Elle Magazine recently came out with their 10 Commandments for Youthful Looking Skin, and we couldn't agree more!
Here are some highlights, paired with our in-house recommendations for the best results possible:
Rub It In
Hydrated skin not only looks great (glowing, healthy, and even-toned), but it's stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to fend off irritation. Moisturizers contain two skin-saving components: humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw water from the air into the skin; and emollients, such as mineral oil and dimethicone, which strengthen the lipid barrier, holding in moisture.
We recommend: Queen Bee Butta ($22) for hands and body, and Vital Therapy's Hydrating Rain ($49) to add to any of your favorite stand-by's!
Calm Down
If skin's lipid barrier is compromised and irritants slip through, the resulting inflammatory response leads to redness, itching, and overall discomfort. To calm skin quickly, spot-treat areas of concern with capillary constricting cold compresses, which draw redness away from the skin's surface, or pop OTC antihistamine, which blocks the same chemical that produces allergy symptoms.
We recommend: ColoreScience Line Tamer or About Face ($45) to treat, conceal, and prevent redness and Queen Bee's Good-Bye Mr. Puffy Kit ($28) for inflammation of the face, feet, hands, and legs.
Brush It Off
Dead skin cells? Yuck! Keep skin smooth and boost radiance with cell-sloughing exfoliation. A physical exfoliant, such as a scrub, a body wash with gentle beads, or a razor (when shaving, of course), buffs away debris, while alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids dissolve the bonds between cells, so the old cells easily wash away, revealing soft, glowing skin.
We recommend: Most importantly: Get yourself a Clarisonic Pro!! As for product, Vital Therapy's Raspberry Scrub for body and face ($24), Queen Bee's Organic Face Wash and Exfoliant, and ViDerm Toner
Firm Up
Though age and sun damage can cause skin to lose elasticity over time, fighting back is getting easier: Recent research shows that maintaining a healthy, moisturized epidermis will help prevent the breakdown of the skin's collagen and elastin infrastructure. Look for creams containing barrier strengthening palmitoyl peptides and niacinamide, as well as caffeine, which can tighten skin on both the face and body (see ya, cellulite!) by revving up circulation and hydration.
We recommend: Anesi Cellulite Cream for body ($50) and Vital Therapy's Ultra Firm Peptide Lotion ($60) for face, neck, and decolletage.
Erase Wrinkles
The best way to banish wrinkles before they begin is to develop good habits, such as vetoing sunbathing and cigarettes, which trigger free radicals that damage DNA in cells. Regular application of retinol- or niacinamide-laced creams from head-to-toe will help thicken skin and boost collagen synthesis, and it's also important to keep hydrated with hyaluronic acid-rich moisturizers- if skin is thirsty, fine lines will be more apparent.
We recommend: Vital Therapy's Plastic Surgery in a Bottle ($50), IMAGE Total Resurfacing Mask (TBD)
Look Ahead
Protect your skin for a beautiful future. A full-on solar defense starts with broad-spectrum sunscreen that guards against both UVB and UVA rays by using a mix of physical blockers (titanium oxide and zinc oxide) and chemical blockers. Make sunscreen the first step in your regimen; applying it to bare skin binds it to cells, boosting efficacy.
We recommend: ColoreScience Mineral Sunscreen Brushes- available ranging in color, coverage, and Sun Protection Factors ($45-$60).
For more information about ways to keep your skin youthful, or to inquire about any of the products mentioned, please stop in or call today.
720.314.1965
