Archive for the ‘Suncare and Tanning’ Category

What you need to know about sunscreen

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

What you need to know about sunscreenMost of you know that you should always wear sunscreen (whether or not you actually do is another matter entirely). But there are other things to keep in mind as you apply before heading out the door, and they could make the difference in your overall sun protection.

New York City dermatologist Robert J. Friedman told Glamour that beyond a certain level, more SPF won't really help you. "Once you go higher than SPF 50, there's not much difference," he told the publication. Glamour recommends SPF 30 with ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl.

Beyond SPF, it's also imperative to look for sunscreen that offers full-spectrum protection. A good product won't just be effective against UVA or UVB rays alone – it'll be able to protect you against both.

Last but not least, be sure you're not neglecting any body parts when you're putting on your sunscreen, and do be sure to reapply when necessary. You wouldn't believe how many people forget their feet, hands or the tops of their ears, but it's worth it to stay vigilant.

Tips for a more even self-tanner application

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Tips for a more even self-tanner application It's one thing to want to look like the queen of the jungle with an enviable Amazonian tan, but no one wants to emulate the zebras or tigers who make such a stunning addition to the landscape otherwise. So what's a gal to do?

First of all, we commend you for using self-tanning products – beauty technology has given us more and more safe alternatives to tanning, and certain products now come with streak-free properties to help protect against a garish, uneven application.

Makeup artist Jillian Dempsey told Allure.com that self tanner is best applied to the skin using a puff.
"Run the puff over the elbows and knees lightly and quickly so they don't get too dark," she told the news source.

If you don't feel like digging around for a puff, there are plenty of products that are designed with easy application in mind. Colorescience Bronzer Brush comes in a convenient puff brush form for an effortless, even distribution. For an even more efficient method of attack, use ModelCo Tan Airbrush In a Can.

Why everyone should wear an SPF moisturizer

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Why everyone should wear an SPF moisturizerEveryone grows up with the sunscreen mantra, so much so that it is an ingrained practice in our culture to always lather up when poolside or beachside. But how many of us are aware of all those other moments we spend in the sun?

Time spent tanning generally has less of a damaging effect on skin than the cumulative moments we spend in the sunlight with no protection, according to StyleList.com.

"Those five minutes you take to run across the street to get a sandwich during lunch time…add up to age you the most," New York dermatologist Dr. Diane Berson told the news source.

For this reason (and so many more), people everywhere should work it into their practice to wear a moisturizer every day with an SPF factor of at least 15. When you get into the habit of applying protection before you even leave the house each morning, you'll be doing so much more to protect your skin during all of those moments you tend not to think about.

For extra protection, get into the habit of wearing SPF 15 chapstick and even all-over sunscreen on a day-to-day basis.

Yet another reason why sunscreen is important

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

Yet another reason why sunscreen is importantBy now, it's probably ingrained in everyone that sunscreen is the name of the game. Since day one, we're lectured to never go to the beach without it, and some particularly health-conscious folks won't even get the mail without a touch of SPF.

The reasons all mostly pertain to the prevention of skin cancer – beyond that, no one really wants to deal with painful sunburns. But did you know that wearing sunscreen can also have some benefits when it comes to minimizing the appearance of blemishes?

Spending time in the sun can actually make pimples more obvious-looking, according to Allure.com. "Be vigilant about wearing sunscreen," the news source suggests. "Any kind of skin discoloration will get even darker if you go out in the sun unprotected."

To tame the redness and general unsightliness of blemishes, resist the urge to pick, dab on some medication, spot it with concealer and of course, follow your daily sunscreen requirements (a bad sunburn can trigger acne, too).

Expert skincare tips: How to slow the effects of aging

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Expert skincare tips: How to slow the effects of agingEven if some of us don’t make it to a dermatologist on a regular basis, we can still benefit from expert advice geared to help us combat skincare woes that many of us invariably end up facing.

If you wish to be in-the-know when it comes to protecting yourself against the effects of aging, Skincare-News.com provided these helpful hints that everyone should keep in their arsenal of skincare know-how.

“Sunscreen is a must in the fight against aging,” the news source reports. “People should always be honest about their skin care regimen – including any history of smoking and sun exposure. This is vital information for a dermatologist to create an effective anti-aging skin care routine.”

Be sure you’ve got the best skincare technology on your side with a sunscreen product that contains at least SPF 15. Many foundations and moisturizers come with SPF already built in, which is a great way for women to get into the habit of never leaving the house without some sun protection on their faces.

Skin through the ages: An everywoman guide

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Skin through the ages: An everywoman guideYou know your skin is sort of a big deal – it is the biggest organ on your body, after all, and having an out-of-this-world glow can make the difference between feeling beautiful or just so-so.

We wash, we exfoliate, we moisturize, we tone – we drink our eight glasses per day in hopes of achieving that ever-elusive perfect, dewy sheen.

The older we get, the more we have to adapt our habits to our skin’s ever-changing needs. That’s why it’s so important for women of all ages to be equipped with the proper knowledge to respond to the changes taking place in their bodies – the skin of a 20-year-old has different needs than the skin of a 47-year-old, but with the proper techniques, every woman can feel like a queen.

According to StyleList.com, “thanks to technology and all that we know about aging today, firm and glowing skin isn’t something you have to leave behind in your youth.”

That doesn’t mean having youthful skin comes without its own bag of issues, however. Many 20-year-olds are still plagued with occasional blemishes.

New York dermatologist Dr. David Bank told StyeList that young women might look for gentle cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide, such as Neova‘s Acne Cream.

As you get into your 30s, it’s a safe bet you’ll see less and less of the angry red stuff, but your skin might be less capable of restoring itself. This is about the time when blotchiness, dryness and tiny fine lines begin to appear.

To combat these dulling effects, Dr. Tina Alster recommends focusing on exfoliation and moisturizing, while Dr. Bank mentions that most of the stuff you used in your 20s to fight acne can also still be beneficial for anti-aging purposes. Retinol creams and glycolic acid are especially suited for fine lines and blotchiness, the news source reports.

Those who begin to notice signs of rosacea at this age are advised to avoid a self-diagnosis and to visit a dermatologist. Skin-care professionals usually have the most effective treatments for this inflammatory condition. If you do decide to self-medicate, you can use products such as Phytomer‘s Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion and Accept Neutralizing Cream.

Women progressing into their 40s may see a marked progression of the aging effects they experienced in their 30s “due to weakening of collagen and elastin fibers, loss of fat and muscles, and coupled with gravitational pull,” Dr. Banks told the news source. “It’s not surprising that you will begin to see signs of sagging eyelids, drooping brows and hollowness under the eyes.”

The best advice is to up the strength of the exfoliation and moisturizing process, opting for subtle dermabrasion formulas with microcrystals and moisturizers with lots of glycerin. Bank recommends looking for formulas with anti-oxidants such as grape-seed extract or vitamins A, C and E, the news source reports.

Women aged 50 and over may begin to see more pronounced wrinkles as the moisture and fat content in their skin begins to wane. At this point, lathering on oil-rich moisturizers is a safe bet for the skin, which isn’t as prone to break-outs as it was years ago. Alster recommends products with collagen-building ingredients, such as retinoic acid, and hydrators like hyaluronic acid.

Bank says there’s something to look forward to in your 60s, which may bring skin less prone to hormonal fluctuations and a more defined bone structure. To prevent the dryness and itchiness associated with this age, look for creams with shea butter or serums with phytoestrogens, the news source reports.

Once you’re in your 70s, you can leave the soap behind. Look for soap-free cleansers that will help you retain as much moisture as you can – adding a vitamin C serum can help you with sunspots. Cellex-C Advanced-C Serum will do wonders for blotchiness and uneven skin tone.

And if there is one thing that you do take away from all of this, remember to always put on sunscreen. Applying SPF 20 or greater can be your number one defense against aging, no matter what birthday you’ll be celebrating this year.

Pro tips for nabbing an enviable sun-kissed glow

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Pro tips for nabbing an enviable sun-kissed glowBy now many of us are aware of the dangers of tanning, and often opt for safer methods of achieving the same sun-kissed glow. Self-tanners and spray tanning products are now being endorsed by professionals, who want us all to know that we'll look that much sexier for taking care of our bodies.

Then again, who better to ask for advice on this topic than the beauty experts in charge of bronzing the sexy models in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition?

"Even with the girls that came tan, I made sure everyone was three shades darker," makeup artist Tracy Murphy told InStyle.com. "Giving the girls a tropical look was really important for me because everything changes – the eyes get bright and the teeth get white."

To pull this off, Murphy applied bronzer and self-tanner to the models prior to the shoot.

Use Fake-Bake Original Self-Tan Lotion or GloMinerals gloBody Bronzer for flawless, healthy color. These products will give you a natural-looking glow in an easy, fool-proof application.

Corrective measures for pasty skin when landing at your winter getaway destination

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Corrective measures for pasty skin when landing at your winter getaway destinationIf you're one of the lucky few escaping from the torrent of winter storms to a warm vacation hotspot this season, consider yourself blessed. You may be arriving at your tropical destination with a less-than-beach-goddess glow, but you'll be hard-pressed to find much reason to complain.

Still, if you want to hit the ground running, here are a few ways to prep your skin for a sudden transition to balmy weather.

One of the safest and most popular ways to get a base tan is to start using self-tanning products a week or two before your vacation. Look for convenient spray bottles or creamy lotion formulas that can be applied evenly for a streak-free complexion – GloMinerals gloBody Bronzer adds a hint of shimmer in addition to a sun-kissed glow.

If you've got any flaws that need covering up, using CoverBlend Corrective Leg and Body Makeup with SPF 18 will help you hide your imperfections and add a natural-looking tan in the process.

Even if you're not necessarily looking to layer on some fake color, you can still bring your pale skin to life with some Michael Kors Leg Shine or Karin Herzog Body Shimmer. These products will give skin a healthy glow while enhancing your natural skin tone.

Study claims diet may affect your skin tone

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Study claims diet may affect your skin toneIn the winter, many women long for bronzed skin but fear that they won't be able to achieve a healthy glow until the summer rolls around. However, according to a new study, ladies can achieve a golden complexion year-round by eating specific foods, the Daily Mail reports.

"Most people in the West think that the best way to improve your skin color is to get a suntan. But our research shows that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is actually more effective," lead researcher Dr. Ian Stephen told the news source.

Researchers studied the correlation between people's skin color and their diet. According to the news outlet, the study found that those who ate more fruits and vegetables had a more golden skin tone due to higher levels of carotenoids, antioxidants found in red peppers, spinach and apricots.

However, even those who eat a diet rich in antioxidants may benefit from a bit of cosmetic help in the dreary winter months. A lightweight tanning lotion, like GloMinerals gloBody Bronzer, will give skin a natural-looking, healthy glow without appearing streaky or painted on.

Evan Rachel Wood opens up about her beauty routine

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Evan Rachel Wood opens up about her beauty routineOn screen, Evan Rachel Wood rarely keeps the same look – she has played everything from a natural, fresh-faced hippie in Across the Universe to a sultry vampire on HBO's True Blood, who wears deep red lipstick and never has a hair out of place.

But what about Wood's real-life beauty routine? Fans of the daring starlet may not be surprised by her answer. "I have fun playing with makeup," she told People Magazine, adding that she likes to see how far she can push beauty boundaries.

Still, the style chameleon seems to have a practical side to her as well. "I am SPF crazy," she told the news source. "I have sunscreen in the door of my car. I have sunscreen in my purse."

Whether you regularly rock a vampy look or prefer a natural, understated appearance, you may want to heed Wood's advice and load up on sun protection – even in the winter.

Apply a protective formula, like Dermalogica MultiVitamin BodyBlock SPF 20, to arms and legs (any skin that's exposed to the sun) before you head out the door. Use a separate product, such as Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Face Block SPF 25, on your face and throw it in your bag so that you can reapply it as needed throughout the day.