BellaSugar

Before You Stain Another Set of 800 Thread Count Sheets...

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:25 -0700

The problem: You have a pimple. You dab some spot treatment on it, go to bed, and wake up with two problems: the pimple's still there and your beloved designer sheets have streaks of telltale orange from your acne product. Blast! Resolved to never have this happen to me again, I consulted New York City dermatologist Dr. Doris J. Day for some answers.

"At any concentration, even 2.5%, benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric," she says. "Even if you use a benzoyl peroxide cleanser and don't rinse well enough, it'll bleach your towel and sheets (but it doesn't bleach your skin). Retin-A can also stain because it has a preservative in it, but generally, if you're getting stains from using a retinol product, chances are you're using too much." To find out what Dr. Day thinks is more effective for spots than benzoyl peroxide anyway, read more.

What's the alternative to using benzoyl peroxide?
I actually like salicylic acid better for a spot treatment because it's more of an exfoliant. I actually even like it better than glycolic acid. By the time a pimple has formed, your body has already reacted to it. It's figured out there's something going on there and done it's own attack. Benzoyl peroxide will help control or kill bacteria that causes acne, so it can be useful for prevention.

Do all-natural products stain?
Just because something is a plant extract doesn't mean something won't stain. Grass stains! And many dyes are made from natural materials. It's a good idea to test any product on a piece of fabric if you are worried about stains.

P.S. Dr. Day works with GoodSkin, and she promises their spot treatment won't ruin your bedding.
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How To Treat Mild Acne Vulgaris

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:00:46 -0700

I kicked off my series on acne by helping you identify your acne type with this quiz. Now that you know what ails you, it's time to talk about what you can do to help clear up your skin.

Keep in mind, no matter how severe you think your acne is, the best way to start treating it is with the mildest products, working your way gradually towards stronger ones until you find what your skin responds to the best. No need to jump right into retinoids when a gentle cleanser will do!

First up are product and treatment options for those of you with mild acne vulgaris. As a reminder, this is the most mild form of acne, consisting of mostly non-inflamed lesions such as blackheads and small whiteheads. These can pop up anywhere, but they are typically found on your nose, forehead, and chin. If this describes your acne, read more.

Gentle Cleanser What many people don't realize is that you might be over-treating your acne with a too-harsh cleanser. So if you've been struggling to clear up mild acne and have tried everything, it might be time to get back to basics with a cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser ($8). This dermatologist favorite is known for its ability to gently remove dirt and oils from your skin without over drying. Try shelving those harsh cleansers and giving Cetaphil a two-to-three- week run, and see if it helps calm and clear up your skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide If gentle cleansing alone doesn't work, it might be a good idea to add a topical benzoyl peroxide cream or gel to your routine. Benzoyl peroxide blasts your pores with oxygen, killing acne-causing bacteria and clearing your pores of cellular debris. It is available in concentrations from 2.5% to 10%, but if your acne is mild, you should not need higher than a 2.5% concentration. Because of the possible side effects of overdrying, flakiness, and irritation, always start with the lowest concentration and work your way up if it's not working. This also gives your skin the opportunity to get used to the ingredient, which can help reduce side effects. Try a product like this 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream. It worked wonders on my skin, and it's cheap, too.
Salicylic Acid This ingredient comes in many forms, from cleansers to creams to spot treatments. Salicylic acid works by sloughing off pore-clogging dead skin cells, preventing them from causing pimples. Because of this, it can be very drying and irritating, especially if used in excess. Concentrations vary from 0.5% to 2%, and as with benzoyl peroxide, it is best to start with the lowest concentration you can find and work your way up. If your lesions are spread out or abundant, try it in a cleanser form, like this Neutrogena Oil Free Power Foam Wash ($6). A spot treatment like Nature's Gate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment ($10) is a better choice if you have only a few blemishes or infrequent breakouts.

A couple important things to keep in mind. First, you shouldn't use salicylic acid in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide. If your skin does not respond to a round of treatment with either, it might be time to seek other options. Also, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, consult your doctor before trying a new acne treatment. Let me know if anyone has had luck with any of these options, and stay tuned for my treatment suggestions for moderate to severe acne.

Definition: Salicylic Acid

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:00:18 -0700

The term salicylic acid gets thrown around here a lot on BellaSugar, because it's a common ingredient used in acne-fighting products such as cleansers, toners and especially spot treatments.

It is a topical anti-inflammatory and a beta hydroxy acid. It slows down the shedding of skin cells inside your hair follicles, which clog your pores and often lead to acne.

It is used to treat blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads and even dandruff, psoriasis, calluses, corns and warts in some cases. The drawback of using salicylic acid is that it can be very drying and irritating on sensitive skin. Overall it is highly effective and safe-which is why it's so popular in over-the-counter products targeted at clearing up blemished complexions.

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5 Tips For Minimizing Adult Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:38 -0800

Dr. Amy Wechsler is not only a dermatologist, she's a psychiatrist as well. What a combo! In fact, some even call her a "beauty shrink," and the Manhattan-based skincare expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin ($20), has a few things to share with us regarding adult acne. As we all know, breakouts that occur post-high-school can be rough on the psyche, and that's why I asked Dr. Wechsler her tips on helping us prevent and deal with pimples in our 20s, 30s, and beyond. To check out her advice, keep reading.

Why Are You Breaking Out? Take This Quiz to See!

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:16 -0700

It happens to all of us. You wake up one morning, or check the mirror in the afternoon, and you've started breaking out. You wash, you apply your benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid, but it just keeps getting worse, and you have no idea why. We've discussed the different kinds of acne before, but to help you stop your breakout quickly, I've put together a diagnostic quiz to determine just what kind of acne you have, what environmental factors may be causing your breakout, and what you can do to halt it. Click here to begin.

When did you last wash your pillowcase?

Yesterday.

Within the last week.

Within the last two weeks.

Uhhh, can't remember.

Using any new skin, hair, or fragrance products - or switched detergents?

Nope

Yep

Any construction going on around your home or office?

Nope

Yep

What do your acne cysts look like?

Big, red, deep-down bumps

Small, yellow-ish, full of pus, close to the surface

Just blackheads and whiteheads

Any eye irritation lately?

Nope

Yep

What's on your nails?

Polish/topcoat

Acrylic, gel, or solar nails

Nothing

Been taking a Spinning/weights class, or using the machines at the gym or the exercise area at the park?

Nope

Yep

Got a new favorite food?

Nope

Yep

Do you usually get sick when the seasons change?

Nope

Yep

Been kissing someone new or started sleeping at their place? Or has your honey been using anything different?

Nope

Yep

Splurge of the Week: Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:24 -0700

While on vacation, I took a little, uh, vacation from my normal skincare routine. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in a mess of a complexion upon my return. I had blackheads galore, and the long flight had left my skin dry and flaky. Nice.

Oh, but when I returned to Sugar HQ, there was a package from Estée Lauder waiting. Inside: a sample of Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($49.50). It's a "skin refinisher," which sounds scary and harsh, but it's surprisingly gentle. When the paste meets damp skin, it warms up. While this heating action doesn't do anything amazing for the skin, it feels good as you rub it on. Five minutes later, the glucosamine and salicylic acid have painlessly nibbled away all of the complexion-dulling dead skin cells. The result: incredibly soft, smoother skin, with smaller-looking pores. One use and my vacation sins were washed away. A little goes a long way, so this is one skincare investment that should last for quite a while.

Yet Another Embarrassing Place For Acne To Show Up

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:43 -0700

It's not like I show up at tea parties talking about ass-ne or anything, but I'm all for opening up about "embarrassing" pimply places. It happens! You are not a freak if you have blackheads in places that aren't your face, you know.

Which brings me to, ugh, ear blackheads. Oh, don't act like you've never had one. My esthetician says they're very common, and while they're harmless, they can sometimes be painful. If you have them, don't try to squeeze them. Instead, try these tips:

Clean your iPod earbuds at least once a week. Grungy earbuds can bring bacteria to your ears, so wipe them down regularly.
Use a cotton swab to apply a salicylic acid treatment to your ears. (Don't stick the swab in your ear canal, though.)
Mom was right: Don't forget to clean behind your ears. Gently cleaning ears with a washcloth can help prevent clogged pores.
Don't go poppin' things. If you have a painful pimple-like growth, it could be a sebaceous cyst. Whatever you do, don't mess with it. Instead, see a dermatologist if you can't deal with the pain.

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Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer Smells Like the Real Thing (And Works, Too)

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:02:13 -0700

Granted you don't actually taste your beauty products - most of them, that is - but this item made me want to take a sip of the bottle from first whiff. Obviously, I'm exaggerating a tad but I'm continually amazed by the realistic scent of the Juice Beauty Green Apple Collection. What started out as a free Sephora sample has turned into my new go-to moisturizer.

The certified organic hydroxy acid Juice base reads like a grocery list (apple, lemon, and grape juices) and, when combined with antioxidants and salicylic acid, helps smooth smile (and frown) lines and keep skin tight and slightly tingly when I put it on each morning. Even though it's nearly springtime, I'm gonna keep treating dull skin with a product that packs an all-natural ~~punch~~ juice, since this apple a day keeps my blemishes at bay no matter the season.

Doing Drugstore: Ambi Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:00:50 -0700

Women of color confront unique challenges to keep even tones because increased melanin makes skin more prone to dark spots and other discoloration. To fight back against those blotches and scars, comes the Ambi Skincare line, geared towards people of African, Latin and South Asian heritage.

I've been looking for a way to face and erase this issue. So I'm loving the Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash ($7), which includes a salicylic acid treatment along with soy extract and vitamins C and E to help reduce breakouts and fade any evidence afterward. While I've not been using it long enough to notice a significant difference in tones, I will say the microbeads feel wonderful going on (not as "harsh" as other exfoliating washes) and, wow, is my face feeling smooth now. Dry, flaky skin goes right down the drain.

I know I'm not the only one loving their line – so if you've tried any Ambi Skincare items, share your own findings in the product reviews section.

Prepping Your Skin For Fall

BellaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:00:22 -0700

Every Fall I hear complaints from friends about their skin becoming a confoundedly combination. Dry heat and cold weather creates a layer of parched skin, but not always on the entire face, and breakouts still occur underneath it as the pores produce more oil to try and keep up. While there's no easy solution for this, here are some tips:

If you wake up with dry skin, resist the urge to slather on a heavy moisturize immediately. Skin is most dry at night, so trying to fix the problem the next morning with a thick cream will cause breakouts. Use something light, like Clean & Clear Oil Free Shine Control Moisturizer.
Skip products with alcohol, which dry out your skin.
Look for products with salicylic or alpha hydroxy acids to chemically exfoliate dry skin and prevent pimples (but only once or twice a week). No need to use the highest concentrations though - 15 percent concentration of an AHA or a 2 percent concentration of salicylic acid may be too much.
Hold onto your SPF! You can still burn in the Winter, and it can still mess with your skin.

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