Dry & Dehydrated Skin – What’s the Difference?

Dry skin and dehydrated skin may sound like they mean the same thing, but in fact, they’re completely different. However, both dry and dehydrated skin can be treated and managed – but each with a different skin care regimen.

Your skin type is basically determined by genetics; if dry skin runs in your family, chances are you will have dry skin. Dry skin can be distinguished by a tight feeling in the skin and is deficient in oil and/or moisture, therefore can at times result in dry or scaling patches. Dry skin is easily treated; proper skin care alleviates dry skin. Use of a hydrating moisturizer day and night such as MD Skincare Maximum Moisture Treatment will provide extra moisture for dry skin types.

Dehydrated skin lacks or has a loss of water, not moisture. Skin dehydration is a large skin issue for many, especially in dryer climates such as desert areas. Dehydrated skin can be treated by drinking plenty of water, avoiding extrinsic factors such as wind and sun exposure and also trying to avoid indoor aggressors such as extreme and direct air conditioning, which worsens dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin can also be treated with correct skin care treatments such as YonKa Crème 28 – Dehydrated Skin.

Keep in mind that although these are different conditions you can experience dryness as well as become dehydrated, however with proper skin care both environments can be treated and improved.

Easing Eczema

Eczema is skin condition that is an allergic reaction that produces itching, blistering, oozing, swelling and scaling of the skin. It is more commonly found among young children than adults. In infants, it is often referred to as “cradle cap.”

Eczema can cover the entire body, but is usually limited to areas of the face, neck and folds of elbows and knees. Eczema is usually caused by an allergy to a food, pollen, contact dermatitis or dust.

Eczema is very easily irritated and many products advertised to control eczema can worsen it. Correctly treat and control eczema with PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar – pHaze 10. For severe eczema cases consultation with a dermatologist is necessary. Or try California Baby Calendula Cream. This creamy first aid ointment for all ages is formulated to prevent irritation, and is especially beneficial for relieving eczema.

Harmful Ingredients for Pregnancy

Expecting mothers or women who are thinking of becoming pregnant have a lot to consider and stress about. Not only to keep their unborn baby safe -- pregnancy brings about many changes in the skin. Many times pregnant women experience oilier skin, melasma, stretch marks, etc. And these skin care concerns are just a few of the many things women have to think about. More importantly, women should be considering the products they are using and whether or not the ingredients in these products are safe for their unborn child.

Hydroquinone is a well known bleaching or skin lightening agent. It is used to lighten hyperpigmentation that is commonly caused by melasma, also known as a pregnancy mask. Although effects of this drug on an unborn fetus are contraindicating, it is not recommended to use during pregnancy. Use of hydroquinone is advised to be halted until after pregnancy and after breastfeeding. Try a hydroquinone-free product if you are experiencing melasma, such as PCA Skin Pigment Gel HQ Free Dyschromia Controller – pHaze 13.

Aloe Vera is a very common soothing ingredient used in many skin care products, however is not advised to be used during pregnancy, as high levels may lead to miscarriage.

Essential oils or aromatherapy are not recommended during pregnancy, as many of these ingredients are said to be able to enter the bloodstream, and therefore could affect the baby. These ingredients should also be avoided until breastfeeding is stopped for safety precautions.

Retinoids, retinols or any forms of topical or internal vitamin A should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vitamin A is used as an anti-aging ingredient an lotions, creams, gels, etc. It is very easily absorbed into the skin and is not yet fully tested for safety during pregnancy.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid used in skin care products to treat conditions such as acne. Again, tests show that very high doses of this product should be avoided during pregnancy. Consider a product that does not contain salicylic acid, such as Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser.

Soy is generally found in organic skin care products and should be avoided during pregnancy. Look for ingredients such as Lethicin, Phosphatidylcholine and textured vegetable protein, which are all considered a soy ingredient.

Consult with your obstetrician or mid-wife in regards to these products and ingredients. Safe alternative methods are always available and advised. Stay safe during your pregnancy while keeping this information in mind.

The Importance of a Facial Moisturizer

Many of my clients do not understand how essential a facial moisturizer is for the skin. Skin care in general is very important; it should be a part of your everyday routine. Moisturizers have benefits for every skin type, from oily skin to sensitive, and choosing the right one makes a big difference.

For instance, my oily skin clients tell me they do not like the feeling of a moisturizer or cream on their face; they feel it makes them even oilier or breaks their skin out. Although many facial moisturizers can do just that on oily skin, there are now many types of moisturizers, lotions or gels that are formulated specifically for oily skin types. Oily skin types still need the benefits of a moisturizer because if you choose not to moisturize your skin it will over compensate for the moisture loss and actually produce more oil. I highly recommend MD Skincare Auto-Balancing Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 10. This advanced moisturizer is provides hydration to the areas that need it and adjusts to the other areas to not over-moisturize.

Dry skin types need the most moisture because their skin naturally does not provide enough moisture to protect the skin from flakiness, dry patches and tightness, therefore speeding up the skin's aging process. For dry skin types, I recommend an intensive moisturizing treatment such as PCA Skin Hydrator Plus SPF 25 – pHaze 6+, which will provide your dry skin with the moisture it needs as well as a sunscreen protection.

Sensitive skin is often difficult to treat due to its reactivity and irritation to many skin care products. With sensitive skin types, you need a moisturizer that will help to calm and soothe the skin, such as Phytomer Accept Neutralizing Cream, which is generally appropriate for day and night time use.

Eye Concerns--how to treat them

One of the most popular questions I get asked is how to treat eye concerns and issues such as dark circles around the eye. Our eyes are generally the first area of the face that people look at, so how can we get that bright eyed look that will capture people’s attention at first glance? Dark circles around the eye area are commonly misdiagnosed. True dark circles can be caused by lack of sleep or a late night, but this is not always the cause. Generally dark circles are caused by over exposure to the sun, stress, allergies, menstrual disorders, or kidney dysfunctions, or by a common hereditary trait.

Dark circles can be treated with many different active ingredients; realistically it depends on how your skin reacts to a certain ingredient -- whether or not that ingredient will work for your dark circles. Vitamin K is a common ingredient used in products to reduce dark circles, as well as vitamin E and retinol, which are many times utilized synergistically as a great method to alleviate some of these dark circles.

If you are experiencing dark circles around the eye area I recommend you try products such as Revision Teamine Eye Complex, PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum, or DDF Erase Eye Gel to combat these annoying issues. Active ingredients and great products such as these will keep your eyes away from the dark side, leaving you with results worthy of showing off. For more severe dark circles, I suggest you try a concealer over these areas such as Jane Iredale Disappear.

Eye and Lip Treatments

Your lips and eyes attract a lot of attention. Get them even more noticed with lip and eye treatments. Treatments for the lip and eye area are becoming more and more popular. Consumers now have a lot more lip/eye treatments readily available to try that have many purposes. Exfoliating the lips is not a new concept, however many do not know that this is an essential step that should be incorporated into the their skin care regimen. Most people are aware that the eye area is likely to age quicker than any other area of the face, so including eye treatments should be considered vital. These kinds of treatments offer great results and are quick and simple.

I like to start my lip treatment by applying BioElements Lip Buff. Just apply it on clean lips 2-3 times a week and see the results. Your lips will look and feel smoother; it really brings out the natural color of your lips that has been hiding under all those dead skin cells. I like to apply Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Firm for Eye and Lip Area on the opposite nights that I apply the Lip Buff.

Eye treatments are fun because you can change up your routine more. I like to start by exfoliating the eye area with SkinCeuticals Eye Renewal Gel. Afterwards I apply any of the eye serums from Colorescience such as My Favorite Eyes Cream or Eyes Wide Open. Applying an eye treatment 2-3 times a week is a great way to treat dull skin around the eye area and really make the eyes stand out. For an extra boost, I like to keep my eye creams in the fridge so that they are cool when applying them to the eye area.

Organic Skin Care

Lately the big skin care buzz is organic. Organic or all-natural ingredients and products are not pharmaceutically formulated, but are completely natural. Unlike traditional skin care ingredients, they don't contain any harsh chemicals that can counteract the benefits of the product. Typically, ingredients are grown or extracted from plants, fruits and vegetables. Many of these cutting edge brands actually grow there own ingredients, whereas others purchase their ingredients from eco-friendly farms all over the world.

Products such as these are generally suited for any and all skin types, and pH balanced to suit all skin needs. Skin types that usually have sensitivity to products prefer all natural/organic ingredients. Also, these products have recently become popular due in part to the increase of people that enjoy all natural/organic foods. The overall idea is comforting to the human body and mind because you know while using these products that you are only using ingredients that come straight from the earth. Plus, organic products are biodegradable.

Currently there are many new and not so new great organic/natural brands. I suggest trying California Baby, Pure Fiji and Juice Beauty, three great brands founded and formulated by those who are passionate about organic beauty and lifestyle.

Treating Sunburns

It's Labor Day weekend, and many of us will be heading out for one last hurrah in the Summer sun. Despite warnings from dermatologists about the importance of sunscreens, many of us still end up with an irritating, extremely dangerous sunburn every year. While it’s easy to remember to wear sunscreen when planning a day of outdoor fun, many of us still venture outside unprotected on a regular basis.

One great tip to avoid being caught without sunscreen is to use a product with SPF as an added feature, such as a mineral makeup or PCA Skin Protecting Hydrator SPF 25. This daytime moisturizer can compliment any skin care regimen, and since it provides long-lasting sun protection, you won't be caught off guard.

If you find yourself unprotected in the sun, try your best to cover vulnerable areas. If you are sunburned, immediate treatment of affected areas is essential to your skin’s health - sunburn can lead to dangerous issues such as skin cancer, and it also speeds up the aging process, contributing to wrinkles, sagging skin and hyperpigmentation.

To reduce the effects of sun exposure, apply a corrective treatment, such as Dermalogica After Sun Repair, immediately after excessive sun exposure.