Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe ... Read More »]]>

Skin Care Expert & Celebrity Esthetician Renée Rouleau works with celebs like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Katie Cassidy, and believes there’s more to skin than the one-size-fits-all approach. As we head full on into fall and winter weather, it’s prime time for Renee’s expert advice on keeping your skin in tip top shape for the months to come. Here’s my informative Q & A with her; I know you’ll learn so much!

Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe it is helpful to use certain ingredients on your skin depending on the season (more antioxidant-based products are needed in the summer versus more moisturizing barrier repair ingredients are needed in winter) and to expose your skin to different benefits that ingredients can offer. I personally like to switch up 2-3 products in my skin care routine every change of season, primarily because my skin has different needs, but also to give my skin a bit of everything. This is a well-rounded approach that I find beneficial.

However, I do believe that it’s not absolutely necessary to change products as long as you’re getting results. The approach of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” is certainly valid, particularly for extremely sensitive skins who are often times made worse when introducing something new. But I do think it can be beneficial to alter your routine a few times a year.

As for completely switching to a new brand, this is not necessary as your skin will never know one line from another, but switching products will introduce new ingredients and therefore new results. That’s why I love that I created my line with over 72 products and nine skin types. It allows you to move around within my line without having to jump ship and find a whole new line.

As for skin building up immunity to skin care products over time, this simply is not true. While your skin can build up a tolerance to certain ingredients resulting in less sensitivity over time (retinols and acids), there is no direct mechanism for your skin to become immune to the effects of skin care products.

Do know that if your skin is changing, it’s time to change your skin routine. Our skin, like our bodies, is constantly changing. Particularly from hormone changes (more so in females), your skin can be acting perfectly normal and be problem-free, and then rashes, oiliness or acne can start to appear—at any age. I often hear, “I never had acne as a teenager and now I’m getting it in my 40’s!”

Q. If you have oily skin but experience winter dry patches or flakes should you use a heavier or different moisturizer or serum?

A. If you aren’t using a skin serum and you’re experiencing winter dryness, then I suggest start by introducing a serum to your skin care regimen, making sure it’s appropriate for oily skin. It is my belief that the very best way to enhance the results of your products and to give more hydration in the winter is to use a serum underneath your moisturizer or mask. When you feel like your skin needs something more and your moisturizer isn’t cutting it, this can really make a big improvement.

What exactly is a serum?  A serum is a skin care product that has a higher concentration of active ingredients, usually comes in a gel or creamy gel form and is meant for use under a moisturizer or mask.

What kind of active ingredients are used?  Soluble Beta Glucans for lessening breakouts from inside out and Silver Ear Mushroom which is five times more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid (found in our Skin Correcting Serum), White Tea for calming redness and irritation instantly (found in our White Tea Soothing Complex), Glycolic Acid for exfoliation (found in Glycolic Serum), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for fading brown spots (found in our Vitamin C&E Complex), and Peptides for skin firming (found in our Intensive Firming Serum).

Q.  I know you are a fan of alcohol free toner. Can you refresh our memory about why toner is important and how it benefits the skin? What ingredients should we look for in a toner?

A. 1.They give your skin a drink of moisture when left damp on the skin before applying moisturizer (Make sure to only use an alcohol-free toner. Toners that contain alcohol are extremely drying to the skin and should never be used. See the collection of Renée Rouleau alcohol-free toners)

2. They remove drying chlorines and minerals found in tap water. Many chlorine and chemical agents are put into tap water to destroy harmful bacteria but they can be dehydrating to the skin.

3. They balance the PH in the skin. If you use a bar of soap or foaming face wash that might dry out the skin due to their low PH balance, a toner will help counteract the dryness that occurs.

4. They can enhance the results of your skin care program. Depending on the ingredients used in the toner, they can help calm, control oil, stimulate blood circulation, destroy acne-causing bacteria, provide anti-oxidant benefits and more.

5. They support your skin’s protective barrier. By supplying the skin with essential hydration and nutrients, you repair the skin’s protective barrier making it less sensitive and resistant to environmental damage. Ingredients to look for include sucrose, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera–all which soothe and hydrate the skin.

Renée’s exclusive skin care line is based on nine unique skin types, rather than the standard–dry, normal and oily. Her two Dallas skin care spas and products attract a celebrity clientele. Visit www.ReneeRouleau.com for more information.

Article by Laura Carson Miller. Laura is a freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert in Atlanta. Her lifestyle blog is lcmLifestyle. Visit her website at www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

Did you know that Crystal Peel holds the original patent on microdermabrasion (*U.S. Patent # 6,290,975)? Sold for many years under private label to plastic surgeons, dermatologist and medical spas, it is now available to the public. With various products to choose from, including some specially formulated for the man in your life, Crystal Peel can cover all the bases when it comes to your exfoliation needs.

The Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is the star of the show. Full disclosure: I am normally not a fan of any kind of scrub for the face. I find them too harsh and since my skin ... Read More »]]>

Did you know that Crystal Peel holds the original patent on microdermabrasion (*U.S. Patent # 6,290,975)? Sold for many years under private label to plastic surgeons, dermatologist and medical spas, it is now available to the public. With various products to choose from, including some specially formulated for the man in your life, Crystal Peel can cover all the bases when it comes to your exfoliation needs.

The Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is the star of the show. Full disclosure: I am normally not a fan of any kind of scrub for the face. I find them too harsh and since my skin is sensitive I normally avoid them. When I tried this out on the back of my hand, it felt smooth going on and not at all rough or scratchy. So I tried it on my face and I loved it. Because it offers what the company calls a ‘controlled abrasion’ it helps reduce fine lines, discoloration and large pores. Plus it helps to stimulate new collagen, a huge bonus.

I also tried the Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap Bar, which was a hit with both my husband and myself. This is great to use prior to applying self tanner or just a few times a week to keep skin smooth and renewed. Again, it has a clean and smooth feel while on the skin and is in no way a harsh product.

Lastly and certainly not leastly, Crystal Peel has three new lip products: Lip Plump, Vitamin E Lip Therapy and Lip Renewal Exfoliator.  With these products in hand you are ready for the upcoming winter weather when cold air outside and hot air inside tend to leave us all with a flaking and sometimes even cracked pout. They offer exfoliating, moisturizing and plumping, so your lips will be ready for anything.

Crystal Peel products are both gentle and effective and provide excellent results.  If you are new to skin exfoliation or what one might call an ‘old pro’, the look and feel of your skin will improve with the use of products that exfoliate the skin. Cell turn over is vital in order for our other skin products to work effectively and for treatment of discoloration, flaking and fine lines and wrinkles. Take control of your skin with regular microderabrasion action, which you can now do in your own home with Crystal Peel!

*Crystal Peel provided sample products to the writer for testing.

Laura Carson Miller is an internationally published freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert. She writes for magazines and the web. Her website is http://www.lauracarsonmiller.com

Adenosine The newest ingredient claiming to ramp up production of collagen and elastin is called Adenosine. ... Read More »]]>

In the beauty world, skin care is one area where ingredient innovations are being turned out in a manner that is nothing less than fast and furious. Just when you thought you were keeping up with your peptides, acids and such, a whole new crop of beauty booty is available, containing things you haven’t necessarily tried yet. I’ll run down a few of the skin care ingredient making news lately, and you can decide for yourself if you’re ready to take a fresh plunge.

Adenosine
The newest ingredient claiming to ramp up production of collagen and elastin is called Adenosine. Adenosine, a naturally-occurring compound found in all body tissue and fluids, is the star of the Easeamine line of skin care products. Easeamine’s products boast increased blood flow to the outer layers of the skin, and increased cell size, giving skin a fuller, smoother appearance.

Algae and Seaweed
Both fall under the heading of vegetables of the ocean, and as a result are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant properties. While bringing the sea’s benefits to the skin is nothing new, (perhaps you’ve enjoyed a seaweed wrap at a spa; remember how smooth and rejuvenated your skin felt all over?) the current incarnations are concocted with other ingredients to form recipes promising cellular delight. Estee Lauder’s Re-Nutiv Ultimate Lift Age Correcting Crème contains “Rock of Life’ Algae, while Alba Botanica’s Sea Algae Enzyme Facial Scrub combines algae with sea kelp, aloe vera and other natural elements.

Bamboo Sap
Because it is said to work deep in the skin layers to attract and retain moisture, bamboo sap is used in several products from AmorePacific, including their new Rejuvenating Serum. Bamboo sap has a long history as a medicinal wonder and skin care companies see it as a healer for skin, as well. Roger & Gallet’s Bamboo Exfoliating Shower Gel contains bamboo sap and jojoab oil, with loofah fibers to help shed dead skin cells.

As I write this article, labs all over that country are testing new ingredients and re-testing tried and true formulas in an attempt to discover ‘the next big thing’ in skin care. One thing we will never be, when it comes to what to try next on our fabulous faces, is bored.

Laura Carson Miller is a freelance lifestyle writer in Atlanta. Her website and blog are available here: www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

Photo credit © Britvich | Dreamstime.com

Eye Treatments by Estee Lauder
Face Care by Amore Pacific

BeautiControl is a beauty company that specializes in Spa treatments, Personalized skin care and Advanced Anti-aging products (SPA) through a unique at-home spa experience with an unmatched income opportunity.

Being the offspring of a fashionista, Nadia Murdock has always had a passion for fashion.  She decided to put her passion to work two years ago and launched Manchester Public Relations www.manchesterpublicrelations.com. Nadia is the Public Relations Director for Chic Galleria magazine and works in New York City.

Everyday more and more beauty companies are choosing to go green with their products, and why not?  So many of the best ingredients come from nature, so why pick up a product where you can barely read words like propilparabeno, or Laurent sulfate?  Your skin is your biggest organ, take care of it. I found and use a ton of fabulous products that have simple ingredients, but work amazing.  One of my ultimate indulgences is body scrubs.  I love them and seriously, cannot get enough.

Valley Green Natural makes this Wildflower Honey Scrub that smells ... Read More »]]>

Everyday more and more beauty companies are choosing to go green with their products, and why not?  So many of the best ingredients come from nature, so why pick up a product where you can barely read words like propilparabeno, or Laurent sulfate?  Your skin is your biggest organ, take care of it. I found and use a ton of fabulous products that have simple ingredients, but work amazing.  One of my ultimate indulgences is body scrubs.  I love them and seriously, cannot get enough.

Valley Green Natural makes this Wildflower Honey Scrub that smells like heaven and leaves your skin ridiculously soft.  The only ingredients, coarse sugars, bran oil, honey, and essential oils…and well it only cost $12..yup crazy!

Another super natural “body buffer” scrub is Nettiescrub.  It has a bit of a different feeling from your usual scrub, less oily with fine granules. Simple ingredients like grape seed oil, olive oil sugar, and acai make it delectable. I tried the grapefruit, smelled fresh and clean and left my skin perfectly smooth.

How many shaving creams, lotions, and gels have you gone through to get your skin soft while shaving?  I have tried countless bottles of different ones. I have only recently seen more natural products for this on the market.   One sold at my all time favorite market Wholefoods, gets the natural job done, it’s by Pacific Shaving Company, and it is oil.  A few drops right before shaving, your legs will be as sexy as the starlets on the red carpet. I love that your man can use it too.

Finally the last organic beauty item for instantly perfect skin is Stratus by Vapour.  It is a mineral anti-aging primer that rids the complexion of lines, wrinkles and something I will do anything to get rid of, enlarged pores. Personally, I think large pours will make anyone’s skin look older..uggh hate them.

Natural, organic products are becoming so much more accessible in drug stores, at make-up counters, and of course online.  Take care of your skin, no matter what your age.  You can have a healthy glow with a little special attention and the right natural products.

Kisses

Dawn Del Russo is a TV personality, fashion expert seen on National TV Better TV, Fox 5 NY, InStyle Magazine, Life and Style Magazine, US Weekly for her fashion and lifestyle tips and advice. She is the author of “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle”

Dawn has not been paid in any form for her thoughts or opinions.