The Juicy Beauty Word

Exfoliation. It's a big deal in skin care. Exfoliation removes dead skin which makes our skin look younger, helps prevent clogged pores and promotes collagen production. There is an enormous emphasis on exfoliation in the skin care industry right now. Maybe too much emphasis.  Can exfoliation be over done? It can indeed be over done. Especially in the winter when the skin is in a dryer, more delicate condition. Signs that your skin is over exfoliated: Dehydrated, dry and tight feeling skin Skin has a burning sensation Skin care products burn when applied Sensitive, irritated, rashy areas Flaking Redness If your skin is feeling this way, stop all forms of exfoliation and use a gentle, minimal skin care routine to let the skin calm and heal. Skin Care Products to heal Over Exfoliated Dehydrated Skin Use No Exfoliation Products, at All!   There are a lot of exfoliating products and exfoliating ingredients hidden in skin care and makeup products. E...

The weather has gotten cold and wintry here in the Philadelphia area. That means dry skin.  Our skin can get so dry and dehydrated in the cold winter air, that it can split open and feel like a paper cut. Splits in the fingertips  hurt and make it hard to do everyday tasks. Plus, any openings in the skin allow germs to enter in which can cause an infection. My clients have been coming in with super dry skin and splits in their fingertips. The l ack of humidity in the outside air and the dry heated air inside buildings, exposure to water, exposure to strong chemicals like nail polish remover and cleaning products are the perfect recipe for dehydrated skin that can lead to splits.  We have to take extra care to prevent the dryness that can lead to splits. For instance, I have to protect my thumb while removing the polish from my client's nails to prevent the skin on my thumb from splitting.  Working with paper, clay, fabric and clothing also causes dehydration....

Who doesn't love a nice cocktail or a relaxing glass of wine at the end of a long day?  It's always 5 o'clock somewhere they say!  We may love it but our skin says please don't! Skin and the Side Effects of Alcohol The problem is, too much alcohol dehydrates the skin leaving it dry, flaky and irritated.  It can inflame capillaries increasing redness in the skin. It can also trigger a rosacea flare up. It can cause a flaky scalp as well.  I have read that Jennifer Lopez doesn't drink alcohol due to the effects alcohol has on the skin. Her skin is incredibly glowy and beautiful. Well, I am still going to indulge in a cocktail or a glass of wine.....or two on occasion!  I tell myself that r ed wine is full of the anti-aging antioxidant Resveratrol. Okay. I know. They say you need to drink bottles of it per day to receive a beneficial amount, but I say, any little bit helps.  There are a couple things you can do to curb the dehydration of the skin as you en...

Removing dead dry skin and applying oil helps make our skin look and feel better. That makes this Ginger Sugar Scrub a perfect cold weather skin treatment.  Ginger not only is tasty with sushi, it is great for skin too. Ginger contains the anti oxidants that fight damaging free radicals It is anti inflammatory and kills bacteria acne causing bacteria It increases circulation It has a warming effect on the skin It can lighten age spots and give skin a more even tone Ginger Sugar Scrub This scrub is easy to make with simple ingredients you can easily find at your grocery store. 1 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup of olive oil 1 teaspoon of grated ginger Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Transfer the scrub in to a small jar or tube.  How to use your scrub: Wet your skin in a warm shower. Apply sugar scrub to your body massaging in circular motions. Shower off, wrap yourself in a big fluffy towel to dry, then apply...