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Category Archives: Skin Care

Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…

   Skin Care  May 19, 2022  Comments Off on Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…
Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…

You probably already know the importance of a good, consistent skincare routine that focuses on cleaning, exfoliating and moisturizing.

Just when you think you’ve found a five-star moisturizer and your skin looks great, it stops working after a few months.

Here are some reasons why:

Seasonal Changes

Your skin changes in response to the changing weather conditions.

Cooler temperatures can make skin red, irritated or dry while humid weather can turn skin oily or cause perspiration that clogs pores. Whether it’s hot and humid or downright chilly, switch out your moisturizer to accommodate the weather changes that affect your skin.

Hormones

Pregnancy, menopause or any other hormonal shifts can wreak havoc on your skin. The key is to watch what is going on with your skin and treat accordingly. Don’t use an alcohol or harsh astringent before moisturizing dry skin or a thick, heavy moisturizer for oily or acne-prone skin.

Medications

If you are taking a new medication or using antibiotics to kick an infection, it can affect your skin and how your normally fabulous moisturizer responds.

Some medications can either make your skin oilier and acne-prone or go in the opposite direction causing tightness, dryness, irritation and inflammation. Either way, switching your moisturizer during this time can save your skin.

If your skin doesn’t calm down or gets worse even after switching moisturizers, talk to your doctor.

Check Expiration Dates

If you’ve been using your product for quite some time or re-discovered a product in the back of a cabinet, keep a close eye on the expiration date. Any opened product begins to lose effectiveness after its opened, especially 3-4 months down the road.

If your product isn’t living up to its prior awesomeness, it may just need to be replaced. While shopping for another bottle, check the expiration date before purchasing.

Exposing products to direct sunlight or hot, humid conditions can break down the effectiveness of active ingredients. Retinoids and vitamin C infused products in particular lose effectiveness in these conditions.

Read product labels for proper storage instructions which may even include refrigeration after opening. Keeping products cool not only prolongs their lifespan, but the coolness feels really refreshing when applying to your skin.

Exfoliation

If you aren’t exfoliating at least a few times a week, the surface layer of dead skin cells resting on your face stops the moisturizer from penetrating into the skin.

Exfoliating not only removes the dull, dry layer of surface cells to reveal healthier skin underneath, it also stimulates circulation, collagen production and clears the way for your moisturizer to work more effectively.

Consistency of Skincare Routine

Although it seems obvious, you need to be consistent with your skincare routine to see and maintain good results. It’s easy to put things off for one night. One night leads to two and then something else comes up and before you know it, you’ve lost consistency.

To know for sure that you’ve got a go-to moisturizer that delivers consistent results, you need to use it consistently.

Find Product Alternatives

After using the same product for months, your skin may simply become used to it and therefore, isn’t as effective as it was in the beginning of your journey together.

Having a good alternative moisturizer changes things up, and your skin will likely respond more positively when changing up hydration products every so often.

It’s also possible that you’ve been using a lower strength product, especially with retinoids. It may be time to upgrade your moisturizer to a higher concentration of the active ingredient for more noticeable results.

Sunscreen

While using a retinoid product is best applied at night to avoid direct sunlight, it’s also very important to protect your skin during the day by applying a high SPF sunscreen.

If you don’t, powerful UV rays continue to damage your skin and you’re basically undoing the work of the night moisturizer.

Remember that UV rays cause fine lines, wrinkles, breakdown of collagen, and photosensitivity for unprotected skin, especially after treating with a retinol-based moisturizer.

For your skin’s best protection and to enhance the efforts of your moisturizer, be generous with the sunscreen every day and repeat throughout the day as necessary.

Conclusion

Next to a high SPF sunscreen, an effective hydrating moisturizer is key to maintaining healthy skin. Understanding why your favorite moisturizer isn’t delivering results will help you make the changes needed to get your skincare routine back on track.

For skin treatments to prep your skin for the best results from your moisturizer, get started today by scheduling an appointment with Laura Skincare in downtown Petaluma.

Refresh Your Skin for Spring

   Skin Care  Apr 09, 2022  Comments Off on Refresh Your Skin for Spring
Refresh Your Skin for Spring

Spring is a time for a fresh clean start and renewal, which includes your skincare routine.

Change up your routine to face the season with a vibrant, healthy springtime glow!

Weather Changes that Affect Skin

As the weather heats up, skin is more prone to become oily and sweaty, which causes breakouts and acne. Spring is also a season ripe with pollen and airborne allergens, triggering skin allergies or irritation.

Spring Skincare Routine

With more humidity and natural oils returning to your skin, it’s time to tweak your skincare routine. Try these spring-friendly tips.

Toss Old Makeup and Skincare Products

If you haven’t used certain products in a while, toss them.

Old makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria which you’d be applying directly to your skin. This could cause breakouts or skin infections.

It’s important to either wash your makeup brushes once a week or toss the old shabby ones. Washing your brushes with lukewarm water and a gentle soap takes only minutes.

Exfoliate

Cooler temperatures and heated air dry out skin, which is why it’s important to exfoliate. In the colder months, your skin dries out, flakes and looks dull with a buildup of dead surface skin cells.

While at-home exfoliation efforts help, chemical skin peels go deeper to improve skin texture, appearance, reduce breakouts, and clear away dead skin cells.

Chemical peels remove top level skin layers to treat and correct skin imperfections, and promote cell regeneration which reveals fresh, healthy skin underneath. Skin peels clear the way for skin to better respond and absorb nourishing and hydrating skincare products.

Moisturize

Switching to a lighter moisturizer in warm weather helps skin look hydrated and moisturized instead of greasy and heavy. A lighter moisturizer consistency helps keep pores clear allowing the skin to breathe.

Use More Sunscreen

With warmer temperatures and more sunshine, skin exposure to UV rays increases.

Since the sun is one of the top culprits for damaged and prematurely aging skin, it’s critical to slather on a 30+ SPF sunscreen. A broad spectrum sunscreen helps protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Protect Your Eyes

Wear sunglasses to provide extra protection around the delicate skin around the eyes. Eye protection cuts down on squinting which causes wrinkles and fine lines.

One of the ways the sun’s UV rays damage skin is by breaking down collagen, so keeping the eye area moisturized, hydrated and protected is a good defense to combat damage to the skin around the eyes.

Add an eye cream or gel to your skincare routine to give you more protection for this highly delicate and easy-to-wrinkle area.

Brows and Hair Removal

Cleaning up your look and getting ready for revealing more skin means hair-free, smooth skin. If you haven’t booked a waxing appointment, call an esthetician for lasting, professional results.

While at your appointment, consider cleaning up your brows and removing any facial hair.

Less is More: Makeup for a Fresh Spring Look

Wearing heavy foundation and powder in warmer weather can spell big trouble for your skin. The heavy makeup clogs pores and leaves skin more prone to irritation or acne.

Instead, choose a lightly tinted sunscreen or face powder.

Wash all your makeup off each night and follow up with a creamy night moisturizer and soothing eye gel.

Conclusion

Put your best skin forward with a visit to Laura Skincare in Petaluma, CA. From chemical peels to waxing, our experts are ready to jumpstart your spring skincare routine.

Caring for Dry Skin

   Skin Care  Mar 19, 2022  Comments Off on Caring for Dry Skin
Caring for Dry Skin

Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who has never had a problem with dry skin, it can become more of an issue with age, especially without a good skincare routine.

Let’s take a look as to the reasons dry skin issues can sneak up on you and what you can do to keep skin hydrated and healthy.

What Causes Dry Skin?

A hot, dry climate can not only dry out your skin, but you’ll be battling against those extremely damaging UVA and UVB sun rays.

Another culprit is age. Skin becomes dry due to years of sun damage catching up to us, hormonal changes, slower skin cell turnover and less production of natural oils.

Here are some ways you can care for dry skin.

Caring for Dry Skin

Cleanse

Although a hot, steamy shower or face wash might sound relaxing, using warm water is much less drying for your skin.

Along with a gentle, exfoliating cleanser, you’ll get clean without stripping the skin of much-needed natural oils.

Use a gentle touch when cleansing your skin and always pat, not rub, your skin dry.

Avoid Harsh, Oil-Stripping Skincare Products

Don’t use harsh alcohol-based astringents or toners on your skin because they strip away too much of the natural oils your skin needs to stay plump and moisturized. Stay away from fragrance additives.

Moisturize

Using hyaluronic acid on slightly damp skin, along with a creamy night cream, goes a long way to keep skin hydrated during the night. When you sleep and are at rest, your skin is busy with cell renewal and rejuvenating itself. Nighttime is the best time for your hydrating creams to soak in and combat dry skin.

Using body and face creams containing ceramides also works to fight dry skin. Ceramides are a type of fatty molecule that are found in up to 40% of your epidermis, or outer skin layer, which is most prone to dryness. Ceramides help lock in moisture to keep skin hydrated.

A gentle retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A, is not only great for boosting skin’s collagen for a firmer look, it also helps combat the effects of past sun damage and keeps wrinkles and fine lines at bay.

A topical retinol cream at night also helps minimize pigmentation issues like age and sun spots.

Sunscreen

Damaging UVA and UVB rays from the sun dry skin out. You’ll know you’ve had too much sun when your skin feels tight or becomes flaky.

Sunscreen prevents immediate skin cell damage in addition to protecting skin from damage in the future.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and by using a creamy sunscreen, you get the extra benefit of a moisturizer.

Steam / Humid Air

Dry skin responds extremely well to a light steam. Steaming opens up your pores and following up with a topical hyaluronic acid or ceramide cream keeps moisture locked in.

A humidifier works well in spaces where the air is dry. Even running a desk-size mini humidifier keeps the air moist and keeps the dry air from air conditioners or heaters from drying out your skin.

Skin-Saving Vitamins

Vitamins A, C, E and CoQ10 contain powerful antioxidants that fight off free radical damage, which ages and dries the skin due to cell and tissue damage.

Try adding fatty omega-3 or omega-6 supplements like flax or fish oil which help replenish skin’s natural oils.

H20

Drinking more water not only keeps skin plump and hydrated, but also eliminates toxins in the body.

Conclusion

If you are struggling with dry skin, let the experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma work with you for a one-on-one consultation and complete treatment plan.