Target Moves To Carry Big Beauty Brands

Makers of mass-market hair and skin products are heading into new pricing territory: $30-plus for a bottle of skin lotion or hair conditioner that straddles "mass market" and "prestige."

Shoppers, welcome to the world of "masstige" skin- and hair-care products—a retail world where "mass" players like big-box chains and drugstores sell products similar to the "prestige" offerings sold at department stores.

Mass brands from Unilever,  L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson are boldly pushing up prices to $25 and beyond for products with premium ingredients that target specific problems, selling them alongside traditional $8 moisturizers. Target is taking pricing a big step further, with plans next month to introduce high-end skin-care products including three priced at $55.

F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

Retailers selling these new products are trying to up their game and compete with department stores for beauty purchases. Target, Walgreens and Rite Aid have new display areas with better lighting and fixtures and employees trained to answer questions or offer advice. Even so, young shoppers don't necessarily demand such amenities, relying on YouTube video reviews and social media recommendations to steer them to products before they set foot in a store.

Young women "care less about what store they are buying at, and more about the product and the product features," says Virginia Lee, a senior research analyst at research firm Euromonitor. Convenience is key for time-starved shoppers. "Department stores have limited hours and limited locations, whereas your average drugstore is open to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m."

Target's premium skin-care line includes exclusive products such as a $23.99 Borghese face serum. F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

Skin care is the focal point as stores clamor for a bigger share of the $12 billion industry. Drugstores, such as Walgreens, sold roughly 13% of all skin-care products in 2012, while mass merchandisers, such as Target, sold about 8%. That compares with 17% for department stores, according to Euromonitor.

To justify the higher prices, many so-called masstige products claim to offer solutions to specific problems. "There's a willingness to pay more to treat that skin because your needs are heightened," says Rob Candelino, Unilever's vice president of marketing for skin care. Unilever's Dove division this month launched two new masstige brands. Dove DermaSeries is aimed at women with extremely dry skin and priced from $7.99 for a cleansing bar to $19.99 for an eczema "therapy cream."

Dove Men+Care's Expert Shave line, meant to address shaving concerns, is priced even higher, ranging from $21.99 for a pre-shave exfoliator to $25.99 for a post-shave "repair balm." Mr. Candelino says the growing interesting in men's grooming has shown men are "less rigid" about price.

"They are much more inclined to say, 'I have a specific need, I want the best quality of product,' " he adds. And the higher price itself is an indicator of quality, he says. "It supports the fact that there is something unique."

F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

Next month, Target plans to launch a number of skin-care lines, including newly developed brands and some prestige lines from overseas with a big remodeling of its beauty department. It plans to improve lighting and displays and expand what it calls its beauty "concierge" program, which puts a trained employee in the section.

The beauty business attracts a mix of two desirable shopper types—those replenishing staples, who are valued because they build store traffic, and those shopping on impulse, who are "driven by inspiration," says Christina Hennington, Target's vice president of beauty and personal care. "We see guests buying toilet paper and then come over and browse in beauty for a significant amount of time."

To catch these shoppers' attention, many companies are racing to release new twists on skin-care formulas that were first seen in prestige brands' products, such as last year's influx of BB and CC Creams or the "blur" wrinkle-camouflaging products hitting shelves now.

"We have to have an obsession about being new, better, different," says Malena Higuera, senior vice president of marketing for the L'Oréal Paris brand.

Most masstige products go beyond basic cleansing and moisturizing. Often they offer similar active ingredients like Retinol found in a number of products from Johnson & Johnson's Neutrogena and RoC divisions. P&G's Olay brand introduced some of the earliest masstige brands several years ago, including the Regenerist line of anti-aging products and the Pro-X collection designed by dermatologists.

From Dove's new 'masstige' line for extra-dry skin, an $18.99 rough patch treatment. F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

Many drugstores don't have dedicated employees available to explain the complicated benefits, so the masstige product "really has to sell itself," says Michelle Ryan, senior vice president of product development at Garnier, owned by L'Oréal. Garnier aims for clear, simple language with diagrams and color coding.

"Boosts wrinkle repair in just 1 step," reads the box for its Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer. A small cylindrical timeline at the bottom of the box indicates the product is meant to be used after the "clean" and "treat" steps.

Masstige products are benefiting as more consumers research skin care online. Anissa Dang first learned about L'Oréal Paris's Youth Code line from a YouTube video. At first, the 24-year-old was skeptical about the price tag. "Maybe I should take my $25 and go to Nordstrom or Sephora and get a real beauty cream," she recalls thinking.

But the video review was glowing, and Ms. Dang, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska, sought out the products online and found them at Target for $19.99 each. With the help of some coupons, she bought a serum and a moisturizer for $34, which felt like a bargain compared with department store products and prices, she says.

Mass retailers' hair-care offerings include many brands, including Matrix's Biolage and Unilever's Tigi, that are "authorized" for sale only in salons, but end up in stores through distributors.

Unilever's Nexxus hair-care line sells at thousands of salons as well as in many approved mass retail outlets. The brand's tagline, "Salon Hair Care," has come to mean less about where it is sold and "more a distinction of the quality of the product," says David Rubin, vice president of U.S. hair at Unilever. In recent months, Unilever has introduced a line from hair-salon chain Toni & Guy, including styling products that will be sold in both stores and salons.

"There is a common expectation by many consumers that most products are available in lots of different places," Mr. Rubin says.

It has been more than a decade since Sephora, LVMH's specialty beauty chain, jolted the cosmetics industry with its "open-sell" environment, bringing products out from behind glass display cases so shoppers could handle them and experiment. Ulta, another retail chain, was among the first to put mass and prestige offerings on the same selling floor. In recent years, drugstores have upgraded makeup displays, adding more opportunities to sample products before purchase.

$39.99 MD Complete wrinkle remover. F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

At Walgreens, shoppers browse the range of products, including mass, masstige and those it calls its own "prestige" offerings, says Shannon Curtin, the chain's group vice president and general merchandise manager of beauty and personal care. More than three quarters of its shoppers are female. The variety of beauty products a woman might use mirrors the tendency toward high-low mixing in clothes, Ms. Curtin adds.

Overall, beauty shoppers tend to spend more. At Rite Aid, the market basket, or total purchase size, of the beauty shopper is greater than for the standard customer, says Bill Bergin, group vice president of health and beauty. Higher-priced products don't tend to sell as quickly as lower-priced rivals—nor do they need to.

"At a premium price point," Mr. Bergin says, "you don't need to sell as many units to generate the same sales and profit."

 Article Source:   http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303465004579322572362086180

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

How To Get Naturally Glowing Skin - Honey & Lemon Facemask

Really easy and quick face mask, for a natural glow without the need of any foundations or concealers. Get the flawless skin you want by using natural products that are both good and kind to your skin. 

Lemon: lightens the skin, reduces the chance of wrinkles. The citric acid contained in lemons exfoliates your skin helping problems of acne too!

Honey: completely natural and free from harmful chemicals, it draws in moisture to your skin helping your skin to keep hydrated and smooth.

The two products together work like a beauty!! Enjoy!

Video Source:  RachelSays2BeNatural

Dry Skin Care - Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Care for Dry Facial Skin (Face Masks for Cleansing and Fairness):

• A good skin is a symbol of good health
• Skin requires as much care as any other part of our body
• Use natural face masks to get glowing and healthy facial skin

Symptoms to look for:

• Dry Skin, 
• Wrinkles easily
• Appears parched
• Ages rapidly
• Flakes often

Causes:

• Lack of oil and moisture in the skin

Natural face mask using wheat flour, turmeric powder and mustard oil: 

1. Take 4 tbsp of wheat flour
2. Add ½ tsp of turmeric powder
3. Add 1 tsp of mustard oil
4. Add water to make a paste
5. Apply the paste on the face taking care to avoid the eyes
6. Leave it to dry for 10 min 
7. Remove the dried mask by scrubbing it with your palms
8. After 30 min, wash off with lukewarm water

Natural face mask using honey and milk:

1. Take 2 tbsp of honey
2. Add 2 tsp of milk
3. Mix well
4. Apply on the face and neck taking care to avoid the eyes
5. Leave it for 20 min
6. Wash off with lukewarm water

Video Source:   http://www.youtube.com/user/homeveda?feature=watch

Three Small Skin-Care Mistakes That Could Be Seriously Aging Your Skin

Chances are you’re already doing a whole lot to keep your skin looking youthful. If you’re using SPF, moisturizer and avoiding direct sunlight you’re on the right track to preserving your youthful glow. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) pointed out three common mistakes, which you might not be aware of, that could be secretly sabotaging your skin.

1. Not wearing sunglasses

Although they make for highly fashionable accessories, sunglasses are designed for more than just a fashion statement. They’re actually an important part of your anti-aging regimen. Not only do they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, but they also prevent you from squinting. Repetitive squinting can lead to crow’s-feet, which often require cosmetic treatments like injectables and fillers to be removed. Try keeping a pair of sunglasses in the car so you'll be less likely to end up squinting and more likely to prevent aging eyes.

2. Replacing moisturizer with sunscreenIf you think that your creamy sunscreen is providing you the same benefits as your moisturizer, that’s not the case. Not all sunscreens hydrate and some may even add extra oil or dry out your skin. Skimping on sunscreen is not the answer, however. Rather, make sure you’re feeding your skin with enough moisturizer to stay balanced. If you’re unsure if your sunscreen is doing enough to keep your skin hydrated, bring your favorite moisturizer to the store and compare its list of ingredients with the sunscreens you are considering purchasing. 

3. Going unprotected in the evening

10 am to 3 pm is the most dangerous time of day for your skin. But just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean it’s ok to skip the sunscreen during the other hours of the day or dark weather. You can still get burned. If you don't wear SPF at all times, it’s likely that you’ll see the formation of freckles, sunspots or other spots on your skin, sooner rather than alter. Luckily, most of these can be taken care of with a procedure like microdermabrasion or skin resurfacing. Try paying attention to the time of sunup and sundown.