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Category Archives: Skin Care

Navigating Life with Sensitive Skin

   Skin Care  Jul 21, 2017  Comments Off on Navigating Life with Sensitive Skin
Navigating Life with Sensitive Skin

Unless you’ve lived with it, it’s hard to understand how difficult living with sensitive skin can really be. If you’re not dealing with rashes, itchy skin, or sunburns in the summer, you’re dealing with dehydration in the winter. While other people can pick up a new skin care product without much thought to it, you have to put extensive research and planning into your skin care routine.

Luckily, once you become accustomed to a skincare routine that works for you, you might be surprised to find that navigating life can actually become easy again.

Get rid of products that don’t work for you.

If you have sensitive skin, steer clear of products that irritate your skin. This means avoiding essential oils, perfumes, harsh exfoliators, harsh acne products and foam products. If your skin is extremely sensitive, you may even want to avoid hard water, instead washing your skin with micellar water. If you have to stick with tap water, just switching to a gentler cleanser will make a world of difference.

Stick with just a few skincare essentials.

Avoid cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide; instead, start your search with bland milk or light gel. Following your cleanser, use a toner water mist to keep your skin subtly hydrated with soothing ingredients like aloe or glycerin. If you use a mist instead of a cotton pad for toner, you will notice less irritation on your skin.

After toning, give yourself a gentle skin treatment directed at your specific sensitive skin problem. Avoid alpha hydroxy acids, especially in the summer; while they work wonders, they increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Before stepping out of the house, apply a moisturizer with basic ingredients and SPF protection.

Once you find your skincare routine that works, stick to it.

When you finally have a good thing going, don’t mess it up!

Finding a skincare routine that works the way you need it to is a trial and error process that requires a lot of research and experimentation. By replacing irritating products with simple ingredients that are soothing, gentle and protective and sticking to an established routine, the bulk of your sensitive skin problems should subside. In fact, since you are avoiding products that tend to be more aggressive, your skin may actually become more nourished than people whose skin is considered non-sensitive!

Of course, if you feel like you have tried everything to no avail, it may be best to visit a dermatologist for more specific guidance from an expert. Sensitive skin can be a tough obstacle to overcome, but it’s far from impossible to deal with. With a little practice and persistence, you’ll have no trouble navigating life with your sensitive skin.

Should You Use Different Skin Care Products During Summer?

   Skin Care  Jun 15, 2017  Comments Off on Should You Use Different Skin Care Products During Summer?
Should You Use Different Skin Care Products During Summer?

It’s finally summer, and we’re all waiting impatiently for beach vacations and flip flop weather. But before you head out for your long weekend getaway or weeknight pool routine, consider your skin care treatment and how it might need to change for your summertime needs.

Protect From the Sun’s Harsh Rays

One of the most important things to remember when gearing up for summer fun is to protect yourself from harmful UV radiation. While this is certainly a threat year-round, and you should already be treating your skin with a proper facial sunscreen before heading outdoors, you can’t afford to skip this step during the summer.

Some lightweight facial moisturizers have sunscreen included so that they protect and moisturize. Ideally, you want to find something that has 30 SPF or higher to keep your skin well-covered. And remember to re-apply regularly to experience the full benefit of sunscreen application.

If you’re spending a considerable amount of time in the sun, consider wearing a hat and protective clothing that will keep you shielded during the peak sunshine hours.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you may feel like the sunshine is really taking it all out of you. In some ways, it is. During the summer heat and sunshine, you lose a significant amount of water through perspiration, which means you need to work overtime to protect your skin from drying out.

A good moisturizer is essential for summertime skin health, especially if you find one formulated with sun protection. You also want to make sure you have a supply of water on hand at all times and that you’re drinking frequently. Hydration works from the inside out, so give your body what it needs this summer.

Accent Your Tan (Or Make One)

Your summer tan is one of the best effects of summer sunshine. Let your tan speak for itself by keeping your skin hydrated and going lighter on cosmetics like foundation and cover up, which can lessen the impact of your bronzy skin.

Have trouble obtaining a tan? Look for a home tanning solution that’s safe and moisturizing to add color to your face, or find a home tanning kit that gives you a full-body cover. Just make sure to follow the instructions closely so you come out looking kissed by the sun gods, rather than as an unfortunate tanning newbie.

Let’s Hit the Beach! – Skin Care Tips

   Skin Care  May 25, 2017  Comments Off on Let’s Hit the Beach! – Skin Care Tips
Let’s Hit the Beach! – Skin Care Tips

It’s summertime–time to hit the sand and surf. And hey, you’re on vacation, so some of your beauty regimen will definitely take a back seat. However, it is really important to follow good hair and skin care while you’re out in the sun.

Sun damage is real and should not be taken lightly. A sunburn is painful for a few days, but the sun can create long-term damage to your skin and your hair. The sun, the sand, the salt, and the chlorine from the pool can add up to lots of damage.

Hydrate

It’s not just what you put on your face that counts. Hydration plumps up your skin from the inside, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Remember, you’re in the sun for hours a day, so you’re sweating a lot more.

Moisturize

Your skin loses more moisture when you’re out in the sun, so moisturize your face more often—at least two times a day. Try to use a potion with hyaluronic acid if you have really dry skin, and try to use your own products rather than the hotel samples. Cleanse your face really well before applying moisturizer to remove all the sunscreen, grit and grime of your beach day so that your moisturizer is really working rather than just sitting on top of other ingredients.

Avoid the Spa

Many spa owners advise skipping a facial when you’re on vacation, especially if it is your first one. If there’s peer pressure because everyone is getting facials, avoid having any deep treatments like exfoliation or peels. Instead, get a facial when you return. A deep clean will remove dead cells and clear away the gunky sunscreen from your pores, and a green mask will hydrate and calm the skin.

Forever Sunscreen

No matter how well you tan, or how much time you’ve already spent in the sun, you should ALWAYS wear sunscreen—no matter what! Apply it generously to your skin to cover all areas. At the beach, a waterproof, sweatproof sunscreen is recommended. They’re made with zinc or titanium and are generally less oily and greasy than traditional sunscreens. Your hotel might provide sunscreen, but dermatologists say to bring your own so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Wear a Hat

You probably spent hours deciding what to pack, and that cute little hat might be in your suitcase, but when it comes to the sun, your hat has to have a purpose. Oh, and if you’re hitting the pool, don’t forget a swim cap. It’s the best thing to protect from chlorine, and hey, they really do look pretty cool.

Makeup

Wear the same makeup you usually wear, but add a base layer of a cream or powder that has SPF in it.

Hair

We all do it. We get our hair cut right before vacation so we’ll look great. But many hairstylists say to wait. You don’t know how your hair might react to all the humidity and salt water, so it’s best to hold off. A short haircut that is low maintenance is okay to do beforehand. Hotels may not have the greatest shampoos and conditioners, so pack your own travel sizes. It’s actually a great time to experiment with your hair. Go more natural rather than spending time straightening and styling. Avoid getting highlights before going to the beach; it’s best to let the sun work its magic with natural highlights. But no matter what you do, always make sure to moisturize your hair on a beach vacation. When you’re back home, use intensive moisture hair products with coconut or jojoba oil—these products moisturize and they great tropical smell will remind you of the beach.

Alright! You’re ready. Hit the beach using these great tips and you’ll look great during and after your vacation!