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Laura Skin Care

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Category Archives: Facial

Get Glowing Skin For Your Valentine’s Night Out

   Facial  Feb 01, 2020  Comments Off on Get Glowing Skin For Your Valentine’s Night Out
Get Glowing Skin For Your Valentine’s Night Out

Whether you are planning a romantic night out with your spouse or significant other, are having a gals only get-together, or are flying solo either out or in, you want to look and feel fabulous. If you do choose to go out for a night on the town with your boo, makeup will look even better on you after you have indulged in an at-home facial. Even if you’re staying in binge watching Netflix with a box of Lindor chocolate truffles–show your skin some love and pamper yourself!

There are oh-so-many options—so you definitely need to be aware of your skin type and what exactly your face can handle. Also, if you are doing the facial on the day of your VDate, it may be wise to use products you are already familiar with. The last thing you want is to have a bad allergic reaction and have your face match the color of the Valentine decorations and red roses.

  • Wash: Since Valentine’s Day is in the middle of winter, your skin may be dry. Be sure to start your facial routine by washing your face with a gentle cleanser that does not include any drying ingredients such as salicylic acid for acne and any version of the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate. Anything containing soap will also leave your skin parched. Instead, try Olay Sensitive Hungarian Water Essence Calming Liquid Cleanser or Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser.
  • Steam: Next, you will want to steam your face with an at-home facial steamer like this one from Amazon, or you can do it the old-fashioned and more economical way by boiling a pot of water and hovering over it with a towel over your head. Lastly, you can also place a warm towel or washcloth over your face. Be careful not to burn your skin! Read up on several tips for steaming along with some of the benefits to doing so.
  • Exfoliate: After you steam and before you apply a mask, exfoliate your skin, which there are various methods to doing so. Some people make their own exfoliant out of all-natural ingredients, some own fancy contraptions that do the job, and some just buy whatever smells and looks good at the drugstore. Whatever you choose, be careful around the sensitive eye area and do not be too harsh on your skin.
  • Mask: There are so many DIY mask recipes you can make at home with items you already have in your fridge or pantry. Avocado, olive oil, citrus, cucumber, aloe vera, honey, bananas, coffee, eggs, and oatmeal are all examples of yummy ingredients you can mix and match to make a healthy facial mask you may not even want to wipe off.
  • Serum: Once you are done with the messy part, use a serum before you put anything else on your face. Serums should be applied before creams and moisturizers so that they can soak into your skin and do their magic. Those with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and collagen-boosting properties are the way to go to get that glow.
  • Cream/Moisturizer: Lastly, unless you are also applying makeup, slather up with a water-based moisturizer so that you can continue having that dewy look throughout the evening. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost is a great example of an affordable water-based moisturizer.

Remember to always take your own skin type, specific needs, and your own professional recommendations into consideration when starting a new skin care regimen or experimenting with new products. And also have some fun with it! If you have sensitive skin, there are oodles of products out there for you…and you can even make your own.

If you want some extra pampering and don’t want to hassle with doing it all yourself, contact Laura Skin Care and book your Valentine’s Day appointment soon!

Natural Ingredients to Make a Yummy DIY Face Mask

   Facial  Dec 04, 2019  Comments Off on Natural Ingredients to Make a Yummy DIY Face Mask
Natural Ingredients to Make a Yummy DIY Face Mask

Did you know that you can use several items you probably have in your fridge and cabinets at this moment, to make a delicious and nutritious face mask? There are so many natural ingredients available that have numerous benefits, which will help you to achieve glowing, smooth, and younger-looking skin.

Let’s take a look at some of the natural ingredients (and benefits of) that are easily accessible, affordable, and might already be right in your kitchen.

First, you want to choose a base for your face mask.

Coconut Oil (organic and unrefined): is an amazing moisturizer, has natural anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used as a sunburn remedy

Honey: is moisturizing, it’s stickiness can help remove blackheads, has antibacterial properties, helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and is rich with antioxidants

Olive Oil: contains antioxidants that help prevent premature aging, helps heal bacterial infections, and is loaded with vitamins that can do wonders for the skin

Yogurt (plain, unflavored, and Greek works best): important probiotics can help even out skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, may minimize the effects of the sun’s aging free radicals, can help clear up breakouts, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties

Avocado (the fruit or the oil): loads of vitamins, especially ‘E’, helps soften skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduces inflammation, is an excellent moisturizer, and can also be used to treat wounds or sunburns.

Banana: helps control oil, can treat breakouts and lighten dark spots, is loaded with nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids, which are all fabulous for your skin

Aloe Vera Gel: has huge anti-inflammatory properties, treats burns, cuts, wounds, and sunburns, as well as acne and eczema.

Next, add extras for even more benefit.

Lemon/Orange: brightens skin, antioxidants even out skin tone, packed with Vitamin C, and can be used as a natural astringent

Turmeric Powder: has natural anti-inflammatory properties and helps clear pores and fight breakouts

Baking Soda: brings impurities to the surface to clear your pores and can be used as a natural exfoliant

Cocoa: contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can be used as an exfoliant, and the caffeine can lift and firm skin

Tea Tree Oil: has natural antibacterial properties, calms inflammation, and helps to treat breakouts

Activated Charcoal: helps to bring all the gunk and impurities inside of your pores to the surface

Lastly, place your mix in a small plastic or glass jar and label it…then you’re done!

Now that you know the amazing benefits these ingredients have to offer, play around with a few combinations or ask Google or Siri to find you specific recipes.

A DIY mask will not only make your face happy, but these make awesome gifts to make others happy and glowing as well.

If you are thinking about getting a facial consultation to figure out your skin type and what it needs to look fabulous, visit Laura Skin Care in Petaluma, where Laura and her team will take great care of you.

How the Sun Damages Your Skin

   Facial  Oct 20, 2019  Comments Off on How the Sun Damages Your Skin
How the Sun Damages Your Skin

Between tanning beds, beach trips, gardening, and kids’ soccer games, your skin is getting more sun than you think. Damage can even occur from the sunlight that enters your car while driving. You may believe you are safe from the rays, but the sun can be sneaky and get you in ways that you weren’t expecting. Even this late into the year. 

UVA vs. UVB Rays

In order to fully understand how the sun damages your skin, you’ll need to know the difference between UVA and UVB rays and how they affect you. 

Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, or outermost layer; the dermis, or middle layer; and the subcutis, or bottom most layer. The dermis contains collagen, elastin and other fibers that support the skin’s structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance — and that are damaged by UV radiation (Skin Cancer Foundation).

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, ultraviolet radiation is energy emitted naturally from the sun and is also emitted from tanning beds. There are two types of UV light that contribute to sun damage and skin cancer:

  • Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin aging.
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning.

When protecting yourself from the sun, you want to make sure to block both UVA and UVB; do not treat one as less harmful than another. 

“Unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB damages the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic defects, or mutations, that can lead to skin cancer (as well as premature aging.) These rays can also cause eye damage, including cataracts and eyelid cancers.”

How to Fully Protect Yourself from the Sun’s Rays

  • Purchase broad-spectrum sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection.
  • The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of 30 or higher and choosing a water-resistant type.
  • Wear a hat when outside in the sun; there are even clothing options with UV protection that you can purchase at various stores. 
  • Water, snow, and sand reflect the sun more so than in an area without one of those factors, therefore you will want to make sure you are fully prepared and protected.
  • Stop going to tanning beds and sun-bathing; you may want to go back to work showing off your beachy tan after a long vacation, but realize that there could be long-term health consequences in the future because of the UV rays.
  • Install UV-blocking film on your car windows as UVA rays can still reach you through glass, although UVB cannot. 

When stepping out into the sun, start getting into a good habit of applying broad-spectrum sunscreen and planning ahead to ensure you and your loved ones are properly protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Remember–you may be having fun in the sun in that moment, but those moments will catch up to you one day. Be sun smart! 

In the meantime, if you would like to diminish the appearance of any skin damage you notice, contact Laura Skin Care and book an appointment for a microdermabrasion or skin firming and regeneration session or a chemical peel!