Skincare: The Journey

Belinda Keatts | June 13, 2012 | 0 Comments

There is a confession that must be made, all beauty editors are makeup connoisseurs; which sounds better than makeup junkie. I am included in these ranks. My love of makeup aside there is a soft spot in my heart for skin care. Excuse me while I get a little personal; growing up I didn’t have great skin. I had terrible acne, my skin was oily and I looked at other girls with flawless complexions and had a serious case of skin envy. My tweens, teens and early adult years (yes it lasted for that long) were tough. I am going to bring some great skincare brands to you over the next few days so you don’t have to suffer with problem plagued skin. Before the brand reviews we need to talk about and understand the largest organ we have – the skin.

Skin is a complex and amazing organ. Skin has many layers – it has to defend and protects. Listen those skin cells work hard and as they rise to the surface they die. To help with all of those functions is sebum. All skin has sebum, it is a good thing. Sebum protects the cells and keeps skin supple. It can be a benefit and a curse. When everything is in balance and harmony you have normal skin. Too much sebum and you have oily skin, not enough sebum dry skin abounds.

Normal skin will self exfoliate at a rate where sebum doesn’t get trapped under the skin. When the skin is slow to exfoliate or the sebum production is overactive you get the oft dreaded acne. There are two types of exfoliators chemical and manual. Manual exfoliants are often labeled scrubs; these products have little granules that physically remove skin. With chemical exfoliators there are ingredients that will help break up the bonds between the cells.

When my skin needs a little boost there are some great treatments out there that leave my skin glowing. I love the Masque*ology Masks and Sulwhasoo Masks for that extra skin oomph.

Masque*ology: These are single use masks that target specific problems. Two standout face masks are the Pore Minimizing ($24) and the Brightening Masks ($24). Large pores are a plague in the upper cheek area on my face. The Pore Minimizing Mask not only reduces the appearance of large pores it will leave skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. This mask has sodium hyaluronate holds 1000 its weight in water and will hydrate the skin. There is also mushroom extract which reduces inflammation, brightens skin while fading sun spots and acne scars. Mushroom extract also serves to exfoliate the skin while the ceramide 3 repairs the skin tone. This mask is packed with wonderful ingredients which not only reduce pore size but also firms and tighten skin.

When my skin needs a boost and it doesn’t look its best I opt for the Masque*ology Brightening Mask. This mask has niacinamide which is great for acne prone skin and those who are suffering from roseacea. These masks work wonders for your complexion. In 20 minutes you will feel refreshed and revived. I love to use these when I need a little boost to my skin care regimen.

Kate Sommerville: So many products – so many winners. Exfolikate ($85) has a cult phenomenon. Such a lovely exfoliator that is quick and effective. It will leave you with great skin and honestly can only be beat by meeting with legendary Kate herself. There are the wonderful Clinic-To- Resurfacing Peel Pads ($48). Seriously, you can reveal heathy, beautiful, glowing skin in just 28 days. These pads are packed with the good essential acids for face exfoliation. You have your AHAs with your lactic acid to jump start it all but they also have myrtle and sage extract to calm the skin. You want skin clarity – this is skin clarity in a box. Use them twice per week and it will transform your skin.