Moisture vs. Hydration: Why Your Skin Needs Both

Moisture vs. Hydration: Why Your Skin Needs Both

by | Aug 18, 2018

 

To visibly transform dry skin into soft, smooth, radiant skin, you need two types of products in your arsenal: a hydrator and a moisturizer. While they sound similar, these products perform distinct tasks. Hydrators draw water from the atmosphere and deliver it to the skin for added radiance, while moisturizers replenish the skin for less dryness and flakiness.

“There’s a big difference in results,” notes Mary Radford, RN, Director of Product Education at Rodan + Fields.

Let’s start with hydration. All skin types, not just visibly dry skin, benefit from added hydration. (That’s right: Oily skin and acne-prone skin need hydration, too.) Hydrated skin feels softer and is better prepared to receive skincare products layered on top. In addition, “Hydrated skin acts and looks younger,” says Mary.

Moisturization helps skin maintain the natural lipid barrier on its surface that keeps water from escaping — or at least slows the process. “Moisturizers include ingredients to lock down hydration,” says Mary.

To look and feel its best, your skin needs both hydration and moisture. Fortunately, there are multitasking products that boost both at the same time, such as new Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish.

The new body cream from Rodan + Fields is a single product that works double-duty. It includes Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin, super-hydrators that draw water from the atmosphere. Our patent-pending 3D3P Molecular Matrix, a three-dimensional polymer grid, holds these water-attracting ingredients against the skin to deliver instant and continuous hydration.

Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish also contains the moisturizing ingredients Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, which work together to strengthen the skin’s all-important natural barrier.

In combination, these hydrating and moisturizing ingredients visibly transform dull, dry skin. For radiant, soft and smooth-looking skin,  Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish is a win-win.

Forward this to a friend who’d like to discover the difference between hydration and moisturization.

Look at these results!

Hydration before and after

A little hydration

goes a long way!

Source: Derm RF

 

Send Me a Message

The Skin Benefits of Vitamin A

The Skin Benefits of Vitamin A

by | Jul 18, 2018

THE SKIN BENEFITS OF VITAMIN A

You know the drill when it comes to caring for your skin: cleanse, tone, moisturize, apply sunscreen... With so many possibilities (and products) to help your skin looks its best there are a few nutrients that skin really needs—and vitamin A is one of them. Whether you get it from your diet or in a topical cream, the protective and nourishing properties of Vitamin A, and the nutrients your body uses to make it, lend a hand in keeping skin healthy, firm and radiant.

Here’s what happens when you feed your body vitamin A:

  • IT PROTECTS AGAINST UV DAMAGE AND SLOWS SIGNS OF AGING. Most of your vitamin A intake comes from eating foods rich in beta-carotene and provitamin A carotenoids, which are potent antioxidants.

IT ENCOURAGES HEALTHY SKIN CELL PRODUCTION. Retinal, retinol and retinoic acid are important to cell production and growth. Vitamin A also stimulates fibroblasts—the cells responsible for developing tissue that keeps skin firm and healthy—in the deep layers of your skin. Because vitamin A and carotenoids play such a big role in cell and tissue growth, not getting enough can lead to weakened skin, causing problems ranging from dryness to wounds that heal more slowly.

  • IT PROTECTS AGAINST INFECTION. Your skin is an important part of your immune system; think of it as your body’s bouncer—a first line of defense against bacteria, pollutants and infection. By promoting cell production, vitamin A helps strengthen this barrier, protecting your complexion from harmful irritants that attempt to attack the surface.

Here’s what happens when you apply vitamin A topically:

  • IT SMOOTHES WRINKLES. Topical vitamin A in the form of retinol (found in over-the-counter products) and retinoic acid (found in prescription creams) are proven wrinkle-fighters and many dermatologists’ go-to recommendation for combating signs of aging. Research has shown that these ingredients are able to stimulate collagen production: When collagen becomes damaged due to UV exposure and other aggressors, wrinkles begin to develop, much like cracks in a weak foundation. Retinoids “turn on” cells responsible for making new collagen, strengthening your skin and filling in fine lines below the surface so skin looks smoother. One study found that after using a prescription-strength vitamin A cream for 10 to 12 months participants noticed significantly fewer wrinkles, and medical experts noted an 80 percent increase in collagen.
  • IT EVENS SKIN TONE AND GIVES YOU A GLOW. Vitamin A creams can help lighten sun-induced brown spots and boost skin radiance in two ways: First, by increasing and normalizing skin cell turnover, which helps you shed pigmented, damaged and rough surface cells, making room for healthier cells and allowing light to bounce off more evenly. Secondly, retinoids may block an enzyme needed for melanin (pigment) production, further helping to deliver an even-toned, glowing complexion.

IT CLEARS UP ACNE. Pimples form when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria and oil, providing the perfect breeding ground for Propionibacterium acnes, a common bacteria responsible for blemishes. When vitamin A creams stimulate cell turnover the same process happens within the pores themselves, helping to slow oil production and keep pores clear.

What we recommend – click on the photo for more info…

Retinal

Be sure to use sunscreen during the day, too; topical retinoids can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV damage. Avoid retinol and retinoids if you’re pregnant; you can speak to your dermatologist about other options that are safer while you’re expecting.

 

Send Me a Message

6 MUST-KNOW FACTS ABOUT SUMMER SUN PROTECTION

6 MUST-KNOW FACTS ABOUT SUMMER SUN PROTECTION

by | Jul 11, 2018

How much do you know about sun safety? These facts will help ensure your skin is well-protected:

1. The sun emits two types of rays that reach your skin, UVA and UVB. What’s the difference between the two?
Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays emit the same amount of radiation from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are stronger in the summer, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2. Are UVA and UVB rays equally harmful to skin?
Yes, but they affect it in different ways. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and skin redness. (Think “B” for “burning.”) They cause inflammation, surface dryness and excess dry skin buildup.

UVA rays are weaker than UVB rays but pass further into your skin. They stimulate excess pigment, resulting in dark marks, age spots and dullness. UVAs also break down collagen and elastin, causing lines, wrinkles and sagging. UVA rays can penetrate glass, which means they harm your skin even while indoors.

3. What does SPF stand for, and how does it work?
SPF is short for “Sun Protection Factor.” The higher the SPF, the more protection. But exactly how long a sunscreen protects you depends on your skin color and its tolerance to UVB rays.

To get a sense of how long you can stay in the sun, multiply your sunscreen’s SPF number by the amount of time it takes your skin to burn in the sun.

If your skin turns red in 10 minutes without sun protection, your math would look like this:

• SPF 15 x 10 minutes = 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) without getting burned
• SPF 30 x 10 minutes = 300 minutes (5 hours) without getting burned

…but there’s a little more to it than this. First, no sunscreen can block out 100% of the sun’s rays. Since you can’t rely on sunscreen for complete protection, be sure to cover up your body and wear a big hat and sunglasses.

4. What’s the difference between physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen?
The two types of sunscreens protect skin in different ways and have different properties. Physical sunscreens, such as zinc oxide, reflect and scatter light and are gentle on skin — which is why Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH and SOOTHE sunscreens are physical sunscreens. Chemical screens, such as avobenzone, absorb light and blend well with more ingredients. Rodan + Fields REVERSE, REDEFINE and ESSENTIALS sunscreens are chemical sunscreens.

Whether physical or chemical, all Rodan + Fields broad-spectrum sunscreens are formulated to protect against damage from both UVA and UVB rays.

5. How much sunscreen do I need?
More than you probably think! Apply one tablespoon of sunscreen to your face and one ounce — the amount that would fill a shot glass — to your body for adequate sun protection.

6. How frequently should I reapply sunscreen?
One application of sunscreen won’t protect your skin for the entire day. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours — more frequently if you’ve been in the water. This is true even if you’re using a sunscreen with a high SPF.

Now that you’re armed with sun-care knowledge, forward this post to a friend.

Send Me a Message

5 Evening Rituals For a Better Night’s Sleep

5 Evening Rituals For a Better Night’s Sleep

by | Jun 19, 2018

Getting restful sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind.  Research shows that when you are well rested, you think more clearly, have quicker reflexes and focus better. Sleep positively affects your immune system, energy level, heart health and mood.

But with work and family demands, jam-packed schedules and so many shows to binge-watch, you may find it hard to wind down enough to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep you need a night.

Here are five ways to help:

1) Shut off your devices. Completely power down your phone, laptop and tablet before you get in bed—and keep them off, even if you wake during the night. People who use devices before bed have poorer sleep than those who don’t, according to the National Sleep Foundation. The 52 million of us who fire off middle-of-the-night texts or emails fare even worse.

2) Tea up. Calming and comforting, caffeine-free herbal tea is an ideal bedtime beverage. A warm cup of chamomile, licorice root or mint tea may help encourage sleep and digestion and signal to your body that it’s time to start slowing down.

3) Stretch it out. In one study, participants with insomnia who practiced yoga daily fell asleep faster, slept longer and returned to sleep more quickly. Before bedtime, try some gentle poses, such as Legs Up the Wall, in which you lie on your back in an L shape with your legs forming a 90-degree angle against a wall; or Corpse Pose, in which you simply lie on your back on the floor and breathe slowly.

4) Take off the day. Ensure a fresh start tomorrow morning by washing away the day’s makeup, dirt and debris tonight. Cleanse your face with warm water, or hop in the shower to do all that and put your body into relaxation mode. Finish by pampering yourself with your skincare Regimen, and you’ll be ready to face the day (after a good night’s sleep, of course).

5) Make a list. Worrying about “incomplete future tasks” makes it difficult to fall asleep. Before you turn off your light each night, take five minutes to write down the tasks you want to accomplish the next day, or any other outstanding To-Do items. By doing so, you will (hopefully) fall asleep in a flash, and the elusive eight hours will be yours.   *information provided by Derm RF

Send Me a Message

6 Ways Life Can Get Better As You Age

6 Ways Life Can Get Better As You Age

by | Jun 15, 2018

Right around the time you hit the big 4-0, life gets different. Remembering certain words and facts can become a challenge. And, of course, there are changes in your appearance.

The transition isn’t always easy. But using the right products can make it easier, so take heart. Rodan + Fields products can help with many of the visible signs of aging. And your life may improve, too, in ways the outside world can’t always see. Here are just a few changes to look forward to:

1. You’re happier with yourself. As you get older, you come closer to the realization that you’re pretty great just the way you are. According to a 16-year study of thousands of Americans of all ages, self-esteem rises through adulthood and reaches its peak, surprisingly, at age 60. Why? University of California, Davis, professor Richard W. Robins, a co-author of the 2010 study, says, “Midlife is a time of highly stable work, family and romantic relationships. People increasingly occupy positions of power and status, which might promote feelings of self-esteem.”

2. The glass starts to look half-full. Research suggests that older people tend to be happier than people in their 20s and 30s because they focus on the positive more than their younger counterparts do. When lecturing her students on what psychologists now call “the positivity effect,” psychology professor Laura Carstensen, founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, says, “I tell them, ‘The best is yet to come.’”

3. You become the expert. Whether it’s your work, a hobby or a sport, you’ve probably achieved some amount of mastery and success. You also begin to transition from being a mentee to being a mentor, a role reversal that feels really good. Some of the benefits of mentoring include new insights into young people and increased patience — something we could all use more of.

4. Your friendships are deeper. Though your circle may have gotten smaller, the people who’ve stuck with you really matter. “One of the most significant skills gained with age is employing what we have learned about ourselves in how we conduct our relationships,” writes Wendy Lustbader, MSW, a psychotherapist and author of Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older. “We appreciate the loyalty of true friends more and more… .”

5. You don’t take anything for granted. Studies suggest that older adults feel more gratitude than young or middle-aged people do — and people with a strong sense of gratitude are happier, more resilient and even healthier. That’s worth a few gray hairs.

6. Your skin can improve. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean your skin has to look like it is. Many people who use our products say their skin looks better now than it did when they were younger. Whether you’ve cleared up your acne or are finally hydrating enough, with the right care you can look as young as you feel. Changes in your appearance can be minimal if you take good care of your skin.

 

Source: Derm RF

Send Me a Message