Real Beauty 101

Proper Product Application

Hey Beauties!!  Sorry for the LOOONG delay since my last post. It has been quite a month for me!  But enough about me, let's talk about you!  Lisa K. from Washington, DC is facing this problem:  "I have a counter full of products that I am supposed to apply each morning.  I have a feeling that I'm not putting my these things on the right order.  Is there a rule of thumb that I should follow?"

Well Lisa, the short answer is YES!  There is a method to the madness.  You should be applying products in order of their weight - "thinner feeling" products go on first, and "heavier products" go on last.  This is done to ensure that products are properly absorbed into the skin in the right way.  Here's a quick rundown of how you should be applying products:

(1) Make-up Remover - I suggest using a make-up removing product  whenever possible to remove make-up instead of relying on your cleanser.  Most cleansers are effective but you want to make sure that ALL traces of make-up are removed during the cleansing process.

(2) Cleanser - use a skin type appropriate cleanser.

(3) Exfoliant- gently, especially if you're doing it more than 2x per week.  Great for prepping the skin for the introduction of active ingredients.

(4) Toner - only if it contains active ingredients.  Recently, I have been LOVING Boots Skin Brightening Toner which is only $7 from CVS. It contains a bevy of alpha-hydroxy acids  as well as other fantastic plant extracts. If a toner does not contain actives, its just hyped-up water and a wasted purchase.

(5) Serum - especially if you have mature/dehydrated skin.  Look for something that contains hyaluronic acid for maximum hydration.

(6) Treatment - especially for those of you that spot treat acne, blemishes, discoloration, etc.

(7) Moisturizer -  with a skin type appropriate skin moisturizer.

(8) Sunscreen - Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15-30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.  I am not a huge fan of double-duty products (those that contain sunscreen).  I think think it should be applied independently of make-up and should be reapplied at least once during the day for those a with especially fair or sensitive skins (i.e. burns easily, tans minimally).

(9) Makeup- should always be applied last.  If you would like to mix a bit of foundation into your moisturizer for a tinted moisturizer, that's completely fine.  Just make sure that you apply your sunscreen as well.

One quick tip - I recommend exfoliating at night.  By exfoliating at night, you give your skin the full night to rejuvenate itself and you'll wake up with a great glow.  Also, daytime exfoliation leaves your skin more susceptible to the damage done by UVA/UVB rays, which means that if you exfoliate during the day, you'll have to be especially diligent about using sunscreen!

Beauty(ful) Sleep

OK, I thought I had heard of everything related to skin care.  Magic creams and potions, injections, and even skin care drinks.  Now, linen manufacturers are introducing....beauty bedding??

That's right several bedding manufacturers have developed pillows, sheets, blankets, and mattresses infused with skin care ingredients such as aloe, seaweed, and even copper.  Mattress manufacturers are infusing the ingredients into the mattress ticking (the material that covers the mattress).  Some others are enclosing the ingredients into small micro-capsules (woven into the fabric) which break open when pressure is applied. 

There are proponents and opponents on both sides.  One dermatologist stated that copper bedding may be beneficial for those with acne and others are more cautious since not many in-depth studies have been conducted. 

The products are priced anywhere from $70 for pillow cases to $1499 for mattress sets.

Copper bedding by Cupron Copper Technology is sold exclusively by Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Prices range from $20-$150, depending on the item.

Here's the skinny - its unlikely that these items will produce lasting results on the skin due to the delivery method.  In order for ingredients to be most effective, they must be able to penetrate the dermis.  As with  most products, topical treatments often produce only temporary results. Further, the ingredients being delivered - aloe, copper, and seaweed - can be found in many products that have undergone in-depth testing. 

Bottom line - save your money.  If you want to buy great sheets, invest in high thread-counts!