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Category Archives: Skin Care

3 Tips for Spring Skincare

   Skin Care  Apr 03, 2019  Comments Off on 3 Tips for Spring Skincare
3 Tips for Spring Skincare

As we anticipate the rapidly approaching spring weather, it’s important to say goodbye to by starting with the most important place: our skin. With all the recent heavy rains adding to the already dreary winter weather, it’s no surprise that our skin is the first to be affected.

Don’t fret, however! With the new season comes the opportunity to begin a brand new, spring-inspired skin routine. Not sure where to start? Get ready to step into springtime by waking up your skin with these 3 steps.

1. Start The Season With A Scrub

Rain and snow and sludge, oh my! Winter weather has all the perfect conditions to clog your skin and allow dead skin to build up. All of this can hide your skin’s natural shine – giving it a dull and aged appearance. Kick off your spring skincare with an exfoliating scrub. During the winter, exfoliating can strip your skin of the little moisture it has, adding to that inflamed and blotchy appearance. Come spring, however, an exfoliating scrub a few times a week can be just what your skin needs. Try buying a gentle scrub, or even making your own!

2. Less Is More

With spring comes much appreciated warm weather. As the temperatures quickly reach the upper digits, you’ll be trading your winter coats and rainboots for sandals and t-shirts. Treat your skincare routine the same way! Sure, those heavy foundations and balms are great for dry and cracked winter skin, but they can weigh you down in heavy weather.
Instead of using heavy moisturizers and makeup, try switching to lightweight foundations and more natural makeup – your skin will thank you! This doesn’t mean you have to give up bold lips and eyes forever, though. Save those looks for the evening when the air is cooler and less humid. To cut down on products, try switching to a tinted moisturizer with SPF. This will allow you to get your moisturizer, UV protectant, and foundation in one product instead of three.

3. Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning goes further than dusting and scrubbing the floors, and a good cleaning can help your skin through this tough transition. Clean your pillowcases, wash your makeup brushes – everything that comes into contact with your face. If winter was bad about clogging your skin with the weather, spring – with its pollen and other allergens – can be detrimental. By cleaning your tools and fabrics often, you’ll help prevent breakouts and clogged pores. Healthy, clean skin amplifies your natural glow – helping you to appear like the springtime goddess you are.

Final Thoughts

With Spring on its way, it’s time to change up your skin care routine to match. These at-home tips will go a long way in helping your skin remain happy and healthy. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a professional spring cleaning as well! Give us a call today here at Laura Skin Care in Petaluma, CA.

Building A Skin Care Routine

   Skin Care  Mar 10, 2019  Comments Off on Building A Skin Care Routine
Building A Skin Care Routine

Having fantastic skin isn’t just about getting lucky with your genetics, it also comes from having a great skincare routine. Your morning and evening routines play a huge role in ensuring the health and beauty of your skin. In this article, we are going to discuss the three core steps that should always be included in your skincare routine.

The main goal of any skin-care routine is to keep your skin at its best and treat any type of blemishes that may crop up. The three core parts of your daily routine should include:

  • Cleaning
  • Toning
  • Moisturizing

Cleaning

Every day cleaning will help to freshen your pores by removing unnecessary oils and any microscopic debris that may be plugging your skin. This part of your skin-care routine doesn’t have to be extreme, in fact, daily in-depth exfoliation may prove more harmful than helpful. So instead choose a gentle cleaner for everyday use, and an exfoliator type cleanser for once to twice per week use. Your skin will thank you! After you’re done cleaning and rinsing with lukewarm water, be sure to give one final rinse with cold water to close up your pores and keep your skin feeling fantastic.

Toning

The overall goal of any skin-care routine is to keep your skin healthy and your complexion clear. These two factors will keep your skin looking their best while additionally allowing you to take a closer look at problem areas. Use of a good toner will remove any remaining bits of oil, dirt, and debris that may have been left behind by the cleanser. More importantly, the toner will help soothe, nourish and hydrate your skin, all while restoring its delicate pH balance.

Moisturizing

While some toners provide hydration to your skin, they won’t necessarily provide it with adequate moisture. What’s the difference you ask? Both moisturizers and hydrators server a similar purpose, however, it’s their methods that differ. Hydrators ensure your skin has the necessary water content within your skin, allowing it to be plump and bouncy. Moisturizers, on the other hand, work to keep the water within your skin where it belongs while softening and keeping dry skin smooth to the touch.

Final thoughts

With appropriate products that fit your skincare needs, your at home beauty routine will have your skin feeling fresh, young, and beautiful. If you’re unsure if your skin is dry or dehydrated, be sure to make an appointment with us right here at Laura Skin Care, where we will assess your skin type and guide you to the perfect products to optimize your skin care routine.

Combating Dry Skin From The Winter Wind

   Skin Care  Feb 02, 2019  Comments Off on Combating Dry Skin From The Winter Wind
Combating Dry Skin From The Winter Wind

“Dry skin is in!”, said no one…ever. As the winter season blows in, many of us face the threat of dry, flaky, irritated skin from the winter winds that blow through Sonoma County. Those who already battle skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne face additional challenges during the winter months. A regular skin care regimen, combined with a diet that complements and supports healthy skin, can make this season much easier to face.

So, what can you do to maintain skin health in the winter? The first rule of combat in keeping your skin healthy is to know your skin type. Applying skin care products that do not meet its specific needs is bound to produce less than successful results. Failing to protect skin against the external factors that can impact skin health, like seasonal weather changes, can also present new problems or exacerbate recurring ones. Then there are the internal impacts that we sometimes tend to ignore or fail to consider, such as the types of foods we eat, and our genetic predispositions.

What Skin Are You In?

How can you identify the type of skin you have? You can find out from your doctor, but there are ways to know without incurring the cost of seeing a dermatologist. Determining skin type at home includes a couple of simple steps.

Steps to Determining Skin Type:

  • Wash your face the night before testing for skin type, and do not use any skin care products or any artificial air conditioning or heat overnight.
  • Before washing your face the next morning, touch your T-zone, which is the area including the forehead, nose, around the nose, and chin. Check to see if it is oily, dry, or damp. Then repeat the process with the C-zone, which is the outer portion of the face. An oily T-zone and C-zone indicates oily skin. An oily T-zone and dry C-zone indicates combination skin. Dryness in both zones indicates a dry skin type. Normal skin will look fresher, feel smoother, and be free of irritation.
  • Look for pore type. Wide, open pores in the center zone and areas that are darker than before, indicates oily skin that is more prone to acne. If your pores are more refined but the skin is tight, dull-looking, and rough to the touch, it is likely to range from mildly to extremely dry.
  • Splash your face with water. If it stings or burns, it is an indication of dry, sensitive, or dehydrated skin that needs extra care. Consulting the licensed estheticians at Laura Skin Care can help you be certain about the type of skin you’re in.

Now that you’ve tested for skin type, here are some ways to combat the effects of winter wind.

Chemical Warfare

Chemical peels are a great weapon against harsh weather conditions. They can help to reduce pore size, diminish fine lines and scars, and even skin tone. Depending on the type of chemicals used, these peels remove dead skin, penetrate the epidermis to address pigmentation problems, and reach into the dermis to moderate skin wrinkling. There are different types of peels but determining which one is right for you is as easy as consulting a licensed esthetician, and it doesn’t hurt to do a little research before your visit. Here are some chemical peels for you to consider.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid Peels

These peels are made from glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, and tartaric acids derived naturally from foods like milk, citrus fruits, sugar cane, and grapes. They are effective at treating dry skin, uneven texture, and mild acne. AHAs are best for penetration of the top layer of skin to brighten it, and they can be used for daily maintenance because there is no downtime required after they are applied.

Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy) Peels

A salicylic acid peel is made from organic salicylates and it acts as an anti-inflammatory that also helps to reduce acne. It can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while improving overall facial texture because it exfoliates the skin surface and prevents clogging of pores.

Protecting the Inside Ranks

Increasing your intake of foods rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, D, and E can help battle dry skin from the inside out. Antioxidant and Omega-3 fatty acid high foods include salmon, eggs, tomatoes, kale, almonds and walnuts, red bell pepper, and berries. There are several others, but those mentioned here are a good start to building a solid foundation of internal impacts to improve your skin’s health.

Winning the Battle

You can enjoy healthier skin this winter if you establish a skin care routine that meets your skin’s specific needs. A moisturizer can help protect the skin against the elements. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods that help to replenish the oils the skin needs to retain moisture should also be part of the battle plan against dry skin in the winter. Chemical peels can be a good choice for hydration and exfoliation of your skin. Be sure to choose the peel best for your skin type. Seeing a dermatologist is recommended if you are seeking a more permanent solution to your skin care needs. However, dermatologist visits cost significantly more and usually signify a deeper problem that might have been prevented by regular visits to an esthetician. An ongoing relationship with a skin care professional is a great way to get the best possible results.