Moisturizers can make a world of difference. Contrary to popular belief, don’t actually add moisturize. Instead, they attract and trap existing water in the skin. A good moisturizer contains humectants, ceramides, and/or emollients that lock water in the outer layer of skin, giving any damaged cells a chance to repair. You skin type and the degree of dryness determines what type of hydrator you will best benefit from. Continue Reading →
Archive | fall/winter
Self-Tanners
It gets dark at 4pm and even those days where the sun does come out, it’s not as though the rays are letting off much heat. It’s official – Winter is here.
Ever since a bronzed Coco Chanel came back from a Mediterranean vacation in the 1920s and made the tan the hottest fashion accessory, women have been going ga-ga over golden skin. So, what can a girl do to get some color in the midst of all of this grey?
Well, a vacation to a tropical destination is the best remedy. Combining R&R with sun, swim, and sand will infuse that golden hue back into your skin in no time. But remember to use your SPF – although the sun feels and looks great, skin cancer is not so cute. You can find list of sun protection products available on SkinMedix.com here.
There’s always tanning beds, but those have been raised to carcinogen status so I’d recommend that you stay far, far away from burning your body to a crisp in a human oven.
Spray tans can be amazing, if you have the time, money, and a machine that doesn’t malfunction. I’ve heard more than a few spray-tan horror stories – like when my friend came out looking like the old lady from There’s Something About Mary. You’re going for gold, not orange, so be cautious.
In my opinion, the best way to fake a tan is with at-home self-tanners. Self-tanning is a huge business and many major brands are jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve come a long way since the days of streaks, orange palms, and smelly formulas. Here are 3 of my favorite self-tanners that will give you that coveted healthy glow even during these bleak winter months:
- Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads – Exfoliating self-tanning pads that also halt the aging process while giving skin a boost of Vitamin D. Free of all toxic chemicals including parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals.
- Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner and Bronzer – This hydrating, streak-resistant formula gives you complete control and customization over your tan, so you can achieve your best shade of bronze. Tested for sensitivity, it is gentle enough to use on your face and the fresh citrus fragrance leaves an energizing scent behind.
- DermaQuest DermaGlow Self Tanner – Body – Provide your skin with a temporary and healthy tan that compliments your own natural skin tone. Due to this formula’s gradual and even tanning process, it reduces undesired streaks.
Do you have a favorite self-tanner?
Talk soon! XO
Top 5 Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Dry, flaky skin can be itchy and uncomfortable, but dry facial skin can be almost as embarrassing as a breakout. Whether you’re dealing with an all-over moisture problem or a few annoying spots, these products will do the trick—even during the worst winter months.
1. Revaleskin Intense Recovery Treatment – contains the highest concentration of CoffeeBerry extract (1.5%) offered in skin care to naturally, effectively restore the vitality of stressed, aging skin. This non-irritating, super-antioxidant formulation dramatically minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and redness and provides visibly noticeable nourishment and renewal.
2. Neocutis Bio Cream Bio Restorative Skin Cream w/ PSP – helps to restore elasticity and radiance to stressed skin. Formulated with PSP, the most complete protein blend of Human Growth Factors, Cytokines and Interleukins available to rejuvenate and soothe skin. Nurtures, nourishes and refreshed stressed skin after non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as fillers, microdermabrasion and light peels.
3. SkinCeuticals Emollience – uses a combination of grape seed, rose hip and macadamia oils along with Brazilian sea algae to moisturize dry skin. It also works well in dry, cold climates as well as high altitudes.
4. PCA Skin Collagen Hydrator – rich emollient moisturizer contains a blend of humectants and shea butter for maximum hydration in patients with dry and mature skin. It alleviates skin dryness and provides excellent antioxidant benefits.
5. SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer – a facial cream rich in vitamin E and vitamin C (potent antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental aging influences), essential fatty acids and botanical cellular enhancers. A perfect solution necessary to replenish tired, stressed skin by rejuvenating the skin and easing the appearance of aging.
A good facial moisturizer is a must if you want to keep your skin looking young and healthy. Our top 5 moisturizers list for dry skin are long-lasting and fast-absorbing, so you won’t need to worry about showing any signs of dryness! Visit SkinMedix.com or follow the product links below to purchase!
SkinMedica Rejuvative Moisturizer
skinmedix.com
skinmedix.com
Neocutis Bio Restorative Skin Cream w/ PSP
skinmedix.com
skinmedix.com
SkinCeuticals Emollience
skinmedix.com
skinmedix.com
PCA pHaze 6 Collagen Hydrator
skinmedix.com
skinmedix.com
Revaleskin Intense Recovery
skinmedix.com
skinmedix.com
7 Cold Weather Skin Myths
Going crazy from all the misinformation and bogus advice about winter-proofing your face and body? Here, top skin experts from Marie Claire Magazine help us crack the cold-weather skin-care code.
1. MYTH: The thicker the cream, the better it hydrates.
TRUTH: “Concentrated doesn’t necessarily equal optimum hydration,” says Annet King, director of training and development for the International Dermal Institute. “An overdose of lipids can actually trap dead cells and leave skin looking duller.” King suggests layering serums under creams in order to boost moisture. Facialist Sonia Dakar agrees: “Serums are light, yet have super-concentrated ingredients — ideal for absorption.” Try iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus.2. MYTH: Overcast skies mean you can cut back on sunscreen.
TRUTH: Hardly. As a depleting ozone has led to stronger UVB burning rays, SPF is now a year-round endeavor. And clouds do little to filter out wrinkle-accelerating UVA rays. Come cooler, drier weather, find a daily moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF 15 (or higher), like Murad Face Defense SPF 15 to hydrate and protect. “You can enhance your sun protection exponentially by using an antioxidant-rich serum underneath your moisturizer,” says Washington, D.C., dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Burgess.
3. MYTH: Oily skin can forgo moisturizer.
TRUTH: Dry, cold climates wear on all skin types — even oily. And without some added protection, barrier function (which keeps pollution and other damaging elements out and moisture in) gets compromised. If your skin is super-oily, you can get by with a gel-cream or lotion formula, like NeoStrata Lotion Plus. For true combination skin, use different moisturizers for different areas — a light formula for your T-zone and a richer one for cheeks that get dry, patchy spots.
4. MYTH: Exfoliating in winter exacerbates dry patches.
TRUTH: “The sloughing in fact causes a burst of cell renewal, so you’re helping new moisture-rich cells move to the surface,” says King. The key in winter is to moisturize thoroughly — occasionally with a hydrating mask, like SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Masque — as your skin barrier is weakened after exfoliating. Adds Dakar: “Enzyme-based exfoliants will deliver results in a more gentle way.”
5. MYTH: Loading up on lip balms prevents chapping.
TRUTH: Only if it’s the right balm. Some common ingredients can actually have an adverse effect. Mineral oil (petroleum jelly) creates an artificial film on your lips, signaling your skin to stop producing lipids, while funky flavors, perfumes, and colors can also dry out skin. King suggests seeking natural-oil-infused balms or those with shea and cocoa butter, like PCA Skin Peptide Lip Therapy. “To get rid of flaky patches, apply a little facial exfoliant to damp lips (a soft toothbrush also does the trick), scrub gently, then follow with balm,” she says. Wait till spring to resume use of lip plumpers and super-long-lasting formulas that dry out your pout.
6. MYTH: Your skin will benefit if you stay indoors as much as possible.
TRUTH: True, extreme cold temperatures do suck the moisture from your skin. But retreating indoors, where central heating is pumped to the max, can leave your derm equally parched. So enjoy the fresh air and winter sports, and then do what you can to add moisture to the air at home. A humidifier can help — especially at night, when, combined with a night cream, like Revaleskin Night Cream with CoffeeBerry, skin is more apt to drink in moisture. A humidifier can also defrizz staticky winter “hat hair.” Dakar recommends adding a teaspoon of tea-tree oil to the water tank to clean it every few days and prevent mold.
7. MYTH: Windburn gives your skin a natural, healthy, desirable glow.
TRUTH: Depends whether you consider broken capillaries in the cheeks “desirable” — which is what regular exposure to harsh wind can do. The worst-case scenario is that it leads to permanent redness (aka rosacea). “Sensitive skin is especially susceptible to windburn,” says King. “So before heading outdoors, load up on a protective-barrier moisturizer and cover up with a scarf. If you do get burned, calm and soothe with gentle cream cleansers and balm-like moisturizers until your skin calms down.” Needless to say, it’s better to get the fresh-off-the-slopes flush from a good blush, like Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush or In Touch Cream Blush —available in 12 shades!
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