Tag: Skincare Guides

Blackheads vs Whiteheads?

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Did you know that there are a number of different types of pimples? It can be difficult to classify exactly what kind of blemish you’re dealing with, but two of the most common forms are blackheads and whiteheads. You’re probably already familiar with them — one looks like a small, dark spot while the other tends to look more like a raised bump. 

Both blackheads and whiteheads are clogged pores, but the opening of the pore is different in each. In a blackhead, the part of the pore at the surface of the skin is stretched and open. The black color you see consists of dead skin cells, bacteria and oil that’s oxidized and stuck down in the pore. Because the top of the pore is open, the scientific term for a blackhead is an open comedone. 

A whitehead is also a clogged pore, but unlike a black head, the top of the pore is not stretched open. The surface of the pore is closed, so dermatologists call this a closed comedone.

Let us tap in together to find the break down of what makes blackheads different from whiteheads, what causes these blemishes, and of course, the best plan of attack for both. 

How to Treat Blackheads and Whiteheads

Luckily, treating blackheads and whiteheads is relatively simple.

If you have clogged pores of any kind — blackheads or whiteheads — we recommend using a cleanser that contains exfoliating and acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. Start out with a gentle cleanser like the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash ( $14.99 ), that removes dirt, oil and makeup while also gently exfoliating to prevent pores from clogging in the first place. 

To prevent excess oil that can clog pores, it’s important not to dehydrate your skin by over cleansing (cleanse twice daily and if your skin feels tight or itchy afterwards, look for a more gentle option). Use a non-comedogenic cream like the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ( $9.99 ).

Dr. Nazarian says that a retinol product like ProactivMD or Differin gel is a good place to start. This loosens the blackheads and makes it easier, and less dangerous to push out,” she explains. But while retinol works to decrease oil production and minimize the sebaceous glands, you should be cautious — over-using it can make skin too dry. Once or twice a week is a safe bet. Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment ( $12.99 ), contains the first OTC Rx-strength acne-fighting retinoid. Retinoids play a crucial role in the treatment of acne by regulating skin cell turnover & reducing inflammation deep in the skin to clear & prevent pimples. What makes the retinoid in Differin (Adapalene) so cool is that, unlike other topical prescription retinoids, Differin is gentler on your skin, while still effective — and you don’t have to do things like completely avoid sunlight forever!

As for picking your blackheads, proceed with caution. After a few weeks of using a treatment, the blackheads will typically pop out with gentle pressure. If they’re not budging, see your dermatologist to avoid damaging your tissue and causing scarring!

When dealing with whiteheads, retinol or salicylic acid can help clear the buildup out of pores. “For whiteheads, salicylic acid is great because it breaks up the ‘glue’ that keeps dead skin cells together, and can degrade the keratin plug in the whitehead,” Dr. Nazarian explains. 

How to Prevent Blackheads and Whiteheads 

Whether you get blackheads and whiteheads, it boils down to genetics. However, there’s a few steps you can take in your skincare routine to minimize both types of breakouts. Look for products that say they’re “non-comedogenic” because they don’t contain ingredients that clog pores. 

You also need to be consistent with your skincare routine. Retinoids and salicylic acid are great at dissolving blackheads and whiteheads, but you need to continue using them to prevent them from refilling and reforming. It typically take about four to six weeks to dissolve blackheads and whiteheads, so be patient.

You can also talk to your dermatologist about prescription options if breakouts persist. Prescribed solutions like vitamin A-based creams can prevent pores from becoming clogged as well as prevent the formation of larger acne lesions. 

And whatever you do, don’t squeeze either of them! Squeezing may seem satisfying in the moment, but can do damage in the long term.

DO YOU HAVE BLACKHEADS OR WHITEHEADS? COMMENT BELOW ON HOW YOU TAKE CARE OF IT!

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MOISTURISING VS HYDRATING

Published on by Lee8 Comments

Raise your hand if you use the words hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably. Yes, a lot of us do that all the time.

When it comes to the beauty industry, there are a lot of terms to be learned. And the biggest culprits we’ve noticed falling into this category are the words ‘hydrate’ and ‘moisturize’. While they both address the importance of nourishing our skin, they should not be treated as the same thing.

Which is why we’ve put together a simple guide detailing the difference between the two, to ensure that you get optimum benefits out of both.

Dry versus dehydrated skin – is there a difference?

Yes.

The term ‘dehydrated‘ is used to describe lack of water, while the term ‘dry’ loosely translates to lack of oil. Hence, dehydrated skin needs to be hydrated (as it lacks water), and dry skin needs to be moisturized (as it lacks oil).

Hydrating adds moisture to the skin

If there’s one thing that Korean skincare has taught us is that hydrating makes all the difference when it comes to healthy and glowy skin.

When skin cells are well hydrated they swell to be plump, bouncy and reflect light effectively. If water flows out of the cells they become dehydrated and can shrivel up, which leads to lackluster skin. Imagine your skin cells are mini water balloons. In their healthiest state, they are full of water, firm, bouncy, plump and reflect light.

Now imagine these mini balloons have a slow leak where the water is steadily escaping. What happens to the balloon? It loses its rounded plump shape, it is less bouncy and as the water gets low it shrivels up and becomes dull looking.

Even if we find the leak and patch it up, the skin still needs a fresh infusion of water to refill what’s been lost. In addition, it needs support to hold onto the water.

This is where skin hydrators come in. Hydration refers to the amount of water in the skin. And hydrator are products formulated with special ingredients to increase the water content of the skin.

And what are these special ingredients? Humectants. Humectants absorb moisture from the environment and deliver it down to the skin’s layers, facilitating hydration. Glycerin and honey are some great examples.

Therefore, hydration replenishes all the water that the skin has lost and adds some more for good measure.

So, up the water content of your skin by incorporating a hydrator into your daily routine and drinking enough water. A water-based daily cream like TATCHA Water Cream ( $20 ), hydrates the skin deeply while lending it a moisturized finish all through the day. Not only will doing so help your skin regain its proper moisture balance, but will also increase the powers of your moisturizer.

Moisturizing locks moisture into the skin

Hydration is a like a glass of water for your skin. It doesn’t matter how many glasses your skin drinks every day, if there’s nothing keeping this water in, it’ll evaporate, leaving your skin dry.

Enter moisturizing. Moisturizing forms a barrier on the skin that locks water in so it can’t run away anymore and works towards retaining what moisture is present on the skin at the time of application. By forming a protective seal on the skin’s surface, moisturizers are able to reduce the risk of the evaporation throughout the day.

Hence, moisturizing is non-negotiable (even if your skin is oily). For oily skin, choose a gel based moisturizer like KIEHL’S SINCE 1851 Ultra Facial Cream Mini ( $22 ) and ORIGINS GinZing™ Oil- Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturizer ( $30 ). For dry skin, choose something that intensely hydrates like TATCHA The Dewy Skin Cream ( $68 ) and OLEHENRIKSEN C-Rush™ Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer ( $46 ). If you have combination skin, try FARMACY Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya ( $38 ), and TATA HARPER Hyaluronic Acid Gel Moisturizer ( $116 ).

What your skin needs

But you may ask if both moisturizers and hydrators provide our skin with moisture, how do we know which of the two our skin needs?

Well, the answer is both.

Dehydrated skin that is moisturized will still look dull and feel uncomfortably tight, without receiving hydration. And dry skin that is hydrated but not moisturized will still flake and have a rough texture. So, you need to stock up on both hydrators and moisturizers, or products that offer a combination of them together.

Hydrators and moisturizers are not just synonyms written on products as part of a clever marketing scheme, to make you buy more than you need. They really do have a purpose of their own and together, keep the skin looking plump and happy.

For best results, hydrators and moisturizers should be applied morning (before sunscreen) and night. You can apply moisturizing lotions or creams after applying your hydrator so it doesn’t peel.

Wait… here are 3 ways to hydrate your skin

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. If you drink caffeine or alcohol drink that much more water. I find that I need an app to help me stay on track with my water consumption. Tracking my consumption and getting little reminders throughout the day has made a huge difference in the amount of water I drink. There are many water tracker apps that are free. For the ladies: Flo is a women’s health app, that supports women at each stage of their reproductive cycle. It tracks menstruation, cycle prediction, preparation for conception, pregnancy, early motherhood and menopause. And, you know what else it tracks? Water intake! Download Flo for free to start tracking.

MIST YOUR SKIN. Carry a small bottle of hydrosol in your bag or backpack to mist your face throughout the day. Look for with a hydrosol mist of aloe with floral or herbal infusions for the best overall skin pick me up. Try e.l.f. Soothing Aloe Facial Mist ( $8 ) which moisturizes and refreshes skin with invigorating scent. Perfect to start or end your day with, or even as a mid-day refresher. Like a cool glass of water for parched skin After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist ($20) provides breathable, lightweight hydration that skin will instantly drink up and MARIO BADESCU Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater ( $12 ) is another great choice! This floral face mist features complexion-loving rose and gardenia extracts, skin-softening bladderwrack (a type of mineral-rich seaweed) extract, and clarifying thyme extract to boost the complexion. Mist whenever, wherever for radiant and re-energized skin.

Note: Avoid any mists that contain alcohol. This can dry the skin and defeat the purpose of this hydration boost.] If you feel self-conscious misting yourself in public, you can always do it in the bathroom as a final refresher after you wash your hands.

APPLY SERUMS DAILY. Especially those that contain hyaluronic acid. I especially love to wear this in the morning to keep my skin supported throughout the day when it needs the most help staying hydrated. I rarely ever skip this step.

If you are in a hurry and need to cut down on your routine, find another way to shave off time in your morning prep and keep this step as a non-negotiable. Your skin will thank you today and years from now.

Choices of Serums: THE ORDINARY Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ( $6.80 ), Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum ( $24.99 ), Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum ( $65 ), DRUNK ELEPHANT B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum ( $48 ), PAULA’S CHOICE Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster Concentrated Serum ( $39 ), kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum ( $68 ), Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum ( $48 ), Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Booster Serum ( $80 ), Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II ( $103 ), CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum ( $18.99) and L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum ( $23.99 ).

Primp Tip: While you’re shopping, look for serums that have a one percent concentration of hyaluronic acid, as higher levels can cause skin irritation. And choose serums that have natural hyaluronic acid, plus vitamin C, without irritating ingredients, such as alcohol, sulphates, and parabens.

Have any other tips and tricks? I look forward to hearing how you get your daily hydration and moisture fix!

Joanna Vargas Skincare Bible

Published on by Lee4 Comments

Hello Beauties, by now everyone knows how Lee and her other Editors are obsessed with skincare. If you didn’t know then you have either been living under a rock or new here; so ” Welcome To BeautyLeeBar ” aka your new favorite beauty go-to blog. Of course, we are still learning about our skin and learning about what oils, creams, and cleansers are the best for clear bright skin! But, when we find a product and a hack that works, we live by it religiously.

Today, I’m sharing a few tips and tricks I learned from Vargas’s book, Glow From Within. For even more tips and advice on skincare, nutrition, and self-care for glowing skin that shines from the inside, read the book. It includes juice recipes, DIY masks, and way more tips for good skin that would take me years to type out! 

JOANNA VARGAS

Glow from Within, $18.89

1. Your towel is a beauty tool

If you’re breaking out and can’t figure out why, it might be the towel you’re using on your face. For starters, Joanna explains that if you’re using a regular terrycloth towel while cleansing your face, it might be too abrasive. It also can easily harbor bacteria, fungus, mold, and mildew. Plus, dead skin cells and environmental debris can get into the fibers of the cloth from being used on your face. If you are going to use a towel to wash your face, Vargas recommends bamboo, muslin, or soft cotton towels. 

When it comes time to dry your face after washing, she says to use a different towel than what you used on your body, as this towel can have body wash, shampoos, and fragrances that you wouldn’t want on your face, as well as holding germs, mold, and the like. She also explains that you should hang the towel you use for your face outside of the bathroom to dry because of all the moisture that can build up in that room. Although not the environmentally-conscious choice, Vargas explains that those with acne-prone skin could try using paper towels instead of regular towels to dry their face, as to not spread bacteria. 

2. Focus on stress

If you’ve ever gotten a stress pimple, you’re aware of the cycle. Stressed out about work, friends, boyfriend, etc. → breaks out → stressed about breakout → breaks out more. According to Vargas, our body reacts to the fight-or-flight system we experience when we have chronic stress by producing cortisol and adrenaline, which do a lot of scientific things you don’t want me to attempt to explain—but they also signal our sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which can lead to clogged pores, pimples, and blackheads. But stress can also cause dullness (lack of blood flow to the face because it’s reserved for your heart which is pounding out of your chest way too often), dry patches from a decrease in your body’s natural hyaluronic acid, and a breakdown of collagen. As you can see, stress is just not good for your skin. So, how does Joanna recommend stopping it? Well, she’s aware it’s easier said than done, but adding one or two stress-relieving activities to your schedule every day can decrease your body’s reaction to stress and reduce the likelihood of all that bad stuff happening. 

Vargas also goes into depth on why exercise, adequate sleep, and confidence play a part in the health of your skin. It’s no surprise that the way we treat our bodies (and minds) affects our appearance, but truly good skin can’t just rely on creams and cleansers.

Primp Tip

My all-time favorite brand to this day is AneseCo! Try Anese License to Chill The Stress Mask ( $33 ). Description: kick chronic and hormonal acne to the curb. Say byyye to clogged pores as a result of commuting, stressed-out skin from late nights, and tight deadlines. It can be used as a spot treatment or as a full mask. What Is It? License to Chill The Stress Mask, infused with relaxing eucalyptus oil, and made for the ultimate chill session. This product helps with Acne/blemishes, dullness, and softness. Feels clarifying and moisturizing. Skin is nice and soft afterward and is just a nice evening treat-myself ritual. I use it for about roughly twice a week.

  1. Texture: Clay, thick and creamy.
  2. Scent: naturally with eucalyptus oil.
  1. Cruelty-free
  2. Gluten-free
  3. Paraben-free
  4. Vegan

3. Follow a routine

Vargas detailed her foolproof 5-step skincare routine that anyone can do regardless of skin type. She goes into much more detail in the book, but her routine consists of: 

  1. Double-cleanse with a micellar water or oil/balm and foam cleanser
  2. Serum—her favorite ingredients are argan or jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, omega fatty acids and vitamin C
  3. Eye Cream– Lee new favorite eye cream
  4. Moisturize—ideally with a product that contains antioxidants, emollients, and products that replenish moisture and collagen levels
  5. Sunscreen during the day

Following a routine is about more than just the products you put on your skin; it’s about consistency and order. I’ve added products in to follow this routine, but I’ve done it slowly to make sure that I keep up with doing it every night, even when all I want to do it get to bed ASAP. 

4. Add in extras as needed

Along with her magic 5-step routine, Vargas recommends adding in those little extra indulgences. However, she says it’s good practice to get your routine down first before you add those in. This is where exfoliation (more on that later), masks, retinol, and toners come in. Once I got my routine down pat, I began adding these back in. It was helpful because I wasn’t relying on the extras to make my skin look good; that was the job of my daily routine. These just made my skin glow extra, helped with hyperpigmentation, and kept skin at bay. 

Primp Tip:

When it comes to dry skin, more is A+. Anese Can I Speak to your Manager? Facial Toner ( $24 ) gives your skin a healthy dose of I’m not going to settle for less. Packed with herbal extracts, antioxidants, and vitamins that cleanse, balance, and calm your skin. Don’t skip the toner, dirt is like a lingering ex-boyfriend. It’s time to take action and tone. This product helps with firming/plumping, Dryness, discoloration, and softness. This spray is amazing. It smells like I’m bathing in roses. If you don’t like the scent of roses, then I wouldn’t recommend. It feels so nice and refreshing to mist on after washing my face each night. The bottle is also much bigger than I expected, and the glass feels so thick and makes the bottle seem high-quality. 

Claims: Paraben free, sulfate free, not tested on animals, vegan, non-comodegenic, hypoallergenic.

What is it: A non-alcoholic toner made with over 5 botanical extracts that balances the pH level of your skin after using a harsh cleanser.

Texture: Clear, fine mist

Scent: Naturally and lightly scented

But wait, for more hydration, try Anese Pretty Sure I’m Gorgeous Clarifying Hydration Mask ($23 ). A clarifying and hydrating mask for when your skin and ego needs a boost. Tell acne-prone skin, large pores, and blemishes to chill. This mask is gentle and creamy. Say byyye to dirt, oil, and hello to hydration and tone. Apply a thick layer to cleansed skin, avoiding eye area. Rinse off after 10 minutes. Repeat twice a week. Use Anese Facial Toner Can I Speak To Your Manager afterward to seal the deal.

What is it: A clarifying charcoal creme mask for when your skin needs a boost. Perfect for acne prone and oily skin. Reduces the appearance of large pores and blemishes.

  • Texture: Creamy, gray natural color from activated charcoal.
  • Scent: Clean, fresh scent.

Ingredients that Stand Out: Activated charcoal, Organic Rooibios, Hyraluronic Acid, DMAE

Lee has struggled with terrible skin most of her life. She doesn’t have combination skin but did have to deal with blackheads and period/food acne. Since using Pretty Sure I’m Gorgeous Clarifying Hydration Mask, she has experience glowing skin and minimizes breakouts. Blackheads are gone and are highly impressed. 

5. Exfoliate with both methods

Vargas refers to exfoliation as “a facial in a jar,” explaining that a good exfoliation can go a long way in helping texture, acne, dullness, dehydration, and more. However, you can choose to exfoliate with an acid (such as AHAs/BHAs) or with a physical scrub (typically made of sugar or sand—avoid anything with microbeads as they’re terrible for the environment!). She says you can really choose to do either, but by doing both, you remove the dead skin cells with an acid and then physically remove them (along with dry patches!) with a scrub. Whatever you do, she explains to not exfoliate too often because you can irritate your skin or cause sensitivity. 

She also explains it is good practice to follow exfoliation with a good sheet mask or night cream, as they will nourish the skin after using a chemical or physical exfoliant. She also said she recommends clients use any kind of mask, especially clay masks, after exfoliating because it penetrates the skin and pores deeper.

Primp Tip:

Anese So over it Exfoliating enzyme mask ( $23 ) is perfect for those who have super over dry, flaky patches on their t-zone or if you desire that dewy look. So Over It is going to be your fresh face champion. 

What it is: A gentle enzymatic exfoliant made with papaya and pineapple enzymes.

  • Texture: Clear gel with hibuscus
  • Scent: Not scented
  • Claims: Vegan, paraben free, phthalates free, cruelty free

I have tried all of their masks now. I love them all for different reasons, but this is the favorite. I love how ridiculously smooth and soft it makes my face. It helps so much with the texture of my skin. It doesn’t overdry my skin though. Been a staple in my routine!

6. Hot date tomorrow? Try these tips

Vargas gives a few tips to prepare your skin when you have one day between you and a big day (such as a date, a party, a photoshoot, or just a regular old Tuesday). After going through your typical night routine, she says to sleep in a mask (or leave it on as long as you can). If you have any active breakouts, use a clay mask as a spot treatment and use a hydrating or soothing mask everywhere else. 

Then, she explains to do a facial massage the day of the event as you’re applying your skin prep before makeup to reduce puffiness and promote brighter skin. 

Primp Tip:

Anese Slay Skin Perfecting Serum ( $49 ) is the ultimate facial serum made from DMAE, Vitamin E and Green Algae. Tell dry skin and fine lines to chill the F out. Who doesn’t want an upgrade in skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration?

What it is: The ultimate facial serum. Use this on your face after cleansing to firm, moisturize and reduce fine lines.

Apply a layer of slay before your makeup or before bed, after cleansing. You can also apply a thicker than usual layer as an extreme hydrating mask.

  • Texture: Creamy, white.
  • Scent: No scent, no fragrance added.
  • Claims: Vegan, cruelty free.
  • Ingredients that Stand Out: DMAE, Vitamin E, Organic Blue Green Algae.

SHOP STORY:

What is the best beauty tip you’ve learned so far? Comment down below!

Discovered a New Way to Use a Cult Classic Eye Cream and Makeup Has Never Looked Smoother

Published on by Lee4 Comments

The perfect eye cream is hard to find. It has to have the right consistency, a formula that won’t give you milia or cause irritation and a blend of ingredients that actually delivers noticeable results. So once that holy grail is in your possession, there’s really no turning back. For many, that eye cream is the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado — it’s a bona fide classic. 

As its name suggests, the formula is creamy and emollient, yet is fast-absorbing and non-greasy. The star ingredient is avocado oil, which is packed with fatty acids to moisturize and soften skin, plus beta-carotene for a dose of antioxidants and shea butter to hydrate and make skin supple. Plus, a little goes a long way, so you get plenty of mileage out of a small tub. As if we needed another reason to love this eye cream, we recently discovered a new way to use it: as a primer for eye makeup. Trust and believe, it’s a game-changer. 

When we typically apply eye cream, we use a finger to lightly tap it (never pull or tug at the skin!) along the orbital bone, starting at the edge of the nose and outwards, and then up to brow bone. To try the primer hack, take another fingertip-full and gently apply it over the eyelid before going in with your concealer or eyeshadow. 

Unlike so many other eye creams, the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado doesn’t slide all over the place or make your skin oily or sticky. Instead, skin is smooth and hydrated, i.e. the perfect base for crease-free, long-lasting makeup. 

In addition to your shadow, your under-eye concealer will get the same red-carpet treatment. You’ll find that when applied after the Kiehl’s eye cream, your product glides on evenly without flaking and never settles into your fine lines which can make them look more pronounced. 

Excuse us as we add another tub – or three – to our carts. 

Did You Try Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado? YAY OR NAY? COMMENT BELOW.