Three steps to brightening skin

10736109_s1. Load up on lighteners:

There are lots of vitamins and botanical that fade spots by interrupting melanin production, including vitamin C, vitamin B3 (Niacin-amide), soy, licorice, arbutin, and kojic acid. But they work in slightly different ways, so fit as many into your daily regimen as possible.

In the morning, wear brighteners that are also anti-oxidants, such as vitamin C, licorice, or soy. Try EILEEN MAI Vitamin C serum with a sunscreen such as EILEEN MAI Vitamin C Daily Protection Moisturizer SPF 30.

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How does BENZOYL PEROXIDE helps with fighting acne?

19229260_sThe P.acnes bacteria that cause acne can not live in an oxygen rich environment which Benzoyl Peroxide provides when it comes in contact with the skin so breakouts are reduced. It is also a keratolytic, providing exfoliating benefits in the pores to prevent clogging. It is used in 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations depending on the severity of acne and sensitivity level of the skin although higher concentrations are not always more effective.

Benzoyl Peroxide can be found in many over the counter creams, gels and lotions as well as in stronger prescription products. After acne has improved, product usage is still necessary for preventative reasons.

Benzoyl peroxide products should be discussed with your physician if you are pregnant or nursing. It can also bleach fabric so it’s best to protect your clothing and linens when using products with this ingredient. Side effects range from mild to severe dryness, peeling and swelling so careful selection of other skin care products should be made so as not to increase the severity of these effects. It should not be used in conjunction with any acne prescriptions to avoid drying and irritating the skin.

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Even Out Your Skin Tone – Treatments for Sun Spots, Age Spots, Hyperpigmentation

16969568_sExcessive sun exposure may have damaged the cells that produce melanin, leading to dark spots on your face, chest, and hands. You can’t just treat spots; you have to protect your skin from the sun every day or the spots will come back.

  • In the morning, smooth on a serum that has a potent antioxidant and skin lightening property such as vitamin C, kojic acid, or niacinamide to help minimize discoloration and protect skin from sun damage. These products can also be used at night. Try EILEEN MAI® Vitamin C serum, EILEEN MAI® Brightening Serum, or EILEEN MAI® Niacin Complex

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Is Mineral Makeup Really Good for Your Skin?

3971122_sMore and more people are becoming concerned about the ingredients of the products they’re using on their skin, for the immediate issue of wanting healthy glowing skin, and for the long -term concern about health and longevity. There is a heightened incidence of chemical sensitive people and increasing cancer rates. We’ll discuss a few key ingredients that can be found in “mineral makeup” but should be avoided.

Bismuth Oxychloride: (which is also known as synthetic pearl) is a popular additive used by those big name Mineral Makeup companies. They use it because it is a cheap filler and it has a distinct shimmery, pearlescent appearance and a fine white powder texture that adheres well to skin.

The claim for bismuth oxychloride is that it is all-natural and better for skin than talc. In fact, in many ways talc is a more natural, unadulterated, pure ingredient than bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth oxychloride, which seldom occurs in nature, is manufactured by combining bismuth, a by-product of lead and copper metal refining, with chloride (chlorine compound) and water. It is non- toxic but due to it’s close chemical resemblance to arsenic it irritates the skin and causes redness and itching.

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High-SPF Sunscreens: Are They Better?

model with sun shapeWhen you’ve shopped for sunscreens, you have probably noticed products with very high sun protection factor (SPF) ratings. But is a 100+ or a 90+ sunscreen really that much better than one with an SPF of 30?

What is SPF?

SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which are more closely linked to deeper skin damage. Both UVA and UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer. Look for sunscreen labeled Broad-Spectrum and contains ingredient zinc oxide for both UVA / UVB protection. It is the broadest spectrum UVA and UVB absorber that is approved for use in sunscreen by the FDA.

The SPF rating is a measure of the time it would take you to sunburn if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take with sunscreen on.

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Get Youthful Skin: 10 Easy Anti-Aging Tricks

model with sun shapeThe simple things you can do to take years…and years…and years off your face.

SHRINK YOUR PORES

Your pores expand as gunk accumulates in them—and the older you get, the more likely they are to stay expanded. Put them on a diet by switching to a cleanser with salicylic acid, which dissolves the oil in the pores. It also helps slough away dead skin that can lead to clogging. Salicylic Cleansing Gel is the best choice for oily and acne-prone skin.

SLATHER ON THE SUNSCREEN

By now you probably know that you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30, that you have to slather a tablespoon’s worth of the stuff on your face and a shot glass–size dollop on your body…and that it’s necessary to reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors, including any time spent in your car. Now you just need to do it—every single day.

You should try Vitamin C Moisturizer SPF 30 , a non-greasy, odorless, broad spectrum UVA/UVB moisturizer with high concentration of super antioxidant Vitamin C, is suitable for all skin types.

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Taking Care of Oily / Acne-Prone Skin

13089410_sLoading up on too many oil and shine fighters can strip skin of moisture. Here’s how to create balance and a clearer complexion.

  • To unclog pores, wash your face morning and night with a cleanser containing salicylic acid, try EILEEN MAI® Salicylic Cleansing Gel.  Avoid washcloths – they rupture pimples. Leave cleanser on for a minute; rinse with lukewarm water.

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Alpha Hydroxy Acids

IMG_9576What are AHAs?

AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, are acids that are used as ingredients in skincare, that help to remove dead skin cells from the surface layer of the skin. Some of them (although not all of them) are derived from fruit, so AHAs are sometimes referred to as “fruit acids”.

What types of AHAs are there?

  • Glycolic acid – from sugar, or unripe grapes.

  • Lactic acid – from milk.

  • Malic acid – from apples.

  • Citric acid – from citrus fruits or pineapples.

Glycolic acid and Lactic acid are probably the best known and most common AHAs.

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Never Use These 12 Ingredients in DIY beauty

15809422_m - Copy (6)Homemade beauty treatments can be a lot of a fun and a great way to save time and money. However, you have to be very careful about the ingredients you choose. Some ingredients are safe for the body, but not for the face. Others are dangerous when exposed to sun, and yet more are best to be left to the professionals!

1. Lemon
Lemon has many benefits from antibacterial to lightening, however, it is very acidic and can become phototoxic which means it can cause blisters or sunburns when exposed to light.

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Acne FAQs

19229260_sWhat causes acne, and how can I prevent it?

Whatever your age, breakouts have similar causes. Hormones play a big role: Your body starts producing them during puberty and continues through adulthood, flaring back up in your 40s. Controlling your diet can help. Try to minimize intake of dairy and sugary snacks and drinks, which can worsen acne. Stress is another trigger. To relax, participate in a stress-reducing activity regularly. Exercise, meditation and yoga are good options.

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