Skin Cancer, learn how to protect yourself

(Not) Another Lecture on Skin Cancer....

I know what happens every Spring.  Skin Cancer Awareness Month begins. You read the articles and cringe at the pictures and pledge that you’ll never go without sunscreen again.  Then June comes along with its bright blue skies, lazy days by the pool, and weekend barbecues and all of your sun-smart intentions are forgotten like a bad dream.....

I’m not trying to spoil your anticipation of the glorious summer months ahead, but I’ve seen the deep scars left behind from when Melanoma has crept its way into an unsuspecting life (every 8 minutes in the U.S.). And after many years of helping my clients (and myself) reverse their bad sun behavior I’ve come up with a list of what I think are some of the most important facts about skin cancer and the sun.

1.) Skin Cancer kills more people every year than any other type of cancer.

2.) It takes less than 10 minutes in the sun to cause DNA damage.

3.) UVA rays (the ones that go deep into the skin, accelerate aging ,and are 2-3X stronger in a tanning bed) are basically the same strength all year.  This is why you need to use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen even in the winter months.

4.) Just one severe sunburn during childhood increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life (and the risk doubles after 5 burns).

5.) It can take up to 10 years for sun damage to show up on your skin.  This is why a lot of us “just woke up one morning and were covered in sunspots.”

Okay, now that we’ve all reviewed May’s lessons on skin cancer, what can we do about it?  Use a daily moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen like the Green Tea Antioxidant SPF 30 Moisturizer.  It’s very lightweight and I promise you won’t know you’re wearing sunscreen.  AHA Kojic Peels and daily exfoliators target sunspots and sweep away dull damaged skin and Max Strength Alpha Arbutin Serum will give your new healthy skin a smooth even tone.  Finally my favorite, Vitamin C.  Whether in a cream or serum, it’s one of the best weapons to give dull sun damaged skin a beautiful healthy glow.

Now this holiday weekend, lets all welcome June with open arms (covered in sunscreen).

Kristen is a licensed esthetician and has been working in the beauty industry for over 9 years. Through many years of experience and continuous training she has acquired extensive knowledge in the skin care field. She loves educating her clients and helping people look and feel their best!

How to Care For Sensitive Skin

           Every Wednesday is ask your question day on Facebook. We pick one question and answer it with a video,and the winner receives a $25 gift certificate to Natural Skin Shop. Last week Kimberly Flickinger asked:   
What is the best skincare regimen for sensitive skin and what is a good product to use? 

This video is about caring for sensitive skin. Natural Skin Shop has great Green Tea regime that will defend, repair and sooth sensitive skin.

This regime includes: 1) Green Tea Cleanser 2) Green Tea Antioxidant Toner 3) Green Tea Serum 4) Green Tea Moisturizer with SPF 30 .

 Visit www.naturalskinshop.com to find all these great products and more!

Skincare Regimen: Why Wash Your Face 2x A Day

Lately we have seen several questions asking why its so important to wash your face both in the morning and at night. In hopes of helping people improve their skin and in turn their health we wanted to share why we feel its essential to wash your face both in the morning and at night.

WHY WASH AT NIGHT:

Washing your face at night is important for several reasons. First, if you wear makeup its imperative you wash it off and water alone won't do the trick. Leaving makeup on over night will result in clogged pores which leads to the dreaded ACNE. And, if you don't want your face to age quickly you don't want to leave your makeup on over night.  Keeping eye makeup on while you sleep can even lead to eye infections and conjunctivitis.  The second reason to wash your face at night, you want a fresh canvas for your nighttime moisturizer.

WHY WASH IN THE MORNING

When you are sleeping your skin repairs and sheds dead skin cells.  As your skin regenerates free radicals are created.  When you wake up and before you use toners, serums, moisturizers and apply make up you want to wash off all that dead skin. Washing your face in the morning will help you start the day off with the healthiest skin possible.

If you are looking for great cleanser we suggest using a Green Tea cleanser which is gentle and does a great job at keeping your skin fresh and clean. You should use an exfoliator at least one day a week to get off that dry stubborn skin keeping your face fresh.

Interested in learning more about skincare visit www.naturalskinshop.com or contact one of our helpful skin experts on Facebook (Kim or Kristen) or call toll free 888.514.5126 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm  EST.

Skin Care Tips & Tricks By Ginger

Taking care of your skin is important but often confusing and overwhelming. Because of this we have decided to have weekly tips & tricks by Ginger, a skin care expert.  Every Wednesday check our blog, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for great Tips and Tricks by Ginger.

TIP #1: HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TREATMENT/MOISTURIZER

Always put your treatment/moisturizer on when skin is still damp from cleansing process (wash and tone). This allows the products to absorb deeper and be more effective.

TIP #2: DON'T SKIP WEEKLY EXFOLIATION!

Not only does it brighten your complexion and help your moisturizer absorb better but also stimulates collagen production. Oily skin should exfoliate 1-2 times per week , normal skin 2-3 times per week, and dry skin 3-4 times per week IF USING A MECHANICAL SYSTEM (aka scrub or brush). All skin types can use chemical exfoliation (aka acid or enzyme) nightly IF YOUR SKIN CAN TOLLERATE IT and you are a product appropriate for you.

TRICK #1: MAKE A SKINCARE REGIMEN AND KEEP IT

Make time for your skin care regimen and remember the golden rule "if you don't use it, it wont work!" If you want serious results from your skin care, you must make the commitment to set time aside every morning and evening to WASH, TONE, TREAT, AND MOISTURIZE. Weekly exfoliation is part of the program as well. The products can't work if they are trapped in your medicine cabinet and never see the light of day (or your skin!).

TRICK #2: HOW TO SHOP SKINCARE SMART

Ask the experts. We all have that drawer or shelf with products we bought that sounded good on the tv or in that magazine ad but never really lived up to YOUR expectations. They were too expensive to throw away, you are too busy to return them, and your friends already made the same mistake....so what do you do?

Stop making your purchases based on crafty marketing. Consult with a skin care specialist...and try to find one without an agenda (aka their own brand to push). Any one who truly has your skins best interest at heart will be able to recommend more than just one brand. Actually, anyone who calls themselves experts in skin care SHOULD be able to name products from all areas of the market. This means they are actually trying the stuff and giving you genuine feedback.

Start Your Day Off With Green Tea Cleanser...Take Care Of Your Skin

Natural Skin Shop's Green Tea Cleanser is formulated for all skin types to effectively remove excess facial residue and deeply clean pores. The cleansing technology behind Green Tea provides a non-greasy facial and body treatment that removes excess oil and residue purifying the skin without irritating the skin.

One Click = $1 for Earth Day Network

Today is the last day to help us raise money for Earth Day Network. All it takes is a simple click and in return we will donate $1 to this amazing nonprofit.

Natural Skin Shop believes in giving back by helping those organizations that make our world a better place. Our products are made using the finest ingredients so your skin can look its best.  With all the pollution in today's environment its important to take special care of your skin.

Become a Fan/Like Natural Skin Shop's Facebook Fanpage today and we will donate $1 to Earth Day Network.  Suggest your friends do the same so that we can donate even more.

Stop by Natural Skin Shop to learn more about products that will help protect you against environmental skin damage. Try one of our Green Tea Skin Care Products, they fight and defend off free radicals, neutralize damage done due to exposure to UV rays, as well as, rejuvenate and restore skin cells.

Prevent and Treat Dry Skin as the Weather Turns Colder

It's a sad fact that summer is over and cold, dry weather is on its way. Transitioning from summer to winter can take a toll on the skin and this stress can manifest itself in many ways, such as: dryness, irritation, itching, and flaking.

So how can you prevent dry skin? First of all, remember to drink a lot of water. Your skin loves water and the recommended 8 glasses can help your skin stay hydrated. You should also avoid long, hot showers, especially during winter and protect your hands with gloves when you go outside. If the central heating dries you out, a small humidifier can do the trick and help keep your skin moist.

For many women, dry skin is not just a seasonal problem. Dry skin has lazy sebaceous glands that need help to produce oils. Many believe that applying greasy, heavy creams will help to moisturize dry skin but this simply isn’t true. Heavy creams suffocate skin, leaving a dull, lifeless appearance. The content of the cream is much more important than the texture. Look for creams with high contents of hyaluronic acid (THE best moisturizing agent on the market), naturally derived plant oils (such as olive derived squalane oil), and minimal fragrance (a skin irritant). Restoring the hydro-lipid balance and water content of the skin is the ultimate goal for treating winter weary, dry skin.

To treat dry skin, you need to nourish, moisturize and protect it.
A designated skin care prescription for dehydrated skin type is:

• Cleanse with gentle, pH balanced cleanser – such as Green Tea Cleanser.
  Daily exfoliation to remove dead skin cell build up
  Intense hydration with a hyaluronic acid based serum – like Mizu Hydrate Serum – Pure.
  A pure and effective moisturizing cream – Green Tea Anti-oxidant Moisture Cream

If want more information about dry or dehydrated skin care, visit us at www.naturalskinshop.com.