6 Skin Care Myths Busted

With so many misconceptions surrounding skincare, how can you possibly tell what’s best for your complexion, particularly if you suffer from blemish-prone skin?!

The question is what tips do you follow?

With the help from skincare experts at Proactiv we’ve busted six easy-to-fall for skin myths and get you closer to the healthy, glowing complexion you’ve always wanted.

Skincare myth 1: Wearing sunscreen daily is too heavy for my oily complexion

To prevent damage or to help avoid a blemish outbreak, protecting your skin with a sunscreen should be part of your daily skincare routine. If you suffer with oily skin, try a lightweight formula underneath your make-up, or find a foundation or tinted moisturiser with an SPF built in.

Skincare myth 2: To prevent blemishes you should completely strip away the oil from the skin

While there is no doubt that oily skin should be controlled to keep the complexion clear and shine-free, completely stripping the skin of all its natural oils can play even more havoc with blemishes and spots.

Skincare myth 3: I should exfoliate regularly to ensure my skin stays clear

Exfoliating excessively can strip the skin of essentials oils and spread bacteria. Instead of a daily scrub opt for a much gentler exfoliant to keep your skin in tip top condition – such as in the form of a toner like Clarins or Alpha H Liquid Gold.

Skincare myth 4: You shouldn’t use moisturizer on oily skin

Blemish-prone skin needs hydration too. In fact, drying out oily skin sends a signal to your body to produce even more oil; a nightmare for those who already suffer with problem skin.

Skincare myth 5: The only thing that will cure my eyes bags and dark circles is more sleep

Allergies, swollen veins beneath the skin’s surface or a diet high in salt may also be the cause of bags under your eyes.

Skincare myth 6: The best way to get rid of blackheads and spots is by squeezing them

Pulling and pressing on the skin can lead to further infection and even scarring. As well as this, after extractions, pores will fill back up with oil. Ensuring your complexion is always kept clean, fresh and free from everyday grime is enough to unclog pores.



Article Source:   Davies, Taryn. "6 Skincare Myths Busted." 6 Skincare Myths Busted. First Active Media Ltd., 06 Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.

Skin care secrets from dermatologists

Which tips can help take a few years off your skin? Dr. Jeanine Downie and Dr. Melanie Grossman share smart, easy-to-follow skin care advice you might not know yet:


Eye care

Never rub your eyes. The skin around your eye area is the thinnest on your body and you can easily exacerbate circles, wrinkles, and undereye bags. If you have allergies, take antihistamines. If you have eczema, use ice.

Pat on eye cream with the ring finger. It's best to use your ring finger because it's your weakest finger, so you likely won't touch it too hard.

Lifestyle

Exercise daily. Just 15 minutes makes a big difference! It boosts your circulation, gives you a glow, improves tone, not to mention it lengthens your life. If you have a puffy face, it'll drain the swelling faster.

If you can, sleep on your back. That’s really hard to do, so try a silk pillowcase to minimize wrinkles (and sheet marks in the morning!) to avoid stripping your skin or hair of natural oils.

Skin care

Using sunblock daily is the most effective strategy. Drug or department store brand, use SPF 30 or above every day, rain or shine, every month of the year. A lot of the higher level sunblocks rub in better. And don't forget to get broad spectrum UVA and UVB.

Remember your neck! Do moisturize and wear sunblock -- and if if you have a rash, don't scratch at it.

If you're going for injectables (botox, juvaderm, etc.) avoid alcohol, vitamin E and fish oil for a few days before treatment to significantly decrease your chances of bruising.

For acne, less can be more. If you dry your skin out too much, you'll just make it worse, so go easy on a drying soap, salycylic acid, or harsh creams.

Hair care

Your hair needs moisture too! Deep condition your hair to look young, especially in the winter.

Housekeeping 

Don't keep your loofah or your razor in the shower as it might harbor major bacteria.

 Article Source:  "Skin Care Secrets from Dermatologists." TODAY. NBCNEWS.com, 09 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 Feb. 2014.

Best Eye Cream For Wrinkles in 2014

The byproducts of aging or inadequate daily skincare, dry circles, bags under the eyes, and wrinkles have a number of skincare products on the market designed to rejuvenate your skin and remove these blemishes.

Discovering an eye cream that will actually take care of these issues? A pretty difficult task. Evaluating the market leaders can be an arduous task.  The claims of each product should be evaluated as well the products effectiveness over an extended time period to take the guesswork out of your choosing the best eye cream for wrinkles in 2014.

Our choice was a difficult one, but there was one product that our staff all agreed on addressed all our targeted issues.  The product that shone head and shoulders above the rest was AuraVie Skincare's creams.  They addressed dry circles, under lid bags, and wrinkles.

To get more information or access our choice for best product, one should click here.

 As we publish this, AuraVie Skin Care have an exclusive limited quantity offer and can be found at the link above.  Try it out and let us know YOUR results.

Essential Oils for Winter Skincare

As winter approaches, your skin starts developing dry spots, and becomes tight and itchy. While you may be moisturizing your skin daily with creams and lotions, that may not be enough. That’s where body oils help. They are not only great for massages, but also soothe, tighten and reduce marks on your skin. These oils contain fatty acids that nourish your skin and form a protective barrier. Says beauty expert Nikos Narkissos, “Like facial creams, you must opt for a body oil that suits your skin. This will keep your body soft and glowing and will not lead to any rashes or irritation.”

Oils For Each Skin Type

Dry skinYou must choose oils that are thick or greasy. Adds Narkissos, “Those with thick moisturizing properties are ideal for dry skin. You can also take a tablespoon of oil and mix it with a lotion or cream and apply it after bath.” 

Oily skin
Light body oil is the perfect bet for you. Apply it before you take a shower, and keep it for at least half an hour so that it gets easily absorbed in your skin. 
Normal skin: You should choose an oil that penetrates deep into your skin and provides hydration. You can mix a lightweight oil and a nourishing one and apply it before or after you’ve taken a bath. 

Sensitive skin
Beauty expert Farheen Shaikh says, “Those with sensitive skin should ideally not use body oil. However, in case you want to, choose one that does not contain any fragrance. This will prevent you from developing rashes.”

Types of oils to choose from

Here are a variety of oils that you can choose from, according to your skin type. 

Dry skin

• Sesame oil: This greasy oil is traditionally used at various massage centers to relieve dry, cracked skin.
• Avocado oil: A thick oil, it helps rehydrate the skin. Avocado is full of nutrients, which repair damaged skin.
• Jojoba oil: It has properties similar to the body’s natural moisturizing system, thus helping the skin heal naturally.

Normal skin

• Sweet almond oil: It contains vitamin D and keeps your skin healthy. But if you have any nut allergies, don’t use it.
• Grapeseed oil: It is a good alternative to almond oil. It is non-greasy and contains Vitamin E, which keeps your skin healthy and provides nourishment.
• Soy oil: It hydrates your skin and also keeps it soft and glowing for a long time.

Oily skin

• Wheat Germ oil: Though heavy, it is usually mixed with lightweight oils. It contains vitamin E and is great for healing acne and blemishes.
• Apricot Kernel oil: It is extremely light and gets easily absorbed.
• Argan oil: Apply this oil on wet skin. It absorbs faster and keeps it fresh and healthy.

Article Source:  http://idiva.com/news-style-beauty/essential-oils-for-your-winter-skincare/26540

Korean Skin Care Secrets & Facts

 

KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE

My cousin just returned from Korea, and we spent about 6 hours talking about Korean skincare secrets. I realized that Korean skincare products is YEARS ahead of American/European skincare products. Plus, many Asian women have combination/oily skin, which means many skincare products are designed to specifically target this skin type. I have combination skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer, so naturally I find many Asian skincare products a lot more friendly for my skin than many Western skincare brands.

Song Hye Kyo's flawless skin

South Korean women spend more money on skincare products than any other women in the world. They often use 14-16 different skincare products on a weekly basis! In contrast, a lot of people here in America use a simple 3-step skincare routine: cleanser, toner, moisturizer. Once upon a time, I had a 2-step skincare routine (cleanser, moisturizer), and that was enough to keep my breakouts in check when used with my prescribed topical cream. I only get occasional breakouts, some blackheads, and enlarged pores (probably from years of acne). I decided at some point to try the Korean skincare routine to try and heal old acne scars and allow my skin to become radiant.

Here are the steps for a typical Korean skincare routine:

MORNING...

1) Cleanser

I suggest you pick a foaming cleanser that is gentle on your face. A lot of gel cleansers that I have used are very intensive and often very drying (even for my oily skin). Cream cleansers can sometimes be too oily (especially if they're not oil-free) in the morning, even if your toner can make it work. Generally speaking, I've found that foaming cleansers are perfect for my skin. 

This is a trick I learned to determine if your cleanser is too drying/not strong enough: 

After washing your face with your cleanser, place a sheet of tissue paper on your face. If it falls off immediately, your cleanser is too dry! If it takes more than two seconds to fall off, your cleanser is not strong enough and too much oil is left on your face! Anytime in between is just right. 

2) Toner

Most people think toners are useless/overkill/drying to the skin, but if you pick the right toner for your skin type, it will be well worth your money. A few days ago, I went to Sephora and had a chat with one of the skincare specialists. She said that toners were designed to balance the skin's pH levels following cleansing, as some cleansers are not pH balanced. My dermatologist actually said the exact same thing to me before, and told me to use a gentle toner (alcohol-free) if I wanted to use a toner. While many Western toners are designed to simply balance your skin's pH levels, many Asian toners aim to do that AND hydrate the skin with nutrients. That is what makes Asian toners different than Western toners. 

Here's the thing: toners are things you want to be willing to splurge a little on (unlike cleansers where you can find similar ingredients in cheaper products). You want to use a toner that is alcohol-free to avoid drying out your skin and one that has as many natural ingredients as possible to condition your skin without harmful synthetics and chemicals. 

3) Essence/Serum

This is a super important step that a lot of people here in the US skip - which is really unfortunate... I cannot stress how important this step is to transforming your skin or maintaining youthful, radiant skin. My cousin highlighted this point in the Korean skincare routine. Many people think serums are used by older women whose primary concern is wrinkles and what-not, but many serums in Asian are more than just wrinkle treatments - many have hydrating, whitening, oil-controlling, etc. abilities. Even if you're under that belief, it's never too early to start fighting wrinkles!

Very jealous of Han Ga In's luminous skin

What the heck is essence anyways? 

An essence is very similar to a serum, but is usually lighter and has a more liquid-y consistency. Both essences and serums aim to treat specific skin problems such as wrinkles, enlarged pores, dryness, etc. I like to think that this is THE product to use when you're unhappy or unsatisfied with your skin in someway. My problems are mostly occasional breakouts, blackheads, large pores, and excessive oiliness.

4) Emulsion

Okay, so emulsion may not be for everyone, so depending on the season and/or your skin type, you may or may not need to use am emulsion.

When I think of emulsions I think salad dressing...what the heck is emulsion as a skincare product?

An emulsion is uncommon in western skincare routines, but it is essentially a lightweight moisturizer. Most emulsions are relatively liquid-y and is quickly absorbed by your skin. It's really meant for people with dry skin or for people who live in dry climates (i.e. New England in the winter). It provides an extra layer of moisture for those whose skin needs it. If you have oily skin, you may not need to use emulsions in your daily skincare routine.

5) Moisturizer

This is also a super important step in the Korean skincare regime! Finding the right moisturizer can be really tricky, especially if your skin type changes with the seasons like mine does. In the summer, my skin is oily, so I need a lightweight moisturizer (oil-free, too!) that can easily be absorbed into my skin. However, in the winter my skin becomes a combination of oily and dry (oily in my t-zone and dry on my cheeks), so I need a heavier moisturizer (still preferably oil-free) to accommodate the season change. 

6) BB Cream/CC Cream

BB creams and CC creams are very similar: both are aimed at concealing blemishes/redness and treating the skin to improve overall skin condition and texture. Many Asian BB/CC creams have a laundry list of skin benefits that include whitening, anti-wrinkle, skin elasticity, etc. Think of them as tinted moisturizers + sunscreen + anti-wrinkle cream + primer + concealer + ....... Anyways, they're awesome for people who are lazy or dislike going through the whole make-up routine. I will be doing a full comparison between BB creams and CC creams another time!

7) Powder

In all honesty, this step can be skipped....depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin like me, it's a good idea to tap on some powder after BB/CC cream to absorb excess shine. Just make sure the powder is oil-free/mineral make-up to avoid clogging up your pores! If you have dry skin, avoid powdering- it can actually irritate your skin or make it even drier! If you have combination skin, only use powder where your skin tends to get shiny. Sensitive skin should also be careful to use only as much as needed.

Suzy's skin is so dewy and bright!

MID-DAY...

You wonder what Korean women use to refresh themselves in the middle of the day (especially a hot and humid day)? Facial mists are HUGE in Korea right now! My cousin literally bought 12 different facial mists back from Korea! Most of them are targeted to deliver nutrients and minerals while hydrating and refreshing your your face. This is a step that isn't usually present in a typical Western skincare routine (I didn't start using this until I switched up my skincare routine), but is a nice luxury to incorporate into your everyday life. You won't regret it! These make those super humid, gross days a lot better and fun!

AT NIGHT...

It's super important to note that Koreans take face cleaning very seriously. So seriously they've developed a particular method to obtaining super clean skin. It's called the double-cleansing method. Essentially, it's a two-step cleaning method to get your skin super clean. The first step is to use a make-up remover oil to take off as much of your make-up as possible. Don't worry about using the make-up remover oil if you have oily skin- all traces of the cleansing oil will be removed in the second step. The second step is to use a gentle cleanser to remove any excess make-up (that wasn't removed by the oil remover) and leftover oil remover. Really this method ensures that make-up is completely removed so that leftover make-up doesn't clog your pores and lead to nasty breakouts!

Yoona's skin is smooth and healthy-looking with minimal make-up!

1) Make-up Remover Oil

Don't panic if you have oily/acne prone skin! Make-up is easily removed with an oil-based make-up remover. It beats scrubbing down your skin with water! Trust me on this- the oil actually protects your skin from scrubbing your skin too hard while you attempt to remove the make-up.

2) Cleanser

Again, focus on a gentle cleanser, not one that will strip moisture away from your skin! In fact, taking away all traces of oil from your skin will only induce more oil production (I can cite my dermatologist on this). There are definitely gentle gel cleansers as well, but I happen to find that foaming cleansers are nicer on my skin. All this cleanser has to do is really just take away left-over make-up form step #1 and any other dirt and debris.

3) Toner

Use the same toner as the morning, or use a different one- either is fine! I like to use an an antibacterial toner at night to make sure any bacteria on your pillow don't give you any breakouts! But you can use any toners that cater to your skin's need (i.e. moisturizing, mattifying, etc.)

4) Essence/Serum

I would highly using a different essence or serum as the one you use in the morning. Why? To gain more skincare benefits. Like I said, serums and essences are made for many different uses (aside from just anti-aging). A good nighttime serum/essence to use is one that focuses on repairing/conditioning the skin (i.e. vitamin-based serums, balancing serums, etc.). That way, your skin can heal while you sleep (which is, by the way, super important to your skincare routine!), and you wake up with beautiful, radiant skin :)

5) Night Moisturizer

Typically at night I like to use a heavier moisturizer to help my skin heal intensively. Heavier doesn't necessarily oil-based moisturizers, so don't worry if your skin is oily! Using a richer gel-based moisturizer works very well on oily/acne prone skin. Or you can find an oil-free lotion/cream.

ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK...

You thought we were done with the list?!

In addition to a daily skincare routine, Korean women often have weekly regimes too! Of course, you tailor your own needs to each weekly treatment. These weekly products are definitely worth the splurge because these are the skincare equivalents to icing on the cake, and no cake is a cake without frosting (c'mon let's be honest here). When doing weekly treatments, make sure you understand your skin type and needs. For example, a clay mask may be better used twice a week instead of only one in the summer for someone with oily skin. However, someone with normal skin may find that only once a week may be intensive enough! Tread lightly and be open to trying many products to find the ones that work best for you!

Yuri's skin boasts a creamy, silky complexion

1) Exfoliator/Peel

I recommend using an exfoliator or peel for all skin types. For acne prone/oily skin, scrubbing away dead skin cells will help clear your pores. For someone with dry skin, it can scrub away flaky skin spots (be careful not to scrub too hard!) and promote healthy skin growth. For sensitive skin, be careful to read what the ingredients in the exfoliator/peel is before using. Always test on your hand before using on your face when using a product first! Try finding a product that uses natural ingredients as the "scrubbing agents." When exfoliating, make sure to use your hands (your hands are the best gifts from your parents) and massage your face in an gentle outwards circular motion. The outwards motion helps retain skin resiliency and minimizes skin stretching to prevent wrinkles. You would use the exfoliator or peel after your gentle cleanser and before your toner.

2) Deep-cleansing mask

This one here is awesome for people with oily/acne-prone skin, combination skin, and normal skin- especially in the summer or in humid weather. Many deep-cleansing masks are made out of clay (kaolin), which help draw out debris from your pores. The environment can be full of debris, dirt, and other gunk. The purpose of this step is to create a blank canvas, or to deeply clean out your pores.  Dry skin and sensitive skin definitely want to consider the weather before making this a weekly treat. Most deep-cleaning masks are quite intensive, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, your skin may not like this mask very much. You may want to skip this step! You would use the deep-cleansing mask in place of your gentle cleanser after using your make-up remover and before your toner. Make sure to use a heavier moisturizer afterwards if you have sensitive or dry skin!

3) Sheet mask

Did you know that sheet masks were made popular throughout Asia by Koreans? Originating from South Korea, sheet masks are cheap, fun, and useful devices to use against dry weather and bad complexion days! Sheet masks are slowly making their way into the Western market- Sephora recently started selling Masqueology sheet masks online. There is a ridiculous number of brands that make sheet masks, and in my humble opinion, only a few of them really do what they say they do. Most sheet masks are great for refreshing and hydrating the face, as a lot of them are saturated with serums.

Sheet masks are great for any skin types, and should be used depending on your skin type. Tea tree ones are great for oily/acne prone skin. Aloe is great for sensitive skin. Honey is awesome for dry skin. Most sheet masks don't need to be washed off, though I have used ones that require a quick rinse afterwards. Leftover serum in the package should ALWAYS be either massaged into the chin or neck area or patted into the skin using clean hands or facial cotton. Sheet masks are best used after exfoliator and toner, and before your moisturizer. So on a night when you decide to use your exfoliator, break out your sheet mask too! You can skip your essence/serum (the sheet mask does the trick).

4) Sleeping mask

You might not be super familiar with sleeping masks, which are basically leave-in masks (at least most are) that you put on before going to bed. They come with many different functions including hydration, oil control, rejuvenation, etc. Sleeping masks can be thought of as the "deep-cleansing masks" for dry/sensitive skin. For oily/acne prone skin, there are some really nice sleeping masks that help balance oil production (works like a balancing cream). These are your best friends in the winter and fall!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know this is a laundry list of skincare products to buy and try out, but if you're like me and you have tried all sorts of solutions to help your troubled skin (dermatologist, traditional Chinese medicine, over-the-counter, etc.), then the Korean skincare routine may actually help change your skin (and your life!) for good. Whatever decisions made, it is always good to be open-minded and be persistent about try new things out.

Good luck with your new skincare routine! :)

Article Source:  http://saranghaehangug.blogspot.com/2013/08/korean-skincare-routine.html

Dermatologist Dictionary: Everything You Need To Know About Skincare

Basic moisturizers are now a thing of the past as savvy women (and men) are turning to results-driven, high tech cosmeceutical skincare that actually makes a difference to their skin. When looking for a product to address skin concerns such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea or pigmentation, scientific evidence that proves a product actually works, is where many are choosing to invest their money.

To help decipher your peptides from your retinols and your growth factors from you free radicals, Harley Street Dermatologist Dr Ariel Haus and IMAGE skincare, a pioneering American Cosmeceutical skincare brand, brings you their guide to high-tech skincare terminology…

Cosmeceutical: Skincare products that bridge the gap between pampering beauty creams and prescription pharmaceutical products. Cosmeceutical skin care products contain biologically active ingredients, which have a physiological effect on the skin. Ingredients are high grade quality and products will contain enough to do what it says it will!

Barrier Function: The skin's barrier (the epidermis) is the outermost layer. Its main function is to keep water in, so that the skin is well hydrated and moisturized.

Collagen: One of the most important structural proteins in the skin, it keeps us wrinkle free, and youthful. Think of it as scaffolding for the skin.

Elastin: Collagen’s best friend, these two work together to give skin its natural firmness and bounce, but age and environmental influences decrease our skin’s elastin. Without elastin, sag would be a permanent status! Elastin damage comes heavily from UVA exposure to the skin, so a daily SPF is vital, even in the winter. Mineral (Zinc Oxide/Titanium) is reflective and therefore always a better option when selecting an SPF.

Growth Factors: The communicators that tell cells to reproduce and stay young, increasing the number of healthy skin cells.

AHA/BHA: Two types of acids that are very useful in the fight against acne, exfoliation, anti-ageing, and overall skin maintenance. AHAs (e.g. Glycolic Acid, L-Lactic Acid, L-Mandelic Acid) loosen the bond between dead skin cells that form the surface of the skin, making the skin look smoother and wrinkles less noticeable. They also help retain moisture in the surface layers of the skin. BHAs (e.g. Salicylic Acid). BHAs dissolve oil and are an anti-inflammatory making them great for acne.

Anti-Oxidant: The antidote to free radicals, antioxidants protect cells from damage that causes ageing and even cancer. They can come in the form of synthetic chemicals, vitamins, or foods. For topical anti-oxidant protection, the ingredient to look out for is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C).  Another great photoprotective is anti-oxidant resveratrol grape seed extract.

Free Radicals: A tiny chemical particle that, when activated by sunlight, wreaks cosmetic havoc on the skin. Free radicals destroy collagen fibers and are the number one cause of skin aging and wrinkles. Free radicals can also cause mutations to the DNA found in our skin.

Enzyme: Proteins that help with inflammation, aging, and cell turnover (exfoliation). Acting as an exfoliation agent to break down the surface dead skin cells, they help reduce the size of pores and smooth and brighten skin.

Peptides: Signal collagen production and inhibit muscle contraction. Peptides are small proteins that can penetrate the skin easily and stimulate the production of collagen. Some act like growth factors and stimulate skin cells to make a quicker turnover, like in younger skin.

Retinol: Derived from vitamin A, retinol combats skin-aging by stimulating and plumping up collagen and increasing hyaluronic acid production. Retinol has also been proven to improve skin clarity and texture, promote anti-pigmentation plus demonstrate anti-acne and pore-minimizing effects, all leading to a more healthy and youthful skin appearance.

Stem Cell Technology:  Advanced skincare ingredient that protects your own skin cells, and the DNA within, from free radicals, whilst extending the longevity of the cells.

Stability: To minimize product degradation, cosmeceutical skin care needs to incorporate technology that promotes formulation stability. This prevents the product from ‘going off’ too quickly and ensures that the key ingredients remain active and effective on the skin.

Chirality: Chirality correct actives in skin care mean that the skin recognizes the molecules resulting in greater effect on the skin. It’s like wearing the right glove on the right hand – you wouldn’t put the right hand in a left hand glove.

Article Source:  http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/lifestyle-fashion/stylebeauty/dermatologist-dictionary-everything-you-need-to-know-about-skincare-392459.html

Skin Care Tips To Battle Winter Dryness

When it comes to the effects of dry winter air, it seems few of us are immune. Whether it impacts our hair or our skin or makes our throats scratchy, it seems we’re all in need of a little humidity as the cold rolls in.

Many people count on humidifiers to infuse a dry house with a welcome dose of moisture, but what if that’s not working for you, or if you’re dealing with dry air at the office? When it comes to skin in particular, many people turn to topical solutions.

“I’ve had extremely dry and cracked skin on my hands, and I started dealing with it a few years ago by using the generic form of Eucerin cream twice a day, after showering in the morning and before bed at night,” Bernie Fortune of Des Moines said. “I actually use it all year, but more frequently in the winter.”

Anne Berg of Van Meter has a similar solution. “I make sure I run two humidifiers in the house to keep the air comfortable when the furnace seems to run non-stop, but I also use Neutrogena sesame oil after showering,” Berg said. “During the day, I’ll use Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream when my hands start to dry out at work.”

Claire Celsi and Jill George, both of West Des Moines, bring out the big guns; George moisturizes her skin with a potion intended for another use, and Celsi chooses to get rid of dry skin altogether.

“Believe it or not, I actually use A and D ointment — made for diaper rash — when my skin gets really dry,” George said. “I put it on at night, and by morning, my skin feels so much better.”

Celsi said her “garden-variety” skin responds to Aveeno.

“I’ve found the most effective way to use it is to apply it all over, shower with a loofah, then reapply the lotion,” she said. “Aveeno causes skin to actually slough off if you leave it on for at least 15 minutes before your shower.”

According to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa, topical moisturizers are indeed a good line of defense against winter dry skin. But doctors on the department’s website offer these tips as well to help keep you comfortable as temperatures drop.

Water alone, especially hot water, can actually worsen the problem of dry skinby removing the normal, protective skin oils, and hot, soapy water depletes the natural skin oils to the greatest degree. However, water followed by the application of oil such as a moisturizer — also known as an emollient or lubricant — benefits dry skin, as the oil in the moisturizer helps trap and seal water to make the skin softer, smoother and less likely to become dry, cracked and itchy. So don’t plan to bathe or shower in the winter without moisturizing liberally as well.

Speaking of baths and showers, they should be short— 10 minutes, tops, on winter dry skin — and water should be warm, not hot. Use minimal soap and opt for less-drying options, such as Dove, Neutrogena Dry Skin Formula, Aveeno Cleansing Bar for Dry Skin, Purpose, Basis, and Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Soap. Cetaphil, a liquid cleanser, works as a gentle and effective soap substitute for some people and is especially helpful for cleaning the face and hands.

After bathing or showering, quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel; don’t rub skin dry. Within three minutes of getting out of the water, apply a moisturizer. Bath oil, if selected as a moisturizer, can be directly rubbed into the skin after showering or bathing, but should not be added to bath water since it can make the tub dangerously slippery. Moisturizers should be reapplied liberally during the day and evening when possible, especially to those areas prone to dryness (hands, arms and legs).

Be careful about using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and itch-suppressing creams
or lotions to combat extreme winter dry skin. Many of these products contain chemicals that can irritate or cause allergic reactions. A good general rule: Anything you apply to your skin that causes more burning and itching than you started with probably isn’t a good idea. Consult your physician before continuing to use it.

Try to increase the humidity level
in your home. If possible, look into installing a humidifier to the central heating system of your house. If that’s not an option, invest in a quality portable humidifier, making sure to use it in your bedroom at night.

 Article Source:  http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20131230/LIFESTYLE/312300004/Skin-care-tips-battle-winter-dryness

Skin Care Tips for The Best Looking Skin

Your skin is your largest organ. You need to take good care of your skin in order to ensure that your skin is healthy for years to come. Good skin care and lifestyle choices can help prevent different skin problems. Below we will discuss some of the most basic and yet helpful skin care tips.

1. Sun Protection. One of the easiest ways to take care of your skin is by protecting it from the dangerous rays. The sun can be very good for your skin, however, it can also be detrimental. Too much sun can cause wrinkles, freckles, and various different skin problems. Too much sun can also lead to cancer. In order to sufficiently protect your skin from the sun, you should use a high quality sunscreen. The broad-spectrum sunscreen of your choice should be 35 or greater. When you are consistently outdoors, you should reapply your sunscreen every 120 minutes. Another way to protect your skin from sun damage is by wearing protective clothing.

2. Avoid smoking. Smoking will make your skin appear older. You can avoid this by not smoking. What happens when you smoke is the small blood vessels in the outer layer of the skin narrow, which ultimately decreases the overall blood flow. This ultimately decreases the body ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen to your skin. Even more, smoking damages the elasticity of your skin by decreasing the collagen production.

3. Eat a well balanced diet. One of the best ways to combat skin problems is by fighting them from within. A lot of your skin health is contributed or caused by the food you eat. You should be sure to eat a diet that is balanced and includes a good amount of essential fatty acids which ultimately decrease the amount of inflammation in the body and skin.

4. Decrease stress. Any activity that you can do in order to decrease your stress levels will have a huge positive impact on your skin. Stress cause a spike in hormone production that can contribute to breakouts and other conditions such as psoriasis.

5. Be gentle. Daily cleansing can take a huge toll on your skin and its appearance. You should avoid using harsh chemicals and products that contain drying agents. You want to be sure to use products that will help moisturize your skin. It would be best to choose an all natural product to clean your face and skin with. It will cause the least amount of aggravation and dryness.

6. Exercise. Exercise is going to be very beneficial for your skin. Sweating can help your body get rid of excess toxins. These toxins can lead to inflammation and breakouts. Exercise will also help decrease stress levels and contribute to overall better health.

Finally, if you follow these basic skin care tips, you should achieve great results. Your skin will be healthier, and you will look younger, as a result. Be sure to follow these basic skin care tips for the best looking skin.

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