WOMEN’S WORLD
For most Mexican women, daily beauty routines involve the use of a cleanser, exfoliant, toner, serum, day cream, eye cream and sunblock, and that’s just in the morning.
Evening routines can be even more complicated, with the addition of reparative night creams, deep-cell serums and replenishing lotions.
In fact, according to a study conducted recently by the Mexican Academy of Dermatology (AMD), on average Mexican women use no less than nine skincare products each day, and as new potions and creams come on the market, they incorporate them to their beauty arsenal.
But Leslie Eden Harris, global general manager for the Dallas-based derma-cosmetics line SkinCeuticals, believes that taking care of your skin need not be that complicated.
“There are three basic products that you need to use each day to care for your skin,” she told The News during a recent presentation of SkinCeuticals’ newest beauty aid, Metacell Renewal B3, a comprehensive daily emulsion that helps correct early signs of photo-aging.
“Of course, you may want to add special products to cope with a specific skin concern, but everyone should be using an antioxidant in the morning, a sunscreen throughout the day (reapplied every three or four hours) and a retinoid at night.”
Harris said that people today are far more concerned about their skin and appearance in general than they were 20 or even 10 years ago.
“Women have always tended to take care of their skin, but now men are paying more attention as well,” she said.
“But a lot of times, people buy a product because they see it advertised on TV or because a friend recommends it to them, and that product may not be the one they need.”
Harris said that because most people are under stress, get too little sleep and are exposed to daily contamination and free radicals that can lead to premature aging, virtually everyone should apply an antioxidant cream in the morning.
“The antioxidant will help repair skin and protect against the damage to cell structure and function by inhibiting the oxidation of molecules,” Harris said.
This, in turn, will help in countering free-radical damage and safeguard the energy-production system that skin cells depend on, while also reducing inflammation, she said.
SkinCeuticals has a number of antioxidant products that work at the molecular level to boost cells’ natural resistant against free radicals, including its new Metacell Renewal B3 emulsion, Phloretin CF and SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, all high-potency topical antioxidant treatments enriched with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ferulic acid.
A healthy diet with antioxidant foods such as red grapes, blueberries, dark green vegetables and whole grains is also important for good skin care.
The second essential product for proper skin care is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, Harris said.
“Everyone over the age of six months needs to apply sunscreen daily, and reapply it every few hours,” she said.
Sunscreen not only protects skin from premature aging, but also from potentially dangerous rays that can lead to skin cancer.
“Sunscreen is not just for use at the beach,” Harris said.
“You need to use it every day, winter and summer, and in Mexico City, because of the altitude, you need to be particularly careful because you are closer to the sun.”
Basically, there are two types of sunscreens, chemical and mineral.
Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to help shield your skin from the sun, while more traditional chemical products rely on substances that absorb the sun’s rays and help diffuse their potential burning effect.
Both types of sunscreen are effective, but mineral sunscreens can be more expensive and often leave skin with a ghostly white cake.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are more likely to cause skin irritation and are not recommended for children under 12.
Most SkinCeuticals sunscreens are mineral-based, which means they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
The third and final product that Harris said every person should be using is a retinoid (or retinal) night cream, which helps keep skin fresh and renewed by sluffing away dead surface cells and stimulating the production of new cells.
First introduced in the early 1970s to treat acne, retinoids are topical creams or gels derived from Vitamin A, which has always been known as the “beautiful skin” vitamin.
Applied once daily at night, retinoids work by prompting surface skin cells to turn over and die rapidly, making way for new cell growth underneath.
They also slow the breakdown of collagen and thicken the deeper layer of skin where wrinkles get their start, and they can curb the production of melanin, which creates pigmentation and can lead to dark spots.
There are a range of different types of retinoids, each of which has a specific treatment use and strength.
SkinCeuticals, which is only available through doctors’ offices, offers two strengths of retinoid face cream, Retinol 0.3 and Retinol 1.0.
“Once you have these three basic products, you can add additional serums or creams to cope with specific skin problems,” Harris said.
“If you do not know what products to use, my advice is to consult with a dermatologist or at least a qualified beautician.”
WHAT’S NEWS
Forever Flawless
Dior’s new Forever cosmetic collection is a couture-inspired line that offers flawless skin perfection through both its liquid and compact powder fusion foundation. The makeup is enriched with the brand’s patented Activ-Mat, which provides long-wear sophistication and the impeccable perfection of a matte complexion by combining two types of powder, one to absorb excess oil and one to refract light and help diminish the appearance of skin irregularities and discolorations. An exclusive hydro-polymer Wear-Lock process allows the Forever makeup to fuse with the skin for a velvety, non-powdery finish and absolute comfort for up to 16 hours.
Passage to Madrid
Loewe’s new eight-fragrance collection of scents is dedicated to the beauty of the Spanish capital. Available only in Palacio de Hierro, Un Paseo por Madrid includes: El cielo sobre la Plaza de Oriente (with mandarin, jasmine and incense), Un balcón sobre el Paseo del Prado (with rose, amber and saffron), Atardecer en los Jardines del Buen Retiro (bergamot, rose and cedar), Opera en el Teatro Real (bergamot, jasmine and benzoin), Tras la tormenta en el Jardín Botánico (rose, violet and vetiver), La tardes de Capricho (grapefruit and gardenia), Amanece la bella Cibeles (jasmine, iris and vanilla) and En el 8 de Gran Vía (black pepper, rose and vetiver).
Dreamy Jewelry
Tous’ new spring/summer collection is all about dreams and sleepy imaginary
images. Tiny creatures with oversized buggy eyes and collapsible flowers and other shapes give the jewelry a fun and youthful appeal with soft floral colors that add a light and airy element. In contrast, bright Halloween orange and black dominate the handbag selection and creative new interpretations of the Spanish-based company’s iconic little bear are interwoven into patchwork textures and designs that have a wistful quality of casual chic. There is also a solitary diamond ring with a quirky plastic cover that can be removed for more somber occasions.
THE NEWS