It can certainly be a battle to hydrate skin that’s already oily by nature. There are literally thousands of moisturizers on the market today, and those of us with oily skin are lost in the aisles and aisles of products. Won’t moisturizing make my skin even oilier? What are the best ingredients? Shouldn’t I be trying to dry my skin and NOT moisturize? On the contrary! Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean it’s well hydrated. Oil lives on the surface of the skin while hydration comes from deep within. Here at SkinDirect, our expert esthetitian has several products that she recommends to properly hydrate even the oiliest skin types without exacerbating the issue.

Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation is a fabulous water-based moisturizer that works well with all skin types, but is highly recommended for oily skin. Not only does it moisturize, it also helps to reduce fine lines and sun spots and provides protection from free radicals to stave off future damage.

Phytomer Oligopur Hydra-Mattifying Control Cream is a perfect option for those of us with the dreaded oily shine. Whether your skin is generally oily or combination, this cream contains high quality ingredients to correct blemishes, provide excellent hydration, and squelch the shine in its tracks.

Our esthetitian here at SkinDirect also recommends Murad Oil-Control Mattifier. Murad has been around for decades, and with good reason! Their products are made to the highest of standards and are guaranteed to provide excellent results. Oil-Control Mattifier works on-contact for instant shine control and hydrates so well, your skin will feel smoother and softer than ever.

This is just a sampling of products that we at SkinDirect have found to be ideal for oily skin. When searching for your perfect product, remember to find moisturizers that are water-based, oil free, and light. Always apply moisturizer to clean skin to prevent buildup of dirt and oil in your pores which can lead to blemishes. You don’t have to live with shiny, oily skin. These moisturizers are guaranteed to give you the bright, glowing complexion you deserve!

The adage “out of sight, out of mind” applies to many things, but it shouldn’t apply to our elbows! Just because we usually don’t see them doesn’t mean they are any less deserving of a good moisturizer. We’ve all neglected the skin on our elbows at some point and we all know that it doesn’t take long for that thick buildup of rough, bumpy skin to make an appearance. At SkinDirect, we understand that elbows deserve just as much tender loving care as other areas of our skin. SkinDirect’s personal esthetician has tried several products, but two stand out above the crowd.

Glytone Ultra Heel and Elbow Cream does two jobs with one fabulous product. It removes dry, course, and dull skin while gently exfoliating and also provides a huge dose hydration to problem areas like elbows and heels, then seals it in with glycerin. This product can be used daily, but is not intended for use on the face.

SkinDirect’s esthetician also recommends DCL AHA Revitalizing Cream 20 because it is 20% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid, while traditionally found in at-home facial peels, is known for its ability to remove dead skin cells and reveal newer, more hydrated, healthier skin underneath. While DCL AHA Revitalizing Cream can be used anywhere you need skin restoration, it is highly recommended for use on problem areas like elbows, heels, and knees.

As with any moisturizer, it is best to use these products right after showering or bathing to help lock in your skin’s natural moisture. Get ready to say goodbye to rough, bumpy elbows and hello to the beautiful skin waiting to make an appearance!

Everyone has skin emergencies from time to time. Don’t let them catch you unaware. Be proactive in preventing and treating them in order to maintain healthy, vibrant skin.

➢ Heat Rash

Common during the summer months in humid climates.

• Symptoms:

- Clusters of pink, red, or white bumps, most often found on the face, especially the forehead, cheeks, and chin

• Causes:

- Heat rash is caused by sweat becoming trapped in the pores.

• Treatment:

- First, get out of the heat. Next, wash, dry, and gently apply baby powder to soothe the rash.

- After your skin is completely dry, apply an over-the-counter anti-itch cream to reduce any redness, inflammation, or itching.

- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

• Prevention:

- Stay indoors in dry, air-conditioned locations during hot, humid weather. When you are outside in the heat, SkinDirect’s professional esthetician recommends using skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths to keep your skin free of sweat.

➢ Windburn

Friction from the wind can compromise your natural layer of lipids, leaving your skin irritated and red.

• Symptoms:

- Drying, chafing, redness, and a burning sensation

• Causes:

- People who live or spend time outdoors in cold, dry climates or at higher altitudes with strong winds are most susceptible.

• Treatment:

- Gently clean and dry your skin. Combine an over-the-counter cortisone cream with an aloe vera-based moisturizer to ease irritation and reduce redness.

• Prevention:

- La-Roche Posay Lipikar Baume, from SkinDirect, works to soothe and heal dry skin using shea butter as well as oleosomes. Oleosomes are lipid bodies that mimic the lipids found naturally on your skin’s outer layer.

- Apply a generous layer before heading outside.

➢ Cystic Acne

A severe and painful form of acne

• Symptoms:

- A swollen pustule that looks like a whitehead

• Causes:

- A combination of hormones, bacteria, and oil (sebum)

• Treatment:

- Unclog your pores using a benzoyl peroxide-based cleanser such as PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser pHaze 31.

- Hold your face over steam or apply a warm compress to help to open clogged pores.

• Prevention:

- Use a facial cleanser containing salicylic acid to aid in exfoliation.

- Follow up with DCL Light Textured Moisturizer, a non-greasy formula that keeps your pores free of bacteria and oil.

Facial mist sprays are something that should be in every woman’s purse. These wonderful smelling sprays are a great way to rejuvenate after a long day at the office or any time you need a little cool refreshment. They can also contain a number of ingredients beneficial to the skin and body, such as antioxidants and sunscreens.

SkinDirect’s own esthetician recommends several facial mist products that are sure to lift your spirits.

Oleheriksen African Red Tea Face Mist is a great option that focuses on rejuvenating and protecting the skin and body. This product contains African red tea, white tea, and pomegranate for a simply breathtaking scent. SkinDirect found this product to be one of the most antioxidant packed mists available on the market today.

Skyn Iceland Arctic Face Mist is certainly a multitasking product! While this mist also has antioxidant ingredients, the main focus is its vitamins and minerals. It’s like a multivitamin for your face! It also contains natural plant based salicylic acid to help reduce and prevent facial blemishes.

Ole Henriksen Balancing Cucumber Face Mist is another product recommended by SkinDirects esthetician. With a wonderful cucumber and chamomile scent, this toning face mist is designed to rejuvenate your face from the inside out by decongesting the skin and reducing inflammation and irritation.

If you’re finding yourself needing a little pick-me-up during the day or before a late night, remember that these facial mist products are designed to do that very thing with a little kick of healthy skin as well!

Certain skin conditions are problematic enough all by themselves. With no known cause, eczema can often be among the worst and most embarrassing. Most types of eczema are consistent with dry, red, irritated, and inflamed skin. It can appear in babies, children, and adults alike, ranging in mild to severe cases.

With the proper product and skin care, eczema can be managed and lived with. Lifestyle changes, such as the use of medication and specialty products, is often required to treat this type of skin condition.

SkinDirect offers products that help reduce the effects of eczema by preventing itching, inflammation, and the condition from worsening. One such product is called Avène TriXera+ Selectiose Emollient Cream. It is a daily skin scream that reduces skin hypersensitivity and irritation while controlling skin inflammation response. It also relieves itching, restores the skin’s barrier, and prevents moisture loss.

Another product recommended by SkinDirect’s personal esthetician is EltaMD Moisturizer. It is a preservative-free formula that keeps skin comfortable and hydrated while soothing irritation, redness, and flaking. It is ideal for the most sensitive skin types as it promotes healing and comfort.

Finally there is La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume, an anti-irritant lipid replenishing body balm, which helps to sooth severely dry and irritated skin while repairing the skin’s lipid barrier. This balm is fragrance and paraben free.

Whether you have age spots, freckles, birthmarks, or other forms of skin discoloration, skin lightening cream is your answer for getting rid of dark spots on your face and body, giving you a gorgeous, even complexion.

SkinDirect has a fantastic line of products designed to meet your skin care needs regardless of your skin type or texture. DCL AHA Lightening Gel is an extremely effective skin lightening treatment gel that fades areas of hyperpigmentation. It can be used in the morning as well as at night. Be sure to follow it up with a layer of sunscreen in the morning.

iS Clinical White Lightening Serum quickly lightens dark areas to give you an even skin tone. It gently exfoliates your skin to break down dark spots without causing peeling. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula can be used all over the face or only on hyperpigmented areas. iS Clinical White Lightening Serum does not contain Hydroquinone and can therefore be used on sensitive skin.

Always be sure to test a small area of your skin before using any skin lightening cream to ensure that you will not have any adverse reactions. SkinDirect’s products are made with gentle ingredients that safely lighten your skin, however, it is always best to perform a skin test first.

The word “blackhead” may conjure up images of disgusting facial blemishes that everyone wants to avoid; yet, the desire to pick at them is overwhelming. Blackheads are formed when excess dirt and oil clogs a pore. The black color is a result of exposure to oxygen.

The best method for getting rid of blackheads is prevention. However, once they arrive, SkinDirect’s professional esthetician offers the following recommendations for fighting blackheads.

First of all, do not pick at or squeeze your blackheads. This only causes them to spread and puts you at risk for infection.

Next, be sure to wash your face in the morning and at night with a salicylic-based cleanser. Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser helps to get rid of bacteria while reducing the inflammation caused by blackheads. Its special formula provides a constant release of acne treatment for your skin.

It’s advised to follow up with toner to clear and tighten your pores. Murad Clarifying Toner is gentle, yet effective.

At least twice a week, give your skin an exfoliating scrub to prevent the buildup of dirt and oils. Goldfaden Daily Scrub is at the top of our personal esthetician’s list for revealing healthy, radiant skin. It is loaded with age-defying antioxidants and moisturizers, making it safe for daily use. Adequate moisture is the key to avoiding oily skin.

Sometimes it’s horribly hot outside and even though you thought walking to burn a few extra calories was a good idea, all of the perspiration now has you thinking otherwise. However, a moist, cool and cleansing face toilette can make you feel refreshed in spite of the heat. And as much as eye make up can be fun and whimsical, it’s certainly not very exciting scraping that eyeliner off. With a facial toilette, removing cosmetics is simple and quick. Even if you just want to feel renewed after a long day, towelettes are great for invigorating your skin and shedding a typical day’s film of dust and oil.

SkinDirect has different options available to meet your skin refreshing needs. The Specific Beauty Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths have a textured side for deep cleansing and the removal of sweat, dead skin and impurities, while the reverse side is soft and silky for smooth makeup removal around the delicate eye area.

The other set of towelettes, skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths, are infused with several natural extracts such as cucumber, coconut, white willow bark and Icelandic kelp. These cloths neutralize germs while leaving your skin fresh, smooth and moisturized.

With SkinDirect’s line of high quality facial cleansing products, you can always have a soothing burst to wake you up or ease you down from a tiring day. Feel secure with a facial cleansing towelette recommended by SkinDirect’s own esthetician.

Women are always looking for softer, smoother skin. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to attain all-over soft skin, but the most recommended way may be through exfoliating products.

Your body is covered in a layer of dead skin cells, and any lotion that you apply to your skin has to work its way through these cells to reach the top layer of live skin.

So no matter how much body lotion you slather on the dead skin cells will remain. If you want healthy, smooth skin, you must get rid of these cells by sloughing them off. And one of the best ways to accomplish this is with a body exfoliator.

Estheticians recommend using exfoliators in the shower or bath by gently rubbing the product over your body in a circular motion and follow up with moisturize immediately after toweling off. You’ll notice a difference in your skin immediately.

SkinDirect offers these products to get you on your way to smoother, healthier looking skin:

DCL High Potency Body Lotion contains Lactic Acid which helps by exfoliating your skin removing dead skin cells and is also very hydrating making this product a super hydrating moisturizer for severely dry skin conditions.

Get an ultra fine, sugar whipped into a honey and shea butter base body scrub with Glowology’s Sugar Mama Honey Scrub. This product gently exfoliates with ultra-fine sugar to remove dead surface skin cells. It’s made with organic olive and sunflower seed oils, aloe, and Vitamin E, leaving skin silky soft, supple, smooth and ultra-moisturized.

Using highly effective concentrations of Malic and Mandelic Acid, M2 Skin Care Body Refinish 15% is designed to even out skin tone and texture, and reverse the signs of aging. Its special blend of antioxidants, humectants and exfoliants is amazingly effective on dry, sun damaged, and other problematic skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris and eczema. Added Vitamin E helps protect skin damage from free radicals.

Although there are no miracle products that can make cellulite disappear, you can still firm your skin in those devious trouble areas. There are some skin care products that can help with the appearance of firmness. These products work in a variety of ways and are made with unique ingredients to aid in the smoothing out of uneven skin and the tightening of those flabby spots.

Here are some skin and body firming products recommended by SkinDirect’s own, professional esthetician.

The Alchimie Forever Alexandrite Firming Gel for Neck and Bust brightening, oil-free gel tightens and firms the skin of the neck, décolleté area, and arms, making these areas appear more firm and youthful. To help prevent sun damage, it contains antioxidants made from green tea and rosemary and can help in lightening uneven skin pigmentation. Can be worn alone or applied underneath sunscreen.

Murad Body Firming Cream, an all-over body cream that improves the firmness of skin in problem areas, like the thighs, arms, buttocks, stomach, by up to 40% in as little as 15 minutes. The benefits of this cream include increasing the skin’s radiance, elasticity and provides rich, long-lasting moisture.

Actifirm Thigh Firm is comprised of Rosemary, Gotu Kola, and Echinacea, this combination of ingredients stimulates collagen as well as supplements the firmness and thickness of the skin. It boosts hydration and helps to diminish the appearance of cellulite. Continuous use visibly enhances, firms, and tones the curves of the body and can be used throughout the year on any type of skin.