Skin Care: Healthy Glow

Taking care of your skin can become an overwhelming process. Not knowing what products to use and when to use them can be a bit of a challenge; we all want healthy glowing skin all year round. Going into a department store sometimes adds to the frustration of finding the perfect product to fit your skin type whether that is oily, dry, and normal or combination.

I recently ventured outside my usual skin regiment which consisted of pure vegetable glycerin soap and Shea Butter Lotion; I went into a department store cosmetic section and sought to purchase skin care facial products that will take me from rising with the sun to bedtime with the moon. I wanted a morning face wash, day cream, cleansing scrub and a night cream; all in the same brand. I was in the store for over an hour trying to decide on what to purchase, needless to say it was very frustrating.  One brand had what I wanted in a combination skin but I ended up purchasing three different brands of products to get exactly want I needed. After my frustrating search I spoke with my friend and Mary Kay Cosmetic expert Julie Wong who gave me some amazing advice and also educated me on how to get and maintain a healthy glow for my combination skin. Here are some questions and answers to help you get started.

How important is taking care of ones skin?

It’s very important to take care of one’s skin for a number of reasons.  First of all, our skin is the largest organ on our body.  Secondly, it performs important functions such as moderating our body temperature (sweating to cool it down, and forming goosebumps to maintain warmth) and providing the first line of defense against attacks from foreign bodies and infection.  Thirdly, by taking care of one’s skin, we can protect ourselves from skin cancer (it’s the only cancer that is completely preventable at the moment).  Last of all, taking care of one’s skin is important for helping one look and feel good about oneself.  When you look and feel good, your health also improves – it’s all about the mind-body connection.

If I am just starting out with taking care of my skin, where should I begin?

If you are just starting out on skincare, staring at a store with shelves and shelves of skincare is likely to be overwhelming!  The first step is to get an assessment of your skin – the more comprehensive the better.  Your skincare routine will depend on your skin type, your needs (what you would like to change about your skin) and your lifestyle.  Find a skincare expert that you can talk to and ask a lot of questions.  It’s most ideal if you have a consistent person to talk to – think of it as having a skincare doctor!  They know about your skincare history and will be most equipped to help you as your needs change.  As an independent beauty consultant, my job is to sit down with a client and help them choose the most appropriate skincare routine, show them the right technique and be their personal skincare doctor.

Can I use skin care products from different skin care lines at the same time?

As a beauty consultant, I would suggest sticking to one skincare line.  The reason for this is that products within the same line are designed to work with and complement each other.  Different lines have different formulations and this information is not likely to be shared between companies.  By using different lines of skincare, you are not maximizing each product to their full potential.  If you are finding that you have to mix and match, what that really means is that you have yet to find the skincare for you.  It may take some time but the results of a great skincare is well worth it!  Since it is a bit of a trial and error, look for lines that will provide you with consumer protection!

Can I use only one face cream instead of a day and a night cream?

It’s best to use different creams as you are exposing yourself to different conditions and environments during the day and night and each of these creams are typically developed to address different areas of skincare.  Typically day creams offer protection such as sunscreen as you go throughout your day and night creams contain more vitamins and other ingredients to help you rejuvenate and stimulate your skin’s renewal while you sleep.

Should I always choose a moisturizer with an SPF? What number should I be looking for?

You don’t have to choose a moisturizer with an SPF but suncare should be a part of your skincare routine.  Often day creams will have a sunscreen that you can use.  If you use a separate  sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a moisturizer, the sunscreen should be applied first to give you the most protection.  If you are using a moisturizer with an SPF, you should look for one that offers at least SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection.  Keep in mind that sunscreens are not effective after 3 months so purchase as needed.

Contact Julie for your complimentary consultation and mention Essence Occasions blog and receive a “Pinked” gift card towards any Mary Kay products of your choice.

Julie Wong

Phone: 647 393 9830

Email: jwong.MK@gmail.com

Blog: http://www.loveyourskineveryday.blogspot.com/

E-catalog: http://www.marykay.ca/juliewong/whatsnew/ecatalog/default.aspx

Visit us soon for more advise on when to have a facial and if you should change your skin care products each season.

Tags: Combination skin, Cosmetics, Dry Skin, Essence Occasions, Facial, Glow, Glycerin, Guess Blogger, Health, Healthy Glow, Julie Wong, Kadeshia Bennett, Mary Kay, Moisturize, Moisturizer, Oily Skin, Shea Butter, Skin, Skin Care, Tips