Treatments For Your Skin

Trialling skin products and treatments with honest and fair reviews.

Posts Tagged ‘dry skin’

Top 10 Bride Beauty Tips

November 19th, 2010

If you have an upcoming wedding, event, photo shoot, or simply want to look good going to the grocery store, the following tips are for you! Following these tips will allow your skin to be as prepared as possible as well as recover easily from the daily rigors of looking beautiful!

1. SKIN CARE

I cannot stress the importance of taking care of your skin. Start a simple skin care routine at least 2 months prior to your wedding/event and stick with it. If your budget allows it, get monthly facials to rejuvenate and deep clean your skin. Ideally, it’s best to begin receiving facials six months prior to your wedding/event to up to a week prior to your wedding/event.

2. MOISTURIZE MUST, MUST, MUST!

Skin that lacks moisture will have a dull and dry appearance. Moisturized skin looks and feels the best, makeup settles into the skin beautifully, and it minimizes the appearance of pores. A good moisturized face will help you achieve that supple, dewy look that is so beautiful! The best moisturizers have the least amount of ingredients/chemicals. If you're using acne products, you can still use a great natural moisturizer over your acne product. Let the product settle in the skin for about 15 minutes and then layer your moisturizer on top.

3. EXFOLIATE

A face that hasn't been exfoliated will not absorb moisture properly and will not be a good canvas for makeup application. Exfoliate at least 1-2 times per week. If you do not have an exfoliating product in mind, I personally prefer M.A.C. Cosmetics Microfine Refinisher.

4. FACIAL WAXING

If you are going to wax (especially before your wedding/event), keep in mind what it does to your skin. Wax tends to take the first layer of your skin off along with the hair and at times even causes a rash. Foundation has a hard time adhering to skin that is freshly waxed. With that said, if you are going to get any type of facial waxing done, do so a week in advance. Once you arrive, I will be more than happy to tweeze the stray hairs that have since grown to ensure a smooth, sleek look.

5. FACIALS

DO NOT get a facial less than a week before your wedding/event. Facials are meant to deep clean your pores and bring all dirt, oil, and toxins to the surface for easy removal. Because of that, some people experience flare-ups, bumps, or redness right after the facial. Allow at least a week for your skin to recover prior to your wedding/event.

6. STRESS RELIEF

If you want to glow, you need to feel it. Begin a stress relief program six months prior to the date. Take time out to do something non-wedding/event related. Do yoga, read, exercise; anything you enjoy to put your mind at ease and keep stress to a minimum.

7. CONSULTATIONS

Make sure you book your hairstylist and makeup artist well in advance and have trials with both. Be sure to bring pictures of hair and makeup you like to your appointments, as well as your dress, and wedding colors so the stylist or artist can have a better idea of how you want to look on YOUR SPECIAL DAY. That way, come your wedding day you can relax knowing what you'll look like.

On that note, don’t make any drastic changes to yourself immediately preceding your wedding/event. Make sure you have enough time to undo whatever you did if you so choose. Don’t cut, color, or style your hair differently right before your wedding/event because you will hate it. Don’t change products you use for skin care, such as, cleansers, moisturizers, detergents, lotions…what if you have an unknown allergy to one of these new products and end up with a horrible rash? It’s best to avoid change during this time period unless recommended by a doctor.

8. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

By lots, I mean, TONS! Being hydrated will help you look better, feel better, and give you more energy. It also keeps your skin clear and radiant. Try to limit your alcohol and sodium intake right before the wedding/event as well. Alcohol will dehydrate you and sodium will make you bloated. Not good.

9. PREPARE A BEAUTY EMERGENCY KIT

For touch ups and anything that might go wrong, an emergency beauty kit is essential! Be sure to include the following essentials: Bottled water, aspirin, oil blotting papers, band-aids, breath mints, clear nail polish or hairspray for stocking runs, cotton swabs, eye drops, tissues, hairpins, hem tape, nail file, mirrored compact, safety pins, straws, hand towelettes, and quick drying glue. If it is for your wedding, entrust this kit to one of your bridesmaids the day of to keep on her at all times. Be prepared for any surprises so it won’t ruin your special day.

10. GET A MASSAGE

I suggest getting a relaxing and calming massage the morning of your ceremony/event. It’s a great way to prepare for the day ahead.

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Posted in Do It Yourself Skin Treatments, General Treatments, Skin Tips

Tags: dry skin exfoliation face skin

Retinol Skin Cream

January 27th, 2010

If your skin type is dry, pigmented and prone to wrinkles then you can use Retinol skin creams to minimize wrinkles. You can use over the counter cosmetics or Retin-A in prescription formulations. Both have the effect of preventing collagen breakdown (main contributor in aging) and increasing cell renewal.

Pros and Cons of Retinol Skin Cream:

Most nonprescription products with retinol do not contain sufficient concentrations to deal with all the spots and wrinkles.
Retinol is unstable and if the product is exposed to light or air in the packing or manufacturing process it will become ineffective. Aluminium tubes are used to protect the product from light.
A retinol product offered in a clear bottle or jar is inactive.
If you are just starting to see wrinkles come up or are starting young as a preventative measure then over the counter retinol skin creams may be right for you. However, if you already have many wrinles and fine lines you may need to graduate to prescription strength products.

Retinol Effects on Skin

A study conducted by the University of Michigan Health System on elderley patients demonstarted that daily topical use of retinol creams did increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles.

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Posted in dry skin, Wrinkles

Tags: collagen dry skin Retin-A Retinol Wrinkles

Lotion For Dry Skin

January 27th, 2010

Water continually evaporates through the skin at a rate of approximately 600ml a day. For skin to look healthy and normal, the water content in the the epidermis should be above 10%. The evaporation of the water from your skin could be due to genetics, age and climate. The outer layer of the skin can dry out when water is lost faster than the underlying tissue can replace it.

Dry skin can fell itchy and tight and appears dull and flaky - be sure to drink plenty of water and apply lotions for dry skin.

Lotions and Moisturizers for Dry Skin

If you like me have very dry skin then you need to moisturize as much as possible. Using the right moisturizers for your face will benefit your skin greatly. Make sure you choose different moisturizes for day and night as night time lotions could be too greasy for use during the day (causing your make-up to not spread properly).

Daytime Lotion For Dry Skin:

These are listed from the cheapest to the most expensive:

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF15
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF15
Dove Essential Nutrients Day Cream SPF15
Nivea Sun Age Defense Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen SPF15
Jurilique Day Care Face Cream
Laura Mercier Mega Moisturizer with SPF15
SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF20
Topix Glycolix Elite Sunscreen SPF30
Elemis Absolute Day Cream SPF7
Orlane Soleil Vitamins Face Cream SPF30

Nightime Lotion For Dry Skin:

These are listed from the cheapest to the most expensive:

Avene Eau Thermale Skin recovery Cream
Dove Sensitive Essential Night Cream
Nivea Cream
Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream
Atopalm MLE Face Cream
Burt's Bees Evening Primrose Overnight Creme
Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream
D.R. Harris Almond Oil Skinfood
Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Restoring Cream
Jurilique Wrinkle Softner Beauty Cream
Laura Mercier Night Nutrition Renewal Creme
Creme de la Mer
Ren Calendula Omega 3/7 Hydra-Calm Moisturizer (not for acne)
Sisley Botanical Moisturizer with Cucumber

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Posted in dry skin

Tags: dry skin lotions moisturizers

Skincare in Your Fifties

January 6th, 2010

Your skincare regime in your 50s should consist of staying out of the sun, wearing sunblock; cleansing, toning and moisturizing twice daily. Continue to use eye serums and creams high in Vitamins A, C and E. (see Skincare in Your Thirties)

Mature and dry skin can really benefit from moisturizers that high in lipids like ceramides. Grapeseed extract and vitamin E can help protect against the decrease in lipids as we get older. Lipids play a major role in keeping the skin moist and stopping it from drying out.

A natural alternative to oestrogen therapy is to use a skin cream that contains phyto-oestrogens. Phyto-oestrogens include: fresh flaxseed oil from the fridge and soy, wild yam, red clover and dong quai.