A new year is the perfect time to make yourself over, and SkinDirect.com has everything you need to make your dreams of a fresh, new you a reality. We offer quality lines of skin care products that treat everything from acne and fine lines to dry skin and under eye problems.

This may be the year you decide to rid your face of those unwanted wrinkles and fine lines. You can cleanse your skin completely to give it a vibrant appearance with the right product for your specific skin type. SkinDirect.com offers a full line of proven, quality products that can help you reach these goals and can give you better results than you may have thought possible.

Getting rid of dry skin or starting an exfoliation plan to rid your skin of old, dead cells should be on everyone’s list. We offer exquisite creams, treatments, and serums from around the world that have given our customers smoother, healthier skin.

If your skin is already in the best possible shape, we have moisturizers, cleansers, and toners that will help you maintain its look. We also carry a great mineral makeup line to accentuate your features and make your eyes, lips, or cheeks really stand out.

It’s time to show the world a new you, and SkinDirect.com is your first step in achieving your new look!

Winter weather treats our skin harshly, but there’s no need for your skin to suffer its effects. We have many products available to combat the cold, dry conditions that this time of year can bring, and now is the perfect opportunity for you to begin a skin regimen that will have you looking your best.

Just because the sun isn’t shining brightly every day now, that’s no reason to ignore your skin. We have a full line of products designed specifically to relieve the effects of aging, to help remove dark circles and wrinkles, and to answer every need your skin has. This may be a great time to treat yourself and your skin to the luxurious benefits our creams, lotions, and cleansers will produce, and our full line of high quality products will have you looking your best for the holiday parties!

Our products will be the best hostess gift you can give, or even an indulgence for yourself. You will be delighted with our eye and lip treatments, antioxidant filled products, and our skin care products formulated to treat acne, rosacea, or other unsightly conditions. We carry numerous products for dry, sensitive, and intolerant skin so you can have soft, silky skin during this cold, dry season.  

Your skin doesn’t take the winter off, and neither should your caring for it. This is the best time to prepare your skin for the any type of weather to come. Start 2010 right with fabulous skin!

SkinDirect.com is happy to offer the iS Clinical skin care line of breakthrough serums, cleansers, and formulas for all skin types. We will be launching them on the site very soon. Numerous iS Clinical products have been featured in different magazines, such as Lucky and New Beauty. These products are very strong and a huge Hollywood secret that celebrities have been using to get their flawless skin.

The Cleansing Complex, Youth Complex, and Active Serum are the most essential products for AM and PM use. 98% of Youth Complex users see results within a few hours! The Youth Complex works to rapidly diminish fine lines and wrinkles while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. iS Clinical Youth Complex is clinically proven to soften lines, wrinkles, firm and tighten the skin, and give you immediate, intermediate, and long term results.

The Cleansing Complex should be used in the morning and before bed. It has a gel like consistency that is perfect for removing makeup at night, any left over makeup in the morning, dirt, oil, and pimple causing bacteria. It also gently resurfaces the skin and removes dead skin cells for a fresher, softer appearance. This cleanser should be used before applying any of the other iS Clinical skin care products, day and night.

iS Clinical Active Serum is your PM secret weapon to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, and any rough or dry skin textures. Use it in the evening after cleansing and you’ll start to notice rapid results as well as significant long term results with continued use.

Take a look at these clinical trials using iS Clinical Youth Complex:

Acne? Keratosis Pilaris? Wrinkles? Lines? Acne scars? Uneven skin tone? Then it might be time for you to talk to your dermatologist about using Retinol. Retinol is used to treat numerous skin conditions and even out the color of your skin. These products can be found online at SkinDirect or prescribed by your doctor.  The latter is usually a higher percentage of retinol, which is why it needs a prescription.

Retinol is used to treat many things, as mentioned above. It increases the cell turnover rate which is why dermatologists recommend it for the treatment of several different skin conditions and signs of aging. Common skin conditions, such as Keratosis Pilaris, can also be treated with the use of Retinol. It is usually comes in 2%, 5%, and 10%, depending on the severity of what you are trying to treat.

Retinol products work great with hyperpigmentation and sun spots because of the increased cellular turnover rate it causes. By helping stimulate new cell growth, old cells will diminish and a new layer of skin can appear. It also increases the production of collagen which works great in filling in lines and wrinkles. Continuous use will reveal newer, softer skin without certain problems you had before.

It is usually best and safest to start with the lowest percentage of retinol if your skin is not accustomed to it. After using the entire product of low strength retinol, you can then proceed to increase the percentage if your skin handled it fine with no negative reactions. Your dermatologist will recommend the best percentage for your specific skin and instruct you on how to use retinol skin care products.

We are very excited to offer M2 Technology, which makes 4 very unique and powerful products. M2′s formulas are made using Mandelic and Malic acid, making its products very different from other kinds of skin care blends. Mandelic Acid is part of the alpha hydroxy acid group and is derived from almonds, apricots, and wild cherries. It has been proven to help photo-damaged skin, suppress pigmentation, and treat redness, acne, and acne scars. Mandelic Acid acts as a natural antibacterial and it protects your skin from free radical damage. They also specialize in a high concentration after-shower cream, which fights skin problems and signs of aging on your entire body, not just on your face.

M2 Body Refinish uses 15% Mandelic and Malic acid aimed at smoothing your entire body’s texture and appearance. It combines a special blend of antioxidants, humectants, and exfoliants to strengthen your skin’s outer layer, protect it from free radical damage, and soften dry skin. The Body Refinish is a very strong product you apply after showering. Start with a thin layer on your body, and make sure to only apply on clean, non-irritated skin. A slight tingling feeling is normal and only lasts a few minutes; it’s also a good sign that lets you feel the formula in action. If you have sensitive skin, one thin layer should be sufficient. If your skin can handle more, gradually increase the amount you use, but don’t go overboard!

The Exfoliating Cleanser and HP Skin Refinish are a great pair when cleansing your face. The Exfoliating Cleanser gently exfoliates and refines your skin every time you wash, while removing impurities and makeup residue. It has natural antibacterial properties combined with antioxidants, vitamins, and humectants to clarify your skin tone and restore its balance. It is gentle enough to use in the morning and evening. After exfoliating, the HP Skin Refinish works wonders on acne scars and discoloration. It’s an “easy-to-use serum” with high concentrations of mandelic and malic acid that work on your skin overnight to give you rapid results. It’s very potent so it should only be used every other night.

Great to use after the M2 System or any other skin care system, the M2 Skin Recovery Moisturizer is perfect for dry, stressed skin. It helps your skin retain moisture and stay hydrated throughout the day and night while fighting signs of aging, acne, and discoloration. Use in the morning and before bed.

According to the makers of M2, you’ll see a significant improvement in the overall texture and clarity of your skin within a month of continued use. Any uneven tones and discoloration will be start to even out and your skin will feel much smoother. After two months of continued use, the number of blemishes will decrease or be greatly reduced in size. The scars that they left behind will vanish faster and darker areas of your face and body will peel, revealing new, smooth, and flawless skin.

I’ve already started to use the HP Skin Refinish on certain areas of my face and have noticed that my skin is lighter and more even toned. Aside from their great formulas, the bottles they come in are beautiful and sleek. They make using the product very easy, with no mess at all.  While using any skin care regimen, always remember the tips for avoiding acne and your skin will remain smoother and healthier all year round.

There are many reasons for the appearance of acne, pimples, blackheads, and other types of blemishes. These problems don’t just affect teenagers, either. While some causes are inevitable, there are a few things you can do to help prevent acne from occurring.

1. Don’t pick at your face – Although it’s tempting to squeeze at your face and every blemish you see, this will only cause it to get worse. Your hands are full of oils and bacteria that can enter your skin’s pores. Your fingernails and the pressure from your fingers can irritate your skin and lead to more infection and damaged tissue. When you see a pimple forming, leave it alone or use special products for it.

2. Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide – The combination of these two powerful treatments can really help your skin. When used on the site of a blemish, they can reduce its appearance over the next few days if applied early. Benzoyl Peroxide products come in different strengths, so discuss it with your doctor or dermatologist to see which percentage is right for your skin.

3. Women should NEVER sleep with makeup on – This is a large cause of acne and clogged pores. Your skin needs to breathe and repair itself overnight as you sleep. If there is still makeup and residue left on your skin, it will cause oils and impurities to get trapped in your pores and cause more blemishes and blackheads.

4. Use a clean washcloth – Some people don’t realize that they are clogging their pores by using their shower towel to dry their face. After you shower, your towel dries up left over soap, shampoo, and other bath products from your skin and hair. If you use this same towel on your face, all those chemicals and products will be left on your skin and inside of your pores. Always use a separate washcloth for your face than the one for your body.

5. Drink plenty of water – Keeping your skin hydrated is very important. By drinking plenty of water during the day, your skin will stay moist and not get too dry. This will help your pores stay hydrated and not allow dirt and oil to build up.

Finally! No more oily and shiny skin that fades our fresh makeup and makes us look like we just went jogging- even if we haven’t moved! OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel gives you 8 hours of solid coverage and protection from oily looking skin.

OC Eight contains ACRYSORB® micro-particles that trap oils continuously for 8 hours. They can hold oils up to 6x their own volume. This leaves you with matte, even-toned skin throughout the day.

American Idol Makeup artist, Mezhgan, uses OC Eight on all of the contestants before applying the rest of their makeup. She loves the results and says it’s nothing like any product she has ever used before.

The reason OC Eight is different from powders and blotting papers is because it works continuously and mechanically to trap the oils rather than wiping them off temporarily. The results are immediate because of how it holds your makeup in place, giving you the “just applied” look all day.

OC Eight is safe to use on acne and rosacea as it won’t irritate your skin. It actually controls redness and reduces the appearance of blemishes. You can even use OC Eight before you work out to reduce that greasy appearance after sweating. People with dry skin can use OC Eight because it does not dry your skin, it simply traps oils. So use OC Eight no matter what type of skin you have if you want to get that beautiful matte finish.

SkinDirect.com carries SkinCeuticals’ line of skin care products because of their advanced formulas, backed by science. They developed their skin care line through science and advanced technology to treat and prevent certain skin conditions brought by aging, sun-damage, or acne.

SkinCeuticals is used by plastic surgeons, dermatologists, medi-spas, and other skin care professionals worldwide. These professionals trust SkinCeuticals because they work with scientists in chemistry, biology, and medicine to develop products aimed towards a wide variety of skin conditions. They strive to treat the source of the problem rather than just cover them up.

Their years of knowledge and research has earned them several grants to pursue more innovative formulas and develop new skin care technology. SkinCeuticals also funds clinical trials at large medical institutions such as Duke University Medical Center and the National Institute of Health.

With products ranging from eye creams, toners, retinol, and cleansers, SkinCeuticals has everything your skin needs.

Putting on a face mask while you’re at home can be very relaxing. Nothing else can give you that spa-like feel except for, of course, going to an actual spa. But when you don’t have the time, money, or just want to relax at home while reading or watching TV, a face mask can give your skin great results and allow you to get in touch with your girly side. But with so many different varieties, which facial mask is right for you?

Acne- If you want to try to treat your acne by using a mask, make sure you buy the appropriate one made for acne-prone skin. Several masks are medicated while others reduce the amount of oils, while unclogging your pores, without medication. The latter doesn’t eliminate existing blemishes but it can reduce and control the amount of blemishes you get in the future by cleaning and minimizing your pores. Many medicated masks use the power of sulfur to help clear up existing blemishes while cleaning your pores at the same time. Sulfur can penetrate deep into your skin without over-drying. Use as directed depending on your skin type.

Firmer Skin – You can reduce the signs of aging with specially formulated facial masks. They’re made with powerful enzymes and peptides to penetrate into your skin and reverse the signs of aging. They can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and sagging, leaving your face firmer and tighter. Try Azure Cosmeceuticals HydroPeptide face mask formulated with 15% Botazyme, a blend of enzymes, peptides, and antioxidants that stimulate your natural collagen production.

Natural Masks – If you just want a natural, homemade face mask that tones your skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth, try using egg whites. Beat together the egg whites in a bowl (1-2 eggs should be enough) and spread the mixture on your skin’s surface, avoiding the entire eye area.  Leave it on for 15 minutes or until completely dry. Wash off with tepid water, pat dry, and voilà! Your skin will feel softer and smoother because of the proteins, vitamins, and minerals within the egg whites. You can also make homemade masks using olive oil, oatmeal, yogurt, and many other inexpensive items you find in your fridge.

We read and hear a lot about our skin, the dangers we should avoid, and treatments we should use. But what statements are true and what should we ignore?

1. Acne only affects teenagers
False. Although more common in teenagers, acne can affect anyone at any age. An article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science stated, “Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties.”  There are multiple acne remedies (http://www.skindirect.com/acne.aspx) to treat all sorts of cases from moderate to severe and they come in pill form or topical treatments.

2. Going to a tanning salon is safer than natural tanning from the sun
False. No tanning is safe or good for your skin. The UV rays emitted from tanning beds are stronger and denser than the sun’s natural rays. People tend to think this is a good thing because it allows them to achieve their tan in less time than tanning outdoors. The reality is that your skin is being damaged much more than it would outdoors. You might think that the pink, red, or gray tones you see in your skin when leaving a tanning salon are signs that your skin is getting tanned, but in actuality, it’s a sign that your skin was damaged by the UVA and UVB rays. You should always wear sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 to protect your skin from the risks of these rays, indoors or outdoors.

3. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will keep your skin hydrated and moist
True and False. Drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your body and the lower layers of your skin hydrated and moist. However, the texture of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin, does not rely on internal factors. You must keep your skin hydrated on the outside to prevent drying and cracking of the top layer of your skin. You can do this by exfoliating your skin weekly or biweekly to remove dead skin cells and applying a moisturizer or lotion to your skin to protect it from environmental stressors.