One simple trick you can do to soothe tired eyes is to stick your eye cream in the fridge. The coldness can act like a compress to depuff eyes. Although you can try this trick anytime, it’s perfect to try in the summer for a quick cooling effect during heat waves.
Happy Friday everyone!
Since it’s Halloween weekend, I have a special skin saving tip to share with those that are planning to dress up. 🙂
Applying a silicone-based primer or moisturizer will not only help your makeup apply smoother but it will also act as a barrier between the makeup and your skin, protecting you from any irritation that can stem from artificial colors.
Have a safe weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Happy Friday readers!
If you’ve never really had sensitive skin but all of a sudden you’re experiencing irritation, you may have sensitized skin. Sensitized skin can be a result of stress, hormonal fluctuations, smoking, alcohol, poor diet, medical procedures, over-exfoliated skin and fragrance. Eliminating or controlling these factors should help you get your skin back to normal.
Have a great weekend!
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
Ever wonder how much skincare product you need to use during your daily regimen? Use this visual, courtesy of Bioelements, as a guide.
Enjoy the weekend!
Stephanie
Happy Thursday everyone! Anybody else ready for the weekend?
I have a special post today about seasonal skincare that was inspired by the people over at Dollar Shave Club. As a company that provides an economical and convenient way to deliver razors each month, they also recognize the importance of a good daily skincare routine. They reached out to me to share my tips for keeping skin healthy and glowing all year long so let’s get to it!
Spring
Spring brings with it the renewal and resurrection of nature but, unfortunately, for most of us it also brings one not so great feature-allergies! The watery eyes, itchy throat and nose, and constant sneezing coupled with allergy medication can leave your skin sensitized. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen as some medications can cause skin to become more sensitive with sun exposure and keep your skincare routine basic (cleanser, toner and moisturizer) until you’re in the clear.
Summer
Arguably the most favored season, summer signifies endless days at the beach and camping trips which can also bring about sunburns if you’re not careful. It’s imperative to not only wear sunscreen but to also remember to reapply it every two hours or as directed. In the event of a sunburn, ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and yucca extract can help calm the burning and itchy sensation that often accompanies a sunburn. Dermalogica After Sun Repair is a personal fave!
It’s also good to include some type of exfoliation to help get rid of buildup that can clog pores. Skip skincare products that contain retinols and AHA’s and instead use scrubs that contain spherical jojoba beads for a more gentler form of exfoliation. Low foam cleansers remove oil and debris without stripping skin.
Fall
With summer over and temperatures dropping, now is a great time to step up your skincare routine and address any damage/sun spots that might have surfaced. Incorporating a vitamin C serum in the daytime under sunscreen can help brighten and fade spots over time. Using a retinol serum at night can smooth the appearance of skin and using AHA’s like lactic acid can help both exfoliate and hydrate the skin.
And, with the pumpkin craze that hits the market this time of year, why not add a professional pumpkin peel to your facial. Pumpkin peels are great for stimulating collagen and elastin production and reducing the sings of aging by softening fine lines and wrinkles. A perfect skin treat right before the holiday madness and they smell amazing!
Winter
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, celebrating the holidays with dear loved ones and hanging out in the snow filled mountains; however, cold harsh weather can wreak havoc on skin, making it feel dry. Add in all the indoor heating, and you’re left with skin that is tight and itchy. Combination to dry skin can benefit from a cream cleanser which is more hydrating and a richer moisturizer that contains ingredients like glycerin, squalane and shea butter. Oily and acne skin can still use a low foam cleanser but can implement a hyaluronic acid serum underneath their moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy.
If your skin is in good condition, you can schedule chemical peels to really resurface your skin and bring about a nice and healthy glow. Just remember that sunscreen is still a must this season and every season. Snow reflects about 80% of UV radiation so you want to make sure you’re protected.
I hope you find these tips helpful!
What are your tips for seasonal skincare?
Stephanie
It’s finally Friday and time for another skin tip!
Our skin is a very unique organ and if you pay close attention, you’ll start to see what it’s trying to tell you. If you’re using a product that suddenly leaves your skin red, blotchy and itchy, chances are it’s too strong for you or you’re having an allergic reaction. Likewise, if your skin has a slight burning feeling every time you apply a product, something is causing it to behave that way. Don’t ignore these signs and try to figure out what the product it is by process of elimination or asking advice from your trusted esthetician/medical professional.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
If you’re headed to the pool this weekend, make sure to rinse your skin with non-chlorinated water before you enter the pool as this can lessen the amount of irritation chlorine can cause the skin.
Have a safe weekend everyone and don’t forget to check out my article on sunburns here!
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
We have a long weekend ahead thanks to the 4th of July. Celebrate by adding some red, white and blue summer fruits packed with antioxidants that will keep you and your skin healthy and glowing!
Red: Strawberries are high in vitamin C and folate; watermelon (my fave) is high in vitamin A and C.
White: Lychee is a great source of vitamin C; jicama (aka yam bean) contains vitamin C and small levels of B-complex-tastes great with chile and lime!
Blue: Blueberries are an excellent source of fiber and high in vitamin C.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone! Hope everyone is doing well!
June is be comfortable in your own skin month and whatever skin condition or obstacle you’re battling, don’t forget to share a smile. You can spend thousands of dollars on skincare items and makeup but if you can’t also master the simple technique of smiling, then you’re missing the bigger picture.
Smiling can change our mood and alter a negative viewpoint into a positive one. It can also help alleviate stress, boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, make you look younger, seem more attractive, and best of all, it’s contagious. A smile will draw and bring happiness to you and those around you.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Hi everyone!
We’re into June (my birthday month!) and summer is right around the corner. Many of us are looking for ways to look our best and today I’m sharing some easy tips for achieving a perfect, healthy summer glow.
Protect Your Skin
One of the most important aspects on achieving healthy skin is to protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. While exposure to sunlight creates vitamin D, also known as the ‘the sunshine vitamin’, it is also responsible for 90% of all skin cancers. Excessive and unprotected UV exposure accelerates the aging process, degrading collagen that results in premature wrinkle formation and rough leathery skin. Using broad spectrum sunscreen everyday and reapplying every two hours, especially when outside is crucial and remember that 90% of UV reflection from sand and water bounces back!
Protect From Within!
Summer brings a bevy of delicious rich fruits and vegetables and eating these antioxidant rich foods does wonders for our body and skin! UV exposure and environmental pollution unleash free radicals that cause inflammation, oxidation, disease, and aging in the body- especially wrinkling and sagging of the skin. Because free radicals are unstable, they damage healthy cells when trying to stabilize themselves. Luckily, antioxidants can help reverse this damage and work as shields against further damage to tissues and cells. One of my favorite fruits that are in season during summer are blueberries. These tiny berries are bursting with antioxidants, have a low glycemic index and can be tossed into smoothies or oatmeal.
Take A Break…A Water Break, That Is!
As temperatures rise, we need to keep in mind our daily fluid intake. It’s so easy to get caught up in outdoor activities and forget to hydrate but our body and skin rely on water to function properly. Water aids in the elimination of toxins and waste, helps regulate body temperature and sustains cell health. If you’re not fond of plain water, try infusing it with your favorite fruit. Strawberries are another great and in season fruit for summer. High in vitamin C and folate, strawberries help with collagen maintenance, provide antioxidants, and boost circulation for healthy skin respectively. A win-win!
What are your tips for summer?
Stephanie
*All photography used here was done by my sister.