Summer of 2010 is in full swing and we hope you’re enjoying it to its fullest! Whether you’re playing on a sandy beach in Mexico, lounging by the pool in Las Vegas, or hiking the Himalayas in India you’re probably well equipped with a goody bag full of your favorite skin care products (you are, a SkinStore customer after all!) We always want to know what you’re toting around to keep your skin looking wonderful through the seasons- and we’re sure that you’re curious to see what our top favorites are, so we’ve compiled a list of THE top 10 must haves for this fabulous summer!
Clarisonic. ‘Nuff said! This is our number one seller, and for a good reason! The Clarisonic comes in three versions- Mia for travel, Classic for facial cleansing and exfoliation and Plus for facial exfoliation and cleansing as well as body use (perfect pedicure, anyone?). Clarisonic uses a sonic technology to cleanse deeply within the pores and is two times more effective than manual cleansing and six times more effective at removing make-up! Therefore with daily use of the Clarisonic you’ll prevent breakouts and clogged pores, and the exfoliating factor will make large pores appear smaller, and the texture of the skin much smoother! It’s great for all skin types and all ages. Staff favorite, customer favorite… we can’t say enough great things about this product!
Antioxidants. Chances are, you’re spending a lot of time outdoors during the summer chasing after kids, swimming, playing outdoor sports and barbequing… while you may be religiously applying sunscreen to protect your skin, you may not be applying antioxidants which ward off free radicals that cause lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Antioxidant serums are a great way to go, because they’re light in consistency so they won’t feel heavy on the skin and they soak right in to provide up to twenty four hours of broad-spectrum antioxidant protection without reapplication! We’re fans of CE Ferulic which provides a potent vitamin C (which has brightening benefits) in addition to power-house antioxidant ingredients like hydrating vitamin E and Ferulic acid.
Sunscreen. Everybody knows that sunscreen protection is the utmost important factor in keeping your skin healthy! Thank goodness for savvy chemists who know how to formulate sunscreen in uber-elegant recipes. Since it hit the market in May, SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 has been selling like hotcakes! We have trouble keeping this stuff in stock. It’s a one of its kind physical sunscreen that’s a transparent, mattifying liquid that is paraben-free and offers true broad spectrum coverage from UVA and UVB rays, it’s great for all skin types and ages and stays put without feeling heavy or greasy, and it doesn’t have an unpleasant sunscreen smell! And while SkinCeuticals has created an amazing formula for the face, La Roche Posay (another renowned SPF pioneer) has created La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Melt In Sunscreen Milk which is great for the body. This fast absorbing, non-greasy milk provides SPF 60 and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with the breakthrough Cell-Ox Shield, to protect your skin, even at the cellular level.
Don’t neglect your hair. You have face and body covered! But that leaves out your luscious locks. Keep your hair looking its best with protective hair products. Since the sun can be dehydrating to your skin, it can also be super dehydrating to your hair too (straw hair = yuck!), use a leave-in conditioner that has a UV filter. We enjoy Rene Furterer Okara 2 Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner CPF 80 because it not only has a potent UV filter but it also keeps the hair smooth, shiny and polished with its Okara complex.
Fake it. You’re probably thinking that all of this SPF protection will not allow for you to get any color! So cheat the sun and the sun damage, and instead of baking it…get good at faking it! There are hundreds of self tanners that’ll give you a beautiful golden glow! TanTowel Plus Full Body Self Tanning Towelettes are a great way to getting tan, they’re odorless and SO easy to use! This tan is easy to apply and because the self-tanning liquid is in a handy towel it’s virtually mess free! PLUS NO streaking! We promise!
Hydrate. What about dry skin? In the summertime our skin is frequently exposed to sun, sand, salty ocean water or chlorine from the pool. We tend to hydrate more frequently and diligently in the other seasons when it’s colder or dryer out, but our summer skin needs moisture too, and very much so after excess exposure to the elements. Rehydrate your skin with L’Occitane Cupuacu After-Sun Balm Lotion, it’s our summer favorite! This after sun lotion is formulated with organic vegetable butter of Cupuaçu, which is the ideal ingredient to intensely hydrate and regenerate skin after sun exposure because it holds four times its weight in water, therefore providing immense hydration without feeling greasy.
To ward off dehydration on the go, it’s great to throw a refreshing spray into your beach tote. Kerstin Florian Aromatherapy Neroli Water is a delight to use because it’s soothing, hydrating and refreshing and can be used all of the body, or on the face… and it won’t disturb make-up!
Conceal. A blemish here, a sun spot there, dark circles from lack of sleep (there are too many fun things to do in the summer)… what’s a gal to do to stay looking fresh and feeling fabulous? Concealer is the magic wand of a make-up maven. This summer we’re in love with Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer because of its highly pigmented formula that’s also water resistant. It erases dark circles, blemishes, broken capillaries, sun damage and redness with only using a tiny amount of product (and we mean TINY!) a little tube will last and last and last.
Nail Time. Every girl knows that a perfect pedicure is a summer MUST. Coral always looks hot on the fingernails and is absolutely amazing for toes in the sweet summer time (bonus: corals and yellows visually intensify your tan). SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Love and Happiness is a gorgeous coral orange crème that looks fantastic when paired with strappy golden sandals!
Poet William Carlos Williams has said “In summer, the song sings itself”, and boy wasn’t he right! Enjoy this gorgeous weather, throw some hot dogs on the grill, read a great book, and lather on the SPF! Now that you’ve got a list of our TOP 10 summer favorites it’s easy to choose great summer products! What are your top picks?
Certain items are excluded from offers. Each product detail page indicates if the promotion does not apply. Promo codes may not apply to already discounted items.
BBQ’s and pool parties come hand in hand during these summer months. While men don’t even flinch about summer time, women tend to go into detox mode. All we need is a little bit of preparation tips & tricks to get the ball rolling and come prepared when that pool party arrives. So instead of biting your finger nails and becoming a detox princess, follow these guidelines…
After you’ve marked your special date on your calendar, the preparation can begin. You know you will be in a bikini soon, so what immediately comes to mind? Maybe we need a little bit of color, or spot treatments to concern areas? With the few weeks leading up to the event, we can exfoliate our body just like our faces a few times a week. This will get rid of all of the dead skin on the surface so that when we are ready to reveal our skin it will look healthy and smooth. In between exfoliation sessions, don’t forget about shaving. I know I am probably not the only one who likes to borrow good men’s shaving products. Grab some Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather. I say if it’s strong and comfortable enough for a man, then it would be bliss for a woman. After you shave, don’t forget to prevent and protect your freshly shaved areas with some ingrown hair/ bump fighters! For a suggestion, try Whish Flawless Bump Fighter.
The next prep step would be to pick out and apply a self tanner. We want to look golden and sun kissed at our events but without harm from the sun! We suggest that you take a look at the following self tan products:
They are all different options for different types of needs. They range from creams, to lotion/milk textures and even gel textures. These will get you glowing quickly and what a way to help slim up your figure too! Now that you are pretty much ready to flaunt your pool party body and smile, there are a few other items you should remember to stay flawless. Be sure you remember to always wear your preferred SPF products for the face and the body! If you need, there are always some relaxing and soothing after sun products as well. Click here for more info on after sun care.
You can also protect your hair during these weekend water & sun celebrations with products like:
Well I think we’ve pretty much covered as much as possible on how to prepare from head to toe. You should feel tan, toned, smooth and fit to stun when you arrive at your summer soiree. Oh, and don’t forget those designer shades!
We’re offering special 15% discount exclusive to our readers. Use promo code BLOG15 at SkinStore to save 15% for a limited time. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for being loyal readers!
Offer ends Monday, July 19, 2010.
Certain products are excluded from offers. Each product detail page indicates if the promotion does not apply. Sale pricing, promotional codes and other special offers cannot be applied toward prior purchases. Promotional codes may not apply to already discounted items.
Why is it that men are commonly referred to as “distinguished” when they have salt and pepper hair, yet women don’t receive the same props? The locks of silver haired male icons Richard Gere, Harrison Ford and Sean Connery drip sex appeal, though they are well on their way to over the hill. Is it a societal norm instilled through the media or is there a genetic factor that contributes to this phenomenon?
Society may influence our perceptions of male and female beauty, but science has a lot to do with it! Men’s skin is thicker than women’s because of male hormones i.e. testosterone. Consequently, women are more susceptible to damaging UV rays because their skin is much thinner than men’s. This is why men generally have fewer wrinkles than women, which in turn keeps their skin looking younger.
As women enter the big M, the lack of estrogen depletes the skin of collagen and elastin, making the skin vulnerable and less resilient. Men’s skin also thins as they age, but at a much slower rate, roughly 1% per year. Women’s skin is much more likely to suffer from hyperpigmentation and rough texture because of an increased sensitivity to sun damage. Whereas men are less susceptible to damaging UV rays because their thicker skin acts as a shield to the sun. Sun damage accounts for roughly 80 percent of the aging process to the skin. As always (women especially) don’t forgot the sun block! We like La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Melt In Sunscreen Milk and SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30. For oily skin types we suggest La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid.
Many other factors also contribute to the aging process such as smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, diet and genetics. Living a clean and healthy lifestyle will help you age gracefully into your golden years.
These days everyone is looking for a way to slow down the aging processes and since the Fountain of Youth has yet to be found, we all turn to the next best thing – SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Until recently, many individuals were a little unsure of what type of protection our SPF was providing. With the increased risk of skin cancer, we now realize that what we don’t know CAN hurt us, thus many have turned to their dermatologists or esthetician for education.
Let’s begin with a basic understanding of how the sun can cause damage to our unprotected skin. Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet radiation which can damage the skin, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).
UVA, known as the “aging” ray, can penetrate deeper into our skin and cause symptoms of premature aging such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and damaged collagen. It is believed that UVA is up to 20 times more abundant in sunlight than UVB rays. In addition, the UVA wave-lengths are longer, can pass through window glass and they are not affected by weather – in other words, they are active and present every day, all day – rain or shine! So – don’t be fooled, wear your SPF even on a cloudy day the UVA rays are just as harmful whether sunny or cloudy outside.
UVB is known as the “burning” ray. The UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and increased melanin production (the cause of tanning). These rays are shorter and more intense than the UVA rays however; they can not pass through window glass. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation about 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are linked with ultraviolet radiation exposure. UVB play’s a significant role in these statistics. In addition, unlike UVA rays, the intensity of the UVB rays can be affected by altitude and latitude thus, individuals may experience a higher level of exposure while in mountainous regions and near the equator.
At SkinStore.com we offer a wide selection of SPF products. We have a variety of both chemical sunscreens and physical sun blocks. Chemical sunscreens use synthetic compounds to filter the sunlight by absorbing them before they can do any harm. Some active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are octylcrylene, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone and Mexoryl, the ingredient in Anthelios SX. Mexoryl was approved as recently as 2006 by the FDA for protection against UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens are fantastic because they absorb very easily into the skin, which is a big plus for an oilier skin type however, they might not be suited for sensitive or allergy prone skin types. Physical sun blocks provide a barrier on the skin deflecting sunlight off the surface similar to the way a mirror would reflect light. The most common ingredients in a physical sun block are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. While both provide great protection to UVA and UVB rays, individual preference may include consideration factors such as consistency and physical attributes of the ingredients.
SPF labels–we have all seen one right? So what do they mean?…in short, SPF labels are our guide for understanding a sunscreens capacity for protecting our skin from sun damage. The higher the SPF, the greater the amount of UVB rays are blocked – though no sunscreen will block 100% of the UVB rays, an SPF50 can block up to 98% of those harmful rays! The SPF level also helps to determine the amount of time we can be in the sun while remaining protected. For example, if you normally begin to turn pink after 10 minutes of being in the sun with out sunscreen, an SPF 15 may protect your skin for up to 2.5 hours before you may experience sunburn. Remember, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that sunscreens be applied 30 minutes before exposure to the sun with reapplication at least every two hours – the active ingredient in most sunscreens breaks down quickly, leaving your skin unprotected. Better to be safe than sorry, right?!
La Roche Posay offers a fabulous broad-spectrum protection product called Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid. They have created a synergistic combination called Cell-ox Shield which is high efficacy sun filters and powerful anti-oxidants to further protect your skin. So you’re not only protecting your skin from external harm, you’re promoting internal health as well. One of my personal favorites is the Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Instant Mineral SPF30. It’s great because I can toss it my purse and do touch-ups through out the day, right on top of my make-up. It’s also a physical block with 12.45% active titanium dioxide and 9.80% zinc oxide, with complete transparency and mattifing mineral powder. Not only that, but it also contains a blend of six powerful, active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides and neuropeptides! What more could a girl ask for!? Okay…maybe if this also made me ten pounds lighter it would be every girl’s dream come true.
Mia for travel, Classic for facial cleansing and exfoliation and Plus for facial exfoliation and cleansing as well as body use (perfect pedicure, anyone?). Clarisonic uses a sonic technology to cleanse deeply within the pores and is two times more effective than manual cleansing and six times more effective at removing make-up! Therefore with daily use of the Clarisonic you’ll prevent breakouts and clogged pores, and the exfoliating factor will make large pores appear smaller, and the texture of the skin much smoother! It’s great for all skin types and all ages. Staff favorite, customer favorite… we can’t say enough great things about this product!
this stuff in stock. It’s a one of its kind physical sunscreen that’s a transparent, mattifying liquid that is paraben-free and offers true broad spectrum coverage from UVA and UVB rays, it’s great for all skin types and ages and stays put without feeling heavy or greasy, and it doesn’t have an unpleasant sunscreen smell! And while SkinCeuticals has created an amazing formula for the face, La Roche Posay (another renowned SPF pioneer) has created La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Melt In Sunscreen Milk which is great for the body. This fast absorbing, non-greasy milk provides SPF 60 and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with the breakthrough Cell-Ox Shield, to protect your skin, even at the cellular level.
These days everyone is looking for a way to slow down the aging processes and since the Fountain of Youth has yet to be found, we all turn to the next best thing – SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Until recently, many individuals were a little unsure of what type of protection our SPF was providing. With the increased risk of skin cancer, we now realize that what we don’t know CAN hurt us, thus many have turned to their dermatologists or esthetician for education.
dioxide and 9.80% zinc oxide, with complete transparency and mattifing mineral powder. Not only that, but it also contains a blend of six powerful, active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides and neuropeptides! What more could a girl ask for!? Okay…maybe if this also made me ten pounds lighter it would be every girl’s dream come true.
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