Summer is in full swing and it’s hot, hot, hot. The shorts and mini skirts are making their summer time debut and that means women are looking to get their legs ready for their center stage performance. Shaving can sometimes be a drag, as well as time consuming and sometimes painful. Here are few products to help keep the stubble to a minimum.

Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Shave Cream- Just because this product is defined as a “Men’s” product, does not mean its hands off for women. This sulfate free, silky gel provides an incredible shaving barrier for both men and women. The natural fruit oils condition and skin and the dimethicone eliminate friction irritation.

Shaveworks The Cool Fix- Apply after shaving or waxing to calm razor burn and prevent ingrown hairs. The instant cooling sensation is soothing and relaxes any form of irritation.

Whish Pomegranate Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel- This fast absorbing gel, repairs any nicks or minor cuts and will help to soothe the skin with natural antiseptics including aloe, sage, and lemon extract. The best part is while using the product over time it will help to slow the hair growth and extend the life time of your smooth silky gams.

Have you struggled most of your life to combat and conceal that redness in your cheeks and nose that just won’t go away? This could be a condition usually referred to as Telangiectasia or Couperose Skin characterized by enlarged capillary veins near the surface of the skin. While many may think this is a flushed look from heat exhaustion or sunburn, in reality neither of those are the cause of this ongoing condition. Therefore most home remedies of cool packs don’t have much long term effect.
SkinStore carries several great products that will help strengthen those capillary vein walls, calm and sooth irritation and minimize the appearance of these veins. The result is healthier looking skin with reduced redness.

We suggest considering any one of the following products to reduce redness:

• SkinMedica Redness Relief CalmPlex (This is an exciting new product!) A clinical breakthrough that reduces visible redness by treating the underlying causes, while helping to promote healthy skin.
• Pevonia RS2 Concentrate, A specific blend of Green Tea, Licorice, and Olibanum, strengthen capillaries, control blotchiness and effectively decongest.”
• BABOR Calming Sensitive Couperose Serum Contains an Anti Irritation Complex and innovative, super-sensitive formulations.

Please share your thoughts and experiences with these and any other great products from SkinStore in the comments below.

Enter into our Facebook GIVEAWAY!

The pure cloud cleanser by skyn ICELAND is a rich creamy cleanser that works great for dry or sensitive skin types. It is formulated with glacial water to soothe and hydrate the skin and also contains calming extracts to condition and protect. Our customers love this new cleanser from skyn ICELAND and we think you will too!

The pure cloud cleanser is so gentle you can use it as an eye makeup remover too.
You will feel like you’re on a cloud of freshness when using this cleanser because it will never dry or strip the natural oils in your skin. This frothy formula contains rich shea butter, aloe juice, cocoa seed butter, and cranberry oil. Shea and cocoa butter will provide hydration while promoting cell renewal. This dreamy cleanser also contains Vitamin A and E to keep your skin healthy and protected. The pure cloud cleaner is ideal for dry to very dry skin types and even those with sensitive or reactive skin. It is also a great cleanser to use post procedure if you are experiencing any redness, inflammation, or peeling, because it will gently cleanse and replenish your skin (but consult with your derm first, as always).

Skyn ICELAND uses pure glacial water in all of their products to address stressed and sensitive skin types. Skyn Iceland is also paraben free and is formulated with skyn iceland’s biospheric complex. The biospheric complex contains a blend of water, oxygen, and vital nutrients to replenish and restore your skin. Anyone with dry, stressed, or sensitive skin will love this cleanser!

Also try the skyn ICELAND pure cloud cream moisturizer!

Wanna win free skincare products? Enter our Dermelect Giveaway! Enter here. Event ends 5/16/11.

Looking for redness relief? Fret no more my fellow rosy toned gals! SkinMedica has a solution to our redness woes!

Hot out of the lab, SkinMedica just added Redness Relief CalmPlex to their extensive lineup. It has a breakthrough formula that visibly reduces redness by treating the underlying causes, while helping to promote healthy skin.

Key ingredients include CalmPlex™(4-Ethoxybenzaldehyde) the first and only ingredient proven to inhibit the release of a key natural vasodilator, prostaglandin E2 and Vitamin B-3 (Niacinamide) which improves the barrier function of the skin, increasing moisture content by reducing transepidermal water loss. Clinical studies show Redness Relief CalmPlex prevents and reduces acute, UV- induced skin redness and reduces chronic redness in as two weeks, with continued improvement.

Source: SkinMedica.com

Don’t miss out on our Sundari Giveaway! Enter here. Event ends 4/25/11.

For those of us that like to exfoliate, scrub, and slough off our skin on a regular basis, we often run the risk of overdoing it. The SkinCeuticals Epidermal repair has been specifically formulated for skin that has been compromised by in office peels or at-home blunders. It contains beta glucan and centella asiatica which provide a protective veil on the skin and help to repair and restore the skin barrier function while helping to stimulate collagen production.

The SkinCeuticals Epidermal repair will help with inflammation and will also help to soothe the skin to lessen irritation. If you use this product post-procedure it will help to protect, heal, soothe, and can also prevent scarring (but consult with your doctor before use).

It also makes a nice makeup base for us dry skin types because it contains dimethicone which helps to seal in moisture while preventing peeling and flaking.  This is also a great product to use if you have sunburn, windburn, rosacea, or if you are a retinol user. The Epidermal Repair will be a skin saver for anyone that may have overdone it with the peel or treatment, and wants to avoid looking red, scaly or blistered.

Oh, the price we pay for beauty! Tell us about your beauty blunders on our Facebook page or in the comments section below.

You could win a Perricone MD Cold Plasma! Enter our latest giveaway now! Enter here. Event ends on 4/4/2011.

Customers frequently call in wanting to know what products will help alleviate their ongoing symptoms of redness in their cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. Many times customers describe small bumps or pimples that accompany the redness along with occasional itching or irritation especially during times of extreme environmental heat or cold.

Some may just need more intense hydration and products that help address dilated capillary veins that produce redness. For others this can be an ongoing medical condition called Rosacea that should be diagnosed and supervised by a physician. There is no cure for Rosacea, however there are skin care products and regimens designed to help alleviate irritation and calm the skin.

Pevonia Botanica provides four excellent products that help soothe and calm sensitive skin using Green Tea, Licorice and Chamomile. RS2 Gentle Cleanser gently cleans and removes surface impurities while calming and desensitizing the skin. Rose RS2 Gentle Lotion is a gentle toning lotion with Licorice, Green Tea, and Chamomile to help reduce blotchiness. RS2 Concentrate is an excellent serum that helps strengthen capillaries (fine veins), control blotchiness and decongest pores. The final step is RS2 Care Cream with UV protection to hydrate your skin, protect it from damaging UV rays and promote vaso-constriction (reducing fine vein redness).

The B. Kamins line also provides four wonderful products to soothe the symptoms of rosacea. Booster Blue Rosacea Cleanser helps to remove dirt and impurities while soothing and calming redness using B. Kamins Bio-Maple compound and chamomile. Booster Blue Soothing Skin Concentrate is an anti-inflammatory serum that helps reduce redness and calm and soothe skin. Booster Blue Soothing Day Cream is a daily moisturizer with SPF to help moisturize, relieve inflammation, protect against UV rays and create an antioxidant barrier to protect skin cells from free radicals. Finally the Booster Blue Rosacea Masque is a weekly facial treatment that is applied to wet skin and allowed to dry for 5-10 minutes and removed with water to reduce redness and promote a healthier complexion.

Even if you don’t have rosacea but experience problems with dilated capillaries or very sensitive skin, both of these product lines are excellent choices to help overcome those red cheek woes!

Have you entered our latest giveaway? You could win a 5-product regimen from NIA24! Enter now!

Spices are not just for cooking, many skincare companies utilize spices, or the oils obtained from them, in the formulation of their products. Here are just a few with notable skincare benefits.

• Fennel – Fennel’s ability to decrease irritation and redness make it a great ingredient for sensitive skin. It also has the capability to tone and tighten making it a useful tool for mature skin and a great addition to an eye cream. The Obagi Nu-Derm Eye Cream contains fennel. With its ability to stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, Fennel is a useful firming agent.

• Cloves – These little evergreen tree buds have been used all over the world for centuries. Clove oil is an effective antimicrobial agent and is often added to acne treatment products such as the Boscia Clear Complexion Treatment. Additionally, cloves are rich in Vitamins A and C, two very effective antioxidants.

• Cinnamon – Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin will benefit from this yummy ingredient due to its antibacterial and naturally astringent properties. Korres Cinnamon and Natural Clay Deep Cleansing Mask is a great product that makes use of its benefits. Cinnamon is also well known for its warming effect and is commonly found in body products such as soaks and scrubs to help boost circulation. Melvita Cinnamon Orange Cream Soap and Kings and Queens Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange Body Scrub are some of our favorites.

• Pepper – Pepper is a popular ingredient in body products due to its ability to boost circulation. Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub also have analgesic properties and can be used to soothe muscle aches. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel is another great muscle soother.

• Turmeric – This is a popular ingredient because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and can help with the lightening of hyperpigmentation. For a more in-depth look on Turmeric, see our previous blog. [“Hot Ingredient – Turmeric”]

Like this blog and share it with your friends on Facebook! Or leave us a comment, questions, or feedback – if you have a question, one of our estheticians will respond to you directly when you supply your email address in your response, remember, email addresses are not posted with your comment.

Being in the woods this spring and summer can be an exciting adventure. Whether you’re camping, playing outside with your kids, or going for a hike it’s important to know the hazards of poisonous plants. By poisonous plants we mean the ones that cause an allergic reaction, which can be a bothersome plant for a lot of people. In fact 85% of the population will have a reaction to these pesky plants.

Some facts about poison ivy are: you can get a rash also known as contact dermatitis by touching the oil on the plant, or by coming in contact with something that the plant has touched like clothes, toys, camping or sporting equipment. In fact you can still get oil contact on most surfaces from many years back. Scientists have actually found plant matter from these poisonous plants on surfaces dated from a hundred years back. In most cases once you have the rash you can not spread it to another person, only the oil from the plant can spread.

You can also get poison ivy by burning the wood for a bonfire, inhaling the smoke can leave some people in the hospital. No one is immune to getting poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Some people are less susceptible to getting it, but no one is in the clear. Your body can have a reaction every time it is exposed. If you are exposed to any of these poisonous plants you will want to rinse your body with cold water within an hour after being exposed. When showering do not use hot water, this will open your pores and let the oil penetrate into your skin. You can use an antibacterial soap to clean your skin.  Stiefel Impruv Moisturizing Antibacterial Cleanser is an antibacterial soap that will effectively cleanse the skin.

Treatments consist of a cold compress (a bag of frozen veggies should do the trick), apply rubbing alcohol to dry out the sap, calamine lotion or tea tree oil will ease the itch, and jewelweed is thought to help the rash. For severe cases your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream.

How long should you be expected to be in pain? Experts say it could be 3 weeks before the rash completely disappears. What causes the rash?  Oil called urushoil causes an allergic reaction; this is the oil that is in the leaves, vines, and roots of the plant. One good thing about poison ivy and oak is that your little furry friend can not be exposed. Although if the oil from the plant is on their fur you can be exposed, take caution by giving your pet a cool bath.

If you can’t find anything nice to say about poison ivy remember that wild birds like to eat the seeds and animals like goats love to eat these “poisonous” plants.  Native Americans have found medical uses for it such as curing warts, ringworm, and rattlesnake bites, and it also prevents the earth from eroding near the ocean. Who knew?

Because of its versatility to grow almost anywhere and all times of the year, it is important to know what the plants look like. They can change colors during seasons, the leaves can change depending on the climate, and you can get a rash off the dead branch in the winter time.

Here is a website devoted to poison ivy that contains pictures of different types of the plant. If you are educated on what the plant looks like you may reduce your risk of being exposed to this year round itchy annoyance.

Please consult your doctor if the reaction has caused a difficulty in breathing, you have inhaled the smoke of burning poison ivy, or develop a fever or the rash looks infected.

Summer is coming!  It’s an exciting time of year filled with swimming, vacations, parks and mosquitoes.  Unfortunately, that last one is just as big a part of the sunny season as the fun stuff.   Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance that ruin your outdoor experience.  They can pose an actual threat to our health.  These little pests are capable of spreading disease to your family and pets such as West Nile Virus, heartworms and in other parts of the world, malaria.

They seek out their prey by using dozens of odor receptors on their antennae and mouth.  A typical appealing scent combination is carbon dioxide, which is what we exhale, and the lactic acid in our sweat.  Since we can’t stop breathing or sweating when we’re hot, we have to take a different approach.  I like to refer to it as olfactory warfare, meaning: the use of aromas that that inherently repulse mosquitoes in order to reclaim our yards and walk freely outdoors. It’s natural and effective.

Mark your territory. Burning citronella candles is the most popular way to do this as they are easy to find at any store that carries outdoor/yard products. Citronella is an essential oil obtained from different species of lemon grass and has been proven to repel mosquitoes.   It’s not the only essential oil that mosquitoes loathe, though.  You can also use candles made from real cinnamon, lemon eucalyptus and castor oils.   For more stationary boundaries, grow citronella grass, marigolds, geraniums, sage, basil and rosemary in the yard to keep them away from you and your pets.  Place the plants in, near and around all the areas you like to be outside, especially by doors and outside sitting areas.  Throw some of the sage and rosemary in the coals of your barbecue while grilling to fend off attackers.  It is also vital that you eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.  They lay eggs in stagnant water, so dump out any water that might collect in buckets, toys, or other areas around your yard after every rain.  Keep pool water circulated, chlorinated and covered when not in use.  Don’t give them any reason to infiltrate.

Dodge attacks by becoming as unappetizing as possible. Eating large amounts of garlic does the trick for some because it produces a natural skin secretion in humans that is not appealing to mosquitoes. (This is the only one that might work for vampires, too.)  Sweet and floral fragrances attract mosquitoes, so opt for spicy or citrus scents if you can’t be without your perfume.  Another common preventative measure is taking vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg once a day).  This practice doesn’t have any clinical evidence to support it, but some people swear by it, so it might be worth a try if your doc is on board with the idea.   And don’t forget your armor.  Dress in light colors because mosquitoes are drawn to darker clothing, which absorbs heat.  Light clothing reflects it.  Wearing long sleeves and pants isn’t a bad idea either.  It’s much more difficult for them to pierce through a layer of cloth and skin.  If possible, avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn, which is when the enemy is most active.

Looking for a secret weapon? We’ve got you covered.  Mix this solution at home and apply to skin (avoiding the eye area) Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating a lot.

• Mix 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils, it’s fine to mix and match essential oils with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol to dilute the essential oils. Note: Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin. They are very potent and can cause irritation if not mixed with a carrier oil or alcohol.
• For a larger batch mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol

The essential oils that work well against mosquitoes are:

• cinnamon oil
• lemon eucalyptus oil
• citronella oil
• castor oil

Safe carrier oils and alcohol include:

• olive oil
• sunflower oil
• jojoba oil
• witch hazel

(Keep out of reach of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities)

If you end up getting wounded in action, treat the area by making a paste with baking soda and water or using a hydrocortisone cream can help ease the irritation.  Vick’s Vaporub is also great to soothe irritation because of its cooling effect.  Also, try not to scratch the bite.  Humans are allergic to the mosquito’s saliva and scratching just moves it around your skin.  I’m sure you’ve noticed that a tiny circular bite turns in to a swollen amoeba shape, after pawing at it a bit.

You have been given the tools to carry out this mission successfully.  I am confident that you will return unharmed.  Stand your ground and don’t give up, the mosquitoes sure won’t.

This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds.

Each of us at some point in our lifetime has had to deal with the trauma of acne and breakouts. They happen in the most conspicuous area, our face, and occur at the most convenient times, like just before a date or special photograph opportunity!

Most men experience acne at an earlier age, early to late teens, whereas most women begin to experience acne in their late teens to early twenties. There are infinite rumors about what causes breakouts, how to prevent them, and how to treat them, not to mention the unlimited amount of over the counter, department store and prescription treatment products. Ughhhhh! Where to begin?

Here are some myths and facts about acne and break outs:

• Oily skin is caused by eating junk food, chocolate and bad hygiene…. MYTH!

Oily skin can be the result of several factors such as environment, stress, hormones, and especially the products you do or do not use on your skin.

• Squeezing pimples or popping zits helps to clear out your clogged pore and promote healing… MYTH!

Squeezing your skin to force out any calcification (pimple) or pus (zit/pustule) can actually cause the material inside your pore to spread and cause more break outs!

• Placing a clean, warm, moist towel on your face prior to cleansing can help open your pores and promote deep cleansing and exfoliation… FACT!

Using a warm moist towel can not only be relaxing but can open your pores allowing you to remove more dead skin cells and clear out dirt and oil particles clogging your pores.

• After cleansing your skin, don’t apply any moisturizer.  You’re skin is already oily enough… MYTH!

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in complexion healing.  Cleansing our skin can remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil; however not using a moisturizer afterward can leave your skin dry and tight.  Your body reacts by releasing more oil from your sebaceous glands.  The result is more oily skin than you started out with, more clogged pores and more break outs!  A good moisturizer for oily or acneic skin rehydrates the skin without excess oil.

• Using products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can help exfoliate dead skin cells and kill bacteria in clogged pores… FACT!

Benzoyl Peroxide can have a drying effect though so be sure to use your moisturizer.

• Sitting in the sun can kill the bacteria in your skin and promote a clearer complexion… MYTH!

Exposure to the sun and its UVA and UVB rays can actually cause your recently healed skin cells to damage and cause sun spots and acne scarring.

Now that you’re informed, put your good knowledge to use.  Remember anytime you start a new skin care regimen or new product line always follow manufacturer directions and give the products a few weeks before you judge the results!

Start treating your acne now.  Click here to discover a large assortment of acne treatments from SkinStore.