolic acid in its formulation. It all depends on how strong a product you are using and how gradually you introduce it.

The breakout you are seeing may be the result of your pores purging. That's how retinoids work ... for the first few months, you see a lot of blockages coming to the surface.

You don't want to have benzoyl peroxide on your face at the same time as GC (it oxidizes the retinol) but aside from that I can't think of any hard & fast rules about what can/can't be used with it. Just make sure it goes on a clean face and you don't apply anything else over it for at least 30-45 minutes.

[Siava]

oh, and AHAs actually can be used with retinoids. Diacneal, for instance, includes 6% glycolic acid in its formulation. It all depends on how strong a product you are using and how gradually you introduce it.

My derm told me to start using AHA with my current retinoid to combat millia. It's always reassuring to see recommendations coming from other sources, too. Thanks, LQ.

[LionQueen]

Haha I just got done reading that not too long ago.

I posted in the other green cream is awesome topic about how I really want to use Green cream but am worried about the Ethanol content. (which i deleted, no use in having two of the same)

Trust me, I dont let too much worry me, I will argue till im blue in the face about such things as color and benzoyl peroxide being carcinogenic. Due to my major, I have read more medical journals than I care to count.

In that surplus of medical journals, I have come across numerous studies showing that ethanol causes apoptosis. If you dont know what that is, its basically rapid cell death in which they commit suicide.

I can post one study on here that talks about this and even if the ethanol is in small amounts (probably smaller than what green cream has in the product), however the rest you must subscribe to (like me) which is quite expensive. Again, basically the studies show that topically applied ethanol instigates cell death. Well correct me if im wrong, but isnt the purpose of many skincare ingredients, including Retinol to help create new healthier cells? Seems to me that may be hard to do with a cell killing ingredient.

Anywho, I dont want to scare anyone or turn anyone away from green cream, as said above, to each his own. But I do feel (just as paula) that information is power and I like to let people know about this.

Post the study, by all means. Everyone should make an informed choice here.

Here's what puzzles me .... exactly what sort of harm is it that Paula and her team think the ethanol might be doing? Because, while I have plenty of respect for scientific studies and all that, I'd like to know exactly how applicable those studies really are to this product, the way it is formulated and the way it is used.

If GC's ethanol content were really so damaging to the skin, don't you think people's skin would look worse over time, not better? Because I'm now coming up on my 4-year anniversary with this product and I still think it's a freakin' miracle.

Sundamage: gone.

Acne: gone.

Fine lines: softened.

Skin tone: soft, clear, matte and glowing.

I recently took a few months off from GC because I am trying to get rid of my fungal folliculitis, and I figured the fewer products on my face, the better. Well, a week ago, I looked at my dehydrated, shiny, irritated skin in the mirror and said "screw it, I'm going back on GC." One week of nightly GC later, it has completely turned itself around. Matte, glowing and smooth again.

So, yeah. I just don't get it. If it's so bad for me, why does my skin look (and act) so healthy? Shouldn't I be turning into a human prune or something?

[tygerskyn]

I've used GC for a month, and I love it! If I could afford to keep using it, I definitely would, but $40 is just too pricey right now.

I definitely recommend it to anyone who can afford it.

[crazygamar]

Haha I just got done reading that not too long ago.

I posted in the other green cream is awesome topic about how I really want to use Green cream but am worried about the Ethanol content. (which i deleted, no use in having two of the same)

Trust me, I dont let too much worry me, I will argue till im blue in the face about such things as color and benzoyl peroxide being carcinogenic. Due to my major, I have read more medical journals than I care to count.

In that surplus of medical journals, I have come across numerous studies showing that ethanol causes apoptosis. If you dont know what that is, its basically rapid cell death in which they commit suicide.

I can post one study on here that talks about this and even if the ethanol is in small amounts (probably smaller than what green cream has in the product), however the rest you must subscribe to (like me) which is quite expensive. Again, basically the studies show that topically applied ethanol instigates cell death. Well correct me if im wrong, but isnt the purpose of many skincare ingredients, including Retinol to help create new healthier cells? Seems to me that may be hard to do with a cell killing ingredient.

Anywho, I dont want to scare anyone or turn anyone away from green cream, as said above, to each his own. But I do feel (just as paula) that information is power and I like to let people know about this.

Post the study, by all means. Everyone should make an informed choice here.

Here's what puzzles me .... exactly what sort of harm is it that Paula and her team think the ethanol might be doing? Because, while I have plenty of respect for scientific studies and all that, I'd like to know exactly how applicable those studies really are to this product, the way it is formulated and the way it is used.

If GC's ethanol content were really so damaging to the skin, don't you think people's skin would look worse over time, not better? Because I'm now coming up on my 4-year anniversary with this product and I still think it's a freakin' miracle.

Sundamage: gone.

Acne: gone.

Fine lines: softened.

Skin tone: soft, clear, matte and glowing.

I recently took a few months off from GC because I am trying to get rid of my fungal folliculitis, and I figured the fewer products on my face, the better. Well, a week ago, I looked at my dehydrated, shiny, irritated skin in the mirror and said "screw it, I'm going back on GC." One week of nightly GC later, it has completely turned itself around. Matte, glowing and smooth again.

So, yeah. I just don't get it. If it's so bad for me, why does my skin look (and act) so healthy? Shouldn't I be turning into a human prune or something?

Well I asked Kevin about it recently. He was really cool about it and answered my question. He said he agrees that ethanol is bad in products, it does do a lot of what people says it does. But he also said that while most companies put a "thimble" full into their products, Green cream only puts a "drop" in. With such a minimal amount, the effects of the retinol far outweigh the effects of the ethanol.

He also gave me some more information that was very interesting.

So like you said, its all up to the person deciding to make an informed choice. I have heard a lot of stories like yours though. So maybe all in all what kevin says is right.

And as for Paula, I think your right, i think sometimes she makes rash decisions without knowing the whole story. She basically did what i did, the word ethanol appears in the list and i know, not sure if she does, that ethanol can cause cellular death. So instead of looking at the whole product, she looks at it as if its black and white, ethanol is bad, this product is bad. But most products that contain ethanol dont contain ingredients like retinol that help boost cell birth.

Although ethanol isnt the best ingredient, i dont think that companies would be selling products with it in if it was going to ruin the applicants skin.

Im glad its working for you. Im using a retinol called afirm now, but after thats all, I may try using green cream again and see how it works. I tend to dwell on ingredients and whether they are pore clogging, or dangerous, etc. And sometimes thats alright, but sometimes it gets annoying because I limit what I can use down to 3 products out of 100. Hopefully i'll get over it one day.

[thunderbay]

Nice to see someone like LionQueen start a post and stick with it to counsell and help people.

Now it's your turn to counsel me. lol

I have had dermabrasion, and Co2 laser. AFter years of acne and scar treatments I have done nothing for my skin for the past 5 years. conscious choice, was just sick of applying crap. My skin actually improved for a while by leaving it alone.

Now I want to help my skin look more rejuvenated. I get red really easily so I fall under the sensitive skin catagory plus i live in arizona with lots of sun. I no longer have any acne at all so that is of no concern. I am 40 so my skin is more dry then anything.

In the past i used the retinoids at their lowest strength but my face still flushed a lot and was very irritated. Do you think the green cream will be any different?

Which of Paula's AHA or BHA would be better for sensitive skin.

Currently i am trying alpha lipoic acid on my face. No major irritation just been using it for one week.

thanks.

[LionQueen]

IMO, a retinol product is best for skin rejuvenation. When you say you used retinoids at their lowest strength, are you referring to prescription products?

If you can tolerate it, I'd recommend GC Level 3 or something similar. Get a sample size first to make sure your skin can handle it, and follow the usage instructions about easing into it. And wear your sunblock!

BHAs are not the best choice for skin rejuvenation. AHAs can be good (lactic acid helps hydrate the skin), but if you have sensitive skin you should just pick one active (retinol or AHA) and stick with it for quite awhile before trying to introduce anything else.

I was not impressed with topical alpha lipoic acid, btw, but maybe it was just the formulation I used. Green Cream has given me much better results.

[thunderbay]

IMO, a retinol product is best for skin rejuvenation. When you say you used retinoids at their lowest strength, are you referring to prescription products?

If you can tolerate it, I'd recommend GC Level 3 or something similar. Get a sample size first to make sure your skin can handle it, and follow the usage instructions about easing into it. And wear your sunblock!

BHAs are not the best choice for skin rejuvenation. AHAs can be good (lactic acid helps hydrate the skin), but if you have sensitive skin you should just pick one active (retinol or AHA) and stick with it for quite awhile before trying to introduce anything else.

I was not impressed with topical alpha lipoic acid, btw, but maybe it was just the formulation I used. Green Cream has given me much better results.

Yes I used retinol about 10 years ago. I was the lowest strength prescription you can get. I believe it was .1 percent. Is this GC 3 considered lower then this?

What is a good AHA product for sensitive skin if I decide to go for that?

BTW I dont need a product that is anti acne I simply never break out anymore. Nice thing about being 40 I guess.

[LionQueen]

I'm still uncertain about the product you used before. If it was prescription, it sounds like it was Retin A (tretinoin), which is far stronger -- and far more irritating -- than a retinol product.

I simply can't imagine a .1% retinol product being prescription .... that would be extremely mild. .1% tretinoin, on the other hand, is quite powerful.

Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com) makes excellent AHA products. Her 10% lactic acid would be a good place to start. You only leave it on for 60 seconds or so the first time you use it, and gradually work up to longer periods of time. Lactic acid is less irritating and more hydrating to your skin than glycolic, so I would recommend it.

[shellybelly]

Not to butt in on this thread but where would I be able to purchase a sample of Green Cream I have looked online but have not seen a place offering a sample/trial size for purchase..

[Belaire]

Not to butt in on this thread but where would I be able to purchase a sample of Green Cream I have looked online but have not seen a place offering a sample/trial size for purchase..

I recently purchased a one oz. pump of Green Cream online at skincarerx.com for $39.95 plus $5.95 shipping.

[Daisy B.]

Not to butt in on this thread but where would I be able to purchase a sample of Green Cream I have looked online but have not seen a place offering a sample/trial size for purchase..

Green Cream Samples

[thunderbay]

I'm still uncertain about the product you used before. If it was prescription, it sounds like it was Retin A (tretinoin), which is far stronger -- and far more irritating -- than a retinol product.

I simply can't imagine a .1% retinol product being prescription .... that would be extremely mild. .1% tretinoin, on the other hand, is quite powerful.

Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com) makes excellent AHA products. Her 10% lactic acid would be a good place to start. You only leave it on for 60 seconds or so the first time you use it, and gradually work up to longer periods of time. Lactic acid is less irritating and more hydrating to your skin than glycolic, so I would recommend it.

it was a long time ago so your probably right it was tretinoin. I remember a .1 and a .5 or a .01 so i cant really remember.
i ordered some green cream.
I have used glycolic acid in the past with good results. The 10 percent lactic acid scares me a bit. sounds very strong.

[LionQueen]

The 10% lactic is not a leave-on product ... you wash it off after a minute or two.

[Smak]

Hi everyone (1st post ), after reading through this thread and considering my skin condition I decided to look into purchasing some GC6, only problem I live in the UK and after shipping a 1oz bottle will cost up to £40! Is anyone aware of a cheaper or even UK supplier? I can source Diacneal cream for around £16 from UK stores but don't how this compares to say the GC6 products or is good alternative? How does the 0.1% Retinaldehyde compare to the 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% figures of the GC?


Thanks in advance for any help!