Would you believe us if we told you that you have been curling your hair wrong all this time? Alright, fine, you may not be doing it wrong but there are likely some things you could be doing better. When it comes to styling your hair there are tons of little tips and tricks that can help it look better and last longer—especially when it comes to curling your hair. 

Here are our biggest tried and tested tricks for getting your best hair day the next time you curl your hair—from how to improve the texture to keeping it from going flat as soon as you step outside into the winter air. 

Know Your Barrel Sizes

It should probably go without saying but not every curling iron is created equally. Every curling iron is designed to give you a different result, so take this into consideration when you want to achieve a specific look. For shorter hair, you could likely get away with a smaller barrel for beachy waves, but for longer hair we recommend a wider barrel for wider curls. For beachy waves, we recommend a thicker barrel such as this one from T3 Micro. For more variety in your curling options, you can opt for a tool that offers interchangeable wands to let you work with different curls on the same tool, saving you money and storage space. This interchangeable wand from T3 Micro is one of our favorites. 

Often, you can achieve beautiful curls with a straightening iron (as strange as that may sound). Try wrapping your hair around your straightening iron the next time you use it to get a nice curl. The more you wrap your hair, the tighter the curl will be! Try using a straightening iron with a rounded edge to get sleek, shiny curls. 

Curl Second, Third, or even Fourth Day Hair

Want to know a secret? Your hair might be too clean to hold a curl. If you wash your hair too often or try to curl your hair the same day that you wash it you may be frustrated to find that it does not want to hold a curl. When your hair has more oil in it, it has a better time holding different textures and styles than it is used to naturally. Try using some dry shampoo and curling your hair on its second or third (or fourth) day to find that it has a better time holding a voluminous curl for longer. 

The Closer to Your Root, the Longer Lasting the Curl 

If you have trouble getting your curls to last, try curling all the way up to your root. You may not want your curls to start right at the root, but trust us when we say that it will pay off in the long run. Curling tighter to your root will help your curls maintain their shape throughout the day so that you are able to maintain your style all day long, rather than seeing it fall flat after just a few hours. 

To get more volume out of your curls, try holding the barrel horizontally rather than vertically. This will set your curls up to add more volume while keeping them sleek, and it will also help you get closer to the root without changing the shape. For looser curls and beachy waves, hold the iron vertically and curl at different angles to create a purposeful but messy look. This will help give your hair a natural looking wave without looking to primed and polished. 

Let the Curl Cool Before Dropping It

Surprisingly, one of the biggest culprits to why your curls cannot hold for more than a few hours is likely because of the heat that they get exposed to from your iron. The next time you curl your hair, try dropping it into your hand to let it cool in its curled shape before you let it fall. Letting your hair cool in its curl will keep it from straightening out, helping maintain the curl for longer. 

Better yet, try pinning your curls up in their shape before you let them fall. This will let them cool while you finish curling your hair, so that when you are ready to finish styling they are all fresh at the same time for the finishing touches. 

Avoid Holding Your Curls On The Iron For Too Long

Your first instinct may be to hold your hair onto the iron longer to help the curl last, but this will likely only do more harm than good as it exposes your hair to potential heat damage even more. Hold your hair on the curling iron for no more than 8-10 seconds at a time, and then drop the curl into your palm and let it cool in its shape to keep it curled for longer. 

You should also avoid exposing your hair to too much heat at once. If your hair is thinner or fine, you can get away with cooler ironing temperatures. If your hair is particularly thick, go ahead and set your iron to a higher temperature (and do not worry if you need to keep it on for an extra couple of seconds). 

Use Products to Enhance Texture

Yes, we are talking about hair spray, but we are also talking about primers and heat protectants and texture sprays and—okay maybe this one is not required but it is cute—glitter. Prime your hair with a heat protectant primer before you expose it to heat tools to avoid potential damage caused by heat styling (we love this one from Hot Sexy Hair).

After that, set your curls with a setting mist before you put them in the iron to help your hair hold its curl for longer. This setting mist from Redken is often our go-to. Once finished curling, spray your hair with a texture spray to help maintain volume and texture—especially if you are going for a beachy wave look. Trophy from R+Co is our go-to product because it helps maintain moisture and shine while also enhancing volume and creating texture.  

Between figuring out which skin care products are best for your skin type and what kind of skin care routine you should adopt (K-beauty routine? Japanese routine? Natural skin care only?), we understand that it may often feel as if there is just too much to learn and choose from when it comes to taking care of your skin.

One ingredient that we find in some of our most popular products is lactic acid, a skin care ingredient that can help increase cell turnover and help your skin maintain a youthful glow. We wanted to take some time to explain what this ingredient is and why it seems to be a holy grail ingredient for so many of our clients.

Lactic Acid Can Be Natural or Synthetic

A lot of people immediately turn their heads when they hear that a skin care product is synthetically produced, but the issue with that is that there is often no drawback to using skin care products with synthetically produced ingredients like many companies claim when marketing natural products. In fact, most natural products still have to go through some level of chemical processing before they can be used in skin care, and the chemical alternatives to many skin care ingredients are not found to be harmful on your skin.

SPF, for one, is a common skin care product that people often get confused about. The chemical versions of SPF are not toxic to your bloodstream, though the synthetic ingredients are harmful to coral reefs and should be avoided when swimming in the ocean (more on that here).

Lactic acid is an ingredient derived from milk products (hence the name). While it is a natural ingredient, most of the lactic acid you see in skin care products today is synthetically made. This allows companies to mass produce it, and make sure they can say the products that contain the ingredient are vegan. 

What Does It Do?

Lactic acid is often considered an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) because it works to exfoliate the skin through a chemical reaction (again, don’t let that phrase scare you). The natural ingredients in lactic acid work to dissolve the molecular bond between skin cells on your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells and dirt that bind to the outer layer of the epidermis. If you use lactic acid on a regular basis, you might notice that it works to smooth over your skin and get rid of the dirt and oil that gets clogged in your pores and creates blackheads.

Because your skin is constantly having to regenerate when you use lactic acid on a regular basis, the ingredient helps your skin maintain a youthful glow that decreases fine lines and wrinkles. As you age, your skin begins to slow down how often it regenerates which leaves you with fine lines, wrinkles, and layers of dead skin cells. But each time you exfoliate those skin cells away your skin has to work harder to replace what was lost, leaving you with radiant, youthful, healthy skin.

Because of this, lactic acid also works to remove skin imperfections like blemishes and sun spots caused over time. All of these great benefits make it one of the most popular AHA ingredients that you see in exfoliating serums and skin care products on shelves today. 

Our Favorite Lactic Acid Products

Sunday Riley - Good Genes: This is by far our most popular lactic acid serum and the only one advertised strictly for its concentration of lactic acid. Sunday Riley, being one of our best selling brands in the store, is popular for its botanical approach to skin care and use of high quality ingredients. Pick up a bottle of this favorite skin smoothing toner to see highly effective results almost immediately.

Eminence - Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Complex & Cleanser: These popular products from Eminence work to gently smooth over skin while deeply cleaning and promoting cell regeneration. The result? Glowing, clean skin after just a couple of uses.

StriVectin - Double Fix Plumping & Vertical Line Treatment: This popular product was created for targeted skin care solutions and helps to increase the appearance of younger looking skin by attacking fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously plumping your skin to help it appear more supple and hydrated. Lactic acid is used as a targeted solution, while natural oils and plumping ingredients help your lips look more supple and pouty.

Murad - AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser: While lactic acid may work as a powerful AHA, another exfoliating chemical ingredient does an even better job of targeting acne and blemishes: BHA. Salicylic acid is the most common type of BHA, and is used in this popular cleanser in combination with lactic acid to address fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously cleansing from deep within to treat acne and prevent future blemishes from appearing.

With the arrival of a new decade comes a new chapter in your life, a chance to start fresh and create a bright, new future for yourself to grow and prosper. Whether your goals for the new year are to advance in your career or education, make major lifestyle changes, or simply hone in on your personal growth to feel a steady sense of peace in your everyday life, you can achieve it all through hard work and dedication.

If skin care is at the top of your list of resolutions for 2020, we have you covered. Below are five skin care habits that will help you get your best skin ever for the new decade, we promise. 

Exfoliate Regularly

We wrote recently about how chemical exfoliation is better for your skin than physical exfoliation because it helps to slough off dead skin cells without tearing the skin or creating any damage. But how often should you do it? Most dermatologists will warn against over exfoliating your skin, but it is important to find a balance of what “regular” exfoliation means for you. Some people can get away with exfoliating every couple of days, while others with more sensitive skin may need to limit their exfoliation to once per week.

Regardless, you should be exfoliating regularly to prevent dirt and oil from getting trapped beneath the surface of your skin. Plus, it helps increase cell regeneration which prevents wrinkles from appearing in the first place. One of our favorite products is Good Genes from Sunday Riley. The gentle lactic acid formula removes dead skin to expose young, radiant skin from underneath.

Double Cleanse

Want to know the celebrity secret to clear skin? Here is a hint: it has little to do with expensive spa treatments. Erno Laszlo has been championing the celebrity skin care routine for decades. With internationally known clients like Marilyn Monroe, the skin care specialist turned brand knows a thing or two about star-studded skin care. The company secret? Double cleansing.

Double cleansing involves removing your makeup with one type of cleanser (preferably oil based as it does not strip your skin of its natural oils), and then cleansing your skin with another gentle cleanser. We cannot get enough of this skin care secret, and the added step will leave your skin feeling cleaner than ever and looking more clear in no time.

Start with the pre-cleansing oil from Erno Laszlo to remove your makeup before cleansing once again with the Hydra-Therapy Foaming Cleanser to keep your skin clean.

Leave Your Zits Alone

No matter how tempting it may be we cannot stress this enough: leave your face alone. Not only will picking at your zits help to spread the bacteria that caused the zit in the first place, potentially creating more, but it can also transfer dirt and germs from your hands to your face. If you do not suffer from fungal acne, you easily could if you touch your face with the same hand you used to swipe yourself into the subway. Gross!

But that does not mean you have to suffer through your acne. Trust us when we say that the Mighty Patch was one of our better discoveries of the 2010’s. These hydrocolloid patches suck up all of the dirt and grime inside your zit in just a few hours, so put one on at night and find your zit has disappeared completely by morning.

Hydrate and Moisturize

Did you know that hydrating and moisturizing are two different things? While you may notice that your skin looks better when you drink more water, that is not the only way to keep your skin hydrated. Stock up on hyaluronic acid in addition to a rich cream moisturizer for night time. Use the hyaluronic acid after every time you wash your face and apply the moisturizer every night, we promise that you will wake up with plump, nourished looking skin!

We love this rich moisturizer from Perricone MD, as well as this hyaluronic acid serum from Peter Thomas Roth.

Not All Oil Is Bad Oil

Sometimes when you have oily skin, the best thing to do to combat it is … add more oil. When your skin produces oil in excess it often means that it is lacking the right kinds of oil in the first place. Try adding a nourishing oil to your skin care routine and you will likely notice that things will even out over time. Similarly, if your skin is dry (as most people experience in the winter) try adding an oil to the last step of your skin care routine to help lock everything in and avoid added dryness.

We say to add oil to the last step of your skin care routine because oil acts as a barrier. If you put the oil on first and then try to add other products, the oil will prevent them from absorbing into your skin. Instead use oil to lock in all of the nutrition that you just added by using it as the final step in your skin care routine, morning or night.

We love this superfood facial oil from Elemis because it contains tons of added nutrients to help keep your skin healthy while supplying it with good oils.

Beauty and fashion magazines have warned you for years: avoid sulfates at all costs. But what are sulfates, exactly, and why are they so bad for you? Or are they bad for you at all? We get a lot of questions about what sulfates are and why people are told to avoid them so we thought we would answer those questions in a blog post. Here is the truth about sulfates, plus some of our favorite products related to that advice.

What Are Sulfates

Sulfates are a chemical classified as a detergent or surfectant and they are found in beauty products like shampoo, soaps, and body washes because they have the ability to create the luxurious lather effect that people love in soaps. Beyond their ability to create a lather effect, sulfates help remove dirt and oil from your body and hair, making them great additives to soaps.

The most common sulfates you will find in beauty products are listed on ingredient labels as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. While the ingredients have been around for decades, they have more recently been touted as bad by natural products that use “sulfate-free” on their label to encourage lovers of natural products to buy. The truth, though, is that sulfates have been proven not to pose any significant health risk. You are unlikely to suffer any negative consequences to your health after using skin care products that have sulfates in them, but certain ingestible products (like toothpaste) have been found to show negative side effects in the mouth.

When To Avoid Sulfates

That being said, there is a reason to avoid the ingredients if you suffer from dry skin or have color treated hair. Though sulfates do a good job of creating a luxurious, soapy lather and cleaning your skin, they also work a bit too well at stripping it of its natural oils. This can dry your skin out further if you already have dry skin. In the same way, the chemical compounds that remove the dirt and oil from your skin also act to strip your hair of any color treatments it has been put through.

If you color your hair—particularly with vibrant hues like pinks or blues—it can expedite how quickly the color fades from your hair. The best thing you can do with color treated hair is to wash it as little as possible—three times per week at max. When you do wash your hair, avoid using shampoo with sulfates in it to maintain your color. Most color treatment shampoos will be sulfate-free already, but it is a good idea to double check before you buy.

Now that exfoliation is all the rage we get a lot of questions about what kinds of exfoliants are the best for your skin. With so much to choose from, many people wonder where to start when shopping for exfoliating skin care. Essentially there are two different kinds of exfoliants—physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants—and the two have different distinctions and results. When choosing an exfoliant, we recommend considering your skin type before you jump into any one product.

Most recently, the popularity of chemical exfoliants have created a lot of criticism over physical exfoliants because the products are generally more harsh than chemical exfoliants on the skin. The truth, though, is that physical exfoliants are worth using if you use them correctly. Before we jump into the details of that, though we thought it would be a good idea to give you a rundown on the basics of each type of exfoliant and what they are good for. 

Physical Exfoliants

Physical exfoliants are most commonly advertised as face scrubs. These products, usually made with ingredients like walnut shell powder, are rough scrubs that can be used to slough off dead skin cells to leave your skin feeling baby soft and smooth while promoting cell regeneration for younger looking skin. Some of our most popular face scrubs are from brands like Anthony, which uses white sand from Bora Bora to exfoliate the skin and smooth over rough spots, as well as this green tea scrub from Teami Blends.

Many who are wary of facial scrubs warn that harsh ingredients like walnut shell powder or sand are too rough on your more delicate skin and should not be used to avoid micro-tears—something that can cause the signs of aging to only appear more prevalent. But the truth is that when used correctly, scrubs are good for keeping your skin soft and smooth. Avoid using scrubs—particularly those with rough ingredients like walnut shell powder—around your eye area or any part of your face that may be sensitive.

We do recommend using scrubs on your body, as the smoothing ingredients can be used to help your skin feel softer and smoother than ever before. If your skin is sensitive to chemical exfoliants, a physical exfoliant may be a good solution as they do not tend to cause reactions. 

Chemical Exfoliants

The popularity of chemical exfoliants has blown up over the last couple of years. Brands like Sunday Riley have helped bring chemical exfoliants into the limelight with products like Good Genes, a lactic acid that helps to gently slough off dead skin cells and promote cell turnover.

While they may be labeled as chemical, these exfoliants are not bad for your skin despite the fact that they may not carry a “natural” label. Many of these chemicals are naturally derived in the same way that natural sunscreens would be (remember that even mineral sunscreens have to go through some level of chemical processing in order to be used in skin care). Many consumers fear the word “chemical” in skin care because of how their skin may react, but the truth is that these products are no more harmful to your body than any other skin care product would be.

Winter is upon us and that means many of us can say goodbye to our seasonal oily skin. Unfortunately that also means that we get to say hello to things like dry skin and frizzy, dry hair (which, if we are being honest, is still better than the frizzy hair you get from humid temperatures). In the same way that oily hair is easily fixable with the right products, though, so is frizzy hair. In this blog post we outline the basics of how to tame frizzy hair and help it stay sleek and shiny through the colder months. 

What Causes Frizz In The First Place?

Keeping your hair sleek and shiny requires balance. As you have probably noticed, your hair becomes frizzy both in very cold, dry climates and extremely warm, humid ones too. Both issues, though, are essentially caused by the same thing. When there is too little moisture in your hair and it gets exposed to harsh climates it can result in frizz. If your hair is dry and you go outside in an ultra dry climate, it might make your hair create a lot of static that results in frizz. Plus, you tend to go in between cold and warm temperatures during these months as you transition from inside to outside.

In the summer your frizzy hair is also caused by a lack of moisture in your hair. When your hair has little moisture on its own, but gets exposed to moisture in the air, your hair will begin to absorb the water in the air and frizz up go get more exposure to the moisture in the air. That being said, if you find that your hair is frizzy more often than not it may be time to take a closer look at what is causing those problems. 

Taming Frizz

Because frizzy hair is caused by a lack of moisture in your hair, taming it involves simply nourishing your hair with products that are going to keep it from drying out. This means that anything from the shampoo you use to the way you dry your hair can determine whether or not it becomes frizzy, so think about how you can make changes to your hair care routine to make your hair sleek and get rid of frizz.

Start with your shampoo. We recommend looking for shampoo products that are low in sulfates if you suffer from dry hair. Sulfates are the ingredient in soaps that help the soap to become rich and foamy. They can be luxurious in bath products, but they end up making your skin and hair dry. We recommend shampooing with a product that has no sulfates but lists glycerin as an ingredient. Glycerin has nourishing properties and works to protect your hair by leaving a coating around it. 

One of our favorite shampoos that fit this criteria is the Television shampoo from R+Co. This nourishing product helps penetrate deep within the hair shaft to nourish and moisturize, plus it leaves a protective layer on the outside of your hair shaft to keep your hair from becoming dry later on. Use this product once or twice a week to maintain the natural oils in your hair to further prevent frizz.

Conditioners Are Your Best Friend

While you should avoid shampooing your hair too often, your hair could almost always use a conditioning treatment or a simple dose of conditioner to help boost its shine and texture. Try using a deep conditioning treatment like this one from Mizani at least once per week. The nourishing ingredients in this product will help condition both your hair and your scalp, preventing issues with dandruff on top of protecting your hair from dryness-related frizz.

Use a conditioner from mid-shaft down to the ends to give added moisture and nourishment to the parts of your hair that often never get exposed to your natural oils. In addition, brushing your hair regularly can help move the natural oils from your root area down to the middle and ends of your hair shafts. If you have naturally curly hair you may notice that your hair is prone to frizz far more than your straight-haired friends’ hair does.

We recommend using a conditioner that is made specifically for curly hair, that way each of your curls can be nourished properly. The Curl Complete conditioner from Pureology is a popular choice because it was made specifically for targeting dry and frizzy hair.

If you have spent any time researching skin care products (which is likely the case, considering the fact that you came here in the first place), you have most likely come across the term "moisture barrier." Ah the mysterious moisture barrier—the reason skin care and beauty companies have convinced you to buy their product for years.

But what, exactly, is the moisture barrier? And how do you know that your moisture barrier has suffered damage? We get questions like these quite often, so we decided to compile our knowledge on the subject into a blog post to teach you what you need to know about your moisture barrier and how to care for it.

Understanding Your Moisture Barrier

The moisture barrier refers to the outermost layer of your skin. This is the part of your skin that is both actively shedding dead skin cells and working to keep the inner layers of your skin healthy. From keeping the nutrients in your moisturizer inside your skin to protecting the top layer of your epidermis from sun damage, your moisture barrier is essentially responsible for the overall health of your skin.

Unfortunately, this could also mean that your efforts will be fruitless if you apply the right products but do not take care of your moisture barrier. This part of your skin is the part that protects you from dehydration, meaning it is extra important to care for your moisture barrier in order to avoid problems with dry skin. But how do you know whether you are or are not taking good care of your moisture barrier?

Assessing Your Moisture Barrier

Fortunately, that part is fairly easy once you get a good understanding of what, exactly, your moisture barrier is. Take some time to assess the look and feel of your skin in all areas, not just on your face. Are there parts that are dry, itchy, or flaky? In the colder months, it is often more likely that your skin suffers a dry spell. If you notice that your skin is dry, itchy, or appears red in certain spots, your moisture barrier could likely be suffering from damage.

Not to worry, because once you understand the causes of moisture barrier damage you can address them easily. Lots of things can cause damage to your moisture barrier. Anything from smoking and pollution to not drinking enough water can be the culprit, but it could also be as simple as not moisturizing enough or not using the right product.

Fixing Moisture Barrier Damage

If you do happen to notice that your moisture barrier could use a bit of TLC, fixing it is no problem with the right knowledge (and products). The first step, though, is making sure that you are keeping your body hydrated as well. Start drinking more water every day. If you already drink enough water and still notice that your skin feels dry, itchy, red, or flaky, then it may be time to bring in the big guns.

Look for products with ingredients like ceramides and collagen-boosting abilities. These ingredients are in things like moisturizers, which help prevent moisture barrier damage in addition to maintaining it. Remember, though, that hydration and moisturizing are two very different things when it comes to skin care, and that it is important to pay attention to both.

For barrier health we recommend this Intense Moisturizer from Elta MD. It contains lots of nourishing ingredients to soothe irritation caused by dry, itchy skin. Plus, it soothes irritation from common skin diseases like eczema and atopic dermatitis. Keep in mind, though, that if your skin barrier damage is caused by deeper medical issues than you may need to consult a dermatologist to find out how to address it.

To boost hydration, we recommend the Water Drench Cloud Cream from Peter Thomas Roth. This ultra-hydrating product contains hyaluronic acid to draw out hydration from deep within the skin and keep your skin looking supple and hydrated. Thus, in turn, helping boost your moisture barrier and diminishing the appearances of aging.

If you have ever spent a summer in New York humidity you are likely all too familiar with the feeling of constantly wiping oil off of your forehead and chin area. Oily skin is a feat on its own, but the reality is that you should never completely strip the oil presence from your face. No, we are not saying that you have to learn to embrace the oil, but you should at least replace the oil with the right kind of ingredient that will help your skin look radiant rather than greasy. There are a lot of reasons why, and we have outlined those below—along with a couple of recommendations and a guide to choosing the right oil based on your skin type. 

Oils are Important During The Colder Months

When your skin starts to dry out during the winter months you may feel that you need to lay the moisturizer on thick—but there is an easier way to deal with seasonal dry skin. Think of an oil as the protective barrier of your skin and its hydration and moisture. When you apply an oil to your skin it helps keep the moisture from being able to dry out. Instead of wasting precious product by lathering on extra layers of moisturizer, add an oil to your skin care routine to help maintain moisture on a regular basis. 

But What If I have Dry Skin?

The truth is that when your skin begins to over produce oil, the reality is that your body likely feels that it is necessary to do so. Usually when you suffer from oily skin, you can combat the issue by taking extra steps to make sure that your skin is well hydrated and well moisturized (and yes, moisture and hydration are two different things). It may sound counter productive, but try adding an oil to your skin care routine if you feel that your skin produces too much oil throughout the day—you may just find that you begin seeing an improvement. 

How to pick the right oil

While yes, it is true that oils are actually good for your skin, it is important to find the right one for you. Many oils on the market will still clog your pores—often making your acne troubles worse than they already are—but not every oil is made the same, contrary to what it may seem. Common oils like olive oil and coconut oil will likely do more harm than good—so just steer clear of anything that can double for a cooking ingredient. Other oils, like marula oil and jojoba oil (which are common to skin care) are much better choices. 

Where Oils Should Sit In Your Routine

Many oils are filled with antioxidants, making them good protective layers to help your skin avoid absorbing dirt from pollution and other toxins from things like smoke and exhaust. But since oils work as a protective layer to keep products in, they can also keep them out if applied too early on in your skin care routine. If you apply an oil before any other product, you’ve essentially wasted all of the products you apply after the oil. Wait to apply your oil until the last step in your skin care routine. This will help maintain your hydration and moisture barriers, keeping all of those other great ingredients locked in. 

Picking an Oil: Products We Love

Teami Blends Repair Oil - We love this oil because it contains a blend of all natural plant oils and extracts. It contains jojoba and sea buckthorn oil in addition to chamomile extract that will soothe inflamed skin and repair damage.

Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil - We cannot lie, we have a love affair with all things Sunday Riley these days. This product is packed with nutrition and antioxidants that will help brighten and fortify your skin, and once the oil sinks into your skin it can help improve the signs of aging.

Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Face Oil - Not every oil is made the same, and oil cleansers are one of the most important staples to a good skin care routine. Erno Laszlo is famous for its emphasis on double cleansing—that is, using an oil cleanser to remove your makeup and a gentle cleanser to cleanse deep within your pores. We love this cleanser because it has the ability to remove your makeup and detox your skin with ingredients like charcoal and grapeseed oil.

NATURAL SOURCE OF AHAs

The enzymes in pumpkin contain natural alpha-hydroxy acids, which are molecules that help slough off dead skin cells and increase cell turnover to make your skin appear brighter and younger. AHA enzymes are popular ingredients in anti-aging toners, serums, and creams because they are some of the most effective anti-aging products on the market.

When you regularly use an AHA enzyme product on your skin you will likely start to notice that your skin appears brighter, younger, and much more clear from pesky acne troubles. This is because your pores have little chance to see a build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells when you regularly use a chemical exfoliant like an AHA. Ingredients such as retinol and retin-a are popular choices, but pumpkin enzymes also make great, natural products. 

ANTIOXIDANTS

City life can be stressful for both your body and your mind—and your skin. Did you know that pollutants from urban environments can cause your skin to absorb all of that dirt and smog into your pores? Antioxidant face masks and skin care products help remove all of the dirt and oil from sweat that gets stuck in your pores throughout the day, helping your skin look and feel cleaner. The antioxidants in pumpkin can also help neutralize free radicals caused by sun exposure, exposure to cigarette smoke, or just regular pollution that can make your skin look dingy.

Vitamin A and Vitamin C are both present in pumpkin. Vitamin A is a natural AHA enzyme while Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and brighten the overall appearance of your complexion. Together, these ingredients help to boost your overall glow and help your skin maintain a youthful, healthy appearance. 

ZINC FOR ACNE

Pumpkin seeds are rich in Zinc, a vitamin that helps your body control hormone levels which can help neutralize the oil production you see in your skin. For those with acne related to their oily skin type, this can help you get your body to cut back on its oil production and control breakouts. Zinc also helps your skin heal, making it a great ingredient not only for diminishing oil production but also for helping to heal blemishes that are already present on your skin.

We currently carry two products that contain pumpkin enzymes. The first, the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask from Peter Thomas Roth helps to slough off dead skin cells and brighten the skin underneath while increasing cell turnover. This mask—which smells just like pumpkin pie—is one of our favorite gentle exfoliants and makes a great holiday gift. Glo’s Pumpkin Enzyme exfoliant scrub is similar, as it helps to polish the skin and reveal a bright, clean complexion. Use regularly to maintain a natural glow, even in the winter months.

As if you needed another excuse to take a nap today. Did you know that getting sufficient sleep is the key to getting great skin? There are a lot of reasons for this, which we will cover in this post, but the most important one to remember is that your skin revives itself while you sleep. Getting sufficient sleep (which is 6-8 hours per night for most adults) will help your skin appear brighter, heal it from acne and other inflammation, and help you avoid having to go overtime in front of the vanity mirror with your concealer and brightening makeup. Here we give you every reason you should get a good night of sleep—for your skin, of course. 

It Helps Your Natural Beauty

When you sleep, you give your body the chance to produce a lot of the natural nutrients that your body needs in order to maintain a good complexion. Collagen production and the retention of hyaluronic acid all happens while you are sleeping, so getting enough sleep every night is an important factor in how your skin looks during the day—particularly in the aging department. If you notice that your skin is getting fine lines and wrinkles early on, one factor in that could be your sleeping schedule (in addition to your lifestyle). Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are key elements in helping your skin appear bright, supple, and young. 

It Simmers Down Existing Conditions

From eczema and psoriasis to regular breakouts, a good night of rest can actually help calm down the symptoms that keep you up at night worrying about your skin. The reason for this is that your skin tends to work overtime the longer you are awake by increasing your inflammatory response. This can manifest in the form of a breakout, worsening symptoms of chronic conditions, or increased sensitivity and allergic reactions. If you have ever noticed that your skin retaliates in times of stress, it is also likely associated with the fact that stress impacts your sleep patterns. 

It Helps Your Immune System

Eczema and psoriasis, specifically, are associated with how your body and immune system are operating. When your immune system is operating at its best function, these conditions tend to simmer down and become easily manageable, but when your immune system is challenged—either by stress or by illness, it often flares up these conditions and makes them harder to deal with. Sleep is one of the easiest and best ways to help boost your immune system because your body can do so much more when you are resting. 

It Keeps You Young

Like we said before, your body produces collagen and holds onto hyaluronic acid while you are sleeping, and these are two major ingredients in the recipe for younger looking skin. While you sleep, your body is able to amp up its collagen production—a naturally occurring substance that slows as you get older. The older you are, the more sleep you need to maintain a healthy, young glow naturally. 

It Helps Your Under Eyes and Moisture Barrier

Your skin has a natural hydration and moisture barrier that must constantly be cared for in order to be maintained. When you cleanse your skin with cleansers that contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, for example, you strip your skin of its natural hydration barrier. Products like hyaluronic acid serums can help maintain it, as well as ceramide lotions, but sleeping is a major factor in whether or not your skin is able to maintain its hydration and moisture. When you do not get enough sleep, your body struggles to keep your skin hydrated and nourished, something that manifests in the appearance of under eye bags, puffy eyes, and dark circles.

As you age some things are supposed to get better, and depending on how well you’ve taken care of your skin throughout your life that will be one of them. Nevertheless, some signs of aging are natural and cannot be avoided, even if your last name is Kardashian. Protecting and nourishing your skin should not be overlooked, especially as you age and your skin becomes more fragile. For anyone experiencing signs of aging, we have made a skin care routine especially formulated to help you look and feel your best, and embrace your skin every day. 

Be Gentle

If you wear makeup often, we recommend being gentle when you start to remove it for the day. Using excessive scrubbing or cleaning practices can make your skin stretch out or cause micro-tears—particularly around the eye area where your skin is far more delicate than the rest of your face. When applying makeup, avoid tugging on your skin as this can stretch it out (we are looking at you, winged eyeliner). 

Nourishing Cleansers

Speaking of removing makeup, we recommend opting for a nourishing or cream cleanser instead of a foaming cleanser. The active ingredients in foaming cleansers, called sulfates, are responsible for making soaps luxuriously foamy and rich, but can also dry your skin out and make wrinkles and fine lines much more prevalent. On your face, this can be particularly annoying as it will only end up creating more work. Opt for a nourishing cleanser that will remove makeup and cleanse without drying. 

Products we recommend: Cream Cleanser from iS Clinical is deeply nourishing and hydrating but also does a great job of removing makeup, dirt, and grime that accumulates from throughout the day. 

Avoid Skipping Exfoliation

It may not seem like it very often, but your skin is endlessly cycling and creating new skin cells without shedding the dead ones. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant at least once per week to remove these dead skin cells and help boost cell regeneration in your skin. This will prevent wrinkles and fine lines from appearing to be more prominent because your skin is constantly having to re-generate itself. Many exfoliants, like retinol, can also help smooth over discoloration and hyperpigmentation, making your complexion more radiant and smooth all over. 

Products we recommend: Retinol and retinoid products will work to slough off dead skin cells and promote the regeneration of new skin cells. These “holy grail” products can also help out with acne problems and work to smooth over the appearance of pores. The strongest dose of retinol you can buy over the counter is 1%, in which case we recommend SkinMedica’s Retinol Complex 1.0. This brand also offers less potent options for those with sensitive skin, as retinol can often make your skin more sensitive than normal, especially in the sun.  

Serums and Oils

Because your skin tends to lose a lot of its natural hydration barrier and nourishment as you age, serums and skin oils can be extra useful for anyone with aged skin. Nourishing botanical oils will add a layer of hydration and nourishment to help make your skin appear more radiant. Meanwhile hyaluronic acid serums can help boost your natural moisture barrier and make your skin appear more plump. 

Products we recommend: Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil from Sunday Riley helps target fine lines and wrinkles to plump your skin and remove toxins from urban stressors (pollution, sun damage, etc.) that help contribute to signs of aging. 

Eye Creams

Like we said before, your eye area can become extra delicate as you age because the skin around your eyes is the most fragile part of your face. Combat fine lines around your eyes, called crows feet, with a plumping and nourishing eye cream. 

Products we recommend: Obagi makes a great eye cream called ELASTIderm that works to nourish and hydrate the skin around your eye area to help increase its natural elasticity, decreasing signs of aging. 

Collagen Moisturizers and Creams

One of the most important ingredients you should be looking for in a face cream is collagen, especially if your biggest concern is signs of aging. Other important ingredients, like vitamin C, will help brighten and remove inflammation or hyperpigmentation that increases with aging. Your skin naturally produces collagen, but as you age it will begin to produce less of it naturally. Using a collagen face cream can combat the sudden loss in collagen production and help keep your skin looking plump and supple as you get older. 

Products we recommend: Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream (pictured in the featured photo of this blog post) is rich in texture and packed with nutrients like collagen to help put life back into mature, sagging skin. 

Sun Protection 

We recommend focusing on sun protection for all skin types because—well, sun protection is just that important. Period. Using an SPF of at least 30 on your face each day can minimize how your skin ages because it will prevent exposure to harmful UVA rays. UVA, the type of sun radiation that penetrates deeper into your skin than UVB, is responsible for increasing signs of wrinkles and aging. Using SPF every day is singlehandedly one of the most effective ways to minimize signs of aging even further. 

Products we recommend: EltaMD is one of our most popular lines of natural sunscreen products. These mineral sunscreens are safe for all skin types and effective at preventing sun damage. 

Use A Night Cream

If you do not get enough sleep at night your skin will suffer the consequences in the same way that you might. Your skin restores itself while you sleep, meaning that the more sleep you get, the more opportunity your skin has to regenerate and take care of itself. A rich night cream can help aging skin along in this, as these products are often packed with ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid to improve elasticity and hydration overnight. 

Products we recommend: A favorite among Hollywood stars, Erno Laszlo’s Phelityl Night Cream is rich in hydrating and nourishing ingredients like glycerin and essential fatty acids to help restore your skin overnight. 

Remember Your Neck and Hands

Ignoring your neck and hands is a sure fire way to notice signs of aging on your skin even if you have taken good care of your face throughout your life. The skin on your neck and on the back of your hands is similar in texture and appearance, and tends to accumulate wrinkles in the same way that your face has. Not to worry, though, simply extend your skin care routine down to your neck area each day and remember to put certain hydrating and moisturizing products on the back of your hands as well—and try not to skip the lotion. 

The grass always seems greener on the other side, huh? While anyone with oily skin knows the daily struggle of having to blot away excess oils and find makeup products that will not cause their oily skin to look much worse, having dry skin is no walk in the park either. If you have ever felt that your face is itchy and tight after washing with certain products, or struggle with signs of flaky or ashy looking skin you know that getting the hydrated, plump glow of healthy skin is often just a faraway dream. Fortunately, there is a fix for every skin type. If you see signs of being a dry skin type, such as tightness, itching, ashyness, or redness, you could likely be a dry or combination skin type. Check out these tips below for creating the perfect skin care routine based on signs of dry skin.

Cleanse With The Right Products

Choosing the right cleanser is important for any skin type, but for those with dry skin it can be particularly significant. We recommend finding a cleanser that will get the job done effectively without drying out your skin even more. Avoid products with ingredients like alcohol and sulfates, as these can be drying. Pro tip: sulfates are the active ingredient in personal care products that make soaps foamy—so anything that advertises with the word “foaming” is bound to have sulfates in it.

FYI: Double Cleansing - If you suffer from dry skin we recommend trying out double cleansing to help keep your skin from drying out too much. Double cleansing is when you use two cleansers for different steps in your skin care routine. An oil-based cleanser can help remove makeup without disrupting your hydration barrier, and a gentle cleanser can help remove extra dirt and any oil buildup left over in your pores.

Products We Recommend: To remove makeup before you use a gentle cleanser to clean your face, we recommend checking out the Probiotic Nourishing Gel To Oil Cleanser from Glowbiotics. This will melt off makeup without drying your skin, making it great for getting tough to remove products off of your face without being too harsh. After that, try a gentle cleanser like the Nu-Derm Cleanser from Obagi. This soap-free cleanser is gentle, yet effective at cleaning your pores.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!

Often when you suffer from dry skin it means that your skin cannot make enough oil or stay hydrated to the extent that you need it. Dry skin can get worse based on your environment and climate, which is why you probably notice your skin dries out in the winter months when the air is less humid. Using products that dry your skin out do so by stripping your skin of its natural oils and impacting its natural hydration barrier. Replace these oils and hydration with serums and moisturizers that contribute to your overall hydration barrier. Products like hyaluronic acid serums and ceramide lotions are best for this, but gentle enough not to make your skin sensitive.

Products We Recommend: The Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Serum from Peter Thomas Roth can help improve your natural hydration barrier by helping your skin absorb and hold onto water molecules. Tidal from Sunday Riley can also help brighten and hydrate dry, itchy skin with enzymes and hyaluronic acid.

Never Skip On Moisturizer

Moisturizing, while different than hydration, is just as important to maintaining healthy skin. Skipping on moisturizing your skin with a ceramide moisturizer or cream can make your skin feel dry throughout the day. Try using two different products for night and day to assure that your skin is getting the right amount of collagen boost and nutrition. Opt for products that contain little to no fragrance, as those ingredients can help dry skin out even more.

Products We Recommend: Glo Oil Free Moisturizer helps to nourish and balance skin without adding oil to it, assuring that your skin is nourished with the vitamins and minerals that it needs without being weighed down or clogging your pores. 

Don’t Over Exfoliate

Exfoliating is a great way to remove dead skin cells and help increase the turnover of new ones to keep your skin and complexion looking healthy and young, but exfoliating too often can make your dry skin out much worse, as it can irritate it or cause peeling that leaves your skin exposed to greater UVA damage. Exfoliate once or twice a week to maintain healthy skin without hurting it, and never use a physical exfoliator near your eye area as that skin is particularly delicate and prone to micro tears caused by physical exfoliants.

Products We Recommend: AHA/BHA cream from SkinMedica gently exfoliates your skin without leaving it prone to micro tears because it used alpha-hydroxy acids as an exfoliant. Any of our chemical exfoliant products, from lactic acid to retinol, are good options for this type of skin care step. To learn more about the differences between AHA’s and BHA’s, as well as how to choose the right one for your skin type, check out our blog post here.

Use SPF Every Single Day

Yes, even in the winter. Protecting your skin against harmful UV radiation can help keep it looking young and healthy. For people with dry skin, it can also help keep it from becoming sensitive or prone to peeling. SPF also prevents inflammation and redness, particularly around acne and blemishes that get irritated from exposure to UV radiation. Use an SPF of at least 30 on your face each day to prevent these problems, even if it looks cloudy outside or you plan on spending most of the day indoors.

Ah, college—some of the best years of your social life are also some of the worst years of your skin care routine. From cheap skin care products to sleeping in our makeup, there is a seemingly endless list of things we wish we knew about taking care of our skin back in our early days of adulthood. Thankfully we have learned a thing or two since then, and we want to share our skin care hacks with you so that you can avoid the horrors of using old mascara, spending way too much money on products that never work quite right, and simple hygiene habits that make a huge difference. 

Wash Your Face Often

There is nothing quite like washing your face after a long day to feel relaxed and prepared to go to sleep, but life has not always been like that. It can be tempting to crawl into bed after a long day (or night) without properly cleaning your skin, but those poor decisions will come back and haunt you when dirt and oil build up manifests in the form of unsightly acne later on. Get in the habit of starting and ending each day with your face over the bathroom sink, and you will reap the benefits for years to come. Hydropeptide makes a great exfoliating cleanser that can help keep your skin clear by sloughing off dead skin cells while cleansing, making it convenient and easy to keep your skin clean.

Always Remove Your Makeup

Speaking of good cleaning habits, sometimes it just seems like way too much effort to wipe your makeup off before falling asleep. Sleeping in your makeup, though, will always do more harm than good to your skin (and pillowcases). Keep makeup wipes in your purse or nightstand so that you never have an excuse not to take your makeup off at night. Even if you skip out on cleaning your face every now and then, this little bit of effort will go a long way—especially in times of stress when your skin is already working overtime. 

Paws Off Your Acne

If you have ever gotten a facial you have probably heard that you should never try and pop your zits on your own. This is true, as popping your zits can inflame the skin and create painful red spots in their place that take much longer to go away than if you had left the zit alone—potentially scarring in some cases. Not only that, it can also spread the bacteria that caused the zit in the first place, potentially leading to even more acne later on. Instead of popping your zit on your own, stick a Mighty Patch on it before you go to sleep and wake up the next day to a clear face. Seriously, we wish we had known of these hydrocolloid patches ten years ago.

Always Moisturize

If you had tried to tell our oil-slicked faces at the age of 18 that all we needed was a good moisturizer to help combat our skin problems we probably would have laughed in your face. But trust us when we speak from experience that this is true. Often, when you suffer from oily skin, it is actually a sign that your skin is lacking moisture and feels that it needs to work overtime in order to keep itself healthy. Start by washing your face with a cleanser before applying a layer of moisturizer. Try doing this in the morning before you put your makeup on and at night before you go to bed, that way your skin is never lacking in nutrients to keep it moist and supple.

We recommend a product like Waterburst from Glamglow for the day and Elta MD’s moisturizer for the night. Both contain great ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help hydrate and moisturize your skin to prevent the over production of oil. If you still feel as if your forehead is a bit oily, blot throughout the day or use a finishing powder, like this one from Jane Iredale, to soak up excess oil without drying out your skin.

Never Use Expired Makeup

Well—never may be a bit dramatic. If your mascara expired last week you are probably fine to continue using it for a bit longer, but do try to pay attention to how long you have had each of the products in your makeup bag or skin care shelf. Over time, germs and bacteria can build up in your makeup and skin care products and cause tons of problems once you put the products on your face. This rings especially true for anything that goes near the eye area, where sensitive and delicate skin is especially prone to infection and problems. If your skin care and makeup is expired it can cause acne problems, at the very least.

We recommend tossing your mascara or eyeliner once every six months and getting a new tube or stick. Most beauty products will have a little symbol on the packaging to signify the expiration date of the product. It looks like a little pot of makeup with the cap coming off of it and is accompanied by a number next to the letter M or Y (which is rare) to symbolize how many months the product will stay fresh after opening. For most skin care and beauty products, this is around 6-12 months. Some natural products may expire in a shorter amount of time because they contain no preservatives (often listed as parabens on ingredient lists), so be wary of that when purchasing. 

Invest In Your Skin

Whether it be talking to a dermatologist to address your acne concerns or buying products that contain high quality ingredients, investing in your skin can only pay off in the long run. We get it, student life is all about budgeting, but think about your skin with the “less is more” mentality when addressing skin care products. Instead of buying a handful of cheap, ineffective skin care products, invest in one or two that will address the biggest concerns you have right now. This will also help you feel better when your bathroom counter is not overflowing with products you never use. K-beauty blogs may make it seem fun to try 15 different types of serum at a time, but you really only need a couple of products to keep your skin healthy.

Protect your skin and your living space by keeping it simple and clutter-free, and try not to let your skin stress you out too much during a time of your life when things like that are often truly out of your control. If you spend too much time worrying that your skin is not as clear as Instagram makes it seem like you should be, you will end up spending too much of your time trying to achieve something that no one—not even a Kardashian—is able to achieve: perfection.

Having dewy, hydrated looking skin may be in right now but what happens when the dew is out of control? For those of us that are prone to oily skin, finding a skin care routine that helps control shine without drying too much can be hard to come by. Luckily, there are a lot of great products and resources available to help control and get rid of excess oil while helping your skin look and feel its best. But before we begin telling you how to treat your oily skin, we should take a moment to help you understand why your skin produces excess oil in the first place. 

While you may want a gentle shine to accentuate your cheekbones and brow area, having oil slicked around your forehead and nose area is more frustrating than it is attractive. The overproduction of oil is caused by sebaceous glands in your skin that can change oil production based on external factors like which products you apply or simply what time of the month it is. Sometimes it can be obvious which factor is contributing to your greasy skin (summer heat, for example, can be a big one) and other times it can be harder to track down exactly what the culprit is. 

Regardless, treating greasy and oily skin actually involves nourishing your skin with more moisture and oil—when done correctly. Below you will find a list of tips and tricks to help tackle and treat oily skin for good—plus a couple of our most recommended products to help take care of your skin the right way. 

Find The Right Cleanser

Cleansing with the right product can help treat oily skin tremendously, as it can help treat and prevent the over-production of oil that leads to issues such as acne and blackheads. When your skin produces excess oil, it becomes important to remove that oil before it becomes trapped inside your pores along with other dirt and pollutants that your skin picks up throughout the day. If you workout frequently, you should also wash your face after workouts to keep your skin from reabsorbing any of the oil created while you were getting sweaty. 

A salicylic acid (also called BHA—beta hydroxy acid) cleanser will help remove these oils and keep your pores from accumulating dirt and germs that create acne. Once you have finished cleansing, however, you should follow through with a proper regimen of hydrating products that will prevent your body from thinking it has to produce more oil to make up for what was removed. We recommend cleansing at least twice per day both morning and night. This will help control oil production on your face and keep your pores from getting blocked, which can produce acne. 

Product recommendation: Murad’s Clarifying Cleanser is a 1.5% salicylic acid acne treatment that diminishes and controls oil production without sensitizing or irritating skin. This product can be drying, though, so we recommend pairing it with a hydrating serum and moisturizer where needed. 

Use A Toner

Toners are often some of the most misunderstood skin care products, as not many people seem to know exactly what they do. Using a toner after cleansing helps neutralize the natural pH of your skin to prepare it for the rest of your skin care routine. It can also help balance oil production, and prevent pore blockage that causes acne. 

Product recommendation: If you suffer from oily skin we recommend the Balancing Lavender Toner from Elemis. This gentle yet effective toner helps to neutralize the pH balance of your skin while combating oil production. 

Trust Serums and Moisturizers

We get it, when you spend half of your day blotting away excess oil from your face it can seem daunting to want to add something to your face that, logically, seems like it would only make things worse. But trust us when we say that oily skin does not mean hydrated skin. Often, oily skin is a signal of dehydration, as your body is fighting to prevent dryness by creating more oil to protect your face. 

Look for hydrating serums such as hyaluronic acid serums that help protect and nourish your natural moisture barrier. Moisturizers that help maintain hydration, rather than products that intend to plump such as collagen. These are often present in night creams, so consider switching to a sleeping mask or hydrating serum in the evening instead of using a traditional rich night cream. We also recommend lightening how much product you put around your nose, as that is one area that generally thrives on its own in the moisture department. 

Product recommendation: Cloud Cream Moisturizer from Peter Thomas Roth is formulated to hydrate and moisturize without boosting the amount of oil on your face. It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps balance the ratio of water to oil on your skin and prevent your face from looking more oily than hydrated. 

Prime Properly

Priming and prepping your skin can help your pores appear more smooth and less prevalent, especially if you have oily skin, where your pores are often magnified and appear larger. Opt for a primer that does not contain oil, as it can help suck up any oil your skin produces throughout the day and provide you with an oil-free blank canvas to work with when you start doing your makeup. 

Product recommendation: The Present from Philosophy can help you achieve that light, airbrushed look without the use of harmful ingredients that block your pores and help produce more acne. Use it in the morning before you apply your makeup but after you finish your skincare routine, or at night if you simply want a product that can help lock in all of the skin care products you just applied to your face. 

Perhaps one of the most misleading terms in the skin care world is the use of the word “acid.” We notice a lot of fear surrounding the term, as most newbies to the world of acids tend to assume that it equates to rubbing battery acid on your face. We can assure you that this could not be further from the truth, but the world of acids in skin care is a broad one, and to truly get into it we should start by touching on a couple of the most common acids to skin care products: AHA’s and BHA’s (and, sometimes, PHA’s). 

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s) are both exfoliating acids that have separate uses but each work great in their own regards. They work slough off dead skin cells—which increases cell turnover and results in younger looking skin—and to help combat the presence of acne in different ways. Depending on how sensitive your skin can be and what your needs are, though, is where you will decide whether AHA’s or BHA’s (or both!) are right for your skin care routine. 

All About AHA’s 

Alpha hydroxy acids generally come from the breakdown of fruit, sugar, or milk and are, therefore, naturally derived. In skin care, these products work to gently remove the outermost layer of the skin to reveal younger, smoother looking skin from beneath. AHA’s are water soluble, and target the top layers of the skin to increase cell turnover and promote the appearance of smoother, younger looking skin. 

Use This Ingredient If: Because AHA’s work to remove the outermost layer of the skin, they rapidly promote the growth of new skin cells. This can help your skin if you are looking to smooth over the appearance of wrinkles, get rid of hyperpigmentation in the form of things like age spots, melasma, and scars caused by things like acne. Further, the rapid turnover of new skin cells will help prevent the blockage of pores, which can cause acne and blackheads. Essentially, AHA’s are an all-encompassing element of a great skin care routine. 

Know Before You Buy: Most AHA products are advertised as being safe for all skin types, but those with sensitive skin should take extra care because AHA’s can sensitize even the toughest skin. Beyond that, anything that exposes new skin can leave your face extra prone to UV damage. Those using an AHA should be extra careful if spending time in the sun, in addition to wearing an SPF of at least 30 every single day. 

What To Look For: Those with sensitive skin should stick to products that contain lactic acid and malic acid because each of these acids contain larger molecules that are more gentle on skin. We recommend products like Sunday Riley’s Good Genes treatment because it acts fast to gently remove dead skin, brighten the appearance of age spots or melasma, and promote the turnover of new skin cells to create a more plump appearance. 

Anyone looking for something more potent will enjoy the Foaming Glycolic Wash from Neostrata. This cleansing product is a first-step product that helps balance the pH of your skin, gently clean pores, and prepare your skin for the rest of your skin care regimen. Glycolic acid is made up of smaller molecules that can deeply penetrate the outer layers of the skin, making them slightly more harsh but that much more effective. 

How To Use: We recommend easing into AHA’s because they can increase the sensitivity of your skin, especially at first. Incorporate these products into your skin care routine by applying them once per week, easing your way into eventually using them a couple of times per week for best results. 

All About BHA’s

While AHA’s do help target and treat acne, they’re not specifically meant for it in the way that BHA’s are. Beta hydroxy acid refers to one very useful ingredient for those with acne-prone skin: salicylic acid. If you are familiar with acne treatment products you probably recognize this ingredient because it tends to be the most common (for good reason) in skin care products that treat acne. This anti-inflammatory ingredient targets acne by penetrating the outer layers of your skin, removing the clogs within pores that cause zits and blackheads. 

Use This Ingredient If: We recommend using salicylic acid products if you have acne prone skin. The anti-inflammatory elements of salicylic acid will help target and treat clogged pores and the buildup of natural oils while also treating hyperpigmentation and discoloration left over from old blemishes. 

Know Before You Buy: Salicylic acid products can be a bit drying, so they should be paired with a moisturizing product and oil serum even if you have naturally oily skin. 

What To Look For: Many BHA products are combined with AHA products to both exfoliate and treat the presence of acne together within one product. Renew Serum from Glo contains both salicylic acid and glycolic acid to treat acne and remove dead skin to increase the appearance of younger, smoother looking skin. Products that are advertised as “clarifying” often contain salicylic acid. Such is the case with Sunday Riley’s U.F.O, a medicated face oil that contains 1.5% salicylic acid. 

How To Use: Much like AHA products, we recommend using a BHA as part of the early stages of your skin care routine a couple of times per week. Start by using the product once per week to test how your skin will react, eventually working your way up based on what your needs are. Use salicylic products after removing your makeup, but before using any serums, oils, moisturizers, or SPF’s. 

Other Famous Acids: 

PHA’s: Poly hydroxy acids are also common to many exfoliating skin care products. As the second generation of AHA’s, PHA’s have a different molecular structure than their close counterparts. Because of this, they work directly on the surface of the skin and deal only with the outermost layer of skin cells, which are often the dead skin that your body could do without to begin with. This makes them much more gentle—particularly for sensitive skin types—as they do not disrupt the deeper layers of your skin. 

Hyaluronic Acid: Perhaps the most misleading cosmetic ingredient in the skin care world, hyaluronic acid acts like anything but an acid. As a natural humectant, this holy grail ingredient helps water molecules bind to your skin more easily, making it appear more supple and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is a must-have ingredient for any good skin care routine, as it can help restore and maintain your natural moisture barrier. We even wrote a whole blog post about it. 

But What About Physical Exfoliants?

Physical exfoliants—which include things like walnut scrubs and other products labelled with the word “scrub,” should be used carefully on your face. This is because many of these products include harsh ingredients that can cause micro-tears on the surface of your skin, particularly around the eye area where your skin tends to be the most sensitive and delicate. Avoid physical exfoliants that make use of fruit pits. These ingredients will be listed as things like walnut shell powder, though anything with plastic microbeads is also a definite “no no” from us. 

 If you must use a physical exfoliant (we understand, they just feel good), we recommend products that use sugar granules such as this one from Basq NYC or enzymes and jojoba beads, like in this yummy scrub from Glo. 

We know you have a lot going on. Between work, spin class, brunch, remembering to call your parents (once a week is more than enough, right? RIGHT?), getting enough sleep, and maintaining your sanity, it can be easy to skip out on the little things. We know that life can get in the way of following through with perfect skin care and beauty habits from time to time.

However, there are a handful of habits that are always best to be avoided. Obviously, as skin care fanatics, we could easily come up with a novel-sized list of habits you absolutely should ditch ASAP. But we can keep it short--so long as you promise to take these seven deadly sins to heart.

Below you’ll find seven of the most common and most important beauty sins to leave behind. And if you mess up here and there, don’t worry, we won’t tell on you!

Sleeping With Makeup On

It should come as no surprise that this one is at the top of our list. Sleeping with your makeup on is one of the biggest reasons you could be seeing breakouts. When you forget to take your makeup off at night, all of the dirt and toxins your skin has been exposed to throughout the day sits on and is forced into your pores. Not only is this habit unsanitary (would you crawl into bed wearing the same jeans you wore on the subway?), but your skin needs time to heal and regenerate while you sleep. The only way this can happen is if your skin is clean before you head off to dreamland. So do whatever you have to do to make sure you are makeup free before you hit the sheets

Helpful Hint: One of our buyers started stashing her wipes, eye makeup remover, and cotton pads in her nightstand so she has no excuses. Having it handy has made her life so much easier!

Washing Your Hair Too Often

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but odds are that you did not need to wash your hair this morning—it just felt good. Washing your hair too often will strip it of the natural oils it needs to be able to grow long and healthy and maintain its natural luster and moisture levels. Furthermore, you will save a lot of money on shampoo and conditioner if you aren’t washing your hair every day. Speaking of—another sin we did not include is using drugstore shampoo and conditioners. We shudder at the thought! You get what you pay for, and we promise the more expensive products are worth every penny. 

Washing your hair every single day will also ruin any color treatment you have gotten in the past—so save yourself from having to go to the salon twice as much and cut back on the hair washing.

Helpful Hint: If you cannot stand your hair feeling greasy, try a dry shampoo (we love this one, from R+Co) for after the gym and in-between washes.

Pumping The Mascara Wand In The Tube

We see this one happen so often, it would be criminal not to mention it on this list. When you apply mascara you should never pump the wand in and out of the tube, contrary to what you may have been doing for years. Pumping the wand in and out of the tube forces air into it, drying out your mascara and causing it to lose consistency. More importantly, pumping the wand forces bacteria inside the tube along with the air, which can be dangerous in a product applied so closely to your eye.

Instead of pumping the wand, twist it out of the tube and apply it. The tubes are designed to hold the perfect amount of product each time they’re drawn out, so you have no need to worry about whether or not there is enough on the wand.

Helpful Hint:

If you are worried there is not enough product on the wand, it is likely because your mascara has already dried out. Time to toss your mascara and buy a new one. 

Using Expired Products

Speaking of mascara, how long has that tube been in your makeup bag? If your answer is any longer than a few months, throw it out right now! Seriously, drop whatever you are doing, quit your job, jump in a cab, race home, run up the stairs, and throw it out. No, not really, but it does provide a great excuse to go makeup shopping. Given that the lifespan of most makeup and skin care products is six months to one year (depending on the product), you really need to be mindful of expiration dates.

When you use products that are well past their expiration dates (mascara is one of the most common culprits), they begin to grow bacteria that can actually cause breakouts or infections. Products that are made from natural and organic ingredients may have shorter lifespans since they do not contain preservatives. This means that you either need to use them faster, or keep them refrigerated to avoid growing mold and other funky critters. Take some time to check the labels of all of your skin care products and get rid of anything that has been sitting around for too long. Not sure when something expired? That little skin care pot symbol (pictured left) will tell you how long it will last from the date you opened the product (not the date it was made).

Popping Pimples

Contrary to what those disgusting YouTube videos and your teenage self may imply, popping your pimples will not make them go away any faster. In fact, popping them on your own can actually create more breakouts to appear on your skin in the surrounding area. When you get a facial or get your acne treated professionally, the skin care professional is trained to extract pimples properly. When you do it on your own, though, you could expose otherwise clear skin to oil and bacteria that causes even more breakouts.

Even if your skin does stay clear, popping your own pimples can increase scarring and long-term damage. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, slap on a Mighty Patch from Hero Cosmetics to treat it the right way. These award-winning acne patches are inspired by Korean beauty trends (and wound care!) and contain a whole bunch of ingredients that will treat the pimple quickly. Trust us, this product is better than any drying lotion on the market. Plus, they work great for all skin types. 

Not Using An SPF Every Single Day

If you read our blog posts regularly, you will be well aware by now that we are huge believers in SPF and how it can save your skin from aging prematurely. Forgetting to use an SPF every single day can lead to an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and expose your skin to harmful UVA/UVB rays (which can cause cancer!). Integrating an SPF into your routine is one of the easiest habits to take on because it can replace a moisturizer or CC cream. One of our favorite color-tinted SPFs is Jane Iredale’s Dream Tint SPF. 

Using Dirty Makeup Brushes

In the same way that you should never sleep on a pillowcase that never gets washed, you should be alarmed at how dirty your makeup brushes can actually get. These are products you probably use almost every day, and every time they touch your skin they get exposed to natural oils and different types of bacteria. Washing your brushes regularly can prevent breakouts and keep things sanitary.

Wash your makeup brushes every couple of weeks with a brush cleaner (like this one from Glo). If you share your makeup brushes with anyone else, make sure to wash your brushes before and after you use them. This only takes a few minutes, but can mean a world of a difference in preventing breakouts and infections.

When it comes to cleansing your face, we recommend the LUNA Play from Foreo. The silicone bristles make it easy to clean and resistant to bacteria and dirt. Plus, you can always use it to clean your makeup brushes too--just make sure you clean your LUNA Play afterwards.

How many of these common beauty mistakes were you guilty of? No need to worry, even we slip up every once in awhile. If you want to tackle your skin care routine but have no idea where to start, consider getting in contact with one of our skin care consultants. This is a free service that we offer in-store or over the phone—simply fill out this application and we will reach out to you to help set you up with the perfect routine.

No one is trying to say that you should have stayed inside all summer just to avoid getting skin damage from the sun, but we are saying that we want you to learn how to tan safely so that you can maintain healthy skin and have people asking if you recently went on a tropical vacation in the dead of winter. There are ways to get a tan without obtaining skin damage, and we want you to know all of the secret weapons to help you achieve that summer glow all year long.  Here are five tips, other than the obvious suggestion to avoid tanning beds at all costs, to help you along the way. 

Exfoliate

There are seemingly endless reasons to exfoliate regularly, but if you want to achieve a summer glow it may be a good idea to exfoliate before you head to the beach or pool. Not only can exfoliation help remove dirt and oil stuck in your skin, it can also remove dead skin cells to help give your complexion a more consistent glow after sun exposure. It can also help give you a more even skin tone, preventing hyperpigmentation in some areas and not in another. We recommend exfoliating once per week with chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid on your face, and a gentle scrubbing brush on the rest of your body. This will assure that your skin can properly regenerate without being damaged. 

Always Wear Sunscreen

We know, we say this a lot, but we cannot stress enough how important it is to wear sunscreen every single day, even if you plan on staying out of the sun for the most part. Sunscreen can, obviously, protect your skin from incurring sun damage through UVA/B rays. What many forget or do not know, though, is that the regular use of sunscreen can help diminish redness and inflammation on your skin. This is because redness and inflammation are only made worse after sun exposure. 

A good sunscreen will not prevent you from getting a tan—it will prevent you from getting a burn. We recommend either chemical or mineral sunscreens that are up to 50 SPF (anything past that is essentially not going to do anything more). For the beach, it may be a good idea to go for a chemical-free sunscreen to protect the ocean. Chemicals present in chemical sunscreens may be harmless on your skin, but they do pose a threat to marine life and reef health. So much so that the state of Hawaii recently banned chemical sunscreens!

Beta-Carotene: The Secret Helper 

There are a ton of products on the market that promise to help your skin get a summer glow faster. The truth, however, is that nothing can help the melanin production in your skin work any—uh, faster? Avoid topical products that promise to help your skin tan better—because odds are high that they contain no beneficial ingredients and could actually harm your skin in the long run. Beta-carotene, on the other hand, can give your skin the nutrition it needs to naturally fight UV rays and help you tan easier. This is not to say a beta-carotene supplement can be a substitute for sunscreen, but it may help you get a summer glow. 

Fake It

When all else fails (or in the dead of winter) turn toward fake tanning alternatives to maintain your healthy glow without any of the damage that comes with sun exposure. Products like Tan Towel from Apothecarie can help you achieve a warm summer glow in no time. Apply self-tanning products as often as needed, making sure you apply the product with consistent coverage throughout your body to avoid streaks or patches. For bigger commitments, a visit to your local spray tanning salon can do wonders. 

Understand Your Body

If you do choose to get a tan the old fashioned way, understand that your body can only take so much sun before it gets over-exposed. This means that you do not have to sit in the sun all day to get a tan, and your body needs less time in the sun to go further. Most dermatologists will suggest to find some shade after about three hours in the sun. For those with fair skin, it will take much less time to get a tan before you subject your skin to overexposure.

Start Before The Salon

You read that right. One of the biggest secrets to maintaining color treated hair is to make sure your hair is healthy before you head to the salon. If you want to go from dark brown to blonde, or even experiment with fun colors like pink or blue, understand that it will not be possible to achieve in just one coloring session. Bleach is hard on your hair, and we cannot stress enough how important it is to find a colorist that can bleach your hair properly. That said, consider also getting a trim before you begin the coloring process because damaged hair often has a hard time holding color properly. 

Invest In A Colorist

We have no doubt that you also have a friend on Facebook that went into hairstyling as a career, so we can assume you have probably been told once or twice that you should never use boxed dye instead of working with a colorist. Going to a salon to get your hair colored can end up saving you a lot of time and money down the line. Especially when you inevitably have to go to the salon to fix mistakes from trying to do it cheaply or on your own. This is especially true if you plan on bleaching, since bleach can be tricky to work with and you could end up causing a lot of irreversible damage to your hair. 

Depending on the color you want to have done, find a colorist that specializes in that exact style. Looking to go blonde? We recommend finding a colorist that works mainly with blonde hair. The more obscure the color gets or the more complicated the job is, the more it matters to find a colorist that specializes in exactly what you want to do. 

Start Darker For Pastels

When you want to achieve the perfect shade of pastel pink or lilac purple, we recommend telling your colorist that you want to start off a bit darker than the color you want to end up with. This is because you may lose a lot of the color during the coloring process, and you definitely will lose even more every single time you wash your hair afterwards. While you may leave the salon with a pastel tone, it will last longer if you start with a bold color and let it fade over time. 

Avoid Washing For 72 Hours

After you leave the salon, the most important window of time for your new hair color begins. Your hair color needs some time to properly set in, so avoid reaching for your shampoo for a couple of days after your hair is colored (avoiding getting it wet at all is especially recommended). When you dye your hair with permanent color, it opens the cuticle of the hair follicle to change the color of your hair. It takes a couple of days for that cuticle layer to close back up, so when you wash your hair too soon after having it colored it could potentially wash all of that expensive dye away in a single wash. 

Avoid Sulfates When You Do Wash

Many shampoo bottles advertise that their product is sulfate-free, but not many people really know what that means or why sulfates can be an issue. Sulfates are chemical compounds used in many beauty products and soaps to give them their foaming effect. They can make soaps feel luxurious and foamy, but they can also be drying to your skin and damaging to hair and hair color. Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and make it feel dry, causing damage that will ruin your color by washing it away. And to be honest, you don’t actually need your shampoo to foam--it just isn’t necessary!

Find A Good Dry Shampoo

No matter what color you dye your hair, dry shampoo is one of the best products out there to help maintain it. Dry shampoo can help absorb the extra oil in your hair without stripping all of the oil away (some of that oil is actually required for healthy hair!), making your hair appear freshly washed even on day four without a wash. Hot water and real shampoo are essentially the enemy of hair color, so cutting back on how often you wash your hair will help keep your hair vibrant for longer. Also, if you can stand it, we know a lot of people who won’t wash their hair with warm water--the colder the better. But we understand that cold showers aren’t always do-able (especially in winter!). We recommend these amazing products from Philosophy, Verb, and R+Co from Apothecarie. 

Use Leave-In Treatments & Heat Protectant Products

There are many ways to protect your hair from damage induced from styling with hot tools (like your curling wand, straightener, and blow dryer). We also definitely recommend using products to protect your hair after exposing it to bleach and dyes. The hair dying process can be very damaging, particularly if you have to bleach your hair to achieve your color. Avoid causing more damage to your hair when styling (that includes brushing) by using leave-in products such as leave-in conditioners or heat protectant sprays. 

Particularly with the more vibrant colors, maintaining the exact shade you were initially going for is hard once you have to start actually washing your hair. To combat the loss of color from shampoos, put a little bit of color into your shampoo to match your hair. Or, you could blast it with color depositing products from Celeb Luxury’s Viral collection.

Since you spend so much time focusing on what you can put on your face to help give your skin its best possible glow, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about one of the other major factors in maintaining beautiful skin: nutrition. A diet rich in nutritious foods can not only help your body maintain a good metabolism and keep your organs healthy, but it can also impact how your skin looks on the outside. Understandably, eating as healthy as possible is sometimes harder than it sounds, but here are eight nutritious foods to pile onto your plate to keep your skin glowing:

Salmon & Fatty Fish

If you suffer from dry skin you may want to consider adding salmon and other types of fatty fish to your diet. This is because fatty fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to maintaining supple, moisturized skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are also responsible for the reduction of inflammation which, on your skin, includes any redness and irritation caused by acne. 

These types of fish are also rich in antioxidants like vitamin E to help protect your skin against harmful free-radicals like toxins in air pollution or sun damage. You skin also gets a lot of its strength from the protein that fish contains, while the high concentration of zinc in many types of fatty fish can also help promote the production of new skin cells, preventing signs of aging. 

Veggies Rich In Color

Next time you hit the salad bar look for vegetables with rich colors, and a lot of them, if you want to improve the overall appearance of your complexion. Dark green vegetables such as kale are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that are essential to skin nutrition. One of those vitamins is beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that your body converts to vitamin A when you consume it. 

Vitamin A, as you may know, is one of the key ingredients in most anti-aging skin care products because it works to increase cell turnover and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If beta-carotene sounds familiar, that may be because other vegetables like carrots, squash, and sweet potato each contain a lot of it. This is where colorful veggies get their color, so make a rainbow salad a couple times per day in order to see the major benefits of beta-carotene. 

Colorful Fruits & Berries

On that note, creating a more colorful diet is a good idea all around. While deep colored veggies are high in beta-carotene, brightly colored fruits and berries such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and strawberries are rich in vitamin C. In topical skin care products vitamin C can come in a variety of different forms because it cannot be applied to the skin on its own to see results. 

Instead, stable derivatives of the vitamin are found in active ingredients like ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, L-ascorbic acid, and ascorbyl phosphate, to name a few. In your food, however, your body can break down vitamin C as is, meaning that nutrition is a great way to see the benefits of vitamin C without the skin care products (though we would not blame you at all if you continued to buy more serums despite this information, because we do the same). 

Vitamin C can help brighten your overall complexion while protecting it against free radicals such as pollution in the air. The vitamin has also been found to limit the damage that UV rays can cause on your skin, meaning that a good dose of vitamin C can help your skin recuperate after a day in the sun. 

Green Tea

Antioxidant-rich green tea contains a lot of polyphenols, a molecule that can help decrease inflammation and irritation caused by acne. This is often why green tea is a common ingredient in topical skin care products and face masks. The tea is great for flushing toxins from your body and reducing inflammation. We recommend drinking unsweetened green tea, since sugar can often help cause breakouts and an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles thanks to the process your body goes through in order to break it down. 

Water

While not technically a food, water is perhaps the single best thing you can ingest in order to help the immediate appearance of your skin. Without water, your skin may appear saggy or lacking in volume. Your body is primarily made up of water, and your skin contains the most of it. That being said, your skin is also the first to see negative results from not drinking enough water. Keeping up with a proper daily intake of water (about 6-8 cups per day) can flush out toxins, help your skin appear more hydrated and supple, and even help you feel and look more energized. 

Whole Grains

We get it, low carb diets are all the rage. That being said, a couple of carbs every now and then will probably not do too much to your body. Many nutritionists recommend sticking to whole grains (not multi grans) in order to maintain proper health both inside and out. A low-glycemic diet (rich in good proteins, fats, and grains but low in sugar and refined carbohydrates) can help diminish acne as it helps regulate insulin levels in the body. When insulin levels spike, such as when you eat a piece of candy or a slice of white bread, the body has to work to regulate those hormones. This is the reason you often notice an increase in breakouts when you eat less healthy foods than usual. 

Avocado

As you probably know by now, avocado is high in healthy fats like Omega-3 fatty acids (yes, the same type of fatty acid found in fish, meaning you can still get the same type of benefit if you prefer not to eat meat). This means that avocado can help your skin appear more supple and moisturized. Avocado is also rich in vitamin C and vitamin E just as fatty fish is, meaning it also acts as an antioxidant to help prevent signs of aging. 

Eggs

Rich in essential amino acids and healthy fats, eggs are one of the best things you can eat if you want to increase natural collagen production in your skin. Amino acids are protein chains that are essential to the appearance of healthy, young looking skin. While eating eggs has a huge variety of benefits, using them in homemade skin care and hair care products will also provide a lot of benefits. Egg whites can be used in hair masks to make your hair appear more shiny, while egg yolks are rich in essential fatty acids that your skin needs to appear plump and radiant. 

If you have ever colored your hair blonde you know that it is not low maintenance. Often it can turn an unsightly brassy color and lose its brightness. There are a couple of reasons this occurs, and brassy hair is pretty much unavoidable without the right products to prevent your gorgeous locks from turning. So thank goodness purple shampoo exists! Especially because it is one of the few products on the market that makes maintaining blonde hair nearly effortless. Before you run out and buy a bottle, you should understand why it is needed and how to use it. 

How Does Blonde Hair Become Brassy?

The gorgeous blonde hair you left the salon with often does not remain the same after a couple of weeks and washes. Over time, blonde hair can become brassy—meaning warm tones in the hair follicle are being drawn out while the cool tones you got fresh in the salon are slowly disappearing. When your bright, blonde highlights begin to yellow over time, it is easy to think the color is washing out. However, this is not actually what occurs. So what gives, and is there a way to maintain bright, blonde hair for more than a few weeks? Without going back to the salon to get it professionally toned and restored? Absolutely!

Firstly, let’s talk about what is actually happening when you lighten your hair. Lighter hair is more porous than darker hair, regardless of whether you achieved your color through bleach and dye or naturally. This means your hair will absorb everything it is exposed to—from the products you put in it, to the minerals in the water you use to wash it. Even toxins in the air such as pollution can be absorbed into your hair in the same way they can be absorbed into your skin. Things like hard water, chlorine, sunlight, and living in a city can certainly impact your expensive hair color faster than you would probably like. But that does not mean you need to pack up and move in the name of protecting your hair.  

Even without all of these external forces wreaking havoc on your hair, your color probably would have changed naturally as the toner fades. In the same way going from very dark to platinum is nearly impossible, so too is achieving bright, cool toned blonde with just bleach alone. Once your colorist is done, they usually add a toner to keep your new color from drawing out the natural warm tones in your hair. At home, you too can achieve similar results, you just have to choose the right product for your hair color.

Basic Color Knowledge

Purple and blue—opposite to orange and yellow on the color wheel—combat warmer tones. Due to their naturally cool-toned pigments they work in opposition to the colors that make your hair look brassy. In shampoo, the cool tones in purple shampoo combat yellow or green pigments in the hair as the color is absorbed. Often this is best for blondes. For brunettes--especially lighter and highlighted brunettes--often blue shampoo is best as it gets rid of orange and red tones. Once the pigment absorbs into the hair follicle, it draws out these unwanted dulling tones to leave you with brighter, cooler blonde (or highlighted!) hair after just one wash. 

Not to worry, though, your hair will not accidentally turn purple during this process. Purple shampoo isn’t the same thing as hair dye, after all. The chemical mechanisms in these shampoos won’t penetrate deep enough into your hair follicle to actually make changes to your color. This is also why you cannot expect purple shampoo to change your hair color. Instead, it brightens your hair and removes unwanted brassy tones from naturally occurring chemical changes that occur over time. Virgin hair, for example, is probably not going to change much from purple shampoo. (PSA: For those who don’t know, virgin hair is hair that has never been dyed.)

While blondes swear by purple shampoo, it can also make brunette hair appear brighter and properly toned. Many brunettes find that the pigments in purple shampoo help keep their hair from appearing warmer than intended. It can also help maintain ombre and balayage styles from fading poorly. 

Lastly, what if you do want your blonde hair dyed purple (or any other color of the rainbow)? Well, that’s easy to do at home too! We recommend Celeb Luxury’s line of Viral Extreme Colorwash. Whether you want a few purple pieces, or your whole head a nice shade of eggplant, Celeb Luxury’s Viral Extreme Purple Colorwash is perfect. Check out all the other hues here.

How To Use Purple Shampoo Properly

Purple shampoo is one of the easiest hair products to incorporate into your routine. All you have to do is switch out your regular shampoo for purple shampoo once a week. Apply it to your hair as you would a normal shampoo. Usually, the directions will instruct you to let it sit in your hair for a designated amount of time, so make sure you read the directions and use it for the suggested time.

Some people suggest applying purple shampoo to dry hair and letting it sit for before you wash it out—similar to how you would apply a hair mask. However, that strategy will only waste product. To be effective, purple shampoo needs to penetrate the hair follicle passed its first layer. This can only occur when it is applied to wet hair. After applying, allow the purple shampoo to sit in your wet hair for a few minutes before washing it out. Then condition your hair with your usual go-to products. 

While you don’t need to follow up with a purple or blue conditioner, some people prefer to use both. Our favorite purple conditioner is by Redken. Their Color Extend Blondage Conditioner is great. Redken’s exclusive Triple Acid Protein complex conditions hair from within for smooth manageable color-treated tresses in between salon appointments.

One of our favorite purple lines that we love using all together is Keratin Complex’s Blondeshell collection. Their Blondeshell Shampoo and Blondeshell Conditioner are fantastic and even better when used together. If you know you’re going to be using the products often, splurge and save on their Blondeshell shampoo and conditioners in liter sizes. Lastly, when used together with their Blondeshell Debrass and Brighten Masque, you’ll have salon worthy deeply nourished and brightened hair. Shop the full collection here.

So, if you have noticed that your color-treated blonde hair has been looking a little bit yellow, try one of our favorite purple shampoos at Apothecarie. If you still need help deciding which one, here’s a list of our favorites:

Purple Shampoos:

R+Co - Sunset Blvd

Keratin Complex - Blondeshell De-brass Shampoo

Blonde Sexy Hair - Bright Blonde Shampoo

ColorProof SignatureBlonde - Violet Shampoo

Blue Shampoo:

Matrix Total Results - Brass Off Shampoo

Purple Conditioners:

Redken Color Extend - Conditioner

Keratin Complex Blondeshell - Conditioner

Color Depositing Purple Shampoos & Conditioners (only these ones will dye your hair purple, if that’s your thing!):

Celeb Luxury Viral Purple - Colorditioner

Celeb Luxury Viral Extreme Purple Colorwash

Celeb Luxury Collection 

Leave-In Conditioner:

Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blond Threesome

Brassiness Reducing Set:

Malibu C Blondes Enhancing Collection

It seems like everyone can’t get enough of hyaluronic acid these days. Hyaluronic acid can be used to treat your dry skin and is found in just about everything, from serums to sheet masks, in moisturizers and toners, and all sorts of products in between. As an active ingredient it can be misleading, since we usually associate the word ‘acid’ with harsh chemicals—but hyaluronic acid is anything but harsh, in fact it is the opposite.

While hyaluronic acid is nothing new, this gentle hydrator is an essential part of a good skin care routine. In fact, your body naturally produces it. Here’s everything you need to know about this wonderful hydrating ingredient.

Firstly, Hyaluronic Acid Is A Humectant

Which is just a fancy way of saying it is a molecule that helps water bind to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is essentially an ingredient that helps your skin take, and absorb, a big drink of water. It acts as a sponge, absorbing water molecules as they bind to your skin, helping them absorb moisture and hydrate. Just one gram of hyaluronic acid can absorb up to six liters of water—now imagine the hydration magic that can do for you skin!

Humectant ingredients help absorb water and transfer it to something else, depending on what they are an ingredient in. Most commonly, you will see the term in reference to hyaluronic acid, but it’s not uncommon to see it on labels for hair care products, lotions, and other skincare products that are water-based.

Where humectant ingredients really shine is in their ability to draw in moisture from the air, continuously providing hydration throughout the day. Hydration--which is different from moisture in the skin care world--is the key to helping all skin types, especially since the body needs water to survive. Dry skin, however, is often dehydrated which in turn increases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Properly hydrating and moisturizing your dry skin will give it a more supple appearance, naturally smoothing over fine lines and wrinkles without the need for harsh active ingredients like retinol. However, hyaluronic is not actually an anti-aging product, but should be used in conjunction with anti-aging products for a well rounded skin care routine.

Hyaluronic Acid Enhances Your Skin’s Natural Lipid Barrier

While hyaluronic acid may not act as an antioxidant on its own, it has one key benefit that helps your body naturally fight against harmful free radicals and environmental toxins. Your skin is your body’s powerful protector, your barrier against the outside world. Your skin is not only the glue that holds everything together, but more importantly it protects what is inside against things like pollution, heat, and sun damage.

The top layer of your skin, the epidermis, is the part of your skin that provides the most protection—but it is also the most prone to getting damaged from external forces. Its protective layer, the lipid barrier, is an invisible barrier of fatty acids that bind water to the skin and prevent toxins from entering. However, as we age the production of that barrier slows down and toxins are able to penetrate easier.

Things like smoking, sun exposure, and even spending time in polluted areas will begin to affect the skin once the lipid barrier slows production as you age. Fortunately, hyaluronic acid can give your skin the necessary boost to stay healthy as you age. Hyaluronic acid boosts the lipid barrier by helping water molecules bind to the skin, fortifying its external layer to prevent toxins from being able to penetrate.

Integrating Hyaluronic Acid Into Your Skin Care Routine

Your skin can always benefit from adding hyaluronic acid into your skin care routine, no matter your skin type or current routine. Depending on your specific needs and skin type, there are certain hyaluronic acid products that your skin will respond to better than others. Consulting with one of our skin care specialists (which you can do here, for free!) is the easiest and most convenient way to get specialized recommendations on hyaluronic acid products that will help target specific areas you are looking to change.

To use hyaluronic acid, you can simply add it into any part of your skin care routine. There is really no wrong way to do it since this gentle ingredient will not irritate sensitive skin and, odds are, your skin can always use a little boost of hydration. In the morning, look for hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient in hydrating serums like SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator or iS Clinical's Hydra Cool Serum. Apply it again at night to hydrate as you rest so you can wake up to glowing, soft, and supple skin.

As a serum, hyaluronic acid acts as an emergency hydrator when you’re in need of some extra nourishment. Apply it to a fresh face, while you’re applying other serums but before you apply any richer creme’s and cosmetics. We are really digging Caudalie’s Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum.

So what are you waiting for? Incorporate hyaluronic acid into your skin care routine today and see what all the fuss is about. You can thank us later.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “So what exactly is retinol?” you’ve come to the right place. This week, we’ve put together everything you need to know about this fountain of youth ingredient.

The Facts

Retinol is a form of retinoid, an umbrella term for a vitamin-A derivative comprising both retinol and retin-A. Retinol occurs naturally in the body and helps with things like cell turnover. However, first it has to be processed into retonic acid in order to be absorbed into your body. As a topical cream, retinol promotes slower cell turnover than retin-A, making it gentle enough to be used without a prescription.

Retin-A, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be processed into retonic acid in order to be absorbed, making it work much faster than any retinol product currently available. Therefore, retin-A is about 100 times stronger than retinol, so users can expect faster results than if they used the over the counter alternative. However, due to the increased strength of retin-A, there is potential for side effects like peeling or dry skin. Unless your doctor prescribes a retin-A serum, you’re not going to be dealing with it anytime soon, so don’t worry about confusing the two ingredients. What we’re focusing on right now is retinol--we just wanted to make sure you understood the difference.

The Benefits

It’s no secret that retinol is a great ingredient for fighting signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. But did you also know it is a great ingredient to help fight acne, brighten your complexion, and normalize the growth of healthy skin cells by turning them over more quickly? This is why we call retinol a holy grail ingredient—it’s basically an incredibly effective all-in-one miracle worker!

Because retinol works by turning over skin cells, it works similarly to AHA chemical exfoliants which slough off dead skin cells to promote regeneration of the skin underneath. Due to this, retinol is a highly effective acne treatment and pore refiner because it deeply penetrates your skin, breaking down anything else in its path like dirt, oil, and any makeup.

In removing dead skin, retinol can do more than simply clear up pesky acne problems. Dead skin cells can often pile up over time if they’re not removed regularly, which can lead to acne breakouts because a buildup of dead skin could mean that your skin isn’t being cleaned properly. Once removed with something like a retinol, your skin will be left with an overall brighter and more even complexion. With much of the most stubborn dirt and oil gone as well, your pores are are able to shrink down causing your skin to appear smoother and clearer.

Using retinol can be a slow treatment process, so don’t expect huge results overnight. Most dermatologists and skin care experts will tell you to give any retinol product a few weeks—even a few months—to show results. Depending on the concentration of the retinol you choose, there can also be some adverse effects for people with sensitive or dry skin. Retinol may be more gentle than retin-A, but it’s still a very powerful ingredient.

Who Is Retinol For?

There are very few people that would not benefit from adding a retinol product to their skin care routine. Since retinol benefits your skin in so many ways, most people notice their skin appearing brighter, smoother, and free of blemishes after just a few months of continued and consistent use.

That being said, it is worth repeating that retinol is a very powerful ingredient. While most people will benefit from adding retinol to their nightly skin care routine, those with dry or sensitive skin may experience some less than desired effects, especially if they don’t use it correctly. Retinol products with higher concentrations may be extra drying and irritating for people with these skin types. For this reason, it’s imperative that people with dry and sensitive skin look for products with lower concentrations of retinol when they are first trying it. Furthermore, skin care professionals recommend sealing retinol into your skin with a moisturizer after applying it to help prevent peeling and increased irritation, regardless of skin type.

While retinol can be irritating for those with dry and sensitive skin, that doesn’t mean those with oily or combination skin are completely in the clear. Because retinol removes dead skin cells, taking dirt and natural oils with it, it is imperative to replace the stripped off oils with a hydrating and moisturizing product. So it bears repeating: Regardless of your skin type, be sure to pair a good moisturizer with any retinol each and every time you use it. You’ll thank us later!

How and When to Apply

As we’ve already warned you retinol is a powerful ingredient and can be irritating if used incorrectly. Moreover, retinol can also leave the skin particularly susceptible to sun exposure after just one use. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that you use retinols at night only, when there’s no chance your skin will be exposed to any damaging sun radiation. During the day, we not only recommend using a sunscreen in the morning (and reapplying throughout the day!) but you should also consider bumping up your usual SPF a few notches for added protection. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen people end up with really bad sunburns on their face simply because they were using a retinol product and skipped an SPF. Ouch!

Depending on the concentration of retinol, we recommend using the product no more than once or twice a week. Since the ingredient essentially works as a chemical exfoliant, you’ll be fine to skip your AHA cleanser on these days.

The highest concentration of retinol you’ll see in the over the counter market won’t exceed 1%. Don’t be fooled, though, that’s a very high concentration! If you’re just starting a retinol skin care routine, we recommend a smaller dose at first before easing into a stronger retinol. Something like this is a favorite of ours from SkinMedica. Not only will it do the trick, but you can start with a low dose and work your way up to 1% after your skin adjusts to the retinol. More advanced retinol users will love this one from Obagi (which also comes in lower doses), because its advanced formulation offers maximum strength ingredients.

So now that you know all about retinol, which one will you use? If you’re still unsure, you can always schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed skin care professionals. Our skin care consultants can answer any questions you may have and give you personalized recommendations based on your skin type. That’s retinol made easy!

With dozens of primers to choose from on the beauty market--each with different finishes, benefits and promises--it can be hard to understand what a primer is and why you should use one. This must-have base product comes in all shapes and sizes, offering different formulas and finishes to perfect your makeup from top to bottom.

On top of all of your other skin care products, though, is a primer really all that necessary? What are the benefits to adding this product to your makeup routine? We understand if you’ve got a lot of questions about primers, with so many options it can be overwhelming! We’ve put together this guide to teach you everything you need to know about primers and how to choose the best one for you. So let’s get into our Primer Primer.

What Is Primer?

Firstly, we should probably clarify what a primer is before we start talking about how to choose the perfect one. This makeup product is pretty self explanatory; at its most simplistic, it primes the skin before makeup is applied to enhance the appearance and staying power of makeup once it’s applied. Primers also create a barrier between your skin care products and your makeup so that makeup doesn’t clog pores or cause other irritation.

Applying a layer of primer before your concealer and foundation can make a massive difference in how your makeup looks. If you think about the face like a canvas, a primer is what you put on the canvas before you begin painting to make the paint show up exactly how you intended. Primers help bind makeup to your skin, smooth over the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. Moreover, primers adjust the overall finish of foundation and concealer to help it appear exactly as natural or heavy as you want it.

Obviously, the foundation you use also impacts how your makeup looks after you put on the final touches. If this all sounds like it’s just going to make your face feel like its got a pound of makeup on, it shouldn’t. Most primers don’t feel like much once they’ve been applied, because the point of a primer is to make your other makeup look better, not weigh it down or make it look caked on.

More than altering the look of your makeup, primers can also be part of your skincare routine. Some primers contain skin protecting SPFs or are fused with hyaluronic acid to replace your moisturizer and save you a step in the morning. Depending on the ingredients used in the primer, it will do much more than simply cover blemishes, pores, and wrinkles or change the finish of your foundation and concealer. So how do you know which one to choose? We’re so glad you asked.

Choosing the Right Primer

Before you grab the first primer you find or run out and buy the primer your BFF recommended, it’s important to understand what you want to get out of it. Like every other skin care and makeup product on the market, finding a product that works for you is more important than finding the most popular one or the one Refinery29 says is best this month.

First, ask yourself what it is you want to improve when it comes to your makeup routine. For some, a pore and wrinkle refining primer may be the best product. Other people may want to brighten, while still others may wish to create a matte or dewy finish for their makeup lewk.

For a primer that blends into the skin to smooth over fine lines and blur pores, we recommend the classic Photo Finish Primer from Smashbox. There’s a reason this primer has been a favorite for decades now. Smashbox was born as a photography studio back in the 1990’s, and ventured into the makeup and beauty industry when it created this iconic primer to give skin a perfectly blurred, photoready effect--before Facetune was even a thing.

If you’re looking for a primer that you can substitute for another skincare product, companies like Glo and Nuface have exactly that. Glo’s Tinted Primer SPF 30 does a great job of smoothing over the skin without making it feel heavy. Since it’s an SPF it also does a good job of absorbing into the skin without feeling greasy or hard to blend.

If hydration is more your concern, NuFace makes a Hydrating Gel Primer that’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and phytomoist complex to help water molecules bind and absorb into the skin, making it appear plump and more radiant.

Choose Based on Skin Type

Pick your primer based on your skin type. People who struggle with oily skin will get the most out of a primer that gives a matte finish, as it will add a layer that can absorb the oil in your skin without blocking the pores to create acne. Photo Finish primers are created to blur and matte the skin, so most of the Smashbox primers will be a good choice for anyone with oily skin.

Smashbox sought to help these people with a primer for oily, sensitive, acne-prone, or combination skin. Their Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light is enriched with Vitamin C and a peptide blend is perfect for these skin types. Together they to boost collagen production, reverse cell damage, and help to fade and prevent brown spots and pigmentation.

Reversing issues with redness and blemishes will require some color correcting, so go for a green tinted primer to correct red spots, or a yellow or pink tinted primer to combat dark circles. Over the years, Smashbox added varieties to their award winning primers so there were options for everyone. Their Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer is a green tinted primer perfect for people who are looking to fight redness, uneven skin tone, and dullness or uneven texture. Plus, with an antioxidant blend of vitamins E and A, it evens helps protect your skin from damage, stress, and environmental pollutants.

Alternatively, those suffering from dry skin or who have more mature skin will want to opt for a primer that hydrates, brightens, and illuminates. Mattifying primers may be able to smooth over fine lines, but will only enhance the look of deeper wrinkles to create that dreaded “caked on” look. Combination skin will also get the most out of hydrating primers. We recommend checking out the Photo Finish Primer Oil from Smashbox or a bottle of Hydrating Leave-On Gel Primer from NuFace.

How to Apply Primer

The best time to apply your primer is just before you begin your makeup, but after you’ve completed your skin care routine. Unlike with foundation and concealer, the best way to apply a primer is with your fingers instead of a brush or sponge. This will help control where the primer goes and how it gets blended into the skin. Think of primer as more of a skin care product than a makeup product, so apply it as you would a skin care product in order to get an even application. (Pro Tip: Keep your primer with your skin care so you apply it with clean hands after you finish your skin care regimen.)

Ever the primer savants, Smashbox knew that your foundation wasn’t the only thing you need a primer for. So they introduced one of our all time favorites, the Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer in addition to their Photo Finish Lid Primer for making your eyeshadow and eye makeup survive all day. In fact, we suggest that on makeup free days you use the Hydrating Under Eye Primer instead of eye cream and watch your eyes brighten and sparkle. We won’t leave the house without it!

Using a couple of different primers can also help you get different results. For example, an eyeshadow primer can help create a canvas that will make eyeshadow appear more vibrant, while helping it stick to the lid to last longer and blend more easily. If you find that certain eyeshadows swatch well on the skin when you wipe them on your arm but don’t look quite the same once they make it onto your lid, try applying an eyeshadow primer before you begin. Another eyeshadow primer we like is this one from Blinc. It has a great formula that helps prevent creasing throughout the day, keeping your shadow looking fresh even after long periods of time.

Once you’ve finished applying your primer, wait at least one full minute before beginning your makeup application. This will give the primer ample time to fully absorb into the skin and set on the face. After you’ve applied your primer, apply your makeup as usual. Then voila! A radiantly beautiful face that stays where you put it!

With summer right around the corner, it’s time to stock up on SPF to keep your skin safe and healthy under the summer sun. Wearing an SPF is one of the single most important aspects of a good skin care routine, since skin health is virtually meaningless without protection from the sun’s powerful and harmful rays. That said, an SPF is not something that is exclusive to the summer months, as your skin is exposed to sunlight year-round. So even in winter you should still be applying sunscreen daily.

Whether you prefer a chemical or a mineral sunscreen (read about the differences between the two here), it’s never too late to start lathering on the SPF. Below we’ve listed ten of our favorite and most popular sunscreen products for 2019, in no particular order.

Elta MD: Broad Spectrum SPF

When it comes to sunscreens, Elta MD has it down. This mineral, chemical-free sunscreen comes in a variety of strengths and types to suit every lifestyle--whether you’re looking for something that will stay put when you’re active outdoors or for just a little protection on a more laid back (or office) day.

This ultra gentle sunscreen also contains ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid to treat blemishes, nourish, and slough off dead skin cells without irritating the skin underneath. With EltaMD you get it all; not only do you get sun protection, but you also get top quality skin care targeting various skin care concerns as well.

Coola: Classic Sport Mango

Coola is one of our favorite sunscreen brands because their farm-to-face products are loaded with wonderful ingredients that are meant to nourish and heal the skin in addition to protecting it from the sun. Perfect for working out, beach days, and taking a dip in the pool, it’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes. This classic sport SPF is guaranteed to target and fight the signs of aging from sun exposure—plus it smells amazing!

Obagi Medical: Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50

What we love about this mineral sunscreen is that it applies beautifully and never leaves a greasy residue while protecting against UVA & UVB rays. Formulated with zinc and titanium, Sun Shield is a lightweight, oil-free, fragrance-free, PABA-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating sunscreen suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

When you add in the fact that it contains ceramides to help repair and restore the skin’s protective barrier, and Vitamin B derivative, niacnamide, which helps support natural ceramides and fatty acids, you’ve got wonderful sun protection and amazing skin care all in one bottle!

Jane Iredale: Dream Tint SPF Tinted Moisturizer

This all-in-one product from Jane Iredale is a favorite of ours because it makes getting ready simple and convenient. Since it’s tinted, it is perfect for use under makeup as a primer or alone for days you don’t feel like applying a full face. While the SPF may be lower than sport sunscreens, this mineral-based product is great for everyday use because its lightweight formula hydrates and moisturizes the skin while protecting it from the sun. And it’s also water resistant!

Lab Series: Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 For Men

Men need to protect themselves from the sun, too. Lab Series is the perfect way for men to introduce skincare products into their daily routine. In particular, their Daily Moisture Defense lotion can help combat signs of aging, protect against day-to-day exposure to free radicals (things like smoke and pollution that can put toxins into the skin) and moisturize dry skin. Lab Series knows that men want to take care of their skin, so they made it easy by combining sun protection and skin care all in one amazing lotion.

MD Solar Sciences:

Anyone who prefers mineral sunscreen should definitely give MD Solar Sciences a try. These lightweight products offer high protection against the sun’s harmful rays and don’t leave a greasy residue or white lines, both of which can be common to mineral SPFs. It’s also water resistant up to 80 minutes, making it great for days in the sun or heavy activity.

Neocutis: Journee Bio Restorative Day Cream

This multifunctional cream may be labeled as a sunscreen, but it’s so much more than that. A powerful combination of antioxidants like green tea and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid moisturize and nourish the skin while protecting it against free-radicals in the air. The best part? You only have to apply it once a day to achieve glowing skin while fighting against sun damage.

Neostrata: Matrix Support SPF 30

When we talk about chemical sunscreens offering more benefits than mineral sunscreens to go beyond just protecting from the sun, we’ve got products like Neostrata’s Matrix Support SPF in mind. This multi-purpose skin care product is designed to repair the skin’s matrix support structure, making the skin appear more plump and luminous due to increases in natural collagen production. Matrix Support really does it all!

Sun Bum:

Who better to come up with the perfect SPF than a bunch of surfers? The makers behind Sun Bum created the brand because they love spending time in the surf & sun, and doing that means taking extra precautions for their skin. Sun Bum also makes delicious smelling lip balms with SPF in them, because your lips need protection from the sun as well to stay soft and supple.

Supergoop: Unseen Sunscreen

This cult-favorite product comes in cute packaging—but that doesn’t take away from how great it is as a product. Sometimes you really can judge a great book by its cover, and the Unseen Sunscreen is truly amazing. This ultra sheer sunscreen goes on smoothly and blends in beautifully. Plus, it keeps winning awards because it protects against the sun’s harmful rays (and against blue light that gets emitted from electronic devices) without compromising its quality as a skin care product.

Rather than getting harmful extensions put in (which can ultimately damage your lashes in the long run, FYI), investing in a good lash enhancing serum can not only boost growth, but volume in your natural lashes. With so many on the market, though, it’s hard to figure out which one is going to deliver the results that you want and need from a lash serum and a lash conditioner. Since there is a difference between the two, it’s important to understand what each one will do and how to determine which is which.

Lash Serums vs. Conditioners

Not all lash products are meant to give the same results. Lash serums often offer different benefits than lash conditioners, so knowing what you’re looking for is the key to finding a product that will help you love your natural lashes. While one is meant to enhance growth and create a visual difference in the way your natural lashes look, the other is simply meant to make your existing lashes look and feel more healthy by hydrating each individual hair.

While eyelash conditioners may not be able to guarantee new hair growth, they’ll improve the overall appearance of your lashes by nourishing the ones that exist already. Anyone prone to dry hair or breakage might find that an eyelash conditioner is all they need. However, if you’re looking for some serious change, look no further than a lash serum.

If there’s one thing most beauty lovers can agree on, it’s that lashes can make or break a look. While false lashes and extensions may give you a certain look, nothing quite compares to the feeling of having natural lashes that are both long and voluminous. Obviously not everyone was blessed with such luck, but all hope isn’t lost—in fact, it’s sitting in a bottle of lash serum.

Serums like this one from Grande promise to promote lash growth by supercharging your lashes with all sorts of vitamins, peptides, and amino acids. Most users notice a difference in their natural lashes within weeks, making it one of our favorite lash serums on the market.

Brows, Too

Not only do lash enhancers and eyelash serums provide essential nourishment for long, voluminous lashes, but they can do wonders on the eyebrows as well. Lathering on a bit of serum or conditioner can easily help nourish your brows, making them appear fuller in places where they may have been thinning out.

Serums that promise to enhance growth work by helping hair follicles that were previously not growing hair to be able to grow hair. Many users have noticed that their lashes and brows are not only fuller and longer after using lash serums for a couple of weeks, but that they’re growing hair in new places. Of course, this can also be a double-edged sword if you start noticing hair growth where you don’t want it—so it’s important to make sure you’re only putting it where you want to see growth.

How To Choose & Use Eyelash Serums & Conditioners

Choosing an eyelash conditioner or serum ultimately depends on what you want to see out of the product. If you’re looking for healthier lashes and brows, but don’t necessarily want to go all-in on something that’s going to make you grow hair in odd places, look for conditioners that promise to nourish lashes and brows but not necessarily help them grow. Our Perricone MD No Makeup mascara is proven to help nourish and strengthen existing lashes. It’s also easier on the skin than other lash serums and conditioners on the market, making it a great intro to these products for first-time users.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a product that’s going to guarantee growth in a relatively short period of time, look no further than Revitalash and Grande. Both products are guaranteed to show results in just a few weeks, and contain a lot of essential vitamins and nutrients that promote natural looking growth. Be aware, though, that growth serums can cause some redness and hyperpigmentation around the eyes. If you find that it bothers you too much, stop using the product for a bit to let it clear up. However, the products are safe to use around the eyes.

To use both eyelash serums and lash conditioners, first make sure your face is clean and clear from any makeup or skin care products. Most people prefer to use them at night, that way they don’t have to worry about how the products will react when used with makeup and other skin care products. Swipe a bit of the product onto your lashes and brows before bed and leave it on through the night. Like any treatment product, it’s important to be consistent in how you use it. Once you begin the treatment, be sure to use it every day until it’s finished for best results.

Sifting through hundreds of skin care products is exhausting, expensive, and often fruitless. With that in mind, Apothecarie New York was born. We wanted to not only help our clients achieve glowing skin, but educate them and help them sift through the wide world of skincare.

Apothecarie proudly offers free skin care consultations both in-person (at our store) and over the phone from the comfort of your own home. So whether you want to swing by or talk to our licensed estheticians in your pajamas, we bring custom skin care to you!

Specialized Advice

When we opened up our doors back in 1998, we knew we weren’t going to be just another skin care and beauty supply making grand promises. Our mission is to provide proven, clinically tested products, engineered to target and treat specific skin care concerns. That way, you can put your best face forward.

Since no two faces are the same, we realized the key to providing these specialized targeted skin care solutions is customized consultations. And the best way to provide custom skin care consults to you, is free of charge. We know you don’t have to buy from us, but we hope that with the education we offer you’ll buy the right products for yourself.  

More than that, we wanted to make sure that our consultants had the education & experience to create the right tailored skin care regimens. It would have been easy to hire people who were merely interested in skin care and had no formal training or experience. After all, anyone can dabble in skin care--but it takes a licensed professional to really understand your skin and the ingredients that work best for each skin type.

“Beautiful skin begins with exceptional skin care.”

-Philosophy

Working with our medical director, Apothecarie sought licensed experienced estheticians and skin care professionals to manage and operate both our store and our customer service. That way, whether you come in person or call us on the phone you know you’ll receive the same level of expert care and attention.

Apothecarie’s goal is to give honest, real world advice our clients can use to teach them how to treat their specific beauty concerns. We are careful to recommend the right product for you, rather than recommend just any product. Moreover, we take the time to explain what is in the product, why those ingredients are helpful, and the best practices for using that product. For instance, you should always gently tap on eye cream—never wipe or smear on that delicate under eye area!

In other words, we’re more interested in recommending products that will work for you. We believe that beauty is about trust, and we take our responsibility seriously when you put your faith in us.

For example, you would never use a retinol product in the morning, right? Wrong! Neostrata’s Matrix Support SPF 30 features NeoGlucosamine and retinol to increase cell turnover, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increase clarity. Importantly, Matrix Support SPF 30 also features UVA & UVB filters to shield the skin from the burning and aging effects of everyday sun exposure so the NeoGlucosamine and retinol can do their job all day long.

And that’s just one example of what our experts can help you find and use properly if you’re concerned about stubborn dark spots, annoying fine lines & wrinkles, inevitable loss of firmness & elasticity, or a frustrating lack of radiance.

During your in-person or phone consultation with one of our skin care experts, you’ll receive tailored recommendations based on the specific concerns and goals you have for your skin so you can achieve real and lasting results. After all, there’s no one size fits all in skin care!

Know What You Want

Before your skin care consultation you will fill out your Pre-Consultation Survey. Make sure you take the time to think about your skin goals.

If your toughest daily struggle is waging war against the oil slick that spreads across your face as you go about your day, make sure to mark your skin type as oily. Your specialist will help you target oily skin and recommend skin care products and makeup to address it.

If anti-aging is your number one concern, ask your consultant which ingredients are best suited to your skin type and will aid in bringing back your youthful glow while targeting fine lines & wrinkles and plumping your skin.

Since not all skin care ingredients are made the same and each may affect various skin types differently, a skin care consultation is a necessity before trying new products. Your skin care consultant will help you identify your skin type--even if it changes with the seasons as it does for many of us--going from glowing in summer to dry & flakey in winter.

We will help you to determine which products will best tackle what you’re most concerned about, so your skin gets what it really needs--not just what is newest and trendiest. We’ve tried everything, so you don’t have to waste time on what doesn’t work. We can help you jump straight to the finish line for a skin care routine that works for you!

Our expert skin care consultants will also educate you on what to realistically expect from different skin care regimens, which makeup products will complement this regimen, and how important water is to give you the best skin of your life!

After all, great skin doesn’t come from one day or one week or even just one product. It comes from being consistent. Just like getting in shape doesn’t come from a single visit to the gym, great skin requires consistent work and maintenance.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Getting a skin care consultation doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take what you’ve learnt and do more research about products on your own. Rather, think of your skin care consultant as your personal trainer or private tutor; as a good student, you still need to do your homework.

Asking questions throughout your skin care consultation will help you learn how to recognize which products will work for you and will help your consultant create the best custom regimen for you.

The point of a skin care consultation at Apothecarie isn’t to sell you products--especially ones that don’t work or that you don’t need. We want to educate you so you can take the best care of your skin. After all, you feel better when you put your best face forward. There’s nothing we love more than when our clients come back ecstatic that their new regimen works. And we especially love the photographic proof you send us demonstrating the results!

“Beautiful is knowing you are one of a kind.”

-Elizabeth Arden

Have an important gala coming up and need to dazzle? Tell your consultant. Getting married in a few months and need a plan to look your best on the big day—not to mention all the events leading up to it? Tell your consultant so they can help you come up with a long-term plan so you’ll look radiant. Devoted to one product you aren’t willing to give up? Make sure your consultant knows (especially if it’s a chemical exfoliant containing glycol or retinol) so you can avoid over treating your skin. Your consultant is here to work with you for your skin, so every piece of information is important.

Creating and sticking to a custom tailored skin care routine will help you achieve glowing skin in no time—but it requires getting the right information from the start. Using the same products for too long or mistreating your skin by overusing  harsh products may actually be doing more harm than good.

Apothecarie New York knows that our expert team of skin care professionals can help. Pop by the store or schedule online to get your custom skin care consultation today for free. Great skin is possible when you have the right skin care routine, so let Apothecarie New York help you achieve it!

“Natural” Sunscreens

When people refer to natural sunscreens what they’re really referring to is mineral sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens are products that utilize natural minerals to deflect UVA/B rays from the sun, rather than absorbing them. These minerals are usually some form of zinc or titanium oxide which are processed in a lab before being turned into cosmeceutical SPFs. Although they’re technically ‘natural’ ingredients, they don’t qualify under the ‘organic’ label.

Not only do minerals protect against the sun, but they often have a whole other set of benefits that make them great for your skin care routine. When shopping for a mineral sunscreen make sure to find one that contains coated minerals. This means that the ingredients have been stabilized and will be safer to use on the skin.

One of our favorite natural sunscreens is from Elta MD, a dermatologist approved line of suncare. EltaMD’s UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 is an amazing tinted sunscreen. Formulated for extra-sensitive skin types and recommended for post procedure, this gentle formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, sensitivity-free, chemical-free, and noncomedogenic.

Moreover, the UV Physical Broad-Spectrum is an oil-free sunscreen featuring an extra boost of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. So you can use it by itself or under makeup any day of the week! You can even wear it to the beach or pool this summer because its water resistant formula withstands water, humidity, and perspiration. We always have a bottle of it in our beach bag!

Chemical Sunscreens

Don’t let the word ‘chemical’ scare you—chemicals are common in skin care products and can provide a variety of benefits depending on the ones used. Clever marketing strategies have managed to convince people that chemicals have no positive benefits to skin care, but that could not be farther from the truth. Aside from that, here at Apothecarie we would never carry any products that have been found to contain harmful chemical ingredients.

Chemical sunscreen simply refers to the ingredients in the product that use chemical carbon compounds in order to convert harmful UVA/B rays into heat instead of bouncing them off of the skin as mineral sunscreens do. Some of these ingredients are things like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which sound scary--but they really aren’t! If they were harmful, the American Academy of Dermatology would not have declared these ingredients safe to use.

Using a chemical sunscreen or a mineral sunscreen comes down to your preference. Many people find chemical sunscreens easier to spread onto their skin and find them less prone to streaking. Chemical sunscreens are also more resistant to water, making them a better option if you plan on being active or splashing around in the water (or even sweating for that matter!). These formulas feel lighter on the skin, so those who prefer to not feel their makeup or suncare products on their skin may find chemical sunscreen better suits their needs.

Additionally, chemical sunscreen also commonly contains other beneficial skin care ingredients. Things like peptides and enzymes often grace the composition of chemical sunscreen, which can provide essential nutrients to hydrate and nourish the skin, making your complexion appear brighter and healthier.

However, many chemical sunscreens do not begin working immediately because they need time to absorb into the skin prior to sun exposure. Moreover, they can irritate sensitive skin unlike mineral sunscreens which are seen as being more gentle.

Our Favorites

One of our favorite chemical sunscreens that you can get at Apothecarie New York is Clarins Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen for Face Wrinkle Control Cream. Its lightweight formula penetrates deeply to protect every layer of the skin from harmful UVA/B rays. This particular formula is even gentle enough for sensitive skin and lightweight enough that you won’t notice you’re wearing it. Furthermore, with the wrinkle control technology blended right into the formula, you’ve got skin care and suncare all in one great product.

So whether you prefer mineral or chemical sunscreens, Apothecarie has you covered. Talk to one of our licensed skin care professionals today to assess your needs. And you can always schedule a free consultation to determine what your skin really needs. So this summer you won’t burn—you’ll just glow!

Skin care expert Malvina Fraser has more than 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. In that time, she has worked with many high-profile celebrity clients, including Madonna and Yasmin Le Bon.

Recently, Fraser shared some winter skin care tips with the readers of Hello magazine. In a nutshell, it is necessary to take extra good care of our skin during the harsh winter months, when the cold air and strong wind dry it out.

Putting on a hydrating mask while sitting in a warm bath two hours before bedtime is a good way to relax and rejuvenate dry winter skin. After the mask, slick on a nourishing serum before applying a homemade scrub made by mixing almond oil with sugar.

Other than using a heavier moisturizer for the face, Fraser also gave out an unexpected tip: to moisturize and massage the often-neglected ears daily to prevent them from drooping with age.

Click here to for a more detailed read about these top winter skin care tips from the beauty specialist.

(via Hello)

We are already half way through autumn, so if you are still sticking to your summer skincare routine, it is high time to make the shift and prepare your skin for the colder months ahead.

According to Tamara Floyd on Babble, your skin needs a different regime during the fall, and boosting moisture is a big part of ensuring it continues to look great in the crisp, dry air.

Get rid of dehydrating alcohol-based toners and start using a moisturizing aloe vera based one instead. Cleansers should also contain gentler ingredients, such as soy milk.

If you are not used to a daily moisturizer, you can try using a natural oil like avocado oil, which is known to hydrate the skin and boost its elasticity. In addition, natural oils also provides sun protection, which is still necessary even when the sun is less intense.

(via Babble)

Beauty buzzwords come and go, but one that has continually boasted a bevy of praise over the past few years is niacin. Otherwise known as vitamin b3, this wonder ingredient is said to promote cell turnover, repair sun damage and strengthen the skin barrier—and that’s just the beginning.

There are two types of aging skin and one is preventable!

Until recently, it was believed that dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots were just normal signs of aging, but we now know, much of this is preventable sun damage.   Excessive ultraviolet radiation can cause mutations to the skin’s cellular DNA, these mutations can slow the cells ability to repair themselves, slow energy metabolism (cell division), cause oxidative stress, destroy collagen and may lead to skin cancer.  Applying a high quality sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 can help prevent future damage, but what if you’ve already been exposed?

Niacinamide: The B all of anti-aging

Luckily, Vitamin B comes to the rescue!  Niacin, nicotinic acid, niacinimide and B3 – are all forms of Vitamin B and can play a significant role in preventing and reversing skin damage.  Vitamin B stimulates the skin’s own repair process at the cellular level, creating generations of healthier skin cells.  Vitamin B increases energy to the cells, which in turn increases cell turn over, strengthens the skin barrier and prevents moisture from evaporating.  Vitamin B helps your skin act like it did when it was younger!

Beauty from the outside in

Where do we get it?  Vitamin B is an essential nutrient, meaning it is essential to our health but not one that our bodies can make so it must be absorbed by outside sources.  Eating foods high in Vitamin B is a good start but it must first be digested then circulated through the blood stream and therefore, unable provide high concentrations directly to the skin cells.  However, when applying Vitamin B topically to the skin, it bypasses the digestive process and delivers concentrated amounts directly to the skin’s basal cells.

It's all in the delivery

Not all topical B Vitamins are created equal!  Vitamin B is water soluble making it a challenge to pass the fatty layers of the stratum corneum.  NIA24® Niacin Powered Skin Therapy professional skin care products each contains Pro-Niacin®; a lipophilic, micro-nutrient delivery system, clinically proven to increase the amount of active Vitamin B to the cells.

It enhances your entire routine

The benefits don’t end there.  When you combine Pro-Niacin® with other active ingredients such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C, you actually enhance the efficacy of anything you use it with!  Two great picks to try; NIA 24® Intensive Retinol Repair combines 5% Pro-Niacin® with Vitamin A for smooth texture and ageless skin.  Or NIA 24® Rapid Depigmentation Serum combines 5% Pro-Niacin with Vitamin C and hexylresorcinol, for lightening dark spots and all over brightening giving you glowing, luminous skin.