Common skincare questions answered

Julie Kraut
Jul 08, 2010 8:44 AM by
Posted in Beauty & Style / Makeup & Skin Care / Skincare

Ask The Esthetician

Many women are confused about skincare, and estheticians hear the same questions over and over. To set the skincare record straight, SheKnows chatted with two superstar estheticians about the most common skincare questions.

Woman with summer skin

Here's what Tiffany Taylor, LE, editor of the beauty blog Body Waxing Saved My Life and Cheryl Bryant-Rushing, LE, owner of Bryant Rushing Beauty and blogger at My Esthetician's Blog had to say.

Q: How do I protect myself from the sun without getting a total SPF-induced break out?

A: Protective clothing and sun hats are a great start, says Taylor, as are light moisturizers or makeup with SPF. Bryant-Rushing recommends seeking out titanium dioxide or zinc oxide sunscreens, because they sit on top of your skin instead of getting soaked in, which can irritate sensitive skin.

More: 10 Rules of sunscreen

Q: How come I keep getting blackheads? I wash my face regularly, I swear!

A: We totally believe that you're bathing. Blackheads actually have nothing to do with hygiene. Taylor reports that they're caused by oils below the surface of your skin that oxidize and turn dark. Icky!

More: Coping with adult acne breakouts

Q: I'm dealing with acne and anti-aging issues at the same time. Shouldn't those be two separate eras of my skin care history?

A: In an ideal world, yes. (In an ideal world, Nutella would have no calories.) For those of us living in a less than ideal world, Bryant-Rushing recommends continuing the use of anti-aging skin products and dabbing on topical benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur on breakout-prone areas.

More: Top 35 beauty products

Q: I was a sun worshipper 20 years ago. Is there anything I can do now to make up for that?

A: Taylor says to run, not walk, to an esthetician who specializes in sun damage. Special products, facials and wraps could help heal some of the damage.

More: 30 Days to healthy, radiant skin

Q: What's the number-one skin care tip you'd offer to women of any age?

A: "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize," says Taylor. Bryant-Rushing has two top tips to offer: The first is to avoid touching your face after applying makeup or washing. Simple enough. The second tip involves taking a walk on the wild side of skincare: Bryant-Rushing suggests shaving your face regularly. She sings the praises of the blade, saying that it will exfoliate, shrink pore size and minimize breakouts. We've never tested this method, but we're super intrigued. Will some brave soul take a Venus to her cheeks and report back in the comments section, pretty please?

Q: Ack! My neck is totally a different texture and age than my face. Can I do anything about it?

A: On this point, our esthetician experts agree: Extend all of your face care regimens below your collarbone, especially your daily SPF application.

More: Smoothing scrub essentials

Q: I want to be tan but don't want to damage my skin. What's a UV-conscious girl to do?

A: Tons of quality faux tanning products are on the market. Just be sure you exfoliate and test on small, inconspicuous places on your skin before going full-body. Taylor lists TanTowel as her fave.

More: Self tanner tips

Q: Is it true that what you eat affects your skin and acne?

A: While healthy eating does help every organ in your body (and your skin is an organ), the truth is that great skin has much more to due with your genes than outside factors such as diet. So, if they ever do invent that calorie-free Nutella, don't hold back.

More: Top 5 Foods for healthy, glowing skin

Q: While I'd love to get a facial a week, I'm on a budget. What can I do at home to simulate the effects of a facial?

A: Bryant-Rushing has a bevy of recipes for DIY facials. Hair conditioner is apparently the perfect base for an inexpensive at-home facial. Mix in the active ingredient that matches your skin type: Cinnamon for sluggish skin, egg yolk for dry skin and benzoyl peroxide for acne issues. Voila! You're in spa central!

DIY Facial Scrub

More: Homemade skincare with seasonal fruits and veggies

We hope these answers will clear up some of your skin issues -- pun intended! Both Taylor and Bryant-Rushing have fabu blogs where you can find more in-depth skincare information and get in touch with our experts directly.

DIY: tomato scrub

This tutorial shows you how to take a tomato and turn it into an invigorating scrub.

More summer beauty tips:

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Comments

Comments on "Common skincare questions answered"

Cheryl Bryant-Rushing, L.E. August 19, 2010 | 7:28 PM

Thank you, Elizabeth!! Yep, I have been shaving my face since 1988 and so far,no beard! Jill, the best way to get rid of blackheads is to incorporate a salycylic wash with a scrub. Those sometimes don't come together so you can add a little baking soda or bakers' sugar to the cleanser. Afterwards, a combination salicylic-glycolic toner should be used followed by at benzyol peroxide treatment product on the blackhead area. 5% if your skin is delicate, 10% if normal to dry and 10% with 5% sulpher if oily.

Mom on a mission August 13, 2010 | 10:57 AM

I'm kinda/sorta frightened by the tomato facial. Also kinda/sorta intrigued.

Jill August 05, 2010 | 5:21 AM

Good to know that my blackheads aren't from being dirty. But how do I get rid of them? Could the experts chime in?

Elizabeth Lucas August 04, 2010 | 10:41 AM

I have been a client of Cheryl Bryant-Rushings for years. As for the shaving, it DOES work. It's a process that I, along with many friends, have done for years under Ms. Bryant-Rushings care. People tell me I have great skin all the time. I am 59, but most people will guess 48, sometimes even younger. And as for hair growth on my face, it has not increased at all. If Ms. Bryant-Rushing suggests some, DO IT! She's the best!

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