To scrub or not to scrub, that is the question as we approach these winter months. We want to put our best face forward for all our special holiday events. The heat, climate and lack of hydration can leave our skin looking lifeless and dull. There are a variety of great exfoliants out there, from gentle, to really high powered and effective, that can offer the perfect solutions for your specific skin type and concerns.

Let us begin with the sensitive skin guys and gals; there is something for both of you to use. Having sensitive and dry skin can seem like a curse sometimes. There are always little patches of skin that never seem to smooth out. After you apply your foundation you notice even more how dehydrated and dry your skin is. This is because all the dry dead skin is not being exfoliated and has nowhere to go but stay on your skin. For dry and sensitive skin types we suggest Sothys Gommage Exfoliant. This is a gentle yet effective treatment to release the surface dryness on your skin, making it softer and smoother. It does not contain any granules, which means it will not scratch or damage your delicate skin. It’s an oat flour base product that contains bee’s wax to help seal in the skin’s surface moisture. When using a gommage product you just have to be a little patient. All you need to do is leave this on your dry skin for about a minute. Then you want to gently slough off the peel in a circular motion. Do this very slowly, as you do not want to pull or irritate your skin. Once the gommage is gone so is your dull, dry skin. This product also works great for the tops of your hands!

If you are searching for a gentle scrub instead of a gommage, we suggest Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub. This has a non-abrasive gel texture that will unclog your pores and purify your skin. It really is a must try for people with sensitive skin, that may be apprehensive to try scrubs.

For skin types more on the oily side, try Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Scrub. This is a cleanser and scrub all in one, great for on the go lifestyles. This product will help to control oil and shine, but also buff away all the dull tired skin. This does not have any added oils, so it is just perfect for oily skin types. This product also contains jojoba ester which will soothe and condition your skin, leaving it fresh and fully hydrated.

If you are looking for a really effective peel treatment we suggest something with an AHA base to brighten and improve the skins tone and texture. If your skin is on the oily side and you have breakouts, try the Topix Gly Sal 10-2 Pads. These pads have 10% pure glycolic and 2% salicylic acid. Glycolic acid is the smallest of hydroxy acids, so it can really penetrate into your skin, removing all the dead surface layers of skin. Glycolic can also help to reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, and hyperpigmentation and improve many other skin conditions. The salicylic acid works with the witch hazel for skin toning and astringent benefits.  This would work great to protect your skin from future breakouts, and help clear up the existing ones. This is a great treatment to do up to 3 times a week for skin smoothing results. These little pads are handy, effective, and the price is right. They also come in 5-2 for people that have skin that is not as oily and a bit more sensitive. Another great peel is the Philosophy Micro delivery Peel Pads. These peel pads use a combination of lactic acid, and citrus acids to really give you a whole new look. These small pads contain full-sized antioxidants with an enriched formula to protect and soothe your skin.  These pads work great for dry and dehydrated skin types.

If you are looking for a highly effective skin resurfacing product we suggest a microdermabrasion peel. Before you spend all your money at the dermatologist for this procedure, take a look at these products: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion has a great crystal polish formula, which will help the skin look radiant and new. Dr. Brandt uses Magnesium oxide crystals, similar to that of an in-office peel. The crystals will not scratch or irritate your skin; you will only have smooth skin using this treatment. Even those that have sensitive skin associated with rosacea can use this product every two weeks or so. Another great micoderm treatment is Dr. Michelle Copeland Microdermabrasion Formula. This product uses AHA in conjunction with powerful antioxidants to exfoliate and soothe the skin. This product will not give you the flaking effect that a lot of peels can have because of its soothing benefits. This treatment is a little less abrasive then the Dr. Brandt microdermabrasion, so if your skin is on the sensitive side, we suggest trying this one out.

A great tool to use in conjunction with your favorite cleanser to help exfoliate is the Clarisonic Skin Care System. This little tool needs to be mentioned when it comes to offering a wonderful cleanse and exfoliation. It has double the power than manually cleansing your skin but is gentle enough to use twice a day. You can choose to get a sensitive brush head so even testy skin types can benefit from the system. This is a staff and customer favorite, and also a fabulous gift idea for the holidays!

There are many different types of skin refining products to choose from. They offer similar results, by helping to improve the tone and texture of your skin.  By using an exfoliant on a regular basis, you will notice how beautifully your other products will work. Serums will penetrate better, makeup will glide onto your skin, and you will have an overall healthier glow. When using products that exfoliate we recommend using a sunscreen during the day to protect your new skin. We hope that these products will help shed the dull winter skin, and prepare you for the warm months ahead!

For more great products, vist us at SkinStore.com!

Products featured in this article: Sothys Gommage Exfoliant, Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub, Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Scrub, Topix Gly Sal 10-2 Pads, Philosophy Micro delivery Peel Pads, Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion, Dr. Michelle Copeland Microdermabrasion Formula, Clarisonic Skin Care System.

Take 10-15 minutes to yourself and fix your skin love! Travel can wreak havoc on our skin. Flying can over dry your skin…baggage claims can over stress your skin…and the ride in the taxi cab…well that is a whole other story. Whether in travel or not, sometimes we need a skin intervention to relieve the daily damage and stress that we put our skin through. Avene Soothing Moisture Mask is preservative-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Help restore your skin’s barrier function and replenish the moisture in your thirsty skin. As an additional benefit, Avene Soothing Moisture Mask contains the Avene Thermal Spring Water clinically proven to calm, soothe and soften the skin while restoring skin’s natural balance. Yes, this is the same water used since 1743 in Avene’s Hydrotherapy Center to treat skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

For more helpful Quick Tips, click here!

To understand how to treat Keratosis Pilaris, we must first define it. Not knowing the causes and effects will make it hard to treat this common skin condition. This can be an embarrassing skin condition affecting all areas of the body. Many people don’t even realize what they are experiencing on their face and body, is in fact the signs of Keratosis Pilaris. All ages and skin types may experience this annoying and frustrating skin condition. It is our job as skin care professionals to offer useful suggestions and treatments, in hopes of helping you shed your chicken skin.

Keratosis Pilaris is a common genetic follicular disorder that will cause rough bumps on the skin. Yes this is another great trait that your parents gave you. The most commonly affected areas are on the back and outer sides of the upper arms. You may also see rough irritated areas on the thighs and buttocks. The only part of your body that will not show signs of this skin disorder, are the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Needless to say that leaves a lot of area for KP to cover. Often times this condition is misdiagnosed and can be treated as acne.

Did you know there are 6 variations of KP? Among the most popular is Keratosis Pilaris Rubra or KPR. This common condition is usually located on the arm area. The bumps are usually red and inflamed. Keratosis Pilaris Alba or KPA is usually classified by rough skin that feels bumpy, but does not have any irritation. You may experience moderate to severe signs of this skin condition. If your condition is moderate you may experience small bumps with little or no irritation. If you have a more severe condition, this will include large areas of the skin that are rough and irritated. By using the right products, your condition can be improved regardless of severity.

A great line that has been popular with staff and clients alike is the M2 Technologies brand. They make a magnificent body treatment called M2 Skin Technologies Body Refinish 15%. You can use this product anywhere that you have rough dry patches or bumps. This will help to smooth, exfoliate, and even out your skin tone. If you are experiencing red, rash like, larger areas of irritation on your face, you may want to try the M2 Skin Technologies Skin Refinish 12%. This is an effective treatment to apply a few times per week for maximum results. This is a 12% combination of Mandelic and Malic acids. This anti-inflammatory blend will help to reduce redness, even out skin tone, and clear up blemishes. If you have Rosacea which can also be classified with red rash like patches, you may also benefit from this product. Among other popular treatments for KP, can be diet supplements, exfoliations, oil pulling, and an Anti-Candida Diet. Your diet can play a major role in the onsets of KP. Research has proven Omega 3 supplements to be effective in maintaining healthy skin. Perricone MD Omega 3 Dietary Supplements, for example, have anti-inflammatory properties, and will help to soften and smooth the skin from the inside out.

The exfoliants category includes scrubs,microdermabrasion crystals, AHA’s, and BHA’s. If you are looking for a glycolic based product to help resurface all those bumps try the Glytone KP Kit. This reliable kit includes exfoliating body wash and body lotion. The body wash contains 8.8% free glycolic acid which means it is pure glycolic and not in a compound form. This will help to sweep away tired, rough skin. The body lotion will retexturize your skin as it contains 17.5% free glycolic acid. Using this kit as your daily treatment will help treat this common skin condition.

KP can seem unbearable at times, but with the right treatments and support, it can be manageable. If you are not sure on your specific needs and skin conditions, we strongly recommend making an appointment with a health care professional, to better diagnose your condition.

For more helpful information on KP treatments, pictures, and support groups please refer to www.keratosispilaris.org.

Products featured in this article: M2 Skin Technologies Body Refinish 15%, M2 Skin Technologies Skin Refinish 12%, Perricone MD Omega 3 Dietary Supplements, Glytone KP Kit.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave us a comment below. Your feedback is much appreciated! For all your skin care needs, visit us at SkinStore.com!

Alopecia, or hair loss, can tend to be discouraging and frustrating. There are two types of hair loss, temporary and permanent, it is important to be able to distinguish symptoms of the two.

Temporary hair loss tends to be the result of stress, medical conditions, dieting, pregnancy or even products you use to style your hair. A majority of styling products contain harsh ingredients such as sodium, sulfates and alcohol derivates. Over exposure to these ingredients can lead to dry, damaged hair, which causes breakage when heat is applied. Rene Furterer’s Anti-Dehydrating Vegetal Styling Spritz is a great option to use as a styling product. This product is botanically based containing no aggressive ingredients in result, leaving your hair soft also giving extra volume and added texture. Using natural based products and backing off high-heat styling tools is a good start.

Permanent hair loss is a genetic condition that is neither contagious nor transmittable.  More than 20% of women experience symptoms of hair loss, starting as early as their twenties. The condition is said to be caused by an autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks its own hair follicles causing inflammation and represses or hinders hair growth. Prescribed medications such as Minoxidil, are used as a topical daily treatment to simulate circulation to the hair follicle. With proper use of treatment, existing hair growth is typically improved by 20%- 25% and it may stop or slow down hair loss. If you’re looking for a holistic alternative, Rene Furterer Triphasic 3-Step Hereditary Hair Loss Kit is a great choice. This kit contains products to stimulate microcirculation on the scalp to encourage healthy hair growth and has ingredients to volumize and strengthen hair. If you are observing any type or hair loss, is it best to see your doctor so the conditions properly diagnosed.

For more products, visit SkinStore’s Hair Care department!

Need and instant eye fix? De-puff, de-line and hydrate your eyes with the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask. With cucumber extract and Vitamin C, this eye mask can the tossed into the fridge for 5 minutes before application for even better de-puffing action! Use once per week or just as needed to help reduce the swelling of your puffy eyes.

Find this item and other great products at SkinStore!

When it comes to gift shopping, we all know it can be stressfull. Here at SkinStore we offer many great gifts for that special woman in your life. Whether you’re shopping for your mother, wife, daughter, friend, sister, or any other women, we’ve got you covered.  Below is just a small sampling of the gifts we have to offer. From perfumes and hand creams, to shower gels and candles, our gift guide is limitless. If you want to see all our great gifts, click the “Shop SkinStore” link at the bottom of the article. Now, let’s begin…

• Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Trio - This lovely hair kit balances hair moisture levels, enhances shine and provides hair with a silk-like texture. It comes with the Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo 1.35 oz, the Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Conditioner 1.35 oz, and the Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray 0.85 oz. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• L’Occitane Shower Celebration - A fabulous shower gel trio! This set includes a Shea Vanilla Gel, a Sweet Cherry Gel, and a Delicious Almond Gel. Appropriate for the ultimate smell good experience. (Item cannot be shipped outside the US)

• H20 Plus Exotics Moisturizer Collection - This exotic collection is made up of four exciting and refreshing body balms. The kit includes a Raspberry Guava Moisturizing Body Balm, a Tango Mango Moisturizing Body Balm, a Kiwi-Cassis Moisturizing Body Balm, and a Pina Passion Moisturizing Body Balm. All come in a 4 oz. tube. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• Harajuku Lover’s Limited Edition Snow Bunnies Blockbuster Set - This fabulous set comes with the winter/ snow bunnie collection of all of your favorite harajuku characters. This line of fragrances which was created by Mrs. Gwen Stefani herself, have a fun and pleasant fragrance range for all. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• Philosophy Amazing Grace Layering Set - This kit’s name says it all… amazing! The Amazing Grace kit is universally known and comes with a 2oz. Eau De Toilette, an 8 oz. Shower Gel and a 2 oz. Body Butter. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• bareMinerals Face Fashion The Look of Now (Classic Glam) - Who doesn’t love natural based cosmetics? Even better, a cosmetic kit that comes with colors that are complimentary to each other. This kit comes with a pearl satine eyecolor in Vanilla Cream, a parisian gray eyecolor in Medieval Stone, a charcoal liner shadow in Metallic Bronze Coal, a mini Pomegranate 100% natural lip gloss and a so fab blush in Red Berry. (Item cannot be shipped outside the US)

• Spa Ritual Sugar & Spice Eco-Luxury Duo - A nail lacquer duo pack that is vegan friendly, free of formaldehyde and also free of toluene. This duo comes in a very cute holiday package and includes a bright champagne shimmer shade and an ivory shimmer shade. Two colors which are perfect for almost any occasion! (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• Stila Mini Lip Glaze Collection - Luscious and fun these lip colors offer a splash of color that are suitable for anyone. From light pink, to neutral shades, and even more daring shades, this is a perfect gift for anyone who loves a sheen lip.

• Vera Wang Princess Gift Set - This luxurious and always enjoyed fragrance set comes with a 1.7 oz. Eau De Toilette Spray, a 2.5 oz. Satiny Body Lotion, a 2.5 oz. Foamy Body Polish, and a Deluxe Mini Eau De Parfum. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

• SpaRitual It’s a Wonderful Life Eco-Luxury Holiday Gift Set - This travel convenient set that is vegan friendly and paraben-free comes with a moisturizing lotion, an energizing mist (always a hit item), and a fabulous body oil. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery)

You really cannot go wrong with any of these suggestions. I hope this makes your holiday gift search a little easier. On that note, I wish you luck and happy shopping!

To find more great gifts, shop SkinStore now!

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to start outlining your gift lists for friends and loved ones. Money is tight and so is time, however finding captivating gifts is just a few clicks away. We offer more than 5000 different products, but what we have to offer will definitely be gifts which bring smiles to the face of anyone you choose to give to. When looking for the perfect gifts (for him), we have a ton of ideas that will leave you stress-free! Provided below is a gift guideline which includes gifts you could stuff into stockings or gifts incredible enough to put under the tree.

• Anthony Logistics Multi-Tasker Kit - This essential kit is everything a man needs, and comes neatly packaged. The kit includes a 4 oz. Glycolic Cleanser, a 2 oz. Shave Cream, a 4 oz. facial scrub and a convenient travel bag. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery of this item)

• L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream Trio - This trio is perfect for a man who needs to nourish his hands and doesn’t like the strong fragrance most creams or lotions have.

• Anthony Logistics Body Spray Sampler - The perfect sample kit… men always love to smell good. This sampler comes with a variety of 4 different scents in 5 oz. bottles, ready to intrigue all senses. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery of this item)

• Kenneth Cole Gift Set - This tasteful set is the perfect set for a man of comfort and confidence. This set includes a 3.4 oz. Eau De Toilette, a travel size Eau De Toilette, an After Black Shave Gel, and also a Deodorant. (Please allow 10-14 business days for delivery of this item)

• Grooming Lounge The Greatest Shave Ever Kit - The name says it all. This kit comes with everything the man in your life needs to achieve the perfect shave. Included is a 2 oz. Face Wash, a 1 oz. Beard Master Shave Oil, a 2 oz. Beard Destroyer Shave cream and a 2 oz. Best for Last Aftershave.

• PCA Skin Total Defense Calming Hydrator - This product is recommended by the Skin Cancer foundation. It is a light weight moisturizer that provides broad spectrum UV protection and hydration to the face.

• Jack Black It’s the Balm Lip Trio - This balm is the balm everyone needs to protect and heal their lips. Perfect for someone who doesn’t prefer fragrance or heavy shine.

• Tweezerman Men’s Deluxe Grooming Kit - This deluxe kit comes with all of the grooming essentials needed for that slick clean look every man desires. The kit includes a deluxe stainless steel nail clipper, a handy sapphire pocket nail file, safety facial scissors and a stainless steel tweezerette.

• LAB Series Oil Control Towelettes - These towelettes are perfect for an instant pick me up, for daily cleanse or to quickly remove excess oils on the skin. Men love these easy to use towelettes.

You really cannot go wrong with any of these suggestions. I hope this makes your holiday gift search a little easier. On that note, I wish you luck and happy shopping!

To find more great gifts, shop SkinStore now!

Having combination skin is basically what it sounds like; dry in some areas and oily in others. Typically people with this skin type are looking to absorb oil and hydrate at the same time so finding products that will “balance” the skin is the common goal. Here I have listed products that will bring harmony to the unique needs of your skin and to your wallet. You get to pick which products fit your budget!

 Make-Up Removers

Cleansers

Toners

Treatments

Daily Moisturizers

Night Moisturizers

Weekly Masks

Once you have implemented a skincare routine, stick to it. Many products need time to adjust so don’t give up; your friends at SkinStore.com are always here to help! Did you find this article helpful? Leave us a comment below. Don’t have Normal/Combination skin? Be sure to check out my other articles. Choose your skin type: Oily/Acne Prone or Dry/Sensitive. Coming soon: Beauty and Body Products!

Want more recommendations? Get your own personal consultation now at SkinStore with Product Advisor, developed by our estheticians!

Products featured in this article: Philosophy Purity Made Simple, B. Kamins Vegetable Skin Cleanser, Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser, Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Champagne Gel Cleanser, La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water, Kerstin Florian Rejuvenating Thermal Tonic, Pevonia Face Oil (Combination), PCA SKIN pHaze 23 A&C Synergy Serum, RoC Age Diminishing Day Cream, Kinerase Pro Therapy Defense Lotion SPF 30, Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse Night Cream, BABOR Perfect Combination Night Cream, Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask, Astara Nourishing Vitamin Mask.

Vitiligo is a rare skin condition characterized by patchy depigmentation of the skin. The patches are most often small and found on the extremities of the body. The loss of pigment is due to abnormal melanocyte function. Melanocytes are found deep within the skin and regulate pigment. Vitiligo is a genetic condition and is sometimes associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as thyroid disorders.

For fair skin individuals, the condition is less apparent when avoiding sun exposure and the tanning of unaffected skin. However for darker skins, exposure to sunlight may stimulate melanocytes, allowing pigmentation to restore its original color. There are many costly prescription medicines and surgical procedures that can help treat vitiligo, such as topical steroid therapies and photo therapy procedures.

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, there are many ways to camouflage the appearance without aggressive treatments. In mild cases, the patches can be effectively concealed with makeup. Dermablend Cover Crème is a great full coverage concealing foundation for skin imperfections, such as vitiligo, birthmarks, rosacea, pigmentation disorders, post-operative bruising, scars, burns, and tattoos. Cover Crème is an opaque, highly pigmented foundation that provides 12 hour wear and a flawless complexion in a variety of shades to match your skin tone.

Application is critical to achieve optimum results. Make sure to warm and soften the product in circular motions on the back of your hand until the texture is soft and creamy. Apply directly to the desired area by tapping, pressing into the skin for maximum coverage and blend outward.  To finish off the look we recommend using Dermablend Loose Setting Powder. Pat the powder gently in to the skin, over the foundation to set the look.

Products featured in this article: Dermablend Cover Crème, Dermablend Loose Setting Powder.

Sources: Vitiligo National Foundation, Inc. and Vitiligo Guide.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave us a comment in the space below! We appreciate your feedback.

As women of beauty, we all have our own methods for creating the perfect look. Some of them make perfect sense and others (like opening our mouths while applying mascara) make no sense at all! We have developed little tricks to make our mornings go more efficiently. Applying makeup in the car on the way to work should never be a time saving method ladies! I am offering the method to my makeup madness, in hopes of helping your mornings go more smoothly.

The first trick is to be familiar with your skin type and tone. Finding your correct colors will save you time and money in the long run. Nobody wants the pumpkin orange ring around our face or the white invisible tanning goggle look. When choosing the perfect concealer, go with a shade or two lighter than your foundation color.

After you find the right colors, you are ready to groom your eyebrows. You do not want to go tweezer-happy! Just a simple tweeze or two would be sufficient. Remember we pluck chickens, not our eyebrows. A simple and understated brow is the key to looking fresh and manicured. Tweezerman Slant Tweezer is a customer favorite. It has an easy slant design that is perfect for getting all those tiny little hairs that annoy us. These tweezers also come in assorted colors to make this experience not as painful. Well, it may still hurt but at least you will do it in style!

After you select the proper colors and groom your brows it is time for some much needed hydration. You can select a light oil free moisturizer before applying your foundation. I like M2 Skin Technologies Skin Recovery Moisturizer. It goes on light and protects your skin with essential vitamins and it’s antibacterial.

I like to start with my eyes. This is always the step that takes the longest so I like to get it out of the way. After you make your eyes shimmer you want to apply your foundation. By applying the foundation after the eyes you don’t need to worry about all those sparkly little pieces of pixy dust sticking to your face. You can brush them off before applying your foundation. After foundation, get cheeky with a little blush or bronzer. After you’re glowing from ear to ear, finish it off with your lips. The lips are the first to rub off so they should be applied last. If you want to make your lip color stay on longer and prevent feathering, we suggest Actifirm Lip Definer; it is formulated with rich emollients and moisturizers. It contains silicone so it really will help to fill in all those little lines. It will be smooth sailing from here ladies!

To finish the look we suggest Avene Thermal Spring Water to help set your makeup. This also works great for mineral makeup like bareMinerals to help settle the mineral particles onto the skin. This purse sized spray also works great during the day for a little skin pick me up.

Whatever your methods are, find a routine that works best for you. Just don’t cut too many corners when it comes to looking good and feeling great about yourself. You are totally worth it!

Products featured in this article: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer, M2 Skin Technologies Skin Recovery Moisturizer, Actifirm Lip Definer, Avene Thermal Spring Water.