Skin Care Archives | Page 12 of 14

Hand Cream Favorites!

September 25, 2014

As colder weather starts to set in (except maybe here in California), were bound to be bombarded by excessive handwashing and hand sanitzer use in an attempt to prevent colds. The disadvantage? Dry hands. Here’s a couple of staple products I like to keep on hand. 🙂

bathandbodyworks.com; target.com

Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac Hand Sanitizing Gel, $1.75 and The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray, $2.99

Small and portable, the Pocket Bac Hand Sanitizers come in different scents and the Hand Sanitizer Spray makes disinfecting surfaces easy.

crabtree-evelyn.com

Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream in Rosewater, $8-$20

Was gifted a hand cream from this brand a few years back and I love how it contains ceramides and vitamin E to help moisturize the skin, yet feels light. Found this one at TJ Maxx for about $7.

sephora.com

Caudalie Nail and Hand Cream, $9-$15

Used this citrus scented hand cream back in esthetic school and loved how quickly it absorbed into skin. It contains grapeseed oil and vitamin E to provide antioxidant properties as well as shea butter. Leaves nails with a nice sheen.

bathandbodyworks.com

True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere and Silk Hand Cream, $12.95

Have used and repurchased this one for a long time and love the vanilla and sandalwood scent. Leaves hands feeling super soft. I have noticed this leaves behind a bit of shimmer but I don’t mind as it’s subtle.

lush.com

Lush New Charity Pot, $6.95-$25.95

New to my collection, I use this hand and body lotion at night or after I shower since it has a heavier and thicker consistency. Albeit ylang ylang and cocoa butter are dominant scents in this one, I find it’s the least scented one out of the bunch. Also, every dollar except the taxes goes towards a charity

sephora.com

L’Occitane Hand Cream, $12

Another staple product as it’s creamy but non-greasy. Shea butter is blended with honey, almond, grapeseed and coconut oils for a nice, hydrating formula that lasts.

Hope you enjoyed the post. What’s your favorite product?

Reader Question: Is It Good To Let Skin Breathe?

September 24, 2014

Q: There are days I like to let my skin breathe so I don’t apply anything on my face. Is this bad?

A: Great question! First of all, skin doesn’t ‘breathe’. It can absorb topical ingredients but it can’t breathe. If there are days you don’t feel like wearing makeup, don’t. I do this from time to time. However, it’s important to at least put on moisturizer and sunscreen every day. SPF protects from the sun’s harmful UV rays and also helps protect from skin cancer. Also, every skin type benefits from a moisturizer because throughout the day and night we tend to lose moisture and even if you hydrate your body from the inside by drinking water, our skin only receives a tiny portion; this is where topical products are beneficial. If, however, you find yourself wanting to let your skin ‘breathe’ because certain products/makeup clogs your pores, you may be using the wrong ingredients for your skin type. Look for products that are non-comedogenic if you have oily or acne prone skin.

Hope this answers your question and if you are interested in how your skin functions, check out this post I wrote 🙂

What Your Skin Does For You!

Thanks for the question and don’t forget to submit one here if you have one! 🙂

Needles For Aging Skin?

September 23, 2014

One of my readers asked me about micro needling so here’s the breakdown on this popular anti-aging process.

About Skin Needling

Skin needling, also referred to as microneedling or collagen induction therapy, is the use of multiple needles at one time on a set gauge or length that is either rolled or stamped onto the skin. Originally recognized as a method to repair scars in 1995 by Norman Orentreich, MD, and David S. Orentreich, MD, it was Des Fernandes, MD, who introduced skin needling as a skin rejuvenation method.

Different needle lengths will yield different results. For example, shorter needles will increase product penetration and stimulate collagen production while longer needles may be used to treat deeper wrinkles and scarring.

How it Works

Skin needling is based on the premise of a controlled wound response than in turn stimulates collagen production. Basically, anytime your skin is injured, it begins a process of wound healing that is followed by the production of new collagen and elastin. In skin needling, the needles create tiny ‘injuries’ that prompt this wound healing process.

Skin needling treatments will also be followed by applications of, but not limited to vitamin C, retinoids, peptides and/or hydroxy based exfoliants. Whereas microdermabrasion or chemical peels drive ingredients further into the skin by removing a layer(s) of skin, skin needling does the same without removing the top layer of skin.

Who’s A Good Candidate?

Most skin types and conditions can benefit from this treatment but may not be suited for skin that is sensitive or inflamed. Skin needling is used for fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and stretch marks. Treatments can be tailored according to skin types and conditions by changing the device, needle depth and frequency of treatments.

Things to Consider

A series of treatments are needed to achieve optimum results.

Treatments can range from $200-$500 per treatment.

The longer the needle is, this risk for infection increases; therefore follow your physicians instructions.

Procedures like these are usually performed in a medical office or medical spa- make sure the person performing the treatment is qualified and that he/she wears gloves at all times.

Although a topical numbing cream will be used prior to treatment, expect some discomfort.

Bottom Line: Skin needling is just one of many anti-aging options available that can generate great results. However, always do your research and consult with a professional to determine what works best for you.

I hope this article is helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

*Note: Although I love DIY treatments, this treatment is best left to professionals. Doing this yourself can cause damage and lead to severe infections.

Skin Tip: Ice for Blemishes

September 19, 2014

If you wake up with a blemish the day of an event, wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and place it on the blemish to for a couple of minutes to reduce redness and inflammation.

See you next week,

Stephanie

Can We Reach Pore-fection?

September 18, 2014

Aside from anti-aging, pore size seems to be a huge complaint from customers.

A study conducted by L’Oreal Paris revealed that roughly “45% of women wish they could change the size of their pores and almost one in three women (28%) are more concerned about their pore size than wrinkles.”

With so many products out there that claim to shrink or eliminate your pores, how do we know what works? Let’s take a closer look at what a pore really is.

What is a pore?

A pore is a small opening in the skin that allows oil to reach the surface. On average, an adult has five million pores on their body with approximately 20,000 on their face alone. Without pores, our skin would be dry and cracked since oil produced in the sebaceous glands travel up the pore to the skin’s surface and naturally moisturize the skin.

How is pore size determined?

For the most part, pore size is determined by genetics and generally speaking, is most prevalent in men. However, oil, dirt, dead skin cells and our lifestyle can impact pore size. For example, avid sun worshipers often see an increase in pore size because the sun’s UV rays breakdown and weaken the skin’s elasticity; the same can apply to aging skin. Oily skin types typically have an excessive accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin cells, leading to large, visible pores and in some cases acne.

How to minimize pore appearance

Since you can’t get ‘rid’ of pores (and really, you don’t want to as they flush out toxins and help regulate temperature) here’s a couple of suggestions to help reduce their appearance.

Thoroughly cleanse skin daily
Regular exfoliation with either enzymes or hydroxy acids (i.e. glycolic, lactic, or salicylic)
Those with oily skin types can benefit from using clay-based masks (look for kaolin or bentonite) about 2x/week
Limit excessive sun exposure and always wear SPF
Make sure you are using the correct skincare products/makeup for your skin type- makeup primers can help reduce pore appearance
Consult with a dermatologist and/or esthetician for other options such as chemical peels
Avoid pore strips as in the long run can stretch out skin even more

Questions? Comments? Have a pore-minimizing product you love? Do share!

Skin Tip: Irritated Skin

September 12, 2014

If you have a minor irritation/reaction to a product, using a cotton pad dipped in cold regular milk can soothe irritation and calm any redness. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse. Make sure you aren’t allergic to dairy.

*If you have a major reaction, such as blistering or hives, contact your primary physician or dermatologist and follow their instructions; taking a Benadryl may help symptoms but again, ask your physician if it’s okay.

Until next week,

Stephanie

Fall Favorites!

September 11, 2014

With fall practically right around the corner, here’s a couple of my favorite things I look forward to this season.

First on the list: pumpkins! With everything pumpkin flavored or scented abound, one of my favorite pumpkin related items are pumpkin peels. With glowing skin as a trend, a pumpkin peel can be a great way to attain this look-more about this in a future post!

Fall makeup trends! Of course you don’t need to adhere to these trends-makeup is after all a representation of your unique style- but here’s a brief overview of what’s ‘in’, this season.

Eyes: Blue shadow seems to be the dominate color followed by metallic silver, bronze and gold liquid shadows and liners. Liner and lashes take inspiration from the 1960’s (think Twiggy).

Lips: Depending on the look you want to exude, lips can range from shades of burgundy, velvet purple or red. Natural lips were also seen everywhere during Fashion Week.

Cheeks: Stick to natural shades of blush (or even bronzer) to balance out the eyes or lips.

Tea! Although any time is a great for tea, I just love the idea of curling up with a cup of hot tea on a cold night to unwind. Yes, I am obsessed with anything lavender 🙂

TV shows: By far one of my favorite shows, Once Upon A Time! Fairy tale stories, villains and awesome makeup. Other shows I am really looking forward to: Revenge, Bones,and Criminal Minds.

Scents: Season scented soaps to envelop your senses with!

Candles! Always a great way to end a day with while sipping tea.

What’s your favorite aspect of fall?

The Beauty in Sleep!

September 2, 2014

What’s one thing college students, new parents, teenagers and more than half of the American population have in common?

Sleep deprivation.

As important as it is to get enough sleep, a study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation in 2002 concluded that “74% of American adults experience a sleeping problem a few nights a week or more and 39% get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight.” Recently, The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement suggesting an 8:30 a.m. or later school start time for middle and high school students and with good reason.

Research has shown that young people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to suffer depression, be involved in car accidents and have lower test scores. Lack of sleep is also a risk factor for weight gain and can disrupt the body’s regulation of blood sugar. An increase in stress-hormone levels contribute to an elevated rise in blood pressure and promote inflammatory changes associated with chronic disease, including heart disease and diabetes.

Much More Than Just A Phrase

We’ve all heard about needing our ‘beauty sleep’ but it turns out this phrase isn’t just superficial-it can accelerate the aging process! On a visual level, not receiving the crucial shut-eye results in a dull complexion because when you are tired, blood doesn’t flow efficiently; fine lines also appear more prominent. On a deeper level, your skin, as well as your whole body, transitions into repair mode when you sleep. New skin cells grow and replace older cells. An increase in inflammatory cells in the body lead to a breakdown in collagen and hyaluronic acid, both of which assist in giving skin it’s glow, bounce and translucency.

A Look at ‘Beauty Sleep’ by the Hour

Perhaps Charles Perrault’s tale The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods was inadvertently on to something, except let’s replace the 100 years with the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. (Yet another example of how I love to tie beauty and literature together!)

Hours 1-3: The deepest sleep of the night, your body produces the most human growth hormone- critical to skin and hair repair.

Hours 4-5: Deep sleep shortens and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep begins. There’s also an increase in melatonin, a hormone with potent antioxidant properties to combat oxidative stress.

Hours 6-8: This is when you get the most REM sleep. Your skin’s temperature reaches its lowest point, enabling muscles to relax and allowing skin its deepest recovery.

Solutions to Promote Better Sleep

Sometimes sleep doesn’t come easily so if you have trouble sleeping, try these suggestions.

Schedule your bedtime and your wake-up time according to the number of hours of sleep you need.
About an hour or more before bedtime, stop phone calls and watching television and read or listen to music instead.
Try aromatherapy (my favorite!). Lavender, neroli and sandalwood essential oils can relax and promote a restful sleep. Fill half of a mini spray bottle with water, mix in your relaxing essential oil of choice and lightly spritz onto your sheets and/or pillow.
Learning to manage your stress or keep it under control will in turn yield to a more restful sleep. Breathing techniques, exercise, a spa visit and regular massages can keep stress in check.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. What helps you catch more Zzzzz’s?

Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.

LUSH Review!

August 21, 2014

I’ve heard some great things about LUSH so when I came across this store, I stopped by to check out what they have. If you’ve never heard of LUSH, they are a company that prides themselves on creating and selling fresh, handmade products with little to no preservative and they support humanitarian, environmental and animal rights causes. Their items range from shower gels, face masks, hair products and makeup among other little knick knacks. After glancing at their products, I decided on a face mask and shower gel.

The Sacred Truth Fresh Faced Mask

LUSH describes this mask as being for dry or mature skin but I definitely think combination/oily skin would benefit from this a bit more. The reason? It’s made with kaolin clay which helps remove sebum and removes impurities from the skin- not too ideal if you have dry to very dry skin. Among other ingredients, this mask also has honey ( a great humectant and antibacterial ingredient), shea butter, green tea, yogurt and fresh papaya juice, whose enzymes provide an exfoliating effect. After using this mask, my face did seem a bit brighter and smoother and my T-zone was less oily.

Pros

$6.95 for 2.1 oz

The bottom of the jar lists the date it was made, the person who made it and the date you should discard it

Handmade and fresh

Enzymes provide a gentler exfoliation effect

Nice cooling effect (especially for hot, summer days and nights!)

Cons

Because it is fresh, it needs to be stored in the fridge

Only sold in stores because it needs to be kept in the fridge

The smell- you either love it or hate it. Not the best smell in my opinion but tolerable

You get a good amount of product for the price but because it doesn’t have preservatives, it needs to be tossed out sooner than most products. Use it as a body treatment (i.e. your back and décolleté) so you don’t waste the product.

Can enhance your complexion but don’t expect major changes

It’s Raining Men Shower Gel

lushusa.com

Absolutely LOVE this shower gel! My skin is pretty sensitive to shower gels and I usually stick to Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash since it’s the only body wash that doesn’t irritate me or cause my skin to itch. So, needless to say I am very wary of trying anything new but I gave this a try and gladly so. It smells amazing-think honey, citrus and bergamot- and leaves skin super soft. I find the scent to be very soothing and the best part is no adverse reactions on me as of yet.

Pros

Moisturizes your skin and leaves skin soft even if I forget to moisturize

Leaves behind a faint scent that is not overwhelming

A little bit of product goes a long way

The bottle states when it was made and when to discard

Several sizes available

Cons

There is added fragrance so if you’re sensitive or allergic, tread with caution

Main ingredient is honey so if you’re allergic to it or to bees, steer clear

Price- it’s a bit more pricier than most body washes found in drugstores- $9.95, 3.3 oz; $$18.95, 8.4 oz; $28.95, 16.9 oz

Bottom Line- I think they have some great products to try but I was disappointed a lot of the products meant for the face have ground almonds in them. Ground nuts and fruits can be too abrasive for the delicate skin on your face and cause microscopic tears-save this knees, elbows and feet. Also, as I stated before, these can enhance your complexion but if you’re wanting professional results, this wouldn’t be the best line.

Have you tried LUSH products? What do you think about them?

Beauty And The Oils

August 19, 2014

Oils have been around since…well, forever but recently the beauty industry has seen their resurgence. It almost seems like there is a new ‘beauty’ oil discovered every week, each superseding the one before. From kitchen pantry and health food stores to the beauty aisle, the following oils are lauded as the ultimate ingredient for your face, body, hair and/or nails.

Argan (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil)

Pressed from nuts found in argan trees-exclusive only in Morroco- argan oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid, omega-6, which helps in maintaining the lipid barrier in skin and natural tocopherols (vitamin E). It nourishes, regenerates and protects the skin.

In hair, it adds moisture to dry hair, calms frizzy ends and can help with a dry scalp.

Coconut (Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil)

A staple in tropical regions of the world, coconut oil moisturizes, strengthens connective tissues, provides antibacterial properties through lauric acid, nourishes and heals. I think it’s important to note that although coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties and some people claim it’s a great treatment for acne, use caution. Those who suffer from acne may find it feels too heavy, clogging pores and potentially leading to more breakouts.

In regards to hair, coconut oil can penetrate better than other oils and therefore is commonly used as a deep conditioner (or found in conditioning products).

Grapeseed (Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil)

Extracted from the seeds of grapes, this is rich in linoleic acid and acts as an emollient and antioxidant (high in vitamin E). Linoleic acid is an unsaturated EFA that is found in skin lipids like ceramides and cholesterol which protects the skin barrier function, prevents the drying of skin and soothes. It’s ideal for massage oil since it glides well on skin.

Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil)

From the jojoba plant and known for resembling sebum (oil found on your face), jojoba oil moisturizes, reconditions the skin and provides barrier potection. Interestingly, jojoba oil is thought to balance oil production which could be great news for people with oily skin. The tocopherol content provides excellent antioxidant activity. *Note: Sometimes only small amounts are needed to reap the benefits so tread lightly if you apply the oil straight to your face. It might be best for those with oily skin to look for skincare products formulated with this ingredient instead.

Olive (Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil)

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants which help repair and renew skin from oxidative stress, soothes inflammation, smoothes the skin and helps maintain skin elasticity.

In hair, olive oil doubles both as a deep conditioner and dandruff controller, and when rubbed on nails, it helps cuticles stay plump and hydrated while producing a natural shine.

Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil)

Produced from sunflower seeds, sunflower oil replenishes and restores the skin with nourishing fatty and amino acids. Amino acids supply nutrients to nourish the skin, which in turn strengthens connective tissue and keeps the skin smooth. Sunflower oil also increases moisture retention (great for dry skin!) and provides natural barrier protection.

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil)

This oil contains high levels of oleic acid and unsaturated triglycerides provide moisture to skin that is easily absorbed into the skin. Oleic acid, found naturally in vegetable and animal oils, is high in unsaturated omega-9 fatty acids, providing emolliency and a soothing factor to skin.

In hair, it adds shine and purportedly controls hair fall.

Bottom Line: Although the benefits of these oils are superb, it may not work the same for everyone. You may find that some oils dry out your hair instead of smoothing them or they work wonders for your body but can wreck havoc on your face. ‘Natural’ can be great but isn’t exempt from producing adverse reactions so use with caution.

Have you tried any of these oils? What was your experience like?