Expert Skin Care

 

What exactly does a skincare routine entail? This question must have crossed your mind and it deserves a thought. Building up an arsenal is quite an effort and it demands you to understand what is the need of the hour for your skin. Chances are such that, the more you slather, the more damage you may welcome. Going big isn’t always the best choice despite the pursuit for achieving healthy skin. The rule of thumb is to apply products ranging from thinnest to thickest formula and to take a 30-second break between each product application, this ensures the products are seeped in well.

There is no mandate for the products that fit into the morning schedule to necessarily make the cut at night. Mornings are for lighter and protective formulas. You have no freedom to skip sunscreen when indoors or outdoors. Sunscreen acts as the holy grail product all-year-round for its intense power to shield your skin from damage and premature aging. Nights are all about targeting and treating skin scaries. In other words, retinol is a big no for daytime. And hyaluronic and peptides are meant to work a dream at night. 

Do not forget to keep your skin squeaky clean from makeup. Remove all its traces with an oil-based makeup remover. Opt for gentle cleansers that are water-based and do not pick harsh face washes for acne-prone skin. It will only worsen the skin and lead to havoc. Use a toner infused with natural ingredients post cleansing your face for extra hydration. While picking your serums, go for antioxidants like Vitamin C during the day and anti-aging rich ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol at night. For under eye bags, you can skip this step during the day if you aren’t applying makeup. Look for antioxidant-rich caffeine eye cream or rollers at night. If your skin is prone to acne, you can feel free to ditch face oils and go for moisturisers. Face oils are advised to be used pre moisturisation at daytime and post moisturisation at night. This helps to lock in all the above products. For dry skin, facial oils can do good because it delivers hydration. Follow it up with a soothing and nourishing moisturiser. 

Written By Manjusha Naik
 

Her biggest splurge: Crème De La Mer ($250)

Her naughty secret: Cortisone cream for clearing up pimples. Tut tut Holly.

Her favourite mascara: L'Oréal Extra-Volume Collagene Mascara ($26.95)

Her haircare brand of choice: Pureology. Me too Holz.

Her exercise routine: Hiking in the hills of LA. She used to be a martial arts girl but gave it up to help quieten her mind.

Best beauty tip ever: Porridge as a face mask to help calm the skin. "I heat porridge oats with water, let it cool for a couple of minutes, pour it into a tea towel and place it over my face."

Drink a glass of water per hour. It really does help flush toxins through your system. It helps with deigestion, absorption, circulation and excreation.

1. Incorporate vitamins (from A-to-Zinc) into your daily routine. For skin, the three best are vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc, which can combat stress breakouts and aid in regulating the skin’s oil gland activity.
3. A quick fix for puffy eyes: Steep two tea bags. Refrigerate for 15 minutes and apply them to tired eyes. The mix of cold and herbs is sure to jump-start circulation and reduce inflammation.

Try battling breakouts with this homemade spot treatment: Combine one part brewer’s yeast and one part lemon extract. The brewer’s yeast will draw out impurities while the citric acid in the lemon will aid in cell turnover. It goes on quite wet, and it’ll dry and harden. That’s drawing out inpurities of the skin.

Bacteria can harbor in the most unthinkable places and come into contact with your skin causing breakouts. Make sure to change your pillowcase every other day, wash your makeup sponge or brush with antibacterial soap weekly, and dry your face after washing with a paper towel that you can throw away. These little extras may make all the difference.

How Much Makeup?

The average female uses up to 20 different skincare products per day (according to a recent study). This adds up to a phenomenal amount of makeup and skincare product use per year. This is particularly interesting due to the fact that most of these products contain a large helping of chemicals.

Thus, these chemicals are absorbed through the skin result in various skin problems and ageing issues. While some chemicals that are contained within skincare and makeup products might be ok to use on their own, there’s no telling when these products might do once they are mixed.

A Chemical Reaction?

As basic chemistry teaches us, when two chemicals are mixed together there is often a reaction. Thus, the various products that women put on their face during any one given day may result in a chemical reaction that is less than positive.

What can be done about this possible problem? Simply put, we have to be more careful about the products that we place upon our skin. It is crucial to understand what each chemical inside of a makeup or skincare product does, and whether or not it will cause a negative reaction when it is mixed with another product.

Where Do Chemicals Go?

If a small amount of a skincare product is accidentally swallowed, then the stomach will simply break up that product resulting in no harm done. However, if a product is simply placed upon the skin, it will be instantly absorbed, and it will enter into your bloodstream almost immediately.
This means that you could be doing a lot more harm to your skin than you think. Take a good look at those chemicals that are included in your skincare and makeup products. Find out what each chemical means, and make sure that they are not part of the "chemical watch list."

Possible Problems

Some chemicals that are currently under scrutiny include parabens and sodium lauryl suphate. While the cosmetics industry states that there is no need for concern, this may not be entirely true.

For the time being, simply be aware of the things that you are placing upon your skin. If a skincare product is laden with chemicals, take the time to figure out what those chemicals are...and ask yourself if you should be using organic products instead.

Go Organic

Most organic products are derived from natural sources. This means that these products contain items that are safe for your skin. You can feel good about using an organic product when it comes to your skin.

Unlike other chemical laden products, organic products will not harm your skin. In the end, it’s worth it to take a closer look at the skincare products that you do use. While there may not be any known chemical side effects at the moment, these things have a way of changing in the blink of any eye.

Explore How to stop possible and harmful effects of applying makeup and start a skin care revolution with the innovative technology brining professional clinical results which enables women and men of all ages boost collagen production and create amazing anti-aging results.

1. LIGHTEN UP
   
   The heavy moisturizing cream that you used in the winter months may be a little too heavy for spring. Switch to a lighter, oil-free formula instead, but still pay close attention to the skin around your eyes and mouth. Don't forget to apply sunscreen every time you leave the house.
   
   Makeup colors should lighten up too. Put aside your dark lipstick, blush and eye shadow and go for a little more natural look this season. Replace the plum and wine colors with more pinks. For daytime use a lip gloss, rather than a lipstick, and switch from black mascara to brown. Instead of a liquid foundation, switch over to tinted moisturizer or mineral powder instead.
   
   
2. EXFOLIATE YOUR BODY
   
   As you toss your boots and sweaters to the back of your closet, you probably realize that you will be exposing a lot more skin soon. Shorts weather is almost here and bikini time is right around the corner. Skin care isn't just about your face. Body care is important too. Exfoliate from head to toe to slough away dead skin cells and rejuvenate your dull complexion. Follow these tips on how to exfoliate and get a smooth, glowing complexion.
   
   
3. PAMPER YOUR FEET
   
   Your tootsies have been hiding all winter long but it's time to break out the sandals. If you can't afford a trip to the salon, you can do your own pedicure at home. Add 3 cups of milk and one cup of honey to a large basin and soak your feet for 20 minutes, massaging the liquid into your skin. Use a pumice stone to remove extra rough patches. Rinse your feet with warm water and pat dry. If you have dry, cracked heels, slather petroleum jelly on your feet before bedtime and sleep in a pair of clean, white cotton socks.
   
   
4. DRINK MORE WATER
   
   It's no secret that water is great for your body and your skin. It's very important to stay hydrated in warm weather. Carry a bottle of water wherever you go, not just to the gym. Make it a habit to drink 8 glasses of water each day. Snack on berries instead of chips, cookies and other munchies. Berries are rich in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and encourage collagen renewal.

Some old views on skin care or beauty products have resulted in inaccurate information in the media, with beauticians or mostly various cosmetics companies which bombard us on a daily basis with advertisements and concealed PR articles, even research which mostly favor the products. We bring you a list of the biggest misconceptions.


Believing that your skin will be the same as our mother`s is somewhat true. Genetics really determine the type of skin we will have, but other factors and our habits have great influence as well. Exposure to the Sun, alcohol intake, smoking, stress, poor diet and lack of sleep significantly affect our skin appearance. According to most medical experts, free radicals mostly cause diseases and aging. Not only do they cause wrinkles to appear, but acne as well, excessive sensitivity of the skin, stains the elderly have and loss of elasticity.

Less sleep, bigger circles under the eyes

Experts say that dark circles under the eyes are a result of the concentration of veins under the eyes, and this area is covered just by a thin layer of skin. Therefore, credits exclusively go to genetics and do not depend on how much you sleep. Even some studies have shown that if you often stay up late, this can cause liquid to build up in bags under your eyes, while the dark circles are slightly swollen.

Always the same skin care products

It is a great challenge to find a suiting cream, especially today when there is a wide range of various beauty products on the market. Even if we manage to find a cream for our skin type, it is necessary to change it with time. Our skin changes just like we do. As technology keeps advancing, perhaps a new product is more efficient. However, we will never discover this if we do not experiment. We will probably make mistakes, but in the long run, the search will surely pay off.

Melanoma

Exposure to the sun is often blamed for malignant melanoma, though it is wrong. A study conducted by the US Navy has found more melanoma in people who spend most time indoors. Least cases were recorded with people who work both indoors and outdoors, Therefore, excessive or insufficient Sun exposure is harmful, but moderate exposure is healthy.

The skin breathes

We often say our skin can finally breathe when we remove layers of powder or cream from it. However, the truth is that oxygen and nutrients come to skin cells through blood, not from the air. Still, the skin eliminates toxins, sweat and oil and absorbs moisture from the air through the outer layer, thus, a thick cream or powder coat can disable normal skin function.

Rejuvenating products

Although any woman would want this, unfortunately, there are no products which can truly make the skin youthful. During the natural aging process, our skin becomes loose and looses fat which is under the surface. The consequence of this process are wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. Even the most expensive creams which are advertised as youth elixirs cannot stop this process. However, some products can temporarily tighten it, make it firmer and moisturised, leaving the skin to look younger.

Acne are a result of poor diet

For a long time, it was believed that eliminating treats like chocolate or fast food would prevent the appearance of acne, but recent studies have shown that there is no link between the two. The main cause of acne is hormones. Acne are caused with excessive production of sebum, which causes the pores to clog up. It is regulated by hormones, not to food we eat. This does not mean that it is best to reduce such a diet for the wellbeing of the entire organism.

Expensive products are better

Expensive creams do not assume greater efficiency than cheaper creams. Established cosmetics companies can increase this perception by emphasising luxurious ingredients of their creams, for example, gold particles or caviar. This does not necessarily guarantee they are more effective.

Therefore, remember, the price is not important for quality, this is all just an issue of prestige and good advertising.

Hydratation slows down the appearance of wrinkles

Unfortunately, hydrating your face only acts on the surface, but there is no evidence that skin hydration affects wrinkles, because they are created deep down. Wrinkles are caused by many factors, which increase with aging. Anyway, faces always look more nourished and healthier after creams.

Hair grows faster after shaving

Hair grown approximately a centimetre per month, regardless of the fact if you shave it or pluck it, and shaving your hairs will not make them thicker, just sharper due to the blade. However, it is true that hairs become thinner and softer after plucking, because their follicles are destroyed in time. Although it is a bit painful, it is worth it in the long run. To each their own.

Amount of water helps to hydrate the skin

Although many women drink too much water to provide additional moisture, this is not connected at all. The skin is hydrated thanks to natural oils which are in its upper layers, not liquid intake. Even though liquid helps better vital organ functions. Instead of intaking vast amounts of liquid, rather spray your face or body with some water in a dispenser.

Avoiding dry skin in the colder months can help you save face year-round. Still, the National Health Interview Survey found that at least 81 million Americans experience dry, itchy or scaly skin when temperatures drop.

Try these tips for protecting skin:

• Total Care--Used daily, a noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free product such as Theraplex HydroLotion can help keep skin hydrated. The product line is even formulated to address the drying, damaging effects of winter.
  
  
• Total Protection--Theraplex Emollient can help heal and protect skin from intense dryness resulting in dry, cracked hands, feet, lips, elbows and knees. The company's ClearLotion helps to replace essential oils when applied to wet skin.
  
  
• Total Healing--Look for products such as Theraplex FT Exfoliating Emollient, which contains a beta hydroxy acid. It can improve problem areas such as feet and elbows by sloughing off dead skin cells and deeply moisturizing.

Matthew Bruntel has opened Frederick Skin Care, an office specializing in medical dermatology.

The office is located at the Centerpark Professional Center, 604 Solarex Court, Suite 205.

A graduate of Cornell University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed training at Heart of Lancaster Medical Center and Wellington Regional Medical Center.

His practice is devoted to adult and adolescent dermatology. He can help patients with problems of the skin, hair and nails. He accepts all local insurance and can usually see new patients within a few days.

The practice is new to the area, but Bruntel has looked forward to moving to Frederick for a long time. As a child, his family came through Frederick every summer to visit family members in the area.

"Ever since I was a kid on those trips I've had it in the back of my mind that Frederick was where I wanted to end up. I'm really excited to be here and be able to help Frederick community with their dermatology needs," he said.

His wife is a nurse at Frederick Memorial Healthcare.

Lancôme Rénergie Microlift Night cream: “Beyond lifting and repositioning ... Bio-Stimulating technology.”.

Very rarely is the New York Times straight-up comedy, but (Thursday's) story, Let's Play Buzzword: Defining Phrases Used in Skin Care Advertising is so funny.

Cosmetics companies sell creams with words like "advanced," "micro-lift," "nourishing," "bio-stimulating" and "revitalizing," but what do they mean? Does anyone know?

Times writer Natasha Singer visited a Manhattan salon and asked some women for their definitions, then compared their translations of the mumbo-jumbo with official explanations from the cosmetics companies.

For instance, Olay Regenerist claims it is "a deep-penetrating moisturizer with Aquacurrent Science."
Dyan Diaz, 30, says this means, "They are taking stuff out of the ocean like jellyfish and dissecting it and telling us it is good for your skin."

Actually, Olay claims, "Aquacurrent Science, the study of water movement in the skin and hair, helps create products with greater moisturization."

Industry experts noted dual-usage beauty products make it easy for women to get both beauty and protection benefits in one product. “SPF has become an added benefit for many beauty products—even hair products to protect colored hair from the sun. The goal is to combine the benefits of sun care products into one, making it easier to use on a daily basis,” Javier Perez, product manager, Mederma, Merz Pharmaceuticals told Happi magazine.

New advances, formulations and an abundance of such products are providing consumers with the tools to protect them from ultraviolet (UV) rays. An NPD report noted 60 percent of women said sun protection and SPF are very important, as they recognize preventing sun damage prevents aging. “In the on-the-go world we live in today, consumers continue to seek out multi-tasking, multi-benefit products,” said Kinerase senior product manager Janice Lee in the Happi article. “SPF products that simultaneously protect and care for the skin will continue to reign in the skin care category as consumers become increasingly more aware of the sun’s damaging effects on skin.”