Audrina Patridge loves Dermalogica

AP Photo / Chris Pizzello October 2009

You may recognize Audrina Patridge from the MTV show The Hills. The beauty is often questioned about her gorgeous complexion, so she spilled her skin care secrets on her personal blog.

Her product line of choice? Dermalogica, of course! Audrina says she has been using Dermalogica since she was 11 years old. Her aunt introduced the line, and she has stuck with it ever since.

Audrina uses Dermalogica cleanser, Multi-Active Toner and Active Moist.

How to get glowing skin for an event

One word: exfoliation!

Whether it’s a party, prom, reunion, a wedding, or you just want to freshen up your face…exfoliating is the quickest way to give skin a “glow.”

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells…our skin cells are in a continuous cycle of being born, moving through the 5 layers of skin, then resting on skin’s surface until they are exfoliated off (or they fall off on their own). A scrub helps to manually remove those skin dulling cells.

Chemical exfoliants will really boost up this process. Lactic Acid is ideal for dry to normal skin types…it helps exfoliate deep into the skin and even speeds up the cell renewal process (which keeps skin looking young and healthy). It’s also moisturizing. Salicylic Acid is great for oily skin because it can cut through the oil to give you a more clear complexion.

How soon should you start exfoliating before the big event? If you are really planning ahead, start now! Exfoliate 2-3 times per week for ultimate results. If you have never exfoliated, you may see a few breakouts the first time since you are basically clearing out the pores. Trying it for the first time the night before an event is probably not your best option. Also, products with Glycolic Acid may cause peeling, so it’s best to avoid that ingredient a few days prior to your big day.

Our favorite exfoliant? Daily Microfoliant!!!!! This is really an awesome product. Great for oil, combo and dry skin. (If you are prone to breakouts, try Gentle Cream Exfoliant. Scrubs aren’t good to use over breakouts b/c it can spread bacteria). It also has Rice Bran to really brighten your complexion. WOW!

Ingredient Spotlight: Hyaluronic Acid

The name can be decieving…Hyaluronic Acid isn’t technically an acid in the traditional form. It is NOT an alpha or beta hydroxy acid, and it has no exfoliating properties.

Hyaluronic Acid holds 1,000 times it’s weight in water. That means it is super-hydrating! Think of it as a drink of water to your skin.

Our skin naturally products Hyaluronic Acid in the dermal layer….that means that skin readily accepts it in products because it is recognizable. As we age, our natural Hyaluronic Acid depletes, so it’s a good idea to add it for a “plumping” effect.

It’s a fabulous ingredient for dry skin, but oily skin can use it too. Sometimes oily skin types can look “flakey”…this is because they are lacking water. Hyaluronic Acid is the perfect fix!

You may find it in moisturizers, and especially “serum” type products. It is very concentrated, which means a little goes a long way! It may read on the label as “Sodium Hyaluronate”.

Dermalogica products with Hyaluronic Acid include:
Skin Hydrating Booster
Super Rich Repair
Dynamic Skin Recovery
Renewal Lip Complex

Lucky Magazine Loves Dermalogica SPF Wipes

Don’t overlook the inportance of SPF when the weather gets cooler! Even when it’s cloudy, the sun’s rays are just as powerful. Going out with no SPF can result in wrinkles, sun spots (or worse…skin cancer) later in life.

Lucky magazine’s editor named Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes SPF15 as “Easiest SPF” in their November 2009 issue. She says: “I love these wipes for my morning workouts! I wipe them over my arms and shoulders before I go outside. They’re cooling and not oily at all.”

Get them discounted at Skin Care Logic >>

Comedogenic Ingredients…Oily Skin’s Enemy

You often see products that  claim to be “noncomedogenic”, but what exactly does that mean?

Comedogenic ingredients are known to clog the pores. The result can be blackheads and whiteheads. Not everyone who uses comedogenic ingredients will experience breakouts, but it’s always best to avoid them for your skin’s health. Oily skin should definitely avoid comedogenic ingredients!

Here is a list of ingredients to avoid:

• Acetylated Lanolin
• Butyl Stearate
• Cocoa Butter
• Coconut Oil
• D&C Red Colors
• Isopropyl Myristate *this is commonly used in makeup and VERY comedogenic*
• Isopropyl Palmitate
• Laureth 4
• Lauric Acid
• Linseed Oil
• Octyl Palmitate
• Octyl Stearate
• Oleth-3
• Sodium Chloride

While Mineral Oil isn’t on the list of highly comedogenic ingredients, oily skin should certainly keep away from it. Dermalogica avoids using any of these bad guys…another reason why we love them so much!

Vitamin C…Skin Care’s Misunderstood Ingredient

We all know that Vitamin C is a good ingredient to have in our skin care routine, but don’t just buy any old product with “Vitamin C” on the label! Effectiveness depends on the form of the vitamin, percentage and delivery system. Here’s the scoop:

What Vitamin C does:

• helps natural collagen formation
• antioxidant (neutralizes damaged cells)
• helps fill in fine lines
• brightens pigmented areas

The problem with Vitamin C:

It’s not a very stable vitamin, which means that it loses its effectiveness easily. It may have amazing qualities, but oxidation, product packaging and the form chosen can cause those properties to diminish before it touches your skin. It also needs to be in a form that can penetrate the skin…otherwise, it remains on the surface and can’t do its job!

Companies are not required to list ingredient percentages, but it is safe to assume that products bought at grocery stores, etc. will not have the same level of effectivenss than “spa brands”! While using a low % is better than nothing, you can’t expect to get equal results.

Forms of Vitamin C:

• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
• Ascorbyl Palmitate

It appears that derivatives of Vitamin C are more effective in skin care than pure Vitamin C.

Dermalogica’s answer to the Vitamin C problem:

MAP-15 Regenerator

This product utilizes Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate…a non-acidic, stable form of Vitamin C. It actually dispenses as a powder! This helps keep it stable, and allows for maximum penetration.

You can use it as a spot treatment by tapping some of the powder on your finger and applying it to areas where you have wrinkles or sun spots. You can also mix a pea-sized amount with your favorite moisturizer to give it a “boost”!

Even the packaging of this unique formula was designed to keep the Vitamin C stable. The very small opening helps prevent oxidation, and the powder liquifies upon contact with skin. Fun to use, and most importantly…it works!

Great Deals on Dermalogica Holiday Gifts!

The holidays will be here soon…why not suprise the people on your list with the gift of Dermalogica!

Dermalogica Holiday Gifts

Skin Care Logic is selling the new holiday products at AMAZING discounted prices. Pamper your friends and family this holiday season, and keep your wallet happy.

Among the gifts are…

Body Favorites Kit: Includes a  Body Hydrating Cream and Conditioning Body Wash at a 50% Savings! Take the spa experience home with you…just $40.00.

Dermalogica Favorites Kit: Includes travel sizes of PreCleanse, Daily Microfoliant, Gentle Cream Exfoliant and Skin Hydrating Booster. Comes in a cute, limited-time Dermalogica travel bag…perfect for jet-setters! Just $33.00.

Stress Relief Candle Trio: Includes 3 soy-based candles that help alleviate stress. The scents of Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Green Tea, Lavender and Rosemary make you feel like you’re at the spa! Just $21.25.

Buy Dermalogica holiday items >>

Tissues with lotion can cause breakouts

A warning this cold season…think twice before using tissues with lotion!

While these tissues can certainly comfort an irritated nose, the lotion is not exactly skin friendly. Check the bottom of the box and you probably find the first ingredient is Mineral Oil!

Mineral Oil is known for being comedogenic, which is why brands like Dermalogica refuse to ever use it in their products. It can clog the pores and result in breakouts. Oil skin types should definitely avoid anything with Mineral Oil.

So, what are the alternatives? Buy a quality tissue without lotion, but apply a dab of your usual moisturizer throughout the day to prevent skin from flaking around the nose. If you can’t live without them, just be sure to apply a product with Salicylic Acid to help clear the pores. Also, be sure that the tissue just contacts your nose (not the chin, etc.).

Allure.com Editors’ Favorite: Daily Microfoliant

Allure.com loves Daily Microfoliant!

Allure.com’s editor selected Daily Microfoliant as her favorite product today! Here’s what she has to say:

“With our sensitive skin, we’re wary of scrubs claiming they’re safe to use every day. But this rice-based powder truly removes dead skin without leaving us irritated.”  View the post >>

Buy Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 

Buy Dermalogica, Donate to a Worthy Cause

For the month of October, Skin Care Logic is donating $1.00 of every Dermalogica product sold to Cleaning for a Reason (TM).

This charity helps women with cancer by cleaning their homes for free while they undergo treatment. This is such a special service because it helps women to focus on more important things like family. You can also visit their site and make a personal donation in honor of a loved one!

Skin Care Logic offers discounts on Dermalogica products on their “Discounts and Specials” page. Treat yourself to healthy skin, and feel good about helping a unique charity!

Watch Oprah’s video introduction to Cleaning for a Reason!