Essential Skincare's Blog

Get Rid of Acne Fast

February 11th, 2013 • Posted by Essential Skincare & Wellness Studio • Permalink

It's the night before the biggest event of your life and a pimple pops up on your face in a spot that could only be missed in a pitch-black room. Acne is frustrating at any time, but there are moments when you simply must get rid of the offending zit fast!

Facials

Visit us. Not only do we have the tools to safely remove any dirt or debris from clogged pores, but we can apply a clay mask, which will help dry out the acne. We have a specific line of products that contain solutions for your acne eruption and may clear the spot up faster than anything you can do on your own.

Spot Treatments

While benzoyl peroxide may not work for every acne sufferer, it does work for some. If it fails to dry the acne, try products with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works better for some and benzoyl peroxide works better for others. Experiment to see which your skin prefers. Wash your face and apply the treatment directly to the acne twice a day. More than twice a day may cause extreme drying, so it is best to stick with two times a day until the acne disappears.

Exfoliation and Steam

Acne may be a result of clogged pores. Exfoliation sloughs off dead cells and steam opens the pores. The combination of exfoliation and steam followed by application of spot treatments can zap acne out of existence fast.

Professional Advice

Leaving acne untreated can result in scarring and a drop in self-confidence. Prescription medications or treatments such as micro-dermabrasion or laser resurfacing may be needed to insure that your skin is the best it can possibly be. Come and visit us and we can help diagnose the problem.


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Anti-Aging Tips

February 2nd, 2013 • Posted by Essential Skincare & Wellness Studio • Permalink

When it comes to wrinkle prevention, you're never too young to start protecting your skin from the rigors of age. There are some tried and true methods to look younger than you actually are. Some are so vital that they merit repeating, while others you may not have heard of before.

Don't Worship the Sun

Most dermatologists will tell you that staying out of the sun is one of the best things you can do for your skin. When you must be in the sun, wear an appropriate level of sunscreen and reapply regularly. Have you ever seen someone who spends a lot of time in the sun for work or just because they love the bright rays? The skin can take on a wrinkled, leathery appearance if overexposed for a long period of time.

Eye Cream

Anti-aging eye serums can be applied to the corners of eyes to prevent tiny crow's feet from appearing. Dab on over makeup mid-day for an extra wrinkle-preventing boost. Some women also dab a bit around the mouth area, where laugh lines like to appear. Although the formula is made for sensitive eyes, it is a moisturizer that will also work on other areas.

Remember Your Hands

Hands show the age of a woman, even when her face lacks wrinkles. When applying anti-aging products, remember to put some on the backs of your hands to protect them as well. The skin on hands is thinner than other parts of the body, so give your hands the extra care they deserve.

Finally, don't be afraid to try new products. Even though your mother and your mother's mother may have used a particular type of face cream, times change and there are advances in the way products are made that can keep you looking younger longer than the generations that wore skin care products before you.

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Ingredients to Avoid

January 16th, 2013 • Posted by Essential Skincare & Wellness Studio • Permalink

Knowing what's in your skincare products is not only an important step to achieving great skin, but research suggests it can also lead to better health. According to a study conducted by Chemical Safe Skincare Research in 2006, the average woman absorbs more than five pounds of toxins annually from her bath, body and skin care products.

Scientists have linked many of the toxic chemicals used in skin and body care products to such problems as allergies, gene modification, reproductive hormonal disruption, endocrine disruption and even cancer.

The effect prolonged exposure of these chemicals can have on the body has never thoroughly been studied, but considering the health concerns they have been linked to, minimizing their use is certainly wise.

The list that follows provides the top five ingredients to avoid. They may not be the worst or most toxic chemicals you'll find in your skincare products, but they have certainly made the list because of how common their use is the cosmetics industry.

Parabens - Parabens are artificial preservatives found in a wide array of personal products. They are endocrine disruptors and they disrupt the normal functions of the hormonal system. They are also not easily eliminated from the body. A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on 20 teen girls found Parabens in all of them. Parabens, which are known estrogen imitators, are suspected to cause early menstruation in girls, decreased sperm counts in men and they have also been linked to breast cancer. On cosmetic labels, the word Paraben is often preceded by Methyl-, Propyl-, Butyl-, Ethyl-, Isopropyl- and Isobutyl-.

Phthalates - Like Parabens, Phthalates are hormone disruptors. They are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity). Phthalates are often used in nail polish and in fragrance mixtures. Because manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used to create their fragrance, phthalates can be added to personal care products without being listed. The Centers for Disease Control reported that phthalates are detectible in almost all of the Americans they have tested.

DMDM Hydantoin - Often used shampoos, conditioners, hair gels and skin care products as a preservative, DMDM Hydantoin releases formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic, or cancer causing. It is also linked to allergies. In its last update of the Skin Deep site in 2011, the EWG found that approximately 20% of cosmetics and personal care products in the US contain DMDM Hydantoin or some form of formaldehyde releaser, and the frequency of contact allergy to these ingredients is much higher among Americans compared to studies in Europe.

PEGS & ETHs - PEGs and ingredients ending in -eth, such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Oleth Sulphate and Ceteareth Sulphate are a cause for concern in skin care products, because they are often contaminated with the carcinogenic chemical 1,4-Dioxane. Experiments by the National Toxicology Program showed that PEGs created an increased risk of leukemia and uterine, breast and brain cancers. Exposure to high levels of 1,4-Dioxane has caused vertigo and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and it may also be a skin irritant. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, and is not intentionally added to products, the FDA does not require 1,4-Dioxane to be listed as an ingredient on product labels. Since listing is not required, it is hard to say exactly how many products contain 1,4-Dioxane, but the EWG suggests that it may be found in 22% of the more than 74,000 products in their Skin Deep Database of cosmetic products.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) - BHA is a common preservative in skin and body products in the US, but it is banned by the European Union. BHA has been designated as a very probably human carcinogen. Studies show it can be particularly problematic for darker skin tones since it is known to cause loss of skin pigment. BHA is also known to disrupt hormones in the body, particularly thyroid and reproductive hormones. It has also been linked to liver damage and stomach cancers.

It is likely that just about every skin care product on your vanity or in your bathroom contains one or more of the ingredients listed above. Before panicking and getting into a frenzied attempt to toss them all, it is important to note that in many cases, the amount of these chemicals used in skin care products is minimal. But knowledge of these ingredients, and how to spot them on labels is certainly very useful as it can help you to make informed choices and reduce how often you come into contact with them.
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