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Skin Care

October 18, 2017

Should You Wash Your Face Before Bed?

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if they had to wash their face before bed, I’d be…well, not rich, but I’d surely have some decent pocket change, haha. It’s common to skip the nightly cleanse for someone who doesn’t suffer from breakouts and/or doesn’t wear makeup. Nightly cleansing isn’t encouraged strictly because makeup itself is unhealthy, sleeping with the grime of the city on your face is, in my opinion, the bigger issue. It’s frequently suggested that sleeping with makeup on actually ages your skin 7 times faster!

Often times, ingredients in our cosmetics are comedogenic and wreak havoc on the skin when not removed thoroughly. For individuals not breakout prone, cleansing at the end of the day isn’t a priority. Another common mistake is trusting that mineral cosmetics protect your skin from breakouts, even after failing to wash your face before bed. Makeup basically acts as a sponge for soaking up pollutants from the air, so while cosmetics alone may not impact your complexion, pollutants trapped on the skin certainly do.

Air pollutants that affect the skin are smog, soot, tobacco smoke, fireplace/stove emissions, and other types of debris drifting in the air. Similar to UV rays, these pollutants convert to free radicals that damage your cells, steal your youth, and cause disease. Visible damage will present itself in the form of fine lines/wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dulled complexion, and sensitized skin. These pollutants can also exacerbate existing skin ailments, such as, eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

To protect yourself from premature aging and irritated skin, I recommend incorporating the double cleanse method to your nightly routine. Your first cleanse should consist of an oil based cleanser followed by your favorite daily face wash. Proper removal of that grime allows your skin to breathe and cells to regenerate. Your skin will maintain an even tone, elasticity, hydration, and firmness if nourished and allowed to heal while you sleep.

Should you already have visible damage, incorporate an exfoliating cleanser to address your skin concerns. I loooove a good glycolic wash for a deeper cleanse, followed by a balancing toner, nourishing serums, and protective moisturizer. For those nights when you simply can’t muster the strength to double cleanse, keep a pack of makeup wipes on the nightstand. Removing the days pollutants with a wipe is better than no removal at all!

xoxo

Skin Care

October 11, 2017

Professional Skin Care Products Vs. Over The Counter Remedies

I failed to realize the importance of quality facial products until becoming a rep for a cosmetics and skin care line. New hire training alone caused me to become uber diligent with skin care and caused quite an obsession with ingredient efficacy for me. I also discovered my melasma could be managed well with a proper regimen of cosmeceutical products and clinical facials – complete game-changer! Who knew I didn’t have to walk around looking like a cheetah?!

Cosmeceutical products contain high percentages of active ingredients with a delivery method that ensures proper penetration of the epidermis. Most companies conduct clinical studies in support of their claims to alter function of the skin – i.e. improving appearance of fine lines/wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne. Cosmeceutical products should be purchased through credentialed professionals and typically have a price tag that mirrors their quality.

Over the counter products are mass produced and contain lower percentages of active ingredients. Their formulations don’t penetrate the epidermis or cause changes in the skin as cosmeceuticals do. OTC products can be found at your local Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc, and are typically the first products you recall adding to your beauty regimen. Because they’re easily accessible and contain lower percentages of actives, they aren’t as pricey as cosmeceuticals.

If you’re seeking improvement with skin issues, professional products are well worth the investment. Pairing them with clinical skin care treatments will improve their efficacy and provide lasting results. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve purchased sunblock and other supplemental treatments OTC, so on occasion, those products can totally compliment your regimen. Being proactive is essential in the battle against aging, so schedule that facial appointment asap to maintain that youthful appearance. Great skin doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by appointment!

xoxo

Skin Care

September 29, 2017

Why You Should Wear Sunblock Year-round

Suffice to say, I’m OBSESSED with sunblock! Nothing brings me greater pleasure than spreading the word on its importance and converting sun worshipers into SPF fanatics. Ok, perhaps reapplying SPF over my makeup gives me all of the feels, too, haha. My friends and family reading this have already heard my SPF rant like a million times, but I can’t leave the rest of you out…

Sunblock protects you by blocking harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation that leads to cancer, and is the sole product available that is truly an anti-aging solution. UVA Rays cause premature aging, wrinkles, and tanning. UVB Rays cause sunburns, which can lead to skin cancer. UV exposure in the U.S. is highest from May – August as both UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere. During fall and winter months, UVB rays are further away and less of a concern, but UVA rays maintain their strength throughout the seasons. To protect yourself year-round from developing skin cancer and decelerate the aging process, you must incorporate sunblock into your daily regimen.

With skin cancer being the #1 cancer in the U.S., One in Five Americans will develop it during their lifetime. Annually, 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma cancers are treated – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common. Melanoma accounts for only 1% of cancers diagnosed each year but lead in terminal cases. UV radiation is the main contributor to melanomas, and the risks double if you’ve had more than 5 sunburns within your lifetime. Those who initially use a tanning bed before the age of 35 have a 75% higher chance of developing melanoma. Daily use of SPF 15 or higher lessen your chances by 40% for nonmelanoma cancer and by 50% for melanoma.

If the risk of developing a skin cancer doesn’t scare you into SPF submission, perhaps the risk of premature aging will (no shame in your vain game, haha). Roughly 90% of skin aging can be attributed to the sun, which appears as an uneven skin tone, fine lines/wrinkles, and a dulled complexion. To combat those issues, you can incorporate SPF into your skincare regimen. Use of SPF 15 or higher daily will decrease premature aging by 24%, and reapplication every 1-2 hours allows you to remain protected. I actually recommend SPF 50 to ensure a proper barrier between your skin and harmful UV radiation.

I opt for physical sunblocks as they reflect UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb them. Key words to look for are, “titanium dioxide”, and, “zinc oxide”. My favorite brands of sunblock are EltaMD, Suntegrity, and Colorescience. I love the EltaMD tinted and regular facial sunblock for daily use, and the deliciously scented (smells like oranges!) Suntegrity SPF for my body. For reapplication, I never leave home without my Colorescience SPF 50 brush. It’s a tinted powder sunblock that can be layered over makeup. I also keep a brush in my car to apply on the back of my hands, face, neck, and décolleté while driving. There’s a sunblock for everyone, so test some out today to save that pretty face. Your skin will thank you by maintaining its youthful appearance and not inviting cancer in – it’s a win-win, Lovey!

xoxo