Dear Dermalogica Lady:

I've heard good things about Dermalogica's Age Smart products, but do I need them yet? I'm worried because I’m starting to look a lot older than my peers. When I look in the mirror, I see lines creeping alongside my mouth and underneath my eyes. My skin texture isn’t elastic and, depending on how the light hits my face, my skin appears to be sagging prematurely. I’m only 35. I don’t have a beauty regimen to speak of. What can I do to compensate for what nature (and perhaps the sun’s damaging rays) has done?

Signed,
I’d Like the Real “Me” Back.

Dear “I’d Like…”

You want Dermalogica’s “Age Defying Facial”. It’s a powerful treatment specially created for aging, sun-damaged skin. It provides nourishment and regeneration. This facial will instantly make your skin firmer and smoother.

Next, tackle those under eye lines.

Dermalogica’s Intensive Eye Repair is for dryer or prematurely aging skin. As you’ve heard time and time again, the under eye area is extremely delicate. But since Dermalogica’s products are made without harsh ingredients such as alcohol and artificial colours, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Try moisturising early in the day, as well. You already do that? Great! (Many girls only hydrate in the evening.) When you apply a cream or lotion early on, your skin will “plump up” and fine lines will become less visible.

Have you tried our Multi Active Toner?

If not, you should. (It’s our number one selling product and draws raves.) Before applying, spritz your face, leaving a fine mist on the surface. Use that pump bottle often throughout the day.

And for a quick pick-me-up give yourself a mini-facial. Rub your hands together for half a minute. Move them upwards towards your hairline and then outwards towards your chin.

Finally, leave a humidifier on at night. Don’t have one? A bowl of water on the floor, near where you lay your head, will do nicely.

From the sound of it, your skin is crying out for some pampering. A bit of effort and you’ll soon recognise the face that looks back at you in the mirror. If you want to see our anti ageing range, check out the Dermalogica Age Smart category.

Kind regards,
The Dermalogica Lady

Dear Dermalogica Lady: I’m at a loss as to what to do and, needing advice, I immediately thought of you. My fiancé and I are planning an early spring wedding and everything’s going along spectacularly…with one exception: I have dry alligator-like skin. Right…it may not be THAT bad, but it IS flaky and itchy and not at all attractive (to me, anyway).

My husband-to-be declares that it’s no big deal but it’s quite noticeable. The condition worsens in the winter. Even after slathering my face and hands with Vaseline, I don’t see improvements. 

Am I destined to walk down the aisle while lifting my veil up as little as possible, or do you foresee relief for me with a Dermologica product? 

Signed,

Bride-to-be in Hampshire

Dear B-to-B:

Barring a more entrenched condition such as dermatitis or eczema (which should be diagnosed by your doctor or a dermatologist), it’s fair to say that the winter weather is stripping your skin pretty severely. There’s no reason you should have to put up with dry skin…and certainly not on your wedding day!

Of course Dermalogica has the cure for chapped, dehydrated skin! 

But first, we’ll have to split hairs for a moment. It’s helpful to determine whether your skin is indeed dry…or just thoroughly dehydrated. Dry skin is lacking oil secretion in the areas where there are generally not many glands (like the eye, cheek and upper lip areas.) Your hands have these glands, too, although not in the palm area. 

Dehydrated skin needs to rehydrate on a massive scale—and lock in moisture. Both dry and dehydrated skin can itch and appear inflamed.

(There is yet another category: prematurely ageing skin, but although you didn’t state your age, I’m venturing to guess this might not be something you need to be concerned with right now.)

If your skin is dry, it might manifest as rough to the touch. What you need to do is cut down on the washings and avoid very hot water. 

Dermalogica’s Essential Cleansing Solution is a good choice for you. It’s a rich and creamy lotion that gently lifts impurities from the skin without stripping your skin of its essential oils.

This non-foamy cleanser leaves the essences of plant extracts and replenishing vitamins on your skin’s surface. Your skin will literally drink these nourishments in.

Follow this up with Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, which, with its soothing botanicals and antioxidants, locks in your skin’s moisture level. This combats the dehydration factor. Your skin will be supple, with improved texture. Fine lines and tiny wrinkles will be smoothed away and your skin will be protected from free radicals and airborne pollution. 

Finally, if your skin is raw or peeling due to excess friction, try Dermalogica Climate Control. Think of it as a first line of defense…to be used on areas that appear damaged. This balm glides easily over skin that is sensitive or under environmental assault (like cold, bitter wind and/or the effects of central heating), reducing the injury of further friction on the epidermis.

A word of advice: keep your hands from your face. Avoid the temptation to pick at or peel off abraded areas of the skin. Your fingertips contain the most microscopic of germs—held in place by oils and wax. Think of how many times you reach up and pat your hair or touch your hairline…both areas that contain sebaceous glands, and fats and wax secreted by these glands. Your skin could do without either of these.

Calm down and everything will sort itself out…including your damaged skin. Enjoy your special day and remember…all brides are beautiful. Envision yourself as the image of loveliness you are, as you head down that aisle to say your “I Do’s”. Your guest (and husband-to-be) will be sure to share that vision

Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum? Why not sleep your way to more luminous, supercharged and revitalised skin?

The importance of a good night's rest can never be underestimated, as it affects many parts of the body, especially the skin. Did you know that several hours spent sleeping each night is a time of dynamic, system wide repair and healing for your body? This kind of medical data is exactly what inspired the latest treatment product from the skin experts at Dermalogica.

Dermalogica Overnight Repair is a powerful peptide serum - Overnight Repair Serum will go a long way to help to sleep off the signs of ageing.

You can use the Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum to vastly improve the quality of your skin, whilst helping to minimise fine lines and also increase luminosity on the skins surface. Smoothing this serum into your skin and blending with your regular Dermalogica night cream will produce superb age-fighting benefits.

The highly effective serum will help to stimulate collagen production too, thereby helping to firm up and regenerate resilience within the skin. Potent Argan and Rose oil will help to revitalise dull skin, effortlessly smoothing away fine lines.

Using Overnight Repair Serum couldn't be easier, following cleansing , simply blend 4 to 6 drops with your regular Dermalogica night cream. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum is free from artificial fragrance and colours. As the product is designed to work while you don't, regular use will help to literally sleep off the signs of ageing.

So exactlly what does it contain? Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, then there's Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Sucrose Cocoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil.

Alaria Esculenta Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Eugenia Caryophylus (Clove) Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Rose Flower Oil

Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Murraya Koenigii Leaf Oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citronellol, Eugenol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate and finally Sorbitan Isostearate.

Dear Davines Stockist

The salon I go to in London always uses the Davines fragrant and fashionable hair products—my favourites! I actually learned how Davines got started whilst visiting Italy. I stopped at Parma, where the Bollati family first experimented with their earth-friendly beauty products. Just as is the case here, I was delighted at how well-regarded Davines products have become.

Here’s my dilemma: I’m a little shy about trying Davines products at home (when I’m not visiting the hairstylist, that is). The reason? The prices are all right; it’s just that the products themselves seem so…extravagant, if you know what I mean. As if they were meant to be used for special occasions.

How can I justify using Davines every day?

Thanks!

Kind regards,

Hesitant Henrietta

Dear Henrietta

I appreciate your e-mail! I’ve been a dedicated Davines stockist long enough to know that Davines Hair Care is esteemed for a reason: its fresh and natural ingredients will give you lustrous, manageable hair. The more you use it, the better the outcome. And how else can you experience that exhilarating smell and that luxurious overall Davines artistry?

Henrietta, may we challenge you to get your hair in the best shape it’s ever been in?

Try the Davines hair care products. Enjoy the sensual pleasure of the deliciously smelling shampoos, conditioners, gels and other treatments…yes, day-in-and-day-out.

Give it 30 days. If you don’t think your hair smells, feels and looks softer, more conditioned and just plain lovelier than ever before, we’ll refund your product price, no questions asked.

(This was always the case, but we want to make a point: we stand behind our products and are serious about the difference they can make in your beauty ritual.)

In the past many of us have probably had a course of sunbeds prior to going on holiday. I mean, who wants to end up on the beach thing as white as a sheet? 

The Ultraviolet radiation given off by commercial sunlamps has often received bad press. But there is increasing evidence that the damage caused is far worse than has been previously reported. Recent studies by the Journal of investigative dermatology has highlighted the dangers of UV lamps, and DNA damage as a consequence also show that there is an increased risk of skin cancer. Which, incedentally is directly related to exposure to UV during tanning.

The DNA damage caused by the use of commercial tanning beds has the potential to accelerate tumourigenesis in the skin.

Nowadays there are many advanced tanning solutions on the market. One worthy of mention is the Sienna X tanning range, which has just won the beauty guilds award of excellence for 2011. Hopefully it's that good it'll prevent many of us develping skin cancer.

Our teenage years are an ideal time to start getting into good habits and Dermalogica Cleanstart is a good area to start with!  

While the condition and appearance of your skin is influenced to a certain extent by hormones and genetics the kind of lifestyle you lead and your diet can have a huge impact on the health of your skin.  Eating healthily, getting enough zzzz’s, being active and steering clear of smoking will all work wonders on your skin and health!

Establishing a good skincare routine in your teens will not only keep your skin looking good when you’re young but will also help prevent skin problems such as acne, sun damage, discolouration and fine lines not only now but into your 20’s and well beyond!

Finding the right teenage skincare products is the first thing you should do.  Once you have found the right products for your skin you should start a basic daily skincare routine.  It only needs to take a few minutes morning and night to care for your skin!  Here’s how:-

Cleanse
Dry skin isn’t the type of skin that most teenagers have so the best type of cleansers for young skin are usually foaming cleansers or gels that are oil free and you need to choose one that doesn’t dry your skin out.  For skin that’s prone to breakouts a cleanser that contains salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid that deep cleans pores without drying skin out) is the best choice.

Dermalogica Clean start Wash Off is a foaming face wash that is perfect for teenage skin because it deep cleanses and banishes skin breakouts.  It contains Salicylic Acid to clear trapped oils and breakout causing bacteria, plus botanical extracts which help regulate the production of oil.  

Tone
For normal or oily skin choose a toner that is slightly astringent or that contains Witch Hazel. During dry weather you could use a non-alcoholic conditioning toner.  

Moisturise
Even if your skin is oily and prone to breakouts you need to use a moisturiser.  All skins need moisture, not oil.  For daytime use choose an oil-free moisturiser with an SPF 15.  For nighttime use an oil-free moisturiser that’s formulated for nighttime use.  For the skin around your eyes you should use a gentle eye cream as this will not cause your eyes to become irritated!

Exfoliate
Once a week you should use a gentle exfoliator or a pore cleansing, exfoliating face mask.  Doing this will keep your pores cleansed and purified and whisk away dead skin cells, leaving your skin fresh and clear.

Additional treatments
You can add to your basic skincare routine when you need to, such as if you do have a breakout or the occasional pimple when you can use an on-the-spot treatment to zap them!

Dermalogica UltraCalming Redness Relief SPF 20 is part of the UltraCalming range. This targeted range has many different skin care products designed to heal and restore sensitized skin. Used to treat sunburn, allergic rashes, rosacea, and skin irritated from skin peels the UltraCalming skin regimen promotes healing, eases pain topically and reduces redness on application. 

Redness Relief Serves Five Unique Functions 

• A physical barrier mineral sunblock, with no harsh sunscreen chemicals 

• Covers redness with Hydrated Chromium Oxide which conceals redness with its pale green mineral pigment

• Eases skin pain with licorice as a topical analgesic

• Promotes Healing with Buckthorn, Vitamin E, and Oat Kernel

• Calms irritated skin with the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of Oat Kernel

Use as a Primer for Foundation

Dermalogica UltraCalming Redness Relief SPF 20 can be used as a wonderful base coat for foundation. For those who are suffering from red skin, the barely noticable green pigment will cover any red completely and even-out those red tones. It is an old artist’s trick, to cover a red that seems too bright with a bit of olive green. Enough of those olive tones and the brightness of the red can be neutralised completely, without ever looking green. Redness Relief covers red effectively, without looking green, so that any foundation goes on as if over a flawless porcelain complexion. 

With the Oat Kernel and the Licorice doing their jobs, there is no temptation to scratch, touch or otherwise disturb your makeup because of pain or itching, so make up stays on all day, while underneath the Buckthorn and Oat Kernel are working to treat the causes of redness and relieve inflammation and puffiness. Dermalogica UltraCalming Redness Relief SPF 20 works to ease pain, cover redness, and reduce inflammation, while skin looks beautiful under makeup.

So what are/is Milia and which Dermalogica exfoliant products can help? Milia are small white keratin cysts which commonly occur near the eyes, though they can appear virtually anywhere on the body. Even though milia are harmless skin growths, people who have them, can become very self conscious. Milia vary in size, and some people have numerous milia around their eye areas.

Prevention of Milia
Because many people are prone to developing multiple milia it is important to prevent them as well as treat the ones that are already there. While the predisposition for milia is genetic, anyone can develop them, and those who have milia may have less if they avoid sun around their eyes. In fact any type of burn, whether from sun, harsh chemicals or high temperatures, can increase the chances of developing milia. It is also important to avoid heavy creams, mineral oil, and lanolin around the eyes, as this can aggravate milia, by preventing natural exfoliation. In general the best defense against milia is sunscreen, exfoliation, and a well balanced eye cream. Ask a Dermalogica trained skin therapist for recommendations on which products may prevent and treat milia and are unique to your skin type.

Total Eye Care SPF 15
Dermalogica Total Eye Care SPF 15 will help prevent UV rays from reaching the eye area. Additionally, having a proper eye cream, instead of a heavy facial moisturiser in the eye area is also important to prevent milia.

Avoid Harsh Chemical Peels
It is very important to avoid harsh chemical peels because while these may be effective in removing milia, they can also create more in the future. Treating your skin with gentle love and care, even when exfoliating, is the key to preventing milia. For this reason Dermalogica milia products are best for people who are prone to the condition. 

Getting Rid of Milia
For people who have a lot of small milia and the predisposition to develop new ones, the best answer is exfoliation in most cases. Milia are small cysts which dwell just beneath the top layer of skin. They are not related to pores, sweat glands or hair follicles so squeezing them will not help. They are not related to bacteria or virus so cleansing isn’t the answer either. The sac around the milia is very tough so there is no point trying to mash it or break it up. The only way to get rid of milia is to either prick or erode the skin over the top of the milia and eventually push, or scrub it from the skin’s surface. Using exfoliants to treat existing milia takes time. You will not see immediate results but over weeks and months it can make a difference. Remember that using Dermalogica exfoliation products also help to prevent new milia, as well as treating existing ones. 

Dermalogica Exfoliant Products
The following Dermalogica products will help to erode milia. Because each person’s skin is different, Dermalogica makes a wide assortment of exfoliants, all of which are gentle and effective. Ask your Dermalogica trained skin therapist which Dermalogica exfoliants are right for you. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 
Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer
Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant
Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant
Dermalogica Powerfoliant
Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub

The Dermalogica Exfoliating Face Brush
Perhaps the most logical implement for milia is the Dermalogica Exfoliating Face Brush. This soft facial brush gently scrubs the skin with soft bristles. Simply apply your Dermalogica cleanser or exfoliant and add some extra punch to your exfoliating program by brushing it into the skin. One day you may find that you have brushed away your milia with the brush, instead of having to visit the dermatologist. 

Excision of Milia
Some milia can be really stubborn. If after long term daily exfoliation, a few milia still remain, you may have to have them removed. The process is simple. The dermatologist will open the top layer of the skin by scratching it with a sterile needle, and then push or pry out the cyst with a blackhead extractor. While this is simple and relatively painless, it can be costly, especially if there are a lot of milia. Some doctors prefer to make several appointments to get rid of more than a dozen milia. It’s best to get rid of as many as possible with exfoliation, and then if any milia stubbornly remain, allow a dermatologist to remove them. 

Milia can be embarrassing, and many people feel extremely self conscious about them, but they aren't harmful. Because milia are not considered life threatening or even a health risk at all, milia removal is considered as cosmetic surgery. Professional excision of milia can be expensive and time consuming. Removing milia by means of exfoliation is a sensible way to keep this problem under control.

As promised we're back with part 2 of our curly hair post.

Amazingly, 90% of people suffer with dry, frizzy or brittle hair because their hair is lacking in moisture, i.e. water!   For hair to be in a healthy condition it needs to have a moisture content of 8%, at the very least, and the correct balance of natural oils.  Chemical hair treatments, though, can bring the moisture level of hair down to as low as 2% which results in split ends and breakage.

Most of us have enough natural hair oils (sebum) to keep our hair strong and healthy but the moisture is lacking.  Those of us who have chemically treated hair, naturally curly or wavy hair, or frizzy hair, need to nurture our hair more by giving it the extra nutrition and moisture that it so desperately needs to be healthy.

There are simple ways to keep your kinks from getting uncontrollable and ravaged though! :-

• Select haircare products that are specifically formulated for frizzy or curly hair.  For example, look for shampoos that contain natural humectants (which have magnetic qualities that attract moisture) as these will work together with the natural oils in your hair and help restore its moisture level to the optimum 8%.  

• Treatment conditioners containing wheat, corn or rice proteins repair damage, improve porosity and elasticity, and restore health to hair.  Davines Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle haircare treatment, from their Natural Tech haircare range, is an intensive conditioning treatment formulated for hair that is dehydrated and stressed.  Rich in Rice Proteins, Vitamin E, Avocado and Red Algae, It deeply nourishes hair, preventing split ends, and restores health, vitality and body to hair.  Simply comb through damp hair, leave on for between 10-20 minutes (depending on how deeply hair needs to be conditioned) and rinse out with tepid water.  

• When rinsing your hair after shampooing and conditioning, use tepid water, not hot, as this will help smooth the hair cuticle, making hair smoother and less frizzy.

• Most hair mousses and gels have a high alcohol content so these are best avoided for use on frizzy hair as the alcohol can make frizziness worse.  If you do want to use a mousse or gel then you should use one that is specifically designed for frizzy hair as the alcohol content will be much lower or it will be entirely alcohol free.

• Minimise the use of heated hair styling equipment.  When you do use heated styling equipment make sure you apply a suitable haircare product to your hair beforehand to protect your hair and to leave it soft, smooth and shiny.  Also, you should use the lowest heat level setting possible as hair can be literally ‘cooked’ from the intense heat which is emitted from heated styling equipment such as hairdryers.

• When you’re out and about in hot weather use hair products that incorporate sunscreens as this will give your hair protection from damaging UV rays. Without protection from UV rays your hair can sustain as much damage as it would from harsh chemical hair treatments.

Now you know how to change those wayward, frizzy curls into healthy, vibrant, sexy and sleek waves that anyone would be thrilled to have!

The Davines Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle