Tag Archive for: Brightening

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Your Summer to Fall Skincare Transition

 

The dog days of summer are wrapping up—and coincides with when skin has decided it can no longer take the heat, grime and sweat it’s been enduring for the past few months, going haywire. Just some of what you might be seeing in the mirror? Photo-damaged skin, discoloration, dehydration, dull or lackluster complexion, congestion. “It’s the sun, sand, beach, warm/humid climate,” explains Dr. Goldfaden. “Added with the fact that consumers are putting on loads of sunscreen to protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays, which can lead to skin congestion and breakouts.”

So what do we do about the new constellation of pimples that has suddenly appeared on our left cheek, and refuses to budge? The changes in weather, as summer transitions to fall, is already enough to shock your skin. So make sure any changes to your skincare regimen are subtle, rather than completely abandoning your previous routine just because it’s getting a little cooler outside. “Subtle changes to your regimen can do wonders for your skin and give it what it really needs. Polish and plump: this is the key. Exfoliation (either in the form of a physical exfoliator or enzyme/chemical)–ridding your complexion of dead, dry, dull cells and revealing brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin underneath is the beginning of revealing a more healthy-looking complexion followed by a corrective moisturizer/hydrating treatment, like oils and moisturizers.”

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One subtle change? Swapping out just your cleanser. Goldfaden MD has developed a new cleanser that foams, the Detox Clarifying Facial Wash. Currently the original cleanser in the line, Pure Start, is a gentle wash that helps realign the skin’s natural pH balance. Detox Wash—thanks to a hardworking combo of AHA acids—takes it a step further by fighting bacteria, clarifying pores clogged up by sunscreen, and really addressing congested skin. If your current cleanser works great—check by swiping a pad with micellar water after a wash to see there’s no grime or residue left behind—keep using it!

To treat discoloration, photodamaged skin, or a dull complexion, think about slipping a few brightening ingredients into your regimen. Vitamin C (found in Goldfaden MD’s Brightening Elixir), alpha arbutin (found in Light Treatment, specifically for dark spots) and lactic acid (found in Fresh a Peel) are all power players that can help brighten skin tone and increase radiance.

It’s not just enough to apply product to the face—aka, treating merely the visible symptoms—to treat your skin well. It’s important to balance an effective skincare routine with good choices in diet and a supportive environment. “We holistically believe that healthy-looking skin is a 360-degree approach to wellness,” says Dr. Goldfaden. He recommends eating a diet rich in fatty acids (a “hydration punch”): think avocados, salmon, leafy greens, which will “keep congestion and inflammation at bay while infusing nutrient rich vitamins and nutrients back into your system.” It also means staying clear of alcohol, white carbs and refined sugar—all of which can trigger the inflammation we’re trying to avoid.

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Post Sun Skin Tips, Dr. G reports

Summer weather has arrived and it can be very tempting to get a little sun. Sometimes a little sun can turn into a bad sunburn. Protect yourself by always wearing an appropriate SPF, hat and sunglasses. Below are a few post sun steps to ensure you stay healthy and hydrated all summer long.

PS: Don’t forget to reapply SPF after swimming!

DON’T: take hot showers: Hot showers can be dehydrating to skin in general, especially after a Summer of being in the sun because the effects can be even worse (i.e. premature aging, stronger definition of fine lines, to name a few). The next time you hop in, turn the water temperature down about 10 to 15 degrees, and don’t take more than two showers a day.

 DON’T: Don’t use photosensitizing ingredients on the skin during the day. Certain ingredients in these types of products can react adversely on your skin in sunlight, which makes skin susceptible to burning more easily and causing lasting sun damage. Stay clear of retinoids, acids, fruits acids, topical steroids and differin creams, which can enhance sensitivity. Opt to use these products at night only.

 DO: Thirst Quenching Treatments: In order to effectively get your skin back in tip-top shape, Vitamin C is your answer. Vitamin C visibly brightens the skin and improves the overall look and tone of the skin. Power-packed vitamins including, Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Ferulic Acid also help hydrate, brighten, soothe, and improve the overall tone and texture of the skin.

DO: Double up at night. Skin cell regeneration is slightly higher at night making it a crucial step to apply products with active ingredients in the night as your skin is able to absorb the active ingredients in skincare products better since active ingredients are less effective when exposed to sunlight.  In addition, your skin would not have to compete with the other products you apply like makeup or sunscreen to fight the UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements in the day. Layer up a potent packed repairing treatment (powerful nighttime ingredients to look for include: peptides, retinol, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Don’t forget to layer an extra hydrating moisturizer on top to ensure supple, plump hydrated glowing skin.

 DO: Exfoliate. Exfoliating the face, neck and chest is key after a summer day of sun and sunscreen. The upper layer of skin gets thicker, harder and drier and pores can be clogged by sweat and sunscreen residue. Removing the surface layers of dead skin, oil build up and grease will give a dewier look and helps to produce more collagen, allowing skin to look more plump.

DON’T: Get sunburned. If you do try a few at home soothing steps. Cool compresses and baths are effective for cooling down the skin and inflammation that accompanies sunburn. After a bath make sure to later your body in a hydrating lotion or body oil. Look for soothing, anti-redness and anti-inflammation ingredients such as aloe, red tea, cucumber, oatmeal, chamomile and cornstarch.

Dr. G recipe: Keep cornstarch ice cubes in the fridge this summer to help calm red or sunburned skin. Mix cornstarch with water until dissolved then pour into ice trays and freeze. Pop them out if anyone gets too much sun or heat.

 

 

 

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The Eye Notes part 1

During the month of February we are going to take a deeper look (no pun intended) at the eye area and why it often shows the first signs of age. Below are the common complaints and issues everyone struggles with, how to prevent and battle them. Take a look…

Image via About Style

Puffiness

What causes it?

The skin of the eye region is much thinner and more delicate than facial skin and contains less collagen to begin with. Thinner skin is more prone to filling easier with fluid, thus causing puffiness. As we age so do the muscles of the eye regions. The muscles in the eyelids will begin to sag from normal aging and gravity and may appear hooded, adding to the puffy appearance of the eye.

Solutions:

Use anti-inflammatory ingredients such as caffeine, Red Tea, oatmeal, caffeine, and cucumber. Try and eat a diet low in salt and sleep with your head slightly elevated to ward off edema.

Dark circles

What they are?

The break down of the fibrous network composed of proteins, elastin, and collagen, resulting in thinner skin in the eye region as you age. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet), dark circles, and bags under the eyes. Dark circles usually mean there is lack of microcirculation.

What causes them?

Dark circles can be hereditary, from allergies and rubbing the eye area. Dehydration and lack of sleep can sometimes cause them as well.

Solutions/prevention:

Retinoids (Vitamin A), brightening ingredients such as Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Arnica, Soy and Rice Bran Peptides. Riboflavin and protein heavy ingredients such as Quinoa can help tremendously.

Under eye wrinkles

What causes them?

Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Always wear protective eyewear/sunglasses when outdoors. Always wear SPF. Try not to pull or stretch that area of the eye, particularly when removing or applying makeup. Hydrate and treat the eye area with Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients such as quinoa extract.

 Crows feet

What causes them?

The natural aging process causes them due to expressions like laughing, smiling and frowning. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning, tugging and rubbing can contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids and peptides, Vitamin C and protein-rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 Crepey + Sagging skin

What causes it?

Not unlike wrinkles, crepey and sagging (a natural part of aging), skin is due to a loss of collagen and protein fiber breakdown. As we age our body produces less collagen thus skin begins to lose elasticity and plumpness and becomes more susceptible to the tug of gravity. Crepey and sagging skin can occur on both the lids and under the eyes.

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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