Your Skin Care Help - Maintaining Healthy Skin

September 4, 2018August 15, 2023

Paula’s Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Review

Used For – Face – Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

What It Is:

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant;

This fast absorbing Liquid Exfoliant that removes built-up dead skin cells and fights blackheads. An award-winning treatment for skin that is prone to breakouts.This gentle, lightweight fluid quickly exfoliates dead skin cells both on the surface and deep inside pores to reveal smoother, clearer, more radiant-looking skin.

Video – Skin Perfection 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Skin Type:

Combination skin and Oily skin.

What It Does:

When the Liquid Exfoliant is applied to the skin, the liquid is rapidly absorbed; the leave-on formula is a gentle, non-abrasive solution. The Salicylic Acid (BHA) chemically exfoliates the surface of the skin, this allows for the removing of dead cells and unclogging pores, leaving your skin with an even and refined texture.

BHA (salicylic acid) has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps to reduce blackheads, blemishes, and calm redness.

With the addition of Green Tea, this delivers antioxidants to neutralize free radicals to provide essential anti-aging properties. While Methylpropanediol optimizes the effectiveness of the BHA and hydrating properties, that leaves a smooth, dewy, fresh finish.

You will find your skin is left feeling cleansed and decongested, with a clarified and balanced tone.

All skin types can use this product, but it’s particularly well-suited for those who have combination or oily skin that is prone to getting clogged pores. The liquid solution is easy to apply, and won’t feel oily.

As with all Paula’s Choice Skincare products, the formula is fragrance-free and Non-irritating, which is always good news for skin.

This product is Not tested on animals.

Ingredients: Click To SeeAqua, Methylpropanediol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid, exfoliant), Polysorbate 20 (stabilizer), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (skin calming/antioxidant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer).

How To Use:

Apply once or twice daily after cleansing and toning.

Lightly soak a cotton pad, and apply to entire face. Around the eye area caution is needed to avoid lower lash line, and eyelids.

Do not rinse.

When applied in the morning, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher.

Please Note: Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylate) should not use products containing salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid).

Click To Read – Best Way To Exfoliate Your Face

Conclusion: Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

For people who have skin types that vary, you can use this on areas of your skin that are oily and prone to breakouts or blackheads, most frequently the nose and chin. Then on your forehead, cheeks, and neck, you can use the AHA exfoliant.

When using AHA and BHA products, give 2-3 weeks to see results. This will allow for the old skin to be replaced with new fresh, healthier looking skin.

Don’t feel you have to use any one product all over your face, go by what your skin is telling you and apply accordingly.

Some people say that AHA and BHA products can make skin more sensitive. What you need to remember is that you are removing extra layers of dull skin. The new skin beneath will be more sensitive to sun exposure. You combat that by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF30 or higher every day, which is essential for healthier, younger-looking skin.

I would recommend this product.

Have you used any Paula’s Choice Products? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

September 4, 2018August 15, 2023

Paula’s Choice – Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant Review

Used For – Face – Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

See On – paulaschoice.co.uk

What It Is:

This ultra-light gel Exfoliant gently dissolves built-up dead skin to reveal a smoother, brighter, more radiant complexion. Formulated with 8% AHA (glycolic acid), it helps to fade signs of sun damage and corrects uneven skin tone while improving the appearance of wrinkles.

Video – Skin Perfection 8% AHA Gel

Skin Type:

All Skin Types.

Good for repairing Sun Damaged Skin.

What It Does:

Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant has a weightless gel texture to exfoliate the skin’s surface via 8% glycolic acid in a pH-correct formula. It helps to smooth dry skin and improve signs of unevenness. It is gentle enough for skin that has stubborn white bumps, and skin that is prone to milia.

The creamy solution works to remove dead skin, while Glycolic Acid promotes a smoother, more refined texture. It will help reduce the appearance of dark spots, and signs of aging, such and fine lines and wrinkles as a result of sun damage. Leaves your skin feeling softer and smoother.

8% AHA Gel is suitable for all skin types, people who have dull, uneven normal to dry skin will find it beneficial. It should be noted that using water-based gel textures, the finish could be somewhat sticky, especially if a moisturizer is not applied over it.

As with all Paula’s Choice exfoliants, this product is fragrance-free; research indicates this is best for the skin.

Ingredients: Click To SeeWater (Aqua), Glycolic Acid (alpha hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria Flower Extract (chamomile/skin-soothing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (hydration), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (green tea/antioxidant/skin-soothing), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin replenishing), Panthenol (hydration), Sodium PCA (skin replenishing), Propylene Glycol (hydration), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Hydroxyethylcellulose (texture-enhancing), Polyquaternium-10 (texture-enhancing), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Sodium Benzoate (preservative).

How To Use:

Apply once or twice daily after your cleansing and toning. Apply over the entire face, including the eyes (avoid the lower lash line and eyelids). Do not rinse.

For daytime use, always follow with a moisturiser containing a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher.

Read – Best Way To Exfoliate Your Face

Conclusion: Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

I have very sensitive skin, and I also have some sun damaged areas on my forehead. I began using this product as part of my skin care routine, and I am seeing a marked improvement.

It has helped remove some rough dry patches and even out the skin tone. The good thing is that I have not had any irritation, redness or over drying.

When using AHA or BHA products, you need to give 2-3 weeks to see the full results. This will allow for the old skin to be replaced with new fresh, healthier looking skin.

You must never forget to apply sunscreen every day, limit sun exposure while using this product as it contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) this may increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun and increase the possibility of sunburn. I recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

This really is such a great AHA product. Makes my skin soft, smooth, and supple. I would highly recommend it.

Have you tried any Paula’s Choice Products? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

September 3, 2018August 2, 2023

Clinique’s City Block Purifying™ Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub Review

Clinique’s City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub

See On – luxplus.co.uk

What It Is:

A 5-minute dual-action detoxifying – exfoliating clay mask. Rejuvenate your complexion with the City Block Purifying Charcoal Mask and Scrub from Clinique. Specially formulated by dermatologists to combat the harsh effects of city lifestyles, the dual-action treatment works to purify and polish skin in a revitalising deep cleansing process whether used as a mask or scrub.

Skin Types:

All skin types, especially suited to Oily Skin.

What It Does:

Purifies and polishes your skin. This dual-purpose exfoliator gives a delightful deep-clean treatment.

Natural bamboo charcoal and kaolin clay help to remove pollution and impurities, while natural silica beads gently refine texture.

Suitable for extra cleansing; if you have oily skin that can benefit from the use of a clay mask; City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub is for ideal for you. This highly absorbent and fragrance-free product helps make skin look smooth and refined in just five minutes.

Once applied this clay mask/scrub hybrid goes on as a medium gray shade that turns light blue as it dries, indicating its time to rinse.

You’ll feel the clay become progressively tighter as it dries, but once you rinse, the skin doesn’t feel taut or overly dry. This clay mask product would not be suitable for someone with dry, dehydrated skin.

Ingredients: Click To SeeWater, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Charcoal Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Gentiana Lutea (Gentian) Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sucrose, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

How To Use: City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub

Use 1-2 times per week.

Leave on for five minutes or until mask turns pale blue.

Read – Best Way to Exfoliate Your Face

Conclusion: City Block Purifying Charcoal Clay Mask + Scrub

Combines cleansing of a scrub with the oil absorption of a clay mask.

It will help reduce pore size and clear blackheads.

Leaves skin refined and matte, not tight or dry.

Works in five minutes and rinses off easily.

Contains gentle, plant-based soothing agents.

Fragrance-free.

Not only will it remove dead skin, but it also removes impurities and pollution from your skin. This allows for the new skin to appear with a healthy, glowing appearance to it.

When you are washing the mask off, you gently work it into the skin and get the scrub effect but without the harshness of some ‘scrub’ exfoliants, this is perfect as we don’t want to be ‘tearing’ at our face to achieve good results! The other thing I like about this mask is that it doesn’t leave your skin feeling too dry or tight.

It’s not a deep clean, but it helps to keep skin looking good, and it is an important part of your skin management program when applied twice a week.

The reviews for this product have been excellent.

I like that this product has a clean ingredient list, no added fragrance or irritants.

I would recommend this product.

Have you used any Clinique Products? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

September 2, 2018August 2, 2023

Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub – Cream Rinse-Off Formula Review

Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub – Cream Rinse-Off Formula

See On – Selfridges.com

What It Is:

Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub – Cream Rinse-Off Formula is a gentle exfoliating cream, it polishes skin and refines skin texture.

Skin Type:

Combination Oily, Dry, Oily, Very Dry

What It Does:

Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub – Cream Rinse-Off Formula is fragrance-free, it has a very creamy texture and contains coconut oil, making it more suitable for people with normal to dry skin.

If you have oily or combination skin, it is possible you will find this is too creamy for your skin.

This version includes the more environmentally-friendly silica as the scrub. The silica grains are microfine and gentle, so when you are applying, and working the solution into your skin you should not feel any harshness on your face, which is welcome news for your skin.

In addition to emollient ingredients, this also contains some mild cleansing agents. The formula rinses cleanly from the skin, leaving it feeling softer and conditioned.

Dermatologist-developed exfoliating cream refines skin texture, helps to smooth and polish skin and unblock pores. Also, helps minimize the appearance of fine, dry lines. Exfoliate clears the way for moisture and smoother makeup application.

Ingredients: Click To SeeWater/Aqua/Eau, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate / Hexacaprate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Sorbitol, Hexyldecyl Stearate, Bisabolol, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Triethanolamine, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin.

How To Use:

Can be used daily as it is not harsh on the skin. Massage with finger tips in a circular motion until cream turns clear, avoiding immediate eye area. Can be used on lips. Rinse off with warm water, pat face dry.

Conclusion: Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub – Cream Rinse-Off Formula

My skin is very dry, many exfoliants & peels leave my skin dehydrated with flaky patches, and skin feeling very tight. This product, however, along with intense serum therapy has produced the best surface I have ever had.

It says a 7-day scrub, I use it every night as a part of my cleansing routine, and as a small amount is only required, a tube last a fair while. My face is then ready to receive retinol and serums with my skin looking perfect the next morning. I would definitely recommend this product.

Have you used any Clinique Products? How do you rate there beauty products? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you. jo@yourskincarehelp.com

Read – Do Face Masks Work?

August 31, 2018August 15, 2023

Benefits Of Drinking Water For Your Skin

The Benefits of Water:

How often do you read about doctors advising us we are not drinking enough water? A lot, yet studies show that people do not like to drink water and many people find it difficult to drink the advised amount to keep their bodies functioning.

Pure, clear water is the lifeline our bodies depend on to be able to remain active. Without it, the human body would dehydrate, our vital organs would stop working, and we would eventually grind to a halt. Read on to learn the benefits of drinking water for your skin.

Our body mass is made up of approx’ 60-80% water, including organs, cells, skin, and tissues; our skin alone is 64% water. That figure tells us just how vital water is for our existence, and how reliant our body is on it. So, keep your body topped up with fresh water, and it is going to be extremely happy!

What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water:

You are going to start feeling pretty rough! Dehydration is not a pleasant feeling; your mouth will get very dry, this is telling you that you have gone far too long without water, and you need to start drinking water immediately.

Dehydration can lead to your blood pressure falling which in turn leads to headaches and dizziness, and your skin becomes dry and will lose its elasticity, very bad for those wrinkles!

All of this will leave you feeling tired and fatigued. So, isn’t all of that enough to make you want to keep those water levels up?

How can you avoid all these nasty side effects?

By drinking the stipulated amount recommended by doctors:

Men should drink approx’ 3 liters (about 13 cups) a day.
Women should drink approx’ 2.25 litres (about 9 cups) a day.

Refreshing Ways To Enjoy Drinking Water:

If you are having trouble drinking these amounts, you can break it down to just four to eight sips of water per hour; it’s easy to forget to do this if you’re busy at work and so busy that you don’t even realize that you are getting thirsty.

An excellent way to avoid this from happening is to keep a glass or bottle of water around you, just seeing it will make you want to keep sipping.

Try to create good habits, for example, every time you go to the bathroom incorporate drinking water, after answering the phone at work, take a sip of water, you will be surprised quickly it will become second nature and begin to increase your water intake.

Something else that you can try is to add a little flavor to your water. Some fruit or cucumber adds flavor without adding sugar; something else I find that helps is to drink sparkling water, adding a slice of lemon or a little ginger will give it a little variety.

You will be pleasantly surprised how, after you change those bad habits, and you start to drink more water your body begins to crave it and you’ll realise just how important it is for your body.

Brita Water Filter Jug

See On – Boots.com

Celebrities and Water:

Barely a week goes by without a superstar who swears their perfect skin and complexion is all down to drinking liters of water per day, it even prevents them from aging, so they say!

However, despite all the benefits we get from water, very little research has been done to back this up. Some say that is due to the fact the ‘big’ pharmaceutical companies are unable to patent & sell water, so finding anyone to fund the research is near on impossible.

With regard to what actual information I could find, there was one study that looked into long-term benefits from water on skin health; this study was in 2007! They found drinking between 2 and 3 liters of water a day for four weeks changed skin density, and thickness. However, little information is out there on what this means for the appearance of your skin.

How Water Affects Your Skin:

If we benefit from drinking water and it improves our skin and overall appearance, does it matter that research hasn’t adequately confirmed the benefits gained from drinking water yet?

I think most people know that regardless of scientific proof or not water is going to do more good than harm. It is getting this message across to a higher number of people, and letting them know the benefits you can gain from monitoring how much water you drink during the day, and make sure you stick to it rigorously.

Our body needs water to help maintain optimum skin moisture and to deliver nutrients to the skin cells. It helps with replenishing the skin tissue and elasticity.

With regard to our facial appearance, people should set themselves a little experiment. Aim to drink the correct amount of water for four weeks, take a before and after photo, and see if after the four weeks either you or other family members notice any benefits from drinking the purest drink of all! What have you got to lose?

By drinking the stipulated amount of water each day it can plump up the skin, in doing this, it can make wrinkles look less visible, and it also has a similar effect on pores.

Water could also help to prevent skin breakouts: if your intake is sufficient, it can decrease the concentration of oil on your skin.

Skin heavily covered in oil relative to water can lead to clogged pores with breakouts and blemishes, also by drinking the correct amount of water it can help with skin disorders like psoriasis, and eczema.

Water helps to generate new cells, so keeping your body hydrated will help keep the cycle of new hair and skin cells going, and that can only be a good thing in our search for perfect hair and skin.

You gain all of these benefits so long as you keep your water intake up to the required amount. Drinking water will mask the impurities, it doesn’t remove them, and if you withhold the water intake, your skin will show the original flaws again!

Read – Facts And Myths About Skin Care

Water Keeps The Body Stable:

Water helps with the digestive system to flush toxins out of the body; this will help to give your skin a very healthy glowing appearance.

The skin is also a means to remove toxic chemicals from the body and controls the body temperature. It contains millions of small sweat glands just below its surface that are involved in the separation of pollutants from the blood.

These impurities are carried to the surface of the skin via pores. So when you perspire, toxins are brought to the surface of the skin for removal. If these are not removed from the body through proper hygiene and daily washing, they can lead to many health issues.

Spa’s have become very popular; people like to visit these places to detoxify and improve appearance and tighten the skin, this is done by having a session in a steam-room followed by a plunge into cool water.

If you are doing any physical training, make sure you drink plenty of water.

When exercising, our body sweats, and we lose a lot of water content. It is our bodies way of lowering the body temperature so that we don’t overheat.

Muscles are 75% water, having enough water will prevent you from getting muscle cramps during exercise.

When you are sweating excessively, it is essential that body fluids get replenished so as not to dehydrate. Keep a bottle of water with you if you know you are going to be doing any physical exercise.

Dehydration can have fatal consequences.

Consistency is the word:

In everything we do in life, one of the keys to success is consistency!

Drinking more water can change your life for the better. When you’re correctly hydrated, you can digest easier, sleep better, and think clearer, and the appearance of your skin will improve markedly. When you allow yourself to love the taste of water, and you will soon realize every sip is beneficial for you.

To reach your goal and to keep your body hydrated, you must act every single day.

Don’t give up, even if you genuinely struggle to reach the recommended amount, just by being consistent will lead you to excellent results!

How do you ensure you drink enough water each day? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

August 27, 2018August 15, 2023

Do Face Masks Work?

The popularity of Face masks has never been so widespread as they are today. Do face masks work? The consensus is that they do work.

But as with a lot of other cosmetics, the options are enormous.

You have Korean face masks, clay masks, cream masks, gel masks exfoliation masks to name but a few. So, how does a person who is looking for a face mask choose?

You then have to decide which face mask is suitable for my skin type?

After you find the suitable product, you have to be sure you are not going to do more damage than good to your skin!

So, let us see if we can guide you through the face mask minefield and, hopefully, find an answer to the question, do face masks work?

What Face Mask for my skin type?

When you try to decide what face mask will suit your skin, it may seem straightforward enough if your skin is the same all over your face.

But for some people, it can be that you have dry skin on your cheeks while your forehead and nose could be oily. Your chin could be prone to breakouts, and your neck could be very sensitive and become red at the slightest hint of a face mask containing alcohol.

It may mean that you have to use a variety of different types of the face mask at the same time, one for dry skin on your cheeks and one suitable for oily skin on forehead and nose.

Just because a particular type of product is trendy at the moment, it doesn’t make suitable for your needs, the worst thing anyone can do is to put an unsuitable product near their skin.

There is usually a solution out there for even the most complex skin types.

Dr Dennis Gross Brightening Mask

View – Brightening Mask

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C and Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask 10ml

A hydrating mask enriched with vitamin C, formulated to visibly brighten and protect skin. This mask delivers an instant boost of moisture, Vitamin C sets to work to protect against environmental aggressors and encourage a brightening effect, while niacinamide absorbs excess sebum. Complete with smoothing benefits from lactic acid, the mask promotes the illusion of radiant, more balanced-looking skin.

Oily Skin:

The temptation for people with oily skin is getting a face mask that they hope will strip off all the excess oil on there face.

People seem to forget that your skin does need some oil to protect it.

The most common cause of oily skin is often due to moisture deficiency.

To combat this, your body trying to keep the moisture in by covering the skin with oil. The kindest thing for your skin is to hydrate it.

You should consider using a CLAY face mask. Look for one that has Bentonite and Kaolin as this will help to absorb excess oil and control shine to leave skin with a smooth looking complexion.

Another ingredient good for oily skin in need of hydrating is hyaluronic acid. It is suitable for keeping the skin subtle and hydrated and very lightweight.

Avoid masks that are likely to clog pores with such ingredients as beeswax or cocoa butter.

Dry Skin:

The cause of dry, dehydrated skin is due to a very thin protective layer that is letting moisture evaporate from the skin’s surface. The best mask for dehydrated skin is something that promotes moisturizing.

A nourishing, rich cream texture mask that combines plant oils, antioxidants, and vitamins A & C to help protect the epidermis. Glycerin to help strengthen the skin surface is particularly useful if the skin is in need of rehydrating.

Sensitive Skin:

If you suffer from sensitive skin, it will be crying out for face mask with calming detoxifying ingredients.

These type of masks will help with breakouts, skin irritation, and rashes brought on by pollution, hormones, and stress. Antioxidants will calm irritated skin and remove free radicals from below the surface.

Again look for an ultra creamy, moisturizing mask containing plant oils, green tea to relieve any inflammation.

Whatever mask you pick you must avoid alcohol and harsh chemicals as these will dry and irritate your already sensitive skin.

Acne prone skin:

Acne prone skin can be brought about by unbalanced moisture levels. If you keep removing the protective oils from the skin surface and then apply creams and balms, you will clog the pores so leading to spots and pimples.

A charcoal gel mask to remove impurities containing bentonite and kaolin to help with excess oils that help decongest pores, BHA (Salicylic Acid) suited to Oily Skin. Glycerin to soothe and lightly hydrate skin. Niacinamide is very good for oily acne prone skin.

How often should I use a face mask?

I would suggest if you have an excellent skin care routine the need for a face mask would be one or twice a week at the most.

I would also think most face mask will say this on the packaging, so do heed what the directions say on the packet.

A face mask that does have harsh chemicals and alcohol or have a specific purpose such as Exfoliating, anti-acne or anti-aging will have ingredients that can irritate your skin if you overuse them, be warned!

Read – Best Way To Exfoliate Your Face

Korean Face Masks:

Korean Face Masks are advertised everywhere these days.

The beauty world is waxing lyrical about the benefits they offer.

Korean Face Masks are also known as sheet masks, and they are for single use only. The sheets are usually cotton pads soaked in skin repair ingredients.

The mask will have the eyes, nose, and mouth cut out and sit on the face to allow the ingredients to infuse into the skin for the duration it is on the face, usually around 20 minutes. It is due to the skin-smoothing ingredients that Korean face mask are so popular.

But despite all of this, the benefits from Korean face masks are limited.

The deep-down healing that our face skin requires to look its best is not possible from the best Korean face mask.

The way Korean face masks work is to keep active ingredients locked against your skin. It acts as a barrier to retain the moisture where it can work best, against your skin.

The sheet mask will not go hard and dry like clay or mud masks, but when they dry, they crack leaving gaps for the moisture to escape when it is the essential thing the skin needs and wants.

Using the Korean sheet mask, you will not get this problem. The mask will retain moisture in the skin for as long as it is on. As good as that may sound to you, Korean face masks are limited in the benefits they provide.

The problem with them is they work on the top surface of the skin (epidermis), but they do not penetrate down very deep into the lower layers, the dermis, and the hypodermis.

It’s In The Elastin!

It is in these lower skin layers we find two precious assets to having healthy, radiant skin, namely Collagen and Elastin.

It is these two proteins that your skin is supported by and gives it that smooth, tight appearance we all crave.

Foods like greens, fatty fish, citrus fruits, broccoli, almonds and walnuts can replenish elastin in your skin. These foods are known to work from within to improve your skin’s health

Korean face masks cannot get deep enough to be of any benefit to these to vital facial structures.

So even though these type of masks are great for the appearance of the skin and very faint lines, it will do nothing for wrinkled skin.

It is the deeper, more stubborn wrinkles that develop as you age and to try to improve them you need to penetrate the deeper layers where collagen and elastin are found.

So, we know Korean face mask do have active ingredients, and they work fine on the top layer of skin, but it’s the fact they keep moisture in the skin is the reason you see benefits from their use.

After about 20 minutes the cotton sheet dries and so loses its moisture trapping capabilities, if you leave the mask on any longer it can in fact start to draw moisture back out of the skin.

In those 20 minutes that you have the sheet on you are not getting to the lower lying problems or do anything to remove deep wrinkles in the skin.

Silicone Patches:

So, that leads us to something that is effective in the form of a mask like alternative, Silicone patches.

The silicone patch works in s similar way to the sheet mask in that it forms a barrier on the surface of the skin. It stops moisture from escaping and traps it next to the skin. The patch will let oxygen and moisture in from the air outside and then becomes trapped under the patch and pushed deeper into the skin.

The silicone patch is worn for longer periods, eight hours or more, and is suitable to have on overnight. This allows the moisture to affect the collagen and elastin, the support your skin relies on to look smooth and ultimately free from wrinkles.

While you are sleeping the silicone patches feed your skin the much-needed moisture, and the other benefit from silicone patches is they can be reused, up to 15 times which is more cost effective than the Korean face mask.

Do Face Masks Work? – Our Conclusion:

Whatever face mask you eventually decide to use you will gain benefits from using it, and the beauty of face masks is that you can use two different types in one week and get double the benefits from them.
Using face masks will also allow you to get the maximum benefits from all the other products you apply daily as part of your skincare routine.
Your moisturizers, skin tone and hydrating products will be to work much better without dead skin cells and blocked pores getting in the way.

You will also benefit by using the time that it is on by closing your eyes and giving yourself a few minutes well-earned relaxation, it’s a win-win situation.

Do you have a favourite face mask you use? Please leave any comments or questions below and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

August 23, 2018August 15, 2023

Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen – The Facts

People are finally beginning to realise how important it is to use sunscreen. However, does choosing a safe and suitable sunscreen for you and your family leave you totally and utterly confused!

The most significant topic regarding sunscreens at the moment seems to be choosing between ‘Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen’. We will do our best to present the facts to you, and hopefully this will make purchasing your next sunscreen a lot less confusing!

Video – Physical vs Chemical Sunscreens

Mineral Sunscreen:

Mineral sunscreens are also known as ‘Physical’ sunscreens. They have a somewhat tarnished reputation because in the ‘old’ days they were dreadful to apply and they would leave people looking whiter than a bottle of milk! The good news is that things have got a lot better. Micronization – grinding of the material particles has improved immensely and using mineral sunscreens isn’t nearly so daunting as it once was, that said, people who have a darker skin tone, it will still leave you with a white tainted appearance.

The two main active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide. These are the ‘reflectors’ that sit on surface of the skin forming a protective physical barrier between UV rays and the skin beneath. The UV rays are then reflected away so stopping them from entering the skin.

Once applied it creates an instant barrier, you do not need to wait for absorption into the skin before going into the sun. It will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays; it will also stay active longer when in UV rays than chemical sunscreens.

Mind The Gabs!

The critical thing to remember when using a physical sunscreen is that for the skin to get complete protection, the whole area has to be covered with a generous amount to create the barrier that reflects UV rays, an area that is sparsely covered could allow UV rays to penetrate the skin.

Mineral sunscreens are thought to suit people who have sensitive skin but to be on the safe side check the labeling and avoid products that have Oxybenzone or Octinoxate as both Mineral and Chemical sunscreens have some amount of chemicals in them these days.

Mineral sunscreen is also more suitable if you have any skin blemishes, skin that tends to flush or has redness, or eczema, this skin type can be irritated by heat, but as the UV rays are deflected away and not absorbed into the skin, mineral sunscreen is more suitable.

Sand and Sunscreen Don’t Mix!

As mineral sunscreens have a much thicker texture to them, applying while on the beach can be a bit tricky. Imagine the scene, you get out of the water, you are trying to get this thick sunscreen rubbed into your skin, and the dreaded sand starts to get everywhere, it would be like rubbing sandpaper to your body, pleasant situation to be in, is it!

When applying mineral sunscreens more is always better, remember it works by forming a ‘barrier’ so that it can protect the skin, so apply liberally.

For daily use on the face, and for the ladies who want to apply makeup, Mineral sunscreens are not so convenient to use as chemical sunscreens. The lotion sits on the skin and is not lightweight, so when trying to apply makeup, you will get a thick looking appearance and the possibility of ‘balling’ on the skin.

Mineral sunscreens have a long shelf life; although that shouldn’t be a problem for you if you are using it daily, there won’t be any worries it will go out-of-date!

Read – The 5 Best Sunscreens For The Face

Chemical Sunscreen:

Chemical sunscreens work in a different way to mineral sunscreens. It works by the skin absorbing the lotion, these chemicals then stop the UV rays from touching the body by creating a reaction that heats the rays and repelling the UV rays away from the skin.

Chemical sunscreens are thought to offer better protection for the skin as there is no risk of gaps between the molecules when the lotion is applied. Offers a broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Some ingredients you would find in a chemical sunscreen:

Avobenzone
Octisalate
Octinoxate
Oxybenzone
Tinosorb S and M

You can see from the number of chemical ingredients there is a much higher risk that your skin could react when using a chemical sunscreen. If your facial skin has any blemishes, adding a chemical sunscreen is akin to adding petrol to a raging fire! The skin will release histamine and so lead to inflammation and an angry red appearance.

Give It Time To Work!

The Chemical sunscreen texture is entirely different to the mineral in that it is a thinner liquid type lotion, which makes it very easy to apply to your skin.

After applying a chemical sunscreen, you will have to wait between 10-20 minutes for it to soak into the skin before going out into the sun.

It has to be re-applied more frequently when you are in the sun as the protection diminishes with the more UV light that shines on you.

With chemical sunscreen being more straightforward to apply and not sitting directly on the skin, ladies will prefer to use them as makeup is easy to apply on top of the sunscreen.

Hawaii has banned the use of chemical, water-resistant sunscreens due to the risk some ingredients pose to the declining coral reef. It is the opinion that some 12,000 tons of sunscreen lotion ends up in coral reefs all around the world each year.

Sisley Super Soin Solaire Face Sunscreen

See On – LibertyLondon.com

Which is safe for Babies?

Is Mineral or Chemical sunscreen safer to apply to a babies skin? The consensus seems to be that sunscreen shouldn’t be applied to a babies skin if they are under six months old. The skin of a newborn baby is so delicate; the safer option is to keep the baby covered with clothing or stay out of the sun altogether.

Children that are over six months old, it is recommended using a mineral sunscreen as they have fewer harsh chemicals, use a high Sun Protection Factor 50+

Further Reading – Sun Care For The Face

The Best Protection?

Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen … Seriously tricky question to answer! The main thing to understand is, both Mineral and Chemical sunscreens will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. If you put 10 top scientists in a room and ask them to come up with a definitive answer as to which offers the best protection, I could almost guarantee they would not come to a unanimous decision!

It may come down to what you feel more comfortable with on your skin. Some people are against putting too many chemicals near their skin so will prefer Mineral sunscreen, perfectly understandable. We have more than enough toxic pollutants in the air we breathe and foods we eat, so we don’t need adding more to our body with a chemically loaded sunscreen.

Some people feel overly conscious of applying a Mineral sunscreen when they are on the beach, it is so dense and white, and glaringly obvious, they end up looking like frosty the snowman on vacation! Again perfectly understandable.

Read – Best Sunscreen UVA and UVB Protection

My Conclusion:

The main thing to remember is to apply your sunscreen daily and to reapply generously, only then can you safely enjoy your time in the sun 🙂

What Sunscreen do you prefer use? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

August 19, 2018August 15, 2023

Sun Care For The Face

The media are continually telling us that our summers are getting hotter, and lasting a lot longer. So, if we believe what the weather experts are saying, we can expect it to carry on getting hotter and hotter each year, this is why ‘Sun Care For The Face’ is so important.

We as holidaymakers, and no doubt the tourist industry welcome long warm sunny days with prolonged periods of heat, but on the flip side the extreme weather can have serious implications to our well-being. Intense heat brings serious health issues; the air quality deteriorates leading to respiratory problems, heat stroke, and sunburn. The people most vulnerable are the young, elderly and those who have serious medical issues.

Sun Protection All Year Round

Another mistake many people make is thinking they only need to protect their skin in the summer months. Winter is just as dangerous to your facial skin, don’t be fooled into thinking that just because the sun isn’t beating down at 35’celcius, it isn’t inflicting damage. Clouds might shade you from direct sunlight, but it cannot stop harmful rays from reaching your delicate skin. You need to apply either sunscreen or a moisturizer with Sun Protection Factor (preferably SPF 30 or above) as part of your daily routine.

*I would urge Everyone to watch the following video, it’s only 3 minutes long, you will be very surprised by what you see!

The Dangers – UVA & UVB:

It is your face that is exposed to harmful sun rays more than any other part of your body. So, this is why sun care, for your face, is so important. The ‘deadly duo’ ready to attack sun worshipers are UVA & UVB rays. It is the UVB rays that have intense heat that causes the skin to burn.

People who are heading for their summer vacation seem more concerned about protecting themselves from UVB rays almost ignoring the sever implications from UVA rays. Sunbathers want to be able to stay out in the sun for hours on end and get a perfect golden suntan! They seem to think the only thing that matters is they buy a sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor, and they can lay on the beach from sun up to sun down!

Listen To Your Body!

Sunburn is the bodies way of alerting people they are getting UVB damage to their skin; if you keep getting sunburn on your face instance, this will lead to actinic keratosis of the skin. You will see dry, rough, scaly patches develop; these appear more often on the lips, ears, forehead, and scalp. It can become inflamed and red and could ultimately lead to skin cancer.

UVA rays have less energy than UVB rays but they do penetrate deeper into the skin and cause more serious skin cancers. UVA rays are a little sneaky as they cause damage to the skin without it getting sunburned. In particular drivers who cover long distances have to be very careful as UVA rays can penetrate glass and be shining of the drivers face for many hours causing untold amount of damage. UVA rays are what makes the skin go brown and with this comes dark facial spots, lines and aging to the skin and ultimately wrinkles.

SPF = Sun Protection Factor:

Sun Protection Factor is a measure of protection you get from UVB rays. The higher the factor number, the better protection you will get when sunscreen is applied to the face and body to try and protect your skin from sunburn. The most commonly used Sun Protection Factor number can range from 15 up to 50.

Read – The Best 5 Sunscreens For The Face

An SPF of 15 will block approximately 93% of UVB rays from your skin, SPF 30 will block 95%, and an SPF 50 will block 98% of UVB rays. The one flaw with these ratings is that all testing was done in a controlled manner, where the UVB rays that came into contact with the volunteers were consistent, in real life it’s not like that. If you go out in the sun at noon, you will be exposed to much stronger rays than in the early evening, say 5.00pm. So caution is strongly recommended, avoid the hottest part of the day and always listen to what your skin is trying to tell you! You will never get 100% protection from UV rays when you are in the sun!

*Look to the Stars!*

When purchasing your sun protection, as well as looking at the SPF you will also want to look for the number of stars* you will see on the bottle. It is a rating system that tells you how much protection you will get from UVA rays. The star ratings go from 0 up to 5; if you see a bottle with zero or 1 star, it is to be avoided at all cost. Ideally, you will be looking for a high Sun Protection Factor with five stars on your next bottle of sunscreen!

Important – Even on a cloudy day, when the sun is not shining or partially hidden behind clouds, UVA rays are still there, they penetrate the clouds causing skin damage, it is essential to apply sunscreen to your face on a cloudy day.

PA rating System:

You may also see the PA rating system telling you how much protection you get against UVA rays. It is a system the Japanese tend to use on their sunscreen products, although we mostly see the stars system now it’s worth knowing just in case you see it on a sunscreen bottle.

PA+ means Low Protection, PA++ Moderate Protection, PA+++ High Protection.

Broad Spectrum:

Another way you might see your sunscreen labeled is with the words ‘Broad Spectrum’ It will have an SPF rating on it, and basically it’s telling you that it also has ingredients in it that protect you from UVA rays as well. It will have at least one of the following active ingredients in it to protect you from UVA rays: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl SX (ecamsule) or Tinosorb.

A lightweight daily sunscreen with SPF50+ specifically formulated for sensitive skin types.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+

Enjoy the Sun – Safely!

Important things to remember when buying your sunscreen are your skin type and skin colour. Pale, sensitive skin will burn a lot quicker than say someone with an olive complexion. Don’t think that if you buy a sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor, it will mean that after two weeks on holiday you will still be going home looking pale, you will get that vital suntan but in a safer more controlled manner.

Buying the most expensive sunscreen doesn’t automatically mean you are getting the best sun care for the face, buying an expensive brand and using it sparingly because you are trying to make it last is a surefire way to getting sunburned! Some other important things to remember about sunscreen protection:

Apply at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun
Apply Liberally and remember to reapply every 2-3 hours
Water resistant means it will last approx’ 40 minutes when you are wet
Wear a hat and UV rated sunglasses, these will also protect delicate skin around the eyes
Avoid the sun when it’s at it hottest
Wear sunscreen all year round!
Remember to rehydrate your skin after sunbathing

Which rating system do you follow when buying sunscreen for your face? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

August 16, 2018August 22, 2023

Face Moisturiser – Guide to choosing whats right for you

Walk down the Cosmetic isle in any large store and look at their range of Face Moisturiser and I would not blame you for being confused! The selection is enormous and the Pro’s and Con’s for each product equally confusing! Let us try to take the mystery out of moisturisers!

Face Moisturiser – Why You Need One:

One of the most significant contributing factors, and possibly the main reason why you need to apply Face Moisturiser is due to the damage made to your skin by the weather! Hot or Cold, the impact it has on your face are enormous, if its too hot or to dry outside your skin will let you know it is suffering from the effects of the climate. Watch for the warning signs that your facial skin is having trouble coping with what the weather is doing to it. People tend to think their skin remains the same the whole year round; it doesn’t, the complexion of your facial skin will change with the seasons.

With the winter comes cold icy winds that can irritate delicate facial skin, this has a drying effect on the skin surface that removes the natural moisture from the facial skin, this can lead to itchy red patches and excess dead skin cells. We go indoors to escape the cold and turn up the central heating, great for warming the body but not doing that dry red skin any favors! All of this leads to the skin dehydrating from the dry air outside and inside.

So, with the problems our skin has suffered from the winter weather, we start to look forward to the warm, summer days in the hope it will help with the dry, irritated skin, not a chance! With the onset of summer, this brings some very different skin complications.

Summer Breakouts!

For some people acne seems to come alive in the hotter more humid days, this could be due to the increase in sweat and oil (sebum) by the sebaceous glands that clogs the pores so leading to spots and gives your skin a glaring, shiny appearance. We go indoors to escape the heat and cool down, hoping to alleviate the agitated spots brought on by the heat and sweat and turn up the air con, great for cooling down your hot face and body, but this dries out the skin and so irritates it even more!

We are in a constant battle to try to combat what the weather is doing to us when we are outdoors and create comfortable conditions our body likes and wants when we go indoors, and all the time remain kind to our facial skin.
It isn’t always easy to find a solution to help with this problem, but the one thing we have to relieve our tired, irritated facial skin is Moisturiser.

Read – Is Your Skin Sensitive or Sensitised? Do You Know The Difference?

What Day Moisturizer should I use?

Well as we have seen each season brings its unique problems, add to this the different skin types people have, and this goes part of the way to explaining why stores are so full with many kinds of Face Moisturizer.

Winter – Dry Skin. Look for an Occlusive moisturizer, an emollient-rich formulation. Your skin will be dehydrated, so you need to retain as much water in it as possible. An Occlusive moisturizer gives your skin a chance to re-hydrate.

Other ingredients you should look out for are:

Ceramides – Jojoba oil
Mineral Oil – Paraffinium liquidum
Silicons – Cyclometicone
Essential Fatty Acids
Hyaluronice Acid

Important -Important – Any Moisturiser you buy to apply in the winter should have SPF30 or higher. Just because its winter, do not fall into the trap of thinking those harmful UVA and UVB rays are not causing skin damage. UV rays can cause fine lines, wrinkles and premature aging. SPF Moisturizers will protect delicate facial skin.

Summer – Oily Skin/Combination Skin/Acne Prone – Although you have oily skin you may think applying a moisturiser will make this worse, but it is essential to keep your skin hydrated. Look for a lightweight liquid consistency; this will help with the Sebaceous gland secretion and not block those pores, and help to prevent those skin breakouts that you are more prone to get in the summer months. Also consider oil-free, water.based makeup.

Water Based
Non-Comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
Non-Acnegenic (prevent acne)
Oil-free
Look for ingredients like Glycerin

Important – Any Day Moisturizer should have SPF30 or higher for the summer. UVA and UVB rays cause skin damage. Moisturisers with Sun Protection Factor will protect delicate facial skin.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster will hydrate, smooth and minimise fine lines, restoring your skin’s moisture balance.

Dermalogica Daily Skin Health Hydrating Booster 30ml

Night Moisturiser:

It is essential to have a different Night Moisturiser, one that doesn’t contain SPF that your day moisturizer MUST have. Look for a Night Moisturiser that suits your skin type. Your night moisturizer will have skin-repairing ingredients that will work through the night and will create a softer, better-hydrated skin. It repairs the skin barrier that has been damaged by what the weather has thrown at it all day!

It will be working through the night to help make your skin look healthier and radiant the next day. Most night moisturizers are suitable to use around the eye area. Most people end their day with a relaxing bath or shower, so by applying a night moisturizer, it helps to replenish the moisture that has removed throughout the day. Using your night moisturizer should be the last step in your daily skincare routine.

What Suits You?

Finding what is best for you will take a bit of time and research. Knowing what your skin-type is it will indeed narrow things down a bit. Visiting some of the larger stores can help as they will have samples on display for you to try. It will allow you to feel the texture of different brands, find out if you prefer Gels or Liquids, everyone is different and what suits one person someone else simply couldn’t bear to have it on his or her skin!

Another good place to find out about different brands and products is on review pages on the internet. There is a very well known brand that is only available online; it is not possible to go and try any samples in any shop. By going to their website and reading reviews and feedback from customers, this will provide you with a lot of information and assistance to decide if the product would be suitable for you.

Moisturizer Mayhem!

The world of Face Moisturizers is humongous, too many to cover in one article that’s for sure! You can go organic, natural, tinted, tanning, gel, lotion, liquid and so on! All I can say is that it is imperative that you do use one in your daily defense against the elements. To find your perfect match may require a little trial and error. Good luck finding the one that suits you the best!

How do you choose your face moisturizer? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com

August 15, 2018August 16, 2023

Best Way to Exfoliate Your Face

Exfoliating your face is something that can bring that ‘sparkle’ back to your complexion, it removes all the leftovers that your daily facial wash doesn’t lift and will leave your skin looking refreshed and glowing with that all-important youthful appearance. Find the Best Way to Exfoliate Your Face.

Why Exfoliate Your Face?

You Exfoliate your face to get rid of ‘dead’ skin cells and to cleanse pores that become clogged up with all the moisturizers and makeup you apply on a daily basis. Yes, your daily face wash and cleansing will help remove some of this but only to a certain degree, to get deep down into the skin this is when slightly stronger products that you use when exfoliating are required.

Moisturiser is applied daily and is an integral part of the process to protect the skin from ageing. When used on the face it moistens the skin, those slightly dry areas soak it up and don’t look so flaky or scaly anymore, this gives the skin a radiant, youthful appearance. The problem this then creates is the ‘dead’ skin cells that are ready to leave your face have also soaked up the moisturizer and so prevents them from falling, which in turn prevents the new ‘fresher’ looking skin from appearing.

Clarisonic Mia2 side — **Clarisonic Mia2 Facial Cleanser Review**

With the dead skin getting thicker with moisturiser it will eventually start to become dull looking and maybe even a little rough and uneven. As a result, this will make it difficult for you to get your make up on in that smooth, silky look you desire.

For people who suffer from acne, the worst thing they can do is leave dead skin cells on their face. The dead skin is the perfect place for bacteria to build up which in turn is the ideal breeding ground for spots! P.acnes bacteria in your skin will lead to more and more spots. It is essential for people with acne to exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and eliminate the bacteria from forming.

Also, it is imperative to keep those skin pores from getting clogged up with dead skin and pollutants, the more of it we leave on our face, the bigger the pores will begin to look, as dirt and grime begin to collect so the appearance of ‘blackheads’ arrives. Exfoliation keeps those pores free from build up!

Can Exfoliating Prevent Wrinkles?

Now that is a headline that gets plenty of attention! Of course, people will say if exfoliating my skin can prevent wrinkles why am I paying xx amount of dollars on expensive anti-aging creams? Well as mentioned moisturisers and anti-aging creams are very important, but they do stop the dead skin cells from falling this, in turn, prevents the younger smoother and better-nourished skin beneath from appearing. The old skins cells become dull and a ‘bit tired’ these need to be removed through exfoliating and allow new skin to come through. New skin will have a more youthful appearance so, to answer the question, yes to a certain extent exfoliating removes the tired, dead skin that would lead to wrinkles.

Skin Types & Exfoliants:

Before you begin exfoliating your face, it is important to know exactly what your skin type is. Exfoliates come in many formulas, so it is essential to use the one that matches your skin type. Generally, there are five skin types:

Normal – Dry – Oily – A Combination of the previous three – Sensitive

Using a product that doesn’t match your skin, you will end up doing more damage than good. All Skin types will benefit significantly from exfoliation, but it is imperative that you use the product that matches your skin type.

Suitable Products To Exfoliate Face:

Scrub – Normal to Dry Skin – Review

Scrub – Oily Skin – Review

Peel – Normal to Dry Skin & Sun Damaged – Review

Peel – Combination to Oily Skin – Review

The Difference Between Scrubs and Peels:

So, do we ‘Scrub‘ or ‘Peel‘?

Choosing to ‘Scrub’ exfoliate, is deemed as a ‘mechanical scrub.’ The solution that you are using will have tiny particles in it; these can be made up from micro-grains of sugar or a finer exfoliating powder like rice grain or even salt. It is these particles that act as the ‘scrub’ on your face. You would either use a brush by hand or a hand-held motorised device to work the solution into your face and almost polish the surface. Now, this way of exfoliating can be deemed to be quite harsh on the skin, and even create tiny micro tears. I would be less inclined to use this type of exfoliation if you have sensitive skin as it can be severe and cause much irritation. Some benefits of using a ‘Scrub’ exfoliant

Deep Cleansing of the Face
Remove Blackheads
Toning the Face
Removes Dead Skin Cells
Unclog Pores

Opting to ‘Peel‘ exfoliate, which is also known as a chemical peel. The solution has acid in it which is the active ingredient that peels away the dead skin. It is generally thought to be less harsh on the skin as it doesn’t contain the abrasive particles like the scrubs have in them. Though more gentle on the surface it effectively removes rough, scaly skin. There are two types of solution to choose from

AHA (Glycolic Acid/Latic Acid) or
BHA (Salicylic Acid)

AHA and BHA are both suitable for daily use, but again caution is recommended, if you have hyper-sensitive skin this might not be appropriate, see how your skin reacts to using either of these products and act accordingly. Both types of Peel can are available in differing degrees of strength so maybe go for a lower strength solution if you feel that you want to apply it on a daily basis.

Helping you to choose between the two types of exfoliants. For skin prone to all forms of breakouts (including blackheads), BHA is preferred over AHA. This is due to the main difference between AHA and BHA.

The BHA ingredients enable it to penetrate into the pore (AHA’s do not do this), and this allows it exfoliate deep inside the pore, and exfoliate the surface of the skin. AHA solutions only exfoliate skin cells on the surface of the skin.

The AHA is more suitable for Dry, Sun Damaged Skin.

The BHA is more suited to Oily Skin and Sensitive Skin types.

Some benefits of using a ‘Peel’ exfoliant:

Deep cleansing of the face
Help unblock pores
Even out skin tone
Removing rough scaly patches

Biologique Lotion P50V

See on – Libertylondon.com

Lotion P50V is an exfoliating acid toner from French clinical skincare brand, Biologique Recherche – suitable for stronger and more mature skin types.

Founded over 40 years ago with a vision of developing formulations for skincare professionals, Biologique Recherche has a reputation for impressive results based on a clinical approach. Offering a range of four different P50 Lotions, each providing the same core benefit but with slight changes dependent on your skin type, these acid toners gently exfoliate the skin.

Lotion P50V contains antioxidant ingredients, making it suitable for more mature and devitalised skin types. Formulated with added vitamin and walnut extracts that protect from the ageing process and nourish the epidermis, the chemical exfoliation works to regenerate and maintain pH levels. Gently renewing the skin over 50 days – hence P50, ‘peeling’ in ‘50’ days – this lotion will leave skin smooth, clear and radiant.

Read – Japanese Skin Care Secrets

How often should you Exfoliate your face?

I can only recommend or suggest what I feel comfortable doing myself. Every solution you buy will have clear directions for use on the packaging that you should read very carefully. I am a little apprehensive to recommend exfoliating your facial skin on a daily basis, especially if using a scrub, I feel it is much too harsh on the skin surface – unless you have skin like an elephant!

Maybe when you are starting out using exfoliators, and you are looking to remove a lot of damaged, dead skin, you could exfoliate more regularly, 3-4 times a week to begin with if using a scrub. See how your skin copes with this amount of cleansing and cut back or stop if you see any reaction. Exfoliating using the chemical peel solution, you can use it daily, but first, try using milder solution to see how your skin copes with the chemicals and to this amount of exfoliating, and act accordingly.

Perfect Steps:

Always Cleanse your Skin before Exfoliating
Exfoliate
Important! After you Exfoliate your face always apply a moisturiser, and if you are going out during the day after Exfoliating you must use a Moisturizer with (Sun Protection Factor) SPF 30 or above.

What method do you prefer too use to exfoliate your face? Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

jo@yourskincarehelp.com