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.

Excess facial or body hair appears on women of all backgrounds, so you’re certainly not alone. Multiple factors weigh in, including hormones, stress, heredity and ethnicity. It’s normal to find dark hairs on your face, neck and even your upper lip or cheeks. Hair can also grow in areas like your chest and back. Some women have just a few extra hairs, while others experience more dense growth.

From plucking, shaving and waxing to depilatories and bleach, there’s certainly an array of hair removal methods. Finding the best method will depend on factors like how much hair you have and how fast it grows back. Fortunately, most of these at-home treatments are low in price and offer good results.

Plucking or tweezing
Pros: One of the easiest methods, tweezing works best for stray hairs on the chin or eyebrows. When properly tweezed, hair is removed from the root. For the best results, invest in high-quality tools. When tweezing, grasp the hair and then pull it out slowly and carefully in the direction of hair growth.

Cons: Due to inefficient tweezers or rushing, sometimes only a portion of the hair is removed, leaving stubble and ingrown hairs. You also might have to deal with redness, a tingling sensation or white bumps where the hair was plucked. What’s more, tweezing takes time, since each hair must be removed individually. And the results don’t last as long as other methods.

Shaving
Pros: A good option when hair growth is thick and tweezing becomes too time-consuming.

Cons: Results only last a day or two, after which the tell-tale stubble will surface. Shaving can also cause bumps, ingrown hairs and razor burn. Because facial skin is much thinner and more delicate than the legs, irritation is more noticeable.

Bleaching
Pros: Considered the most painless option, bleaching is generally used for the upper lip.

Cons: Because bleaching doesn’t actually remove hair — it just makes hair lighter and less noticeable — it remains thick and visible, especially in the sunlight.

Soothing solutions
After any type of hair removal, irritation and redness are common. Be prepared with soothing products ahead of time. Try natural skin care products that contain hydrocortisone and whole-leaf aloe vera, which can minimize itching and redness and soothes sensitive skin.

Naturally, each method will have its pros and cons, so it boils down to personal preference. By choosing the hair removal method that best fits your needs, facial hair is one problem that doesn’t have to rule your life.

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.

If you know someone with sensitive skin, or someone who really enjoys product, you won’t go wrong with products from the AdvanSkin line. 

The products in the line are natural and won’t cause any harm to human skin, not even simple irritation.  You don’t have to worry about blotches or any other strange anomalies because of the chemicals that are available in most commercial products.  So if you want to get a gift for someone (or even yourself) you can’t go wrong with AdvanSkin.

Triclosan is a solid chemical compound that’s powdery and naturally chlorinated with a slight odor. It blocks the activity of ENRs (enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase), which is a fatty acid enzyme in the synthesis of bacteria. Because triclosan is soluble in ethanol and other basic chemical solutions, it’s a popular ingredient in many products we use everyday.

Although triclosan is an effective ingredient in the battle against bacteria, some health advocates have urged that we avoid it. Concerns over its safety and effect on the environmental have shed negative light on triclosan.

This bacteria-fighting ingredient has been linked to dioxins, which are carcinogenic, potentially causing anything from a weakening of the immune system to serious birth defects.  That being said, you may want to switch over to natural skin care products, most of which will NOT carry synthetic chemicals and are no doubt safe for most people.

If you find yourself using a lot of make up for your daily activities, you may want to pay close attention to your skin care regimen.  Many times, excessive make up can cause more acne and facial blemishes.  At the end of the day, you’ll want to give your face a good, clean scrub.

AdvanSkin AHA Cleanser works best for this.  It’s a natural product and cleans the face nice and easy without harming the skin at all.  It’s a step up from just using water and a washcloth, as there are several vitamins and healthy elements for your skin.

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.

There are multiple factors that contribute to acne: genetics, hormones, certain medications, stress and bacteria, to name a few. Acne results when bacteria, dead skin, dirt and oil become trapped in the pores. Typically, blemishes consist of whiteheads or blackheads, and can be accompanied by redness, peeling, changes in skin texture and an increase in oil production.

There are several solutions to getting rid of acne, such as all natural skin care products and a better diet.  There are also some commercially available acne medications, but many of them contain chemicals that can be harmful to sensitive skin.

“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.

Known universally as a bright and sunny bitter fruit, lemon is a member of the citrus family along with orange, lime, grapefruit and tangerine. Prized for its acidic quality, lemon has long been a household staple and the lemon’s fragrant essential oil (found in the rind) can be used for cooking, perfumery, cleaning, cosmetics and even healing.

Lemon has many cosmetic uses and can be found in a remarkably large number of skin care beauty products, especially glycolic acid treatments. Containing up to 8 % citric acid, lemon is a potent source of natural glycolic acid, along with apples, grapes, sugar cane and milk, making it an ideal chemical exfoliant and skin smoother.