Archive for the ‘Ask Beauty 365’ Category

Dear Beauty 365,

I feel like my skin has been looking dull and tired lately. Can you recommend anything to help me look more refreshed?

Nadia, New Jersey

Dear Nadia,

Have no fear, Beauty 365 is here! Tackle dull skin from the outside by first making sure that you are following the 5 Facial Skincare Basics I went over in an earlier post. Also, remember, SPF is your friend, no matter what your skin tone!

Assuming that you’re all set with those…

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Dear Beauty 365,

Once and for all, should I or shouldn’t I pop my zits?!

Ready To Pop
New Brunswick, NJ

Dear Ready To Pop,

Funny you ask that.

I’ve got a couple “situations” going on near my left cheek and I was recently wondering the same thing! I confess to having popped more than one zit in my day, but I do my best to avoid it. The single solution that has worked best for me has 3 important steps:

1. Keep hands off offending zit.

2. Dab toner containing salicylic acid on offending zit after washing face.

3. Keep hands OFF offending zit (really – this part is important!)

Simple, right? But, this method can take a while. And, sometimes, it can be hard to follow steps 1 and 3 after waiting a several long days while the offending zit dies its slow death. Can you believe that some people even get a teeny bit of satisfaction from popping a zit?! Uh, yeah, me neither…

Moving right along.

I thought it prudent to seek medical advice regarding this urgent skin care situation. So, I pulled out my trusty copy of the venerable Dr. Oz’s book and read up on how to lance a pimple.

Dear Beauty 365,

What’s your recommended remedy for blackheads? I have a patch on my chin that came out of nowhere — ick! I have a Neutrogena blackhead daily scrub that usually does the trick, but it’s not cutting it! Help!

Jennifer
New Orleans, LA

Dear Jennifer,

First of all, it’s really important that you keep the area clean! So, try not to pick at it (easier said than done, I know!) or touch it much in general. If you aren’t using one already, a light astringent will help. Plain old witch hazel works great after cleansing and it’s so cheap!

After that, I recommend a few dabs of spot treatment that contains Benzoyl Peroxide. I’m not sure what your allergies are or how sensitive your skin is, but Benzoyl Peroxide has anti-bacterial properties that could really do the trick!

Is this what you are currently using…

Dear Beauty 365,

I really love the way facial skin looks with a light dusting of powder, but the ones I’ve tried make me FEEL the makeup. It’s like the layer of powder is trapping the oil on my skin and keeping it there. I want to wipe my face off all day! I even tried Bare Minerals, one of those companies that claim to be completely “natural,” and even that felt yucky.

I don’t wear foundation regularly, but I would like to wear a nice, light, clean powder to even out my skin tone and erase shine. Got any suggestions?

Liz
New York, NY

Dear Beauty 365,

My skin is SO dull in the winter! Can you suggest a good skin product to brighten and even out my skin?

Kristin
New York, NY

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Dear Kristin,

Moisture is the key ingredient for this season!

Northeast winters can be really harsh and drying, so you should pay special attention to keeping your skin hydrated. If you haven’t already, consider investing in a humidifier. It will not only do wonders for your skin, but it can also help you breathe more easily. You can find some really affordable ones at your local drugstore. Also, be sure that you are drinking enough water…