EYES WIDE OPEN!

The Eyes may be the window to your soul, but sometimes you just want close the curtains! Dark circles, lines, puffiness open for the world to see? No thank you!

That’s why I am excited to finally give an answer to one of the most frequently asked questions from my clients.  Eye products that actually work and don’t cause irritation.

This first product to use right after cleansing is Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Pen.  Then follow with your other products. Contains Aloe, Copper, Calcium and Brown Algae among other antioxidants that soothe, reduce puffiness and work to correct dark circles.  I also love that it has a slight cooling sensation and NO irritation! (many of you know, that can be hard to find in eye products)

My other new love is theFresh SUPERNOVA RADIANCE Brightening Pen.
This product is one that I can now no longer live without! Use it after your treatment & moisturizing products under, over or without any makeup at all! Not only does it conceal and brighten the eye area; but it also contains soothing botanical extracts of chamomile and cucumber.  Once applied, it doesn’t look like a concealer and from my experience- never cakes… It can also be used to conceal blemishes or other redness around the face. (gotta love a product that can multi-task)

Now you can step out in confidence without batting an eye! Nobody has to know when you don’t get enough sleep, drink too much, party all night, or your actual age!….Live Beautifully!

Perricone MD Skincare Lovers- Exclusive Sample Offers!

Perricone MD Skincare, by renowned Dermatologist, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, is offering samples of their fabulous products at a deep discount! I got mine; now get yours by clicking the title link!

MD Formulations: Facial Cleanser - Product Review

                                                       Love, Love, Love!

I started working with MD Formulations in the treatment room about 5 years ago; and to this day, this cleanser remains one of my favorite products-EVER!  Cleanse & Exfoliate with a top Anti-Aging ingredient, all-in-one. This cleanser is effective for all skin types; and because it’s formulated in a cream base, it won’t dry skin out.

WHY I LOVE IT: Contains Glycolic Acid: an exfoliating compound that works on the cellular level to renew healthy skin cells.  Especially good to treat pigmentation, acne, and aging skin conditions.  Works on all skin types and is available in a Sensitive Skin formula.

HOW TO USE: Massage a quarter- sized amount all over the face on dry skin. You will feel a tingling sensation (means it’s working) then you can add a small amount of water to provide more slip. I like to massage on the skin at least 1-2 minutes to get the benefits of the glycolic acid. Then, rinse with warm water and follow your skin care routine.
*Remember, Glycolic Acid is an AHA which makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight; so don’t forget that SPF!

Understand Your Skin Type!

Ever wonder why the skin care products you use make your skin react (tight & dry, breakouts, flaking skin, ect.)? One of the most common reasons is using the wrong products for your skin. I have tried to make this as brief and easy as possible to figure out your skin type! The first category will go through the main skin types with common examples to identify with. Your main products such as cleanser and moisturizer will be based on this type. The 2nd category is about conditions, which any skin type can experience. Therefore, this is where your treatment product such as a serum or wrinkle corrector comes in. So grab a mirror, turn on the bright lights, and type your skin!

• 
  
  Dry: When looking closely in the mirror, there are no visible pores, and you rarely experience breakouts, if ever. Skipping moisturizer after cleansing leaves skin feeling tight and dry. Also has a tendency to get flaky if not hydrated properly.

• Normal: Pore visibility is minimal and experiences minimal breakouts, if any. Normal skin can range from normal to slightly oily or slightly dry. Most often, visible pores are seen in the T-zone (nose, front cheeks, chin) area. The T-zone can appear shiny while the sides of the face seem dry.

• Oily: Most often characterized by larger pores throughout the face, and will have a shiny or oily appearance and feel. This type is most prone to experiencing breakouts, and clogged pores. Truly oily skin can gently squeeze various parts of the face that will release oil.

• Rosacea: Rosacea is a skin type that can develop over time. It is most often a genetic disorder of the skin and at this time, there are effective treatments but no cures. It can be mild or severe. The common signs are inflammation and redness, especially on the nose, cheeks, chin, and even eyelids, due to broken capillaries. Rosacea skin can easily feel flushed when exposed to excessive heat, alcohol, spicy foods, facial scrubs or AHA products. To get a proper diagnosis, you should consult a Dermatologist. Once diagnosed, a proper skin care routine can be determined by your Doctor or Esthetician.

• 
  
  Mature/Aging: This type is more obvious, of course, by age. Generally, starting by age 45, you should be treating the skin with anti-aging products. It is also characterized by visible lines/wrinkles, loss of elasticity (sagging) and pigmentation from previous sun damage.

Skin Conditions

Now that you’ve figured out your skin type, it’s time to recognize any conditions that can be treated with the correct products. Remember, these can be experienced by any skin type and can change.

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  Acne, Breakouts, & Clogged Pores: True acne is caused by the p. acnes bacteria and forms pustules –the bumps with redness on the edges and a whitehead which contains pus. This can also be a skin type where the acne is excessive and sometimes painful. Another symptom is cystic acne which is painful, red nodules that may or may not ever produce a whitehead. You can usually feel them before they are ever visible. These conditions usually start at the onset of puberty, and over the counter topical products don’t seem to offer much help. When this is the case, there is usually a systemic component; meaning there is an internal cause. At this point, it is often best to see a Dermatologist. Breakouts can be small whiteheads, or small red bumps that come and go and usually are the result of some of the culprits below. They can easily be treated with a consistent skin care routine and spot treatments. The same applies with clogged pores aka congestion. Clogged pores can be seen as black/brown spots in the pores or sometimes aren’t so visible, but can be felt under the skin. Common causes for this can be lack of exfoliation and/or proper cleansing.

• 
  
  Dehydration: This is very common in most skin types and can be detected by fine, superficial lines when looking closely at the skin. Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, season change, and lack of sufficient water intake are the common causes.

• 
  
  Pigmentation (Excess and Loss): There can be hyper-pigmentation which is seen as dark spots or new ‘freckles’ that were not previously there before. Most common cause is sun damage and by the time you see it, it’s usually the result of cumulative damage over the years.  Sun damage can also be seen as 'white' or lighter spots on the skin also known as hypo-pigmentation.  Unlike hyper-pigmentation, loss of skin color cannot be reversed; only corrected with makeup.

• 
  
  Sensitized: This skin condition makes skin more reactive to products, environment and lifestyle. This is usually characterized when the skin doesn’t seem to be as tolerable to the same exposures as before. You may experience more redness or irritation. Common causes are medications, imbalanced ph due to improper product usage, environment, and lifestyle choices such as alcohol and smoking.

Common Culprits For Those Pesky Skin Conditions:

Improper skin care, medications, smoking, alcohol, UV exposure, diet, and environment

I know this is a lot of information, but I hope this was an easy breakdown for you. For more in-depth information on skin types, I recommend reading “The Skin Type Solution” by Dermatologist Leslie Baumann. If you have any questions, send me an email or comment.  Stay connected for upcoming product reviews and recommendations!

Shopping For Skincare Products? Consult Your Esthetician!!

Okay, here we go... My first post on my first blog!  When setting out to purchase your skicare products, I would like to emphasize how important it is to understand your skin type and your skin conditions!  It is important to remember that skin conditions can change regardless of skin type.  This can be confusing, thus receiving a professional consultation from your esthetician can make the process seamless and produce results.  True Story:  After giving one of my bff's a facial, we headed over to Sephora to purchase some skincare products.  When I approached the first sales associate (in the skincare department), I told her we were looking for an 'all-in-one' product that would exfoliate and provide brightening benefits.  She replied that she was so hungry that she could not even focus so she was going to refer us to someone else cuz she hadn't had lunch yet, LOL! (true story!)  I proceeded to explain what we were looking for to the next associate who persistantly tried to sell us a $44 cleansing pad product; basically Stridex with a higher price tag!  I am telling you all this to say, please be informed when going to a mass retailer or cosmetic counter to make sure you get the best value for your dollar.  Who wants to spend hard earned cash on a product that is not going to deliver the desired result?  By the way, Sephora, I love you for the vast product selection, but nothing beats the knowledge of a skin care professional!
My Recommendation:  Ask your Esthetician for a product consultation or schedule a facial at your local spa if you don't currently have one.  A facial will include a thorough skin analysis and product recommendation and it's a good way to start on a healthy skin care routine.

I will post more about skin types and conditions so stay in touch...