Skin Tips
Read these 85 Skin Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Beautify tips and hundreds of other topics.
Hot Lemon Water
Drink hot lemon water first thing in the morning to help flush out the body internally and reduce toxins which can cause skin sensitivities.
Face Cleansing
Wash face using circular motions to gently massage cleanser into skin. Don't pull down on the skin or rub too hard. Cleansers generally contain sodium lauryl sulfate and cetyl alchohol, ingredients that remove dirt and oil without excessive friction. -- Allure Magazine, March 1999
Hormonal Breakouts
Take Vitamin B-6 to help regulate hormonal imbalances which can lead to breakouts. Calcium and magnesium can also be helpful.
Dull, Dry Skin
If your skin is dull or dry, you may not be providing your body with enough Vitamin D.
Monthly Facials
Get monthly facials for increased circulation and oxygen for healthy, glowing skin.
Avoid Fragrance in Products
Avoid using skin care products containing fragrances, the #1 cause of allergic reactions.
Avoid Products with Panthenol
Hair products containing Panthenol (Vitamin B-5) can make hair stronger but can cause skin breakouts.
Skin-friendly Scrubs
When choosing a cleansing scrub for your skin, look for a product that uses indredients other than seeds or shells as exfoliating granules (such as jojoba beads). Seed/shell granules can cause microscopic tears in the skin. Ouch!
Avoid Bar Soap
Avoid bar soap for the face since the binders holding the bar together will strip the skin of water and natural oils.
Vitamin C for skin
Applying the antioxidant vitamin C to the skin has been found to boost its natural radiance. --Cosmopolitan. Apr 99
Use Toner after Cleansing
Using toner after cleansing is essential to healthy skin since it removes drying chlorine and minerals found in tap water.
Lock in Moisture
Lock in moisture by applying moisturizer to damp skin (i.e. right after a bath).
Increase Omega 3's
For dry skin, increase Omega 3's in your diet: flax seed oil and olive oil, salmon, tuna, walnut, almond and pumpkin seeds.
Breakouts on the Forehead
Skin breakouts on the forehead usually indicate too much sugar and/or caffeine intake.
Improve Elasticity
Improve the skin's elasticity by using a product with collagen-building Vitamin C.
Oily Skin Deficiencies
Extremely oily skin could indicate a bioitin, zinc or enzyme deficiency.
Skin Changes
As weather conditions change throughout the year, skin conditions may also change. You may need to adapt your skin care regimen accordingly.
Vitamin C Serum
Use a special Vitamin C *serum* to help protect and preserve newly exfoliated and exposed skin cells from the harsh effects of the environment.
Avoid Mineral Oil & Petrolatum
Avoid using moisturizers containing mineral oil or petrolatum which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Blackheads
Blackheads are caused by pores clogged with dirt and oil. Use non-comedogenic products and exfoliate biweekly.
Sunscreen & Skin Lighteners
When using a skin lightener or fade cream it is more important than ever to use sunscreen to be able to achieve your purpose.
Avoid Stress
Do what you can to avoid stress. Many skin conditions such as psoriasis, excema and recurring acne are related to large amounts of stress.
Soothe Muscles
Soak away tired, sore muscles with bath salts. To try: Get Fresh Sleepytime Salt Fizz with apricot kernal and avocado oil to moisten skin.
Avoid Panthenol
Avoid haircare products containing Panthenol if you are prone to breakouts around your hairline or back.
Oily Skin Cleanser
For oily skin, avoid detergent-based cleansers. They dry out the skin too much then oil glands overcompensate to combat dryness.
Post-Sunburned Skin
Resist the urge to remove peeling, post-sunburned skin as it can cause scarring.
Wash Hands After Using Self Tanners
Wash hands thoroughly after applying sunless tanning lotion to avoid discolored palms.
Shiny skin
If your skin shines excessively, do not use moisturizer (it is naturally moisturized), the added moisture will make your skin look greasy and will clog pores.
Free Acne Information
For a free brochure on acne, send a SASE to: American Academy of Dermatology, PO Box 4014, Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014 --Parade Magazine, Aug. 1, 1999
Antioxidants
Use a moisturizer containing antioxidants (Vitamins A, C & E) to protect skin against environmental damages.
Use a Water Filter
Replace your shower head with a filter purifier to eliminate chlorine and minerals which are drying and irritating to skin and hair.
Avoid SD Alcohol 40
Avoid using toners containing SD Alcohol 40 since it strips the skin of water and promotes dull skin by causing dead skin cell buildup.
Avoid Smoking
For a much healthier complexion, avoid smoking! Smoking constricts the blood vessels in the face and leads to the breakdown of collagen, causing premature wrinkles around the eyes and mouth.
Use Less Self-tanner on Knees & Elbows
When applying sunless tanning lotion, use sparingly on knees and elbows. These areas are naturally darker in color.
Protect New Skin
Avoid using chemical exfoliators like Retin A or alpha hydroxy acids on new skin after sunburned skin peels. A gentle mechanical exfoliator or scrub can be used one week after peeling begins.
Avoid Scrubbing Acne
Don't try to scrub away acne, which can allow bacteria deeper into the skin. Use a gentle scub with perfectly round grains which roll across skin.
Use Clean Hands to Wash Face
Most dermatologists recommend using clean hands instead of a washcloth. Unless a fresh cloth is used each time, hair follicles on the face can become infected by bacteria on the cloth. -- Allure Magazine, March 1999
Topical Vitamin C
Use a topical Vitamin C product daily to increase Type III collagen production.
Keep Hands off of Face
Don't pick at your skin. It can force bacteria deeper into the skin. Have pores professionally cleaned instead.
Rinse Well
To remove cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water, splashing several times. Extremely hot water might feel good, but it can irritate skin. Cold water will not close pores. -- Allure Magazine, March 1999
Sunburned Skin
Use a heavy, occlusive moisturizer on sunburned skin to help minimize flaking.
Deeper Tan
For deeper color, reapply sunless tanning lotion 3 hours after first application.
Dry Elbows
Dry skin on elbows should be exfoliated at least once a week and moisturized daily.
Red Bumps after Shaving
Those little red bumps that appear along the bikini line after waxing or shaving are ingrown hairs. To remedy, use a gentle exfoliator.
Discoloration
Reduce the appearance of scars and discolorations with a product containing clover and siegesbeckia orientalis by encouraging the regeneration of collagen and elastin.
Drying Effects of Flying
To counteract the dehydrating effect of flying, drink lots of water 2 days prior to your trip, use a mild exfoliator on your skin and switch to a moisturizing soap.
Clogged Pores and Breakouts
Clean cosmetic brushes weekly to help prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
What's this Rash?
Skin rashes caused by new products are often the results of the body's sensitivity to fragrance. Discontinue product use to see if the rash dissipates.
Before Sunless Tanning
Wait one hour after bathing, exfoliating and shaving before applying sunless tanning lotion. Your body needs to recover to its natural pH balance.
Exfoliate Dry Skin
Moisturizing dry, flaky skin is like trying to bring dead skin back to life. Exfoliate first, then moisturize.
Products for Oily skin
If you are prone to skin break outs, try oil-free products including moisturizer. Important note: "water-based" or "doesn't clog pores" does not mean oil free.
Clean Pillow Cases
Invest in a stack of pillow cases and change nightly to avoid reintroducing bacteria and oil into your skin.
Super moisturizer
Don't waste money on expensive moisturizers. Try this instead: wet face. Apply thin layer of vaseline. Apply lukewarm water. Wait. Rub excess water into skin. Wait. Apply more water as needed until all the vaseline is absorbed.
This should take no longer than 15 minutes & your skin will be smooth.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Use sunless tanning lotion before going out in this season's dare-to-bare sundresses. Reapply every 3 days for a safe, even tan.
Take it for a test drive
Before purchasing a new skincare product try it out first. Rub a little on your throat to see how it feels and smells, and how your skin responds. Also, higher price does not necessarily mean better quality.
Spa Water Products
For dry skin, look for new products containing mineral-rich superhydrating spa water as the acive ingredient. Formulated with vitamin-rich plankton and maring enzymes, these products moisturize for hours and give you a radiant glow. --Cosmopolitan. Apr 99
Exfoliate Before Tanning
Exfoliate skin before using sunless tanning lotion to slough away dry skin flakes and ensure a smooth, even tan.
Protect New Skin
Protect post-sunburned new skin from sun exposure until it has completely recovered.
Avoid Discolored Palms
Wash hands thoroughly after applying self-tanning lotion to avoid discolored palms.
Self-tanning
Smooth self-tanning lotion evenly over skin. Rub in well, to avoid streaking. Use less on knees and elbows, which are naturally darker in color.
Glycolic Acid
Use a glycolic acid (the most effective of the alpha hydroxy acids) product without alcohol to help reduce past sun damage, smooth and soften skin, and to help keep skin cells healthy.
Eliminate High Fat Foods
If your skin has a tendency to break out try eliminating foods with high fat content.
Oil-Absorbing Papers
Use special oil-absorbing papers to blot skin as needed to help keep oil in check.
Massage Skin
Massage moisturizer into skin in a circular motion to increase blood flow and oxygen.
Oil-Controlling Papers
Special oil-controlling tissues, similar to those used to clean eyeglasses, can be used throughout the day to blot excess oil.
Combination Skin
For skin that is oily in some places and dry in others, treat each condition separately with the appropriate skin care product.
Serum for Oily Skin
Use a special serum for oily skin with Nylon 12...used to clean up the Exxon oil spill.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Carma Spence-Pothitt |
