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Category Archives: Skin Care

November 7th is National Retinol Day

   Skin Care  Nov 07, 2022  Comments Off on November 7th is National Retinol Day
November 7th is National Retinol Day

Join us in celebrating National Retinol Day!

In the spirit of celebrating the benefits of retinol on November 7th, let’s take a look at why it’s one of the most powerful and dermatologist recommended skincare products today.

What Retinol Is

Retinol is a retinoid, or in other words, a topical derivative of vitamin A.

Vitamin A delivers an antioxidant-packed punch when it comes to promoting healthy cell development and encouraging faster cell turnover.

Vitamin A also stimulates fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen in the dermis layer of your skin.

Vitamin A also supports a healthy immune system.

What Retinol Does

Hands down, retinol is one of the most tested and recommended ingredients in effective skincare products.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of using retinol on your skin:

  • Boosts cell turnover and the skin renewal process resulting in brighter, smoother skin
  • Diminishes signs of aging including lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin
  • Combats hyperpigmentation, giving you a more even skin tone
  • Improves skin texture
  • Stabilizes oil production which helps to control breakouts and acne
  • Promotes the production of collagen and elastin, the two key components of youthful, firm skin
  • Expedites healing of skin conditions or inflammation
  • Naturally moisturizes skin, keeping it plumper and more hydrated
  • Works on the dermis and epidermis, or top two layers of skin, to combat signs of aging and acne

Retinol Cautions

Because higher concentrations of retinol are very strong, skin may become irritated, inflamed or extremely dry and flaky.

Using a lower concentration of retinol, such as .05 percent, is a good starting point for most skin types and sensitivity levels.

For the first couple of weeks, use only a small, pea-size amount of retinol no more than three times per week. You need to find out how your skin reacts to and tolerates retinol.

After a couple of weeks, you can increase the number of nightly applications to every other night. If you have no adverse reactions, you can apply retinol every night if tolerated.

Don’t use other acids or acne treatments on the nights you use retinol.

To reduce potential irritation, apply a thin layer of moisturizer before the retinol, then another thin layer of moisturizer after retinol application.

Retinol should be used primarily at night because it makes your skin highly sensitive to UV sunlight. Use extra sunscreen if exposed to sunlight after applying retinol.

Retinol Alternatives

If your skin cannot tolerate retinol, try bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-based alternative. Bakuchiol not only works well, but also keeps your skin well hydrated.

Wrap Up

Retinol is one of the few scientifically proven, tried and true skincare products that helps you keep that firm, fresh and young-looking skin.

Celebrate National Retinol Day by scheduling a beauty treatment or luxurious facial with the retinol and skincare experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma.

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.

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.