MOISTURIZERS: Choosing the right moisturizer for dry, oily, combination, sensitive skin

Regardless of skin type, every person should be using a moisturizer if they want healthy skin. The term “moisturizer” can be a bit misleading because moisturizers do much more than add moisture to the skin; they also keep the skin healthy and looking young. All Moisturizers must be filled with ingredients that maintain skin's structure by reducing free-radical damage, reinforce the skin's barrier function, and help all forms of skin cells function more normally.

Ingredients can be categorized into five different sections: antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, skin-identical ingredients, and anti-irritants

HOW CAN I CHOOSE THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS?

All skin types need these things added to skin, the only difference would be the formulation (Lotion, serum, gel, liquid).

ANTIOXIDANTS-anti aging and keep skin healthy
Ingredients: alpha lipoic acid, beta-glucan, coenzyme Q10, grape seed extract, green tea, soybean sterols, superoxide dismutase, vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl palmitate), and vitamin E (alpha tocopherol, tocotrienols) to pomegranate, cucurmin, turmeric, etc

SKIN-IDENTICAL-“intercellular matrix” that keeps skin cells connected and help maintain skin's fundamental external structure. These include humectants, ingredients that attract water to the skin. Think of it as brick and mortar. When the mortar breaks down the skin becomes, flaky, inflexible and stiff.
Ingredients: ceramides, lecithin, glycerin, polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, amino acids, cholesterol, glycerol, phospholipids, glycosphingolipids, glycosaminoglycans, glycerides, fatty acids

CELL-COMMUNICATING-communicates to the skin how to act 'normal'
Ingredients: niacinamide and adenosine triphosphate
RETINOL- Vitamin A. One of the best cell communicating ingredients for the skin
Becomes retinoic acid when absorbed by the skin and tells the skin how to behave
Ingredients: retinyl palmitate, retinol, retinylaldehye
PEPTIDES- proteins made of long chains of amino acids. Help skin barrier repair, wound healing. Generally, peptides aren't stable enough to be effective because they are unstable when absorbed by the skin. However, they are useful as water binding agents
Ingredients: copper peptides, palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, acetyl hexapeptide-3, and neuropeptides.
ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-3- peptide primarily claims to be a muscle relaxant similar to botox. There is absolutely no research supporting this claim!

ANTI-IRRITANTS-allow skin to heal
Ingredients: allantoin, aloe, bisabolol, burdock root, chamomile extract, glycyrrhetinic acid, grape extract, green tea, licorice root, vitamin C, while willow, willow bark, willowherb, etc.

WHAT TYPE OF CONTAINER SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

Most effective ingredients in moisturizers deteriorate when expensed to sunlight and oxygen so they MUST NOT be packaged in a jar or clear container. The container should be an opaque, tube or bottle with a small opening to minimize air exposing

WHAT MOISTURIZER IS BEST FOR MY SKIN TYPE?

DRY SKIN- Serums and lotions are best for normal to slightly dry skin
Emolients are needed to provide the ability to keep moisture in
Ingredients: plant oils, mineral oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum, and fatty acids (animal oils, including emu, mink, and lanolin (Lanolin is most like our own skin) riglycerides, benzoates, myristates, palmitates, and stearates. Silocones (siloxane)

OILY SKIN- Gels and Liquids are best for Oily skin
Look for water based or very light fluid or serum

COMBINATION SKIN- First, make sure your toner and cleanser are not causing the dryness. For combination skin it is best to apply two different products to your skin. Apply a product formulated for oily skin on your t-zone and apply a product for dry skin on your cheeks or dry areas.

DRY UNDERNEATH AND OILY ON TOP- If your skin feels dry underneath but is still oily you are using the wrong skin care products. Using an emollient cleanser, followed by an emollient toner and an emollient moisturizer can prevent the lower layer of skin from exfoliating, creating a thick, dry, flaky lower layer and a greasy layer on top. Drying cleanser, followed by a toner with irritating or drying ingredients, the applying an emollient moisturizer can create the same effect.

DO I NEED AN EYE CREAM OR NECK CREAM?

Good news! If you use a gentle moisturizer that is correctly formulated, this should be gentle enough to use for your eye area and neck. A well formulated moisturizer should be extremely gentle on your skin even if you have sensitive skin. As a result, you do not need to buy a separate product for your eye area. In fact, the concept of an ‘eye cream’ is largely invented in marketing as a way to get consumers to buy more products.

If you would like to learn more about choosing the right moisturizer for your skin I suggest reading The Original Beauty Bible by Paula Begoun

Journey to Clear Skin: 1 Month Update

Hey loves! Unfortunately my new skincare regimen did not help as much as I had hoped. I decided to start using high end products in hopes that I will see better results. I like the African Black Soap and will continue to use it. Although my acne has not cleared, I have noticed the rest of my skin become brighter. Here are some updated pictures of my skin:

 

I am going to stop using benzoyl peroxide. Aside from being a carcinogen, I did not notice any reduction in new acne. It did a decent job at clearing away old acne quickly, but new blemishes continued to come up. There is some research suggesting Tea Tree Oil as a safe replacement for benzoyl peroxide. I love using natural products as often as possible so I will be using this from now on.

I have added a retinol to my skin care regimen. I do not want to deal with excessive pealing so I am using an over the counter product (Philosophy Help Me!). Retinols clear skin by causing the top layer of skin to be constantly renewing itself. I now have a bunch of acne scars, which will hopefully be cleared up over time with continued use. Retinols are also some of the few products that have been scientifically proven to have anti-aging agents. Remember, it is always best to start using anti-aging products sooner rather than later!

I have also started using Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum. And have switched moisturizers to Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer SPF 30. Since I am using a retinol it is vital to use a moisturizer with a high SPF, this one is SPF 25. Using a higher SPF is also going to help prevent future acne scars.

Recap of Products I am Using:

1. Cleanser-Nubia African Black Soap

2. Retinol-Philosophy Help Me!

3. Acne Spot Treatment- 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

4. Anti Aging Serum- Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum

5. Moisturizer- Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer SPF 30

 

 

DIY Inspiration: Clutch

I saw this picture on whowhatwear.com and thought it would make an awesome DIY. All you need is a cheap clutch from a thrift store and a couple of embellishments. This is definitely going on my to-do list

DIY Inspiration

I've been searching through the Spring 2012 Ready to Wear collections of a bunch of designers and was inspired by these designs. DIY instructions coming soon!

Modified fringe sleeve:

Cynthia Steffe Spring 2012 RTW

Pearl belt and pearl sleeve/collar details:

Chanel Spring 2012 RTW

Sleeve embellishments on a blazer:

Balmain Pre-Fall 2012

Journey to Clear Skin: My Battle with Adult Acne

Hello Loves! There are a few blogs out there who discuss clear skin. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to relate to since most are either directed at teens or they all have perfect skin! I have decided to share my journey to clear skin with you.

My Skin Profile: Despite my oily skin, I did not have a huge problem with acne as a teen. I have always taken good care of my skin and was very consistent with skin care. I would get a few blemishes on my forehead every now and then, but that was it. About a year ago at the age of 22 I began to break out like crazy. The blemishes were no longer on my forehead, they were now on my cheeks. I didn't have any drastic changes in my diet or skincare regimen so there was no obvious cause for my sudden acne.

My Old Regimen:

Wash face twice daily (morning and night) with Clean and Clear Morning Burst
Use Clean and Clear Astringent for sensitive skin

Moisturize with Olay Moisturizer with SPF 15

 

My New Regimen:

Twice daily use a clean washcloth to avoid spreading bacteria with my hands. Use hot water on the wash cloth, put over my face for light steaming and opening up my pores. Wash face using Nubian African Black Soap.

Use a benzoyl peroxide over blemishes

Moisturize using a moisturizer with SPF

 







I will keep you all updated with my results!

 

 

 

Future Housewife in Training

I'm only 22 years old so obviously I'm not living the life of a housewife... but many of my interests pertain to those of a housewife, so here I am! I am in the process of perfecting my skills so I will learn as I go and mark my progress through these blog entries. My first project I will post is my Halloween costume. I am making my own Princess Jasmine costume from scratch! I will post my progress as time goes on.