MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT – HOW TO CHOOSE YOURS
IF I CAN ONLY AFFORD ONE PRODUCT, WHAT SHOULD IT BE?
I hear  you ! None of us want to forsake our skincare regime even  if we are “squeezed” for cash these days. Decide how much money you have in your budget for skincare and spend it on a GREAT eye cream. The eyes are the first to show the signs of aging and a good eye cream is a must.
Your local CVS or drugstore will have lots of good choices for cleansers at responsible prices. Look at the ingredient labels and you can find one almost identical to your more expensive cleanser. There are also good choices for moisturizers both with and without susncreens. Acne care products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are abundant and relatively inexpensive.
For a good eye cream look at Olay Definity Highly Defined Anti-Aging Illuminating Eye Treatment. I actually use this one myself as I love that it has a very light texture so I don’t  wake up with puffy eyes . Also helps with dark circles.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY PORES SMALLER?
Contrary to popular belief, pores do not open or close! The size of your pores are genetically programmed and/or stretched by an accumulation of oil and dead skin cells. Once they are strectched they will not close aka get smaller. As you age, pores also get larger because the openings loosen up.
The best way to prevent large pores is to wash with a product that prevents oil build-up as well as promotes cell turnover -one with salicylic acid for oil control and glycolic acid to accelerate dead skin cell turnover. Using of a mild Buf Puff will also work to remove oil and dead skin cell build-up in the pores that causes the pores to be strectched. The old cold water trick helps the appearance by contracting the blood vessels making the skin appear tighter while a moisturizer plumps the skin surrounding the pores also making it appear smaller. Home microdermabrasion kits can also help keep pores clean and taut.
For those with oily skin, and prone to larger pores especially around the nose, cheeks and chin, monthly facials with extractions can be a real benefit
WHAT IS THE OPTIMUM PH FOR GLYCOLIC ACID?
Here goes a quick chemistry lesson!
The Ph table goes from 0-15 with 7 being neutral aka water. Above 7 is alkaline and below 7 is acidic. Our skin is on average 4.2-4.6 with men having a more alkaline basis to the skin. Since the goal of a glycolic product is to cause the skin the exfoliate then it needs to be more acidic then the skin in order to do that.
Opinions vary on what the optimum Ph of a product should be. Having formulated many products as co-founder of DDF, my experience is that 3.5 is the optimum Ph for a facial product. This is acidic enough to do the job, but not too agressive to cause redness and flaking.
NOTE: Ph is usually not printed on the box so you may have to call the company to find out ….that is, if they will tell you!
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