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Category: Skincare Products

Skincare can vary depending on your skin type and needs! Come explore all of the possible skincare solutions and learn some do’s and don’t’s from us.

  • Apply Sunscreen for Better Health!

    It’s important to consider daily sunscreen use. Applying sunscreen to your skin can improve its health in various ways. By preventing sunburn, reducing the risk of skin cancer, and premature aging from the sun’s UV radiation. In fact, sunscreen is beneficial for all, regardless of gender. Both men and women can benefit from using it. 

    How does UV radiation affect skin?

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of radiation that comes from the sun and has both pros and cons on your health. First and foremost, exposure to the sunlight is beneficial for boosting vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones, immune system, brain, and much more. Especially important for the elderly.  Without Vitamin D, you’ll face the risk of bone weakness, bone pain, and osteoporosis. To obtain the required vitamin D, The World Health Organization (WHO) advises exposing oneself to at least 5-15 minutes of sunlight. And therefore, 2 to 3 times a week. Though, this is good, however too much exposure to sunlight is indeed harmful for skin. There are three types of UV radiation which includes UVA, UVB, and UVC depending on their size of wavelengths. The two types of UV radiation that damages skin are UVA and UVB, in which UVA is a longer wavelength that causes skin aging while UVB is a shorter wavelength causing sunburn, sunspots, to name a few.  You can learn more, by clicking on this link myclevelandclinic.org. This is why the use of sunscreen comes in handy to protect your skin from developing risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and wrinkles. 

    What Sunscreen should I be using? 

    Sunscreens you should be purchasing are with an SPF of at least 30 for daily use or 60 if you are going to spend quite a while outdoors. Therefore, you should be applying sunscreen on all parts of your skin to potential exposure to sunlight. For instance, apply sunscreen to your face, ears, back, shoulders, neck, legs, and hands. One ounce is enough to protect your skin from the harsh UV radiation. It’s also recommended to be used during cloudy days because though the sun may be hiding behind clouds, the sun UV rays can pass through them impacting your skin.

    If you want to prevent premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer – sunscreens are your protector barrier!

    Sources:

    1. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/ultraviolet.htm#:~:text=UV%20exposure%20increases%20the%20risk,cancer%20in%20the%20United%20States
    2. Sunscreen and Your Morning Routine | Johns Hopkins Medicine
    3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation

  • The Importance of Sunscreen in Beauty Care

    Sunscreen is one of the essential elements of the cosmetic care. Not just for easy and safe use, it protects your skin in health and beauty. Sunscreen contains an element referred to as the Sun Protection Factor, which estimates the ability to block out UVB rays that lead to sunburns and skin damage. In addition, broad-spectrum sunscreens extend this protection to UVA rays, which are known to contribute to skin aging and cancer. The dual-action defense of this sunscreen illustrates its importance in preserving the intactness and youthfulness of the skin (Chien, 2023).

    The choice of an accurate SPF level plays a major role in the effectiveness of sunscreen use. Dermatologists recommend using at least SPF 30 cream for everyday common activity to be safe. In cases of long-term exposure, such as in recreational and work activities, a SPF of 60 or more would be better. Individuals generally tend not to apply enough sunscreen (especially with low SPF), so the higher SPF helps provide adequate protection. One should understand the balance between sunscreen protection and the sunlight’s necessity in vitamin D synthesis with the correct sunscreen application approach (Chien, 2023).

    Proper application of sunscreen determines its efficacy. Approximately one (1) ounce should be applied over the exposed areas, including the neck, arms and legs; it’s fine to use less than a half teaspoon over the facial areas of the face and neck. Therefore, one should regularly apply sunscreen every two hours and even more often if one swims or sweats a lot. Particularly during incidental sun exposure, like a short walk during working hours, it is always necessary to maintain skin protection.

    Nevertheless, it is important to note that although sunscreen can protect against different hazards, it is not a comprehensive preventive measure. Adding other protective measures like wearing wide-brimmed hats, sun glasses, and clothes covering the skin and seeking shade increases the defensive shield against negative sun effects. These complementary strategies serve skin safety and aesthetic appeal, emphasizing the need for holistic sun protection (Chien, 2023).

    Therefore, it is important to include sunscreen in one’s daily beauty routine for many reasons besides aesthetics and health. Its function goes beyond seasons and becomes among the yearly necessities for glowing and healthy skin. Taking care of the skin includes the conscientious usage of sunscreen and other preventive tactics, which are fundamental to overall wellness and reflect the harmonious relationship between health and beauty.

  • The Sun Isn’t Always Our Friend

    I love going out and feeling the sun against my skin. The warmth and comfort that the sun brings my skin is always a wonderful experience for me. Not to mention, it is a great way to make sure you get your dose of vitamin D.  Sadly, the sun isn’t always our friend. Too much sun exposure can have negative effects. Let’s discuss what some of these negative effects are and what we can do to prevent them.

    We’ve all heard of UV rays by now but what are they? UV rays are ultraviolet light radiation that can harm our skin. The negative effects of exposure to UV rays through sun, tanning beds, and other UV sources can cause not only various degrees of sun/skin burn but also cancer. This is because UV rays affect your skin cells and DNA which in turn can lead to skin cancer. It is also important to know that UV rays are not only the strongest during the summer, they’re still very much present throughout the year. UV rays reflect off surfaces like snow and sand and can still affect you during cloudy or colder days! Weather channels and apps on our devices now tell us the UV index, which is key to understanding how low or high they are. This is why sunscreen is your bestie all year long.

    Sunscreen Is Your Bestie!

    Sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits for your skin! It prevents sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Who doesn’t want to stay youthful looking? You’ll often see sunscreen products with a “30 SPF”-”60 SPF” label on it. SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and as you can assume, the higher the SPF value, the more protection your skin will receive. For those of us who wear makeup with SPF, it alone is usually not enough to provide protection and it’s often recommended that we double up with regular sunscreen. Remember to always reapply every couple of hours especially on days when you’re outdoors! Have safe fun in the sun!

    Read more about our health, beauty tips and skincare product recommendations!

  • Dealing with Dry and Oily Skin

    Everyone’s skin type is different and a process of experimenting and finding the right skincare products. According to verywell health, it is said that there are 5 different skin types — which includes normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination. To learn and find out more regarding skin types, I recommend reading their article as it is a good short read (by clicking on the link highlighted above).

    In my case I have a combination of both oily and dry skin. Possible factors may be due to my genetics, lack of hydration, weather conditions, etc. You may wonder and ask what is the difference between both oily and dry skin?

    Well, dry skin lacks enough moisture in the skin and appears to be flaky, eczema prone, and itchy (AAD, 2014). Therefore, oily skin is prone to acne and breakouts — makes the appearance shiny and feel greasy (ADD, 2014).

    However, we can care for our skin to feel nourished, healthy and clean. One is to simply buy the right skin care products based on your skin type and test what works for you. 

    The products that I normally use are those from CeraVe. They are CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser For Normal to Dry Skin, in addition to For Normal to Oily Skin. Moreover, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin.

    For dry skin it is essential to have a moisturizer as skin needs moisture to stay refreshed and hydrated. For this reason, CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion gets the job done. Who wouldn’t want their skin to be younger, clearer, and smoother?

    Furthermore, the benefits of CeraVe cleansers are due to its gentleness and Frangrance-free characteristics. It’s indeed suited for a variety of skin types as their products label suggest. It’s effective in removing excess oil, dirt, and more. I definitely recommend you try this product out and test whether it is suitable for you.

    It is possibly best to test a new product by only applying a short amount of the lotion/cream into an area of your face and if it’s a cleanser, keep the product in your skin for about 3-5 minutes for any reactions. 

    Sources:

    1. “What Are Skin Types?” Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2023, www.verywellhealth.com/skin-types-5088964. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.

    2. American Academy of Dermatology. Skin Type.

  • The Good, The Bad and The Ordinary

    The Bad

    Approaching skincare can seem intimidating and it truly is a trial and error process. This doesn’t mean we should shy away from learning about what may work best for us! As someone who has dealt with acne prone skin since 5th grade, I’m confident enough to share my journey. Including learning what works best for me and how I got there. It is good to keep in mind that there are many factors that contribute to having difficulties with our skin. This ranges anywhere from what we eat, air pollution, stress,  bacteria, using the wrong skin care products, hormones and more. My very first advice would be to consult with a healthcare professional such as a dermatologist if possible. I prolonged this decision but it was what eventually provided me with a safe and steady solution. Although not all products the dermatologist recommended worked, I eventually found what did.

    The Good

    In my skin care journey, my dermatologist and I determine that my skin was affected by hormones, stress and bacteria. Ideally, managing your daily tasks in an efficient manner may help reduce stress levels which can help prevent breakouts. Hormonal acne requires a different approach as it may be an internal issue requiring internal solutions. I fought my bacterial acne with over the counter benzoyl peroxide face wash. While benzoyl peroxide may not be best for sensitive skin types, it is great for addressing bacteria causing acne. I had also learned that oil-free skincare products are best for oily skin types. They help prevent excessive oil buildup within the skin.

    The Ordinary

    Along with washing my face, The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid + br hydration serum and their moisturizing factors + beta glucan have been essential to keeping my face hydrated. The Ordinary carries a line of affordable skincare products. They make sure to include all skin types and I have found their products to be the most beneficial. This does not necessarily mean you also have to purchase their products but I highly recommend them. It is important to choose the product best suited for your skin type!

  • You’re Making Your Face Sad. Do Something.

         Is your face dry? Is it itchy? Does it look dull and/or rough? Did you answer yes to any of these questions? If you did, don’t you worry. There’s an easy fix. What is it, you may ask. Good question. There’s this magical thing called moisturizer. Moisturizer is an amazing thing that prevents dryness in the skin and if you find the right one for your face, you’ll not only prevent dryness and itchiness in your face, you’ll also mask a little bit of those fine lines and wrinkles. If you have any, that is. 

    A Recommendation

        I for one, use the Multi Function Formula All In One Snail Repair Cream from Mizon. The tub has seventy-five milliliters for an average price of about twenty dollars. It spreads amazingly, just a small amount covers a large portion of your face, making it easy to cover every square inch. I got my tub In July. It has been three months and I have just used about half the tub. If I finish the tub in the next three months, I can divide twenty dollars by six. It’ll be $3.33 a month spent on this product. It’s pretty cheap in the long run. 

    More Recommendations

         Now if we hop onto the oo35mm website, where I got my own tub from and it costs $21.99. If you buy from here, guess you’ll have to pay an extra thirty-three cents per month. But it’s worth it! Snail mucin is said to be very beneficial for the skin and this product has plenty of snail mucin. It helps repair your skin and revive it. It’ll leave your skin moisturized, nourished and plump, bringing your skin close back to its prime! 

    You Do You

         Of course, not everything is for everyone and sometimes, skincare is more of testing what is right for you. I have oily skin. It literally oils itself five minutes after I step out of the shower. Now that I’ve started to take care of my face, it doesn’t do that anymore. I can probably attribute it to the Multi Function Formula All in One Snail Repair Cream from Mizon because it’s what I’ve been using so far. 

  • BHA Liquid Exfoliant Benefits

    The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a widely recognized and extensively researched skincare product known for its gentle yet effective exfoliating properties. It is praised for addressing breakouts, improving skin texture, and adhering to ethical and cruelty-free standards. Salicylic acid’s main component is renowned for its versatile benefits, making it suitable for various skin types, particularly oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. It efficiently unclogs pores, prevents breakouts, and improves facial texture (Kalasariya & Pereira, 2022). Because of its mild formulation, ethical manufacturing, and clinically proven outcomes, it enjoys an outstanding reputation among dermatologists and skincare fans and is frequently used to create cleaner, clearer complexions.

    What sets Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant apart is its 2% salicylic acid (BHA) content, which deeply penetrates pores to address acne-related concerns and prevent future outbreaks. Its gentle, non-irritating composition, devoid of harsh chemicals or fragrances, renders it suitable even for sensitive skin types. The goods of this cruelty-free company come with a solid dermatologist recommendation and are supported by in-depth scientific analysis and clinical tests, further enhancing their reliability (Namkoong et al., 2022). In addition, it is adaptable for a range of skincare requirements due to its customizable application, whether for spot therapy or full-face use. Users frequently comment on noticeable textural improvements, decreased acne, and an evener complexion, solidifying its reputation as a reliable skincare staple.

    Although Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a fantastic product, it is essential to incorporate new skincare products gradually into your routine and perform a patch test if you have sensitive skin. Before introducing any new product into your skincare routine, it is a good idea to speak with a dermatologist or skincare specialist to be sure it is the correct fit for you, as individual skin types and issues differ.