| Colangelo: Help Keep Your ‘Aging’ Skin Blemish-Free |
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| Wednesday, March 04, 2009 09:23 AM |
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I got into the skincare field for two reasons. One was because ever since I was a little girl I absolutely loved to play with make-up and as I got older, I would spend hours experimenting on different looks. The second reason was because as a young adult, I developed acne. The dermatologist prescribed tetracycline, which I would have to take internally for who knows how long. I knew I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to learn how to clear up my skin myself, so I attended Esthetics School in Lancaster, Pa., and I have been hooked ever since. If you have been struggling with mild acne as an adult, here are some tips to keep your skin blemish-free. 1. Wash your face morning and night. I was recently at SoNapa Wine Co. and was speaking with a lady about skin care when she told me she leaves her make-up on at night and never washes her face at night. I didn’t quite know what to say! As you sleep, your skin is ‘recharging’ itself with new cells, so why not help it out with a fresh slate. Use a cleanser that has exfoliating and germ-killing properties such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit acids, triclosan (some say not to use triclosan because of bacterial resistance. I have been using it on and off for years and seem to be OK). Use a soft washcloth with your cleanser and warm water. With your washcloth and cleanser, use circular movements around your face and neck and rinse, rinse, rinse with warm water. 2. Treatment Products. I have used and tried everything for acne, but I have found some products that work more than others. (I understand that certain products don’t work for everyone, but if you’re still breaking out, why not give them a try!). Benzoyl peroxide cream has worked for me for years. I use it every evening after I wash my face and every morning under my make-up. It helps to dry up blemishes and kill the bacteria that causes acne. I use Persa-Gel by Clean and Clear. You can purchase it in any drugstore. Glycolic acid products have been wonderful in helping to keep my skin clear. I use a 5% or 10% glycolic treatment on my face three times a week. While it helps to clear up my skin, it also helps stimulate collagen and elastin which also helps to soften my fine lines and wrinkles. It also clarifies my skin, making it look smooth. OnlyYourx skin care products carries glycolic acid in 5%, 7.5% and 10%. There are also some good drug and department store skincare products that use glycolic acid. 3. Hydrate! Even though you have a tendency to break out, you must still hydrate your skin to keep it balanced. I have talked about moisturizers before. I recommend moisturizers that have very little ingredients in them. I have found that moisturizers for sensitive skin are best as they don’t contain acne-causing ingredients that can irritate your skin, such as mineral-oil, high sunscreen content or irritating preservatives. It would be a plus if you can find moisturizers that are anti-oxidant rich too. There are now many of these Sensitive moisturizers to choose from at your drug or department store. Some other tips, remember to change your pillowcase at least every other night, use hypo-allergenic make-up products, eat foods rich in antioxidants and get your beauty sleep! Amy Colangelo has been an esthetician for 20 years and a master esthetician for 8 years. She has been an international educator for world-class resorts and spas. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
