The Lantern Skin Studio | Murfreesboro, TN 37128

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Blackheads? Maybe Not.

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Those little dark dots on your nose may not be blackheads. Let’s take a look!

More than lines and wrinkles, more than spots and poor texture – more than dry, oily, sensitive and any combination of complaints I may hear, “I have blackheads” is THE number 1 complaint I hear in the studio. It seems we human beings, despite whatever other skin care concerns we may have, are plagued with these pesky dark dots that like to appear, most commonly, on our noses and chins, and very inner cheeks. These little dark dots may be less or more severe depending on  the individual, but for most us, they’re there.

Now, as a skin therapist, I don’t care how my guests refer to these – clogged pores, blackheads, “stuff in my pores”, junk, whatever. I hear it all. What I do mind, though, is the mass  market that sells to the notion of “blackheads” when often these are not blackheads at all, but instead “sebaceous filaments”. Most of the products out there that claim to resolve blackheads would never even begin to impede the existence of a true blackhead, and half  the time will do very little for sebaceous filaments either.

So, let’s look at a real blackhead so I can show you why all those products that claim to get rid of blackheads – don’t.

Used with permission. DermNetNZ ©Professor Suhonen.

See those dark plugs in the skin? THOSE are blackheads. They are large, solid masses that have formed inside a follicle. The mixture here is of skin cell protein (keratin), and oil (sebum). These are sizable impactions that come out as a solid plug, or what I often call a “kernel” as that is what they look like when extracted. True blackheads may squeeze out with pressure when extracted, but they often need assistance from tweezers to pull out the entire mass. The top of the blackhead will be the size you see at the skin’s surface, while the bottom end will be thin, light in color, and not hardened like the top. The darkness on top is the result of melanin-filled skin cells and sebum that  have been oxidized by air – not dirt.

Let’s say all those magical blackhead-removing products cleansed the tops off these blackheads (they won’t) – but what’s the chances they’re capable of literally pushing them up and out of the skin, freely and clearly?

They can’t. The takeaway here is that what are marketed as blackhead removing products are really marketing to clogged pores/sebaceous filaments.

Unless you have large, hard masses in your skin that resemble the above, you likely do not have true blackheads.

Now, let’s take a look at what is probably more the case.

Used with permission. © DermNetNZ

See the tiny specks on this particular nose? These are sebaceous filaments. Feel free to call them whatever you like, but when you’ve got out that 50x beauty mirror, don’t let it lie and tell you that you have the world’s worst case of blackheads. You don’t. Promise.

This nose is classic for what I see on a day to day basis. Heck, I even have sebaceous filaments on MY nose, and let me tell you – they’re there, they are never going to permanently go away, and all  these trendy tools for ridding your nose of them may do more harm than good.

What’s a sebaceous filament? Well, these little “holes” in our skin that we most often call pores are actually tiny, tiny hair follicles. At the bottom of that hair follicle is an oil gland. Inside that hair follicle are skin cells that shed on a daily basis. Within that tiny follicle, there’s a miniscule little hair that you’re unlikely to ever be able to see. That virtually invisible little hair acts as a wick to deliver all the aforementioned “stuff” up to the surface. What creates the darkened effect at the surface is pretty much the same as with blackhead – it’s just cells and fats that have become oxidized. It’s not dirt. It’s not that you don’t wash your face, and there’s nothing you’ll do to stop these from forming forever. In fact, in dermatology, sebaceous filaments are considered a standard, normal feature of human skin.

Now that we’ve discovered what those pesky dark specks in our pores really are, we’ll go over what to do – and even more importantly – what not to do about them.

Don’t:

  • Rely on pore strips. Though these can occasionally rip off the tops of little plugs in the pores, they do nothing to further purify or clarify the pores and can cause damage to your skin and leave behind more visible capillaries.
  • Buy into those trendy rip-off masks that are circulating social media. The same downsides to pore strips apply to  these painful masks.
  • Obsess over washing your face. AM/PM cleansing is all that is necessary for almost all skin.
  • Over exfoliate. Over exfoliation is one of the biggest problems in all aspects of healthy skin. Check with your esthetician on the appropriate form of exfoliation for your precious skin and the proper frequency of use.
  • Fall victim to the beauty mirror. The magnified beauty mirrors are great tools for applying makeup, but please for the love of good skin – don’t post up in front of that thing and start digging, prodding, poking and picking. A) NO ONE is looking at your skin that close unless it’s your esthetician, and B) If you start looking in those mirrors for imperfections, you’ll literally never see the end of them. Walk away!
  • Perform self-extractions. The problem here is that most of us just can’t stop. If you are red, swollen, inflamed, and standing there for more than 2 or 3 minutes – it’s too much. Angle and technique are huge for extractions, and it’s extremely difficult to do them properly on yourself.

Do:

  • Cleanse your skin AM/PM with a cleanser appropriate for your skin. [Tip: That may not always mean a foamy cleanser!]
  • Exfoliate according to your skin care professional’s recommendations. This varies by the individual. From type of exfoliant to frequency of use, it’s super important you have a personalized exfoliation routine. Dropping countless bucks down the drain at counters on products that look pretty but aren’t ideal for your skin – just a waste of time and dollars.
  • Get regular professional treatments. Professional extractions, done properly, do not damage skin. A well-trained skin therapist has the proper technique, preparation products and tools to perform safe extractions and knows when enough is enough.
  • Be consistent. A facial twice a year will never be enough to keep pores refined and clarified. If clarified skin is truly what you want, consistency is key.
  • Keep in mind that everyone’s skin does not follow the same timeline. In general, it is typical to expect visible plugged pores to return within about 30 days. For some, this timeline will be even shorter. This is one of the reasons we suggest monthly skin care services.
  • Avoid pore clogging ingredients and especially coconut oil on your face. Coconut oil has become such a popular oil and is touted as a miracle cure for just about everything. Unfortunately, as healthy as it is for some to eat, it’s a 4 on a 5 point scale for being pore-clogging.

Professional Treatments for Sebaceous Filaments

My go-to treatment for cleaning out pores are Ultrasonic Facials. These are painless, non-invasive services that use ultrasonic frequency to pressure wash the skin and force debris out the of pores without causing damage.

Next, skin peels. Light peels can really work to dissolve the contents of the pores and also superficially tighten the pore’s surface. This combination can be a fabulous one for reducing pore visibility and increasing clarity. It does not require super strong peels to accomplish this, so just about anyone can receive a mild peel for clarifying purposes.

What About Real Blackheads?

Although we all will likely have a true blackhead at some point or another (even if not on the face), blackheads are more associated with acneic skin conditions and must be softened and removed from the skin through a series of professional extraction services and proper home care. If you’re struggling with blackheads as a result of acne, please check out the Acne Clearing Program.

In Conclusion

I see new products hitting the social media feeds each day that promise to remove every last “blackhead” from a person’s complexion. In reality, blackheads are an entirely different skin condition, and the sebaceous filaments that consumers actually are looking to get rid of are a perfectly normal aspect of human skin. It is possible to dramatically improve the appearance of the pores, but no product will permanently remove them or tighten pores to a non-existent state. Customized home care and consistency with targeted professional services are the best way to achieve clarified skin.

Gelatin for Better Skin

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Learn How Gelatin Can Improve Your Skin

Gelatin for Better Skin

Although most of us think of jiggly, colorful bowls of sugary Jello when we think of gelatin, after reading this article, you’ll have an entirely new outlook on gelatin and why you may want to supplement with it for healthier, more vibrant skin.

Gelatin is type of protein that is derived from collagen. This collagen comes from animal parts that are no longer commonly consumed in the American diet. You see, we live in different times. Historically, mankind did not have the luxury of being overly choosy about which parts of the animal would be eaten. This meant that bones were used for creating broths, soups, and stews, while other parts of the animal from organs, to skin,  to cuts of meat containing large amounts of cartilage and sinew would be cooked in any number of ways – and consumed. It just so happens, that in our taste for “good” cuts of meat, we’re throwing away some of the healthiest parts of the meat we eat: the collagen rich parts. Unfortunately, this tossing aside of the collagen-rich portions of food means we get far less collagen naturally in our diets and this affects everything from our joint health, to our digestive health, to our skin health (and more).

You see, there are (at least) 16 types of collagen found in the human body. Yes, there are actually different types of collagen! It isn’t all just the stuff that makes your skin look plump and youthful (although I know we beauty enthusiasts are primarily concerned with that type of collagen). Collagen, in its various forms, is the predominant protein of the human body and is found in muscle, tendons, skin and even bones! As we age, collagen production decreases. This decrease begins around the age of 40 and becomes much more dramatic post-menopause. A decrease in collagen production results in compromised integrity of our skin’s structural systems and leads to all the common signs of aging: lines, wrinkles, hollowness beneath the eyes, reduced skin hydration, and laxity. In truth, there are far worse problems that may occur in the body when collagen is decreased (like poor joint health), but since this article is about gelatin and your skin, we’ll focus on the important relationship between your skin and your collagen intake.

Our bodies construct themselves from the foods and drinks we consume. This is as true for your skin as any other organ. With the slowing down of collagen production mentioned earlier, one way we can continue to provide our bodies with the building blocks for healthy skin is through consuming foods rich in those nutrients which are integral to healthy, firm skin. Gelatin is a key player in this arena, as it is full of just the right amino acids for producing long term structural improvements in your skin and other body tissues. Have you ever cooked up a pot of soup or made a stew and noticed that overnight some strange jelly-like substance formed in the pot? That’s gelatin. That’s collagen. That weird gelatinous stuff makes for healthy skin (and joints, and bones). Adding gelatin to your diet (we’ll talk about how to do this next) can create substantial improvements in the health of your skin over time. To be clear, this is not a magic potion that will mysteriously make your skin look 20 years younger after a few days to a week (those don’t exist in reality). Instead, it is a longer term plan for providing your body with the raw materials  it needs in order to produce healthy skin tissue over the course of your life.

A decrease in collagen production results in compromised integrity of our skin’s structural systems and leads to all the common signs of aging: lines, wrinkles, hollowness beneath the eyes, reduced skin hydration, and laxity.

When a person begins supplementing with gelatin, she may notice some changes rather quickly; others may think is happening at all. Because we see ourselves every day, we don’t always notice those small improvements the way someone who only sees us occasionally will. Conversely, if we have a significant problem that a certain nutrient really hits hard very quickly – we’ll be more apt to notice changes sooner than expected. Then, there is the fact that for people who begin caring for their skin early on – they may never witness marked “improvements” because there was never much to improve. Rather, the skin is healthier overall, ages less quickly, and retains more youthful qualities over a longer span of time.

Gelatin and Skin

Adding gelatin to your diet can lessen the appearance of wrinkles, slow down the early onset of sagging skin, maintain and improve skin firmness, increases skin hydration levels, and aid in maintaining and restoring vibrancy and vitality to your complexion. Problems in any of these areas are often related to both damaged collagen fibers and a slowing down of collagen production. Daily gelatin consumption can improve these conditions – along with creating benefits for your hair, nails, joints, and bones.

The tricky thing about supplementing with gelatin is that gelatin – gels. Certain more processed forms of gelatin are both hot and cold water soluble, but the standard form of gelatin is only soluble in hot water. For this reason, many people will mix a few teaspoons to 1 tablespoon in a hot cup of coffee or tea. Interestingly, it really has no taste, so although I was skeptical about mixing gelatin into coffee, I can tell you – it’s completely tolerable! Another way of getting gelatin into your daily food plan is by mixing it into smoothies that will be well blended. Again, gelatin gels, so you have to watch how much you’re adding. A tablespoon of gelatin mixed with cold liquids will turn into a giant glob of unappealing goop. This is where the blender comes in. Blend a smoothie like crazy to distribute the gelatin. Gelatin can also be added to warm breakfast cereals like oatmeal, hot soups, stews, and broths, and can even be tossed in to other recipes you might make. I read about one lady who randomly adds gelatin to all sorts of recipes – from meatloaf to chili. Because it dissolves in hot liquids, it can be added to any number of dishes where it will never be noticed.

The type of gelatin I use is a bulk Unflavored Gelatin. I am an Amazon Prime member, so I just have it shipped in as needed. This particular gelatin is used widely in both  the culinary world and by people who supplement with gelatin. There is no flavor, it is basically colorless and odorless. I began supplementing with gelatin at about 1 tablespoon per day, but am now taking 2 tablespoons daily. I divide this amount between morning and evening – or frankly, whenever I find it convenient.


While discussing gelatin as a form of collagen supplement, you’re likely to wonder if topical collagen products work. Here’s the problem: collagen is  a big, fat, protein molecule. It doesn’t do so well, being so large, at penetrating the very tight network that is the surface of your skin. Remember, your skin’s surface is a network of keratin filled skin cells which are surrounded by a matrix of lipids (fats) and  other goodies that are meant to keep bad stuff out and good stuff in. So, although some ingredients and nutrients do very well at penetrating this barrier, big molecules do not. Collagen on the skin’s surface works more like a (very) temporary patch. There is no long term improvement to the deeper layers of your skin when applying collagen topically. That said, it can make it feel nice and look better – so a collagen mask before an event is never a bad idea. Just remember, in the case of collagen, you really need to be getting it in your body, not just on it!

If you decide to begin supplementing with collagen, I’d love to know! For those who already do, I’d love it if you’d share in the comments how you use it, what you mix it with, and how it’s improved your skin (or anything else).

Strawberries for Better Skin: A Little Berry with Big Benefits!

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Strawberries may be small, but don’t doubt their ability to provide great benefits to your skin.

Strawberries for Skin Health

Here in Tennessee, we’re getting closer and closer to strawberry season. This excites me for a number of reasons, not the least of which is homemade strawberry shortcake.  I love the taste of fresh strawberries, and I enjoy cooking, baking, and preparing jelly and jam with them. Nothing says “summer is on the way” to me more than those beautifully ripened red berries all piled up in a basket. But as an esthetician, I have some other reasons to be fond of strawberries. They truly are a natural bounty of antioxidants and nutrients that are especially useful for those who are interested in healthy skin.

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants. In fact, they’re so full of antioxidants that they rank as the 3rd best source of antioxidants per serving of all commonly consumed US foods! Wow! Now, what do antioxidants do for skin? The short answer is that they limit the production of free radicals, and free radicals are  the monstrous little molecules responsible for most all the damage to our bodies – including our skin. Yes, free radical damage is at the heart of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, inflammation and redness, and the breakdown of our precious collagen and elastin fibers. Antioxidants, like those found in the Strawberry, effectively reduce the formation of free radicals and thereby slow down  the aging process – even in our skin.

Vitamin C, one of your skin’s most needed vitamins, is also found in Strawberries. As we often like to say in the beauty industry, “Vitamin C brightens, lightens, and tightens“. That is a big reduction in the real science behind Vitamin C, but I don’t want to bore you to tears with chat about physiology and cosmetic chemistry, so we’ll stick with that catch phrase. Vitamin C is directly involved in the production and health of all your important skin cells – again, think collagen and elastin. It is one of the top warriors against the signs of aging, and I am of the school of thought that says “No matter the age or the condition – women looking to improve their skin should be getting topical and nutritional Vitamin C.” When it comes to fresh strawberries, do note that the antioxidant and Vitamin C levels in freshly picked strawberries diminish quickly. So try to scarf down those berries in just a few days to get the fullest benefit of their nutrients.

 

Strawberries have a host of other skin and health benefits. In fact, I would never be able to list them all in a single blog post, but I would like to mention that they are also anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, and somewhat astringent. All of these factors  add up to give us one tiny little fruit that means big business when it comes to health (and healthy skin).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberries can effectively:

  • Reduce breakouts and remove surface oil through astringent activity
  • Brighten complexion
  • Gently exfoliate the skin
  • Assist in slowing down  the visible signs of aging
  • Promote the building of new, healthy skin cells and collagen

Did you know?!

  • The average strawberry has over 200 seeds! By the way, those little seeds make a great addition to face scrubs.
  • The average American consumes 3.4 pounds of strawberries each year. With all the benefits we looked at above, we should try to beat that average this year for sure!

With all these details – what’s not to love? Strawberries – eat them, enjoy them, and your skin will love you for it!

 

Benefits of Dark Chocolate in Skin Care

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Dark Chocolate in Skin Care Despite being given a bad reputation by the diet industry, chocolate is actually a wonderful gift from nature. Now, when I say chocolate, I’m referring to the main ingredient used in what we know as chocolate, and that is cacao. Rumors that chocolate causes “bad skin” or breakouts are probably more tied up in the excess dairy and sugar present in most forms of edible chocolate – and not in the presence of cacao which is a very healthful and beneficial substance. In fact, when compared to many other foods, cacao stands out as hugely rich in antioxidants. And, as you probably already know – antioxidants are some of the most powerful substances we have for combating the signs of aging and maintaining healthful, radiant, youthful skin.

When we look for ingredients and foods rich in antioxidants, chocolate is often overlooked. This is unfortunate, as chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavanols than many other plant-based foods that are deemed “super fruits” in the nutrition industry. Blueberries and acai berries are popular trend fruits that are touted for their antioxidant benefits, but studies have shown that dark chocolate and cocoa powder actually contain higher antioxidant activity than both blueberries and acai berries!

Chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavanols than many other plant-based foods that are deemed “super fruits” in the nutrition industry.

Chocolate (cacao) is also rich in minerals including magnesium, copper, and potassium and iron. Magnesium is the most prominent mineral in cacao, and magnesium is a mineral the body just can’t do without. Aside from its many other benefits and roles in the body, magnesium has been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, clear pimples, and relieve allergic skin conditions.

Now, before you run out and start indulging on loads of chocolate goodies, cakes, pies, and candy bars – keep in mind that we’re discussing cacao here. We aren’t discussing the sugar-rich, dairy-rich chocolate products lining the grocery store and bakery shelves. Excess sugars and dairy products can create significant skin issues in some people. It is not the sugar nor the dairy itself that is the problem, but instead how our bodies often react to excess amounts of these foods in the diet. When consuming chocolate, the best route is to look for the highest quality and darkest chocolate you can tolerate. People with an extreme sweet tooth often find milk chocolate products more tasty, but dark chocolate is a far healthier option.

When consuming chocolate, the best route is to look for the highest quality and darkest chocolate you can tolerate.

Topically, cocoa can be used in a variety of skin care preparations. I personally love the use of chocolate in skin exfoliators and polishers along with aromatic antioxidant mists and facial masks either in clay or cream bases depending on the skin I am working with. Cocoa is well-tolerated by most skin types and do I even have to mention the amazing aromatherapy this lovely ingredient provides? So, the next time you hear chocolate getting a bad rap for causing skin problems, don’t be so quick to jump on the anti-chocolate bandwagon. There’s a little more to that story, as you’ve learned in this article, and our oh-so-tasty, amazing smelling chocolate friend really is not the enemy! In fact, chocolate is our skin’s friend – it’s just those two guys (sugar and dairy) he runs around with all the time that can bring along some problems.

 

Summer Skin Care Tips

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Check out these tips to learn how to keep your skin healthy, clarified, and vibrant all summer long.

  1. Don’t over-cleanse. Though you may be tempted to use aggressive cleansers through the summer when oil production increases and pores expand, there is no need to attack your skin with heavy hitting cleansers. Cleansing should be a gentle process. Eliminate excessive rubbing and scrubbing, and use only as much cleanser as you truly need to lift makeup and oil from the skin. When cleansing, always use “less cleanser, more water” – water creates slip and will enable you to cleanse thoroughly without wasting cleanser and stripping your skin. Cleansing properly will reduce surface debris while allowing the skin to stay hydrated and supple through the summer.

    Favorite cleansers for warm months: Lira Bio Enzyme Cleanser is great for normal and dry types. Osmosis Skin Care’s Purify is an excellent choice for normal to mildly oily skin, and Osmosis Skin Care’s Deep Clean or Lira’s ICE Sal cleanser are fabulous for oily and breakout prone skin.

  2. Don’t over exfoliate! Your skin is a protective layer that keeps much-needed hydration in and toxins and pollutants out. Constantly trying to strip away that layer of protective cells will prematurely age your skin more quickly than sun exposure! Exfoliation at home should be limited to once or twice weekly depending on skin type. Go for enzyme based exfoliants instead of aggressive rubs and scrubs. Enzymes gently munch away at dead surface cells and provide a more optimal (and skin friendly) exfoliation than harsh scrubs.

    Check out Osmosis Skin Care’s Polish exfoliator for a great at-home exfoliation treatment.

  3. Don’t skip professional treatments. We often think we don’t need as much care for our skin during the hot months, but regular professional treatments (of the right kind) are a huge help for maintaining great skin all summer long. Go for treatments that clarify and hydrate the skin without making your skin sun-sensitive. One of the best warm-weather skin care services is an UltraSonic facial. The ultrasonic technology does a beautiful job of deep cleansing and exfoliating the skin without disrupting the delicate lipid/water balance. Living cells are not disrupted, and nutrients can be pushed deeply into your skin creating maximum softness and plumpness. If you plan to have chemical peels or microdermabrasion during the summer, these should most always be extremely mild and light treatments. If you’re having more aggressive treatments in the summer, you should plan to stay indoors and not receive direct sunlight in the days following treatment. These services are best performed in the fall.

    Ultrasonic facials are a fantastic choice for a professional service that will deeply clarify and ultra-hydrate your skin during the summer months.

  4. Solar protection is important, but you don’t need to bathe in SPF. Despite all the scary warnings that the sun is evil, mankind was not designed to live in a cave. The fact is, we all need some Vitamin D. Where it gets tricky is that we have a melting pot of skin types in the USA and while some of us need very little direct sunlight (fair skin), and others needs considerably more to produce Vita-D (darker types). If you’re walking from your car to the grocery, or the grocery to the car – chances are, you’re better off to have no SPF protection and catch a few rays for Vitamin D. If you’re going to be out all day in the sun at the beach, the pool, the park, etc. of course, SPF is needed. The safest choices in solar protection are physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Steer clear of chemical sunscreens, although approved by the FDA, there is a lot of controversy surround chemical sunscreen agents that needs to be cleared up before I feel comfortable recommending them.

Summer is a great season to tweak your skin care regimen. Keeping your skin clarified while not stripping away precious lipids, choosing the right professional services, and making sun-wise decisions will all lead to a healthier, more vibrant complexion.

Stretch Your Dollars: Don’t Overuse Your Products!

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Use these simple tips to get the most out of your skin care purchases!

Skin Care Tips | Murfreesboro, TN

Ask any of my guests at The Lantern Skin Studio how I tell them to use their products, and they’ll tell you I’m very clear about using small amounts.

Quality skin care products sold in spas, salons, and doctor’s offices are generally of much higher quality and concentration, and more packed with active ingredients, than formulations you’ll find at the local discount store.

For this reason, you just don’t need to apply large amounts of the products to your skin.

Take a look at this handful of tips to learn how much you should be using of the most common types of skin care products.

Cleansers:
A quality foaming cleanser should require about a green pea sized amount to clean the skin. The key is to use wet hands to lather up the cleanser before applying it to the skin. Of course, if you’re wearing a lot of makeup you should cleanse twice – once to remove the excess makeup, and once to actually cleanse the skin. Creamy cleansers may require a bit more – think dime size here.

Toners:
If you’re skin care routine includes a spray-on toner, one to two pumps should be enough. You’re looking for a very light mist, not wet, dripping skin.

Serums:
Concentrated serums are usually extremely thin in nature, and we tend to overuse these products to the extreme. Use very small amounts – something along the lines of 3-4 drops, or less than the size of a green pea if you have a somewhat thicker serum. Apply these with finger tips only. Using your entire hands to apply serums causes them to absorb into your fingers and palms.

Moisturizers:
Many of us over apply moisturizer. Except in extreme cases of dryness, most of us only need a light layer of moisturizer on the skin. The key is having the right moisturizer. If you’re very dry, you will obviously need a heavier moisturizer than someone like myself who tends to be more oily. But, you don’t necessarily need more of it. As with serums, use fingertips only to apply so your hands don’t soak up your investment. Dot your moisturizer over your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, jaw line, and neck then slick it on and work it in from there. Start with less, you can always add a bit more if you feel like you need it.

Eye Creams:
When you apply your eye cream, you know you’re using too much if you have to spend a lot of time “working it in” or smearing it around and around trying to get it to sink in. Put a small dab on your ring finger, think “fat grain of rice”, and then dot gently under and around both eyes – making that amount last for both eyes.  Gently pat this in, and if you feel like you need a tiny bit more, go ahead and add it. The key is start with less and add more if you feel necessary.

Exfoliants:
Scrubs – It doesn’t require a walnut size of an exfoliating scrub to do the trick. Scrubs should be used sparingly, generally about the size of a nickel should be all you use at any given time.
Exfoliants that you apply and allow to sit for a specified period of time should also be used with restraint. More isn’t better, only so much can penetrate the skin at any given moment. As always, use your fingertips to apply just enough to get a thin layer on the skin.

Masks:
We’ve all seen those photos where a woman is seen with a very opaque white mask and cucumbers over her eyes. This makes a great stereotypical spa photo, but it’s a complete waste of your product. There are a multitude of skin care masks, and with the exception of rubberizing masks that come off in a single sheet after they’ve set, you just don’t need to apply so much. Layer your mask on your skin in a thin, even layer – you should still be able to see the color of your skin with the mask applied. 

Following these simple tips will maximize your investment in quality skin care products, and when you’re stretching your products properly, you can afford to buy quality skin care rather than toss money out the window on discount store brands that don’t pack near the punch of professional brands.

Less is more. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true! So use less, use your finger tips not your hands, and stretch your dollars!