Skin Care 101

I've mentioned before that I'm a skin care junkie, I also have mentioned that I worked as a GM of a fairly large salon for a number of years which fueled the skin-care junkie me, I also spent a very small amount of time as a make up artist [loved it]. Between these three pit stops I've acquired some excellent tips. Since winter skin is really a challenge for most women I thought I'd share the love. Remember to use your best judgement with your skin care type and if you happen to have a particular question I'll open up the "Ask Richie" portion of this post to whatever you can lay down on me. If I don't know the answer I should be able to find it. I've included High$ and Low$ choices for you when possible.

1. You must exfoliate once a week.
I can't stress this enough especially during the winter. Your mositurizer stops working the way it's suppose to when you've got a layer of dead skin blocking it.



HIGH $: Clarins Doux Peeling [gentle facial peeling] $30
This tube will last you approx 4-6 months. It's no secret that I love Clarins products but for good reason. I've used them for almost 20 years now and I can say even though it sounds conceited...I have terrific skin. This peel is very gentle and does the job with amazing accuracy. You will feel like a baby's bum after. It's very different in that it's a flat cream, goes on like a paste, then when partially dry, you sort of roll it off your skin. Ask for a lesson at the counter on this one. It takes some getting use to.

LOW $: Sugar
Seriously, you think I'm joking here but if you want to be natural or are prohibited by cost, plain old refined sugar is an excellent exfoliant. You can even steal a pack or two from your local coffee shop and it's free. The reason sugar is so good is that it has a naturally round shape to it's crystal formation [it won't damage the skin layer by scratching]. It also will partially disolve as you roll it around your face making it even more gentle. Add about a tablespoon to a quarter size of cleansing cream mix well and apply to face. Use as a normal scrub, wash off. Which leads us to our next section...


2.Facial Cleansers
Clean your face before you go to sleep at night - you need to do this for many reasons but mostly you can't put on the REALLY GOOD LAYER OF GOO until you take the old stuff off at night.




HIGH $ Clarins cleanser $28.50 will last about 6-8 weeks.
They have one for every skin type I have dry to sensitive and really love their "extra comfort cream" but don't care for the tub it comes in so I use the green which is for dry skin. I also really like a skin care line called Rene Guinot [available only in salons] it runs about the same price but I like the fact that I can get Clarins at most major department stores.

LOW: LOREAL OR NEUTROGENA
Both of these product lines have done a great job in the past few years with bringing good skin care to the masses. I'm not sure if it's true but I was told by one of my skin care employees that Loreal is owned by the same company that ownes Estee Lauder, and many times they bring their big products [cheapened down however they do that] to their Loreal line. It sounds good to me so I tend to believe it.



Neutrogena's Extra gentle Cleanser is a good one and in a pinch I'll use this if I run out of my other. I got the dude using it too. Not sure on the price but probably under $8


3. DAY CREAM: I use a two step process during the winter but remember I'm also very dry so use your best judgement.
Step one cream:



HIGH: Clarins Extra Firming day cream $77 will last about 8 weeks. Yes, I have actually see gravity slightly change on my face with this...and I really did not want to like it at that price.


LOW: Neutrogena [this is my second step during the winter and solo step in the summer] Anti-wrinkle Intensive SPF 20

You must wear sunscreen everyday. Before you drive johnny to school, before you step out of your house, even if it's overcast, even if you sit in a cube with no sunlight...because you will see sun at somepoint during your day. This is great on a number of reasons but it as the product says "nfused with concentrated Retinol, helps accelerate surface cell turnover, pushing new, younger cells to the surface. Meanwhile, Hyaluronic Acid replenishes skin with line-plumping moisture, as patented Helioplex-stabilized sunscreen" It's about $8-10 and will last you about 3 months. Don't forget your hands and neck.

4. NIGHT TREATMENTS

I could go on for days in this section because there have been times where I have slathered on up to 3 products a night. I'm only going to sing the praises of my oldest and beloved today. I can wear this summer and winter and use it after my mini facials I give myself. I swear it is the reason that I don't have a wrinkle on my face at [almost] 39. This product will also press every button you have ever known about skin care because it's OIL. I am telling you to smear oil all over your face. It works, I don't know how...just do it. If I could make you buy only one product from this line it would be this. Make sure to get the one that follows your skin type.


HIGH$ Clarins Huile Santal Face Treatment Oil [dry skin] $46 will last you 3.5-4 months. Apply nightly



LOW: ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream approx $25
I have heard good things about this product from a few people but have not tried it myself. When Decorno said she swapped out her LA Mer [$100+] out for one of their products and LIKED IT BETTER. It made me pay attention. They have a night cream with Retinol that seems like a good call. Available at major drug stores.

That's it for our first installment of Skin 101.

next up...speciality products for eyes, masks, and the most amazing product I have ever used under my makeup