According to a survey that was conducted in 2009 of 1,000 adults, nearly one-third of American’s admitted that they do not use sunscreen at any point in time.  Sixty nine percent of those surveyed reported that they used sunscreen only occasionally.

Many people believe that you are more protected from the harmful rays of the sun based upon the amount of SPF protection that is offered on a sunscreen product.  Most people do not realize that the SPF rating only applies to UVB protection.  The SPF rating does not apply to UVA rays.

When picking a sunscreen product, people tend to grab the bottle that contains the highest SPF number.  Skin care experts agree that sunscreens that have at least a 30 SPF are sufficient for spending time in the sun as long as they are applied liberally.

Toss those old bottles of sunscreen in the trash bin.  Sunscreen begins to become ineffective after one year and is mostly useless after three years.

A sunscreen bottle may claim that it is will provide protection for 8 hours, but those claims are typically false.  Skin care experts believe that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours under normal conditions. When spending time in the water or sweating, sunscreen should be reapplied often.  Water resistant sunscreen should be reapplied every 45 minutes to avoid painful burns.

Please check back on Tuesday for the conclusion. 

Hyperpigmentation

There are several reasons that hyperpigmentation occurs.  Exposure to the sun is the most common reason for the melanocytes to overact.  Besides being at risk for skin cancer, sun worshipers should be aware that exposing their skin to ultraviolet rays stimulates melanocytes, which in turn produces additional melanin to darken the skin to help protect it from the burning rays of the sun.   Years ago, it was unclear as to what the risk of sunbathing was.  Now we know that exposing skin to UV rays will result in hyperpigmentation…otherwise known as freckles and age spots.  Sun exposure can cause additional freckles or make any spots darker and more noticeable at any moment in time.

You can avoid freckles, age spots, and other hyperpigmentation issues by using Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Englighten from Skin Gift.  This amazing skin care product will brighten and help to even out your skins color.

During ancient Egyptian times, typical masks were made from different types of clay or mud.  Clay was used for oily skin to remove dirt, excess oil, and pollutants.  Mud from the Dead Sea is said to be part of Cleopatra’s beauty regime.  The minerals helped to draw out toxins and restore healthy skin.  People still use this mud treatment because of its high mineral content.

Throughout history, women have used a variety of herbs and fruits to concoct facial masks.  Modern day face masks often contain traditional ingredients mixed with vitamin extracts.  Facial masks are a popular choice among the ladies because they are versatile and can be customized to meet a person’s individual needs.

You won’t need to dig in the mud or smash fruit to have a great mask on your face thanks to Jan Marini’s C-ESTA Facial Mask.  Dubbed as the “perfect mask before a hot date”, the C-ESTA Facial Mask will instantly make your skin firmer and tighter looking.  You can find Jan Marini’s C-ESTA Facial Mask and many other great skin care products available at Skin Gift.

For areas of your skin that are oily, skin care experts recommend using a toner to make the skin look more uniform.  SkinMedica’s Rejuvenatinve Toner is non-drying and will remove excess dirt, oil, and impurities while exfoliating dead skin cells and refining the pores of your skin.

Dry skin, which is often associated with winter weather, can leave your skin itchy and flaky.  Skin care experts say that you can keep dry skin tempered by adding a moisturizer to your skin care regime.  SkinMedica’s TNS Body Lotion will instantly hydrate, soften, and soothe dry skin.  The emollient formula provides excellent relief from dry skin and may also help improve the appearance of age spots and pigmentation too.

You can find these and many other fantastic skin care products available at Skin Gift.

Obagi’s Nu Derm Exfoderm Forte #4 is part of the Nu Derm System.  Use this exfoliating lotion to help smooth and tone rough or damaged skin.  Recommended for normal to oily skin types is Obagi’s Nu Derm Exfoderm Forte #4 contains lactic acid and glycolic acid.  Thin, sensitive, and normal to dry skin types should use Obagi’s Nu Derm Exfoderm #4 exfoliating lotion with phytic acid.

Using the Obagi Nu Derm System will help prevent the signs of aging at a cellular level so that your skin will look healthy and flawless.  No matter your skin type, exfoliation is a great option for achieving healthier looking skin.  You can find the entire Obagi Nu Derm System skin care product line available at Skin Gift.  Contact our expert skin care consultants for help with all of your skin care needs.

Many people find that using a wash cloth is too harsh for the delicate skin on their face.  In addition, using a wash cloth repetitively is an easy way to transfer bacteria which will cause acne and clogged pores as well.  The perfect alternative to using a washcloth to clean your face is the Clarisonic Classic Skin Cleaning System.

This powerful unit will gently clean deep into your skin to clear your pores of all impurities.  Studies have shown the using the micro-massage action in the Clarisonic will:

• Removes six times more makeup than washing by hand.

• Reduces the appearance of dry skin, oily skin, and blemishes.

• Prepares your skin for the absorption of vital nutrients.

• Is gentle enough to use two times each day.

• Will leave your skin feeling and looking younger and smoother.

You can find the Clarisonic Classic Skin Cleaning System at Skin Gift in three different colors (Graphite Gray, Pink and White) for only $165.75.

There are many different sunscreen products on the market with varying levels of SPF, all claiming to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.  Most people buy sunscreen and trust the labels, apply the sunscreen, and are surprised when they still receive a sunburn.  It is not uncommon to think that sweat, exposure to water, misapplication, or not applying sunscreen often enough is the reason for sunscreen failure.

Despite the SPF ratings on the packaging, not all sunscreens are created equal.  Many sunscreens on the market today do not block long UVA radiation.  Most people do not know that the SPF rating applies to UVB radiation and some short UVA radiation, but not long UVA radiation.

Stay tuned to Skin Gift for more important sunscreen information!

• Aging – People who already have dark circles under their eyes will likely have more pronounced dark under eye circles as they continue to age.  When excess folds of the skin develop under the eyes, any dark under eye circles will look predominant.

• Pregnancy or Menstruation – The skin often becomes more pale allowing veins under the eyes to become more visible which results in dark circles under the eye.

• Dehydration – Excessive loss of water can be a cause of dark circles under the eyes.

• Sun Exposure – Dark circles occur in both dark and light skinned people when sunscreen is not used and sun exposure is experienced.

• Eye Glasses – When eye glasses are too heavy, blood circulation can be slowed which will cause dark circles.  Dark circles under your eyes can be unsightly and you could choose to cover them up with Jane Iredale’s Circle/Delete Concealer.  You’ll always be able to achieve a perfect match to your skin tone thanks to the creamy colors that can be blended together.

Skin Gift also offers several tried and true remedies that specifically addresses the issues of dark under eye circles.  Stop by our store or call our skin care consultant to learn about the benefit of using Jan Marini’s Factor-A Eyes For Dark Circles, iS Clinical Super Serum Advance, Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Dark Circle Night Eye Defense, and Obagi’s line of Professional-C Serums.

Dark under eye circles can appear at any point in time for a wide variety of reasons.  Here are a few examples of the most common reasons for the occurrence of dark circles under the eyes.

• Poor Nutrition – Not eating a balanced diet or the lack of iron or Vitamin K can cause dark circles under the eye.

• Heredity – Having dark eye circles is often an inherited trait.  The skin under the eye is extremely thin.  Blood passes through veins that lay close to the surface of the skin.  Dark circles will appear worse the more transparent the skin is.

• Fatigue – Pale skin is caused by the lack of sleep.  When the skin looks pale, the blood that passes through the veins appear to be more visible. This in turn makes the dark circles look darker.

• Allergies, Asthma and Eczema – Rubbing your eyes for any reason will irritate the delicate thin skin under your eyes which will cause the appearance of dark circles.

Please check back on Tuesday for the conclusion.

No matter how hard we try to avoid it, sometimes as we age, our eyelashes are subjected to the aging process as well.  Many women suffer from short, thinning, lifeless eyelashes.

Thinning eyelashes are a natural part of the aging process.  Aging causes hair follicles to weaken and makes them brittle.  Thinning eyelashes can also be a result of maintaining a poor diet.  Hormonal imbalances and stress can disrupt the growth of your eyelashes and heredity also plays a roll in how much or little your eyelashes grow as you age.  In addition, some ingredients added to mascaras can make your eyelashes short, brittle, and thinner as well.

Thanks to Obagi Medical ELASTILash Eyelash Solutions, you can rejuvenate your lashes and regain the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes of your youth in as little as six short weeks.  ELASTILash is non-allergenic and has been dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested to ensure great results.

Our eyes perform many tasks, so why not treat them well and make them look their best?  Buy ELASTILash Eyelash Solutions by Obagi Medical at Skin Gift to obtain the sexy eyelashes of your youth that will be the envy of your friends and family.