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Category Archives: Skin Care

The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care

   Skin Care  Oct 06, 2022  Comments Off on The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care
The Psychological Benefits of Skin Care

There have been numerous articles written on the benefits of a good skincare routine. Most of these focus on the benefits of having a perfectly hydrated dermis, or what the benefits are for the rest of your day for having a morning routine. Much of the information that’s published is focused on individual products.

There has also been quite a bit of industry-funded research that attempts to show, scientifically, that those individual skin care products do in fact work. Much of this is just overhyped paid advertising spots disguised as academic insight. There is an interesting way to think about skincare from psychology though.

One line of thinking focuses on the psychology of a skincare routine as part of the identity of a person. Like any other ritual a person might be involved in, a skincare routine has benefits far above and beyond those that are tangible, like reduced depth and frequency of wrinkles. Instead, intangible benefits include the warm and fuzzy feeling a person gets from feeling their best. There is something to be said about the benefits something gives us in the form of self-image and confidence.

In this context, a skincare routine has value and benefits by virtue of its very existence. Ancient Greek philosophers argued that those things providing us happiness are also those things worthy of pursuit. If those things that bring us happiness in this sense are good things worthy of pursuit, a skincare routine is easy to validate and justify, morally speaking. At least from the perspective of Greek philosophy.

But the broader message here isn’t that an appointment with Laura Skin Care will have psychological or philosophical value above and beyond the personal care and attention (of course they do), but that as people we all can find value in things that make us feel better about ourselves. From this perspective, a skincare routine has an obvious and clear psychological benefit: it provides a level of confidence we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Ultimately this is just a long-winded way to say that it’s important for us all to take some time for self-care. We like to look at our work as helping people take time for self-care. Donate to your psychological well-being today and schedule a visit with Laura Skin Care at 707-295-8905.

Tips To Protect Your Skin This Summer

   Skin Care  Jul 09, 2022  Comments Off on Tips To Protect Your Skin This Summer
Tips To Protect Your Skin This Summer

There are definitely right and wrong ways to protect your skin during the scorching hot summer months. You want to make sure you’re protecting your skin from damaging UV rays and doing all you can to ensure its health and wellbeing. Here are five tips for enjoying summer fun while being a bit smart about your skin health:

  1. Be smart about when and how long you’re in the sun – don’t go out in the sun between the hours of 10AM and 2PM, if you can avoid it – this is when the sun will be the most searing and sunlight will be the most direct on your skin.
  2. Use sunscreen anytime you’re outside more than 15 minutes – and use sunscreen that actually provides some protection from UV rays. 30 SPF or higher is preferable to make sure you’re getting the most protection, anything below that is really more of a suntan lotion than an actual sunscreen. It might help a little but your best bet is with the higher SPF.
  3. Seek out shade – This isn’t always possible but try to think ahead when you can. Are you heading to the beach? Bring an umbrella that you can stick in the sand to provide some relief from the direct sunlight. Heading out on a hike? Plan frequent rest stops in shaded areas and bring along a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sunlight away.
  4. Perform regular skin checks – this might not seem obvious to a lot of people. Skin conditions that come from prolonged sun exposure can be spotted relatively quickly. If a mole or freckle is going to become a problem, you’ll see changes in color and sensitivity. Check your skin while you’re out in the sun for any changes that you can notice that might be concerning.
  5. Stay hydrated – Staying hydrated is important for a lot of different bodily functions and it’s critical to do so when you’re out in the heat. But it can also help protect you from UV rays by keeping your body hydrated and ready to battle the elements whenever needed.

No matter how you choose to enjoy your summer time this year, consider how you’re going to protect your skin. If you have questions about your specific skin care needs or would like to book a facial, contact Laura Skin Care today.

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen

   Skin Care  Jun 19, 2022  Comments Off on Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen

You already know how important using sunscreen is to the health and beauty of your skin.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 reduces the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by approximately 40% and melanoma by 50%.

Additionally, sunscreen also reduces the risk of bad sunburns and premature aging.

While choosing either a mineral or chemical sunscreen is a personal preference, the most important thing is to choose one you’ll use every day.

Daily Skincare Routine

If it’s not already, sunscreen should be an important part of your morning skincare routine.

The difference between a mineral and chemical sunscreen is in how each protect skin from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.

As part of a morning skincare routine, there is a major difference in the order of application for the sunscreen to be effective.

Mineral Sunscreen

A mineral (sometimes called “physical”) sunscreen works by sitting on top of the skin, providing a protective barrier to block out UV rays.

You can identify mineral sunscreens by the ingredients, which typically use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Mineral sunscreens are typically heavier than chemical versions and take a bit more work to rub in completely. They are the ones that leave that white, creamy residue on the skin if not rubbed in completely.

In a daily skincare routine, after washing your face and applying moisturizer, apply mineral sunscreen as a last step to provide that protective UV barrier.

A mineral sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.

For daily use, choose a mineral sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15. If you’ll be spending more time outdoors, up the SPF to 30 or higher.

Chemical Sunscreen

Instead of sitting on top of and blocking UV rays, a chemical sunscreen works by soaking into the skin. Once absorbed, the chemicals convert UV rays into heat, which is then released from your skin.

You’ll recognize chemical sunscreen by specific ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone or octinoxate which are the active ingredients that convert those sun rays into heat.

Chemical sunscreen is lighter and absorbs quickly, so there’s less rubbing into the skin. There is no white residue left behind because the consistency is more like a lotion than a cream. The lighter consistency works well for those involved in outdoor sports.

Because these chemicals need to be absorbed by the skin, you’ll need to apply it right after washing your face. Apply your moisturizer after the sunscreen as a last step.

Due to its chemical composition, it may cause skin irritation. It may not work well for those with dry or acne-prone skin.

For effective results, chemical sunscreens should be applied at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Sunscreen Tips

  • Whether mineral or chemical, reapply sunscreen generously. The FDA recommends reapplication every two hours, but depending how long you’re out in the sun, consider reapplying every 90 minutes.
  • Reapply more often if swimming, sweating or on long road trips as the sun beats through car windows.
  • Peak UV times fall between 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM even on cloudy days, so keep plenty of sunscreen on hand.
  • Remember to apply sunscreen to often-overlooked areas such as tops of feet, back of hands, back of neck, your nose and ears, in addition to using an SPF-infused lip balm.

Wrap Up

By using either a mineral or chemical broad spectrum sunscreen every day and reapplying often, you’ll protect yourself from the risks of skin cancer and damage both now and in the future.

If your skin is showing the effects of past sun damage, schedule an appointment with the skincare experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma for repair and restoration of your skin.