It’s Friday readers which means my weekly skin tip. 🙂
Once you find the right products for your skin, you’re half-way to achieving healthy skin. However, you need to establish a consistent routine to maintain your results. Think of it in terms of a workout routine -sticking to it long term will yield results.
See you next week,
Stephanie
Hello readers! 🙂
We’re pretty much all familiar with the term dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should but did you know that the same concept applies to your skin? If your skin has ever felt dry or taut, you may be experiencing dehydration. It’s important to note that dehydration can occur on all skin types (yes, even oily).
The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin is that dry skin lacks oil while dehydrated skin lacks water. (To learn more about skin types click here)
Appearance
Dehydration can be characterized by:
Causes
Skin that is dehydrated can be caused by:
Treatment
Keep in mind all the possible causes and adjust accordingly. (FYI: For dietary concerns ALWAYS consult a medical professional and/or registered dietitian before implementing any changes in your diet to verify there are no contraindications with certain medical conditions or medications.)
Also, maintaining a skin care routine appropriate for your skin type that includes humectants (water attracting ingredients) such as glycerin, sodium PCA, sorbitol and hyaluronic acid.
Click here for product recommendations, including those with oily skin.
I hope this information was helpful and as always if you have any questions/concerns, feel free to ask me. 🙂
Stephanie
Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.
When you have oily skin that’s feeling a little bit dry and tight, switching to a heavier moisturizer results in hydration but at the same time can also make you breakout. Mixing a few drops of a hydrating serum formulated with hyaluronic acid into your moisturizer increases your skin’s water content (something all skin types can benefit from), adding moisture without the heaviness of an oil.
My favorite to use is Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster but brands like Kate Somerville, PCA Skin, Renee Rouleau and Dr. Dennis Gross carry similar products.
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll see you next week,
Stephanie
Most people’s resolutions at the beginning of the year are to eat healthier. If you need an extra incentive to eat less processed and sugary foods, consider this. A diet high in sugar accelerates the aging process and can result in inflammation, puffiness and loss of skin radiance.
Have a lovely weekend,
Stephanie
Good morning readers!
Here in SoCal we’ve experienced a drop in temperature, albeit I’m sure everyone else probably laughs at our concept of ‘cold.’ 🙂 Regardless of where you’re located, you may have noticed a change in your skin. Combination skin may start to feel more dry and dry skin may have a lot of flaky patches scattered throughout. Here’s a few tips that will help winter skin woes.
Sun Protection!
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, then you know SPF is an absolute must- rain, shine or snow. Winter doesn’t eliminate the sun’s harmful rays. In fact, even participating in snow activities can produce severe skin damage because snow reflects UV rays. Use an SPF of at least 30 and if you need help deciding which sunscreen is best for you click here. Don’t forget lips need SPF too!
Moisturize!
All skin types can benefit from a moisturizer. Skin has a higher propensity to loose more water during colder months causing the skin to become dry. Switching to cream based cleansers and heavier moisturizers with argan or shea butter can be great remedies for dry skin. Humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid are also great in that they attract and retain moisture levels within the skin.
Diet!
Studies have shown a connection between dry skin and essential fatty acids (EFAs). Incorporating good sources of EFAs, such as salmon, avocado or almonds can help. (Click here for more information on EFAs). However, ALWAYS consult a medical professional and/or registered dietitian before implementing any changes in your diet to verify there are no contraindications with certain medical conditions or medications.
Avoid Hot Showers!
Although a long, hot shower may sound like the perfect solution to end (or start) a day, hot water can damage the skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier is more susceptible to increased sensitivity, inflammation, dryness and an aged appearance. Keep showers short and warm.
Exfoliate!
Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells that can accumulate on the skin, causing a dull and flaky appearance. Scrubs with jojoba beads are a good at home option while chemical peels containing lactic acid are excellent professional treatments;sensitive skin may benefit from gentle enzyme peels. However, if your skin is cracked, hold off on exfoliating as you can further aggravate your skin. Focus on hydrating and repairing the skin barrier and consult a dermatologist and/or esthetician for further guidance.
How do you switch up your skincare routine when colder weather sets in?
Stephanie
Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.
Most women shave in the shower but men can benefit from this too! The humidity created by your shower helps soften skin and keep it moist allowing for easier facial hair removal. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot as this can dry out your skin.
Thanks for tuning in this week! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend,
Stephanie
Aside from anti-aging, pore size seems to be a huge complaint from customers.
A study conducted by L’Oreal Paris revealed that roughly “45% of women wish they could change the size of their pores and almost one in three women (28%) are more concerned about their pore size than wrinkles.”
With so many products out there that claim to shrink or eliminate your pores, how do we know what works? Let’s take a closer look at what a pore really is.
What is a pore?
A pore is a small opening in the skin that allows oil to reach the surface. On average, an adult has five million pores on their body with approximately 20,000 on their face alone. Without pores, our skin would be dry and cracked since oil produced in the sebaceous glands travel up the pore to the skin’s surface and naturally moisturize the skin.
How is pore size determined?
For the most part, pore size is determined by genetics and generally speaking, is most prevalent in men. However, oil, dirt, dead skin cells and our lifestyle can impact pore size. For example, avid sun worshipers often see an increase in pore size because the sun’s UV rays breakdown and weaken the skin’s elasticity; the same can apply to aging skin. Oily skin types typically have an excessive accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin cells, leading to large, visible pores and in some cases acne.
How to minimize pore appearance
Since you can’t get ‘rid’ of pores (and really, you don’t want to as they flush out toxins and help regulate temperature) here’s a couple of suggestions to help reduce their appearance.
Questions? Comments? Have a pore-minimizing product you love? Do share!
School is out, summer is here and if you’re like my family, camping trips may soon make their way into your schedule. The outdoors can provide beautiful imagery, new perspectives, fresh air but also has some not so nice perks. Bugs attacking you from every angle or inadvertently providing a feast for neighboring critters is something I can do without. So whether you’re out on the road in an RV or truck/car, here are some suggestions on what to pack and some tips I learned along the way.
What To Pack
Mini First Aid Kit
Always a great item to have. You can pick up a few at your local dollar store for, well a dollar. Can’t beat that!
SPF Products
You’ll definitely want to take your broad spectrum sunscreen (make sure the cap is sealed tight- I learned this the hard way!), an eye cream with SPF (if you have one), and lip balm with SPF. Sunburn looks good on no one.
Travel Sized Bottles
You can take your cleanser, toner, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and bodywash in tiny bottles so you don’t have to lug huge bottles around, and in case they accidentally get left behind, no major loss there.
Unscented Towelettes/Unscented Baby Wipes
In case you don’t have access to a sink to wash your face, you can use these. A trick I used: I spritzed toner into a towelette and used it to remove the sunscreen, dirt and oil that accumulated throughout the day. Plus, they come in handy to wipe down surfaces, sticky/dirty hands, etc.
Mini Antibacterial Soap
Another good product to have when soap might not be readily available.
Medications
Make certain to pack your medication if you take any; there are little tiny plastic containers you can purchase to store them in. You might want to also keep Benadryl on hand in case of allergies and aspirin or ibuprofen. Some camping sites have small stores that provide these items but they tend to hike up the prices a bit.
Bug Repellent
My ‘perfume’ for the trip and a total life saver! There are also ones you can hang outside your tent- sorry bugs, you’ll need to find your victims elsewhere.
Warm Clothes
Regardless if the weather is super hot during the day, keep at least a jacket, an extra pair of socks, and pants to keep warm in case the temperatures decide to drop at night.
Tips
Do be sure to pack away any edible items lest you want to attract unwanted strangers. Trust me, animals can and will find a way to open bags and boxes. Store items in coolers or plastic containers and make sure to secure them.
Activities like hiking or fishing mean long periods of time out in the sun, so make sure to take along your sunscreen to reapply and prevent sunburn. Hats and sunglasses are great to take along too.
Keep hydrated to help control your heart rate and blood pressure as well as regulate your body temperature.
Nothing beats coming back from a day-long activity and firing up the grill to cook a delicious meal. One caveat? If you did get sunburned, the heat generated from the grill can further aggravate an already irritated complexion. Keep some aloe vera gel (and maybe some ibuprofen) handy if this is the case.
Camping or any other outdoor activity is always an adventure from making smores to setting up tents. Enjoy it, stay sun protected and safe, and embrace the experience- you’ll be home in no time.
What do you pack for your outdoor excursions?
Men’s skincare is too often overlooked but can make a world of a difference-and a great Father’s Day present! So weather you’re still looking for gift options or you’re a guy who wants to step up his skin health, take a glance at some of the options below!
$52; sephora.com; getjackblack.com
Jack Black Core Collection
I’ve purchased and gifted this set several times and it always seems to be a crowd-pleaser. This trio includes a facial cleanser, shaving lotion and face moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 20. It’s fragrance and alcohol free and perfect for men who want a simplified routine.
$38, ulta.com
Dermalogica Shave System
This shaving kit includes two shaving creams (Pre-Shave Guard and Soothing Shave Cream) which can be used alone or together to help soften the beard. Other items included in this kit are Daily Clean Scrub, an exfoliating cleanser which helps minimize ingrown hairs; Post-Shave Balm, which helps control oil and reduces redness that can occur after shaving; and Daily Defense Block SPF 15 is a matte sunscreen.
$22, dermstore.com/ PCA Skin Representative
PCA Skin Total Face Wash Face & Body Cleanser
A 2-in-1 product for men on the go! This gentle foaming cleanser is formulated with lactic acid to exfoliate, moisturize, and help prevent ingrown hairs and also doubles as a body wash in one easy step. Antioxidant vitamin E improves the barrier function of the skin; soothing aloe, allantoin, and bisabolol help to calm skin; and tea tree oil provides antiseptic properties.
$48, sephora.com; $56 ulta.com
Anthony Logistics For Men The Essential Traveler Kit
This kit features an array of products that are perfect for those who travel or for those who want to get a feel for the products. The Glycolic Facial Cleanser exfoliates and loosens dead skin cells to achieve a closer shave; the Shave Cream calms the skin and includes anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects; All Purpose Facial Moisturizer contains antioxidants vitamin C to brighten skin and vitamin E to help nourish skin; Invigorating Rush Hair + Body Wash incorporates Pro Vitamin B5 which promotes tissue healing in skin and helps to retain moisture ; Advanced Formula Lip Balm SPF 25 Mint and White Tea soothes, protects and conditions lips.
$20, sephora.com; theartofshaving.com
The Art Of Shaving Alum Block- Unscented
If you’re prone to nicks and cuts, this may be a product to check out. The alum block helps stop bleeding from minor cuts and delivers antiseptic properties.
Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them?
I am always looking for and researching new lines so if you have a skincare line you use and love, do share!
69 year-old truck driver whose left side of the face was exposed to the sun for 28 years.
By at least our 30’s, if not sooner, many of us start reaching for products that can help delay the aging effect. While aging is a natural part of life, if you’re seeing signs of premature wrinkles, take a look at this fact. 85% of skin aging is caused by how you live (i.e. sun exposure, pollution, unhealthy lifestyle).
Aging can be classified into two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging reflects genetic background and the passage of time; in other words, elements that are beyond our control. Extrinsic aging (considered to be preventable) is brought about by environmental or external factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and UV exposure.
Do you know which factor is responsible for expediting the aging process?
If you guessed the sun, you are correct (and have been reading my posts)!
By now you know the danger of excessive and unprotected UV exposure (skin cancer), but it also leads to photo-aging– a term used to describe the characteristic changes of sun induced skin.
Extrinsic, left; Intrinsic , right.
The image above depicts photo-aged skin (left) and chronological aged skin (right). See the dramatic difference?
Let’s take a look at how structurally these two pictures differ.
Protected From UV Damage and Extrinsic Elements
When age is caused by intrinsic forces, the skin has a thinned, smooth, clear, almost transparent apperance. There is also fine wrinkling, inelastic, saggy skin, increased dryness, slight flakiness, loss of underlying fat resulting in hollow cheeks and eye socket and a slowing of collagen and elastin production
Exposed To UV Damage and Other Extrinsic Elements
Aging caused by this will culminate in a thickened epidermis resulting in rough, leathery skin, telangiectasia (dilated blood vessels), yellow, sallow coloration and age spots. There is an increased risk of skin cancer and a degradation of collagen and elastin.
As you can see, how you will age is contingent on several factors, most of which are preventable. Sunscreen is and will continue to be one of the most powerful products in your skin care arsenal. The best news, it’s also the most cost effective!
