6 Easy New Year’s Resolutions for Your Skin

1.  Never skip your skin routine at night.  It is critical to remove all traces of dirt, debris and makeup each night.  Look for a cleanser that also removes your makeup.

2.  Schedule regular facials.  Monthly facials deep clean your skin, prevent signs of aging, and improve imperfections.  Commit to following your home care recommendations as well for maximum benefits.

3.  If you’re over 35…..add an anti-aging serum to your routine. The active ingredients in a serum will bring anti-oxidants to the skin and stimulate cell renewal.  Prevention is always easier than repair.

4.  Commit to using sunscreen daily.  Everyday. And reapply as directed.

5.  If you wear foundation…..add a primer.  Primer will provide a smooth canvas for better makeup application.  Applying primer also locks in your serum and moisturizer so they work more effectively.

6.  Always follow directions on your skin care exactly.  Use the recommended amounts…don’t skimp or you will not receive the true benefits of your products.  Leaving a product on longer than instructed does not make it work better.

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Overnight Skin Care

After a day of coming in contact with harsh environmental conditions, our skin has been exposed to a lot of harmful elements. Over time this can result in damage to the skin and cause pre-mature aging. Because of the harm, it is important to take care of your skin. The benefits of a night skin care routine include improving skin tone and color, reducing skin blemishes, and hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. Establishing a night skin care routine will allow the skin to breathe, heal, and restore to a healthy young glow

At night, skin experiences several changes:

• Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases, causing the skin’s protective hydrolipid barrier to weaken, allowing for greater penetration of active ingredients.
• The skin’s own natural antioxidant levels increase.
• Skin repairs from the day’s damage from exposure to environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, smog, nicotine, etc. and rejuvenates itself.
• Stress hormones decrease during sleep, so the skin is better able to repair itself.
• Oil production is two times lower at night than during the day.

The time that the body spends sleeping is one of regeneration. It is the time that your body can undo a lot of the harm that you encounter during the day, and it is this time that a night cream can attempt to manage the harm done to your skin. While a day cream is suited towards protection, guarding you from the various effects of your environment, including harsh light from the sun and pollutants you may encounter, a night cream should be oriented towards healing what you encountered in the time available.

What are the benefits of a dedicated nighttime skin care plan?

Night creams and serums are especially designed to improve your skin while you sleep. Packed with vitamins and active moisturizing ingredients, night creams or serums are especially beneficial for those past the age of 30 when skin begins to show the first signs of aging. That’s the time when fine lines appear, the skin becomes drier and less elastic, and skin begins to look dull and patchy.

In your 30s, opt for an anti-aging eye cream. In your 40s, night is a good time to apply your anti-wrinkle cream.  It’s important to avoid applying eye cream too close to the lash line as the product will actually end up in your eyes, picked up by your eyelashes. Every time you blink the hairs will lift microscopic amounts of product and it can eventually deposit into your eyes.  Anything that enters the eyes can be an obvious irritant and cause unnecessary puffiness

Use products with performance ingredients – During the day your skin requires environmental-protecting ingredients but at night when your skin is regenerating, look for repair, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

-Repair ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol, Peptides,and Red Marine Algae to encourage collagen activity.
–Exfoliation to stimulate new, healthy skin cell growth while removing surface dry skin cells. Skin rejuvenation is all about “out with the old, in with the new.”
-Soothing ingredients like White Tea Extract and Azulene to provide anti-inflammatory relief.

Get your beauty sleep – There is no doubt that getting enough sleep every night can offer many skin benefits. Sleep can reduce dark circles because a lack of sleep compromises your body’s circulatory system and you get stagnant blood in the vessels under the eyes because it hasn’t properly drained. Lack of sleep also causes the skin to look pale and tired because the circulation has been impaired. In addition, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep because sleep deprivation also causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema and psoriasis. Bottom line: when you’re tired, you look it!

Last but not least,

 Change your pillowcases frequently – Why? Bacteria and oil may get reintroduced into the skin when you sleep so it’s always suggested for acne-prone skin to have a fresh, clean pillowcase to sleep on.

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How to Look Great at Any Age

As a general rule of thumb, here is what you should know to care for skin at any age:  

30s: In your 30s, your skin loses its ability to retain water as it once did. Its renewal powers also slow down and it starts producing less collagen and elastin. Due to these factors, fine lines can start to develop, skin tone can turn dull and skin can begin to obtain a rough texture. Another common problem for this age group is increased skin sensitivity or conditions like rosacea.

40s: When we are in our 40’s, the aging process becomes more evident. You are more likely to have wrinkles and deep-set lines caused by exposure to the sun, pollution and stress. Skin also loses some of its elasticity. You may experience dry, chapped skin and discoloration. Try to avoid sun exposure and use other products to minimize the effects of aging before they become too difficult to get rid of!

50s: As you enter your 50’s, your skin has also gone through five decades of wear and tear and will show clear signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and more. It’s time to acknowledge that you can’t get back the flawless skin of the past, but you can take steps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines. To keep your skin looking luminous, try updating your skin care routine, invest in effective anti-aging products and make sure you moisturize.

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Anti-Aging Treatments. What Works?

Anti aging treatments target some of the most unwelcome changes that happen to our faces and bodies as we get older – fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone, spider veins and even sagging skin.

Finding the best anti aging treatments is a personal matter depending on what you want to achieve, how much discomfort you are prepared to put up with and last but not least, your budget.

Retinoids
Retinoids have been a breakthrough discovery for the treatment of photoaged skin. Synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A, they can improve discoloration of the skin, degeneration of elastic tissue, and fine wrinkling by enhancing naturally occurring production of collagen and elastic fibers. In addition to giving skin back its youthful appearance, retinoids can inhibit tumor growth, decrease inflammation, and enhance the immune system. Continuing use of retinoids can reduce the number and size of actinic keratoses. Currently, two retinoids are available in the US for treatment of photoaging: tretinoin (2) and tazarotene. Retinoids can irritate the skin and cause dryness and photosensitivity – an extreme sensitivity to the sun.   You may need to test a few out in order to find which work best for you.

Chemical peels
Chemical peels are often used to rejuvenate the skin, reduce wrinkles, and treat actinic keratoses. A doctor removes layers of skin with a mild acid solution.Depending on the damage, a light, medium, or deep peel is used. After the skin heals, a smoother, younger-looking outer layer forms. Light peels usually result in only a slight redness and photosensitivity, but deeper peels can result in significant swelling, redness, and photosensitivity that lasts for several weeks.

Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion uses a small high-speed, rotating metal brush or file to abrade the upper layers of the skin and smooth out surface irregularities. It is used, often with long-lasting results, for treatment of substantial wrinkling and leathering from the sun, pigmentation problems, and acne scars. Either local or general anesthetic is used during the procedure. Redness, swelling and pain are typical after treatment. Healing can take from 7 to 14 days.

For mild to moderate photoaging, a variation of the technique known as microdermabrasion uses tiny particles that pass through a vacuum tube to gently scrape away aging skin and stimulate new cell growth. Mild redness is typically the only side effect.

Lasers
Lasers are used to vaporize the skin’s sun-damaged top layer, leaving a softer, smoother skin surface with less pronounced wrinkles. With their pinpoint accuracy, lasers are ideal for sensitive skin areas such as around the eyes. The treatment can result in tenderness, scarring, redness and swelling that can last for several weeks while the new skin grows. Darker-skinned individuals can experience permanent loss of pigmentation.  Lasers can be used for treatment of actinic keratoses, as well.

A new technology called IPL (intense pulsed light) is a non-skin-removing technique (“non-ablative”) that offers patients a softening of lines and shallow wrinkles, fading of some scars, removal of broken capillaries, and stimulation of new collagen growth quickly. After-effects can include swelling, redness, blotchiness, and darkening of pigmented areas. Usually several sessions are needed for optimal results, and the full effects of the treatments may not be visible for up to six months after the final treatment.

LED Light Therapy

LED Light Therapy is the use of light to create an anti-aging effect on the skin and is an energy renewal system for the whole body. It is quickly becoming recognized as one of the safest, fastest, and most affordable ways to achieve younger, more radiant looking skin. It relieves aches and pains, boosts the immune system, increases energy, and reduces mental fatigue and stress. It’s non-invasive, safe for all skin types, builds collagen and elastin, raises serotonin levels and uses no lasers, injections, chemicals or surgery.

Prevention
If you don’t wear a sunscreen every day, today is the day to start. Daily application of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher- whether on its own, or in a moisturizer – will prevent additional damage to your skin. Also, studies have shown that daily use of sunscreen can actually reduce the existing number of actinic keratoses – abnormal skin eruptions, or precancers, that can lead to skin cancer.

 

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Product Review: Clarisonic Classic Cleansing System

Have you heard of the Clarisonic yet?  You need to.

The Clarisonic Skin System is a water-proof, hand-held device with a vibrating brush head. You apply a cleanser then move the brush on your face in a circular patter. A built-in timer tells you when to move from one face section to the next.

What is it: Sonic skin cleansing. Sonic technology first changed the way we clean our teeth–now it’s changing how we cleanse our skin! This cleansing method is so gentle and effective, it is used and recommended by leading spas and dermatologists.

Who is it for: All skin types.

Why is it different: This sonic micro-massage gently cleans pores–loosening dirt, makeup and oil as it reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles. It’s proven to remove six times more dirt, sebum, and makeup than traditional, superficial cleansing, allowing your serums and moisturizers to absorb better. Skin is left soft, pampered, radiant, and younger looking–without harsh abrasion or chemicals. It’s so gentle, you can use it twice daily. You can also use it on your face, decollete, and body, if desired.

How do I use it: Use for one minute once a day, every day. It’s waterproof, so you can even use it in the shower or tub. Pair it with any non-abrasive cleanser.

Think you’ve removed all your makeup with your cleanser? There is probably makeup, dirt, and other impurities left behind after you cleanse that you can’t even see. The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic’s soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin surface  The Clarisonic  goes beyond cleansing by using sonic technology to gently yet deeply cleanse pores of environmental toxins, makeup and bacteria-without abrasion or harsh chemicals.  The Clarisonic development team, led by the primary inventor of the cutting-edge Sonicare® toothbrush, is committed to creating new ways to shed years off your skin. The easy-to-use daily devices use advanced sonic technology for results that are nothing short of impressive. With regular daily use the Clarisonic reduces dry skin patches, oily areas and blemishes and immediately leaves skin feeling and looking smoother.

My thoughts:  I LOVE my Clarisonic.   I’ve become addicted to my sonic toothbrush for the deep clean it gives my teeth and the Clarisonic is no different on my face.   I use it each night to cleanse my face and remove makeup.  Nothing I’ve ever used compares to the amazing clean along with the ease of use.  It literally takes just one minute to deep clean your face each night.  One minute!  Best minute you’ll ever spend.

In my professional opinion:  I recommend the Clarisonic to everyone!  Who couldn’t  benefit from a cleaner face?  The sonic action deep cleans pores while the brush cleans the surface and assists in exfoliation.  Both keys to a clear, smooth complexion.  I recommend using the device just once per day and I recommend it for the removal of makeup as it truly does a superior job.

In addition to the Classic model, the is the Plus model which is for the body as well, and the Mia, a smaller size version perfect for travel.  Any model is recommended.  The Plus model is great for pre-tan body exfoliating.

Clarisonic is proud to support breast cancer research. With every Pink Clarisonic purchase, a donation is made to help fund the fight against breast cancer.  Think Pink…..October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and October starts tomorrow!  What a great way to help yourself and others at the same time!

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5 Steps to an Effective Anti-Aging Routine

Over time, skin ages and loses its youthful appearance. Wrinkles appear around the eyes, fine lines bloom around the lips, and age spots surface on the hands. Protecting your skin from sun damage, collagen breakdown, discolorations, and wrinkles and addressing the needs of your specific skin type (oily, dry, combination, rosacea, etc.) are the essentials of any anti-aging routine. But … are you getting the most from your skin-care routine  We can help you get the continuous impressive results you want and deserve, and make sure you’re giving your skin its best chance to look and act younger, now and in the future!

1. Use Sunscreen! 
A broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater is the one anti-wrinkle product no one should be without! The research is clear: An SPF-rated product should be applied 365 days a year (or 366 days this year) … rain, snow, or shine. Damaging, aging UV rays are always present, even in perpetually cloudy climates (for example, Washington State has a higher skin cancer rate than Florida according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In addition, any sunscreen becomes supercharged when it is loaded with antioxidants and skin-identical ingredients that boost the skin’s ability to fight sun damage.

2. A Serum Loaded with Antioxidants + Anti-Aging Ingredients
There are three types of ingredients any anti-aging serum should contain for best results: antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and skin-repairing ingredients. Antioxidants help reduce free-radical damage to the skin, slowing the breakdown of collagen and the negative effects on other critical skin functions; cell-communicating ingredients “talk” to damaged cells, telling them to behave in a younger, healthier manner; and skin-repairing ingredients fortify the skin’s surface as they reduce the damage that leads to multiple signs of aging. No anti-aging routine is complete without these powerhouses, and the greater the variety you give to your skin, the greater the impact you can have over its appearance as you age!

Why a serum? A well-formulated serum contains a specialized selection of effective, potent antioxidants plus cell-communicating and skin-repairing ingredients—and serums hold the greatest concentration of these ingredients when compared with anti-aging moisturizers.

3.  A Night Cream That Targets Your Skin Type AND Concerns
Not every skin type needs the same emollient ingredients associated with moisturizers; however, every skin type needs the same types of ingredients that repair, protect, and target specific concerns such as discolorations, redness, and signs of aging—look no further than a brilliantly formulated nighttime moisturizer! The beneficial, supercharged ingredients in a nighttime moisturizer will improve your skin’s ability to produce collagen, protect its surface from moisture loss, and leave your skin feeling smooth.

4.  AHA and BHA Exfoliants 
Perhaps no other type of skin-care product can make such a dramatic overnight difference in your skin than using a BHA or AHA exfoliant on a regular basis. Every second of every day, your skin naturally sheds thousands of skin cells, and as we age and/or are subject to sun damage, dry or oily skin, or the effects of genetics, dead skin cells build up, resulting in dull, wrinkled, flakey skin, persistent (and annoying) breakouts, whiteheads, and bumps. A great exfoliant can make all the difference in the world!

How do you decide which is right for you, AHA or BHA (or both)? Here’s how to determine which is best for you:

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid; for example, glycolic acid and lactic acid) work on the surface of the skin, eliminating dry skin, working against the effects of sun damage, and improving the moisture content of skin. AHAs are best for dry, sun-damaged skin!

BHA (beta hydroxy acid; that is, salicylic acid) also works on the surface of the skin, just like AHAs, but BHA also has the ability to exfoliate inside the pore, reducing or eliminating issues like blackheads or blemishes. BHA also is a potent anti-inflammatory, so it can be great for rosacea and sensitive skin!

BOTH AHAs and BHA help fade discolorations, and improve collagen production for more resilient, firmer skin!

5.  An Antioxidant-Rich Restorative Toner
After cleansing, your skin is primed and ready to receive skin-repairing and anti-aging ingredients. A great toner should be loaded with skin saviors that rival those in the most complex treatments—an extra dose of what your complexion needs to look younger, fresher, and healthier right after cleansing and throughout your day!

 

The range of products above represents an anti-aging dream team you can use to upgrade your skin-care regimen to achieve dramatic, unprecedented results! Remember, there is no single, miracle ingredient, and your skin needs more than what any one product can provide, just like your diet needs more than one healthy food or nutrient! Let our research-driven recommendations help you get the skin you’ve always wanted, now and years from now!