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Category Archives: Skin Care

Warm Weather Skincare Trends for June

   Skin Care  Jun 09, 2022  Comments Off on Warm Weather Skincare Trends for June
Warm Weather Skincare Trends for June

While having a daily skincare routine is a must for healthy, smooth skin, there are always new techniques and trends that may be worth a look.

Here are some Sonoma County warm weather skincare ideas that are trending in June, 2022.

Trending: Streamlined Yet Effective Daily Skincare Routines

Warm weather activities pack even more into already tight schedules. Because of this, one warm weather trend is to maintain a good skincare routine in less time.

Who doesn’t love to try new products or use the latest and greatest products that promise to fix our skincare issues? If you find yourself collecting tons of skincare products, you may also find yourself adding more and more steps to your daily routine.

This doesn’t work for a couple of reasons. First, mixing multiple skincare products together may be counterproductive or even damaging to your skin. Secondly, adding more steps discourages commitment because it takes too much time.

Instead of adding more products, the trend is to lean towards simple, streamlined skincare routines.

Specifically, look for products that perform double or triple duty in one step. For example, one product that hydrates, moisturizes and tightens pores.

Trending: Sustainable Cleansing Bars

Cleansing bars are currently all the rage because you can customize the bar to address specific skin issues. Some available options help clear up acne, hydrate, tighten and reduce the appearance of pores.

Choose from super-fatty, nourishing, organic bars to ramp up the cleansing routine to a luxurious level while leaving your skin refreshed and looking healthy.

The added bonus of cleansing bars is that many of them come in environmentally-friendly, sustainable packaging instead of plastic containers with extra packing materials.

As an added bonus, choosing high quality, handmade cleansing bars supports local businesses.

Trending: Skin Loving Chemical Exfoliants

Chemical exfoliants may lead you to believe you’re in for a harsh, skin-irritating experience.

However, in place of facial scrubs, the new wave of trending exfoliants get the job done without damaging or drying out underlying layers of new skin.

Whether you need to exfoliant to reduce hyperpigmentation, scarring or just get a fresh-faced look, turn to gentle exfoliating acids to improve skin texture while leaving skin soft, smooth and hydrated.

Use gentle AHAs (or Alpha Hydroxy Acids) containing lactic, glycolic tartaric or malic acid for normal, dry or oily skin for correcting hyperpigmentation or fine lines/wrinkles.

Use gentle BHAs (or Beta Hydroxy Acids) containing salicylic acid for exfoliating oily, clogged or acne-prone skin.

Wrap Up

The latest warm weather trends focus on products that can perform multiple functions while still delivering clean, hydrated, fresh-looking skin gently and naturally.

Face the warm weather ahead by scheduling an appointment with Laura Skincare in Petaluma. Our skincare professionals offer facials and peels to give your skin the clean slate it needs, while recommending trending skincare solutions customized just for you.

Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…

   Skin Care  May 19, 2022  Comments Off on Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…
Moisturizer Stopped Working? Here’s Why…

You probably already know the importance of a good, consistent skincare routine that focuses on cleaning, exfoliating and moisturizing.

Just when you think you’ve found a five-star moisturizer and your skin looks great, it stops working after a few months.

Here are some reasons why:

Seasonal Changes

Your skin changes in response to the changing weather conditions.

Cooler temperatures can make skin red, irritated or dry while humid weather can turn skin oily or cause perspiration that clogs pores. Whether it’s hot and humid or downright chilly, switch out your moisturizer to accommodate the weather changes that affect your skin.

Hormones

Pregnancy, menopause or any other hormonal shifts can wreak havoc on your skin. The key is to watch what is going on with your skin and treat accordingly. Don’t use an alcohol or harsh astringent before moisturizing dry skin or a thick, heavy moisturizer for oily or acne-prone skin.

Medications

If you are taking a new medication or using antibiotics to kick an infection, it can affect your skin and how your normally fabulous moisturizer responds.

Some medications can either make your skin oilier and acne-prone or go in the opposite direction causing tightness, dryness, irritation and inflammation. Either way, switching your moisturizer during this time can save your skin.

If your skin doesn’t calm down or gets worse even after switching moisturizers, talk to your doctor.

Check Expiration Dates

If you’ve been using your product for quite some time or re-discovered a product in the back of a cabinet, keep a close eye on the expiration date. Any opened product begins to lose effectiveness after its opened, especially 3-4 months down the road.

If your product isn’t living up to its prior awesomeness, it may just need to be replaced. While shopping for another bottle, check the expiration date before purchasing.

Exposing products to direct sunlight or hot, humid conditions can break down the effectiveness of active ingredients. Retinoids and vitamin C infused products in particular lose effectiveness in these conditions.

Read product labels for proper storage instructions which may even include refrigeration after opening. Keeping products cool not only prolongs their lifespan, but the coolness feels really refreshing when applying to your skin.

Exfoliation

If you aren’t exfoliating at least a few times a week, the surface layer of dead skin cells resting on your face stops the moisturizer from penetrating into the skin.

Exfoliating not only removes the dull, dry layer of surface cells to reveal healthier skin underneath, it also stimulates circulation, collagen production and clears the way for your moisturizer to work more effectively.

Consistency of Skincare Routine

Although it seems obvious, you need to be consistent with your skincare routine to see and maintain good results. It’s easy to put things off for one night. One night leads to two and then something else comes up and before you know it, you’ve lost consistency.

To know for sure that you’ve got a go-to moisturizer that delivers consistent results, you need to use it consistently.

Find Product Alternatives

After using the same product for months, your skin may simply become used to it and therefore, isn’t as effective as it was in the beginning of your journey together.

Having a good alternative moisturizer changes things up, and your skin will likely respond more positively when changing up hydration products every so often.

It’s also possible that you’ve been using a lower strength product, especially with retinoids. It may be time to upgrade your moisturizer to a higher concentration of the active ingredient for more noticeable results.

Sunscreen

While using a retinoid product is best applied at night to avoid direct sunlight, it’s also very important to protect your skin during the day by applying a high SPF sunscreen.

If you don’t, powerful UV rays continue to damage your skin and you’re basically undoing the work of the night moisturizer.

Remember that UV rays cause fine lines, wrinkles, breakdown of collagen, and photosensitivity for unprotected skin, especially after treating with a retinol-based moisturizer.

For your skin’s best protection and to enhance the efforts of your moisturizer, be generous with the sunscreen every day and repeat throughout the day as necessary.

Conclusion

Next to a high SPF sunscreen, an effective hydrating moisturizer is key to maintaining healthy skin. Understanding why your favorite moisturizer isn’t delivering results will help you make the changes needed to get your skincare routine back on track.

For skin treatments to prep your skin for the best results from your moisturizer, get started today by scheduling an appointment with Laura Skincare in downtown Petaluma.

Refresh Your Skin for Spring

   Skin Care  Apr 09, 2022  Comments Off on Refresh Your Skin for Spring
Refresh Your Skin for Spring

Spring is a time for a fresh clean start and renewal, which includes your skincare routine.

Change up your routine to face the season with a vibrant, healthy springtime glow!

Weather Changes that Affect Skin

As the weather heats up, skin is more prone to become oily and sweaty, which causes breakouts and acne. Spring is also a season ripe with pollen and airborne allergens, triggering skin allergies or irritation.

Spring Skincare Routine

With more humidity and natural oils returning to your skin, it’s time to tweak your skincare routine. Try these spring-friendly tips.

Toss Old Makeup and Skincare Products

If you haven’t used certain products in a while, toss them.

Old makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria which you’d be applying directly to your skin. This could cause breakouts or skin infections.

It’s important to either wash your makeup brushes once a week or toss the old shabby ones. Washing your brushes with lukewarm water and a gentle soap takes only minutes.

Exfoliate

Cooler temperatures and heated air dry out skin, which is why it’s important to exfoliate. In the colder months, your skin dries out, flakes and looks dull with a buildup of dead surface skin cells.

While at-home exfoliation efforts help, chemical skin peels go deeper to improve skin texture, appearance, reduce breakouts, and clear away dead skin cells.

Chemical peels remove top level skin layers to treat and correct skin imperfections, and promote cell regeneration which reveals fresh, healthy skin underneath. Skin peels clear the way for skin to better respond and absorb nourishing and hydrating skincare products.

Moisturize

Switching to a lighter moisturizer in warm weather helps skin look hydrated and moisturized instead of greasy and heavy. A lighter moisturizer consistency helps keep pores clear allowing the skin to breathe.

Use More Sunscreen

With warmer temperatures and more sunshine, skin exposure to UV rays increases.

Since the sun is one of the top culprits for damaged and prematurely aging skin, it’s critical to slather on a 30+ SPF sunscreen. A broad spectrum sunscreen helps protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Protect Your Eyes

Wear sunglasses to provide extra protection around the delicate skin around the eyes. Eye protection cuts down on squinting which causes wrinkles and fine lines.

One of the ways the sun’s UV rays damage skin is by breaking down collagen, so keeping the eye area moisturized, hydrated and protected is a good defense to combat damage to the skin around the eyes.

Add an eye cream or gel to your skincare routine to give you more protection for this highly delicate and easy-to-wrinkle area.

Brows and Hair Removal

Cleaning up your look and getting ready for revealing more skin means hair-free, smooth skin. If you haven’t booked a waxing appointment, call an esthetician for lasting, professional results.

While at your appointment, consider cleaning up your brows and removing any facial hair.

Less is More: Makeup for a Fresh Spring Look

Wearing heavy foundation and powder in warmer weather can spell big trouble for your skin. The heavy makeup clogs pores and leaves skin more prone to irritation or acne.

Instead, choose a lightly tinted sunscreen or face powder.

Wash all your makeup off each night and follow up with a creamy night moisturizer and soothing eye gel.

Conclusion

Put your best skin forward with a visit to Laura Skincare in Petaluma, CA. From chemical peels to waxing, our experts are ready to jumpstart your spring skincare routine.