Tag: Skin

Categories
Health

17 Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter Skin in 2019


No matter which skin issues you’re currently bemoaning, chances are your routine could benefit from a vitamin C serum. The antioxidant is one of the few skin care ingredients dermatologists will back for its noticeable brightening, protective, and collagen-boosting properties. “Vitamin C is an antioxidant,” says dermatologist Kenneth Howe, M.D., at Wexler Dermatology. “When ultraviolet light penetrates your skin, it causes lasting damage by producing free radicals. Vitamin C can prevent that damage by ‘quenching’ the free radicals as they form.” There’s just one caveat: “It has to be present within the deeper layers of your skin in order to do that.”

This is the main reason derms will often tell you to get your daily dose of vitamin C in serum form. “They typically have the highest concentration of active ingredients,” says Howe. In order to get maximum results, though, you’ll need these highly concentrated actives to be properly formulated. You might have heard experts debating the merits of various forms of the power ingredient. Here’s one to memorize: L-ascorbic acid. “It’s a pure form of vitamin C,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D.. “It’s typically highly unstable, so it must be adequately protected from sunlight and capped at an acidic pH.” Howe’s preferred form is also L-ascorbic acid, which he says penetrates more deeply than other forms, making it more likely to reach the layers of skin where you actually need it to work. And that’s not all you need to think about it when it comes to the best vitamin C serums; you’ll also want to consider its concentration.

“You should look for serums that contain 10% to 20% vitamin C,” says dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical, Morgan Rabach, M.D. “Less than 10% is not as effective and over 20% causes more skin irritation.” A supporting cast of characters can also boost its efficacy. “Vitamin E stabilizes vitamin C for maximum skin protection, and ferulic acid helps lower the pH level of vitamin C so your skin can use the vitamins easily,” she says. “I also look for darkly tinted glass bottles with airless delivery, as air causes vitamin C to degrade.”

It seems like a lot to remember, so we did the heavy lifting of finding out where those multiple factors intersect. Below, the 17 best vitamin C serums (or products with serum-like textures, to use the term more generously) that meet this stringent list of criteria. Scroll through to find out which bottle delivers on a budget, which is perfect for packing in your carry-on, and which meets every single derm’s approval.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.



Source link

Categories
Health

Tatcha Water Cream Review: A Savior for Winter-Dry Skin


There’s absolutely nothing that gets me excited about winter approaching—not snowstorms, not practical shoes, and definitely not the need to have to invest in a puffer jacket over a cute high-waist bikini. But there is one thing that makes cooling weather—and the annoying problems it brings—much more tolerable. And that’s Tatcha’s The Water Cream moisturizer.

For the most part my skin behaves. It doesn’t break out that frequently and it isn’t oily. But when winter comes around, it dries out faster than wet boots in front of a radiator, which is to say my more or less slapdash evening skin-care routine suddenly becomes a thing lest my face cracks off.

I’m typically not someone big on moisturizing. Much to my friends’ dismay, I usually end my night with a face wipe and call it a day. But I am someone who can be easily persuaded to buy things if they’re pretty, and nothing completes a top shelf like Tatcha. So last winter, when a particularly frigid week was wreaking havoc on my skin, I went down a Sephora rabbit hole and came up with the brand’s Water Cream.

Not only is it one of Tatcha’s best-selling products, it sold out twice over when it first launched, making it one of Sephora’s top-selling moisturizers. When you read the reviews—and better yet, what’s in the formula—you immediately get why.

For one, the cream is described as providing a “water-burst,” which is just as incredible as it sounds. Putting it on feels like hydrating your face with magic. Victoria Tsai, the founder of Tatcha, describes the cream as a “sprinkler for your skin.” The formula is made with Japanese wild rose, which is known to help even out skin texture, and Japanese leopard lily, to control any excess oil in order to prevent breakouts. But it isn’t just packed with botanicals; it’s also filled with powerful Japanese superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae that help restore radiance. To top it all off, the cream has 23-karat gold infused in it to give your skin subtle (but not shimmery) glow. And really, what’s more luxurious than that? Hm, maybe the tiny golden spoon it comes with?

Don’t be fooled by its size or the amount of moisturizer it scoops out, though. A little goes a long way. Just a pearl-sized amount (or one scoop) is enough to drench my face, which my skin promptly drinks up and repays me with a lack of dry, flaky patches—even in the dead of winter. The refreshing effect gives my face the appearance equivalent of a full eight hours of sleep—dewy and so incredibly bright.



Source link

Categories
Health

Skin Care Routines: How 5 Influencers Go From Summer to Fall


We all have those Instagram accounts we check daily, turn post notifications on for, and refer to in conversation like they’re our actual friends. If you’ve ever scrolled onto one of these photos and wondered “how does she do it?” you’re in luck. Welcome to our series, Insta Stalking, where we talk to the women behind the accounts we’re obsessing over about their beauty secrets. First up, five women reveal how they transition their skin care routines from summer to fall.

Like clockwork, at the change of every season, I get hit with a cold, and my skin freaks out. Out of seemingly nowhere, I’ll be dealing with both major breakouts and dry, flaky patches, no matter what season we’re entering. While it’s never fun, during the fall the dryness is particularly bad, since it serves as a reminder of the extreme dryness to come in the colder months.

What’s at least slightly reassuring is that everyone I’ve mention this to has a similar story about their skin freaking out recently too. Rachel Liverman, esthetician and co-founder of Glowbar, confirms it’s not crazy to blame your skin on the shifting seasons. “Seasonal changes affect nearly everyone; this is due to the level of humidity in the air,” she says. “As the weather changes and the air gets drier, so does your skin. You then turn up the heat in your house and car, which dries out your skin even more.”

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City, adds that this dryness can contribute to acne, and it’s important to hydrate your skin even if you’re acne-prone. “As the weather gets colder, it’s important to adjust your skin care routine,” says Zeichner. “Look for hydrating cleansers and rich moisturizers to maintain healthy skin barrier function.” Both Zeichner and Liverman recommend adding a more emollient moisturizer, as well as an extra-hydrating serum when the temperature drops. Don’t get too excited and switch out your whole routine, Liverman recommends only adding two new products at a time instead of doing a complete overhaul.

With that in mind, we spoke to women with some of the best skin on the Internet to see how they transition their skin care routines into the fall. From K-beauty steals to $300 creams, read on for their must-have products.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Lissie Chappel, 28, freelance brand consultant in New York City

I had somewhat sensitive skin growing up. I went through an oily phase as a teen and had breakouts through my early 20s. When I hit 24, I started getting less breakouts, but my skin got more reactive and I developed rosacea. My redness was at its worst in the winter of 2017, so I cut out all products except for Caudalie Grape Water, Bragg Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil from Whole Foods. Skin is definitely a reflection of holistic internal and external factors, and during that time I was also getting a couple hives on my face, neck, and arms daily. I wasn’t able to make immediate changes to my diet, stress levels, work hours, or environment, so I eliminated skin care products. In the past two years, I built up my skin’s resilience and introduced products back in.





Source link

Categories
Health

I Tried Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Trick for Glowy Skin


The first and only time I have ever been early in my life was when I was born a few weeks ahead of my due date. Ever since then, I’ve been running behind, always showing up in the nick of time or fashionably late. I also refuse to leave the house without makeup on (thank you, acne), which is a terrible combination that leaves me scrambling to get out of the house as quickly as possible. So when I hear a tip that promises to cut my getting-ready time in half, I’m all ears.

The latest suggestion came from an unlikely source: Khloé Kardashian. (I have nothing against the Kardashians; I just tend to look toward vintage starlets and ’90s It girls for beauty inspiration rather than their current-day Calabasas counterparts.) In a new Vogue Beauty Secrets video, Kardashian details how her makeup routine has changed since becoming a mom. “I’ve had to learn how to do makeup really quickly and not do too many wet things,” she says. “If it’s wet and I have to run after [True], it’s going to set really weird and I’m gonna look super blotchy.”

[embedded content]

While Kardashian still gets her makeup done on days when the family is filming, on her day off she relies on a homemade BB cream to get her face on as fast as possible. In the video she starts by applying her skin care, skipping moisturizer and going right to sunscreen. She then reaches for her Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer. At first I thought it was that odd she applied SPF under her moisturizer, but when she then reached for her Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, it started to click.

Kardashian mixed the two products together on the back of her hand with a Kabuki brush and then quickly stippled it all over her face. The result was a super-glowy lightweight veil of color that she applied in less than a minute. Seeing as I covet luminous skin and conveniently had both products in my stash, I decided to put it to the test.

The cream is very whipped and luxurious, so you don’t need a lot. I prefer a little more coverage, so I found luck with about a 2.5 to 1 ratio of foundation to moisturizer, but if you want to show more skin, just add less foundation. I think the combo would work with any foundation stick and moisturizer you have on hand, but the textures of these two are very luxe and they feel nice and creamy when mixed together. I’ve also found the Tom Ford to be a little heavy for my skin when I’ve used it solo, so this is a great way to make it more wearable for me.



Source link

Categories
Health

Saint Jane Luxury CBD Beauty Serum Is Perfect for Sensitive Skin


A little over a year ago, I interviewed top dermatologists about the CBD trend, the cannabis-derived cure-all that was beginning to blow up. An avalanche of CBD-spiked products started hitting shelves, each claiming that the weed compound would solve every skin woe imaginable. While I believed in the ingredient’s potential, it didn’t take long before it all started to feel pretty gimmicky.

I was born with Netherton Syndrome, an autoimmune condition that manifests in recurring rashes, hypersensitivity, redness, dryness, and flaking. Over the years, I’ve tested many products and found what works best for me, but I’m always curious about new treatments that could potentially do an even more effective job of soothing my skin. Cannabidiol (the chemical term for CBD) has shown clinical promise in reducing inflammation, but I had yet to try one that made a noticeable difference. The CBD serums and creams I tested didn’t cause flare-ups or adverse effects, but they also didn’t do much of anything. I was resigned to the fact that CBD beauty was just well-marketed hype until I stumbled upon the Saint Jane Luxury CBD Beauty Serum.

A few weeks ago, I went home for the weekend. My skin was not in its best state with the weather being so hellishly hot, and hibernating in air conditioning sounded like heaven. Sadly, the combination of the humid outside air mixed with the moisture-wicking AC wreaked havoc on my already-irate complexion. I ended up avoiding mirrors just so I wouldn’t have to look at the angry red patches that were quickly developing. After a few days went by with little improvement from my usual routine, I decided to see if anything else could help my situation. (This is the part of the story when things start looking up.)

With its chic black and gold packaging, Saint Jane’s serum instantly stood out to me, but the true test was what lay inside. I was pleasantly surprised by how hydrating it felt when I squeezed a few droplets on my chronically dry hands. Much to my surprise, I was completely mind-boggled by the results. A mere few minutes after slathering the rich, silky serum onto my skin, I looked in the mirror to find that the redness taking over my face had dialed down dramatically. In the days that followed, I didn’t use any other products with it; I simply applied it in the morning right after washing my face with a gentle cleanser and again at night. I marveled at how I woke up to instantly glowier, calmer-looking skin. My face tends to look much redder than my neck when it’s irritated, but a single application changed that. The texture on my cheeks had somehow evened out overnight—I have my fair share of over-the-counter products that impart good results, but none had ever alleviated my symptoms so quickly.

Kaleigh Fasanella



Source link

Categories
Health

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation Transforms Acneic Skin


When Mother talks, you listen. Mother, of course, is the inimitable Pat McGrath. Her eponymous cosmetics line has become an instant favorite of editors, influencers, makeup artists, and consumers since she launched her first product (Gold 001) in 2015. Now Pat McGrath Labs is valued at a billion dollars and offers a vast array of products to ogle over. From lipsticks and glosses to pigments and mascara, Mother has done the most to make sure we are taken care of. While I would never question her grand vision, I’ll admit to wondering: When will my skin get some love?

Nothing McGrath does is without tremendous effort and an eye for perfection (it’s why we love her). She’s known for creating stunning makeup looks at the shows of Christian Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Prada, Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, among many others—designing looks that range from simple to ornate works of living art. The base of all these looks is a complexion that appears to be touched by God herself, which is why I’ve been itching to get my hands on her latest release, Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation ($68).

Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection has a serum-like consistency, with ingredients that help hydrate, blur, and smooth the skin. At the launch event in Los Angeles, McGrath demonstrated how layerable it is by using her hands for a soft wash of coverage, then building it up with a brush and a sponge. The foundation gradient includes five shade families, each split into seven undertones (with the exception of the “deep” family, which has eight). It’s packed with what the brand calls a Vita-Serum Complex and Diamond Core Powder Technology, meant to hold in moisture and optically blur the skin too. What I find most interesting is that McGrath says it’s “post-perfecting,” meaning you can keep applying throughout the day, even after powder. As a woman of 32 with an oily complexion, it seems like my skin is constantly eating my makeup—and I’m also noticing fine lines start to develop. In short, the formula was made for me; the blurring properties and fact that I can powder without a care in the world make me absolutely giddy.

The foundation also comes in a kit that McGrath refers to as The System ($150), which includes a silicone-free primer and powder. The primer features hyaluronic acid, which emulates the dewy glow that McGrath creates on the runway. “Everything is built from that whole idea of skin care, which is how you should look when you’re wearing foundation—like you’re taking care of your skin,” she says. She also explains that the powder does not cake and that your skin will still glow while wearing it, which was true for me, as you’ll see below. After watching McGrath and her team demo the makeup on models of varying ages with different skin tones, I couldn’t wait to give them a try on my own face.

Clean Skin

Kirbie Johnson





Source link