Is There A Benefit To Alcohol In Products?

Everyone has their favourite toning solution as part of their skin care routine. But are you aware of some of the effects you will encounter by having alcohol in your toning solutions?

What about the awareness of what alcohol actually does to your skin, in terms of regenerating the skin's epidermis?

Let's start off with why it is important for you to use a toning solution after you cleanse your face.

It is very important to use a toning solution because once you wash your face and remove the elements of the day (eg. make-up  pollution, dirt, debris, oils etc. ) you need to replenish the moisture that has been lost due to the cleansing of the face. You need to bring your skin's pH levels back to normal in order for your skin to get the healthy complexion and clear skin.

The reason we need to keep the moisture levels at par, are in fact, going to slow the production of wrinkles and slow the ageing process. Also, 70% of wrinkles are due to sun damage and not taking the proper steps to help block the sun's rays from our faces and bodies.

Which brings me to the reasoning why you shouldn't use a toning solution with alcohol in it.

Alcohol is a very drying solution and you are applying that to your face after you have stripped the skin of it's natural oils by washing it. You are not replacing the moisture that has been lost you are just stripping the skin of the layers and causing the skin to become more dry, which will lead to the opposite effects you truly wanted.

Invest in an alcohol- free toning solution because those have moisturising ingredients incorporated into them. Whether the ingredients are natural plant extracts or natural/organic fruit extracts, those are the best ingredients for your skin that will help with healing and replenishing the moisture loss.

Next time you are looking to invest in a skincare line, pay close attention to details. Check the ingredients that you are going to be putting on your skin. Keep an open mind!

Education 101 on Compromising Ingredients in Some Products

Can I mix products without compromising effectiveness of the ingredients?

Answer is:

Yes you can! But you should never mix any products with SPF in them! It dilutes the sunscreen and your chances of being protected just diminished by 70%!

Never mix a product that has:

* Salicylic Acid
* Glycolic Acid
* Alpha- Hydroxy Acid

With:

* Hydroquinone
* Retinol
* Vitamin C products

The acids will breakdown these products and some of these products are meant for exfoliation. If you mix them with other products that are not meant to be mixed you could experience a deeper issue that could potentially burn your skin and/or cause a severe rash!

Just please be cautious and always read labels as they are important in everything we use in our day to day lives.

The How To Deal With Blocked Pores In Everyday Life Resulting in Milia

Now a lot of you are probably thinking what is that five letter word? I have never heard of that word before! And you probably have that confused look on your face. But wait, I will explain it is a language we all can understand! :)

Do you ever wonder what those tiny white bumps on your face are? They show up under your eyes, beside your nose, chin, cheeks, and even along your hair line? Well that is what we call milia. (pronounced Meal-lee-ah). Now I know some of you are saying, "oh yeah i know what that is now!" or "i am still not following what that is!"

Milia- milia is a superficial cyst filled with dead skin cells and debris. Which is sometimes called a small calcium deposit under the skins layers. 

Also, if you have developed them along the hairline then it is from excess amount of hair products either not washed out enough or it has made contact with your skin and throughout the day you perspire which can cause a blocked pore. The only way to safely remove them is to use a lancet. (Lancet is an instrument that has a sharp end, but is not a needle and is only to be used by a Certified/ Licenced Skin Therapist.)

If you have no time to see a professional then you are able to exfoliate the areas of concern by yourself at home, just it may take a bit longer to get rid of them. Next time you schedule a facial ask your therapist what they would recommend and if they can look at any milia you may have.

To keep your pores and skin hydrated make sure you are drinking lots of water!

Enjoy!!

How Do You Shrink Large Pores?

Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of pores. But there is a way of dealing with them!

If you concentrate on a regular skin care routine of double cleansing your face in the morning, applying your toner (replenishing, refreshing, renewing w/a low dose of alcohol/salicylic acid) and your moisturizer, you will eventually notice a difference.

Also, you need to be making sure that you are doing the same routine at night as well. Usually at night is the perfect time to do a masque application. You  would usually want to do a masque 3x a week but not the (3) days in a row.

Usually our skin type is genetic, so you really can not get away from large pores but you do have control of the situation and what happens to it!