Why Essential Oils are Such Powerful Skincare Treatments?

Essential Oils are the true essence of plants. They are ultra-concentrated, fragrant and volatile liquid substances. They consist of several hundred molecules working in synergy.  Individually, each essential oil has therapeutic properties, such as antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.  As a blended formula, essential oils are powerful treatments for skin. 

We’ve been expertly sourcing, selecting and blending essential oils since 1974.  As masters of our trade, we take a scientific approach to creating blends of essential oil formulas of the highest quality targeted to specific skin concerns.      

DID YOU KNOW?

DECLÉOR, pioneers in the world of essential oils, was the first company to introduce aromatherapy to cosmetics, and to transfer age-old expertise from the world of medicine to the world of beauty.

Our Secret? AROMESSENCE serums for daytime use and nighttime balms. 

What is it?  AROMESSENCE is an expert blend of 100% pure, active and natural essential oils targeted to treat a specific skin condition. 

What does it do?  Each AROMESSENCE™ deeply penetrates to treat the skin, purifying and balancing it from within.  The result is a visibly healthy and radiant complexion. 

Does it treat specific skin conditions?  Yes. In addition to these properties, we offer an AROMESSENCE™ to treat specific skin conditions, such as issues associated with oily/combination skin, or sensitive skin, or even visible signs of aging skin, etc.   

What is the difference between the Daytime Serum and the Nighttime Balm? The serum is designed for a quick absorb penetration, which is ideal for daytime.  The nighttime balm delivers a slower penetration so it works while you sleep, thus optimizing your body’s natural nighttime regeneration process.  While they work differently, the result is relatively the same as both work deeply within the skin.  When both are used as part of your daily skincare routine, they work synergistically to deliver benefits for your skin day and night. 

Choosing an AROMESSENCE for your skin type:

• Normal/ Dehydrated Skin:  AROMESSENCE Neroli and Neroli Night Essential Balm
• Dry Skin: AROMESSENCE Angelique and Angelique Night Balm
• Sensitive Skin: AROMESSENCE Rose d’Orient and Rose d’Orient Night Balm
• Oily/ Combination Skin: AROMESSENCE Ylang Ylang and Ylang Ylang Night Balm
• Hyper-pigmented Skin: AROMESSENCE White (and there’s also a Aroma White C+ Recovery Brightening Night Cream)
• Anti-Aging – 40s: AROMESSENCE Iris and Iris Night Balm
• Anti-Aging – 50s: AROMESSENCE Excellence and Excellence Night Balm 

 SHOP AROMESSENCE: Daytime Serums and Nighttime Balms  

8 Tips for Sensitive Skin

Does your skin rebel whenever you try a new product or scrub too hard? Learn how to pamper your skin and avoid common irritants and you’ll have a healthy glow in no time.

1. Test First, Apply Second
When using a new product, always, always do a test run on a small, inconspicuous patch of skin (like behind your ear) before applying. Wait at least 24 hours for signs of irritation, redness, or other skin freak-outs. If your skin is hypersensitive, repeat this test run on a patch next to your eye. All clear? You’re safe to apply with abandon.

2. Don’t Buy “Hypoallergenic” Hype
Hypoallergenic products and sensitive skin are besties, right? Not necessarily. Since there are no federal standards to govern the word “hypoallergenic,” products bearing this claim are not always suitable for sensitive skin. Don’t buy the hype blindly. Refer to tip number 1 before slathering away.

3. Moisturize with Vigilance
Sensitive skin is even more vulnerable to the elements and will benefit from a proper skin-care schedule. Dutifully moisturize both morning and night to protect skin from water loss and to maintain a healthy barrier from the daily onslaught of environmental factors, including pollution and wind.

4. Always Read Labels
Knowledge is power—arm yourself by reading labels. Look for products free from fragrances and paraben preservatives, two common causes of irritation and flare-ups. And the shorter the ingredient list, the better: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using products with less than 10 ingredients for sensitive skin. The more complicated a formula, the more likely you are to introduce an irritant.

5. Wash Wisely

Keep pores clear and surface debris scarce by washing twice a day (any more can be too much for sensitive skin). Choose a cleanser that is formulated for sensitive skin but isn’t so gentle that you need to scrub really hard to remove makeup or residual grime. Be gentle: blot dry (no rubbing, please) and apply moisturizer straight away for maximum absorption.

6. Go With Less
Sensitive skin is easily overwhelmed so it’s best to keep your everyday skincare products simple: All you really need is a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

7. Choose Cosmetics Carefully
Just because your skin is delicate doesn’t mean you have to go sans makeup. Follow these four tips: 1) Use a mineral powder—most of which are free from preservatives and artificial dyes—or a silicone-based foundation to lessen the likelihood of irritation, 2) avoid waterproof mascara as harsh cleansers are required to remove it, 3) use eyeliner in pencil form, not liquid, as the latter often contains latex and may cause a reaction, and 4) toss old cosmetics, which can go bad or become contaminated over time. And don’t forget to clean your brushes regularly.

8. Exercise SPF Smarts
Irritable skin is often extra-sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen year-round with SPF 30 or higher to protect delicate tissue from aggravating rays. Look for sunscreens with physical active ingredients—such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—which are less likely to cause a reaction than chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone, octylcrylene, and octinoxate.

Products for Sensitive Skin:

Decleor Aromessence Rose
D'Orient Soothing Serum

Decleor Aromessence™ Rose D'Orient Soothing Concentrate is an elixir of 100% pure and natural Essential Oils specially formulated for the daily care of sensitive, reactive skin. Thanks to its natural affinity with the skin, this unique skin care product penetrates skin upon application for soothing, healthy results and offers immediate softness and reduces irritation.

Sothys oomfort Lotion

Sothys Comfort Lotion (Sensitive Skin Types) is a melting emulsion that soothes sensitive skin with Cotton extract. It has a delightful scent while restores, calms, protects, nourishes, and softens the skin.

Sothys Micro-Gel Peeling

Sothys Micro-Gel Peeling (For All Skin Types except Sensitive Skin) - Sothys has created a new emulsion technology exfoliant, a magical textured peel containing white tea extract and exfoliating particles. Its gel texture melts on the skin and transforms into an oil when applied to the skin and massaged, then becomes a creamy milk when water is added, gently exfoliating as it cleanses. This easy-to-use skin polish is designed for all skin types except for sensitive or infected skin. Use the superfine Exfoliating scrub prior to Desquacrem or Morning Cleanser to combine exfoliation with deep action cleansing.

Thalgo Age Defence
Sunscreen Cream SPF 50

An indispensable sun protection cream for use after the Controlled Micro-Dermabrasion Treatment carried out with or without the machine.

This sun cream is indispensable when using and for at least 7 days following the last application of micro-dermabrasion products either in a beauty salon or at home, because they contain hydroxy acids or aluminium oxide micro-crystals that can make your skin more sensitive to sunburn.

Thalgo for Dry Skin

Dry skin looks dry, sometimes flakes, and often feels tight, especially if you have washed it with soap and water. Sometimes it is lacking some of the protective sebum and so it reacts to very hot and very cold weather by tightening up. One benefit of dry skin is that it is less likely to develop acne than oily skin, but it is easily chapped in a dry atmosphere. Always use mild, alcohol-free make up and toner, and a rich, creamy cleanser. Moisturize your face every day, including the throat and the skin around your eyes. When you wear makeup, use a moisturized foundation. You will need little or no powder. When you wash your face, use a liquid or a cleansing bar. Use warm water to lather and rinse it with cold. 

Thalgo Cocooning Cleansing Milk

Cocooning Cleansing Milk very gently sweeps away impurities and makeup. It softens, soothes and moisturizes the skin for a velvety and supple feeling.

Thalgo Cocooning Tonic Lotion

Cocooning Tonic Lotion toner sweeps away the last of impurities and makeup that is left after cleansing. It softens, soothes and moisturizes the skin, leaving it feeling supple and velvety soft.

Thalgo Softness Exfoliator

Softness Exfoliator removes dead skin cells and impurities while preserving the natural protection of the skin. This facial scrub also stimulates epidermal cellular renewal, soothes and reveals a fresh, luminous complexion.

Thalgo Waterproof Make-Up
Remover Eyes & Lips

A thorough eye and lip cleanser designed to remove all traces of makeup. Thalgo Waterproof Makeup Remover Eyes and Lips works to dissolve tough makeup, even stubborn water resistant formulations, quickly and effectively for a fresh complexion. Free from parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and animal by-products.

Thalgo Reviving Marine Mist

Reviving Marine Mist has been formulated to reinforce the effectiveness of your skin care treatments and creams. This seawater concentrate stimulates the energy and activity of your skin, offering the ultimate boost in marine beauty.

Thalgo Delicious Comfort Cream

Delicious Comfort Cream is a highly nourishing cream that is enriched with hydrating and restructuring Shea Butter. A true delight for your skin, it instantly restores suppleness and comfort. This full-bodied cream is also rich in vitamins and minerals that provide comfort and nourishment to dry skin.

Thalgo Extreme Comfort Cream

This double-action cream nourishes, hydrates and re-balances skin and is highly recommended for use in extreme climate conditions.

Thalgo Melt-Away Mask
Instant Comfort

Melt-Away Mask Instant Comfort melts into your skin to offer it a true nourishing bath. As soon as it is applied, skin is perfectly nourished and recovers suppleness and softness. Sensations of tightness and discomfort are instantly eased away. This soft setting mask is also rich in vitamins that remineralize and brighten your complexion.

Sothys Brightening Program

W]™+ Brightening Program is a hydroquinone-free line.

[W.]™+ is the answer to treat hyperpigmentation due to sun-damage, aging, chloasma, melasma and acne scarring. The program will even out the skin tone and reveal a more luminous and brighter complexion.

[W.]™+Brightening Double Action Serum

2-in-1 Brightening solution + Peeling. A brightening solution (white pump = AM) to target dark spots and give the skin a global brightening effect, for exceptonal results. Plus a peeling combination with fruit acids (grey pump = PM) gently exfoliates, evens skin tone, refines the skin texture and stimulates cell renewal.

[W.]™+ Cleanser Cream

This cleansing cream provides immediate radiance and brightens the complexion while gently removing makeup and eliminates impurities. Leaves the skin radiant and luminous.

[W.]™+ Brightening Fluid

The daily use of this fluid will reveal visibly younger looking skin and a brighter complexion, day after day, thanks to an anti-aging illuminating agent extracted for St Paul wort and Sigesbeckia orientalis. Moreover, the skin will be protected, stronger and healthier thanks to the H2CR® complex for overall healthier skin.

[W.]™+ Preparative Lotion

Upgrade your daily cleansing routine with this Preparative Lotion to replace your usual toner. It will reduce hyperpigmentation as it increases the skin’s natural exfoliation while hydrating and soothing thanks to the prickly pear extract.  

[W.]™+ Brightening Mask

Brighten the complexion and increase the radiance with this comforting and soothing mask enriched with water lily flower. Skin instantly awakens. It is brighter, softer and comfortable.

Cleaning the Skin

Cleaning the skin is important as it removes the dead cells from the surface of the skin. It also will remove the dust and dirt that chokes the pores on the skin. If the dust is allowed to accumulate, it can block the pores thus blocking the secretion of the glands from coming to the top of the skin providing it the weapons it need to fight against infections, toxic agents etc. It also gives the shine or glow to the surface of the skin.

Soap and Natural Cleaners
Skin experts recommend avoiding soap because of its high pH. A high pH (alkaline) soap will dry the skin and diminish its life expectancy. The skin's surface is mildly acidic, having a pH of around 5. Most soaps are well over 7, and some as high as 10. Soaps with a high pH will not only dry the skin but also eliminate its acid mantle (coating on the surface).

You can make good skin cleansers from natural products. For example, products that contain vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, and water, combine with sebum and allow it to be dissolved and rinsed away. At the same time, water dissolves dirt.

Effective skin cleansers can contain a number of different vegetable oils, including coconut, sesame, or palm oils. These are safe and effective cleansers and have a relatively low pH. Stearic acid provides the skin a pearly firmness.
Another organic products that is increasingly useful in skin care is seaweed. The high mineral content of seaweed stimulates circulation, helps eliminate toxins imbedded in the skin, and leaves the skin feeling smooth. Seaweeds can also strengthen the immunity and healing functions of the skin by providing the needed minerals.

Facial Scrubs
Facial scrubs help clean the surface of the skin by removing the dead skins and the dirt mechanically. We recommend that you use a facial scrub that contains a mild abrasive. The coarseness of these abrasives vary. For example, it may contain very fine, mild base of oatmeal or ground-up almonds. Some products may contain, however, coarser materials such as silica or fine sand or the shells of almonds, apricots, or walnuts.

Since women spend considerable more amount of money and time on makeups and skin care, we would expect that their skin will be smoother and blemish free compared to that of men. However, studies have found exactly the opposite. These studies have found that men have fewer blemishes and smoother skin than women on the face. Experts suggest that men are exfoliating their faces every day by shaving. The razor removes the top layer of dead cells every day. This allows the skin to breathe and eliminate waste much easier. This may explain why men's facial skin is much more smoother than women's. Women can accomplish the same by using a mild abrasive scrub on their faces, every other day.

European women have been using exfoliants for decades. People in India and the orient had been using natural exfoliants to clean their skin.

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Essential Cleansing Milk

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Essential Tonifying Lotion

The Right Way To Wash Your Face
1. Moisten your face with water. Work up a lather by rubbing the soap between wet palms. Using your fingertips (not the bar of soap), massage the lather into your face and throat.

2. Rinse thoroughly with a washcloth or with splashes of water. Take three times as much time for rinsing as compared to what you took for lathering. The important thing is that you remove all of the soap so any caustic it contains won't burn your face.

3. Blot dry with a soft towel; vigorous rubbing with coarse material aggravates and tugs at your skin.

Thalgo Foaming Marine Cleanser

Erno Laszlo Phelityl Cleansing Gel

Sothys Clarity Cleansing Milk

Sothys Hydrate

The Hydradvance™ program was born of the Sothys’ advanced research team’s latest technological discoveries in gene science. This advanced hydration GENerating program is a tailor-made solution providing incomparable moisturizing power with immediate and long lasting results. SOTHYS’ boletus mushroom extract, the active ingredient in this collection, acts on two fundamental mechanisms of hydration – hydric flow, the transfer of water from the dermis to the epidermis, and barrier function, the strengthening of the surface layer to restrict moisture loss.

Hydradvance™ Intensive Hydrating Serum

This intensive rapid-action serum is perfect for dehydrated skin, as it immediately moisturizes and stimulates the formation of the skin’s barrier function. The Serum works in tandem with the Hydradvance Hydrating Creams to boost overall results. This formula features Sothys’ exclusive H2CR® Complex – a combination of natural peptides and powerful plant antioxidants – to restore, detoxify, repair and reconstruct the epidermis.

Hydradvance™ Hydrating Cream

This cream provides a balancing action that maintains skin’s hydration day after day. It contains Ophiopogon plant extract which regulates water transfer; this Asian evergreen is known for its ability to resist drought and capture water.

Available in Comfort and Light Texture

Hydradvance™ Hydra-Nourishing Mask

An essential moisturizing mask to restore suppleness and radiance. The unique formula features jojoba and rice bran oils to soothe skin and provide immediate comfort. Perfect for travelers, over-sun exposure, post peel procedures.

Skin Type

There are three basic skin types, but you may find yours isn't exactly like any of those described here. Most skin is a mixture of these types and yours will be no exception. The basic skin types are dry, oily, and combination. Dark skins have a tendency towards greater extremes of dryness and oiliness than paler skins.

Oily skin
You can tell if your skin is oily because it usually has a shine to it. It may be prone to black heads and acne. Oily skin contains a lot of sebum which helps prevent the skin from drying out. However, oily skin tends to attract more dirt and dust than dry skin. It benefits from soap and water, so washing with a cleansing bar is an ideal way of caring for it. Use warm water to loosen the dirt, then use cold water to rinse. Use toners and astringents containing alcohol and always use a light, non-greasy liquid cleanser. Very oily skin needs no extra moisturizing at all while you are in your teens.

Dry skin
Dry skin looks dry, sometimes flakes, and often feels tight, especially if you have washed it with soap and water. Sometimes it is lacking some of the protective sebum and so it reacts to very hot and very cold weather by tightening up. One benefit of dry skin is that it is less likely to develop acne than oily skin, but it is easily chapped in a dry atmosphere. Always use mild, alcohol-free make up and toner, and a rich, creamy cleanser. Moisturize your face every day, including the throat and the skin around your eyes. When you wear makeup, use a moisturized foundation. You will need little or no powder. When you wash your face, use a liquid or a cleansing bar. Use warm water to lather and rinse it with cold.

Combination skin
Most of us have this kind of skin, with an oily center area or a T-zone across the forehead, nose, and chin, and areas of dryness on the cheeks, and around the eyes and neck. Ideally, you should have one product for the oily areas and one for the dry areas, but this is expensive and unnecessary unless the areas of dry and oily are very different. It's simpler to use a cleanser designed for combination skin. Use a skin cleanser for the central oily panel, diluted with water for the drier areas. The drier areas may or may not need moisturizing frequently. You may have to experiment a bit.

Acne Skin Care - Basic Skin Care Tips to Alleviate Acne Breakouts

If you suffer from acne, there are several skin care steps you can do to alleviate the outbreaks and help prevent future outbreaks. This article will give you information that will help you whether you are teenager or an adult suffering from acne.

One of the main daily routines to help with acne breakouts is washing your face or outbreak areas twice a day. It is vitally important to keep your skin clean. The way and the products you use to wash your face is also important.

Wash your face GENTLY at least twice a day and after any strenuous exercise that has caused perspiration. Do not SCRUB your face or skin. This actually can cause more harm than good and can even inflame your pimples.

Use a very mild soap like Neutrogena. Do not use anything that makes your skin feel overly dry. It is not necessary to use an astringent, yet if you do, only use it where your skin is very oily. If you visit a dermatologist, he/she should be able to recommend the best soap for your particular acne symptoms.

Do not excessively handle your skin. Your hands have bacteria on them and can cause the acne to get even worse. In other words, DO NOT pick at your pimples. I know that it is very hard not to do, yet it is very good advice. Only a doctor, with special instruments can effectively “pick” at pimples in a way that will not cause more inflammation and excessive scarring.

Use a special sunscreen that is at least spf15 and is non-comedogenic, non-oily, which means it does not clog pores. A good sunscreen for acne sufferers is Neutrogena SPF 45 Sunblock with Parsol 1789. You should always try to avoid tanning and sunburn because both could cause acne pimples and acne scars to become even more noticeable.

If you choose to use base makeup, it is recommended you choose a makeup that is oil free (and again) non-comedogenic. There are acne cover-ups that are available that also have acne medication. One product that is my favorite is Clinique's acne cover-up. It can cover up even the worst outbreaks.

Taking these few extra steps with acne skin care can make a world of difference in your flare-ups.