Your Skin Health Expert: Dermalogica

Our skin is exposed to environmental factors such as pollutants and UV rays every day. This can gradually result in skin problems such as dryness, sun spots, wrinkles and worse. 

To prevent and even reverse these unsightly signs, we need a professional, result-driven skincare regime. Dermalogica is one of my favorite choices. 

Dermalogica is the number one choice of skin care professionals and consumers worldwide. In 1986, Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica, recognized that ongoing skin and body therapy education was practically non-existent in the United States. Therefore, she opened The International Dermal Institute (IDI) in California, where she invited licensed skin therapists to get hands-on with the postgraduate training to make them competitive in the business. Today, IDI is considered the international gold-standard for postgraduate skin and body therapy.

While teaching at IDI, Jane developed her own product line that is free of common irritants and ingredients which could cause breakouts, including lanolin, SD alcohol, mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances. She uses only ingredients that work to promote skin health. 

Today, Dermalogica’s products are available in more than 80 countries, used by 100,000 therapists and have received 324 awards to date.

Here’re some the best-selling items of Dermalogica:

Active Moist
A lightweight, oil-free lotion for daily moisture protection for combination skin. This sheer, easy-to-apply formula contains Silk Amino Acids and a unique combination of plant extracts to help improve skin's texture and combat dehydration. Natural botanical astringents of Lemon, Watercress, and Burdock refine the skin. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. Discover it here

Intensive Moisture Balance

An ultra-rich phyto-nutrient moisturizer designed to combat dry skin. Smooth away dry lines and skin damage with stabilized Vitamin C. Antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase, vitamins A and E, and Ginkgo help shield against damage caused by environmental assaults. Soothing Coneflower and Hydrocotyl, combined with extracts of Grape Seed and Wild Yam, help reduce the signs of prematurely-aging skin. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. 

Discover it here

Daily Microfoliant
Gentle, daily use exfoliating powder for all skin conditions. This unique, rice-based enzyme powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes to micro-exfoliate dead cells, leaving skin smoother and brighter. A unique Skin Brightening Complex helps balance uneven skin pigmentation while a super-soothing blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo and Colloidal Oatmeal calms inflammation, leaving the skin extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Fragrance-free.

Discover it here

Skin Smoothing Cream
A medium-weight moisturizer to balance combination / dry skin while improving its texture. Deep-moisturizing Lecithin and Aloe Gel nourish while extracts of Mallow, Cucumber and Arnica soothe and hydrate the skin, helping to restore suppleness and tone. Antioxidant Grape Seed Extract plus vitamins A, C and E help shields skin from environmental assaults. Formulated without artificial fragrances or colors. Discover it here

Dermalogica has a fantastic range of products for every skin type and it has become one of my most important companions in my skincare regime. 

Which is your favourite Dermalogica product? Let me know in the comments!

Reverse the Clock with Clarins’ Double Serum

Recently, I’ve noticed crow’s feet began to creep up around my eyes and my face is not as firm as before. A little internet search revealed a shocking fact: after the age of 25, we lose 1.5% of collagen every year and the production ceases around age 40-45.

So, don’t wait until 30 to start your anti-aging care.

I’ve tried a few anti-aging products and the Double Serum from Clarins  works really well on fighting signs of aging. 

Clarins Double Serum combines two powerful anti-aging serums – Hydric and Lipidic – in one optimum golden ratio to defy the signs of aging. Powered by 27 years of science, it is blended with 20 effective plant extracts to deliver visible younger-looking results. The core ingredient Cangzhu stimulates the G Protein in skin cells, which helps to boost the effectiveness of the other ingredients in Double Serum.

The Double Serum features a unique twin-tube bottle, which contains the two different serums in each tube. It releases a wonderful anti-aging elixir freshly as you press the pump. Just one pump is enough for your entire face.

After using this product for a week, I feel my skin has become visibly softer, more radiant and elastic. My cheeks and chin have also appeared more tightened and less saggy. Moreover, it helps my skincare routine with products that follow as I get a faster effect. 

If you’re looking for an anti-aging product, be sure to try this out! Clarins Double Serum will definitely impress you.

7 Amazing Anti-Aging Tips for Your Skin

Aging – so unavoidable. It can change the way your skin looks earlier than you expect, and most people find aging signs as they hit the big 3-0. Although we cannot control genetic factors such as a decrease in estrogen levels which can lead to saggy skin, there are a lot of external influences on how our skin ages. Knowing the proper anti-aging care can help slow down the clock.

1. Eat WellYou might expect skincare products to do the job when it comes to turning back the clock, but young-looking skin starts with nutrients that reach it from within the body. The skin is the largest organ of our body, after all. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet can have a positive effect on fighting the signs of aging.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that lead to skin aging. Eat green and red vegetables like spinach, broccoli, tomatoes and carrots, and blue and purple berries. These foods contain antioxidants that help prevent the formation of free radicals. If you can get your hands on maqui berry, we really recommend it as these super-fruits contain the highest amount of antioxidants around. Also eat foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, which help protect the skin’s moisture barrier that tends to become thin as we age.

2. Wear Sunscreen
UV light is the number one cause of wrinkles, because sun exposure can damage elastin and cause loss of collagen, which results in the appearance of wrinkles. Moreover, studies show that UVA rays are responsible for inducing the grayish, yellow-y cast you see on older skin. So, remember to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, rain or shine! 

3. Get Moving Exercise has immense benefits for your body and skin. Not only does it strengthen your heart and reduce risks of various diseases, it also boosts your immune system and improves circulation, which in turn brings a rosy, healthy complexion..

4. Beauty Sleep Your body and skin repair and regenerate during sleep. Research shows that if you sleep less than 6 hours a night, you are at greater risk of having a heart attack or strokes. Also, a lack of sleep makes you more agitated and prone to anger, which may trigger hormonal imbalances and signs of aging. Sleep at least 8 hours per night for maintaining good health and beautiful skin.

5. Drink Plenty of Water We always recommend enough water. Young and beautiful skin is supple and moist. Moisture functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. Make sure to drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water a day, as dehydration will make your skin look dry and wrinkled. Moreover, water helps flush out waste and toxins from your system to improve health and achieve radiant-looking skin. 

6. Effective Skincare RoutineGreat skin doesn’t require complicated skincare procedures, as long as you get the basics right. Remove your makeup before going to sleep every night, and use a 3-step regime for your skin type. To achieve youthful and glowy skin, try exfoliating once a week. This is because the turnover rate of skin cells lowers as you age, resulting in loss of firmness and luster. Peeling can help remove dead skin cells to eliminate dullness while stimulating collagen growth for a firmer contour.

7. Try Retinol Cream

Consider a wrinkle cream that contains retinol, a derivative from Vitamin A. It can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, strengthens skin’s thickness and elasticity, slow down the breakdown of collagen, and fade brown spots caused by UV rays.

Slowing down the clock is not impossible, you just need to start early and remember to create a healthy and regular routine. What are your favorite anti-aging secrets? Let us know!

How to Take Care of Your Lips

Lip care is often overlooked, even though lips are one of the most expressive parts of your face. The skin of the lips is delicate and has no oil glands to protect them from dryness. Here at  Cosme-De.com we really try to care about our lips and we believe with these easy steps you will start noticing the difference in just a few days.

Lip care steps:

Exfoliate weekly
Exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells and improve blood circulation for your lips. Use a nice lip scrub which contains fruit acid-based alpha to remove dead skin and deep cleanse the lips.

Massage daily
This is an easy step that can be incorporated into your daily skincare regime. After you’ve brushed your teeth, use a toothbrush (make sure it has soft bristles) to gently scrub your lips. This will help remove chapped skin and keep your lips soft.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
The skin of the lips is thinner and more delicate than any other parts of our body. Therefore, it’s necessary to keep them moisturized to avoid dryness and ugly and uncomfortable cracks. Use lip balms that contain hydrating ingredients such as Beeswax, Shea Butter and Vitamin E. Also look for lip balms that have SPF to protect your lips from sun damage. 

For intensive nourishment, put some moisturizer or Vaseline on your lips at night, rubbing it in until completely absorbed. Then, take some more and dab a thick layer onto your lips so they look white (the color of the moisturizer). Leave it on overnight, and it will soak into your lips during the night. You will wake up with soft, smooth lips.

Bonus Tips:
1. Drink plenty of water. This should already be part of your daily routine as drinking enough water is the basis for a healthy body. Maintain the hydration level of your lips by drinking 8 glasses of water throughout the day. This will help keep your lips soft and moisturized.

2. Eat lip-friendly food. Add high water-content fruits to your diet, such as cucumber, watermelon, orange and lemon. Consume foods that are rich in Vitamins A, B and C, which help maintain skin health and reduce chapping of lips.

3. Don’t lick and bite. Licking your lips can make them dehydrated further as the saliva evaporates. Lip biting can damage the protective barrier of the lips and dry them out.

How to plump your pout:

For a simple daily look:
1. Moisten your lips with a wet tissue or cotton pad.
2. Apply Vaseline to soften lips.
3. Apply a thin coat of lip gloss or tinted lip balm. (Tips: Fill in lips with lip liner first can prevent lip gloss from wearing off fast, as it has something to stick to.)

For an evening look:
1. Repeat steps 1 & 2 above.
2. Use a lip liner in a shade slightly darker than your lipstick to fill in your lips, and then define the outer edges of the lips.
3. Apply a thin layer of lipstick (for a more natural look, choose neutral tone lipsticks).
4. Finish off with a coat of lip gloss, adding an extra dab of gloss on the center of your lips to make them look plump.

What are your favorite lip balms? Do you prefer scented or natural ones? Let us know in the comments!