Skincare Tips for Men # 2 - How to Stay in Shape

• Wash your face regularly: it keeps you clean and feeling good! Kick the soap though - it leaves your skin stripped and dry! Exfoliate often, as this removes all the ingrained dirt and helps prevent ingrown hairs after shaving too! Be gentle though - you're not stripping paint! Why not combine the two and use a soap free cleanser/ exfoliator (NICKEL super clean face) and say goodbye to that dry red face!
• Moisturize after you have cleaned! If you're blond or brunette, light or dark, dry or oily NICKEL can sort you out! Not only do moisturizers help your skin stay hydrated and nourished, they also address specific needs your skin might have. Clever!
• Take care of your eyes - they are the window to the soul - they should always look inviting! Look under the "all eyes on you" section for further tips and tricks on how to keep them fresh and young!
• Shaving need not be mission impossible! Do it regularly to keep those boy-next-door looks and chase the age away! For a sure fire way to get rid of all shaving demons look under the "s(h)aving face" section!
• Swallow your pride and call in the specialists once in a while! Masks are a great way to give your skin an immediate boost! NICKEL has created 4 different masks: mug shots #1- #4. We wouldn't want you looking like a criminal!

Suggested Products:

 

Nickel Silicon valley 

Skincare Tips for Men #1 - Stay Young

First and foremost: use a good cleanser/ exfoliator on a regular basis. This keeps your skin soft, supple and firm! Try NICKEL super clean face. Keep it moisturized and if you're already giving your age away use an anti-ageing treatment, like NICKEL's silicon valley.

Sleep on your back and don't bury your face in the pillow; vertical lines are not from the effect of gravity!

Facial expressions lead to crows feet (eyes) and frown lines. So lighten up and grab a pair of shades to prevent unnecessary straining on the skin and delicate eye area!

Also get rid of facial hair; you might think it makes you more of a man, but it also makes you older. Try a good shave and watch the years fall off!

Suggested Product:

Nickel Moisturizer for Light Complexions 

 

Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 

Skincare for Men

Think about it. What is the first thing people notice about you? It's your face. Healthy skin is the most important element of a great looking face. It is not only easy to achieve; it is a critical thing you can do for yourself. Put your best face forward. Here are some basic tips and guidelines to encourage healthier skin. It's simple…

#1 Keep it clean.
Men have approximately 15% oilier skin and significantly larger pores than women do. Basically, this means you get dirtier. It is very important; no matter what skin type you have, to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing is important. It keeps pores clear, skin healthy and you looking good.

Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Deodorant soaps shouldn't be used on your face. They cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. This may irritate your skin and will clog your pores. Go natural.

A good scrub is essential for healthy clean skin. It will remove dead cells and smooth the surface of your face. The scrub should be strong without being damaging. Stay away from scrubs that contain rough elements like ground bits of nut or seed extracts. They will tear and damage the skin. A good scrub will invigorate you, not hurt you.

Moisturizing is a necessity. Again, the product with the least amount of chemical additives is the best. Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don't forget your neck!

For an intensive moisture treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. It is available in liquid form, or just break open a capsule and apply the oil directly to the skin. This is a great under eye treatment. Remember it is very important to moisturize this sensitive area of the face. It is one of the first places to show age because the under eye skin secretes no necessary oils on its own.

#2 Keep it toned.
Because men are outside more than women are, environmental debris and pollutants are more a factor to their skin's health. Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm.

As skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids work the best for toning the face. These acids actually can reduce the pore size, and help avoid ingrown hairs. They are aggressive and have quick results. Remember to look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light).

#3 Treat your skin.
Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that treat and enhance your skin. Different treatments will have very different results. It is important to know your skin's needs.

All types of skin need to be exfoliated. This is the removal of dead skin cells that form daily. This is an essential part of skin treatment.

After shaving, you need to moisturize with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin.

Skin that is too shiny doesn't look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Blotting papers or a light powder that will give you a more natural finish, are both good options to try.

Don't forget about your lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and keeps the lips looking luscious.

#4 Protect your skin.
Healthy skin is young looking skin. There are preventative techniques that can promote the best skin possible and keep it looking its best longer. Remember that your skin is a mirror of your overall body health.

Here are the key techniques:

• Avoid over exposure to the sun.
  Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) which can develop into serious skin disease. Excessive exposure can also exaggerate and thicken fine lines. Use an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially on your face.
• Stay in shape.
  Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young.
• Eat right.
  Keep vitamins such as C and E in your diet regimen.
• Everything in moderation.
  Too much of anything is never a good idea. Stay away from excessive alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. Not only can these factors lead to premature aging; they also decrease facial circulation making you look older.

Suggested Products:

Nickel Morning After Rescue Gel

Sothys Basic Care - Sothys Purifying Serum

Imperfections progressively disappear with Sothys Purifying Serum. It helps balances sebum in oily and problematic skin. Used as a double-action product, Sothys Purifying Serum reduces imperfections and small blemishes while regularizing excess sebum.

It is recommended to dry blemishes and reduce facial flaws. Thus, the complexion will become more matte and smoother.

Benefits:

• Reduces imperfections and small blemishes, while regularizing sebum production.
• Helps to dry oils and blemishes in skin and reduce facial flaws.

Directions For Use:
Place 1 or 2 drops on cotton swab or in cupped palm and gently apply directly on blemishes or oily areas. Avoid area around the eyes. Apply every morning and evening directly onto well cleansed skin.

Ingredients:
Complex of Iris, Zinc and Vitamin A, Licorice Extract, Lichen Extract, Ethanol

Sothys' spring and summer chic

 

Said by the company to have been inspired by art, the new Spring & Summer Make-up Collection for 2008 from Sothys is described as sensual, sparkling and a touch indulgent.

Featuring a combination of energetic and soft cool shades, the range includes Sublime Lips Care in both Orange Beauty and Rose Esquisse; Summer Powder Mosaic ‘Chic Artistique’, to create a radiant glow; and new look Eye Shadows in Nuage Nacré, Rose Tender and Prune Intense.

Also available are long-lasting Protective Nail Enamel in Rose Vinyle, and Sparkling Eye Pencil in Argent Pure, which can be used as a kohl or eye contour.

Oily happy skin is not an oxymoron.

 

Beauty Spotlight: Elemis

Editor’s Note: I’m excited to introduce a new series called TDO Beauty Spotlight! With this series, we intend to introduce up-and-coming brands and their line of products in detail to you. We hope to expand your knowledge about various beauty brands and assist you in discovering new products that may work for you!

Posh and Becks aren’t my only British loves as of late. A few weeks ago, I discovered an amazing British skincare lined called Elemis that I have not been able to stop obsessing over.

ABOUT THE BRAND: Elemis is the leading luxury British spa with a line of products that is making its way over to this side of the Atlantic. Developed with the latest technology and using the highest quality natural active ingredients, Elemis invests heavily in research and development. A line of scientists and doctors formulate, monitor and test each product from its conception through its clinical trials. Each product must achieve a “statistically significant” effect on the skin before it’s released to market, thus making their products some of the most powerful skincare treatments available.

I don’t know where to start talking about this line of products because I’ve absolutely loved every single product I’ve tried. In order to prepare for this feature, I exclusively used Elemis products for two weeks straight — and the change in my skin has been incredible. Even after a couple of days, my skin cleared up and started glowing; now, at the 2 week mark, I’m confident enough to skip foundation! For me, this line has been absolutely revolutionary.

STAND OUT PRODUCTS: It’s hard to isolate a single product to call my favorite, as the combination I’ve used has truly transformed my skin. However, if I had to pick, I would start with their Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Program. This program includes a face wash ($47, 200ml), a serum ($176, 30ml) and a night cream ($148, 50ml).

The Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash is a daily cleanser that stimulates the cellular renewal process, while smoothing, refining and sloughing away dead skin cells. Packed with essential moisturizing oils, it has a milky texture and a very soothing scent. Immediately after washing, the skin is smoother, softer and more radiant.

The Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum is probably the best product I have ever used. (I’ve recommended this to my family and all my friends.) In independent trials, the serum has been found to smooth the skin’s surface by up to 91%! This is a non-abrasive peel that can be used morning and evening, under makeup and with night cream. The serum stimulates natural cell renewal to uncover a luminous, more even skin tone. The texture of the serum is very silky and not oily at all, making it very comfortable to wear. I also discovered that it gave my skin an immediate glow. Even though the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum is loaded with anti-aging properties, it is really great for young skin as well. I’ve found that it helps remove any uneven patches in skin, random imperfections and even symptoms of acne! A little bit of this powerful product goes a long way!

Before Elemis, I never really used a night cream - but now I’m addicted! Finishing out the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing program is the Night Cream. As you sleep, this night treatment helps renew skin, while keeping the skin soft and super hydrated. You seriously wake up to a brighter face in the morning, which makes any day start off better.

Overall, the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Program is a truly universal regime which is appropriate for all types of skin - and to sum it up, will fix your skin.

OTHER GREAT FINDS: In addition to the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing regime, I’ve also been using products from their Pro-Collagen range. As part of their anti-aging skincare line, the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream ($124, 50ml) and Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream ($167, 50ml) works wonders with visibly softening wrinkles and rejuvenating skin.

While I personally don’t have wrinkles yet, I still use these products for the amazing effects it has on my skin. The Marine Cream is very hydrating without any oiliness. In addition to providing superior protection against free radicals, it also firms my skin and brightened my complexion. My mother, who has sampled a great variety of anti-aging moisturizers on the market, tried this - and she loves this product the most so far!

For antioxidant protection, I use the Oxygenating Night Cream. Every day we face so many contaminants in the air (anybody live in NYC, LA, or Hong Kong?). Designed to detox and replenish oxygen deep into your skin overnight, this product is a powerful fighter to heal pollutant-damaged skin. In clinical trials, the Oxygenating Night Cream has been proven to increase oxygen levels in the skin by up to 41%. My thoughts? My skin feel great and the light cream is absorbed quickly so nothing is left on my pillowcase.

Before now, I never found an eye cream that I liked enough to remember to put on every day. Then, I discovered the Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal ($99,15ml). The luxurious, yet lightweight cream is specially formulated for the delicate eye area. During their clinical trials, 60% of volunteers testing this product found that their around eye wrinkles were visibly smoothed! Even though I can’t speak to the wrinkle fighting powers, I can say that it has visibly reduced my dark circles, puffiness and overall, made the eye area look brighter. It’s become my holy grail for looking alive, especially during a week of heavy partying. Just dabbing some on before naps or in the morning helps me look much more awake.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Everybody! Elemis has a very wide line of products. They believe in catering to different skin types, so they release many different products that work specifically for your skin issues - ranging from general daily maintenance to advanced anti-aging. To view the products they offer, visit the Elemis section of DocDerma.com.

I would love to hear about your experiences with this line!!