Skin chat with BeautyStat

I asked Ron Robinson, Founder of BeautyStat, questions about skin care sent in from our readers:

Please explain some of the major differences in skin care for women in their
20's, 30's and 40's and is anything in particular different for winter skin
care at these ages?

No matter what age you are or skin concerns you have, the winter season can make them appear worse

If you are concerned about:
Lines, wrinkles rough or loss of firmness - the dry indoor heat dehydrates your skin, making it lose suppleness and elasticity.

Sensitive skin - the dry indoor heat strips your skin of its natural barrier protection making you more vulnerable to itching and redness.

Acne, large pores or rough texture - in the winter, your skin's natural exfoliation cycle slows down leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

Uneven skin tone or discolorations - in the winter, your skin is exposed to intense sun due to the glare from the snow which can darken the look of spots and discolorations.

Is it important to drink lots of water to hydrate on the inside or does skin care happen more on the outside?  Or equal?

As mentioned, the dry indoor heat can dehydrate your skin.  Therefore it is important to stay hydrated.  Drinking adequate amounts of water benefits your overall health and helps hydrate your skin from within.  But you also need to hydrate from the outside as well.

What ingredients in products available over-the-counter should you never put on your skin?

Most cosmetic ingredients are generally safe for most people.  Of course, there are exceptions if you know that you have an allergic reaction to certain ingredients (ex. gluten, fragrance, etc) OR if the product contains an ingredient that is not appropriate for your skin type, ex. Oily/Acne-prone skins should avoid products that contain mineral oils and other pore-clogging oils.  

Dry skins should avoid products with high levels of alcohol to prevent further drying.  Those with sensitive skin should avoid products with high levels of fragrance.

At what point are we using too many products on our face?  I've had 7 step skin care regimes pitched to me in the past.  At the end of an exhausting day I'm proud of myself for washing my face before bed. Yet I have droppers with beauty boosters, vials of oils for my delicate eye area, bottles of moisturizer, containers of vitamin E and more.  Can my face really absorb all that product?

Many brands recommend that you use every product in their regimen (cleanser, toner, scrub, moisturizer, serum, spot treatment, eye cream, primer etc.)  You only really need a good cleanser, treatment moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher and perhaps an eye cream if you have specific eye concerns.

If you were stranded with only 3 skin products/ingredients available to you, what would they be?

I use products that contain clinically tested ingredients.  Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl peroxide in my Acne products and Retinol or Glycolic Acids in my anti-aging products.

Other important Winter Skincare Tips:
1) Moisturize daily.  Apply up to 2-3 times a day as needed.
2) Exfoliate at least once a week.  Be gentle especially if you have sensitive skin.
3) Keep showers short and warm.  Long, hot showers strip the natural oils from your skin.  You should spend no more than 10 minutes in the shower.
4) Wear sunscreen.  Apply SPF 15 sunscreen every day.
5) Consider using a humidifier in your home.  Indoor heaters can reduce the humidity to as 10 percent.  To counter this, place a humidifier in the room which you spend the most time.
6) Stay hydrated.  Drinking adequate amounts of water benefits your overall health and helps hydrate your skin from within.

Ron Robinson
Founder, CEO
www.beautystat.com
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