In the course of working with our clients we are finding a growing number of individuals who are seeking assistance or advice for their adult acne. Whether caused by hormonal factors associated with menopause, stress triggered, pregnancy or other factors, adult acne can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. The emotional impact on adult sufferers has not gone unnoticed by our Estheticians. Time and again we listen as our clients tell us “I should not be dealing with acne at my age”. With that being said, we wanted to reach out to our readers and share some of the most common questions that we get about adult acne.
Whether you are currently under the care of a dermatologist or doing an at home treatment, we always suggest that you check with a dermatologist before adding or changing your skincare regimen. We sincerely hope this QA will arm you with information to help guide you on questions to ask your dermatologist, knowledge is power! Take control of your acne.
Q.) I am a 30 year old female using a Retin-A product at night to treat my acne, but what can I use during the day to keep my skin from getting so shiny?
A.) Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light is a light weight, oil-free moisturizer that banishes shine upon application, while reducing blemishes. It reduces sebum production while visibly calming the skin. (Sebum is the oily substance which is secreted by your sebaceous glands to lubricate your hair and skin. Pimples can form when the sebum and dead cells become trapped in your hair follicle.) A key ingredient in the Kinerase Clear moisturizer is Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid which works over time to reduce sebaceous secretion so your skin produces less oil over time. By using the Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light, your skin will be hydrated, clear and refreshed without creating excess oil. Another alternative is the DDF Mattifying Oil Control UV Moisturizer SPF15, because this product contains an SPF so you get the added benefit of protecting your skin from sun damage.
Q.) At 51 years old to am using Adapalene prescribed by my dermatologist for my acne, but I also feel that I need to include anti-aging products in my daily regimen as well. I need something that won’t exacerbate my acne, can you help?
A.) The Kinerase products are great to use while on Adapalene. They use Kinetin as a gentle active ingredient to promote collagen production to firm the skin and heal wrinkles, which will not interfere with your prescription. Use the Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment as your day treatment product under a moisturizer with SPF. At night use the Kinerase Lotion (or Cream if you are drier) over the Adapalene. This will be a great anti-aging regimen, plus the Kinerase products are non-comedogenic (they wont clog your pores) and the active ingredients kill the acne bacteria by-product.
Q.) I’m a 54 year old woman going through menopause and I am experiencing a terrible time getting my hormonal break outs to clear up. Do you have any recommendations for a product that can help? I’d prefer a single product suggestion.
A.) The Jan Marini Age Intervention Transitions is an extraordinary new technology that addresses common female transitional issues such as stubborn adult acne, fine lines and wrinkles, coarse skin texture and discoloration. This next generation formula significantly resolves acne breakouts while dramatically improving the appearance of pore size, fine lines, facial texture and that nasty leftover acne discoloration. With regular use, the skin regains a clear, radiant tone and smooth, youthful texture.
Q.) Are there any acne products safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing?
A.) Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash is a great choice, and can be used on the face and body up to twice a day. It’s rich in powerful acne-ridding ingredients that leave skin clear and refined, without over-drying. This facial wash uses the safest acne solution for pregnancy, hydroxyacid. This ingredient is used to lift away dirt, oil and bacteria, thus promoting clean and blemish-free skin. All Belli products are also 100% free of phthalates. Remember, you should always check with your physician before starting a skincare regimen during pregnancy.
Q.) I am almost 50 years old and have sporadic acne breakouts, STILL! What complete skin regimen, from start to finish, should I follow?
A.) The Jan Marini Skin Care Management System is a great solution for adult acne. The regimen is as follows:
Bioglycolic Facial Skin Cleanser, 8oz
A gentle cleanser suitable for all skin types. This formula is soap-free, non-irritating and rinses completely without the need for a post-cleansing toner or astringent.
C-ESTA Serum, 1oz
A readily absorbed serum to smooth the skin’s texture and make skin more supple. With continued use, the skin will become measurably firmer, more resilient, and facial contours will appear tighter and more defined.
Bioclear Facial Lotion, 1oz
A revolutionary lotion that that produces exceptional benefits for adult acne, acne scarring, inflammation, discoloration, enlarged follicle openings, the appearance of wrinkling and textural changes due to cumulative sun exposure.
Transformation Cream, 1oz
A superb moisturizing base containing advanced supplemental agents along with selected protective emollients. Absorbs immediately, leaving a silky and refined texture.
Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 Waterproof, 2oz
Combines a revolutionary microscopic sponge encapsulation system, state of the art sun protection, a powerful antioxidant component and a superb hydrating complex.
In the morning use the Bioglycolic Facial Skin Cleanser, C-Esta Serum and SPF. In the evening use the Bioglycolic Facial Skin Cleanser then follow with the Bioclear Facial Lotion and apply the Transformation Cream on top (the cream is very healing, and is light in consistency so it absorbs well into the skin). If your skin is tolerant of the Bioclear Facial Lotion you may use it twice a day.
Do you want more Q&A subjects? Let us know by posting your comments! For more product suggestions, feel free to visit us at www.SkinStore.com or call for a telephone consultation with one of our Estheticians.
Caring for curly hair does not have to be stressful or complicated….relax, step away from your flat iron and read on! We totally empathize with our readers who tell us they feel as though they are at war with their luscious locks! We say…no more battling the frizz, waging war against humidity, or having hand to hair combat in front of the mirror every morning. Here are a few simple tips and tricks that we feel every woman with curly hair should know.
1.) Understand why you have curly hair. Chances are you received your curly hair from one of your parents or some other relative…genetics aside, at the root (pun intended) of the curly hair mystery is the hair follicle. The size and shape of your hair follicle determines your hair thickness and whether or not you will have curly or straight hair. Individuals with curly hair will have an oval to nearly flat shaped follicle. An oval follicle produces wavy hair, whereas a flatter follicle produces more coiled hair or tighter curls. On the contrary, individuals with rounded follicles have straight hair.
2.) Nurture your curls through hydration and gentle care. First, washing your hair every day can be very drying. Second, many drug store shampoos can be damaging or harsh to your hair. Solution – because curly hair tends to be damaged easily, consider washing your hair with a shampoo made for curly hair every other day, or even less. Here is a tip – condition your hair daily, but wash no more than 2-3 times per week. At first the new routine may cause what feels like oiliness, but this is just your hair adjusting to a new regimen, try to stick to the new regimen for two weeks before deciding if this is right for you. The benefits of this change may take a couple of weeks to notice, BUT it will save you time and you will still benefit from that fresh washed feeling everyday.
3.) Condition, condition, condition. Find a hydrating conditioner to use daily. You want something light, but conditioning enough for daily use without ugly build-up, which can weigh your hair down. Find a daily conditioner made for curly hair and deep condition once per week. Leave in conditioners work well. If you are concerned about build-up or product residue, incorporate a clarifying apple cider rinse or shampoo that will remove residue without stripping the hair. Tip – if your hair tends to get tangled, comb (not brush) through your hair while conditioning. Avoid combing or brushing dry, unconditioned hair as much as possible. Shower time is a great time to get the tangles out!
4.) Avoid heat. Flat irons, curling irons and blow dryers should be used sparingly. Allow your hair to air dry as much as possible and blow dry only when absolutely necessary; seriously, when you minimize shampooing and hydrate your curls, you will find that minimizing your blow-dryer time gets easier…it is no longer just a styling tool; rather it becomes a way to get body without achieving the big-poofy over worked look. Instead, try to incorporate a high quality curl enhancing product, which eliminates frizz and defines your curls. Alterna, Rene Furterer, Oscar Blandi and Frederic Fekkai all have fantastic products to choose from. Once your curls are managed and under control, your desire to straighten them is lessened and your curling iron and flat iron may not be as appealing for everyday styling.
5.) Finally, it is important for curly haired vixens to find a superb stylist, one who understands curly hair. The right hair cut is crucial! I saved this tip for last because this subject can be sensitive. We have all experienced a bad hair cut…good news is your hair grows back eventually right?! Tip – find a stylist that knows curly hair. Get referrals if you can. In addition to the right cut, regular trips to the salon for a trim can make a huge difference in the appearance of your hair. Regular trims will reduce split ends and will help keep your hair looking healthy.
Working in skin care industry provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the industry and our clientele. From changes in client preferences, consumer ingredient awareness to product evolution, we see it all.
With that being said, a growing number of clients are becoming aware of the fantastic tools that we have available at SkinStore.com. We are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of women purchasing the at home spa treatment tools and products. The Clarisonic Skin Care System is one tool that has drawn a lot of attention, from the Oprah show to the Ellen show and plenty of shows in between, everyone is a buzz about the Clarisonic Skin Care System. Below are some of the most common questions that we get about the Clarisonic.
Q.) I am 42 with fair skin that can tend to be a little on the dry side. I really can’t say that I get oily, ever. My concern is that I get black heads on my chin and nose. I’ve tried some glycolic based products for deep cleansing and exfoliation but I don’t seem to be able to achieve the results that I am looking for. What products can I use that maybe would help get rid of my black heads or is there a tool available or anything else that you could recommend to help me?
A.) I would highly recommend a Clarisonic Skin Care System with any non-abrasive mild cleanser. The benefits of the Clarisonic tool is that it is two times as effective as manual cleaning thus, it will provide you with a great deep pore cleanse while being gentle enough to use twice daily. The tool is also reported to remove make-up up to six times more effective and it helps to prepare the skin for product absorption. Also, if you tend to have large pores, the Clarisonic does help to reduce the appearance of visible pores as well.
To help further reduce the appearance of black heads, you may also wish to look into adding a retinol treatment product such as SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5to your regimen at night. This product will help to de-congest any clogged pores and will promote healthy skin function. Be sure to start with a 0.5 retinol if you have never used it before. To start the retinol treatment process, I would suggest using it only every third day, if you are sensitive then use the product less frequently. On the second week for non-sensitive skin types you can increase your usage to every other day as long as irritation does not occur. For sensitive skin types, you may wish to slowly increase your treatments as your skin tolerates it working up to every other day within about a month’s time. If irritation occurs at any point for any skin type, scale back or eliminate the product from your regimen. Eventually you may want to work up to a 1.0 Retinol but I would suggest letting your skin adjust to the product first.
Q.) I am looking for a deep cleaning cleanser to use with my Clarisonic Skin Care System. My primary skin concerns I am looking to address are congested oily skin and occasional mild breakouts. I would like a recommendation for a product that is gentle enough to use both morning and evening with my Clarisonic tool.
A.) Nearly any non-abrasive cleanser may be used with the Clarisonic however I do suggest starting with a gentle cleanser. For congested and oily skin, The La Roche Posay Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser would be a good option. This cleanser will be a gentle on the skin for every day use and will not over dry, primary indications are for oily and thickened skin with blocked pores as well as high levels of sebum.
Another suggestion is the Boscia Complexion Clearing Cleanser. It is preservative free, and botanically-rich. This product contains willow bark extract which acts as an astringent and has antiseptic as well as anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it also stimulates circulation. Another key ingredient that I personally like is the jojoba leaf extract. Jojoba is not only great for healing the skin; it contains antibacterial properties which help to inhibit the growth of certain harmful bacteria on the skin. Jojoba is also known to assist in the reduction of sebum production which is an additional benefit if you are dealing with oily skin.
Q.) My Clarisonic brush head does not rotate, is that normal?
A.) Yes. The technology behind the Clarisonic Skin Care System includes and outer brush that remains stationary and an inner brush that oscillates back and forth at a rate of 300 movements per second. It is that action that essentially flexes your pores and gets the oil and dirt loosened up.
Q.) How often should I replace my brush head?
A.) Brush heads should be replaced at least every three months. Be sure that you use proper care for your brush head by cleaning it regularly and allowing to air dry daily. Air drying where the air stays moist is not suggested as you want it to fully dry daily.
This video discuses the benefit and use of the Clarisonic Skin Care System. The system featured within the video has three speeds, SkinStore.com carries the Clarisonic PLUS Skin Care System which also has three speeds.
If you have questions about the Clarisonic, feel free to post your comments. We will be more than happy to assist. Be sure to read all of the instructional materials that come with your Clarisonic Skin Care System. To read more about the product itself or to review the SkinStore.com return policy click here or visit us at SkinStore.com!
A growing number of men have become aware of the benefits of a daily skin care regimen. From basic shave creams to multi-purpose products that treat and protect the skin, men have a wide variety of high quality skin care products to choose from. To help simplify and demystify men’s skin care, we felt a 5 minute skin care regimen designed just for men was long over-due!
With multi-purpose products a complete skincare regimen can be complete in as few as three steps.
Step 1: Cleansing your skin both morning and night is a critical part of your skin care regimen. After being in the elements all day, you have to rid your skin of excess oils and dirt. In addition, after sleeping you also want to remove any product residue from the night before and any oil build-up, besides…it just feels good! Using an alcohol-free, oil-free and fragrance-free cleanser is a refreshing option that will not add any unwanted scent. The aMenity Gel Face Cleanser is a great option for those who prefer a low lather cleanser or who have an oiler skin type. The Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser is a 2 in 1 cleanser toner; it’s oil-free and fragrance-free and is often preferred by those with dry to combination, and sensitive skin types who need deep cleansing.
Step 2 (only when you shave!): Use a multi-purpose shaving product. Murad Man Cleansing Shave is not only an ultra smooth shave cream, but it is also cleanses and tones the skin and provides an infusion of antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage…free radicals are unstable molecules. (There is a great article explaining more about free radicals in our very own beautyWise newsletter)
Step 3: Moisturize & Protect. In the morning, a multi-purpose moisturizing sunscreen is a great option for the busy man on the go. Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer is a great choice for those of you who get light sun exposure (to and from the office). This moisturizer protects the skin with a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) SPF20. In addition, it contains ingredients that are potent sources of anti-oxidants which are necessary for improving the appearance of your skin and for combating free-radical damage. If you work in the sun or have a high level of sun exposure a SPF30 or greater is the better way to go…Jack Black Sun Guard Oil-Free Very Water/Sweat Resistant Sunscreen is an option, don’t forget to reapply throughout the day!
In three easy steps you have a great foundation for a basic skin care regimen. If you feel that you need extra treatment around the eyes you can add the Menscience Eye Rescue Formula, it’s excellent and super hydrating! Customers love it and we love it too! The ingredient Hyaluronic Acid is ultra hydrating – the Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin A support collagen repair and cell renewal – Vitamins C, E and Green Tea fight free-radicals.
Still unsure about the best regimen for you? Give the SkinStore.com Estheticians a call, or contact the SkinStore.com customer support team! We will be more than happy to help!
For more information about the benefits of Antioxidants see the SkinStore.com beautyWise article: Antioxidants and Your Skin
In the course of working with our clients we are finding a growing number of individuals who are seeking assistance or advice for their adult acne. Whether caused by hormonal factors associated with menopause, stress triggered, pregnancy or other factors, adult acne can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. The emotional impact on adult sufferers has not gone unnoticed by our Estheticians. Time and again we listen as our clients tell us “I should not be dealing with acne at my age”. With that being said, we wanted to reach out to our readers and share some of the most common questions that we get about adult acne.
dead cells become trapped in your hair follicle.) A key ingredient in the Kinerase Clear moisturizer is Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid which works over time to reduce sebaceous secretion so your skin produces less oil over time. By using the Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light, your skin will be hydrated, clear and refreshed without creating excess oil. Another alternative is the DDF Mattifying Oil Control UV Moisturizer SPF15, because this product contains an SPF so you get the added benefit of protecting your skin from sun damage.
Caring for curly hair does not have to be stressful or complicated….relax, step away from your flat iron and read on! We totally empathize with our readers who tell us they feel as though they are at war with their luscious locks! We say…no more battling the frizz, waging war against humidity, or having hand to hair combat in front of the mirror every morning. Here are a few simple tips and tricks that we feel every woman with curly hair should know.
Working in skin care industry provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the industry and our clientele. From changes in client preferences, consumer ingredient awareness to product evolution, we see it all.
Clarisonic tool is that it is two times as effective as manual cleaning thus, it will provide you with a great deep pore cleanse while being gentle enough to use twice daily. The tool is also reported to remove make-up up to six times more effective and it helps to prepare the skin for product absorption. Also, if you tend to have large pores, the Clarisonic does help to reduce the appearance of visible pores as well.
used it before. To start the retinol treatment process, I would suggest using it only every third day, if you are sensitive then use the product less frequently. On the second week for non-sensitive skin types you can increase your usage to every other day as long as irritation does not occur. For sensitive skin types, you may wish to slowly increase your treatments as your skin tolerates it working up to every other day within about a month’s time. If irritation occurs at any point for any skin type, scale back or eliminate the product from your regimen. Eventually you may want to work up to a 1.0 Retinol but I would suggest letting your skin adjust to the product first.
product contains willow bark extract which acts as an astringent and has antiseptic as well as anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it also stimulates circulation. Another key ingredient that I personally like is the jojoba leaf extract. Jojoba is not only great for healing the skin; it contains antibacterial properties which help to inhibit the growth of certain harmful bacteria on the skin. Jojoba is also known to assist in the reduction of sebum production which is an additional benefit if you are dealing with oily skin.
A growing number of men have become aware of the benefits of a daily skin care regimen. From basic shave creams to multi-purpose products that treat and protect the skin, men have a wide variety of high quality skin care products to choose from. To help simplify and demystify men’s skin care, we felt a 5 minute skin care regimen designed just for men was long over-due!
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