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How to Layer Skin Care Treatments

A topic that seems to generate a lot of confusion is how to layer skin care treatments. In a world of serums, essences, concentrates, emulsions, moisturizers and toners, the confusion probably isn’t all that surprising. I hope that this post helps to clarify how to do it right. How to Layer Skin Care Treatments Right While it is possible to layer most skin care products, there are a few steps that will help you to do it properly: Start With a Clean Canvas. Before applying any products to your face, cleanse it to remove dirt and make-up. This helps to create a clean base ensuring that the products you apply will be absorbed by the skin. Apply in the Correct Order. Apply treatments in order of weight and consistency, starting with the thinnest (runniest) in texture first. If you plan on applying two products similar in consistency, apply the one that addresses you major skin concern(s) first. Don’t Apply Too Much. Your skin can only absorb so much so start with a small amount and gently press into the skin. You shouldn’t have visible product remaining on the surface before applying the next one. Don’t Apply Too Many Products. A general rule of thumb is to layer up to 3 products, waiting about a minute between applications. This will allow products to be absorbed, leaving skin looking smooth and balanced vs gooey and messy. Finish off with Sunscreen. Sun protection should be the last thing you apply to skin. Sunscreens earn their SPF rating without any product going on over them. While this would be the way to do it in an ideal world, many of us use foundation and make-up. If that’s the case, apply it over your sunscreen. Here’s an example of how to layer skin care products: If you like to use toners, apply this first. Follow with a target serum treatment like A is for Anti-Aging (PM) or Bespoke Vitamin C Serum (AM). Moisturize (Daily Infusion Moisturizer) or use an oil to seal everything in. Sunscreen (AM) goes on last. This step makes four so if you use all the products above, you may want to consider removing one. I hope this makes sense and helps you to use your products for maximum benefit.

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Why Your Spring Skincare Routine Needs Sunscreen

Today, March 20th, marks the Spring Equinox and we’re sharing tips to help you transition to a spring skincare routine. More in this post. How Can I Take Care of My Skin in Spring? While springtime sun exposure is less dangerous than that in the summer, you still need to be concerned about the potential damage from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays contribute to sunburn (along with some types of skin cancer) while UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to signs of skin aging including wrinkles, sagginess, age spots and with skin cancer. For this reason, it’s important to protect your skin during the spring and all year long. It is also a good time to take stock of the products you’re using in preparation to transition over from winter skin care. 5 Reasons Your Spring Skincare Routine Needs Sunscreen It’s not only spring, but year round that you need to pay attention for healthy skin. The main culprit is sun damage and these 5 reasons are why your spring skincare routine must include sunscreen: More Than 3.5 Million New Skin Cancer Cases Each Year. In the United States alone, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Risk factors for all types of skin cancer include skin that burns easily; blond or red hair; a history of excessive sun exposure, including sunburns; tanning bed use; immune system-suppressing diseases or treatments; and a history of skin cancer. People with more than 50 moles, atypical moles, or large moles are at an increased risk of developing melanoma, as are those with light skin and freckles, and those with a personal or family history of melanoma. Skin Cancer Can Affect Anyone. Regardless of skin color, skin cancer can strike anyone. In patients with skin of colour, it is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it’s more difficult to treat. Research has shown that patients with skin of colour are less likely than Caucasian patients to survive melanoma. They are also more prone to skin cancer in areas that aren’t commonly exposed to the sun, like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the groin and the inside of the mouth. They also may develop melanoma under their nails. 90 Percent of all Skin Cancers Attributed to Excessive Sun Exposure. Research indicates that UV light from the sun and tanning beds can both cause melanoma and increase the risk of a benign mole progressing to melanoma. Increasing intermittent sun exposure in childhood and during one’s lifetime is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma. Five or more between ages 15 and 20 increases one’s melanoma risk by 80 percent and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68 percent. Springtime Sun is Not Safe. In fact, it is sometimes considered more dangerous because the cooler temperatures may fool you into thinking you aren’t getting much sun exposure. Springtime is a good time to purchase a new bottle of sunscreen. Sunscreens expire and can lose their effectiveness after being opened for a year or so. Check the expiry date on your sunscreen and replace if necessary. Daily Sunscreen Use Cuts the Incidence of Melanoma. Research in 2010 showed a reduction by 50%. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and make sure you apply enough. In general, use ¼ teaspoon for your face alone. From head to foot (assuming you’re wearing a bathing suit), apply the equivalent of a shot glass full of sunscreen. Sunscreen breaks down when it is exposed to sunlight, sweat or water so it should be reapplied every two hours or after you are exposed to water or sweating heavily. Sunscreen is an Essential Part of Your Spring Skincare Routine While it’s always important to cleanse, protect skin with antioxidants, repair with retinoids and moisturize, sun protection is #1. Follow these tips to get the most out of sun protection. Practice Sun Smart Habits. Since UV light exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, the American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to practice safe habits: Seek shade and avoid sitting directly in the sun between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM Wear protective clothing, including long sleeves and legs, wide-brimmed hats, Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+. Avoid tanning beds or sun lamps, which are sources of artificial UV radiation that may cause skin cancer. Protect your Eyes. Between five and 10 percent of skin cancers occur on the eyelids according to the Skin Cancer Society. Use UV-blocking sunglasses. Large frames or a wrap-around styles are best. Skin Cancer is Curable. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common forms of skin cancer, are highly curable if detected early and treated properly. The vast majority of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma, which has a five-year survival rate of 99 percent for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes. Get Checked Out. The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to perform skin self-exams to check for signs of skin cancer and get a skin exam from a doctor. A dermatologist can make individual recommendations as to how often a person needs these exams based on risk factors, including skin type, history of sun exposure and family history. Skin cancer warning signs include changes in size, shape or color of a mole or other skin lesion, the appearance of a new growth on the skin, or a sore that doesn’t heal. If you notice any spots on your skin that are different from the others, or anything changing, itching or bleeding, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. If you’re anything like me, it’s been a long, cold and grey winter and you’re hungry for springtime sun! Wear your sunscreen, put on your favourite pair of sunglasses and enjoy. Let us know if you have any spring skincare routine tips to share.

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5 Sunscreen Myths: Debunked

Despite the fact that many of us are well versed on the importance of applying sunscreen, many sunscreen myths persist. In this post we’ll take a look at 5 sunscreen myths; you may be surprised. Shop All Apothekari 1. Base Tans Offer Protection Repeat after me, “There is no such thing as a safe tan”. A tan is your body’s response to the exposure of UV rays. When skin cells are exposed to UV light, they produce more melanin, the pigment that colors your skin and that’s why you get a tan. A tan is a sign that your skin has been damaged and does not mean that you’ll be protected against future sun damage. A “base tan” offers about an SPF 4 protection compared to a white T-shirt, SPF 7. If you like the look of tanned skin, opt instead for a self-tanner. 2. I Have Dark Skin So I’m Safe Individuals with more pigment in their skin tend to have a lower skin cancer risk. Yet, it is frequently diagnosed in people of color. However, it tends to be diagnosed later, meaning it’s progressed to an advanced stage and therefore more difficult to treat. The sun doesn’t only increase your risk for skin cancer, it also deepens dark spots and can lead to hyperpigmentation. Just because you have darker skin, you’re not immune from sun damage. 3. Wearing Sunscreen Prevents Vitamin D Production You don’t need a lot of time in the sun to produce Vitamin D. Just 15-20 minutes to exposed skin is usually enough. Vitamin D deficiency has even been found in tanned individuals so lots of sun exposure isn’t a sure bet that your levels are OK. One study of Hawaiian surfers found that although all participants were tanned, many were still vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D can also come from supplements; not just the sun. Check in with your health care professional if you feel that supplementation might be a good idea for you. 4. “Waterproof” Sunscreens Do Not Wash Off There is no such thing as a “waterproof” (or “sweatproof”) sunscreen. Although the term is prohibited by both the FDA and Health Canada, you may still find sunscreens labelled as such. Both regulatory bodies recommend use of the term “water-resistant” instead. A water-resistant sunscreen remains active after 40 minutes of exposure to water. A “very water-resistant” sunscreen remains active after 80 minutes of exposure to water. If you’ve been in the water or perspiring, you must reapply. 5. Sunscreen is Bad For You Because there is more awareness regarding the importance of sunscreen and more of us use it, it’s easy to attribute sunscreen use to the increase in the development of skin cancer. It’s important to note that while we are more sun aware and using more sunscreen, we are also spending more time in the sun. We take more tropical vacations, retire in sunnier locations and use sun beds more frequently. There’s no evidence that sunscreen causes cancer and most health care professionals agree that it’s our behaviors rather than our sunscreen use that is contributing to a rise in skin cancer rates. Have I helped to debunk some of the sunscreen myths?

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Why Sunscreen?

Why sunscreen? Ask anyone and the majority of individuals will reply that sunscreen is important to prevent sunburns. So they will happily apply it if they are going to be outside under the hot sun for a prolonged period of time. Sunscreen can help to prevent sunburns and there’s no denying that avoiding sunburns is important. Not only for the discomfort that one brings, but also for the longer term health implications of skin cancer and melanoma. Studies have shown that blistering sunburns experienced when you are younger can significantly increase the risk for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, along with melanoma. Shop All Apothekari The sun, however, is responsible for much more than sunburn. The sun releases two types of harmful UV rays – UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays are longer ones associated with skin aging including wrinkles, age spots and saggy skin (photo ageing). They are prevalent year round, even on cloudy days and can penetrate through windows. UVB rays are shorter and the ones responsible for sunburns. So the answer to why sunscreen, is two-fold. First, to avoid the red, blistering and peeling skin associated with sunburns. And second, to help skin looking youthful and healthy. Studies have shown that the sun’s UV rays are responsible for more than 80% of skin aging so it’s important to make its application a regular part of your skincare routine. If you want to avoid the damaging effects caused by sun exposure, you’ll need to apply sunscreen daily, year round. Yup. Every. Single. Day. How To Choose A Sunscreen When it comes to choosing a formulation, look for products that are labelled broad spectrum and with a minimum SPF 30 rating. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays while an SPF 30 rating means it will guard against 97 percent of UVB rays. Our sister store, Phamix.com stocks a wide range of Anthelios sunscreens and Ombrelle sunscreens, which contain safe and effective sun filters and a favourite amongst customers and health care professionals alike. And don’t rely on sunscreen alone. Practice ‘sun smart’ habits, which include: Seeking Shade. Especially during the sun’s peak hours between 10 am and 4 pm Wearing Sun Protective Clothing. Long sleeves, hats and sunglasses Reapplying Sunscreen. Especially if you are sweating or have been swimming. There are many important topics to tackle when it comes to skincare, but Why Sunscreen is an extremely relevant one. Not because sunscreen is so important to youthful looking skin, but also because it’s essential to healthy skin. I’ll be revisiting this topic in future posts so don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any specific questions you’d like me to tackle in the comments below.

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