The Importance of Eye Cream

What is under eye cream?  And do you really need to use it?  At first glance it does seem like a marketing ploy, but, there are very specific reasons why this cream should be in your skin care regime.

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on your body, and it is constantly in motion.  For this reason, aging is most noticeable around your eyes.  Given the thinness of skin, the cream that you put around your eyes needs to be lighter to retain the moisture, if it isn’t, the thicker moisturizers can cause puffiness.  Also, regular moisturizers do not contain specific ingredients needed that address dark circles by targeting weakened blood vessels to counteract the leakage that causes them.

Eye cream is like your morning coffee, an instant pick me up.   They both contain caffeine.   Caffeine will constrict the blood vessels under the eyes the reduce puffiness.  It should also contain peptides to stimulate collagen and antioxidants to tame free radicals.

But that still leaves us with the question: At what age should i start using eye cream?  There’s no specific age where eye cream is necessary.  People with dry skin or noticeable dark circles are the best candidates.  With the delicate skin around your eyes it’s best to start sooner rather than later.  

Apply eye cream after face has been cleansed. (to see how to properly wash your face click here)  After face has been cleansed, get a small amount of cream on the end of your finger and gently start dabbing it around the eye.  DO NOT rub cream in.  Since the skin is delicate it will stretch and mark the skin.  Apply cream in the morning and at night.

Following a good moisturizing routine will keep your skin looking young and fresh for years.

Why Exfoliate?

      You’ve heard everyone from your mother, sister, best friend, and glossy magazines talking about exfoliation.  But, do you know why we should be exfoliating?  And how much?  Keep reading and we will shine some light on the subject of exfoliation.

    Your skin has it’s own natural , physical way of losing dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin, and this process is called desquamation. Exfoliation is the term used to ‘accelerate’ or speed up’ this process by using facial exfoliating products. You can get exfoliation treatments done at home, or ones done by professionals in a salon.   

   For teenagers, skin cells regenerate new skin cells every 14 days. For adults (until the forties), skin regenerates every 30-40 days.

So you can imagine, if you exfoliate everyday, your skin will eventually become thinner,extremely sensitive, easily irritated,  more prone to sun damage, and premature ageing. And when that happens, only a dermatologist can help you.

You should aim to exfoliate once or twice a week. For those with dry or sensitive skin, it is not recommended that you exfoliate quite that much. This is because your skin is already thin, so if you exfoliate, it will only make your skin become thinner.

Exfoliation for Oily Skin

Exfoliation is excellent for those with oily skin. People with oily skin have a thicker Epidermis layer, which is prone to excessive sebum being produced and most commonly, acne. Exfoliation therefore helps to act as ‘deep cleansing’ for oily skin, removing dead skin cells, grease and impurities from deep inside the pores.

Exfoliators for oily skin usually contain a mild astringent effect (for antiseptic and tightening), with ingredients such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, calendula, or cucumber to help soothe the skin, and that can also help to lessen acne. For those with oily skin, you can exfoliate twice a week.

Exfoliation for Men

Men should love exfoliating!  Not only because it gets rid of the grease from their skin, but it also helps to soften it, giving it a better appearance. Men and women (that have oily skin) both have something in common: they have a thick Epidermis, prone to shine and acne. Exfoliating products for men are often stronger with more granules in them, because men generally have thicker skin than women.

Exfoliation for Mature Skin (40yrs+)

  As we mature, our skin cell regeneration deteriorates –– the rate of skin cells renewing and growing weakens. This means that more and more dead skin cells are unable to desquamate. Exfoliation is strongly recommended for people with mature skin as the removal of the surface dead cells has a rejuvenating effect on the skin’s appearance.

Exfoliation for Normal Skin

This is also great for people with normal skin, but choose a facial exfoliator that is mild and gentle to use. Exfoliating helps to brighten the facial appearance as dead skin cells are removed. Aim to exfoliate once or twice a week.

Exfoliation for Combination Skin

Especially for those oily areas prone to acne and blackheads, you can exfoliate these areas with a facial exfoliator. An oily T-Zone is the most common area. You can exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on you.

Exfoliation for Dry Skin

If you must exfoliate, exfoliate with a product that is gentle, and do this once every two weeks. Your skin needs all the natural sebum it can get produced to help keep your skin stay moisturized.

Make sure to talk with your esthetician about which skin type you are to get the best results!

Common Skin Problems for Teens

When it comes to being a teenager acne is part of the territory. Many teens expect it and suffer through the unsightly and painful pimples. But you don’t have to! Many products are harsh on the skin and end up making teen skin worse! What you need is a consistent regimen that caters to your EXACT needs. Everyone is different and so should your skin care! Here is what you should do to start your journey to healthy, PAIN FREE skin:

Schedule an appointment with an esthetician: Estheticians are trained to look deeper than the surface to see the underlying issues.

Listen and Learn: A dedicated esthetician will help you create a routine to keep your skin healthy and pain free even with the excess oils purging from your skin due to hormones.

Follow the regimen you and your esthetician come up with. Your should have a daily morning routine, evening routine and scheduled exfolications. Remember you shouldn’t exfoliate more than TWICE a week. This does more harm than good.

Follow up: Monthly facials are a great way for your esthetician to get a good look at your skin! They can work to unblock pores and adjust your regimen as needed.

Teen skin is incredibly sensitive and changing constantly (just like the rest of your body). Learn to take care of your skin from the beginning! The last thing you want is scarring from popping pimples and stressing your skin to the point of destruction. Have more questions? Ask #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare for help!

Signs of Unhealthy Skin

Your skin is several layers deep. Meaning that the causes for unhealthy skin often come from within. It has to do with not only how you care for your skin but what you eat, how much you drink and your sleeping habits. To say the least your skin is sensitive to these elements of your daily life. Let’s get down to what the signs and symptoms are of unhealthy skin.

Uneven complexion: This is noted by having an uneven tone to your skin. This can include dark circles under your eyes, blotchiness, and blemishes.

Dehydrated skin: This is most noted by your skin feeling tight. You will also see dry, flaky patches and can
 experience itching. To remedy this you will want to ensure you are drinking the recommended amount of water for your body weight. An equation you can use is: Your body weight divided by 2 = the amount of fluid ounces of water you should drink on a daily basis. You will also want to moisturize. Ask a licensed Esthetician about the different types of moisturizers on the market and which can benefit you the most.

Texture of the skin: Healthy skin should be smooth to the touch and void of acne, (white/blackheads) and millia (hard tiny bumps under the skin). If you experience these skin complications it is time to adjust your skin care regimen.

Note: Harsh chemical cleansers and exfoliants will act as a catalyst for your unhealthy skin. They often remove all oils from the skin leaving it dry and tight. In many cases you can experience redness and a burning sensation.

The best way to care for your skin is to ask an Esthetician what to do. Not all products are created equal! Unhealthy skin takes time and dedication to correct. Work together with your Esthetician to achieve the results you desire. #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare Helping You Put Your Best Face Forward.

Caring for your Teen Skin

Teen skin is not only unique but changes all the time due to hormone levels. Estheticians often see in teen skin the overproduction of oils that clog pores and cause acne. These clogged pores can be painful, become infected and even cause scarring! When it comes to caring for your teen skin you have to go deeper than the surface. A regimen designed for your skin type and complications will be the key to healthy, clear skin.

A Teen’s Guide to Skin Health and Skin Care

Step 1: Determine your skin type. A trained and licensed Esthetician can help you determine what skin type you have (mind you it is subject to change as your hormones fluctuate). Having monthly visits with an Esthetician will give you the upper edge in caring for your skin.

Step 2: Follow a Morning and Evening Skin Routine. It is important to care for your skin both in the morning and at night. Dead skin cells, and especially makeup can clog pores. It is important to NEVER go to bed with your makeup on.

Step 3: Exfoliate 1-2 times per week. Your skin could use to be exfoliated once a week. Note: Exfoliating more than twice a week will actually damage your skin and be counterproductive to your skin health.

Tip: Your skin will change throughout your life causing acne breakouts, blemishes and more. Starting early with a skin care regimen will help you reduce these occurrences.

Skin care takes dedication and a routine to see long term results. Stick with it and your acne breakouts will diminish and your skin will be healthier. Have any more questions about how to care for your Teen Skin? Ask #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare for more tips to keep your skin healthy.

Characteristics of Oily Skin

What kind of skin do you have? Normal, Oily, Dry or combination? These broad classifications can help you to create a skin care program. Classifying your skin type will help your esthetician create a overall skin care routine that will leave you with healthy glowing skin and reduce the frequency of adult acne.

Here are the characteristics of Oily Skin.

Visible Pores: Individuals with Oily skin tend to have large visible pores. The overproduction of oils is what causes the pores to be enlarged.

Shininess: Due the extra oil production the face will appear shiny.

Acne: Oily skin not only increases the chances of acne on the face but can cause acne on the back and other places on the body.

If these characteristics sound like your skin here are some skin care tips you can try:

DON’T PICK: Many people when they see a blackhead, pimple or clogged pore will pick trying to remove the ailment. This does more harm than good because it brings bacteria into the pore.

Daily cleansing: Cleaning your face is crucial for individuals with oily skin. By cleaning your face daily you are helping to remove the excess oils and decrease the chances of acne.

Monthly facials with a skin care program: Monthly facials are a great way to remove excess oil, dead skin cells and rejuvenate the skin. Working with an esthetician that understands your skin care needs will make facials a beneficial treatment. Aestheticians can answer your questions about cleansers, foundations and other beauty products to ensure that you have a skin health care system that works.

Oily skin can be difficult to manage. Excess oil has a tendency to clog pores which form pimples or painful infected pores. Build a skin care team with #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare where I can help you create a lasting skin care routine.

A Closer Look at Aging Skin

Hormonal changes can alter the way you skin looks, and feels. Menopause is a process the body takes that can not be avoided much like our teenage years! These changes were dictated by hormones and the same can be said now. But don’t fret there is a way to keep your skin glowing and combat the acne that is bound to appear. Here’s how:

Find a Licensed Esthetician: While many skin problems appear at the surface this is not where they take place. Your skin reacts to the food you eat, the amount of water you drink and the hormone levels your body is producing. An esthetician will work with you to create a skin care regimen specialized to your skin care needs.

Be Dedicated: Skin care is a marathon. You must be dedicated of it will not work. This included a daily morning and evening routine. Our skin collects a tremendous amount of debris from pollutants in the air, UV rays and more.

Pamper yourself: Monthly facials are the best way to keep your youthful glow. YOur esthetician can access your skin, alter your regimen, and peel off layers that your daily routine can’t!

Our skin changes ALL THE TIME but you don’t worry! When you have an esthetician by your side you have a partner in your skin health! #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare Helping you put your best face forward!