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

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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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SHOULD I BUY A SELF TANNER WITH AN SPF?

I am not really an advocate of sunscreens with self tanner ingredients . For proper use of sunscreens you need to re-apply every  2 hours . SPF 6o will not save your skin unless you apply diligently! So if you are using sunscreen properly and re-apply as directed how are you going to control the depth of “color” you get from your self- tanner? Use self-tanner as desired separate from your SPF. Then you can get the proper product for face aka your skin concern and one that is more moisturizing for your body.

Apply evenings before you go to sleep. Make sure you let dry and don’t ruin new designer sheets . Apply SPF daily UNDER your make-up  SPF 15 M-F working days and SPF 30 week-ends. WE LOVE LA ROCHE POSAY because it contains Mexoryl UVA protector.

DO I NEED A SUNSCREEN IF MY MAKEUP HAS AN SPF?

You sure do unless you are putting on a 1/2 teaspoon of make-up spread all over you face ! We all want our make-up to look natural so if you are applying your make-up properly you are not applying it as a sunscreen. Makeup with an SPF is better then nothing at all but certainly does not substitute for an SPF applied before make-up application. I much prefer the “all in one ” products aka moisturizer with an SPF or a Matte finish SPF if you have oily skin.

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