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Category Archives: Skin Care

Add Essential Oils to Your Skin Care Routine

   Skin Care  Mar 13, 2020  Comments Off on Add Essential Oils to Your Skin Care Routine
Add Essential Oils to Your Skin Care Routine

There are moisturizers, serums, masks, exfoliants, creams, and gadgets galore. In these modern times we live in, anything you could ever want for your skin can be purchased at most beauty stores or online. Anytime you are interested in learning more about what to use on your skin, there are blogs, video tutorials, reviews, and local estheticians to guide you. Whether you want to go holistic or not, there are resources out there for those individuals who enjoy getting into a skin care routine and reaping the benefits.

You use and do all of the above, but have you ever considered adding essential oils to step up your skin care game?

Well, you should!

There are hundreds of types of essential oils out there, each with their very own skin benefits. Some heal scars and treat acne, while others reduce fine lines and wrinkles and lighten up those pesky dark spots.

You can simply Google “essential oils for x, y, or z” and get results. Or…you can just read below about a few of the top essential oils for your skin and their amazing benefits.

Rosehip

“Rosehip oil is also known as rosehip seed oil. It’s derived from the rosa canina rose bush, which is grown mostly in Chile. Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant,” (Healthline).

Skin benefits of rosehip oil include: moisture and hydration, it helps exfoliate and brighten the skin, it boosts collagen formation, reduces inflammation, adds extra protection against sun damage, reduces hyperpigmentation, reduces appearance of scars and fine lines, and boosts immunity.

Frankincense

“Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is made from the resin of the Boswellia tree. It typically grows in the dry, mountainous regions of India, Africa and the Middle East. Frankincense has a woody, spicy smell and can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, steeped into a tea or taken as a supplement,” (Healthline).

Skin benefits of frankincense include helping oily skin to controlling acne and for anti-aging purposes. While it can help reduce inflammation, it can also help stimulate cell regeneration.

Tea Tree

“Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has many benefits for the skin. It’s an alternative to conventional treatments. Tea tree oil can be used to treat conditions and symptoms that affect skin, nails, and hair. It can also be used as a deodorant, insect repellent, or mouthwash. When used topically, tea tree oil can treat certain skin conditions or improve the overall appearance of your skin,” (Healthline).

Skin benefits of tea tree oil include the treatment of dry skin, eczema, oily skin, itchy skin, inflammation, acne, and helps with the healing of infections, cuts, and wounds.

Grapefruit

“Grapefruit essential oil is an orange-tinted, citrus-scented oil frequently used in aromatherapy. Through a method known as cold-pressing, the oil is extracted from glands located in the peel of the grapefruit. Grapefruit essential oil has distinct properties that may offer a variety of health benefits — including reduced blood pressure and stress levels,” (Healthline).

Skin benefits of grapefruit oil include reducing acne and have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties and by adding this oil to lotions and body washes, you will be invigorated and have smooth skin.

Don’t exit out of this article just yet! Next read about diluting your oils, which is a must when using them safely.

“Simply put, we dilute essential oils before applying to the skin to minimize adverse reactions and systemic toxicity. Applying undiluted essential oils to your skin can easily cause short term or long term adverse reactions, and there is no good reason to take the risk,” (Plant Therapy).

Plant Therapy has a very important and comprehensive guide to diluting essential oils for skin care use.

There are so many more types of essential oils out there than these four; your options are about limitless. Whatever you do choose to play around with, make sure you are doing so safely and test a small area on your skin first in case of allergic reaction.

Don’t forget to contact Laura Skin Care in Petaluma, CA and book an appointment soon if you have any questions or concerns regarding your skin care routine.

What Vitamin C Can Do For Your Skin

   Skin Care  Jan 08, 2020  Comments Off on What Vitamin C Can Do For Your Skin
What Vitamin C Can Do For Your Skin

When you hear the word vitamin, it typically has a positive connotation. You may think of health, vitality, growth, strength, or youth. Of course, all things need to be taken in moderation and it is wise to follow your doctor’s recommendations; not doing so can have negative consequences–however, a normal amount of Vitamin C is healthy for your body inside and out.

There are various vitamins that are essential for young, healthy, glowing skin and Vitamin C is definitely one of those. This specific vitamin can be taken orally through eating (obviously…) or by taking an actual Vitamin C supplement…and you can use Vitamin C topically on your skin, which has numerous advantages.

Let’s learn about the benefits of using topical Vitamin C and what to look for when purchasing some.

The experts at Dermalogica state that “Topical Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants available – and it lives up to the hype, effectively tackling the primary causes of premature aging to give you brighter, firmer skin.”

If you are looking for something to lighten and brighten your skin with anti-aging and collagen-boosting properties, then Vitamin C is the way to go.

Vitamin C on the skin can actually help in defending it from harmful rays and pollution, which is called photoprotection.

Kim Chang, a medical aesthetician at Baylor College of Medicine, has studied the use of Vitamin C topically. “Studies have shown that using sunscreen with Vitamin C protects the skin from further photo damage caused by ultraviolet rays,” Chang said. “This information is important because most people don’t know that you can protect your skin even further than just sunscreen.”

When you get hurt and are wounded, Vitamin C can help heal the open wound quickly. Inflammation occurs when there is a wound on your body and inflammation depletes the Vitamin C in your body. The experts at WebMD say that Vitamin C “is required for the synthesis of collagen. It is also a highly effective antioxidant protecting cells from damage by free radicals. Studies have shown that the vitamin can help speed the healing process of wounds.”

How do individuals choose the right kind of topical Vitamin C?

When using any product on your skin, you want to be sure to choose one that is known to work and safe for your skin. You don’t want to find a lot of extra ingredients in the product and are going to want to look for a product that has a pH level at 3.5 and a concentration level between 10 and 20 percent. Topical Vitamin C in the most purest form is highly recommended. Chang suggests using a serum above a gel or lotion as it is found to be more effective and include less additives.

Once you do purchase your first bottle, be sure to test out a small portion on your neck or back of hand to make sure you will not have a reaction to the formula; it is unlikely, but some people are sensitive to it.

If you are unsure as to what brand to get or if Vitamin C is even right for your skin, make sure you contact your dermatologist or esthetician, as they can assess your skin and recommend the right products for you.

Actually, you can contact Laura Skin Care right now and book an appointment!

Autumn 2019 Makeup Trends

   Skin Care  Oct 01, 2019  Comments Off on Autumn 2019 Makeup Trends
Autumn 2019 Makeup Trends

It’s already fall y’all, which means pumpkin spice and everything nice along with sweater weather and football games galore! It also means it’s about that time to switch out your makeup pallets—from bronzer to neutrals and from peach to plum, a new fall season means another reason to shop, experiment, and choose a new look to go along with that oversized Burberry cape and those tan, suede ankle booties. 

It can be difficult keeping up with trends from season to season, but that is why we have the experts! Allow all of those stylists, artists, fashionistas, bloggers, and vloggers to work harder so that you can look smarter. 

Here are the top autumn 2019 makeup trends according to Harper’s Bazaar:

  • Matte Red Lips: Red gloss is out and matte is in. Red is a traditional autumn and winter color, never going out of style. Wear it to work with a neutral ensemble for a vibrant pop of color or with a sassy dress for a night out on the town. You cannot lose with your good friend Red. 
  • A Flush of Blush: That natural look with a slightly flushed tone is definitely in. With that slight pink in your cheeks, people will assume you are warm from drinking that yummy pumpkin spice latte or exploring a corn maze on the best date of your life! This trend does not have to stop with your cheeks—it is applicable to your lips and eyes as well. This look is versatile, as there are quite a few shades of flush that will make you blush in the most perfect kind of way. 
  • Graphic Eyes: Want to get crazy and creative? “Retro-meets-futuristic” is the feel for this makeup trend. Unleash your inner makeup artist and get kooky with those peepers. Watch YouTube videos, take a class, or get your eyes done professionally in order to make a big statement. Whether it be lines, colors, or add-ons, you can do whatever your heart, or your eyes, desire. 
  • Smoky Neutrals: Go au naturel with earth tones. The good thing for all of us is that neutrals usually go well with any skin tone—so everyone can be in style this season! 
  • Dewy Lips: Dewy lips equal young and hydrated-looking lips. Experts advise staying away from those cheap and sticky, gloopy glosses and investing in high-quality shades for your lips. 
  • Shots of Neon: Colors, colors, everywhere! Are you young? Or really, really hip? Or are you trying to experiment with something different? A burst of color around the eyes may seem unconventional, but the trend-setters say it is en vogue. Go choose your color and get with the program! 
  • Minimalist-to-Maximalist Glitz: You cannot decide. You look through magazines and google the latest and greatest and are still are having a difficult time choosing. Why not just mix and match? Well, a natural, basic look combined with a bit of sparkle and spunk is in. You win. 
  • In addition to these amazing ideas, all-over rose and plum tints will be trending as well this autumn, and Bambi lashes are still in—so work those eyes! 

Whether you follow trends to a tee or just want to try something new, these seasonable makeup trends will have you looking spectacular and will have heads turning. If you would like a facial done before you apply your new autumn look, visit Laura Skin Care in Petaluma, where there are five enticing  options to choose from. Schedule your appointment now so you can get the fall ball rolling!