It’s Not Too Late to Exfoliate

Exfoliation is an important part of any skin care regime.

Why do I need to exfoliate?   Exfoliating removes the dull dead outer layer of  skin cells, unclogs pores, helps reduce acne breakouts, and keeps skin clean.  It also allows the new layer of cells to emerge, making your face look more healthy and radiant.

How often should I exfoliate? Once or twice a week is suffiicient depending of course on if you have dry, normal or oily skin. Two times a week for oily and once a week for normal to dry skin is good.

Should I wash my face before exfoliating?  Yes, you want to remove the surface dirt first.

Will it dry my skin out?  It can depending on what type of products you use.  It’s important to apply a moisturizer to your face after exfoliating.

Should guys exfoliate? YES!  Men need to take care of their skin, and remove dead skin cells just like women.  It also helps men get a better shave by exposing the hair follicles.

There are 2 basic types of exfoliation:

1. Mechanical Exfoliation– involves physically scrubbing the skin with an abrasive. They can include such things as microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, micro-bead facial scrubs, crushed apricot kernel or almond shells, sugar or salt crystals, and abrasive materials such as sponges or brushes.

Professional treatments include Microdermabrasion and Micro Diamondabrasion.

2. Chemical Exfoliation– includes facial scrubs containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid.  These can be applied in high concentrations by a medical professional, or in lower concentrations through over-the-counter products.

It is recommended for people with acne to use products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

One of my favorite products is Adrien Arpel’s Microderm Cleanser.  It’s both a gel cleanser and exfoliator in one!  It’s gentle but effective, with the same crystals used in professional micro-dermabrasion treatments.  It’s enriched with vitamins A, C and E to help repair and maintain healthy skin.  I love how it makes my skin feel!

Professional methods can be very costly, but there are many inexpensive exfoliators you can make yourself with household ingredients such as coffee grounds, baking soda, sugar, even asprin.

Here’s a video for a great do-it-yourself facial:

Aspirin Mask

So in conclusion there are many ways to exfoliate, the main thing is to make it part of your regular beauty regime to help keep your skin looking radiant, silky smooth and refreshed.

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Breakout!

We all have bouts of breakouts.

I’m not talking about the urge to break into a song and dance routine in a crowded mall, or breaking into a fit of rage from breaking a fingernail, but of the embarrassing breakouts of acne.

It can happen no matter what your age.  In fact statistics show that more than 50% of adult women and 25% of men have acne breakouts.  So don’t feel alone teenagers!

Wouldn’t it be nice to know what causes acne so that you can see it coming or avoid it altogether?  I know chocolate has gotten a bad rap for years as a major cause but in reality there are other causes worth looking into.

Here are some common causes and cures of acne:

Diet: You probably already know that eating junk food can be a major cause of acne breakouts, but also certain food allergies.   Another cause is sodas and any drinks with caffeine that are detrimental to clear flawless  skin.  Whats the cure?  Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.

Hormones: If you notice acne breakouts more at the time of your menstruation, then your hormones could be the culprit.  I can say I’ve been plagued by this type for many years, until I past menopause.  I’ve heard that regular use of birth control pills helps.

Hair Products: If you use oils and sprays on your hair they can get on your skin and clog your pores, especially around your forehead, and neck.   At night, after washing your face try sleeping with your hair tied up away from your face.

Bedding: When is the last time you washed your pillowcase and sheets?  Your face may be clean but any dirt from your hair or in the air even can build up on your pillow, not to mention bacteria and germs.  Best to wash bedding at least once a week.

Dry skin:  I know this sounds absurd, but if your skin is overly dry it can actually produce more oil to compensate.  All skin need moisture, but to different degrees.  Some moisturizers are rich for extremely dry skin, and some light for more oily skin.  Choose what’s best for your skin type.

STRESS! Stress can cause a multitude of health problems, one being skin conditions such as acne. You may not be able to relieve your stressful day to day situations, but try to take a break away from your routine once in a while. Have a little fun.   It will do wonders for your health.  Regular daily exercise also helps relieve stress, and provides a multitude of health benefits.

Touch: Are you constantly touching your face?  I know I’m guilty of that one!  Hands touch all kinds of nasty stuff throughout the day and can transfer germs and bacteria to your face.

I don’t mean to sound like your mother, but “keep your hands off your face, and wash them regularly”.   Also a big NO-NO is when you have a pimple don’t squeeze it (remember don’t touch!)  Squeezing can make it worse, last longer and cause scarring.

Here is another thing you may not of thought of, something that touches your face more than anything else, your cell phone.   Ever notice how dirty, and greasy your phone gets from your hands?  It’s best to use a “hands free” bluetooth as much as possible.  To clean your phone just wipe it with antibacterial wipes or rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball every few days or at least once a week.  Oh yeah and limit others from using your phone to avoid passing on germs and bacteria.  I know I cringe when I see moms hand their toddlers a cell phone to play with, and they start drooling and sucking on them.  Yikes, Germ City!

Makeup: Did you know that some ingredients in your makeup may actually clog pores can cause breakouts?   Or you could have an allergic reaction to some product, and not even be aware of it.   It’s important to remove makeup and wash your face thoroughly every night with a good facial cleanser, and exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead cells under the skin.  It is also a good practice to clean your facial brushes and sponges  regularly.

Smoking: Smoking not only adversely affects areas like the respiratory and immune system, but also clogs pores which can cause breakouts.

Cures for acne can differ depending on the cause and type of skin you have. If you have  extremely bad acne or reoccurring breakouts it may be necessary to see a dermatologist.

If you have cystic pimples, ones that do not surface, they don’t normally respond to common treatments.  I’ve heard ice helps with the pain.  Unfortunately there is not alot you can do but be patient and let them dissolve on their own.

For mild to moderate acne breakouts look for products that contain Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide.

Hope that some of these causes and cures can help you in your fight to combat acne breakouts and get your skin back to looking healthy and beautiful.

How Long Does It Last?

Ever wonder about expiration dates?

Aren’t you glad there are labels to warn you when your milk is about to spoil rather than finding out the hard way, after you’ve poured it on your favorite breakfast cereal, and took a big sour spoonful?   That is IF you read it before you drank  it. 

Well actually milk has a “sell by” date stamped on it (see picture above), this is for stores to know how long they can display a particular product. If you keep the item refrigerated it will usually remain drinkable for about one week after the “sell by” date on the package. The date tells you how long the product is likely to remain at its best quality when unopened.  But it is not a safety date.

Most products have the “use by” or “best” date stamped on them, after these dates have passed, you will start to notice changes in the product’s texture, color, or flavor.  But as long as you’ve been storing the item properly, you can generally consume it a little beyond this date (depending on the specific product).   The best way to gauge the quality is by smell or taste.  Always discard foods that have developed an off odor, flavor or appearance (like green fuzz growing on it is pretty obvious), for your health and safety.   

 “Use by” is like an expiration date on medicines, and taking them after the date listed is not recommended.

But how about your skin care and makeup?  Do they have expiration dates? 

Since you can’t smell or taste them how do you know how long they will last?

There is currently no law requiring similar labeling on cosmetics.

But all cosmetics do have a shelf life, as to how long they can stay good while unopened, and  how long they remain safe once opened.

When either of those periods ends, spoilage can begin, and reduce a product’s effectiveness, allowing bacterial growth that can cause irritations or infections.

It is best to replace any of the following products that are past these expirations:

 

Eye Cream  6 Months

Mascara   6 Months

Lip and Eye Pencils   12 to 18 Months

Lipstick   12 to 18 Months

Concealer  2 Years

Powder   2 Years

Liquid Foundation   2 Years

Powder Blush   2 Years

Cream Blush  2 Years

Moisturizer   2 Years

Sunscreen   2 Years

Face Cream    2 Years

 

It is also a good idea to clean your makeup brushes regularly (every month or two) with a mild soap, baby shampoo works great. 

Just put a little in the palm of your hand with water and swish the brush around.  Then rinse it until soap residue is gone.  Squeeze out excess moisture and let dry before using.  Never immerse brushes in water, as the bristles are glued to the base and will come apart (even the most expensive ones).

You should also throw away any broken containers or ones that are missing caps.  Powder blushes and pressed powders that have broken are hard to use and should also be trashed.  Then you can make space for your newer, fresher, shelf life items.  Here is a suggestion when you purchase new products:  put little stickers on your lipstick, concealers etc… with the recommended expiration dates, so you won’t have to guess later down the road.

Don’t cry over sour milk, or expired beauty products, just replace them when needed to keep yourself healthy and beautiful!

For great vitamin enriched makeup and skin care: www.colormedirect.com/triciat

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Fun In The Sun

 

It’s Summertime! 

It’s time to head outdoors for those “Fun In The Sun” activities.

But while having fun be aware that there are “not so fun” affects the Sun can have on your skin, your health and your life.

The Sun produces 3 types of rays:

1.  UVA-the most common, is the cause of  skin aging, and wrinkling

2.  UVB- causes sunburn, cataracts

3.  UVC-the most dangerous, are obsorbed by our atmosphere

Tips for protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the Sun:

Stay out of the direct rays of the sun between 10am and 2pm when the rays are the strongest.

Wear sunscreen with a SPF factor of between 15 and 30, apply liberally on your face, hands and arms especially. 

Make sure your sunscreen protects both UVA and UVB rays.

Wear sunglasses with 100% UV blocking lenses to protect around your eyes.

Don’t use sunscreen on children less than 6 months old, just keep them covered and out of the sun.

Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.

Things you should know about the sun and your skin:

Contrary to popular belief, a tan is not “healthy.” A suntan is a sign that damage has been done to your skin.

When exposed to the sun’s UV rays, your skin’s melanocytes produce melanin, the dark pigment that creates a tan. A tan is your skin’s attempt to prevent UV rays from doing any further damage to the sensitive skin cells in your epidermis, but the protection only goes so far.

A tan does not help protect your skin from getting a sunburn in the future. A tan is equivalent to merely an SPF 4!

UVA breaks down the collagen structure which results in wrinkles.  Once collagen is damaged, it cannot re-build itself.

Up to 80% of skin aging is caused by the sun.  Most premature aging is caused by sun damage to skin.

Exposure to UV radiation can accelerate skin aging and make you appear older than you are. At higher altitudes there is less atmosphere to filter out the sun’s dangerous UV rays. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, you are exposed to 5% more UV radiation.  

People with light colored eyes are  more susceptible to retinal damage and cataracts as a result of overexposure to the sun.

Water and snow can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s UV rays back at you.

Certain medications can make skin and eyes more sensitive to sunlight, photosensitizing drugs include: acne medicines, antibiotics, antihistamines, oral contraceptives and sulfa drugs.

Freckles and sun spots are signs of skin damage and develop as a result of too much sun exposure.  They are frequently found on face, legs and back of hands.  Individuals who sunbathe regularly may develop freckles and sun spots all over their skin.

Tanning beds emit ultra-violet radiations.

It is important to understand that all sunburns increase the risk of three types of skin cancer, which includes basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Known risk factors for skin cancer include the following:

Skin cancers are more common in people with light-colored skin, hair, and eyes.

Having a family history of melanoma increases the risk of developing this cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers are more common after age 40.

Most skin cancers occur on areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This is considered the primary cause of all skin cancers.

Bronze skin may look beautiful on those blessed with naturally dark or olive tone skin.  But if you have fair skin,  beware, a short term tan is not worth the long term risk to your health.

I did’nt mean to ruin your summer vacation! 

You can still go out and have  “Fun in the Sun”, just don’t be a “sun worshipper”, remember to limit your exposure no matter what age you are, and protect yourself and your loved ones from those nasty rays.

Related Article:  Beauty Only Skin Deep?

Aging Gracefully

Remember when you couldn’t wait to turn 21 to get asked to show your ID?

After 50 the opposite is true, it hits you hard when someone asks if you qualify for a senior discount when you are not even 55 yet!  Ouch that hurts!  I say that from experience.

I’ll be the first to admit that aging sucks, but there are some great ways you can actually look and feel younger than your age, without botox or plastic surgery.

The now aging Baby Boomer generation is obsessed with youthful appearance (thanks to the Media).  Why do you think the Plastic Surgery is such a booming industry? 

But think about it, do you really want to look like Joan Rivers, whose had so much plastic surgery she looks like she’s been in a boxing ring and lost?  She can barely smile anymore!   Recently stars, like Julia Roberts are voicing their oppostion of using Botox and Plastic Surgery because of the negative impact it could have on their career, with changes of their facial expressions, and overall appearance.  Good for you Julia!  Remember the comedian Roseanne Barr?  After her plastic surgery, even though it improved her looks, people couldn’t relate to her any more, and her career took a nose dive.

There are so many plastic surgery nightmares that have ruined women’s lives more than enhanced them.  People don’t think  of the future, really would you like to have boobs like Pamela Anderson at age 80?  Yikes, that’s a scary thought!

How about all those grandmas with tatoos and piercings?

Generations before us knew how to grow old gracefully (without the aid of Botox or face lifts), we could learn a lot from them.

Let’s look at what Happens to our Skin and Hair as We Age: The effects of sun exposure, smoking, diet, and heredity become evident on our skin as we get older. Stress, gravity, and obesity also affect how well skin looks. And as we age, our skin doesn’t produce new cells as quickly as it used to. Skin gradually becomes less elastic and prone to dryness. Something similar happens to the cells that give our hair its color. Hair pigment cells become less efficient at renewing themselves, which makes our hair turn gray.

Here are some great tips on how to take care of your skin, to help you look and feel 10 years younger:

Stay out of direct sunlight when the sun’s rays are the strongest (bet. 10am -4pm). If you have to be outside, wear a hat and sunscreen or an anti aging moisturizer with SPF 15 and both UVB and UVA protection. Damage to the skin from excess or unprotected sun exposure causes wrinkles and an uneven skin tone, and worst case of all skin cancer.

Eat right and hydrate. Good nutrition helps the body repair skin. Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated from the inside out.

Use anti-aging products. For women over 40, anti aging creams and lotions can enhance natural beauty by rejuvenating your skin. Look for products with Pentapeptides that help prompt skin cells to produce more collagen, which is the support structure that gives skin a firmer look.

If you smoke, stop. Research shows that smoking prematurely ages your skin.

Quotes on aging from some wise and famous men:

“Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul ” –Douglas MacArthur

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years”. — Abraham Lincoln

Here are 10 of my personal tips for Growing Old Gracefully, the More or Less of it:

Stress Less, Smoke Less, Eat Less, Complain Less, Criticize Less

Smile More, Laugh More, Exercise More, Play More, Love More

Enjoy Life to the fullest no matter what age you are because you only have one life to live!

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