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Move Over UV Rays, Stress Might Be Worse For Your Skin

By Canoe Group on January 20, 2024 in anti-aging, Skin Care Science, Uncategorized

What happens when a schizo schedule becomes totally routine? — Keep calm and read on.

When you’re living your life in the fast lane, your skin is often the first thing to freak out. An external showing of internal workings.

We have lots of great products to help counteract the damaging effects stress has on the skin, but let’s get one thing straight before continuing on. If you’re relying on products to magically heal your skin issues cause by stress, you’re on a fool’s errand. At best, these products will be like a band-aid for a recurring wound unless you accompany them with some mind-body and stress management practices.

Acne, splotchy skin, premature wrinkling, and flaky dryness are very often stress-induced and will require more than topical treatment. In some cases, a hormonal imbalance might be at play. And in others, some stress If you’re trying products, and nothing is working, consider stress may be at play and/or, a deeper hormonal imbalance. Your dermatologist and general practitioner can help you make that determination.1

Now that we’re clear on that, let’s talk about what products you can use to manage stress-affected skin alongside a healthy lifestyle.

Stress factor: Agitation; No Downtime

What you’ll see: Redness and Breakouts

Chronic high levels of stress – a by-product of a “Go, Go, Go” culture and constant reachability – may trigger your brain to release neuropeptides that cause blushing and sensitivity. Additionally, your body releases an excess of androgen hormones that can bring on breakouts (especially seen in women).

Calm It Down:

Neocutis Peche Redness Control

Stress factor: Partying Away Stress

What you’ll see: Wrinkles and Dullness

If you’re managing stress with late nights out and drinking, well first, don’t. PERSON SUGGESTS taking up a new hobby, scheduling a visit with a therapist. There’s nothing wrong with blowing off a little steam; but if you’re making a habit of dealing with stress by drinking, you’re not doing your skin any favors. Drinking dehydrates the skin, making fine lines look deeper and complexion look dull. Your favorite cocktail or martini – plus, the carby snacks you binge on at the bar – is packed with sugar and can make your skin look older faster, through a process called glycation. During this process, sugar impairs the production of collagen and elastin in the skin and can cause your skin to stiffen and lose its springiness. Another issue: smoking (whether you inhale it or not) is full of collagen-eating carcinogens that increase your risk of skin cancer.

Party Smart:

Neostrata Firming Collagen Booster

Stress factor: Skimping on Sleep

What you’ll see: Flakiness and Dullness

Frequent late nights leave you playing “catch up” on ZZZs, but an erratic sleep schedule can throw off your natural time clock, inhibiting your skin’s ability to stay hydrated. Research shows2 that poor sleep weakens the barrier function, causing moisture to escape. And chronic sleep deprivation impairs collagen production. After six months of sleep loss, skin starts to lose its suppleness and glow.

Fake Eight Hours:

Sources:

Feeling stressed? it can show in your skin, hair, and nails. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.-a). https://www.aad.org/news/stress-shows-in-skin-hair-nails#:~:text=Your%20glands%20produce%20more%20oil,on%20how%20our%20skin%20ages.
Altemus, M., Rao, B., Dhabhar, F. S., Ding, W., & Granstein, R. D. (2001). Stress-induced changes in skin barrier function in healthy women. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 117(2), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2001.01373.x

Clean Out Your Cosmetic Bag…and Other Quick Skin Care Habits

By Canoe Group on November 6, 2023 in Uncategorized

Keeping it simple with 6 habits that will make all the difference for anyone with busy routines.

Make up bag with cosmetics and accessories. Makeup cosmetics kit, toiletry pouch and beauty fashion essentials. Feminine beauty essentials on pink wooden background.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m the worst when it comes to keeping up good beauty habits. And why? I know they’ll improve my skin and preserve it over time. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options out there. It also can take time to understand your specific skin type. So at SkinMedix, we’ve compiled a list of six truly simple beauty habits that will make a big difference now for those who value the health of their skin, no matter their skin type.

Clean out your makeup bag

Most women are guilty of keeping old make-up longer than they should, myself included. The expiration date is just a suggestion, right? Wrong. All types of skincare and makeup have clear retirement ages. Powders and compacts are, at most, good for two years. The highlighter has been scraping the bottom of my beauty bag for well over a decade. I think I used it for my senior year prom makeup. I’m 31. It’s gotta go. The last time I tried to use it, it all but crumbled on my skin. My highlighter expired right around the time I discovered Netflix. Yikes.

After three months, mascaras and eyeliners can do more damage to the skin around your eyes than good. I had four – FOUR – tubes of different mascaras, all dried out. Why do I keep them? I always get the feeling that there’s more in there I can’t see. I’m clinging to the hope that I’ll be the first to use every bit of mascara in the tube. Gotta go.

Creams and liquids are no exception. You’ve probably noticed some liquids getting cakey and any creams taking on a more solid form. That’s a clear sign your products are past their expiration, but anything past a year is a gamble. I had old bottles of facial cream I’d been meaning to scrape for scraps, but it was not worth the risk.

Over time, harmful bacteria can develop in our products, affecting our skin and even our eyes. Write the date on the back of your products (especially those you use less frequently like specialty makeup or at-home facials) and permit yourself when it’s time to toss them! It’s not worth the risk to your skin.

Get a facial at least 4 times per year

Over time, dead skin cells inevitably build up on the skin creating a barrier your skin care products can’t penetrate. Facials may seem like a splurge, but we can think of them as part of our medical upkeep.

I had my first facial gifted to me on my 30th birthday, and I was sold even before the appointment. My mother has beautiful skin, but it wasn’t always. Suffering from acne for most of her life and scar build-up, she dedicated some of her income each year to facials and drastically improved the texture and tone of her skin. On the day of my appointment, I explained my skin type to the esthetician and what my goals were. It’s now something I budget for each year under my Wellness budget.

Our skin is the largest organ our bodies support. Facials aren’t all about vanity and youth, but our body’s overall well-being. Facials give a deep clean we can’t always replicate at home, though exfoliation can help. They also give us a chance to discuss our skin care needs and concerns with a skincare professional who may be able to recommend better products or a better regimen for our skin type.

Moisturize throughout the day

Most of us will stop feeling the benefits of the moisturizer we apply in the morning by the time afternoon rolls around. For those of us with oily skin, we’ll need a good pat down and reapplication. For those with dry skin, (hi, it’s me!) we’ll start to feel the lack of moisture pull around the eyes and the lips especially. Take a moment to apply a few drops of a moisturizer like Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Lift & Firm Moisturizer or spritz your face with a hydrating mist of Avene Thermal Spring Water. These products replenish lost moisture but won’t ruin your makeup since they’re fast-absorbing.

Wipe down your phone!

Our phones are a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s estimated that the average phone has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom! It makes sense. Our phones are probably the object we touch most throughout the day — after we’ve touched the door handle, shake someone’s hand, visited the restroom, pushed the shopping cart, exchanged money, and signed the check with the pen at the restaurant. All those germs land right on our cheek and jawline every time we chat away, causing pimples and irritation.

To keep your phone and face bacteria-free, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe once a day. I like the keep them in the glove compartment of my car. And while you’re at it, don’t touch your face with your hands either. Try keeping a napkin or facial wipes nearby if you feel the need to rest your chin in your hand or scratch and itch. I have a friend who swears by the Starbucks napkins as the best overall blotting and protective barrier napkins out there. Find what works best for you.

Apply sunscreen — even if the only “outside” you’ll see is from the inside of your car

It’s estimated that the average American spends about 293 hours driving per year. Research shows that driving may contribute to the increased likelihood of skin cancer on the left side of the body. In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, data revealed that “Those who believed they were protected from sun damage while in a car were much less likely to use sunscreen (12% vs 46%, P < .05). There was a significant left-sided predominance of nonmelanoma skin cancers, except in patient who used automobiles with tinted windows.” (Kim), So before we grab our keys, grab a tube of Elta MD UV Glow SPF 36 (also available in the tinted version) and apply generously to the face and neck. For an instant, non-greasy protection on arms and hands, try Retinol by Robanda Anti-Aging Hand Treatment SPF-15.

Extend Down

Though we focus on our faces, our necks and chests need TLC, too! Whether it’s with your favorite facial cream or mask, extend your daily regimen down to the top of your décolleté to prevent crepey or chicken skin. We can improve the texture and tone of the neck and décolletage over time simply by remembering it’s there!

For years, I was ignorant of the delicate nature of the neck and chest. By my 30th birthday, I had a slight case of chicken skin on my neck and sun spots on my chest from sun exposure and negligence. I extended my SPF facial cream down each morning and began using a light retinol and moisturizer in the evenings. Even better, use a product with an applicator specifically designed for this area, like Obagi Medical’s Elastiderm Neck and Décollaté Concentrate to help skin look and stay younger and healthier.

Keeping our skin healthy doesn’t have to be complex. It can be as simple as these six, mindful habits. Whatever your skin type, and wherever you are in your journey – treating our skin as a delicate part of our biological structure, the same way we would our heart or lungs, is the first step to overall well-being. These habits are no different than brushing your teeth or doing cardiovascular exercises. Skincare isn’t just about beauty! What simple beauty habits are part of your daily routine?

Sources:

Kim, D. P., Chabra, I., Chabra, P., & Jones, E. C. (2013). Sunscreen use while driving. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 68(6), 952–956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2012.12.964

4 Skin Care Personalities: Which Are You?

By Canoe Group on September 22, 2023 in quick tip, skin care tools, Uncategorized

4 Skin Care Personalities

Minimalist, Trend-Seeker, Quick Fixer, or Connoisseur?

I’ve been a minimalist since childhood.

While my friends were chatty about the last skincare and makeup products, hair wands, and gels, taking a mall trip to visit Sephora and spending their allowance on little vials of this or that, I was happily clueless.

Today, as I start to see signs of skin issues in my 30s, I do what I can do to keep my skin healthy, but my ultimate dream is still to live on a deserted island where (in my magical alternate reality) my skin is naturally buoyed and kept supple and glowing by a totally naturalistic lifestyle. *sigh*

While that may be far from my reality, the heart of it rings true for me. I don’t want to spend time worrying about my skincare, or money lining my shelves with new products. To put more focus on my skin than I’m comfortable with, I’ve learned would only make me anxious and obsessive about my skincare. For others, it’s a completely different story. My friend LOVES spending a weekend evening trying out new products and reading article after article about their effects. She has beautiful skin because that works for her. A sharper focus on her skin and time spent on skincare is a form of self-love and pampering. For me, a simple facial cleanse, a serum and a quick moisturizer with SPF are all I need for my skin to feel good and keep healthy while keeping stress on the issue at bay.

We all have a skincare personality; the trick is to recognize it and learn how to roll with it. Going against the grain of what works for you (and that might change through different seasons of your life), will result in more frustration, stress and oh-just-forget-it outbursts than is good for your skin.

1. The Minimalist

You favor a quick cleanser, and a moisturizer to make your skin feel more comfortable and less tight, but you aren’t over-fussy with brands or expensive products. You want utility and prefer a more natural approach that weaves well with your lifestyle.

Pros: You won’t spend too much time worrying in front of a mirror.
Cons: You might experience some premature aging if you become neglectful of your skin.
If You Do One Thing: Choose a few good products to address skin moisture, skin suppleness, and an exfoliating cleanser.

2. The Trend-Seeker

You expect quick, visible results from your skincare, and always look for a new product that might work better than your last investment. You have several pots of moisturizer, cleanser and masks on the go, ready to use for your skin’s changing needs.

Pros: Open to advice, Enthusiastic, Keeps a consistent routine
Cons: Poor effective may be had on sensitive skin from switching up products and trying new things so often
If you do one thing: play around with non-essential products, but keep a consistent core product base.

3. The Connoisseur

You take skincare seriously, are well versed in the latest products, but unlike the Trend-Seeker, you’re not looking for a quick fix. You don’t mind taking the time to use a multi-step program, or investing in new technology with long-term trial periods.

Pros: You’ll find what works and have fewer negative reactions to products.
Cons: Maintaining this level of commitment can be time-consuming and expensive.
If you do one thing: Don’t forget that diet, exercise and lifestyle have a huge impact on the way your skin looks and behaves. You may find it easier to choose a new do-all cream with multi-benefits to cut out a step or two of your regimen.

4. The Investor

You’ve found a range of products you love and suit your skin. You stockpile when there’s a special offer on and see no reason to look for anything new. You’ve done your research and you’re investing in your long-term skin goals, and aren’t expecting to see any immediate effects on your overall skin health.

Pros: less time spent worrying about skincare
Cons: You could be affected by tachyphylaxis (when a product stops working for you from overuse).
If you do one thing: Take inventory of your skin once a year for any changes due to aging, pregnancy or climate changes. Have a rotating arsenal of multiple products to interchange and avoid tachyphylaxis.

Cleanser, Toner…Then What? How to Layer Your Skincare Products

By Canoe Group on August 4, 2023 in Uncategorized

When it comes to layering your skincare products, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s your comprehensive guide, based on our trial and error.

Woman caring of her beautiful skin on the face standing near mirror in the bathroom. Young mexican woman applying moisturizer on her face at home. Smiling multiethnic girl holding little green jar of bio skin cream and applying lotion on cheek.

Maybe it’s just us, but it seems like most women struggle with figuring out how to layer their 3 or 5 or 10-step skincare routines. Standing at their bathroom sink morning and night they try a different sequence hoping that this one might be the magical mingling that gives me baby-soft skin. There is a right order and a wrong order. But don’t fret. We’ve got a simple formula into which you can fit all your skincare products.

For the Morning:

You’re rushing to get your day started. The last thing you want to worry about is the order your skin care products get applied. You need a straightforward regimen to smooth sail you through the morning.

You’ll want to begin with a cleanser, like the Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser.
If you aren’t using a toner, it’s time to incorporate one into your routine. Their light, quick-drying composition means you’ll want to apply immediately after washing your face. We recommend the Obagi Nu-Derm Toner.
As a general rule, apply your lightest product next. Serums, ranging from liquid to gels, are applied first for optimal absorption because they have the highest concentration of active ingredients. SkinMedix recommends choosing two or three serums that treat your concerns. For wrinkles, we love formulas with added peptides, like PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum. If you’re an oily skin type, look for serums containing salicylic acid, like. Salicylic acid will help to clear out excess oils and reduce sebum levels, which can lead to acne.
Apply spot treatments next. Target specific problem areas, like a pesky persistent blemish (PCA Skin Acne Gel will tackle those spots while helping to reduce oil production to prevent further breakout) or crows feet.
Then, apply full-face treatments, like an antioxidant treatment or acne treatment (one that does not require another cleansing) for the entire face.
Moisturize to seal in your other products. Facial oils, like Eminence Facial Recovery Oil can be applied to any dry spots you find after you apply your moisturizer. But if you’re using two or more serums under your moisturizer, it’s a good idea to skip any facial oils to avoid becoming too greasy. Aaron, founder of SkinMedix emphasizes, “Facial oils can penetrate moisturizers but not vice versa. Always apply your moisturizer before a facial oil.” If you’re choosing a moisturizer with an SPF, opt for one with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection with a minimum SPF of 30. We recommend a lightweight, oil-free moisturizing SPF.
SPF. We know. You’ve heard it a million times, but we’ll say it a million-and-one (and then again and again). Never leave home without an SPF on your face. We’ll leave it at that.

For the Evening:

After your cleanser and toner, apply retinol products directly to the skin for the highest efficiency. But for those of us with sensitive skin waking up the next morning red and irritated from an evening retinol application, we’ve got a trick for you. Applying a serum or even moisturizer beforehand will create a buffer for your skin and protect it from irritation. Remember: Retinol is applied in the evening due to its sensitivity to the sun.
After your first layer absorbs, apply any targeted treatments, like a rich eye cream (we recommend Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche). If you have any other spot-specific treatments like Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum for dark spots and discoloration, now would be the time to apply.
Finish with a moisturizer. You’ll want to apply a heavier cream at night if you have a normal-to-dry skin type, especially if you toss and turn in your sleep, are a side sleeper, or a stomach sleeper. You need a hefty cream that will give you deep moisture and won’t be wiped off by your pillow and sheets (we know from experience). Obagi Hydrate Luxe is a great option. If you have oily skin, opt for a lotion instead of a cream as they are less hydrating and often specifically made for problem or acne-prone skin.

It all boils down to this. Go from the lightest to the heaviest product. Keep retinol for the evenings and always apply facial sunscreen in the mornings. Apply your products with confidence for the best results!

The Best Exfoliators for Your Skin Type

By Skinmedix on February 28, 2023 in Uncategorized

Exfoliating regularly leaves your skin with a smooth, healthy finish. Here are some tips for choosing the best exfoliator for your skin type.

Normal Skin

Glycolic acid is one of the most effective exfoliators and is great for normal skin types. It can also be slightly irritating, so moisturize after to prevent inflammation. Look for moisturizers for sensitive skin with ceramides or green tea. Start off with a cleanser like Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Wash or Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash, and follow up with a soothing moisturizer, like SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream.

Oily or Combination Skin

A scrub with microbeads or sugar once a week and a salicylic acid-infused cleanser every day sounds like sloughing overload, but scrubs, like SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub sweeps away dead cells so the salicylic acid can penetrate and clean clogged pores. For your “every day cleanser”, we recommend Obagi CLENZIderm MD Daily Care Foaming Cleanser. Or, for occassional use, you can get the benefits of both in a single product with antioxidant-rich iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque.

Dry, Sensitive, or Very Fair Skin

Try products that contain lactic acid, like Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser and PCA Skin Body Therapy. Lactic acid is a relatively large molecule that can’t penetrate the skin as deeply as the other alpha hydroxy acods, which means its not as abrasive. Unfortunately, anything else may make your skin drier, redder, and more sensitive.

What is your favorite exfoliator?

Neocutis Lumiere Eye Cream New Packaging

By Skinmedix on June 14, 2019 in Uncategorized

The manufacturer of Neocutis has updated the packaging of both Lumiere products to a new, more modern look. They have also slightly changed product names, resulting in a lot of confusion around these popular products. This post details the changes to both Neocutis Lumiere and Neocutis Lumiere Riche.

First, don’t worry! The product formulas have not changed in any way. The only changes are to the names of the products and the packaging. Both Lumiere and Lumiere Riche remain the exact same effective eye creams with PSP as before.

Here are some of the changes to the packaging:

You’ll notice the new boxes are safety sealed in a different manner. Neocutis is no longer using cellophane to wrap products, but has moved to circular seals on both ends of the boxes. The boxes are also slightly smaller and sport a new font with the product name in lower case letters.

One of the more noticeable changes to the product names is the removal of the words “Bio-restorative” and “Powered by PSP”. Both products are now designated “Illuminating Eye Cream”, however both products still contain PSP.

Neocutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream is now Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream

Neocutis Lumiere Bio-restorative Eye Balm is now Neocutis Riche Extra Moisturizing Illuminating Eye Cream, losing the “balm” designation:

Despite their smaller size, both old and new packaging contain the exact same amount of product, 0.5 oz or 15 ml.

Additionally, we have seen similar changes to the Neocutis Bio-Serum product and expect all Neocutis products will soon follow suit.

We hope this helps clarify any confusion around the new packaging. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

The SkinMedix Team

NEW ARRIVAL: SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E

By on March 5, 2014 in new arrival, Uncategorized

And the Award Goes To…

By Skinmedix on March 2, 2014 in beauty, Celebrities, Uncategorized

8 Beauty winners that will keep you looking flawless on—and off—the red carpet! And the award goes to…

A star is born—the spinning disc on the PMD Pro is coated with the same Aluminum Oxide crystals that are used by professionals. As the disc spins, vacuum suction removes dull, dead cells, leaving skin clear and vibrant. With the dead cells removed, skin is able to absorb products much more effectively.
PMD Personal Microderm Pro, $158.00

The ultimate makeup tool: created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. These elliptical shaped sponges make application foolproof. Its unique curves fit the contours of your face, leaving your make-up dazzling and undetectable.
Beautyblender Sponge Applicator, $18.00

The original tube-technology mascara. Formulated to form tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes for maximum amplification and hold, rather than painting them like conventional mascaras. Won’t run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.
blinc Mascara – Black, $22.00

The ultimate tool to enhance the positive effects of your favorite topical skin care products. Rollers are proven to increase the absorption of the active ingredients in creams, lotions, and serums by up to 1000% by creating thousands of micro-channels in the skin that allow nutrients to absorb; the channels close after several minutes, locking in the anti-aging nutrients and anti-oxidants.
Micro Needle Roller 0.5mm, $28.00

A favorite among award-winning celebrities, SK-II;s luxe, pitera-packed antiaging mask leaves skin hydrated and glowing.
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask – One Treatment, $18.00
SK-II Facial Treatment Mask – 10 pack, $118.00

An ultra-rich facial cream that is specifically formulated to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and replenishes skin to give a healthy and youthful appearance. It contains high levels of hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and tighten the skin, as well as antioxidants C, E, and A to help repair and prevent environmental damage; think of it as a multivitamin for the skin. Perfect for those who want to feel instant hydration—and its beautiful jewel-like jar, makes this product a great gift!
SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream, $98.00

bestkiss This glamorous red liquid lipstain and gloss combo in Passion smooths, hydrates while giving you buildable, non-drying coverage that lasts for hours—from the opening monologue to the last after-party—and flatters every skintone.
Jane Iredale Lip Fixation – Passion, $30.00

bestcostume It’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level in limited-edition Black Cheetah!. Unlike spinning devices, Clarisonic’s patented sonic technology works with skin’s natural elasticity, oscillating at a sonic frequency that produces over 300 movements per second. The resulting flexing action works to loosen dirt and oil, removing deep-seated impurities from pores and priming skin to better absorb topical treatments.
Clarisonic Pro Face and Body Spot Therapy Kit with Extension Handle – Black Cheetah, $220

Which SkinMedix products got your vote?

SkinMedix Power Couples

By Skinmedix on February 22, 2014 in anti-aging, redness, Uncategorized

Sales pressure and misleading information have likely made you believe that you must use products from the same brand to see results. This is 110% FALSE. Not only is it perfectly OK to mix and match products from different brands, but sometimes doing so is essential if you want to get the best results possible! But you don’t need a chemistry degree to master your skincare equations because we’re revealing some of our favorite high-powered pairs! Choose your skincare concern and see your solution below.

De-Aging
Look younger, longer. This powerhouse duo helps skin make skin look smooth, soft, more youthful.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Avene High Protection Mineral Cream SPF 50

Blotchy or Uneven Skin Tone
evenskintone These two work together to help create skin that looks more even-toned and younger.
Murad Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum
Revision Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45 Original

Unslightly Pores
Create a virtually poreless complexion instantly and over time.
Clarisonic Replacement Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head
PCA Skin Total Strength Serum

Acne
Meet the blemish busters. Look fresh, natural while fighting blemishes all day.
Obagi CLENZIderm MD Daily Care Foaming Cleanser
Murad Acne Treatment Concealer

Redness
Welcome to the redness-free zone. Help visibly calm skin for instant redness relief.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
SkinMedica Redness Relief CalmPlex

Hydration
Never be thirsty again. Replenish dry skin instantly with this moisture-rich team.
Revaleskin Intense Recovery Treatment
Neocutis Lumiere Riche Bio-Restorative Eye Balm

Do you mix and match your skincare brands? Let us know in the comments below!

What Kind of “Ager” Are You?

By Skinmedix on October 5, 2013 in Uncategorized

The first step to great skin is knowing why skin goes south and identifying your top challenges. Experts point to three types of skin agers: Splotchers, Wrinklers, and Sinkers. Decide what kind of “ager” you are and follow these new solutions for a forever-young face!

Spoltchers

What you see and why:
Uneven pigmentation and large freckles that usually appear in your mid-late 30s on the face, upper chest and hands. Melanin, a protein that gives skin color, is produced by cells called melanocytes. When aggrevated by sun exposure, hormones, or certain medications, cells can multiply, resulting in an overproduction of melanin and uneven pigmentation.

What you can do:
If the spots are relatively new, the pigmentation is likely within the top layers of skin. These spots are very treatable at home with products laced with vitamin C and retinol. (Try SkinMedica Tri-Retinol Complex and SkinMedica Vitamin C + E Complex) If you have sensitive skin, try products like Peter Thomas Roth De-Spot Skin Brightening Corrector and NIA24 Depigmentation Spot Repair with niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that has been show to reduce darkspots and wrinkles. At-home Glycolic acid peels, like biopelle Exfoliating Home Peel Plus 15% Glycolic Acid, can instantly brighten the skin.

Wrinklers

What you see and why:
Typically, fine lines around the eyes are the first to appear. Later on, you may see deeper demarcations around the mouth and furrows on your forehead. With each birthday the dermis (the deepest layer of skin) get thinner leaving it more prone to wrinkling. Fine lines can be even more obvious in drier skin types. Anyone with a history of sunbathing or sunburns have put out the welcome mat for deep creases.

What you can do:
Wear a daily moisturizer with SPF and antioxidants like kinetin, a plant-based ingredient that smooths lines. We recommend Pro+Therapy MD Advanced Ultra Light Day Repair SPF 30. At night go for retinoids, which help iron out wrinkles.

Sinkers

What you see and why:
You’re in your mid-20s, early 30s and skin is less supple than it use to be. You notice a hollowing under your eyes and your cheeks are not as round. Collagen exists naturally in your skin as a structural support. As collagen begins to break down, your skin becomes weaker, and sagging can set in. The effects tend can appear greater and faster on women with smaller facial bone structure.

What you can do:
Look for creams with ceramides, such as Celfix DNA Ceramide Renewal Nourishing Cream and Topix SRS Pro-Ceramide Barrier Repair, that help maintain the lipid barrier, giving skin support. Another ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid, which binds with water and plumps the skin reducing the appearance of lines, bags, and sags. We think you’ll like Rodial Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Mask. At night, reach for creams that contain strengthening peptides, like Cellex-C Advanced-C Skin Tightening Cream and DDF Advanced Firming Cream.