Tag Archive for: Skincare

Do’s and Don’t of Exfoliation, Dr. G reports

Ever wonder why a baby’s skin is so soft? It’s because babies naturally replace their skin cells every few days. As you grow older, however, the rate of skin cell turnover slows down dramatically. Dead cells on your skin’s surface hang around much longer, a fact that tends to accentuate those fine lines and make your complexion look dull and lifeless. By removing these dead skin cells, exfoliation helps make up for the gradual slowing down of your natural skin renewal process, improving the tone and texture of your skin.

Screen Shot 2016-06-20 at 3.31.33 PMThe process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical reaction, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh new skin underneath to become visible. This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, and minimizes many types of superficial scarring. In addition, removing the top layer of dead and damaged cells allows other health-promoting agents such as moisturizers, antioxidants, and collagen-boosting ingredients to better penetrate the skin and work more effectively.

DON’T OVER EXFOLIATE– This is perhaps the most important thing to remember so that you can avoid any damage and/or irritation of the skin. It’s safe to assume that exfoliating twice weekly can achieve great results and refrain from irritation or over exfoliating. Of course, there are the people who enjoy exfoliating daily, but this is personal preference and heavily based on your skin type. If you notice a burning sensation or it your skin becomes very sensitive and/or red after using a product, stop it. Ultimately, you should stay in tune to what your skin needs, feels and looks.

DO EXFOLIATE ALL OVER- Exfoliation does not store at your face. Work your exfoliation routine down into the neck and décolleté area, even your lips too as these areas can greatly benefit from exfoliation too as it removes dead surface skin cells, brightens overall skin tone and improves texture. Other areas to exfoliate: your elbows and knees.

DON’T GO SUNBATHING AFTER EXFOLIATING- Exfoliating reveals a baby-fresh layer of skin, you could be more susceptible to the

sun’s rays. Use caution when heading outdoors. Use a higher SPF in your sunscreen, wear a hat, carry a sun umbrella and try to stick to shady spots whenever you can.

DO EXFOLIATE AT NIGHT- Skin renews itself overnight

so the perfect time to exfoliate is right before bed. Use a good sunscreen with high SPF during the day, especially if your skin has recently been exfoliated. While we all want smooth and clear skin, it’s we also want to protect against sun damage.

DO CONSIDER CHEMICAL EXFOLIANTS- Physical exfoliants aren’t the only wat to shough off dead skin to reveal a brighter complexion. Ingredients that chemically exfoliate the skin include glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic acid and various enzymes.

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Everything you need to know about Spring beauty from our go-to beauty team, Beauty Beyond

We always look forward to Spring beauty because of all the hot new colors that come out and also the transition into lighter weight and brightening focused skincare, but it always seems equally overwhelming as it is exciting.

IMG_5186[1]In an age of information overload and endless brands competing for our attention, we are often left confused and overwhelmed when deciding what beauty products to purchase and what best suits our individual needs…So, we enlisted our go-to beauty team, Beauty Beyond LA, to tell us about what looks are trending for Spring, hot new products and tips for selecting our beauty routine going into the warmer months.

GFMD: What does it mean to be a skincare and makeup concierge?

BBLA: Our clients rely on us to “just tell them what to use.” They trust us to find the best combination of skin, face, hair and body products for them and their families. We build these relationships by providing personal consultations, sampling specific products, and with monthly follow-ups. We aren’t in the business of just selling stuff, we believe in building relationships and educating our clients.

GFMD: What questions do you get most when it comes to new makeup looks for spring?

BBLA: Honestly, our clients have been taking care of everyone else for so long that they just want to feel like someone hears and understands them. We get the, “I just want the no-make, make-up look.” I like to call it the “I’m picking up my kid from the bus look”, or the “I’m dewy because I just worked out but didn’t actually workout look.”

GFMD: Tell us more about what products and steps you can take achieve for this look.

BBLA:

  • Always make sure your skin is clean and prepped clean and active sunscreen. We love Suntegrity for dry skin, MD Solar for oily or sensitive skin. Both of these lines have tinted moisturizers and BB creams that can also be used to even out skin tone and are great for on the go use. We also love Dr. Goldfaden’s Sun Visor for applying over makeup and throughout the day.
  • We love products with dual functions like a cream eye shadow that can be used on the eyes and cheeks and lips. Or a bronzer that can be used as a highlighter, bronzer or blush. Some of our favorites are La Bella Donna’s moonlight highlighting crème colour adds natural glow to the lids, is light-refracting on the cheeks and reduces the appearance of fine lines. We also love their candlelight cream colour that gives your face that fresh and illuminating look.
  • Finally, add a simple lip stain with sun protection. Try Suntegrity’s new lip sheers with spf 30.

GFMD: What are your favorite makeup trends for Spring?

BBLA: Here’s the thing, I just got finished saying that most of our clients are just happy to achieve the no make-up, make-up look. And call me crazy, but I think that is probably true for a lot of women…that said…if you are a follower of beauty trends….BE PREPARED because sadly the “no makeup, makeup look (which was actually a trend) is OFFICALLY OVER!!!!

GFMD: Ok…care to explain…

BBLA: Basically, makeup is back! And the look of wearing makeup is back. That said, I think we can safely and realistically say that even if the magazines and runways are showing insanely gorgeous models wearing blue eye shadow for spring…the majority of us are not busting out our wet and wild eye shadow from 6th grade.

But I try and tell my clients, ok sometimes, I have to beg my clients to just step out of their comfort zone and try a pop of color on their lips. And spring is the perfect time to have that candy apple red moment at the spring fundraiser. Or, try a navy line on your eyes (instead of cobalt blue eye shadow) when picking up for carpool. Or you can never loose, if you bronze up. Hey, just bronze up because a little color makes everyone feel better anytime!

GFMD: If you had to recommend a new makeup and/or skincare product, what would it be and why?

BBLA: We are loving individual face and eye masks right now. Joanna Vargas’s new Forever Glow Anti-Aging and Eden Instant Lift Face and eye Masks and Eye masks are just divine. And we can’t get enough of Goldfaden’s Plant Profusions line. It is the best new cohesive range of skincare we have tried for spring.

GFMD: What are your favorite color hues this Spring and can you offer any tips on ways to incorporate color into our look?

BBLA: The colors this spring are vibrant but still manage to perfectly embody the ease and pastel vibe that we all associate with spring. They are tranquil, mindful and calming and with names like Rose Quartz, Peach Echo, Serenity, Snorkel Blue and Fiesta, Iced Coffee and Lilac Grey…I don’t know whether I want to eat them, vacation with them or wear them! In seriousness, the colors for spring are a perfect time to either pop a peach echo on your cheeks, of a fiesta red on your lips. Or even wearing the lilac grey or serenity on your eyes.

GFMD: With the transition into the warmer months, what steps/tips should we be taking to change up our skincare routine?

BBLA: For the warmer months we need to make sure we are wearing our sunscreen daily. Exfoliation is also key in the warmer months. We should be exfoliating at least 3 times a week.

GFMD: What would you recommend is the most important skincare step/product that everyone should be practicing at home?

BBLA: Everyone should invest in an active serum. Serum’s penetrate to the deepest layer of the skin and are the most effective in giving you the results you want from your skin care routine.

Sign up to receive the latest tips, trends, and product picks from the beauty power team behind Beauty Beyond LA. Make sure to follow updates @beautybeyondla

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The benefits of using naturally-based products + Ingredients to avoid

What constitutes a “natural” beauty product? There’s still no universally accepted standard, even though the market is growing at a rapid rate. The skin is the body’s largest organ and research proves it capable of absorbing up to 60% of the ingredients in the products we apply – thats a large number and we’ve become more aware of what ingredients are found in our products for this reason. There is a large majority of bath and body products available today which contain commonly-used synthetic ingredients such as Parabens, detergents, preservatives and SLS; these synthetic ingredients have been recognised to cause irritation in some people and may have damaging effects longer-term. Here’s our list of what constitutes our “natural”.

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The biggest advantage of using natural/organic over synthetic ingredients in bath and body products is that they enhance the skin’s natural function; working in synergy with the skin by utilising active ingredients that help optimise skin regeneration. Think of naturally-based ingredients in topical products very similarly to foods – we all strive to eat “organic” and fast-food free. It’s the same in topical products.

Avoid Chemically-Based Ingredients: by voiding these harmful ingredients (Mercury, alcohol and ammonium laureth sulfate) found in regular skincare products you will help decrease your chances of redness, irritation and breakouts, along with sever allergic reactions. In addition, you are putting fewer toxic chemicals ito the environment and water, con tributing to a safer and cleaner environment. Artificilal fragrances in many products often tend to cause headaches and sensitivity, while parabens can alter the function of the endocrine system in your body.

Ingredients to avoid – 

Parabens: Preservatives commonly used in makeup products. Talc: A cheap bulking agent that is dry, chalky and related to asbestos. It’s used in many mainstream mineral brands as a filler to lower manufacturing costs.

Artificial fragrances: Can cause skin allergies and skin reaction to light (photo allergy). Commonly used in pressed powders and causes irritation and clogged pores.

Lead: A known neurotoxin. Exposure to lead may result in brain damage, cancer, miscarriage and infertility. Often found in lipsticks — don’t poison your pucker!

Phthalates: Manmade substances that mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen. Past studies have linked them to birth defects, kidney problems and infertility. Trace elements are being absorbed through the skin and, because the body doesn’t know what to do with them, they accumulate over time. Commonly found in plastic but also present in perfumes and lip glosses.

Dimethicone: A manmade toxic synthetic pigment and silicone-based polymer. Dimethicone sits on the surface of the skin and doesn’t allow it to breathe, causing irritation. Using Silicone-based skincare products also inhibit the actives from penetrating into the skin which reduces the treatment amount in the actives. 

Manganese: A byproduct of lead and copper refining and almost chemically identical to toxic arsenic, manganese is used as a filler because it gives a pearlescent shimmer. Can cause itching and clogged pores.

Chemical dyes: Link directly to skin allergies. Studies have found a breast cancer link to red 04 dye.

Mineral oil: Petroleum-derived oil that suffocates the skin and clogs pores.

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