Total Skin Solutions

If I have oily skin, I don’t need to use a moisturizer!

Many people mistakenly equate oil with moisture. They think that if skin is oily, then it must have enough moisture — or maybe even too much.

Also, using the wrong moisturizer can make it seem like all moisturizers exacerbate oily skin. Choosing an ill-suited lotion “can be a skin care disaster: greasy feeling skin, blackheads and pimples,” writes skincare expert Angela Palmer for “About.” So many skip this step altogether, afraid of making their skin even greasier.

Comparing oil to moisture is like comparing apples to oranges. They’re not the same things.

Skin type and moisture level can change based on environmental conditions or fluids consumed, writes Lara Ceroni for Elle Canada. Even oily skin can become drier when humidity is low or you’re dehydrated.

In his book, “10 Minutes/10 Years: Your Definitive Guide to a Beautiful and More Youthful Appearance,” dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., explains that oily skin still needs moisturizer, because it defends skin from damage and signs of aging. He suggests using a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. Check out AdvanSkin Ultimate Skin Treatment Serum.

You can also use a combination product containing an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen, suggest Doris Pooser and Suki Duggan in their book, The Essential Guide to Hair, Makeup & Skin Care.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are a class of chemical compounds that consist of a carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxy group on the adjacent carbon. They may be either naturally occurring or synthetic. AHAs are well-known for their use in the cosmetics industry. They are often found in products claiming to reduce wrinkles and touted as anti-aging source; they’re known to improve the overall look and feel of the skin. They are also used as chemical peels available in a dermatologist’s office, beauty and health spas and home kits, which usually contain a lower concentration. Their effectiveness is documented.

Varicose veins are twisted, bulging veins, typically found in the legs and feet, and are the result of excess pressure on the veins from prolonged periods of standing. They are typically dark blue to purplish in color, and may itch or throb.

Occasionally, varicose veins can signal a more serious medical condition such as blood clots, ulcers or phlebitis therefore, the sudden appearance of varicose veins should be examined by a doctor immediately.

For many people, removal of varicose veins is a cosmetic decision; the appearance of the veins is unappealing when wearing shorts or skirts. For others, medical conditions may necessitate their removal but in either case, follow these guidelines to delay the appearance of any new varicose veins. Refrain from standing or elevating the feet for prolonged periods of time, wearing support stockings and adopt a daily exercise routine to maintain healthy circulation.

Using concealer or an anti-aging cream with SPF, you can hide varicose veins and continue to have a youthful look to your legs.

“The way your neck ages is about 20 percent genetics… and 80% skin care habits,” writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D. And what’s a simple, yet powerful anti-aging step in your routine? Slathering on the sunscreen, of course.

Every time you head outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your neck and dècolletè (and all exposed areas) 20 to 30 minutes before leaving the house.  You can also add a product specifically formulated for the neck and dècolletè areas.

If you’re already noticing sun damage or aging skin, know that many treatment options are available. Because of their exfoliating properties, alpha hydroxy acids, particularly glycolic acid, are ideal for helping damaged skin.

After exfoliating, follow with an anti-aging moisturizer; a rich moisturizer will drench the skin with invigorating antioxidant protection and help restore vitality to lackluster or tired skin.

Using natural anti-aging products offers up more pros than cons.  The synthetic chemicals used in most commercial products will often worsen skin problems.  Many of these products that you find at big box retailers and drug stores that are not organic will contain harsh chemicals, dyes and fragrances that will aggravate the skin.  Using natural products will not harm your skin like many other of their commercial counterparts.

Like the rest of your body, your lips are subject to the years and can be altered over time.  There are some anti-aging techniques you can have for your lips to prolong their youthful looks:

• Protect and plump. Don’t think your lips are somehow immune to sun exposure; they can suffer from sunburn, too. In fact, excessive exposure has been linked to lip cancer. So, shield your lips from the sun year-round by wearing a broad spectrum lip product..

• For creamy, luscious lips. Dry and dull lips a problem? Try moisturizing your lips to prevent dryness and roughness. Some products will also plumps lips to make them look full.

• Boost the good, battle the bad. Experts recommend products that contain vitamins and antioxidants, because they encourage new collagen development to keep lips full and soft. These ingredients also defend against free radicals, which damage skin cells.

• Beauty lift. For an easy trick to create fuller lips, line slightly outside your natural lip with a lip pencil and color in your lips; then apply lipstick and lip gloss. The shine from the gloss reflects light and creates the illusion of fuller lips.

Over the last few months, I’ve gone over several tips on how to keep your skin healthy-looking. Here are the best tips compiled from the last few months:

1. Adopt a routine. In order to maintain your beautiful complexion, you need a daily regimen of cleansing and moisturizing. Use a gentle cleanser that removes all traces of makeup and debris, such as AdvanSkin AHA Cleanser and follow with a moisturizer. Adding a toner after cleansing is an optional step that can help to balance oil production.

2. Restore moisture. A good moisturizer is paramount to your routine. When the skin doesn’t get enough moisture, it becomes puckered and leads to premature wrinkles. Imagine a wrinkly raisin — basically a dried-up grape. Moisturizers aren’t one-size fits all: Choose a moisturizer according to your skin type.

3. Hydrate from the inside out. Did you know that by the time you’re actually thirsty, your body is already dehydrated? Using a topical moisturizer alone isn’t enough to hydrate the skin, so make healthy choices such as drinking a glass of water instead of coffee or soda and help restore lost moisture to the skin and body.

4. Fight environmental enemies. On a daily basis, our skin is exposed to a number of environmental factors that damage the skin — pollution, chemicals and UV rays, to name a few. These factors cause an overall breakdown of the skin and the formation of premature wrinkles. An antioxidant serum is a great way to shield your skin from free radical damage and prevent cellular damage.

5. Stop smoking. Not only is smoking harmful to your body, but the effects will quickly become apparent on the skin. The physical act of smoking a cigarette leads to pursing of the lips and squinting of the eyes, which are repetitive wrinkle-causing actions. On top of that, the toxins in cigarettes lead to discolored skin and wrinkles.

6. Drink in moderation. Alcohol also robs your skin of moisture. Again with dryness arrive wrinkles. Limit yourself to one to two drinks in a given evening, and make sure to drink water in between cocktails to make up for lost hydration.

7. Cover up. Even those who don’t tan are victims of sun damage, as any type of unprotected sun exposure — like driving or sitting by a window — leads to photoaging (damage caused by the sun). Signs include fragile, thinning skin, wrinkles and creases, loss of elasticity and an increasingly rough skin texture. Wear sunscreen year-round, regardless of how long you’ll be outdoors.

8. Don’t neglect your neck. When it comes to healthy skin, it isn’t just about your face. In fact, the delicate skin of the neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. So, take great care of your neck by using serums, moisturizers and, most importantly, applying sunscreen every day.

9. Slough it off. Incorporate a gentle exfoliating product into your routine several times a week to remove dead skin cells and banish dull-looking skin. Exfoliating reveals a radiant complexion.

10. Eat right. An unbalanced diet can lead to skin problems such as inflammation and dehydration, contributing to premature aging.

What do broccoli, carrots and milk have in common? They are all an important part of nature’s arsenal to protect your skin from the effects of aging and the environment. The common element in these foods is that they are all good sources of Vitamin A, which act as an anti-aging agent.

Many people equate only eyes and vision with Vitamin A. But the health of our epithelial tissue — skin and the lining of passageways that open to the outside of the body, such as the throat and sinuses — is directly dependent on the amount of Vitamin A in our diet. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful elements in our skin, helping to prevent wrinkles, resist infection and keep our skin youthful.

You probably know that excessive exposure to the sun is dangerous for skin — or at least, you should! UV light causes environmental damage, fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and spots. Knowing this, you might be surprised to learn that a certain light therapy can actually be good for skin! Read on for more about LED therapy and how it works as an anti-aging method.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, use near-infrared light which penetrates and is absorbed by skin. While lasers produce heat, LEDs only produce light, which the skin turns into energy. This light energy then affects the mitochondria, responsible for powering cells. Plus, light allows cells to carry out chemical activities more quickly.

LED uses red and blue light to provide different benefits. Red light raises circulation, boosts collagen formation and promotes healing. Blue light destroys bacteria.

Skin problems that LED treats

• Few of us can honestly say that we are completely satisfied with our skin and no matter whom you ask, chances are they suffer some skin woe. The good news? LED treatments can improve many skin ailments:

• Collagen produced by red LED light plumps up wrinkles and fills out lines. It also firms and tones skin.

• Can you play connect-the-dots with your age spots? LED light may help lighten them.

• Irritated, dry, flaky skin will be eased with red LED light.

• Precancerous damage can be taken away using red light, says Dr. David Goldberg, who directs the Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey.

• If breakouts and blemishes are your concern, blue light is proving to be an effective way to treat acne.

Vitamin C is typically recommended to fend off colds and sickness, but it’s also great for your skin.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that not only stimulates collagen production but contains the skin damaging activities of free radicals.

Consequently, citric acid can actually improve the health of skin cells which in turn promotes healing and the ability of the skin to protect itself against harmful environmental factors.  Vitamin C is an active ingredient in AHA, which is present in several anti-aging products.