September skin
Although I dread the cold as
much as I dread doing taxes, there
are a few cool weather benefits I
(begrudgingly) enjoy. Let's be
honest, it's great to be able to
have a slightly less demanding
beauty regime (hey, if you stretch
out your chipped pedi for an extra
week, who's going to know when
you're wearing your awesome
new Alexander Wang boots?) and
it's easier to manage your skin.
Granted, as temperatures steadily
drop and when winter is on its
way, I may long for summer skin,
even if it means more sweat, dirt
and oil buildup. In the meantime,
I'm perfectly content to maximize
enjoyment of the in-between
with skin that isn't too oily and
not yet parched.
Despite excellent conditions for clear, happy skin, sometimes the swing in temperature and drastic changes in humidity can make your face freak out. This is the best time to experiment with new products, as your skin should be most balanced in the pre-fall season. Each and every September, I find myself raving about a new product I've tried and how I will now be a diehard fan. Although some are fleeting love affairs, plenty of products gain permanent status (much to my little sister's dismay; we share a bathroom. Sorry, Mylo).
Whether you're flaky, uneven, breaking out or are just seeking a little boost after a summer of sun and chlorine, there are jars and tubes of delight for every skin woe.
Dry:
As soon as the sun sets before 9:45 p.m., that dreadful tight, flaky and dry skin can set in faster than you can say 'moisturizer.' Although a heavier cream may be the first thing a lot of women instinctively reach for, it may block pores, which can cause breakouts. These creams may be better for a more mature face.
Since it's not tundra-temperature outside yet, this is the perfect time to battle dry skin with a gelbased moisturizer. A great summer staple that can be used right through the fall season, Biotherm makes the crème de la crème (no pun intended) of miracles in a jar; Aquasource Skin Perfection glides on, sinks right in and skin feels noticeably more hydrated with a cooling effect during application.
Washing is just as important as moisturizing, and using a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip away natural oils and essential nutrients is key. When I suffered from dry, sensitive skin while living in Australia, nearly every native Aussie pointed me the direction of Fresh Cosmetics Soy Face Cleanser. Thankfully, this all-natural and hugely popular beauty brand is available at Sephora on this side of the Pacific. This mega-mild gel-crème formula is packed with soy proteins, amino acids, cucumber and rosewater, smells like a dream and, most importantly, works like a dream. It easily makes even day-old party makeup vanish without a trace (I know, I know, even I sometimes commit skin sins) and leaves skin feeling absolutely refreshed — this is the best face cleanser to take the bad but leave the good.
Oily:
Just because summer is over, it doesn't mean that oily skin afflictions are over as well. Fortunately, scorching summer heat and the probability of less contact with oily hair (hey, we all get summer scalp sweat) will likely result in less extreme breakouts and a more even skin tone.
To encourage this, Philosophy brilliantly put together the Completely Clear Skin System comprised of their On a Clear Day collection. Oil-free foaming cleanser, all-over acne treatment, spot treatment and clarifying lotion all work like a charm at balancing skin's health and improving condition and appearance. I particularly love Philosophy for their no-nonsense approach to natural products without all the floweriness of other brands. Clinique also makes a clarifying lotion that knocks out dirt and oil without leaving skin too dry; it battles breakouts and leaves skin feeling clean.
Everyone:
Whether your skin is dry, oily, both or in between, there are some essential products that are beneficial to any and all skin types. At the end of an exhausting day, and all days for that matter, sometimes I just don't feel like a three-step cleansing program. Let's be honest, sometimes a oneand- you're-done approach is just so much more appealing.
Boscia's MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil gives the onetwo punch, effectively cleaning and moisturizing simultaneously. Seriously, all skin types can use this unique cleanser. And believe me, even if your skin is oily, cleansing with oil is super beneficial. Gently breaking up makeup and impurities, this super-smooth formula leaves skin refreshed, clean and really soft. Similarly, NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil imparts a healthy complexion and doesn't leave behind an oily residue.
Exfoliating skin is also something everyone should do. Dead skin cells need to be sloughed off weekly to ensure a fresh face. I am an advocate for using a gentle exfoliator as skin doesn't need to be scrubbed — that can irritate it and even encourage breakouts. Any scrub that uses a fruit pit as its exfoliator can be harsh and irritate skin.
Dr. Brandt has created a revolutionary exfoliating cream that uses pharmaceutical grade diamond- shaped crystals, so the formula ensures an even exfoliation without tearing or irritating the skin. Teeming with vitamins, essential oils, soothing aloe and smoothing Retinyl Palmitate, this scrub reveals glowing, even skin.
Most importantly, everyone everyone EVERYONE can and will benefit from daily use of SPF. Prevention is the best tool for your best complexion, and nothing creates a more even, healthy skin tone than one without damage.
Despite excellent conditions for clear, happy skin, sometimes the swing in temperature and drastic changes in humidity can make your face freak out. This is the best time to experiment with new products, as your skin should be most balanced in the pre-fall season. Each and every September, I find myself raving about a new product I've tried and how I will now be a diehard fan. Although some are fleeting love affairs, plenty of products gain permanent status (much to my little sister's dismay; we share a bathroom. Sorry, Mylo).
Whether you're flaky, uneven, breaking out or are just seeking a little boost after a summer of sun and chlorine, there are jars and tubes of delight for every skin woe.
Dry:
As soon as the sun sets before 9:45 p.m., that dreadful tight, flaky and dry skin can set in faster than you can say 'moisturizer.' Although a heavier cream may be the first thing a lot of women instinctively reach for, it may block pores, which can cause breakouts. These creams may be better for a more mature face.
Since it's not tundra-temperature outside yet, this is the perfect time to battle dry skin with a gelbased moisturizer. A great summer staple that can be used right through the fall season, Biotherm makes the crème de la crème (no pun intended) of miracles in a jar; Aquasource Skin Perfection glides on, sinks right in and skin feels noticeably more hydrated with a cooling effect during application.
Washing is just as important as moisturizing, and using a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip away natural oils and essential nutrients is key. When I suffered from dry, sensitive skin while living in Australia, nearly every native Aussie pointed me the direction of Fresh Cosmetics Soy Face Cleanser. Thankfully, this all-natural and hugely popular beauty brand is available at Sephora on this side of the Pacific. This mega-mild gel-crème formula is packed with soy proteins, amino acids, cucumber and rosewater, smells like a dream and, most importantly, works like a dream. It easily makes even day-old party makeup vanish without a trace (I know, I know, even I sometimes commit skin sins) and leaves skin feeling absolutely refreshed — this is the best face cleanser to take the bad but leave the good.
Oily:
Just because summer is over, it doesn't mean that oily skin afflictions are over as well. Fortunately, scorching summer heat and the probability of less contact with oily hair (hey, we all get summer scalp sweat) will likely result in less extreme breakouts and a more even skin tone.
To encourage this, Philosophy brilliantly put together the Completely Clear Skin System comprised of their On a Clear Day collection. Oil-free foaming cleanser, all-over acne treatment, spot treatment and clarifying lotion all work like a charm at balancing skin's health and improving condition and appearance. I particularly love Philosophy for their no-nonsense approach to natural products without all the floweriness of other brands. Clinique also makes a clarifying lotion that knocks out dirt and oil without leaving skin too dry; it battles breakouts and leaves skin feeling clean.
Everyone:
Whether your skin is dry, oily, both or in between, there are some essential products that are beneficial to any and all skin types. At the end of an exhausting day, and all days for that matter, sometimes I just don't feel like a three-step cleansing program. Let's be honest, sometimes a oneand- you're-done approach is just so much more appealing.
Boscia's MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil gives the onetwo punch, effectively cleaning and moisturizing simultaneously. Seriously, all skin types can use this unique cleanser. And believe me, even if your skin is oily, cleansing with oil is super beneficial. Gently breaking up makeup and impurities, this super-smooth formula leaves skin refreshed, clean and really soft. Similarly, NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil imparts a healthy complexion and doesn't leave behind an oily residue.
Exfoliating skin is also something everyone should do. Dead skin cells need to be sloughed off weekly to ensure a fresh face. I am an advocate for using a gentle exfoliator as skin doesn't need to be scrubbed — that can irritate it and even encourage breakouts. Any scrub that uses a fruit pit as its exfoliator can be harsh and irritate skin.
Dr. Brandt has created a revolutionary exfoliating cream that uses pharmaceutical grade diamond- shaped crystals, so the formula ensures an even exfoliation without tearing or irritating the skin. Teeming with vitamins, essential oils, soothing aloe and smoothing Retinyl Palmitate, this scrub reveals glowing, even skin.
Most importantly, everyone everyone EVERYONE can and will benefit from daily use of SPF. Prevention is the best tool for your best complexion, and nothing creates a more even, healthy skin tone than one without damage.
