A lot of the time people think “if some is good, more is better.” But is this really true? Generally speaking, if you are using good, quality skin care products, a little bit goes a long way. If you are using too much product, you might just be washing away money.
For moisturizers, a pea sized to a dime sized amount is usually all that you will need. You want to make sure the product covers the entire area you are trying to treat, but not so much that there is some left visible on the skin. Make sure your skin is slightly damp when you apply a moisturizer too so it can spread better, absorb quicker and you will use less product. Don’t forget your neck and décolleté!
On the other hand, sunscreens are like medicine. In order for sunscreen to be active, the right amount needs to be used. The average-sized person needs to use 1oz of product per application for the entire body. 1oz is about the size of a shot glass. For just the face, neck and décolleté you need approximately a teaspoon full to get the proper coverage. Sunscreen is needed every day, including the winter months.
Many people don’t like using toners in their daily skin care regimen, but when you have large pores you’ve got keep your options open for products that yield results. The Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer tightens the appearance of pores and refines skin texture. It contains DMAE or (dimethylaminoethanol) a nutrient that improves skin tone and sagging. Studies show that people who use DMAE regularly had fewer wrinkles and more supple skin. This product also contains Salicylic Acid, a BHA used for its antimicrobial benefits. This ingredient has the ability to penetrate deep into the pore, exfoliating the interior of the pore as well as the surface of the skin.
To use, simply shake well and apply to a cotton pad and smooth over face and neck. Allow skin to dry before using other products. Use twice daily. If you have oily skin, this product will help decrease oil production and keep your skin matte. It’s a must have for any skin type.
The signature ingredient found in all B. Kamins products is Bio-Maple™ Compound. It is a simple, yet complex, compound that is derived from the resin of maple trees. Bio-Maple™ Compound is a clear liquid that looks like water, but contains small amounts of acids, antioxidants and sugars. It absorbs well, is well-tolerated, and has the benefits of plumping the skin, mildly exfoliating, improving radiance and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
What Makes Bio-Maple™ Compound Highly Efficacious?
Sugar:
- Binds to water when applied to the skin.
- Brings water to the surface of the skin for ultimate hydration.
- Allows even oily and acne-prone skin types to be hydrated without feeling heavy and does not cause a breakout.
- Improves the skin’s barrier function by binding water to the skin’s surface.
- Leaves skin hydrated, healthy and looking beautiful.
Malic Acid (an alpha hydroxy acid or AHA):
- Offers a low level of exfoliation to speed up the rate of cell renewal, promoting healthy replication.
- Balances skin’s pH. Normal skin pH is around 5.5. An unbalanced pH caused by oil, for example, leaves the skin vulnerable to infection and bacterial attack.
- Acids have a low pH and oils have a high pH, so acids work to neutralize excess oils that are disrupting the skin’s pH.
- Results in smooth, soft and radiant skin.
Bio-Maple™ Compound compliments the other ingredients used in B. Kamins skincare (active and inactive), because of its unique composition. It is more polarized than water, so creams and serums bind to it easily and the result is that they feel less thick and are more absorbable. The B. Kamins award-winning acne line is very hydrating due to Bio-Maple™ Compound. Bio-Maple™ Compound hydrates acneic skin, reduces oil and does not over-dry the skin.
Argan oil is in high demand because of its unique benefits and limited supply. It has become increasingly popular recently but the Argan tree has been around for centuries. It is made from the edible part of the nut inside the shell of Argan fruit and is found mostly in Morraco. Argan oil has many uses and it’s no wonder that this rare oil is always in pursuit.
The many reported benefits of Argan oil include anti-inflammatory properties, lowering cholesterol, helping with digestion, sore joints, chickenpox, and of course is great for the skin and hair. It is also thought to reduce stretch marks post pregnancy while hydrating the skin. It also protects the body against ultraviolet radiation and is very anti-aging as it prevents the muscles and skin from degenerating. You can apply it alone to your face, body, and hair or with your favorite moisturizer. You can also add a few drops to your bath for added moisture or massage into nails to repair cuticles.
Argan oil is often referred to as “liquid gold” because it can transform dull, dry and frizzy hair into smooth strong tresses, by penetrating into the shaft or pore of the hair. To use on hair apply a few drops and massage into scalp then comb product through to the ends of the hair. It is recommend wrapping the hair in a towel overnight before washing it out. For soft frizz free locks you can apply a drop to styled hair. If you struggle with dandruff Argan oil can be beneficial for relieving an itchy, dry, and flaky scalp. Argan oil will also extend the life of your hair if color treated by keeping your hair conditioned and protected.
Argan oil is very rich in Vitamin E and Omega 6 so it works great for hydrating and protecting the skin. You can apply the oil directly on the skin and use alone. For really dry skin types it will boost the benefits of your moisturizer by combining the two. Because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, you can use Argan oil on acne prone skin to help with breakouts and irritation.
SkinStore.com has Argan oil made by the organic line Melvita. Melvita’s Argan oil contains 100% of the total ingredients from natural origins, so you can be confident the Argan oil is authentic and pure.
I think we will be seeing more popularity as this wonderful gift of nature continues to intrigue us.
Lets be honest, one of the greatest perks of my job is the abundance of products I get to try. I’m like a kid in a candy shop when something new comes our way. Not only do I want to try any new products because I’m obsessed, but also so I can better educate our customers about the products we carry.
Now, this type of situation comes with its goods and its bads. The good? A seemingly endless supply of products at my disposal, doing at-home facials when I feel up for it, having a variety of gifts readily available and getting to try something new whenever I’m bored.
The bad? Products go bad before you get a chance to use them and the biggest downer of all… a random breakout caused by a product. When I jump back and forth from different products or use too many at once, my skin will tell me it’s had enough and punishes me. I guess I can’t say it’s “random” because it’s obvious why it happened… the greedy got to me… too many products at once. Sigh….So what to do now? Here’s a guide to all you over-users and abusers that love products as much as I do…
Step One: Purge and Purify
Action: You need to remove all the impurities. Therefore things are most likely going to get worse before they can get any better.
The idea of getting a peel can be scary to newcomers — it’s easy to visualize painful, peeling, flaky skin, or think of what happened to Samantha on Sex and the City. But we at Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare know that our patented two-step Alpha Beta Peel is the easy, quick, pain-free way to get firmer skin, smaller pores, and a radiant complexion. Did you know, though, that it’s also the safest way to exfoliate your skin?
The benefits of regular exfoliation are hard to ignore — brighter skin, decreased skin imperfections (including fine lines and wrinkles!) and a clearer, healthier complexion are just a few perks — but it’s easy to overexfoliate when using a scrub. Harsh scrub products can be abrasive on the skin, leading to irritation and redness. What does Dr. Gross recommend? He doesn’t advise physical or mechanical exfoliation because he’s found microexfoliation to not just be gentler, but more effective.
The Alpha Beta Peel requires two steps to work – the surface refining first step and the deep treating second step work together for an immediate difference in your skin with no downtime. Get Dr. Gross’ #1 clinical procedure in the comfort of your home daily! Choose between Original, for sensitive skin or first-time peel users, or Extra Strength, for normal to less sensitive skin.
Does your skin feel parched in the winter months? Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion is your solution! This treatment product has collagen-boosting ingredients clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in 2 hours. A Collagen Support Complex increases the skin’s suppleness and plumps dehydrated skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth. Winged Kelp smoothes the skin and aides natural collagen and elastin in the skin. Cellular Hydro-Lock instantly plumps up the skin lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dry skin is instantly hydrated and radiant. As a result dehydrated skin is revived and renewed.
Now you can enter to win this great product! ($78 Value!)
If you are a fan of Jane Iredale’s Liquid Minerals but just wished it had more coverage, your wish has been granted! This Beauty Balm has all the benefits of Jane’s 12 times micronized, or ground down, pure minerals in a liquid with medium to full coverage.
Foundation that acts like a treatment. It gently exfoliates, diminishes wrinkles, won’t clog pores, and soothes skin, all while moisturizing. And it’s great for all skin types.
You’ll love the glow you get using this foundation. Start your layering right with
Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer and Brightener. Both of these minimize the appearance of pores, will give you a smooth finish and are incredibly anti-aging. They don’t call it “The Skin Care Make-Up” for nothin’!
This long-wearing make-up will have people asking “what are you doing with your skin?” “It looks so good!”
Are you looking like you just came from an all-night party? Puffy eyes with some dark circles and fine lines showing the cracks in your make-up? Well, brighten up! Dr. Perricone has made a skin-usable Vitamin C Ester Eye Serum that delivers! The formulation doesn’t dissipate once it’s applied to the skin. Just smooth this silky liquid over the eye area for firmer, brighter, younger-looking eyes.
Oh, and BONUS, this serum is also amazing on the fine lines around your mouth. I noticed INSTANT, yes I said instant, improvement when I just put a drop of this on those pesky fine lines starting to creep in on my upper lip. Lines eradicated (happy dance). Since I saw that, I decided to put it on my whole mouth. My lips became plumper, more defined and softer. I almost love it more as a lip treatment than for the eyes. But it’s great for both.
Yet another benefit, it pairs really well with the Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift. If you need an eye lift and were going to buy just that product by itself, it will run you $98.00. However, you can get both full- size products in the Perricone MD Eye Lift Synergy Kit for the same price! Score!
Customers frequently contact us with many questions about their skin care and hair care products. Here are some of the top questions we receive on a regular basis. Hopefully the answers will be helpful to you!
1. How long do the products that we purchase last?
•Most products have a 2-3 year shelf life unopened.
•Once opened most products, depending on ingredients can last 3-9 months.
2. When do products expire?
•Each product depending on brand and ingredients has a different expiration date. Unfortunately there is no universal labeling system for cosmetics that allow you to definitely tell what serial numbers on the packaging means. The exception would be sunscreen (SPF). The Food & Drug administration (F.D.A.) requires sunscreens to have a printed expiration date on the packaging. Using sunscreens after this expiration date will compromise your skin’s protection to UVA & UVB rays and make you more susceptible to sunburns and skin cell damage.
3. When does product efficacy (effectiveness) begin to diminish?
•Once opened most products, depending on ingredients can last 3-9 months.
•The longer you continue to use the product after that time period the less effective it will be in providing the results you desire.
•Many U.S. manufacturers are beginning to put the European labeling on their products that have a picture of a jar or packaging with a number and an “M” (i.e. 12M) meaning the product has a 12 month shelf life AFTER the product has been opened.
4. Is my product compromised by being exposed to heat or cold?
•All products must pass a heat/cool and freeze/thaw test in order to make it to the market. All products must be tested to ensure the active ingredients and overall composition has not been compromised. Although not recommended, products are tested and can be exposed to extreme heat or cold for extended periods of time but cannot last if the extreme temperatures are constant and repeated.
•Normal exposure to heat or cold while in shipping from the SkinStore warehouse to your delivery location should not affect your product. If your product has been sitting outside in elevated levels of hot or cold weather, bring your product inside and allow it to come to room temperature (70-75 degrees Fahrenheit) before using it. If your product has separated, the active ingredients are not compromised; you should be able to stir the product (i.e. skin cream) until the correct consistency is achieved.
5. Where do you get your products from?
•All of SkinStore’s products come directly from the brand manufacturer. We do not purchase any products that do not come from the manufacturer.
6. Where do you store the products SkinStore sells?
•SkinStore receives all of the products directly from the manufacturer and we store all of the products in a climate controlled warehouse in the United States.
7. My product color varies from my last order, is it still okay to use?
•Some products, especially those with a higher level of natural ingredients or L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) can have varying color from batch to batch depending on where and when the ingredients were harvested from.
•L-Ascorbic Acid begins to oxidize and darken as soon as it is exposed to oxygen. This is a natural process and does not mean your product has been compromised or has expired.
8. How should I store my product?
•Store your product in a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat, moisture and sunlight.
9. I ordered a product that comes out of a pump. I pump the container and nothing comes out. What’s wrong?
•This is one of our most frequently asked questions regarding product packaging. Nearly all of the products that come in a pump dispenser, regardless of brand, will have a certain amount of air in the package. Sometimes an air bubble can get stuck in the between the product and the dispenser. Firmly tapping the bottom of the dispenser bottle several times and then rapidly pumping can help to get the air out of the packaging and release the product. Click here to learn more about air pump issues.
10. Why don’t my products have the same packaging and seals as when I purchased them at the retail store?
•In an effort to save packaging for environmental reasons and passing those savings on to the consumer, some of the products shipped to SkinStore do not have the same packaging and seals that you would find at a retail location. All of our items are stored in our climate controlled warehouse and shipped directly to you with no retail setting where the product can be tampered with.
As always, if you have questions about a product you are welcome to contact us and we will be happy to help you!