Easy Skincare Tips For Men

If you're a guy that merely washes your face with soap and water and think that counts as your skincare, it’s time for you to reconsider your skincare game. While I am not suggesting going out and purchasing all kinds of skincare products to have a successful regimen in place, it is essential to implement a routine. So, if you want to find out how to up your skincare routine continue reading.

Easy Skincare Tips For Men

A Smarter Shave
Exfoliation
Although shaving does exfoliate the skin, you want to make sure to add some additional exfoliation to help remove any impurities and dead skin cells. An excellent skincare approach is to exfoliate your face with a Sonic Cleansing device before a shave. This will allow you to get a tighter shave which equals smoother skin. Also, cleansing and exfoliation before you shave will cut down on the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

Additional Prepping Of The Skin Before You Shave
Now that you have exfoliated your face, you want to prep the skin/hair, and that doesn't mean just splashing water on your face. At the same time over prepping can also be problematic.

For starters, you want to use a hot towel (but not hot enough to irritate the skin) or plan to shave after a shower. If you have a thicker beard or long stubble, use an electric razor on its lowest setting to trim the hair first, before beginning to prep for your shave.

Water Temperature
Whilst we did mention using a hot towel, the temperature of the water you use while shaving is essential. Thus, you want to avoid exposing your face to very hot water! Why? Because heat causes inflammation and this can break down collagen and elastin making you age more quickly, and no one wants that, not even a man!

Razor Tips
You want to always shave with a sharp razor (blades usually last 6-8 shaves). A dull razor can cause you to apply too much pressure which, in turn, can irritate the skin as well as leading to unwanted cuts and nicks. The amount of pressure applied when shaving, seems to be the most common mistake people make, but it’s the easiest to avoid, according to Harry's Grooming. Instead, you want to gently glide the razor across your skin for the best close shave.

Furthermore, you do not want to cheap out, hence investing in a quality razor is a must to avoid nicks, razor burns, and other skin problems.

Products To Use When Shaving
Although soaps and shaving creams feel and look like they have comparable properties, soap removes dirt & oil from the skin, working against your shave. On the other hand, some shaving products provide excess moisture and slip agents to decrease friction. Therefore, you want to stick to quality shaving products to find a happy medium. Furthermore, you want to be using shaving products that also provide hydration, like Harry’s Shaving Gel.  This gel has natural ingredients to include aloe and cucumber which are great at hydrating and refreshing the skin.

Your Skin May Be Clean But Is Your Towel
After shaving your face, it’s best to pat dry with a clean towel, but is your cloth clean? Washcloths can become an ideal nesting place for the mildew, bacteria and more. The last thing you want to be doing it putting this back on your clean shaved face and opened pores. Yes, this may seem simple, but it is imperative that you are using a clean, fresh towel after each shave as aside from infections and blemishes, bacteria can cause inflammation which too can lead to premature aging!

Skincare Tips For Men

Men usually prefer to keep their skincare routine a bit simpler than women, and that is okay, but no matter what YOU NEED A ROUTINE! Some men do not, hence developing and maintaining a daily skincare habit is the first tip in skincare for men.

Skincare Products
Look At The Ingredients
You want to be mindful of your skin type and your skin’s needs as the skincare products you choose will depend on your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin you want to stay away from products that have artificial fragrances and synthetics in them as these ingredients can cause your skin to become irritated and dry.

When To Apply
The best time to apply a skincare product is after you have shaved as shaving has sloathed away any dead skin cells, so there is not any bearer to block the absorption of a product.

Products To Use
A toner is a must and the first you should use. By adding the right toner to your routine, you can really up your skincare regimen as toners are great for helping to prep your skin for anti-aging treatments and serums

After using a toner, you then want to apply your treatment focused serums, moisturizer, and antiaging products.

Check the Expiration Date On Your Skincare Products
Unlike women, most men are not on top of their skincare and can neglect an essential aspect of it, which is to make sure to check the shelf life on these and don’t hesitate to discard any outdated products. Skincare products are always evolving, so when you get rid of older products, you make room for formulas that contain the latest advancements in the beauty industry. So, if you have wanted to indulge in some great skincare products, this is an excellent time to go and splurge on yourself.

Wear A Sunscreen
Men are usually more physically active outdoors than women thus to help prevent sun damage that can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, sun spots and even skin cancer, before going outdoors, always apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin.

In conclusion, just like women, every man’s skin is different, but when it comes to skincare, there is not a one size fits all. But what is for sure is that if you don’t have a skincare regimen in place, hopefully after reading this you will!

What The Heck Is A Toner And Why Should It Be Added To Your Skincare Routine

With so many skincare products out there is hard to choose and more importantly, know what product is best for what.

Today, I am going to share with you the importance of adding a "Toner" into your skincare regimen and ...

Why the heck do you need to use a toner?

When it comes to skincare, toner does seem to be one of those products that get missed, I know as I did it for years. I thought it was a waste of time as I had already cleaned my face. Furthermore, from experience toners were way too astringent, drying and were focused more on treating acne and oily skin, but over the years they have changed to be quite the opposite.

By adding the right toner to your routine you can really up your skincare regimen as toners are great for helping to prep your skin for anti-aging treatments and serums and being a woman in her forties, I sure as heck need this!

So, if you want to find out a bit more about toner, continue reading.

When Should You Use A Toner
Toners should be used immediately after cleansing as they help to thoroughly clear away makeup, dead skin cells and any other grime that may be left on your skin.

After using a toner, you then want to apply your treatment focused serums, moisturizer, and antiaging products.

Formula's To Avoid
There are many great toners out there, but it is essential when searching that you select one that does not have artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. You also want to stay away from a toner that has drying alcohol in it as it can be damaging to the skin. Not only can the harshness of the alcohol cause irritation and harm your skins protective surface, but it is also aging, and the last thing you want to do is to make your skin appear older.

Formula’s To Try
As I mentioned, it wasn’t until recently that I started adding toner to my skincare routine. I have been using Itcosmetics Miracle Water, which is a 3 in 1 Tonic that transforms your complexion and maximizes the results of your skincare routine.  I could see a difference in my skin after just a few uses and realized; I’ve been missing out!

Why Toner Is Great For Everyday Use
Our skin is exposed to tons of environmental aggressors that are continually assaulting our skin. Factors, like pollution, dirt, oil, debris and even makeup can settle into our pores, dulling our skin's radiance and blocking our serums and creams from absorbing correctly. Hence, having a product like ITcosmetics Miracle water is a forty-year-old's skincare savior. This lightweight no-rinse Micellar cleanser helps to balance the complexion and boost the look of radiance. Plus, it helps rid your skin of those pore-clogging impurities.

This toner is also infused with their Secret Sauce™ Fermented Complex, a clinically advanced combination of penetration-enhancing fermented ingredients that work to increase absorbency and maximize the efficacy of your moisturizers and serums!

 
What makes this a 3 in 1 formula?  Well simply put it delivers 3 products in one…

• Skin-brightening radiance booster
• Anti-aging treatment essence
• Skin-softening micellar cleanser 

Overall Benefits Of Using A Toner
1. Wipes away any residual impurities left behind by your cleanser.
2. Improves the appearance of uneven tone, texture, and enlarged pores.
3. Aids in promoting the PH balance for a healthier looking complexion.
4. Adds a layer of protection to the surface of the skin.
5. Helps to provide hydration for a firmer look.
6. Can help your other skincare products to absorb and penetrate more quickly.

So as you can see, there are many reasons as to why a toner should be part of your daily skincare routine. So, now the question should be "Why The Heck Are You Not Using It."

Spa At Home With Your Girlfriends With Exuviance Performance Facial Peel AP25

While the holidays can be so much fun, they can also be a bit stressful, and this stress can have a negative impact on our skin. Whether short or long term, it is crucial to find ways to lessen the holiday burden to not only to help you feel and look happier but also for your skin.

As most of us know, that holiday stress shows up in our face, which can potentially aggravate skin conditions and cause premature aging, not what we want on our holiday wish list. So, when you start to feel stressed, try to slow down if possible. Also, working in some stress combating approaches like taking deeps breaths and relaxing for a few minutes can be beneficial.

Ways To Lesson Holiday Stress For Great Looking Skin

The first thing is to focus on what you can control. As you see, great looking skin involves a healthy lifestyle and proper skincare habits enabling you to produce a glowing, radiant looking complexion. Hence, what you put in your body is equally as important as what you put on it.

Another fantastic way is to find your Zen time by pampering yourself. Taking time out to pamper yourself is a must to survive the craziness some may endure during the holiday season. There is nothing like going to the spa for treatments, but they can sure be costly and who has time with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, so why not organize a skincare spa day with the girls.

That’s right why not treat your skin to a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home, and today I have the perfect skincare product for this party; Exuviance Performance Peel AP25.

Spa Day Peel Party With The Girls
A spa day doesn’t have to be expensive! Just ask each of them to bring something with them, and you can all unwind together with some wine, candles, snacks, warm fuzzy robes and some skincare and let me tell you it can be some fun as I just did it myself with a Peel Party.

I am in my forties and so are most of my girlfriends so when I told them about Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 for the younger looking skin they were all so excited.

You see as we age our cellular turnover slows down, meaning that our body is slower to shed dead skin cells and produce new ones.  However, if you are correctly exfoliating your skin, you do not have to rely on your body’s natural cell turnover to keep your complexion looking radiant and beautiful, and Exuviance Performance Peel was there to help us sloth away that unwanted dead skin cells.  Plus, by buffing away those dead skin cells, we were also making it easier for the skin to absorb moisturizers and other skin treatments.

The Peel Party Sponsor
Now before I get into the Peel we used for the Spa Day, I would like to tell you a bit about the brand that supplied the skincare products for my party, which is Exuviance.

Exuviance is a premium brand of highly efficient anti-aging solutions.  This company discovered the antiaging benefits of Glycolic Acid and created and patented the first Glycolic Peel, now how cool is that? Since their ground-breaking discovery, the creators of Exuviance have continued to develop many new patented antiaging ingredients backed by evidence from numerous scientific and clinical studies. Recognized around the world, Exuviance formulas are expertly designed to visibly transform skin by combining their patented innovations with the best, state of the art technologies available in dermatology today.

Skincare Product Details
The Performance Peel AP25 contains a 25% blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA) including Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, and Gluconolactone.

Performance Peel AP25 not only works at skin's surface to exfoliate dead, dull surface layers, it also enhances exfoliation to reveal fresher, healthier-looking skin.

While this product can be used up to twice a week, we did see some benefits right away, especially those who are not as skincare conscience as me.

With regular use, up to twice a week, this peel can help to:

• Refine pore size and smooth texture
• Visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve clarity and brightness
• Brighten and even skin tone
• Provide an all-over healthy glow, suppleness, and smoothness of skin

This product is two-step peel, and I gave each of the girls four pads. Two to use the day of the spa day and another to follow up later in the week.

 
Directions

1. Get everyone to cleanse their face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
2. Take the Exuviance "Activator Pad" and apply it all over the face, avoiding the eye area, lips, and any sensitive areas.
3. Carefully monitor the skin’s response to the peel by observing any redness or discomfort, including stinging, burning, itching, tightness, tingling and peeling.
4. About 10 minutes later you want to apply Step 2, the "Neutralizer Pad" all over the entire face, then rinse thoroughly with water.
5. Follow with a great moisturizer or serum.
6. Oh, and don’t forget the wine, not for your face silly, but to drink! 

So, as you can see with all of the stresses of everyday life and the holidays, it’s important that we take some time for ourselves…and just relax. Not all of us can afford the luxury of a day at the spa, but we can afford to spa at home and Exuviance is here to help with their Performace Peel AP 25.

Head To Toes Winter Skincare Tips

When people think of skincare, most think of the face, but it goes beyond that! Especially, for those in our forties as we get older some of can start to see the dreaded Turkey neck and more! Plus, when the weather gets colder, the humidity drops making our skin particularly vulnerable to dryness and cracking. But there are some things you can do to help prevent and treat some of these skincare issues.

Now before I get into the tips, I think it is important that you understand that as our skin ages, the skins natural renewal process slows down, which can cause dead cells to build up on the skin’s surface. This buildup can leave us with an uneven skin tone, roughness, and creates false wrinkles; it can also clog our pores, causing breakouts. Yuk, I know! And if that wasn't bad enough, our oil glands also become less active, which can make it harder to retain moisture in the skin.

With moisture zapped, our confidence can sometimes follow. On the other hand, if our skin is properly hydrated, it will be able to defend itself against some of those environmental factors, like dry weather, soaps, and dirt that can wreak havoc on our skin over the years!   That is why it is important that we have a great skincare regimen that is properly moisturizing and exfoliating our skin from the neck down!

Skincare Treatment And Preventative Tips From Your Head To Your Toes

Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must in your skincare arsenal, especially for that sun goddess. Sun does take a toll on your skin, with sunspots, dryness, looseness and more. Some of the most telling signs of aging skin are very distinct from the neck on down. Hence, no matter the time of year, use a sunscreen!

Moisturize
While the weather outside may be frightful, this doesn’t mean your skin needs to be as well.  During these cold winter months, our beauty regimen can sure be affected by these blistering cold winds.

Because of this, it is essential to take extra care of our ourselves, especially for those with sensitive skin as people with sensitive skin need to stay away from artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances. And adding a product like Nature Well Beauty Moisturizing Trio can be a plus.

NatureWell Beauty
Now before I get into the product, I wanted to let you know a bit about NatureWell.

Inspired by nature and committed to wellness, NatureWell is a collection of beneficial formulas that address the daily needs of skin, hair and body. We believe the better you feel, the better you will look. Our goal is to help people make this connection with a mission to encourage self-care.

These luxurious hydrating cream are ideal for use over the entire body to soften, soothe and moisturize without leaving a greasy residue. Additionally, they help to restore and replenish dry skin, while shielding the skin from free-radical damage.

The line comes in 3 delectable scents to include Coconut Oil, Pomegranate and Marula Oil.  Additionally, this trio also offers…

• Ultra hydration
• Designed for all skin types
• Has No oily residue
• Formulated without parabens
• Never tested on animals
• Coconut oil: nourishes and provides antioxidant properties
• Marula oil: helps restore and replenish dry skin
• Pomegranate: powerful antioxidants to helps shield skin from free-radical damage while helping to soothe

The Dreaded Bacne
Anyone with acne knows how frustrating it can be, but if you are one that struggles with it on other parts of your body, like your back, it can make it even worse. So, what is a person to do? Well, the good thing is that body acne can be cleared up using the same type of ingredients we’d use on our face.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you are avoiding those drying bar soaps, as the harsh ingredients in those can dehydrate the skin as well as clogging your pores.

You also want to make sure that you are using products that do not contain strong synthetic fragrances. While they may smell pretty they are not pretty for the skin.

Therefore, adding products that contain both peppermint oil and tea tree can be a plus! Studies have shown that the menthol in the peppermint can be effective at helping to neutralize bacteria and tea tree oil has amazing skin-balancing properties which are helpful for problematic skin.

Clogged Pores
Yes, we can also get clogged pores on our arms, shoulders, back and other areas of our body. If you find yourself experiencing this, an excellent tip for starters is to look at what detergents you are using to wash your clothes. Laundry detergents that contain fragrances can clog and aggravate the hair follicles.

Also, those scented body sprays can add to some unsightly bumps, so if you still want to wear one, spray it in an area that is less likely to be prone to clog pores, like your wrist.

Lastly, adding a skincare device like Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Elite Deluxe System where you can use a antimicrobial Body Brush(s) is a must. This system is perfect for exfoliating the entire  body!

It comes with a 6 piece set that is ideal for helping to remove those dead skin cells that can clog your pores as well as reducing any dry patches. And finally, this brush head is antimicrobial to help protect against stain and odor-causing bacteria.

Lips
Prep your lips with exfoliation and moisturizer.

Exfoliate: To remove the access dead skin you want to exfoliate your lips.  You can do this with a lip exfoliating product, that sloughs away the dryness and replenishes providing instant hydration.

Treatment: It is time to say goodbye to dry lips winter lips and hello to a kissably soft pout with Patchology Lip Renewal FlashPatch 5 Minute Hydrogels!

I love how these latex-free lip gels feel on my lips. It is a LIPtastic way to moisturize the lips much faster than some other products out there. Plus, being over 40 the peptides and green tea extract can help to not only soothe but deliver anti-aging benefits when used regularly.

Moisturize: Your lips can get really dry and flaky in the winter months. Making your pout not so irresistibly soft.  Therefore it is important to moisturizer your lips.

Lip Products: A perfect product for your lips for the cold winter months Itcosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Hydrating Lip Gloss, Je Ne Sais Quoi.

This lipgloss stain drenches your lips in hydrating butters and oils working together with collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to help nourish your lips while minimizing the appearance of lip lines!

Plus, it provides your lips with a perfect shine and flush of color that lasts! (perfect for those moments under the mistletoe)

Feet
Yep, we can’ forget those feet! Because when your feet feel good, your whole body feels refreshed and energized. Plus, the cold weather can drain away moisture from your feet, so getting them spring ready requires some moisturizing!

For gentle exfoliation and intense hydration, you want to apply the AmLactin Foot Cream all over your feet and toes.  Don’t forget your heels!

In addition to selecting a great skincare product, you need to make sure you are drinking plenty of water...

Proper hydration is essential for healthy skin! So hopefully, this is something you’ve been doing for years!  When you add drinking plenty of water to your skincare regimen, it can help your skin to look plumper and minimize the signs of aging. Make it a habit of having a glass of water or bottled water near you at all times.

IMPORTANT:  Once you realize you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated, and no one wants dehydrated skin, so plan ahead!

Overall, nearly two-thirds of U.S. women report that the older they get, the more difficult it is to keep their skin moisturized.  It needs to be a routine, and more importantly finding a product that offers many benefits, helping your skin from your head to your toes.