Summer is a great time to get outside and rejuvenate your mind and body. But for your skin, summer means extra exposure to the sun, heat and sweat. This summer, give your skin a little TLC with these tips for healthy, refreshed skin.

It’s never too early in the year to think about applying sunscreen. The sun’s UV rays can damage your skin all year long. Even on a cloudy day, your skin can be exposed to up to 40 percent of the sun’s UV rays [source: Skin Cancer Foundation]. Be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your skin safe.

Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 15 [source: Mann]. For those with lighter, fair skin, try a sunscreen with a rating of SPF 30. Apply your sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. To be the most effective, sunscreen needs time to absorb into your skin.

Don’t be frugal — apply sunscreen liberally and reapply sunscreen every two hours or after getting out of the water, since towel drying strips away sunscreen [source: Mayo Clinic]. You’ll also want to reapply lotion after exercising, as sweat can water down sunscreen, making it less effective.

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or normal skin, don’t forget to moisturize it. Simple daily activities such as perspiring, shaving or washing your face can disrupt the skin’s natural oil and moisture level. To counteract any skin stress your daily routine causes, apply a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to keep things soft and supple.

Now that you have added sunscreen and moisturizer to your shopping list,check tomorrow to discover how to deal with those oily patches of skin that leave you feeling greasy.

When my patients ask me:
‘How can I get that clean, healthy-looking glow to my skin?’

I respond with:
‘One of the many factors is to wash with the right skin cleanser for you.’

Why is cleansing important?

• Your skin’s surface becomes clogged with debris, sweat, air pollution, excess oil and bacteria. Really!
• The best cleansers are non-irritating, are safe for sensitive skin and won’t clog pores or cause acne.
• If you cleanse your skin with regular soap (they are made from fats, oils and salt) and your skin is sensitive, the soap can plug hair follicles, leaving your skin dry and flaky. As soaps can excessively degrease the surface of the skin, it can also increase bacteria, leading to cellular damage or even breakage.

Why should I cleanse?

• Your skin is the first line of defense against infection and harsh elements. Since your face and hand skin has the most exposure, they are most vulnerable. A thorough but gentle cleansing is recommended.
• Skin cleansers work as emulsifiers. They remove dirt, excess natural skin oils, bacteria, cosmetics and exfoliated surface skin cells. You may want to remove excess oil from oil glands but not the fat that waterproofs the skin.

How do I cleanse?

• Wash your hands first to prevent the transfer of bacteria to your face.
• Because hairstyling products attract dirt, start with your hairline first, then sweep cleanser over face and lips and down the neck.
• Gently massage cleanser and leave on for one minute. Wipe away dirt and pollution with your hands. Cosmetic build-up may best be removed with a cotton ball.
• Rinse with cool water; too hot or too cold can cause flushing and increase broken capillaries.

Cleansing based on skin type

Normal skin

Experiment with various liquid and soap gels to cleansing sheets. Choose a mild cleanser or gel cleanser and rinse with tepid water. Soap usually works well for the hands. Mild cleansers should be used even if you have normal skin. Use it on folds and genital areas.

Dry skin

Use a cleansing cream that contains non-detergent ingredients and rinses off easily. Use hard-milled cleansing bars and gentle face cleansers for drier skin, or try a liquid cleanser with a cleansing sheet that won’t strip away essential oils on the skin. Stay away from hot water  it makes your skin lose moisture quickly.

Cleansers like emulsifying ointments can be used by those individuals who have eczema and dry skin. See Eczema Guide for more information.

Oily skin

Use a gentle, foaming facial wash to remove dirt and oil without stripping away the fats that are needed to maintain moisture. Oily skin types should avoid wax-based cleansers, which can clog oil-prone pores.

Combination skin

Use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to keep oily areas clean. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe dry areas. Indulge in a regular clay-based mask to help an oil-prone nose, chin and forehead area while a cream or gel mask will moisturize dry areas of the face.

Sensitive skin

Cleanse with gentle, milky, water-soluble lotions and tepid water. Avoid gels or soaps that contain drying alcohol, preservatives or strong-acting acids. Avoid exfoliating scrubs or astringents, which can cause inflammation.

By Stuart Maddin, MD, FRCPC taken from Skincareguide.com

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About the author:
Dr. Stuart Maddin is past President of the Canadian Dermatology Association and served as Secretary-General of the International Committee of Dermatology” International League of Dermatological Societies. He is the director of the clinical trials unit at the Division of Dermatology, UBC. Dr. Maddin has also acted in an advisory capacity to the Health Protection Branch (Ottawa), the AAD-FDA Liaison Committee and WHO (Geneva).

Some interesting tips and facts you should know

Your skin is more than just your face, although that’s what most people pay the most attention to. Your skin is actually the largest organ in your body and weighs probably more than you think. Below are some interesting facts and tips that may surprise you about your skin.

To get more skin care tips and facts, click on www.dermatologycare.ca.

Skin Care Tips and Facts:

• Your skin is your body’s largest organ! The skin of the average woman weighs three kilograms, while that of the average man weighs five kilograms.
• What’s the secret to great skin? Not surprisingly, the state of our skin is affected by genes, nutrition, general health, emotional well-being and exercise. How you care for your skin also plays an important role in ensuring you look your best.
• You’ve probably heard that skin is made up of skin cells. But did you know that you have approximately 19 million skin cells on every square inch of skin!
• Eat your veggies! Eating a wide range of vegetables – particularly those high in vitamins C and E (such as spinach, carrots, red bell peppers and tomatoes) – will ensure that your diet is rich in antioxidants, compounds that are believed to play an important role in maintaining the health of both your body and your skin.
• We’re all thin-skinned, in certain areas! The thickness of our skin varies considerably, depending on its location and the role it plays: it’s thinnest on our eyelids and thickest on the palms of our hands and soles of our feet.
• Not sure of your skin type? Try this simple test. About 15 minutes after washing your face and patting it dry, press lens-cleaning paper on different parts of your face. In those areas where you produce a lot of oil, the paper will stick or pick up oil. If it doesn’t stick anywhere, you have dry skin. If it only sticks on your forehead, nose and chin, you have normal or combination skin. If it sticks everywhere, you have oily skin.
• Need to look after your skin? A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the skin. Your family physician may refer you to a dermatologist, who can help you select the treatment options that are best for your particular condition.

For more tips on healthy and beautiful skin, visit www.dermatologycare.ca/signup/signup.html

Taken from skincareguide.com

With the wealth of information available about skin care, it can be overwhelming to try to understand what is really important. Everyone seems to have a product, treatment, or secret weapon to use to achieve that healthy glow. As with many things in life, keeping it simple can often be the best advice. But there are some important facts and rules to keep in mind when it comes to skin care, and using these tips as a foundation can help your skin look its best. These tips may seem logical, but keep them in mind and you’ll be asked the secret to your beautiful skin for years to come.

1. Avoid sun exposure. A multitude of skin woes are caused directly by the sun, and can make skin appear uneven and prematurely aged. If you do plan to enjoy the outdoors, wear a high-SPF sun block, protective clothing, and try to avoid direct exposure between 10am and 2pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

2. Quit smoking. Smoking compromises circulation, and as the body’s largest organ, the skin needs all the oxygen-rich blood it can get. Consult your Doctor for information about how to quit.

3. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and reducing stress are important to your overall health, and your skin will benefit, too. Try incorporating yoga to relieve stress, or a power-nap to energize your afternoon.

4. Know your skin. Understanding your unique skin type is important to finding the right products and meeting your skin’s needs. Not sure if you’re dry, oily, or combination? Ask a skin care professional.

5. Cleanse regularly. Most people should wash their face and moisturize twice daily to maintain clean, balanced skin. Be sure to choose a gentle cleanser and moisturizer appropriate for your skin type and save the soap for below the neck, otherwise you’ll get too dried out.

6. Hands off your face. As tempting as it may be to pick and pop your way to clear skin, this method doesn’t work. Unless you want scars and infections, apply quality products to acne and other blemishes, and let them do the work for you.

7. Treat your skin. Consider adding regular facials, masks, or massages to your skin care routine. You’ll reduce stress and improve your skin’s condition at the same time.

8. Keep cosmetics clean. Be sure to throw out old makeup after six to eight months, and consider investing in a antibacterial spritzer to keep makeup brushes fresh.

9. Shave carefully. Both men and women should be sure to use a balanced shaving cream or gel, and a clean, sharp razor, every time they shave. Shaving in the direction of hair growth is the best way to avoid skin irritation.

10. Practice comprehensive skin care. Make sure to cleanse, moisturize, and care for the skin on your knees, hands, and elbows. Regularly examining your body for unusual pigmentation or moles is important to your skin’s health. Having beautiful, healthy skin doesn’t have to be hard. For more skin care secrets and tips, contact a specialist in your area.

Find the treatments for lines and wrinkles

As we age, the skin droops and develops wrinkles, lines and furrows. Depending on your skin type, you may find your skin to be pre-disposed to wrinkling. But thanks to diligent research and new advances, there are a number of solutions to combat facial lines.

Causes of facial lines

In addition to aging, facial lines can form because of the following:

• Sun damage (Fine lines and wrinkles arise because of irregular thickening of the dermis and because of a decrease in the amount of water held by the epidermis. caused mainly by sun damage.) (Read more at Sun Damage)
• Smoking
• Muscle movement / Dynamic lines (People tend to smile or frown more on one side than the other, or consistently sleep on the right or the left cheek. Crow’s feet around the eyes are due to smiling and activity of the eyelid muscles. Worry lines on the forehead are due to contraction of the muscle when raising the eyebrows)
• Gravity is responsible for folds in the skin

What treatment is available?

See your dermatologist for information about what might work well for you, which could include (Also see treatments for sundamaged skin):

• Topical agents which produce collagen in the skin, Vitamin A acids (Tazarotene, Tretinoin, Adapelene) and Vitamin C or alpha Hydroxy acids
• Microdermabrasion has a very modest benefit for very fine lines
• Injectionable fillers such as Restylane (Hyaluronic acid)
• Botox for dynamic lines (Check-out www.BotoxFacts.ca)
• Lasers. Traditionally the CO2 and Erbium lasers (ablative) were used to essentially peel off a layer of skin and then allow a new skin to grow in. Results were impressive but the healing time of many weeks and sometimes months of redness has reduced the use of this approach. Patients with darker skin would often end up with darker skin and those with very fair skin sometimes white skin
• Plastic surgery is usually used to improve skin folds rather than fine lines and wrinkles
• The newer non-ablative laser treatments do not have the down time of the older methods nor do they have the degree of improvement. Repeat treatments with lasers that essentially produce a heating of the dermis, which in turn encourages collagen production, Lasers such as the Nd: Yag, V Beam and Smooth Beam may be used.
• The Fraxel laser is a modification of an Erbium laser that just treats multiple small pinpoint areas of skin allowing a quick recovery after a treatment. We will be hearing more of this in the future
• Cosmetic facial surgery

Prevent it before it happens

You can take steps to protect your skin. You’ve heard it before, and it’s worth repeating:

• Avoid excessive time in the sun, and always use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
• Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke or other pollutants. Smoking increases facial lines and wrinkles and delays skin healing.
• Exercise. It’s good for the skin as well as for your general health.
• Aging skin feels and looks better when moisturizers are applied regularly. These improve the water-holding capacity of the skin. Choose one that feels nice to apply, doesn’t sting or burn or provoke acne
• Use tepid or warm water and a non-soap cleanser to wash your face twice daily
• Drink plenty of water to rehydrate internally. Because moisture content is related to water, not oil or grease, oily-skinned women need to rehydrate as conscientiously as their dry-skinned counterparts
• Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Generally what is healthy for your heart and brain is good for your skin

About the author:
Richard Thomas, MD, FRCPC is Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Everyone has pores on their face, but some have larger pores than others. Thus, some women are more worried about the size of their facial pores than other women. If you’d love to minimize the appearance of the pores on your face, there are definitely steps you can take to help accomplish this task. Before you call your dermatologist or pay for expensive skin care pore reducing products, wait. You may be able to help you complexion yourself with over the counter products. Using basic skin care tips and routines, you can minimize the appearance of large pores in only a short time.

Skin Care Routine Helps Large Pores

If you’re not already diligently using a skin care regime for anti-aging or for the prevention of acne you should immediately start using one. While you can choose skin care products from one of a multitude of beauty product lines, even less expensive brands like Neutrogena offer great products for cleansing the facial skin. But, remember when you do choose various products to be sure you stick with the same brand for all of the cleansing products and to be sure you choose products made specifically for your skin type. The importance of staying within the same brand is to ensure your skin is getting exactly what it needs. If you mix brands each product might contain something slightly different than another brand’s product of similar type.

Start by using a good quality cleanser on your face. Choose one that’s gentle enough to use on a daily basis. You should also ensure the cleanser has glycolic acid and salicylic acid so you’ll automatically get gentle exfoliation to help with clogged pores. When you exfoliate gently (not scrub) you can start the technique and process needed to minimize the pores.

Next, be sure to use a toner. Toners can help to clean the deep pore areas of oily skin and shrink pimple, whitehead or blackhead problems. They temporarily will reduce the look of pores and are an essential part of the overall system of reducing the size of pores for extended periods of time. Toners should be applied to the face after cleansing with a cotton ball. Before any other product is applied, they should be completely dried.

Before applying foundation or other makeup, it’s important to use a moisturizer. Some cosmetic moisturizers (such as Neutrogena’s Pore Refining Cream) contain Retinol and Alpha-Hydroxy Acid which can help to bring new layers of skin growth to the skin’s surface quickly which will help unclog pores and minimize their size.

Other Products To Use To Make Pores Look Smaller

Even though your skin care routine is essential to help you get long term results and smaller pores, in the short term you can use other products to help you get the look you desire. Many cosmetic companies now sell makeup primers. These primers are meant to be applied after the moisturizer but before any other makeup or foundation. They help fill in the pores and reduce the amount of makeup that might usually cake into the areas, making the pores look larger. This type of product only masks the problem of large pores but it can be a great product to use while you’re waiting for your skin care cleansing efforts to kick in.