Facial Cleansing Essentials, Part 1: The Basics

Cleansing is the most basic step in any skin care routine. At Skin Authority, we think of this step as your BeautyWorkout warm-up. With so many cleansing options these days (cleansers, oils, scrubs, pads, wipes, brushes, etc.) it is more confusing than ever to know how you should be washing your face to get the best results and the most effective cleanse. This is the first of a three-part series that will give you the tools you need to find the facial cleansing routine that is right for you. Part 1: The Basics Part 2: Cleansing Like A Pro Part 3: Resurfacing Transformation Part 1: The Basics Why Cleanse? Cleansing is the most fundamental step to healthy skin. Even though you think you should be able to lather up with soap, give a good scrub, and rub dry, those methods will imbalance and irritate your skin rather than help. The skin on your face is constructed with smaller skin ...

What is Healthy Skin?

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November is Healthy Skin Month. You see the term "healthy skin" all of the time, but what does it actually mean? Everyone wants to look in the mirror and see healthy skin. In your 20s, healthy skin may mean clear, bright skin. In your 30s, you may focus on having soft, dewy skin. In your 40s and 50s, "healthy skin" may mean firm and smooth. When you have a healthy complexion, it has many benefits. Not only do you look more youthful, but you have a certain glow. You've heard the saying "Happy girls are the prettiest," but a similar thing can be said for confidence. When you look in the mirror and see a healthy complexion looking back at you, you will be more confident and happy. When you have healthy skin and a confident glow, you can even wear less makeup, as you won't need heavy foundation and highlighter to imitate radiance.  Achieving healthy ...

Are You Seeing Your Skin’s Progress?

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 As skin coaches, we have the opportunity to connect with people all over the world everyday and work to help them to not only achieve healthy, luminous skin, but also to feel confident when they look in the mirror. Skin coach Katie has been working with Allison C. for almost 2 years. Allison works out a lot and is constantly on-the-go, so they have been working together to create a routine with a few simple multipurpose steps. It is important that Allison can keep her routine in her gym bag and that won't take a huge time commitment each day. On Thursday, Allison called Katie after she saw a #TBT picture and noticed how drastically her skin had improved during her time with Skin Authority. When your routine is customized to your needs and goals, it is amazing how much easier it is to stay consistent and see real results. Sometimes you don’t ...

Five Steps to Treating & Preventing Sun Damage

Read the full post on BeautyXpose. Even with proper sunscreen application, you may have experienced sun damage this summer. Freckles, moles, wrinkles and uneven skin tone are signs of sun damage. There are few simple steps to treat sun-damaged skin and prevent future damage: I can’t emphasize this enough: protect the skin on a daily basis using a full-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you are active throughout the day, remember to reapply your sunscreen. Powerful antioxidants like vitamin C help protect the skin against UV rays, too. C boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen, so I urge you to apply a C serum daily underneath your sunscreen moisturizer. You should resurface the skin on a consistent basis. Resurfacing is a way to exfoliate the skin that gently dissolves dead skin cells, some of which are likely to be discolored on the skin’s surface. Consistent resurfacing not only evens the ...

3 Things to Avoid for Sexy Skin

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Read the full post on BeautyXpose. A skin care routine is similar to an exercise routine. Lifting a weight once won’t create muscle definition; wearing sunscreen only when on vacation is not the path to achieving a clear, healthy complexion. Lifestyle changes take time and commitment. When creating a routine, it’s just as important to know what not to do as it is to know what to do. Here are three things to avoid when you set out to live a healthy skin lifestyle: Inconsistency. Consistency is key for addressing skin concerns and maintaining a healthy skin routine. Again, you are unlikely to see any results by using products just once or twice. If it takes you six months to use a bottle that is intended to be used in two, you are not benefiting from the active ingredients in the product. Once you find what works for you, stick with it! Not cleansing ...

What’s so Super about Vitamin C Serums?

Read the full post on Beauty Xpose. Are you getting enough C? Vitamin C is one of the most vital nutrients. The benefits include those you are likely to have heard, including boosting immunity and overall health, but you may not know that C is super for skin. In fact, vitamin C serums should be a basic part of any skin care routine. Many people take vitamin C orally to boost immunity. That is smart, but less than 1% of the vitamins we ingest actually make their way to our skin. The skin needs C as well, so it is very important to apply it topically. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for and using a vitamin C Serum: Look for a vitamin C that is paired with an antioxidant blend. Vitamin C boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen, and when it is combined with a powerful antioxidant mixture, it is ...

The Eyes Have It: Make them Sparkle

View the full post on BeautyXpose. The eyes are one of the first things that people notice when they meet you, so let’s give them extra love. I’m often asked if the same moisturizer that is used on the face can be used on the eyes. Sorry, beauties, the answer is no. Under-eye creams are different than facial creams and moisturizers in many ways. Since the skin around the eyes is significantly thinner and more delicate than facial skin, specific formulas are needed. Also: The skin around the eye area requires a pH level that differs from that which facial creams often provide. Many facial creams contain added fragrances and/or petroleum, which are not safe for use around the eyes. Face products may have different end-results in terms of product benefits. Effective products for the eyes contain powerful ingredients including arnica, vitamins K & E, and polymers. These ingredients not only aid in eye hydration, but ...

Vitamin D: Essential for Skin Health

Got Vitamin D? Not Likely. One billion people worldwide are estimated to be Vitamin D deficient. As a skin care professional, I have researched Vitamin D for years, because it is an essential component of healthy skin. Vitamin D is the only vitamin made in the body It is made in the skin. As we age, skin loses its ability to produce sufficient levels of vitamin D, which presents a real dilemma as the skin needs D to make D. Studies show that less than 1% of the nutrients we ingest ever makes their way to the skin. New research shows that natural forms of D can safely be delivered through topical application of skin creams. My Daily D Defense: Apply Skin Authority VitaD Fortified™ Topical Elixir. This multi-action, lightweight formula provides a topical dose of Vitamin D and essential nutrients to nourish the skin for firm, bright luminosity. Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin When ...

Fight Premature Aging with Antioxidants

Skin is your largest organ. One of its important functions is to protect your body from the harmful effects of UV exposure and the harsh environment. Antioxidants protect skin by knocking out free radicals which cause oxidative damage (the same process that rusts a nail). By applying topical antioxidants, you support the skin's ability to: Promote healing and moisture retention for softer, smoother skin. Promote collagen and protein production for firmer texture. Calm inflammation and redness for more even skin tone. Protect against some DNA mutations that can cause skin cancer. Using antioxidants and sun protection daily will defend and protect your skin and even help reverse existing damage. Skin Authority Age Defying Moisturizer SPF18 combines all this goodness into one, simple, and lightweight step — super charged antixoidant defense, powerful sun protection, and deep hydrating moisturizer. Perfect under makeup.

Can You Use Oils on Acne Prone Skin?

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Read the full post on BeautyXpose. Afraid to use oils because you think they’ll clog your pores and cause breakouts? I’m here to resolve your fears. With high concentrations of vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils are proven to soothe, restore, and instantly transform skin. The added benefit of using essential oils is the body’s stress-release response to the molecules in the oil, which elicits a sense of wellbeing and calm. An essential oil is a concentrated liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are simply known as the “oil of” the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. They are extremely concentrated; for example, it takes 16 pounds of peppermint leaves to yield one ounce of essential oil. Pure essential oils can penetrate your skin because they are minuscule in molecular size. They are also very different than common carrier oils or fragrance oils ...