Eye Creams - How Important Are They and Why?

Did you know? The eye area is 4 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face? Your eyes are the first area on your face to show the signs of ageing: puffiness, wrinkles and loss of firmness in this area always show their ugly signs first.

On average your face has about 20 layers of skin cells on the top layers of your skin. The eye area; however, only has about 12.

This means that not only should you use an eye cream that is specific for your eye area, but you should start to use it as soon as you hit 20 years of age!

Still think that eye creams are just another way for cosmetic companies to grab more of your hard earned cash? Think again!

Your eye contour area is the most fragile area on your face. Eye creams are formulated differently for this area as it can not handle heavy creams. Eye creams contain smaller molecules so they can penetrate the fine, delicate skin in this area and not clog pores. This is why, eye creams, on average are a little more expensive, but are definitely worth their weight in gold!

Did you also know? That on average, only one out of three blood vessels in your eye contour area work? Resulting in, you guessed it: Bags under the eye, dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles!

The eye contour area lacks in circulation due to this fact, therefore toxins, excess fluids and poor circulation (dark circles) quickly can develop. Of course, genetics also play a part in dark circles and how well your circulatory system works.

This is why, when you look for an eye cream to purchase, it should stimulate microcirculation to improve the look of dark circles and puffiness; but be weary of any creams that promise to get rid of these as these are mainly genetic.

However, if your dark circles and puffiness are due to not getting your full 8 hours of sleep the night before because you were out partying with the girls, eye creams can help speed up the recovery time of dark circles and puffiness, and if you didn’t experience these before your long night, you can get rid of them.

So, as a recap, eye contour creams are important because:

• The eye contour area does not contain any oil glands; therefore, the skin in your eye area dehydrates very quickly and cannot protect itself.This is why your eyes are always the first to show signs of your age!


• Circulation in your eye area is poor!The eye contour area is more prone to puffiness and dark circles


• The skin in your eye area is 4 times thinner than the rest of your skin! Regular moisturizers contain molecules that are too big for your eye area, hence white heads and blockages are common when using a regular moisturizer in this area.

Listed below are some eye creams that promote micro-circulation, helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles, and promote the youthful look of the eye contour area by reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well.:

1. Intense Youth Eye Cream from Phytomer – this advanced eye cream is for mature skin types only.

Ingredients:

o Ciliata (red algae) which provides strong anti-free radical action, protecting your skin from accelerated aging.
o Marine Spring Water: Firms eye area tissues, cohesion of the epidermis is strengthened; the skin is lifted and toned.
o Buckwheat Oil: Anti-puffiness and draining action, reduces the size of bags under the eyes.

Product applied once a day for 28 days to the eye area of 23 women with mature skin (shows visible signs of age, fine lines and wrinkles). Below, their satisfaction after 28 days:

• Eyes regained their sparkle and looked younger: 92%



• Deep wrinkles are diminished: 96%



• The eye contour area is smoothed and firmed: 100%



• Dark circles and puffiness are reduced: 91%

2. Eye Contour Long-Lasting Hydrating cream from Guinot – this ultra-moisturizing eye contour cream provides a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing loss of moisture and dehydration (fine lines and wrinkles).This eye contour cream is for skin types of 20 – 25 years (young skin)

Ingredients:

o Hydro-Liposomes deliver in-depth moisture to the heart of skin cells.
o Horse Chestnut decongests and firms skin
o Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant, slows natural aging process.

The earlier you start to use an eye cream the better: Women start to loose 1% of collagen a year after the age of 20; collagen is the fibre in our skin responsible for keeping our skin wrinkle free and “plump” looking.

Come in for a complimentary skin care analysis to receive a customized skin care program for your unique skin care concerns and needs...contact Le Petit Spa today.

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These products found on our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

The change in weather during the winter can cause several changes in your skin and the condition of it, if not properly cared for during the harsh, dry temperatures inside and out. Heat from furnaces and the cold temperatures outside can dry out your skin causing flakiness, excess dryness, tightness, redness and irritation.

Here are six guidelines to follow to prevent the winter weather from wreaking havoc on your skin!

1. Switch to a heavier moisturizer. The winter months have lower humidity in the air than in the summer. The moisturizer that you used during the hot summer months may not be heavy enough to withstand the cool temperatures of winter. Look for products labelled “creams” rather than “lotion”, they will be thicker and able to withstand the wind and cold winter weather.

2. Apply an SPF An SPF in the summer is just as important in the winter:

Did you know?

• In the summer, 17% of the suns rays are illuminated off the sand, onto your skin,
• In the winter 80% of the suns rays are illuminated off of the snow!
  

Wearing a sunscreen will not only protect your skin from the cold temperatures( as their formulas are usually thicker then skin lotions), but it will protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun as well.

3. Use a humidifier. With the heat inside turned up and with the windows closed, the air inside your house can become very dry. Use a humidifier to restore the moisture in the air in your house. This will prevent your skin from drying out, causing irritation and redness.

4. Add a Serum to your skincare regime. Quite often these products are for treatments to treat a specific skin problem or as an added bonus to your skin care regimen at home.

• A serum to moisturize, such as Phytomer Hydracontinue: Hydra Nourishing Serum, will work with any moisturizer to boost its benefits by 3 times!
  

5. Use Mild, non drying Cleansers. Perhaps you were using a foaming cleanser during the summer? Try switching to a Milk or Cream cleanser in the winter. These formulas are less drying than foam cleansers and won’t strip as much natural oil from your skin as found in the summer.

• Guinot Refreshing Cleansing Milk – will leave your skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean without drying out your skin!

6. Apply Body Moisturizer while your skin is still damp after your show or bath. This will lock in extra moisture into your skin, preventing it from drying out, causing itchiness and irritation.

Find out which winter skin care products are right for you Book a free skincare consultation at Le Petit Spa to find out which skin products are right for your specific skin needs and concerns.

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The Benefits of Exfoliation and Cell Turnover

The Benefits of Exfoliation and Cell Turnover

Did you know?

Your skin renews itself every 28 days; at the end of the month you have a fresh, new layer of baby cells giving your skin radiance and a youthful appearance.

But, as we age, this process of desquamation (the process by which your skin sheds itself) slows down, resulting in slack, loose skin, fine lines, uneven skin texture, dry areas and wrinkles! Your skin has slowed its renewal process and it's time to take action!

How can I speed up Cell Turnover?

Cell Turnover naturally slows down over time as we grow older. But there are ways to help your body keep up with its natural cell turnover process.

Exfoliation helps cell turnover by removing the cells your body is not able to shed naturally. It helps your skin remember that dead cells need to be shed, therefore helping to generate new ones and continue the desquamation process.

Do different types of Exfoliation work better than others?

Yes. There are different methods of exfoliation, each one having different effects in determining how much skin will be exfoliated during each exfoliation process.

Chemical exfoliants, like Glycolic Acid, will penetrate the superficial layers of the skin. This means more skin will be removed during the exfoliation process. Different strengths of this treatment will also have different effects in determining how much skin will be exfoliated during the exfoliation process. Glycolic Acid is usually used in facial treatments such as Glycolic Facials

Mechanical exfoliants, like facial scrubs, only remove the outer layer of the epidermis. They do not penetrate into the skin, therefore; only dead skin cells on the surface of the skin will be removed.

Your skin needs exfoliation on a weekly basis to keep itself healthy, radiant and young looking. It will surely thank you by staying supple, smooth and luminous!

Not sure of how often you should be exfoliating? To book a free skin care consultation or to find out more about facials and exfoliation, click here.

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Melasma and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Melasma and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

What is Melasma?

Melasma (sometimes referred to as Pregnancy Mask) is abnormal pigmentation that appears on the skin during pregnancy. Melasma is caused by the stimulation of the female hormone estrogen which causes the body to produce more melanin during pregnancy to protect itself while in the sun.


What does Melasma look like?

Melasma can appear on the cheeks, nose, lips and forehead, basically anywhere on the face that hits direct sun light. Melasma appears as dark discolorations on the skin and appears irregular in shape.

How can I treat Melasma?

Melasma usually develops gradually over the length of the pregnancy. Therefore; when using products to treat the appearance of Melasma, it will fade gradually.

One popular method that is safe to use while pregnant and during breastfeeding is Glycolic Acid.

Glycolic Acid is a natural hydroxy acid derived from fruits and sugar cane. It gently, but thoroughly, sloughs off dead skin cells, lightening superficial pigmentation such as Melasma.

There are no side effects from Glycolic Acid treatments and no need for down time (or recovery time).

Glycolic Acid treatments can be performed as a peel or a glycolic facial.

Glycolic Facials are a non invasive, natural way to remove unwanted pigmentation from the skin.
The glycolic facial treatment will usually consist of cleansing,toning,exfoliation(glycolic preparation)massage, mask, treatment serum and finishing cream.

Not sure if a glycolic facial is right for you? To book a free skin consultation or to find out more information on glycolic facials, click here.

Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter for tips, specials and promotions or email me with a beauty question or concern and look for your answer in a future blog!

Some information for this blog found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melasma

Pigmentation and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Pigmentation and the Benefits of Glycolic Acid

Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid which is derived from the sugar cane plant, grapes, apples and other fruits. It exfoliates by removing the top layer of skin and aids in opening clogged pores. Clinical studies show it improves acne, scarring and skin pigmentation caused by sun damage.

Pigmentation (Melanocytes produce melanin (pigment). When these cells are damaged by the sun, they “burst” causing melanin to stay in the superficial layers of the skin, resulting in brown pigmentation.)This pigmentation can appear in many forms such as freckles, chloasma and age spots.

Pigmentation not only dulls the complexion, but also can add as much as a decade on to your look, making skin appear more weathered and older than it actually is!

Which Skin Treatments can help with Pigmentation?

Glycolic Acid gently exfoliates the outer most layer of the skin, the Stratum Corneum. It gradually lightens pigmentation by sloughing off layers of dead and sun damaged skin. Your skin then goes through a process called Phagocytosis, where the body absorbs the damaged pigment cells and disposes of them as waste matter.

Glycolic Acid Treatments can be found in peels or Glycolic Facials and are safe and non invasive. Clients who have Glycolic Treatments do not need recovery time and can continue with their day to day routines same day.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid Treatments:

• Reduced Scarring (such as scars from surgery or acne)

• Reduced Pigmentation (from sun damage, an SPF will prevent further sun damage)

• Increase in Collagen Production ( the skin goes into “repair” mode during a Glycolic treatment and produces more collagen to “protect” itself)

• Appearance of Fine lines and Wrinkles are reduced

• Improved skin texture

• Improved skin clarity

Where can I get information about Glycolic Treatments?

To learn more about Le Petit Spa’s MD Formulations Glycolic Facial Service, or to book an appointment, click here. If you would like more information about Le Petit Spa’s monthly specials and features, sign up for our e-newsletter to receive future tips, specials and promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!