What is one of the first things that people notice when they look at you? Your skin! Our skin is our bodies largest organ, and a reflection of our total health. It is so sensitive, yet protects us from so many harmful elements. I am huge into skin care and love the idea of preventative care, which is to stop the damage before it happens! Now, let’s face it, there are not a whole lot of conditions that we have control over when it comes to our skin, but there are so many that we do.

Look at your mother and father’s skin, most likely you inherited one of their skin types… like it or not! I used to be all about the makeup, until I realized that your makeup is only as good as your skin. I receive so many questions asking about how to cover up freckles, large pores, dark spots and other textures. The truth be told… You can not cover up a texture on the skin! If your skin (and eye area) is raised, bumpy, puffy, rough, flaky, etc., there is no makeup that will cover up texture. Makeup is made to cover the tone of the skin, not the texture. For example, using a concealer to cover puffiness around the eyes will not work, but that concealer will cover any darkness or discoloration.

There are many products out there on the market, and it is best to 1. Determine your skin type and then 2. Determine your special needs. Your skin type can be normal, dry, oily, combination, or maybe all of the above depending on you. Your special needs can be concerns like: freckles, dark spots (discoloration, pigmentation, age spots, etc.) or acne. If you are unsure of your skin type and your specific concerns that you should visit a Medical Aestitician or your Dermatologist.

Once you have determined what your skin needs, now it is time for a regime! You can choose cosmoceutical products or over the counter (department store) products. Cosmoceuticals are great for people with major concerns, and I have had great success in the past with them. Department store products can be great too! They can get just as pricey though. When purchasing a product from a department store, keep in mind that product does not reach below the epidermis, which is just the top layer of the skin. These products can only do so much, so they are great for maintaining your skin. Be careful what the sales people behind the counter tell you about their lastest and greatest! Not many creams are worth hundreds of dollars, especially if sold in a department store. To see results, visit your local professional to see what would work best for you! Also, treatments from a professional can be great, such as: chemical peels (will take off layers of dead skin and help to even out the skin tone, texture, etc. ), microdermabrasion and facials. This is really what has helped get my skin into shape!

Here are some great tips for keeping your skin in prestige condition:

- Protect your skin from the sun by using an SPF of 15 or higher, daily.

- Sunglasses! We wear them to just look cute and to avoid being aggravated by the glaring sun, but protect that delicate eye area. Show off those new Guccis!

- Wash your face in twice a day, in the morning and in the night. Even if you have had a rough night, get out bed and wash your face!

- Use an eye cream! Your eye area is so delicate and you want to preserve that area.

- If you are experiencing extreme sensitivities, blotchiness, breakouts amongst other conditions, visit your local homeopathic doctor or naturopath. These professionals can help you to pin point what is off balance in your body to be causing these reactions.

- Shop on the outskirts of the grocery store where all of the fresh food is located. Avoid the middle of the store, this is filled with processed foods that cause irritation and inflammation. You can always take a multi-vitamin, but the best source of nutrition is always in your food.

- Take supplements, such as fish oil (not just any will do, make sure that it is a reputable brand that does not contain mercury), probiotics (good bacteria to fight off infections), and a daily vitamin that contains zinc.

- Wash your face before heading into the shower to avoid the hot water that can dry and irritate your skin.

- Exfoliate your skin at least once a week with a gentle scrub.

- Drink water and herbal tea to stay hydrated.

Now, watch my skin care video! I talk about my favorite skin care for myself and what works for me. I am pregnant, so have had to give up all chemical peels and cosmoceuticals for the time being, so I am using Shiseido (amazing brand, one of the only I would use in a department store) to help maintain my skin.

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