FALL SKIN CARE ADVICE

It is officially Fall! The season of pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apples, sweaters, spooky ghosts and... dry skin?! Here are some suggestions to take care of your skin and some new daily skin care practices to try.

As you may know, your skin's hydration is directly impacted by the air moisture content. So it is easier to maintain smooth, plump, and healthy skin in the summer when it is warmer and more humid. In the summer, we also tend to eat healthier and exercise more, which promotes blood flow and keeps our skin healthy. In the transition months like September, skin loses a lot of moisture in the environment when the air is less humid. Here are a few tips to transition your skincare routine from summer to fall without causing a skin freak out.

-Continue to use your Sunscreen! The amount of UV radiation you are exposed to from the sun is not always correlated with the temperature outside. Keep your skin protected!

-Easy on exfoliation! Exfoliating is great for removing dead skin cells and smoothing out the skin, but over-exfoliation can irritate the skin, especially when it is exposed to harsher weather.

-Moisturize, but extra! Switch those lightweight gel moisturizers to something more dense and creamy. When the air is cold your skin barrier may need extra help from a richer consistency moisturizer.

Come fall, we have prepared a skincare mini makeover and maybe it is time for a new wardrobe, too!

WASHING YOUR MAKE UP OFF IS SO IMPORTANT!

If you are as fascinated with beauty as me, then it is likely that you are constantly searching for methods and products that will keep your skin radiant and healthy no matter how much make up you wear. Everyone agrees that taking off your makeup at night is a must. Undoubtedly, you have had some of those nights when you are simply too tired to even consider washing your face and brushing your teeth. However, it's not a good idea to go to bed wearing makeup and proper makeup removal should be a part of your nightly routine.

- The same cosmetics that helped you conceal wrinkles and fine lines the night before can set in overnight and leave your skin looking dry and tired in the morning.

-Most cosmetics will clog your pores, especially if used continuously. When you take off your makeup before bed, you give your skin a chance to breathe while you sleep, but when you wear full makeup to bed, it continues to clog the pores and eventually leads to breakouts and acne.

Try to follow three simple steps: Skin Cleaner, Foaming Cleanser, and Toning.

Important Tip! Avoid using hot water since it will dry up your skin by washing it of its natural oils. Cold water is also not recommended because it won't allow your pores to open. I advise using lukewarm water to rinse off your cleanser.

IMPORTANCE OF SELF CARE

The kids are back in school, (and hopefully your spouse/partner is back in the office too), so now is the perfect time to take a few minutes to remind yourself that taking a break to recharge is essential to your well-being. And as you spend a big part of the day putting your family first, you should never forget about self-care. Even just 10 minutes is all it takes to feel refreshed and ready to take on the day. There are a few tips that could become an essential part of your everyday routine:

Hydration: Coffee can be a great start to the day, but it is important to stay hydrated. Water is an excellent beauty boost, it makes your skin glow, clears acne, and reduces hair loss!

Skin Care: This is highly recommended as a top priority. Use gentle, nourishing products to help keep skin in tip-top condition so that even when you might not be feeling your best, your skin still looks it. And if a beautiful, healthy complexion helps you feel and look your best, then it is most certainly worth your while.

Eating Healthy: Plan plan plan. It definitely takes some effort to think a day or two ahead about what you want to eat but it will pay off. 

A self-care routine should be simple. It is about feeling good, being happy, refreshed, and grateful. This may seem obvious, but just try to make time for yourself. You and your self-care are a priority to function at your highest level. 

MAKE UP EXPIRATION

Did you know that just like milk, makeup has an expiration date? Most days I put on eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick and never think about the expiration date of the makeup until recently when I got an irritation around my eye. I realized it was a product causing the irritation. The hardest part of being a makeup lover and owning plenty of cosmetics is having to part with your favorite blush, lipsticks, and eyeliners when their expiration dates approach. I know that throwing away your makeup when there is still product left can be painful. However, there is a reason we should not hold onto our favorite products forever. We all probably have beauty products that are at least a couple of years old, and it is hard to even remember when we first started using them. If a beauty product has passed its expiration date, your skin might react to it. This could cause irritation and redness. Bacteria can quickly spread and result in breakouts or other problems. Some suggestions for you are to:

• Check an expiration date

• Keep products in a cool, dry place that is not in direct sunlight

• Do not share makeup or skin care products with others

• Use and clean the spatulas that come with your products or switch to using q-tips to scoop out your product

• Only open a new product if you plan on using it for a while.

As a general rule, if your beauty products suddenly start to smell weird or change color or consistency, throw them away! If you store and clean your beauty products carefully, you should be able to use them for several more months. To keep your make up up to date, plan to sort your supplies twice a year, throwing away any questionable products.

SMOOTH SKIN = BODY SCRUB.

A few years ago, a friend recommended a body scrub. I made an appointment and I was hooked. A body scrub exfoliates the skin, removes dead skin cells, and stimulates blood flow. It is sometimes referred to as body polish and has a liquid base with particles that remove dead skin when you massage it over your body and then rinse you off. Boosting the blood flow to the surface of your skin, this action improves blood circulation and drains your lymph nodes. I try to get it done professionally twice a year after the winter and then at the end of the summer.

You can also do it at home and can be part of your skincare routine if you want to keep your skin soft, smooth, and healthy. Most health experts will say that exfoliating two to three times a week should do the trick. You might want to do it a little less if you have more delicate skin. Although body scrubs have been around for a while, today there are so many different varieties on the market, including ones made of salt, sugar, and coffee.

HEALTHY & BEAUTIFUL HAIR

Beyond the popular hairstyles for the summer, bright colors and the cuts that will help you look trendy, it's important to take care of your hair. While dry hair and static frizz are often associated with winter, your hair can also suffer throughout the summer. Consider how much time your hair spends in chlorinated pools, how much salt builds up, and how the sun's intense heat damages your hair.

It's crucial to modify your routine in the hot summer months. To help remove chlorine and buildup, switch from your regular shampoo to a clarifying one. You can also try applying a UV protectant spray when you are outside in the sun. Anti-frizz or shine serums can also be helpful to seal in moisture while preventing the humidity from ruining your hairstyle. To maintain your hair soft and healthy during the summer, use hair masks more frequently and watch your healthy and beautiful hair glow!