Breaking Out at 30

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.~Andy Rooney

So now you are 30 or are close to it and now breaking out with acne.  What?  Why? I never had this as a teen.  Well it is common for many women to have acneic breakouts around this age.  It is considered adult acne.  We as women go through so many changes in life hormonally.  We have to deal with more then just teen puberty and each stage has it’s obvious issues that are very difficult to mask.  So the first thing to remember is it is normal.  The second thing DO NOT go out and purchase a whole line of  acne products to treat it.  You may need the use of one acne product but not an entire line.  Most acne lines are designed for oily/acne skin.  These breakouts are more hormonal then anything and sometimes concentrated to one general area rather then all over.  You can usually stick with adding good cleanser or a spot treatment.
Here are some general basics:  
1. Make sure you are using the correct products for your skin
2. You may need to see your aesthetician or a dermatologist depending on the severity of breakouts.
3. I don’t recommend BPO as it is drying to the skin and when we are at or closer to our 30’s we don’t want to over dry the skin.  If you are ok with salicylic and/or glycolic, maybe a good cleanser that contains a little of both but not too harsh.  One I really like is Murad AHA/BHA cleanser has a good balance and is not harsh on the skin.
4. Ensure proper vitamin, water intake.  Vitamins and staying hydrated are always great for the skin.
5. If necessary consider a series of light peels, to breakdown what’s going on under the skin
6. Just wait it out.  If it isn’t too bad it will usually go away on it’s own with time.

All acne isn’t created equal so a good rule is to always find out why you have it, how it appears on the skin and what it responds to as in Foods, Products, Hormones for example.

Vitamins and the Skin

Do you want to keep your skin young, smooth and supple. There are different ways of doing this internally and externally. Internal use of vitamins is as important as topical use of vitamins for the skin. The proper vitamins and amount can help bring nutrients to the skin. This can in turn help with conditions such as acne, or dry skin. Many types of foods are available to help keep your skin beautiful and glowing. These vitamins include A, B, C, D, E, K and others. Each of the vitamins are very important for the skin and your overall health. 

Here are some of the nutrients in the form of vitamins that your skin will love:


VITAMIN A: (also very necessary topically, in other forms)
For dry, flaky and rough skin.
 Source: All red and orange fruits and vegetables such as papaya, carrots, red peppers, mangoes, apricots, tomatoes, oranges, spinach

VITAMIN B:Can help the skin retain moisture
Source: Cashews, walnuts, green veggies, potatoes, lettuce, pineapple, wheat germ, oatmeal, broccoli bananas

VITAMIN C: - (also very necessary topically)
A great healer also to brighten, and tighten the skin and an excellent antioxidant. Great for dry skin, hyperpigmentation, inflammation and toning the skin
Source: Citrus fruits, lemon, guava, pomegranate, tomatoes and celery

VITAMIN D: 
Essential for good teeth, nails and hair, and bones
Source: Fortified milk products, oily fish, egg yoke and exposure to sun, i.e., the healthy rays before 9 am and after 5 pm
VITAMIN E: (also very necessary topically)
It is a regenerator and helps rejuvenate cells. Prevents premature aging and dry skin
Source: Wheat germ, nuts, olives and avocado
VITAMIN K: 
great for healing the skin
Source: ALL green vegetables

Also some great food sources in general to add to your everyday diet:
Red pepper
- collagen production & vitamin C


Avocado 

– Vitamin E, good source of fat


Shrimp 

– Iron rich protein for hair and nails, & zinc


Sweet potato 

– New cell turn over, Beta-Carotene


Kale 

– Vitamin C, K & beta-carotene


Wild Salmon 

– Omega 3 fats, keep toxins out & good stuff in


Wheat germ 

– Vitamin E & zinc


There are so many more to list, but this is a good start.

Bella Lucce Unique Product line

Finding a great product line isn't easy but when you do you just want to share it with everyone.

One of my favorite Bella Lucce.  What makes this line so great is it's unique blends and ingredients.  The line is very fragrant without containing harsh chemicals. This makes it so it isn't harsh on people like myself who's alergies are triggered by the chemicals in many other fragrant specialty bath and body products.  You will still need to be cautious if you have a fruit or floral allergy or sensativity of some sort.

• Certified 100% phthalate-free.
• This product is 100% natural.
• This product uses only natural hydrosols, absolutes and/or essential oils to create its distinctive aroma.
• All of our products are created by hand in America. 
• Bella Luccè never tests any of it products on animals and the product collection is certified "cruelty free" by PETA.
• This product incorporates natural botanical extracts.

This months featured facial comes via the Bella Lucce skin care line.

Asian Crushed Pearl Signature Facial:

Unearth ancient secrets from the Orient that date back to the Ming dynasty. Borrowed from the beauty rituals of the famed geishas, these exotic ingredients are revered for their ability to brighten the complexion, boost circulation, restore suppleness and improve overall skin condition. The end result is a luxurious facial that harkens back to the days of the famed Geishas while helping ward off environmental damage and slow the aging process by neutralizing dangerous free radicals. 

Ingredients include:  Crushed Freshwater Pearls, Shiitake Mushrooms, Powdered Wasabi, Rice Bran Oil, Green Tea, Gotu Kola, Coconut Milk, Adzuki Beans, Black Sesame Seeds, Bamboo Powder and Ginger Root

This unique blend and relaxing facial will leave your skin with a healthy glow.

Learn more about company & products http://www.bellalucce.com/

contact me for any additional information.

Brow Shape

This is an important subject.  Why?  Because the shape of your brow can change your look.  It can make you look Crazy, Messy, Excited, it can even age you.  So Please-O-Please ensure you are getting the brow that fits YOU as an individual.  Not a brow that fit’s a trend or what you seen on someone else.  I like to take an approach were I do more tweezing then waxing.  Many brows are overly waxed.  These days thin lines are just not cute & it is very hard to grow that hair back.  Especially the older you are.

Also I get very irritated when I see the brow filled in with the wrong color powder or pencil for your brow.  Even if you have to mix colors please ensure they match because it is noticeable.  When filling in the brow strokes should be used, these stokes are to be similar to natural hair strokes.
1.  If you don't know how to do your brows then don't, you don't want to over pluck nor shave.  Like I said the older you are the thinner or less hair you may have to begin with.
2.  If you need to fill in or if your brows are too light.  Use the correct color pencil, gel, powder whatever you choose, it still needs to match the hair.  An alternate option is having them tinted.
3.  Don't allow you stylist, esthetician, nail tech, cosmetologist, whomever is doing your brows, to over wax to the point you have thin lines.  Unless thin lines are what you like, but many people prefer to have a great natural look that frames the face well.
4.  There are many things that people say help grow the brows.  I have heard Castor oil, black castor oil, Vitamin A, Ingesting more protein, multivitamins.  My opinion they all seem to work pretty well anything that can help the hair grow usually helps the brows grow also.  It is hair and has a shaft, but has been plucked, waxed many times to the point it is possible it may not grow back in some areas.  Another good reason not to over do it.


I will do a post on this in the future, but just to add.  Permanent Makeup  if you have had your brows done in the past & they are fading you will NEED to get it re-done.  If you plan on doing it in general make sure you choose someone that does a quality job.  It is noticeable if it isn't quality, so it is worth the investment to get it done right.

Zen Med Review

Well I had the opportunity to try out the products from Zen Med product line for Acne.  With the many different reasons people have acne I love to be able to try products on my clients to see how effective they are.  Zen Med caught my attention due to the natural ingredients and herbal ingredients that will not harm the skin, so long as there is no allergy.  It is not easy to find a product with these types of ingredients and is effective.  A acne kit comes with a Facial Cleansing Gel, AHA/BHA Complex pH 3.5, Botanical acne mask & spot treatment, and an Oil-free day lotion.  These products are great for someone with mild oily skin and mild acne just to help balance the skin.  Sometimes acne breakouts are due to over doing it.  So a great way to keep that neutral balance is a product like this.  You would have to first know your skin type before choosing this products.  As it is more so for a specific type of breakout.  If your breakouts are heavy, hormonal, bacterial this may not be the best option.  If they are light, or you are causing your breakouts by over stripping the oils from your skin, this is great for the breakouts and to balance the skin and it's pH.  I really enjoy the mask and many people can benefit from it's use, even just as a spot treatment.

Are you doing too much?

Question: Why do I need so many skincare products? This is a question I receive many times.  The Answer: You don’t.  I always ask my clients what they are using, the answer I hear the most is..... I use a make-up remover, I wash, exfoliate, tone, moisturize, prime before make-up, then the same at night using a night cream.  Well most of these steps are very unnecessary if you are using a quality product.  Plus many people do not need a night cream. 

1.Your cleanser should remove make-up, cleans and tone and some are even exfoliates. 

2. If you need a corrector, after cleansing this is the time to use one.  You may need a corrective to target acne, fine line, firming etc.  You may need one during the day & a different one at night or the same one two times a day.  This may be one or two items and you may be able to mix them together to create on step.

3. SPF during the day, many moisturizers now contain spf and moisturizer at the same time 15 or higher for everyone.  Also there are many available that are makeup primers and do a pretty good job.

At night you may just need a really good serum, or hydrate as needed depending on your skin type or condition.

So investing in quality skincare products can save you time and money.  Money because you may spend a bit more, but you have less steps, better ingredients, better formulation, and you will see the results you are looking to achieve.  This way you will not keep spending your money on a different product each time you go shopping.  Less products = Less Clutter = Less stress & Money money to spend on other things.

Summer Skin care Tips:

Summer is not too far away and some skin care tips seem to be necessary at this time.

1. Sunblock, the sun can & will age you.  You must block the UVA and UVB rays, so a broad spectrum sunscreen should be the ONLY option.  I do prefer a physical sunblock which deflects the sun rays over a sunscreen that absorbs them.
2. Hydration, yes you must stay hydrated.  The heat and summertime can dehydrate you and this can take a toll on your skin as well.  It can give you a dry feeling and you may want to over moisturize.  When actually your skin is dehydrated.
3. Vitamin C and other antioxidants.  Antioxidants fight free radicals.  While you are having your fun in the sun it is very important to add that extra protection.  This will help obtain and retain radiant skin, and slow the aging process that the sun contributes to.
4. Looking for that glow and great skin with little or now makeup.  Mild exfoliation, Vitamin C treatments.  These can assist with giving you an even skin tone and continued Vitamins to nourish your skin.
5. Stay away from harsh chemicals and harsh exfoliation.  You don’t want to compromise the barrier of your skin while out in the sun.  This will contribute to further damage and aging.  If you plan on getting a peel and get your skin on track try to do these treatments before summer begins and just maintain with hydrating, nutrient based treatments during the summer.

Everyday I see many clients with skin damage, aging, and beginning stages of skin cancer all due to the sun & free radicals.  These things can be reduced and/or prevented with a little extra effort and knowledge.