10 Skin Care Mistakes Keeping you From Healthy Skin

Day after day people book appointments with me for facials to help them with their skin.  Some have skin care problems such as acne, rosacea or pigmentation issues.  Others come to maintain healthy skin and slow down the aging process. But some come because they are having issues that can be quickly remedied by following these 10 easy steps.

1.Use the right products for your skin type.  One size does not fit all.  Get your skin properly analyzed by a professional.  This brings me to number 2.

2.  Cleanse your skin properly.  First make sure you are using the right cleanser for your skin type.  If wear makeup, you must cleanse twice.  Once to remove the makeup, second to clean the skin.  After cleansing your skin should not feel tight or taunt.  If so your cleanser is too drying.

Renew Botanicals Herbal Cleanser

3.  Moisturizer.  This is very important for everyone, even those with oily skin.  Not applying moisturizer especially to wet skin will cause the water to evaporate leaving your skin dehydrated.  Your skin will overcompensate for the loss of hydration which can lead to break outs, and the most common condition dry cheeks and oily t-zone.

hydrating moisturizer

4. Over Exfoliating .  This has become one of the biggest problems in the last few years because so many companies or putting exfoliants into their cleansers such as jojoba beads or alpha hydroxy acids.  Even products that say gently daily exfoliant are not good for your skin. That is not to say exfoliation isn't important because it is, but once or twice a week is enough.  Once or twice a week you are removing the dead skin but more than that you are actually removing the protective barrier which can cause inflammation, moisture loss and sensitivity.

over exfoliated skin

5.  Sunscreen.  Wearing sunscreen everyday should be part of you daily regime.  Besides protecting your from skin cancer, nothing will age you more than too much sun damage.  It is important to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 25-30 (more is not necessary).  If you are going to be out in the sun all day, reapply.  Avoid sunscreens with chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.  Stick with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as your only active ingredient, although I prefer just zinc oxide.

6. Drink Water.  Keeping hydrated is important for your inner health and outer beauty.  Your skin is your largest organ and if your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky which may have the same results and lack of moisturizing (see #3).

fresh water with lime

7. Picking at Your Pimples.   When you pick, pull, squeeze your pimples and your skin you are causing damage.  This can lead to scars, which are far worse than the pimple.  It can also lead to irritation and inflammation and most of all infection.

8. Eat Healthy.  As mentioned above, your skin is your largest organ so what goes in your body will reflect on your skin.  Eat lots of fresh veggies, fruits, lean meats, healthy fats and complex carbs.  Cut back on dairy, sugar bad fats. Choose organic and grass fed dairy and meats, whenever you can.

9.  Clean Your Makeup Brushes.  Obviously dirty brushes will introduce bacteria into your makeup and on your skin.

make up brushes

10.  Throw away expired products and makeup.  Most products and makeup have a shelf life.  Using products that have expired can introduce bacteria into your skin.

In addition to following these tips, treat yourself to a facial at least 4 times a year, if you can do it more often all the better.  Make sure you are using the right products for your skin and check ingredients.  Remember glowing skin is healthy skin.

Please Say No to Palm Oil

Palm oil from the oil palm tree is a high quality versatile oil.  However, it grows only in the tropics where it has had a disastrous effect on the environment.  According to the environmental group Friends of the Earth, it is estimated that 87 percent of Malaysia’s deforestation was due to palm oil plantations.  Their researchers also estimated that if nothing is done to alleviate the rising rates of deforestation, orangutans could become extinct within 12 years.  The palm oil trade is destroying orangutan habitats, endangering other rain forest animals, contributing to the high levels of carbon emissions, and has placed Indonesia as possibly having the world’s fastest deforestation rate (Greenpeace sources estimate an area equivalent to 300 soccer fields per hour).  And according the the World Wildlife Fund "Large areas of tropical forests and other ecosystems with high conservation values have been cleared to make room for vast monoculture oil palm plantations – destroying critical habitat for many endangered species, including rhinos, elephants and tigers. In some cases, the expansion of plantations has lead to the eviction of forest-dwelling peoples."

In 2004 The World Wildlife Federation and teamed up with the Palm Oil Industry and launched RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil).  Many manufacturers especially small companies proudly state they are using sustainable Palm Oil, however, this is not as benign as many of them think because the rules are riddled with loopholes. 

The environmental groups Greenpeace International and Wetlands International argue that such loopholes allows palm oil firms to join RSPO and improve their image despite the fact that very little palm oil has yet been produced according to the sustainability criteria. And The Jakarta-based Center for Orangutan Protection has directly opposed the certification scheme. The group said last year that it found two RSPO member companies clear-cutting forests that were home to orangutans, sun bears, and Borneo gibbons. "It has been six years after RSPO was put into operation but forests are still cleared and orangutans are continually killed," said Novi Hardianto, the Center's habitat program coordinator, in a press release. "All criteria on sustainable palm oil and certification process are merely public lies."

Because of it's versatility, Palm oil is used in so many products, ranging from margarine, cereals, sweets and baked goods, to soaps, washing powders and cosmetics. (If you are a vegan and use products by Earth Balance beware that they use Palm Oil in many of their products.) And you have to practice due diligence if this concerns you, because often times it is listed as an ingredient on product labels, with the term ‘vegetable oil’ often being used instead.

So, please practice consumer awareness and I hope that the next time you are shopping think about who and what will be affected by that product. 

Why A Facial?

If you have never had a facial you may be wondering why should you get one.  You may think that is a luxury, it isn't important.  But did you know your  skin is the largest organ in the body?. Healthy skin is slightly moist, soft and flexible and is free from blemishes and disease. The skin protects the body from bacterial invasion. Proper nutrition and exercise is important for healthy skin, as well as overall good health. Our health and how we take care of our bodies is reflected in our skin.

facial massage

The benefit of receiving facials on a regular basis goes far beyond relaxation. Facials naturally slow down aging by stimulating collagen production, increasing circulation and removing dead skin. Removing the dead skin buildup allows the penetration of serums, masks and moisturizers to be more effective. In addition the skin will look brighter and will help rid any congestion. The facial massage you receive helps to relax the senses, nerves and muscles of the face to reduce the visible effects of stress. In addition, the massage stimulates the blood flow to aid oxygen and other nutrients to the skin and its underlying tissue and help in the efficient removal of waste products. Massage also helps maintain the tone of the underlying muscle, therefore preventing sagging and lines from forming. A facial can restore the normal balance of oil and pH for the skin, refining the texture of the skin.

treatment mask

Last but not least you will learn how to take care of your skin at home.  The best products to use for your skin.  Remember as in my previous post, your skin condition is unique to you.  What your friend uses may not be right for your skin.  And your skin changes: seasonally, through diet, hormonally, etc.

So do yourself and your skin a favor and schedule a facial, you will love it.