Toner: The Go-To Summer Skin Remedy

By Loren Ridinger

With summer just around the corner, it’s about that time of year when it’s time to take your skincare routine more seriously. Between trips to the beach, rooftop parties, hikes in the woods and swimming in lakes, all the dirt and grime [and not to mention sunscreen] of summer can pile up on your skin.  When the hot summer months come rolling in, it’s time to roll out a secret summer skin weapon: toner. Toners are the best for adding a little extra cleanse to your routine, especially after a long, hot day with sunscreen and other products on your face. Check out these reasons for making toner your go-to summer skin remedy.

Toner: The Go-To Summer Skin Remedy

• Shrinks pores. A little toner goes a long way for making pores appear smaller.
• Moisturizing. Toners have humectants, which help bind moisture to the skin.
• Protects. Toner tightens up pores, allowing fewer impurities in.
• Restores balance. Toner helps your skin achieve the correct ph balance that’s often disrupted by soap.
• Refreshing! Exactly what you need after a long day in the sun.

Is toner part of your daily skin routine? This is my favorite: the Cellular Laboratories De-Aging Toner.

Cellular Laboratories De-Aging Toner, helps to provide moisture in the skincare regimen. Toner is a key step in an effective skincare regimen; it follows the application of the cleanser to double-check that all traces of dirt and impurities have been removed, allowing skin to breathe and generate the proper collagen, elastin and moisture needed for healthy, radiant, youthful-looking skin. 
http://bit.ly/14ogLKn

Getting Summer Ready with SPF Makeup

By Loren Ridinger

Getting summer ready means less clothes and more sun, making it even more important that we pay attention to our sunscreen use! Of course I advocate wearing SPF makeup every day but if you haven’t been as diligent as you should be, it’s the perfect season to pick up this good habit. Here are the two SPF makeup products I can’t recommend enough adding into your beauty regimen! They have done wonders for my skin.

 Getting Summer Ready with SPF Makeup

If you want to do double-duty

• Motives Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 is a foundation and powder in one that is also infused with powerful antioxidants. There is nothing like this product on the market – it’s a one step process with primers, silicone and SUNSCREEN for flawless skin.
• http://bit.ly/14lWG3a

If your foundation doesn’t have SPF

• Cellular Laboratories De-Aging Moisturizing Day Crème with Sunscreen SPF20 helps protect skin from premature aging and free radicals. Moisture-retentive, plus great for a pre-makeup application leaving your skin smooth and hydrated.
• http://bit.ly/10X7zr6

How do you feel about wearing SPF makeup? Do you like the all-in-one or a separate SPF moisturizer?

http://www.MotiveswithKate.com

How to Select the Best Sunscreen

                     
                                                         

Credit: Thinkstock
Gone are the days of just running into the grocery store to pick up a tube of sunscreen before the beach. With skeptical chemicals ingredients and changing regulations, sunscreen shopping can be a challenge. But we’re here to help.
Selecting sunscreen might be a little easier this summer thanks to new sunscreen regulations implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All SPF products that do not pass the new FDA testing requirements will include warning labels stating their sun-protection limitations. Even makeup and skin-care products that contain SPF will be upheld to the new label policies.
“Sunscreen has always been an important tool in the fight against skin cancer, and these new regulations will greatly improve the consumer’s ability to make smart decisions— at a glance—about a product’s effectiveness simply by reading the label,” says High Point, NC, dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos. “Everyone, regardless of skin color, can get skin cancer, which is why it is important for people to properly protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.”
When you’re picking up your next bottle, check the label to learn if the sunscreen:

• Is broad-spectrum, which means the sunscreen protects against UVB and UVA rays and helps prevent skin cancer and sunburn. With the new regulations, the FDA has clearly defined the testing required for a sunscreen to be labeled as “broad-spectrum.”
• Has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. While SPF 15 is the FDA’s minimum recommendation for skin cancer prevention and sunburn, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends choosing a sunscreen with an SPF level of at least 30. For a sunscreen to carry the claim that it can help prevent skin cancer and early skin aging in addition to sunburn, it must offer both broad-spectrum coverage and an SPF of 15 or higher. If not, the label will carry the Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert. 
• Has a Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert in the Drug Facts section of the label, which means the sunscreen will only prevent sunburn and will not reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.
• Is water resistant for up to 40 minutes or 80 minutes, which means the sunscreen provides protection while swimming or sweating up to the time listed on the label. Sunscreen manufacturers now are banned from claiming that a sunscreen is “waterproof” or “sweat proof,” as the FDA has determined that those terms are misleading.

Find a sunscreen that feels good on your skin. “If it’s too heavy or greasy, you won’t use it. Keep trying different products until you find one you like,” says Minneapolis dermatologist Brian Zelickson, MD, who recommends:
 Target's Up & Up Sport Spray SPF 30 http://bit.ly/Yya1Vj
, L'Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen SPF 30 http://bit.ly/15uMppP
, Obagi Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50
  SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 http://bit.ly/11p1at5
But no matter what sunscreen you purchase, it’s irrelevant if you’re not applying it correctly. “This means covering all the skin that’s going to be exposed to the sun,” says Dr. Zelickson. “Like priming a wall to paint, it can take two coats. If you’re going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, sweating or swimming, reapply the sunscreen every 1-2 hours.”
What's your sunscreen of choice?

by Marissa Hicken

Melanoma Monday: 10 Facts About Skin Cancer

From Lorens World

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and today is being nationally recognized at Melanoma Monday. With summer just around the corner, the risk of damaging your skin with harmful UV rays is unbearably high, with statistics showing that one person dies from melanoma every hour in the United States.
By knowing how to protect your skin, you can make sure you’re taking every precaution when it comes to skin cancer. If you’re about to step out your front door without sunscreen, stop and read these 10 facts about skin cancer. Maybe you’ll think twice about skipping the SPF.

Melanoma Monday: 10 Facts About Skin Cancer

1. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States
2. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.
3. Just one indoor tanning session increases users’ chances of developing melanoma by 20 percent, and each additional session during the same year boosts the risk almost another two percent.
4. Anyone, regardless of skin color, can get skin cancer.
5. Having had one or more blistering sunburns as a child or teenager increases your risk of developing skin cancer as an adult.
6. Wearing sunscreen year-round plays a major role in your overall protection from the sun.
7. Some common prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. (stay informed!)
8. Sunscreens don’t provide complete protection from UV rays. Wear protective clothing whenever possible.
9. Avoid the sun during the middle of the day. The sun’s rays are strongest between about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m
10. African Americans, Latinos, and Asians have a lower risk of developing skin cancer in general, but when they do develop it, it’s often more deadly and more aggressive.

(taken from Skincancer.org & MayoClinic.com)

Will these 2013 skin cancer facts inspire you to make sure you’re protected this summer

Ten Commandments for Clear Skin

Posted by Kerri Whatley Posted on October 17, 2012 by Kerri Whatley

Who wants to look in the mirror and never see another blemish or zit again? I know what a dumb question right? We would all love to banish zits and blemishes for good but without a little help those zits will stay! Check out our 10 commandments to clear zit free skin.

Photo Courtesy of eugostodesaia.com

Start from Within
Having a flawless complexion starts from the inside. All of us need to have our vitamins and minerals in balance to make sure your skin is clear and glowing as it should be. Isotonix OPC-3 BeautyBlend  is formulated to promote skin elasticity, support healthy collagen production, replenish essential vitamins and minerals for the skin, and provide the skin and body with improved antioxidant defenses.
Keep it Clean
Makeup might be there to hide the zits, but it also traps in free radicals that are bad for your skin says Zoe Draelos, a professor of dermatology at Duke University. She says that washing your face morning, night, and after you hit the gym with a cleanser that has Benzoyl Peroxide in it is the way to go. Timeless Prescription Renewing Acne Cleanser  contains powerful acne-fighting ingredients to clear acne blemishes and allow skin to heal.
Don’t Pop It
We all are guilty of doing it, and it is hard not to but try and resist popping your pimples. Popping pimples will only result in inflammation, scarring, and you guessed it, even more acne. Experts suggest, if you’re tempted to pop those pesky bumps, to keep your hands busy with a squeeze toy.
But When It Happens
OK, what’s done is done. Now disinfect the area with Skintelligence Hydra Derm Deep Cleansing Emulsion  and dot on a salicylic acid product such as Timeless Prescription Anti-Blemish Lotion . Timeless Prescription Anti-Blemish Lotion is an excellent overnight spot treatment for pimples; contains active ingredients, such as calamine and salicylic acid to calm irritated skin associated with acne.
Back to the Basics
There are certain ingredients that have proven themselves in clinical trials (benzoyl peroxide or glycolic or salicylic acid for acne)—use them. And give them a chance: They need at least six weeks to work. “If nothing has changed by week six, the product will never work for you,” says David Bank, a professor of dermatology at Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Then, it’s time to see a dermatologist—prescription products or in-office treatments may offer some relief.
Tone It Up
Toner is used to bring your skin back to a normal pH balance which is around 5.5. Your skin needs a certain amount of oil to stay waterproof and resistant to infection. Cellular Laboratories De-Aging Toner  is a key step in an effective skincare regimen; it follows the application of the cleanser to double-check that all traces of dirt and impurities have been removed, allowing skin to breathe and generate the proper collagen, elastin and moisture needed for healthy, radiant, youthful-looking skin.
Treat It Early
Spot-treating your pimple can reduce its lifespan by one to two days. But the real goal is a clear complexion—and early intervention is key. “You need to prevent acne from forming, and that means treating skin that’s prone to pimples even if there are none present,” says dermatologist Karyn Grossman. So use all acne products over your entire face
No Need To Over Treat
Overusing acne products can lead to excess drying and, in some cases, chemical burns. Apply the amount recommended on the packaging (usually enough for a thin layer), not a giant palmful. Finish with an oil-free moisturizer.
Just Relax
Easier said than done, we know. But stress hormones increase oil production, which can lead to clogged pores and whiteheads. So make an effort to relax when needed. “Anything that reduces stress in your body—tai chi, running, sex, a warm bath—will make you have less acne, less often,” says Richard Fried, a dermatologist and clinical psychologist in Yardley, Pennsylvania
Absolute Perfection
Just a drop of Skintelligence Skin Perfecting Complex  is all you need to hydrate your skin cells and promote smoother-looking skin. Skintelligence Skin Perfecting Complex also helps promote the normal repair of skin cells and enables them to retain moisture for longer periods, resulting in more youthful-looking skin.

http://www.MotiveswithKate.com

Radiant Skin Brightening Creams with Lumière de Vie

By Loren Ridinger

No one wants to look in the mirror and see dull, lifeless skin. The best skin brightening creams not only deliver extreme radiance, clarity and renewal for the face but they smooth out wrinkles and dramatically reduce the appearance of prematurely aging skin. My daughter Amber has created an exceptional new line of skincare with revolutionary products, two of which work together better than any other skin brightening creams we have ever tried.

Radiant Skin Brightening Creams with Lumière de Vie

 Lumière de Vie Volcanic Exfoliating Mask ($49.95) is formulated to enhance skin’s glow and improve tone. Infused with AHA complex and bentonite clays, it creates an intensive detoxifying/exfoliating action. Ingredients like PerfectionPeptide P3™ promote natural exfoliation of dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, imperfections and irregularities.  http://bit.ly/ZKYKPt

• Lumière de Vie Serum Concentrate ($85) utilizes nature and science with potent lighteners, powerful antioxidants and the power of the sea. Ingredients like Sytenol, a multi-functional anti-aging ingredient that promotes healthy collagen and elastin in the skin, Juvenessence, a brown algae extract that helps protects the skin from oxidative stress caused by the environment and Vitamin C which keeps the skin hydrated and reduces the appearance of fine lines.  http://bit.ly/16JKcVw

Exfoliation + Serum is key to putting life and light back into your skin. To see real results from using Lumière de Vie, visit the Facebook page for testimonials and incredible Before & After photos.
What are the best skin brightening creams you’ve ever tried?

"I'm no longer the person with horrible skin; Lumiere saved my soul! It's seriously that major. I've never in my life heard the phrase, 'Your skin looks so ...nice!

Look at this incredible before/after shot from one of our Lumière de Vie fans: Mika wrote that she saw a change after only 2 weeks of using the products!

You can see a difference in the texture, and the lines around the nasal fold are nearly gone.. under eye dark circles are gone in 10 ten days after using Lumière de Vie














http://www.MotiveswithKate.com

Beauty Secret to Prevent Chapped Winter Lips

By Loren Ridinger

One the most dreaded winter ailments that comes around each year is chapped lips. With all the traveling I do, I’m in and out of crazy weather changes (add in the dry airplane and office air!) and it’s a painful, chapped lip nightmare. Even if you aren’t traveling, snowy nights to warm, blustery days leave your lips quenched for moisture. Lip balm, lip gloss, lip lotions – you name it, I’ve tried them all – and believe it or not, I think the search may be over. Face oil, ladies! Many of us have this tiny bottle of love already sitting in our arsenal, but have you ever though to put it on your lips?

Chapped Winter Lips? My Beauty Secret

Here’s my latest secret for the perfect winter pucker: every night before bed, give your lips a softening exfoliation treatment with Motives Lip Pumice followed by a quick swipe of One Love Organics Supercritical Chia Oil (or coconut oil right out of the kitchen!). When you wake up in the morning, your lips are soft, supple and healthy.

 Motives® Lip Pumice

Dry, rough lips aren’t attractive to anyone. With Motives Lip Pumice, you can kiss away those dry, rough lips and get a smooth, luscious pout. Motives Lip Pumice exfoliates gently to reveal soft, smooth lips.  http://bit.ly/VowLUx
http://www.MotiveswithKate.com