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Care
for Your Skin from the Outside In
Sometimes
the best care can be the simplest care. Wash your skin with
tepid water and a mild soap or facial cleanser. Use a face
cloth to remove dead cells. Oily skin may need to be washed
two or three times a day, while dry skin should only be washed
once or twice. Tighten pores by splashing cool water on your
face after washing, or use a mild tonic lotion such as witch
hazel. Avoid harsh astringents that contain alcohol, which can
irritate and overly dry your skin. If your skin is dry, smooth
on a moisturizer while your skin is still moist from washing,
avoiding moisturizers that contain alcohol. Use a water-based
moisturizer labeled 'non-comedogenic,' which means it doesn't
clog pores, if you're prone to acne.
Do Antioxidants in Skin
Products Work?
Antioxidants
in skin creams and lotions can keep these products fresher by
inhibiting oxidation of fatty ingredients. A limited number of
studies have reported that some antioxidants, such as green
tea polyphenols and vitamin C, can be absorbed into the skin
and reduce oxidation, but more work needs to be done to prove
this point.
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Vitamin A (Retinol),
Alpha-hydroxy Acid, Beta hydroxy acid (Salicylic acid)
Retinol (vitamin A) in skin products acts as a
humectant to hydrate skin and reduce fine lines and
wrinkles. A small amount of topical retinol may be
converted to retinoic acid. A prescription form of
retinoic acid, tretinoin, has been shown to shrink
sebaceous glands and unclog follicles, and is used to
treat acne. However, tretinoin is not without undesirable
side effects, which include skin irritation, dryness and
peeling, as well as increased sensitivity to the sun. If
you use tretinoin, you should limit sun exposure and
always use a good sunscreen (one that blocks both UVA and
UVB radiation).
Alpha-hydroxy
acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) are used in skin
care products to exfoliate (remove dead skin cells) and
may improve the look and feel of the skin. While both of
these acids can be irritating to sensitive skin, the BHAs,
of which salicylic acid is the most widely used, are
claimed to be less irritating than the AHAs. Like
tretinoin, the hydroxy acids cause skin to be more
sensitive to UV-induced cellular damage, doubling in one
study, so they should always be used with a good
sunscreen, and avoided when prolonged sun exposure is
expected
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Say
Good-bye to Flaky Skin this Winter!
Winter is time to take
extra care of your skin. This season is the skin’s worst
enemy because of cold air and low humidity, which causes it to
lose oil. We hate having dry skin - it itches, and looks white
and flaky. Yes, winter skin care is a hassle, but beautiful,
smooth skin has its price. Here are some tips to help you get
through the winter without dryness:
First, for those of you
that wash your hands often, that is a no, no! Soap and wetness
can cause skin irritation and extra dryness, so wash your
hands only when necessary.
Don’t rub when you’re drying - use a soft towel and pat
your skin. The most important thing is to apply a moisturizer
on your skin immediately after drying, which will help seal in
the moisture. I have heard that you should not wait more than
3 minutes after coming out of the shower to apply a
moisturizer because it won’t be as effective. Why put a on a
moisturizer? Well, it helps your skin to be soft and flexible,
which means it will prevent dry skin that cracks. My advice is
use greasy moisturizers since they will be most effective in
sealing in the moisture. I promise you that this method will
keep your skin soft during the harsh winter months.
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