Product Review: Neutrogena Visibly Even Moisturizer

Neutrogena has a great selection of moisturizers, but one of the best ones is the Visibly Even Moisturizer.  This particular moisturizer comes easy on the face and is non-greasy, so it doesn’t make your face look oily once you apply it.  I always stress the importance of sunscreen on a regular basis, so another benefit of this product is that it contains SPF 30.

As an added bonus, this moisturizer has soy, which evens out your skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots on the face.  The effect of the soy ingredient takes several weeks to have noticeable results, but it actually does its job.

The only drawback of it is that it only has 1.7 fluid ounces of moisturizer, which isn’t a whole lot considering the price of the product (about 15 USD)

*This blog is not affiliated with Neutrogena in any way

Rosacea Caused By Mites?

Scientists have discovered what they believe to be the cause of Rosascea, a skin condition marked by the chronic reddening of the face.  It has long been speculated for the origin of Rocascea, but scientists have recently discovered that it is caused by mites known as Demodex.

Demodex mites are invisible to the naked eye and live inside human pores.  These mites have no anus, so when they die inside pores, all their "waste" erupts from their bodies, causing Rosascea.  Although this is still a theory (with evidence), this can open potential for new Rosascea treatments and eventually a cure.

The Benefits of Retinoids and Retinols

Retinoids are one of the most effective topical products used for treating acne, but it is also praised for its cosmetic use.  Retinoids are a derivative from Vitamin A, an essential vitamin for the skin.  Because of its strong potency, they can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription.

Retin A, a brand name retinoid

As an acne treatment, retinoids increase the skin cell turnover rate, which allows more skin cells to grow from underneath.  As an added bonus, this increase of turnover rate stimulates collagen growth in the skin, making retinoids a desired anti-aging product.  Retinoids treats wrinkles by bringing back elasticity into the skin.  Results can be seen from several weeks to a few months.

A retinol works the same way a retinoid, but it is 100% less potent than its prescription counterpart.  Unlike retinoids, retinols are sold over the counter and are popular ingredients in skincare lines.  

an over-the-counter retinol

Retinols are gradually converted into retinoic acid (the same active ingredient in retinoids), which is what makes them weaker compared to retinoids.  Results can be seen from 12 weeks to several months.

By using a retinoid or a retinol, you can strengthen the firmness and elasticity of your skin, maintaining a youthful and attractive look.

5 Steps to Have a Better Complexion

1. Drink Plenty of Water
By staying hydrated and getting enough water, your skin will have more moisture and have a more plump appearance.

2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is something most guys overlook. By using an exfoliator, you scrub off the outer dead layer of your skin, revealing a more radiant complexion.

3. Moisturize
By moisturizing daily, you will ensure that your skin will look more fresh and healthy. Guys need to moisturize their faces as much as girls, as its a necessary step for healthier skin.

4. Don't Smoke. Period.
Inhaling the smoke from cigarettes allows toxins to be entered in your body. These toxins break down collagen, reducing the firmness and elasticity of your skin.

5. Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure!
I cannot stress enough the importance of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis. Since ninety percent of aging is from sun damage, its not a bad idea to block off the UV rays that will eventually lead to photoaging. Do yourself a favor now and wear sunscreen on a regular basis.

What is Acne?

There is so much to cover on acne, but I’ll just give a quick overview on the important concepts.

Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that causes inflamed patches of skin including pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. It occurs when pores become clogged.  Each pore in your skin opens to a hair follicle, and each follicle has a hair and oil gland.  The oil released by these glands remove old skin cells and keep skin looking soft but when too much oil is produced, these pores become blocked.  This blockage allows dirt, cells and bacteria to build up, creating plugs or comedones.

Acne is most common in teenagers, but it can also occur in adulthood and even in babies.

Symptoms
-blackheads
-whiteheads
-crusting of skin bumps
-cysts
-papules (small red bumps)
-pustules
-redness around skin eruptions
-scarring of the skin

Treatment
There are countless over the counter treatments for treating acne, but the most essential and basic treatment is the classic  3 Step Process:
1. Cleanse (Facial wash/salicylic acid)
2. Acne Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide/AHA)
3. Moisturize

While the OTC treatments work for most people, the best acne treatments are prescribed by your doctor.  These medications are reserved for more sever cases of acne and include topical ointments, oral antibiotics, and as a last resort, isotretinoin (Accutane)

The Facekini: the latest skin craze in China

With the desire not to get sunburned and tanned, more and more people in China have been sporting the Facekini, a sun protective mask used to block out sun rays.  This mask which comes in a variety of bright colors, covers the entire face except the eyes, nostrils and mouth for maximum coverage.

Unlike the Western world where having a tan is desired, in Asia it is considered attractive to have a paler complexion because it suggests a higher social status.  To retain their light skin tone, a number of Chinese people have been using this new mask.  

Although very popular and effective, the Facekini brings up public concern because of its potential to be used a burglary mask.

AFP/Getty Images

Sunscreen

With summer coming full force, its only necessary to bring up the topic of sunscreen.  Sunscreen is designed to block off UV, which damage your skin and cause sunburn.  The effectiveness of sunscreen is measured in Sun Protection Factor (SPF), and the higher the SPF, the better protected you are from the sun.  It is recommended to use a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30.


When to Apply
Use sunscreen when you know you'll be outside; it just takes 15 minutes to get sun damage.  Don't just wear sunscreen on hot summer days, UV rays can still penetrate through clouds on a cloudy day!


How to Apply
As a good rule of thumb, use two fingers worth of sunscreen for each body part.  Apply sunscreen 20 minutes prior to sun exposure, and apply another layer right when you are exposed to the sun for best results.  Don't forget to apply sun protection every two hours since the sunscreen will wear out.


Benefits from Using Sunscreen

The obvious benefit from using sunscreen is to prevent sunburn.  The most important use of sun protection is to prevent skin cancer, which is caused by excessive exposure to the sun.  When you choose a sunscreen, look for the Skin Cancer Foundation logo on the packaging.  This logo shows that a product has been approved for its effectiveness for sun protection by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Did you know that it also can be used to prevent signs of aging?  Ninety percent of aging comes from the sun, which damages collagen, the protein in the skin that provides skin elasticity.  By using sunscreen regularly, not only will you prevent yourself from being sunburned, but you can also prevent signs of skin aging.  Prevention is always always better that treatment.

Basic Skin Types

The different types of skin include normal, oily, dry and sensitive. People also have combination skin types, which is a mixture of the other skin types. Skin types also change over time, for example, the a person may have normal skin in their youth, but have dry skin as they become older.

By identifying what type of skin you have, the better prepared you are on taking care of it.

Normal Skin

• Little or no imperfections
• No severe sensitivity
• Radiant complexion
• Little visibility of pores

Combination Skin Types

• Noticeable pores
• Blackheads
• Shiny skin

Dry Skin

• Almost invisible pores
• Rough, dull complexion
• Red patches
• Less elasticity
• More visible lines

Oily Skin

• Enlarged pores
• Dull or shiny, thick complexion

Sensitive Skin Type

• Redness of the face
• Itching 
• Burning
• Dryness