Summer Skin Care Questions May 23, 2011

We get lots of skin questions in the hot summer months. Here are some answers to help keep your skin healthy when the heat turns up:

Q: What’s the ideal summer skin care regimen?
A: Cleanse with a calming cleanser. Exfoliate 2-3 times/week to help remove dead, damaged skin cells and reveal glowing skin. Mask with a multivitamin mask to repair skin that is damaged from the sun. Wear a daily moisturizer with SPF15 or higher EVERY DAY! You may choose a lighter-weight moisturizer in the summer.

Q: Is it best to do a facial and/or microdermabrasion before or after summer vacation?
A: We typically advise our clients to come after vacation (if u get a sunburn, wait until it is gone). Why? Because microdermabrasion can make you more sensitive to the sun (thus more likely to get a burn). Also, it’s great to get a professional-strength exfoliation afterwards to help remove damaged skin cells.

Q: So how do I get my skin looking great before vacation?
A: Do an at-home exfoliation to polish skin, and try a mask…we love MultiVitamin Power Recovery Mask. It gives your complexiona nice glow, and provides lots of great vitamins and minerals to keep skin healthy.

Q: Sunscreen irritates  my skin…what are my options?
A: Try a chemical-free sunscreen. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are common chemical-free ingredients (and will be listed as the ‘Active Ingredients’. Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30 is a great option for sensitive skin.

Q: Can I sleep in my sunscreen, or do I need a separate night cream?
A: Use a separate night cream. Sleeping in SPF can clog pores, and may cause skin to develop sensitivities.

Q: Why do I need sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection?
A: UVB rays burn the skin…SPF tells you only how much protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. UVA rays are just as dangerous (and can cause cancer), but they do not necessarily produce a burn! While there is currently no UVA rating system in the US, be sure the sunscreen label says something like ‘UVA/UVB Protection’ or ‘Broad Spectrum Protection’.

Disclaimer: Skin Care Logic has a relationship with the above products in that we sell them in our store and at our facial studio.http://cmp.ly/4 We love them, and we think you will too!

Is SPF in Makeup Enough? August 3, 2010

No!

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Makeup with SPF is AWESOME and a great way to get added protection from the sun, but don’t rely on it soley as your sun protection.

Why? The SPF amount on the label is only reached if you apply a certain amount of sunscreen…that amount is typically more than the average person applies each morning. Also, makeup wears off during the day, which means the SPF dwindles dramatically.

Your best best is to wear a moisturizer with SPF (which makes it easy b/c you are probably already using a moisturizer anyways), then apply a powder with SPF over it. The sun is serious business and can cause early wrinkles, dark spots and worse, cancer. Double protection just makes sense!

Skin Care Logic sells Jane Iredale mineral powder, which is an excellent option because they received a seal of approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation…meaning that they have proven that they provide excellent UVA/UVB protection!

Disclaimer: Skin Care Logic has a relationship with the above products in that we sell them in our store and at our facial studio.http://cmp.ly/4 We love them, and we think you will too!

Skin damage from driving? July 20, 2010

Yes it is true, you get enough UVA rays from your daily commute to work to cause serious sun damage. Even though you are not receiving extended sun exposure, the short daily amounts of exposure can add up over time and result in long term damage such as sun spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer.

UVA rays are a little different the UVB rays, but still dangerous. UVA rays do not leave a visible burn,, thus making it harder to realize that you were exposed. Also, UVA rays can penetrate through glass, unlike UVB rays. Therefore your windows do not protect you completely from sun damage. Most people experience sun spots on the left side of their face, which is the side exposed to the sun when driving.

UVA rays are known as “aging rays” because they are the rays that cause signs of premature aging, yikes! That is why it is vital for you use products that protect your skin from sun damage, no matter what your day consists of. Makeup that contains SPF is great, but we typically do not wear enough to provide full protection. We recommend wearing sun screen or an SPF moisturizer in addition to your makeup. SPF 15 or SPF 30 is good for daily use, and should be used even on cloudy days. Also, look for ingredients like Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide. These ingredients provide UVA defense. (for more info on how these ingredients work you can check out our Sun Protection Page)

We recommend Dermalogica’s DaylightDefense Line. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Plus they are sufficient enough to work as your moisturizer and your sun protection! Visit our website to see the entire product line.

Disclaimer: Skin Care Logic has a relationship with the above products in that we sell them in our store and at our facial studio.http://cmp.ly/4 We love them, and we think you will too!

New Technology Protects Your Skin July 13, 2010

We all know how easy it is to forget to reapply SPF once you are out enjoying the sunshine. Thankfully, now there’s an app for that.

The new Coppertone® iPhone app identifies your location and gives you the current UV index. It will also send you friendly reminders when it is time to reapply, as well as tips on proper skin protection based on your age and specific needs. The app also comes with printable coupons for Coppertone products.

Not up to speed with iPhone technology? Check out the UV SunSense bracelet. You apply sunscreen to the bracelet after lathering up yourself, and when its running low on sun protection it changes colors to alert you that it is time to reapply!

Protecting your skin from the sun is vital. Sun damage can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, sunspots, and even skin cancer. Today’s technology is making it easier to remember to protect your skin from the sun, so take advantage of these services.

Sensitive Skin in the Summer July 9, 2010

It is estimated that around 16 million Americans have experienced rosacea symptoms. Rosacea is a skin condition which causes redness of the cheeks, nose, chine, forehead, and/or eyelids. Other symptoms can include swelling, enlarged blood vessels and acne-like pimples.

What Causes these symptoms?

Sensitive is hereditary, but it can also be a result of your environment and lifestyle. Outbreaks can be caused by things such as alcohol, spicy foods, stress, and heat. According to the National Rosacea Society, 80% of respondents suffered flare-up symptoms as a result of the sun. This can be a problem during the summer, especially for us in the south where the temperature averages in the high 90′s.

How can you sooth sensitive skin?

There are some simple things you can do everyday to prevent out out breaks. First of all, wear sunscreen. Sunscreen should be a part of everyone’s morning routine, regardless of skin sensitivity or daily activity. A few more things you can do to prevent skin sensitivity is chew on ice, take lukewarm showers, and avoid going outside in the middle of the day.

What kind of products help skin sensitivity?

To sooth sensitive skin you should look for products that contain bisabolol, ginger, oat, lavender, chamomile and red hogweed. These ingredients target inflammation, and also prevent redness and irritation. For a break down of what each ingredient does specifically, visit our education center for sensitive skin.  Dermalogica’s UltraCalming line is designed to help treat and prevent sensitive skin. If you have been looking for relief, then look no further. We recommend the UltraCalming Treatment Kit because it has everything you need for treating sensitive skin.

Disclaimer: Skin Care Logic has a relationship with the above products in that we sell them in our store and at our facial studio.http://cmp.ly/4 We love them, and we think you will too!

Protect your Skin from the Sun this 4th of July June 30, 2010

With 4th of July right around the corner, most people will be spending their weekend at the beach, river, lake, or poolside.  The water reflects 90% of  rays from the sun, so it is extremely important to protect your skin if your headed to one of these destinations. Even if you are just hanging out in your backyard, it is still vital that you protect your skin with proper SPF. Here are a few tips we reccomend for effective sun protection:

• apply sunscreen 15 – 20 minutes before going outside
• UV rays are the strongest between 10 AM and 2 PM, so avoid going out during those times, if possible
• re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours
• do not rely on the SPF in your makeup alone, it is probably not enough to fully protect your face
• use about 1 teaspoon of sunscreen on your face, and about 1 ounce on your body

Visit our website to see Dermalogica’s Daylight Defense line. If you do not like dealing with the mess of sunscreen lotion, we recommend the Solar Defense Wipes.  They are easy to use and water resistant. It is a towelette, so you don’t have to mess with rubbing in the lotion. They were just chosen as a favorite by the Beauty Blogging Junkie.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July! Our thoughts are with those being effected by Hurricane Alex.

Disclaimer: Skin Care Logic has a relationship with the above products in that we sell them in our store and at our facial studio.http://cmp.ly/4 We love them, and we think you will too!

Skin Cancer Foundation approves Jane Iredale makeup, video March 18, 2010

Jane Iredale mineral makeup was awarded a Seal of Approval by the Skin Cancer Foundation for 5 of their products!

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This seal lets consumers know they are buying products that are safe and effective in regards to UV radiation…soooo important year round. We need UVA/UVB protection to help guard us from early wrinkles, sagging skin, sun spots, and even skin cancer.

The winning 5 products are:

Amazing Base (loose powder)

PurePressed Base

Dream Tint

LipDrink

Powder-Me SPF

Jane Iredale, founder of the mineral line, says “We are not only committed to developing quality products to enhance color, but also the overall health of the skin – including skin cancer prevention.” Products that make your skin gorgeous AND healthy??? Yes, please!

http://cmp.ly/4

Summer Must-Have’s…Dermalogica Sunscreens June 4, 2009

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I love summer time…there’s nothing better than having a drink by the pool on a sunny day. Being a skin therapist, you can find sunscreen wipes, sprays and creams all over my house in the summer.

I’ve heard sooo many excuses as to why people don’t wear sunscreen…”I never burn”, “they make me break out”, and “I want to get a nice tan” definitely top the list of excuses. Nonsense! I could give you 1000 reasons why these silly excuses are actually damaging your skin in the long run. For one…UVA rays cause cancer, break down collagen and elastin, and give you sun spots…BUT THEY DON”T PRODUCE A VISIBLE BURN! And if you do tend to break out from using sunscreens, you probably just need a good physical sunscreen that doesn’t have chemicals.

That’s why I LOVE Dermalogica’s Daylight Defense system. It protects against UVA (“aging”) and UVB (“burning”) rays, and you can feel good knowing that you are getting top-of-the-line ingredients that goes hand-in-hand with using Dermalogica. The face sunscreens are formulated by skin type, so you actually don’t even need to use a moisturizer underneath! The wipes are amazing when you’re at the beach or golfing. The spray is great for kids and is very water resistant! And the After Sun Repair will calm down a burn in no time (and it’s great after waxing, too).

The bottom line is this: summer is GREAT, but we’ve got to be responsible with our skin (or we will certainly regret it later). Aside from skin cancer (which is the most common, yet most preventable cancer in the US), the sun causes wrinkles, sun spots, broken capillaries, and weakens our bodies’ defense system. It’s THE single most important skin care product you will ever use!

There’s a lot of mis-information out there about sunscreen…read this article to learn lots of useful facts, and learn why Dermalogica’s sunscreens are so important for skin health. Read»

Here’s a quick review of some things to remember next time you are lounging by the pool:

• Use SPF15 to SPF30…higher SPF’s contain a LOT more chemicals, and provide a minimal amount more protection (SPF referrs to how long it protects you, not how well it protects you)…there aren’t enough hours in the day to ever need an SPF75!!!!
• Make sure your sunscreen has “broad-spectrum” protection (meaning UVA and UVB protection)…SPF only tells you UVB protection
• If you break out using sunscreens, find one whose active ingredients are Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide
• Wear a hat and sunglasses for extra protection…no sunscreen will protect you 100%
• Re-apply every 2 hours…more if you are swimming, exercising or sweating
• For babies, a general rule is to start applying sunscreen at 6 months (under 6 months should avoid sun exposure as much as possible)
  

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