Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Question: AHAs - What Are AHAs and Should I Use Them In My Skin Care Regime

I read online that AHA's are a better alternative than a regular face scrub, but I'm not really sure I know what AHAs really are? Are they for everyone?

Answer:

AHAs, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are becoming quite common in beauty products. If you've heard of a chemical peel, you've heard of AHAs.

They are certainly not new to skin care, but it wasn't until fairly recently that they became so widely available in over the counter beauty products. What AHAs are actually molecules found in fruit and milk. Your regular facial scrub exfoliates your skin manually by little particles you can feel with your fingers. This is a widely common way to exfoliate your skin, but many people like the ease and the uniformed exfoliation that comes with using AHAs. You are unable to feel any exfoliating bits, but you will definitely notice your softer smoother skin after use. Another added benefit of using AHAs is that they are known in helping with fine lines and wrinkles, as well as lightening darken spots on your skin, such as sun spots and freckles.

Another thing to remember when you are using AHAs is that your sensitivity to sun is greatly increased. Not only for the day you used the product, but for up to a week after you use it. So of course, using sunscreen is very important when using AHAs, but reapplying during the day is just as important.

Today, you can find AHAs in everything from cleansers to moisturizers, and of course exfoliators. I'd recommend finding a moisturizer or exfoliator with Alpha Hydroxy Acid to reap the most benefits. Men do great with AHAs in their moisturizers to help fight against ingrown hairs from shaving. I have been using Clarins: Bright Plus HP Brightening Peel with great results (read my review) (buy direct)

People with sensitive skin need to be especially careful when using Alpha Hydroxy Acids, as their skin could possibly react in a negative way

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3 Products I Can't Live Without

Sometimes it's fun to hear what products other people love and just keep buying no matter what new product comes their way.? For me, there are three products that I just keep buying because they work so well.? And because I have a closet full of products, this is saying something. (I'm sure my husband would prefer I reach in the stash rather than buy new!)

Come see what three products I can't live without and share your favorite product in the comments. I am always looking to see what I might be missing!

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Braun Cruzer 6 Body

Thirty years ago it would have been hard to imagine the average guy thinking about how to get rid of or groom his body hair. But now you'll find countless products and advice on how to do just that quickly and easily.

Braun Cruzer 6 Body is one of these products. But it is a bit different than most men's groomers. It has both a trimmer and manual razor, which are made to be used separately or together, by trimming hair down so that it can be shaved easily.

My assistant Nicole and her husband put this product to the test- in many ways. She even dropped in on the floor purposely to see if it would still work. Here's how they thought it performed and find out if it's still usable in: Braun Cruzer 6 Body Review.

Image Courtesy Proctor & Gamble

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Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar

The Bottom Line

Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar is a wonderful, affordable option for hair removal at home using natural ingredients. Chamomile infused into their formula, and azulene oil for post-care brings softer and less irritated skin.

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Pros

• Natural hair removal. Ingredients are: Sugar, water, chamomile and lemon juice
• Real sugaring formula, no wax or chemicals added
• Gentle on skin, especially compared to waxing
• Strips are washable

Cons

• Can’t be used in a regular wax warmer
• Have to reheat the gel for removing hair on large areas

Description

• Manufacturer: Parissa Labs
• Kit Contains: 5 oz sugar gel, azulene oil, 20 washable strips, spatulas, instructions and precautions
• Average Price: $8.60

Guide Review - Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar

Without a microwave, I tried heating up the gel in a tub of warm water although that wasn’t a suggested option in the instructions. Trying some gel on my leg, the consistency was still too thick, and it broke a lot of hairs. I knew that I would have to try it the right way, somewhere where I could use a microwave. My brother’s home and back was volunteered.

The funny part is that I told my brother that I was going to sugar his back, he thought it was some kind of natural way to dissolve his hair. Ha! He didn’t know I would be pulling it out.

Heating up the sugaring gel in the microwave, it came out to be a nice fluid consistency. Easy to work with, the gel spread smoothly and was much less messy and sticky than wax. Most of the hair came off, but there was a bit of breakage in some places.

Once or twice I had to heat up the gel for a couple seconds because it was getting too cool. To me, that’s a pain because I'm so used to a warmer that keeps sugar or wax at a constant consistent temperature.

In the instructions it says nothing about applying powder on the skin before putting on the sugaring gel. Putting on some powder helps the product stick to the skin less, resulting in less pain. I didn’t use any powder because I wanted to give you the results using the product as recommended by Parissa. He said the sugaring hurt. But then again, he’s never had any type of sugaring or wax, so he has nothing to compare it to.

His skin was pink, but nothing out of the ordinary for when you get hair pulled out of the root. The gel is water soluble, so right after he took his shower there was no stickiness and I applied the azulene oil which further helped to soothe his skin.

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Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing is a great way to get your skin in good condition. It exfoliates, tightens, encourages blood flow and even is thought by some to reduce cellulite.

Read on to learn about dry skin brushing, how to dry brush and what kind of skin brush to use at home.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 15 Minutes or Less

Here's How:

1. Dry skin brushing is as easy as it sounds. All you'll need is a dry skin brush like the one pictured. Using a soft-bristled natural brush is ideal for your skin. (compare styles and prices) The brush you use on your hair is probably not what you'll want to pick. Many hair brushes have synthetic bristles that are too sharp for your skin.
2. The best time to dry brush is right before your bath or shower while you're completely undressed.
3. Start at your feet and move up. Rub the brushes bristles over your body using gentle, slow circular motions. We do not recommend you dry brush your face. Either use a gentle washcloth in the shower or use your facial exfoliator.
4. Take your time and pay careful attention as to not miss an area. Dry skin brushing should not be painful in the least, so if it is feeling painful, lighten your touch. You'll be surprised at how little pressure you need to get results.
5. When completely finished, hop in the shower and give your skin a good washing to get rid of the dry skin cells that you brushed off.
6. Don't forget to moisturize after your shower.

Tips:

1. Use a long handled brush so that you can reach all parts of your body.
2. Applying a light body oil while your skin is still damp from the shower will give your skin the perfect amount of hydration without feeling heavy.
3. It is safe to do this every day, but watch your skin and if you feel that every day is too much, step it back to every other or every third day.
4. Some areas of your body might still benefit from a stronger exfoliator once a week. Areas such as your feet, knees and elbows.

What You Need

• A dry brush for skin.
• Time for a shower after your treatment.
• A moisturizer.

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Kalo Hair Inhibitor

The Bottom Line

Kalo Hair Inhibitor is not guaranteed to give you permanent hair removal. But it could be a permanent staple in your beauty repertoire. I have to say thanks to this company for giving us a product that works at keeping hair from growing as fast it usually does.

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Pros

• Easy to use
• Slows the re-growth of hair

Cons

Description

• Manufacturer: Nisim International
• Usage: Hair removal inhibitor
• Average price: $82.75
• Kit includes: 2 pack (1-2oz. lotion and 1- 4 oz. spray)
• Options: Lotion and spray can be bought separately

Guide Review - Kalo Hair Inhibitor Review

I received Kalo a few months ago and decided I would leave this one to a client. Karen was pretty excited about trying the product since I regularly visited her for monthly back waxings. Now, I must say that I had her permission to use her name and her story since back waxing is a little bit embarrassing for some.

Karen was more embarrassed by her "furry back" (as she would say) than the actual waxing. So the first time Karen used Kalo, I waxed her lower back and began the process. It was very easy. I sprayed the solution to her freshly waxed back and sent her on her way with the spray as well as the lotion. She did not feel any burning or tingling. It did not really have any odor either! She agreed to use it religiously as directed by the manufacturer.

The Process

All that is required is to apply it three times a day for the first two days after waxing, tweezing, sugaring or any other method of hair removal that pulls the hair out from the follicle. She used it three times a day for the first two days, and on the third application, she used the lotion as recommended.

Results: After a Month

Karen returned about a month later and I noticed that her hair appeared to be a little bit finer and it was much faster to complete the service. Now, I wasn't sure if this was wishful thinking on my part or if it there was less hair. Again, I sprayed her freshly waxed back and off she went.

Kalo Hair Inhibitor: Good for Karen, Bad for Me

At her next appointment, I actually had to tell her we needed to wait for about two weeks because her hair was not even close to what it usually was. I was shocked, disappointed and ecstatic all at the same time!

I was shocked to see that Karen was not as "furry" as she usually was. I was disappointed because I gave Karen the product that was keeping me from making money. I was ecstatic because I love the fact that the product did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Karen used it for about five months (six times total) and there was a significant difference. I would say the hair was reduced by about 30 percent. The company states that eventually the hair reduction is permanent with proper application. It might depend on your hair type as to how long it will take, but Karen definitely saw a noticeable difference.

I just hope that Karen does not start trying this product on her legs and bikini because I probably will lose some money!

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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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Strawberries for your Skin

Strawberries anyone?? Strawberries are great for your skin because they are a natural source of AHA's - Alpha Hydroxy Acids.? AHA's exfoliate your skin, dissolving the dead skin cells and leaving your skin fresh and renewed.

Strawberries also have a high antioxidant level. Antioxidants help fight against free radicals, which are responsible for causing early aging signs.

Looking for ways to use strawberries on your skin? Check out these three ways.

1. Hit the farmer's market and head to your kitchen with the help of Beautylish's 3 Strawberry Face Mask recipes.
2. Head over to Etsy.com and pick up a natural strawberry face mask from one of the many small skin care companies.
3. Not a face mask, but grab your credit card and pick from one of many strawberry products at 100% Pure.

Your skin will thank you!

Getty Images/Photographers Choice

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Can I Get a Tan With Sunscreen

I really want to wear sunscreen to protect my skin, but summer is my favorite season, and I love how I look when I have a tan. The fake tans never look the same to me.

Good question! You'll be happy to know that your skin can and will get a tan, even when using sunscreen. You just need to find an SPF level that works for your skin.

If you don't burn easily, you can feel free to use a lower SPF level, but no lower than 20. And reapply every 2 hours, no matter what. (Earlier if you're swimming or sweating.) And definitely look for the words, "Broad Band" or UVA/UVB protection, which not only blocks the rays that burn, they'll block the rays that cause cancer and aging signs.

Using sunscreen won't leave your skin ghost-white, it will simply protect it and block the rays that are harmful to your skin.

Everyone enjoys the fact that summer gives your skin healthy glow, and it does look nice, but who wants sunburn, skin cancer, sun spots or wrinkles?

Wear sunscreen!

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Emjoi Emagine Epilator

The Bottom Line

Emjoi Emagine Tweezer Head Epilator is worth the money and great for those new to epilators or old pros. Using this product is like having 72 little elves tweezing each hair from your body!

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Pros

• Easy to use
• Quick hair removal
• 72 tweezers on dual heads

Cons

• Can be painful, especially for first time users
• Not cordless

Description

• Manufacturer: Emjoi
• Usage: Epilator
• Average price: $99.99

Guide Review - Emjoi Emagine Tweezer Head Epilator Review

I have never really been a big fan of epilators for a couple of reasons. I do not like the time it takes to pull out the hair and I'm a huge baby. I cannot tolerate pain. If it hurts, I am not doing it. Every epilator that I have tried has scared me. I am not going to lie, this one did too.

The Emjoi Emagine seemed like the Cadillac of epilators. It was large and had a lot of tweezers- 72 to be exact. I was nervous. To top it off, I was going to try the product at the most sensitive time of the month.

I noticed that this Emjoi Emagine was corded. I have another brand of Epilator that is rechargeable, so I wasn't sure that I was going to like having to be stuck in one place, but I was going to give it a fair shot.

Quick and Not so Painful

I plugged it in and turned it on. It seemed very fast on the low setting. I placed the Emagine against my leg and began to remove the hair. I was so surprised that it was not as painful as I thought it was going to be.

The hair was quickly removed and I finish one leg in about ? of the time it normally takes. Yay! I was so happy that I went for the other leg and although I was a little more sensitive, it really did not hurt that bad.

It seemed that my skin was slightly stretched from the dual-opposing heads and it helped with the removal of the hair. I did have a problem with the area around my knees but I just kept going over it to remove what I could. The curved shape made it easy to maneuver the tool and it was comfortable in my hand.

How Does It Work on the Face?

I also tried this on my face and sideburn area. Quick and to the point! The hair was gone so fast that I did not even know if it hurt or if it was just irritating. I liked this much better than the Epilady I have. It seemed to do the job faster and it seemed less painful.

Ion Technology and Lifting Fingers

I really couldn't tell the difference with the Ion Technology (for antimicrobial protection) or the lifting fingers (made to lift flat or short hair, decreasing the possibility of ingrown hair).

Going Cordless Would Be Nice

I was a little bit torn about the cord. I liked that it never lost power like the rechargables can but I was unable to walk with it. When you have kids, this is almost a must! Though it costs more, they do make the Emjoi Emagine Rechargeable that can be used corded and cordless (compare prices).

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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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Skin Care for People of Color

Earlier in the month, we talked about men's skin care.? One part to that article was the note that there is a gap in what men of color need in a skin care product.

Dr. Alexis, Director of the Skin of Color Center listed what he thinks should be addressed by skin care companies.? We wanted to draw attention to this and hear what you have to say.? Do you think that men and women of color are being neglected when it comes to the perfect product line for them?? If you are a person of color, do you think that you need a separate line?

See what Dr. Alexis says he hears most from his clients and then go share your thoughts on this issue.? And if you have a skin care line that you think is worth noting, leave it here.

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Men's Skin Care - Expert Tips and Products Recommendations

We're so happy to introduce you to Raymond Nadeau to you.? He's a journalist, book author and fashion guru who reached out to us earlier in the year with the idea of working together on a men's skin care piece.? In between global work assignments, Raymond put together great skin care information for men.

He interviewed skin care line founders, a dermatologist and a product rep to get the best info and we were so thrilled with what he came back with.? His article, Men's Skin, Exposed - Caring for Your Largest Organ reminds us that taking care of your skin is a big deal! It should be treated as such.

We thank Raymond for his hard work and great information that he gathered and shared.

"And remember, it's your skin; it's what the world sees first. You owe it to yourself to be comfortable in it. And, remember, it's the only one you've got or are ever going to get. Neglect it at your peril." -- Raymond Nadeau

Image provided by Raymond Nadeau

Article Breakdown:

• Men's Skin, Exposed
• Raymond's Skin Care Basics
• Interview with Anthony Logistics Founder
• Interview with Dr. Alexis, Director of the Skin of Color Center
• Interview with Redken Spokesperson, Jenny Balding

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Hair No More Reviews

Hair No More a two part system consisting of a hair removal cream (depilatory) and hair inhibitor in a mist or gel form. Their depilatory called Hair Vanish Cream works like a normal hair removal cream, where it's put on covering the hair for about 5 - 7 minutes or so and then wiped off. After the skin is dried, the hair inhibitor is immediately put on. According to their website it looks as if the inhibitor is to be applied twice per day the first week and then once per day thereafter which is supposed to reduce hair over time.

The system doesn't look like it's anything revolutionary. But because Hair No More (compare prices) is an As Seen on TV product, I have gotten some emails asking about it. Have you tried it? Tell us about your experience in the hair removal forum.

Photo Courtesy PriceGrabber

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New Review - Sephora: Eye Defy Eye Cream

Our latest review is of Sephora's Eye Defy Eye Cream.? Mary-Ellen Kramer wrote this review and she messaged me before she sent it saying, "This review is really, really bad. Should I still write it?"? Ummm....yes!? Because we share our real reviews here, not the wishy-washy press releases that the company sends us.

So, that said, Mary-Ellen didn't like this product, but it was the interaction between herself and Sephora that irked her more than the bad product did.

Curious? Come read her review of Eye Defy Eye Cream.

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

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Benzyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid?

If you buy acne products, you may have noticed that not all of them have the same active ingredient. The two main ingredients in over the counter acne products are salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide.? They are each beneficial for certain types of acne, but one works best on black heads and one works best on white heads.

Come check out our little cheat sheet on acne ingredients to see what one you should be using. You'll also find more info on acne, oily skin and product picks.

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Does Eyebrow Threading Hurt?

I've been waxing my own brows at home and haven't gotten my eyebrows threaded for a couple years. But after seeing a storefront in the mall and remembering just how quick it was--I walked in. She took me right away and started.

I actually forgot how painful it can be! To me, threading eyebrows is much more uncomfortable than waxing, but the extent depends on the tech's skill. There are other reasons why threading may have your eyes water:

• When threading both of the tech's hands are in use, unlike waxing or sugaring where one hand is free. You, the client is asked to hold your own skin taut so there's less pulling on the skin, which is the big culprit behind the pain. And if you don't hold it taut enough, it will be very uncomfortable.
• The hair is taken out quickly by the string, but it can only be removed one row at a time (see threading video). This is much different than waxing where a large strip of hair can be waxed off in one pull.

For those who love extremely defined eyebrows, threading is definitely the way to go. And you can always use a numbing product about 30 -45 minutes before the service like Relax & Wax No Scream Cream.

More:

• Readers Respond: What I Think of Eyebrow Threading
• Find and List Threading Salons
• Threading- Why You Should Try It

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Readers Respond: Have You?

I love it when readers take the time to share their thoughts on some of the topics we talk about at About.com - Skin Care.? I picked five of them to share.? Some have a bunch of responses and some are waiting for their first.

• Homemade Acne Treatments
• Homemade Skin Care Recipes
• Mystic Tan Reviews
• Dewy Skin - Looks Healthy or Looks Oily?
• Shellac Nail Reviews

Feel free to jump in on any of them!

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Our Favorite Body Acne Treatment

Question: Our Favorite Body Acne Treatment

A reader named Sara writes in, "I have horrible acne on my back and chest and I hate it! Is there any product I can buy to make it go away? FYI - I don't use any weird scented lotions or products on my body, but the pimples keep coming."

Answer:

Our favorite body acne treatment products are Salicylic Acid Body Sprays. Why? Because they work!

There are a few out there, and many of them contain 2% Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is the active ingredient you'll find in many acne products. It's effective in small doses and readily available in product lines price high to low.

The one we recommend is the one with a great price and the best user ratings: Nature's Cure Body Acne Spray. (compare prices)

To use, simply spray on clean skin in the morning and at night. The spray bottle sprays in all angles, even upside down, so it will be easy to treat your own back. Like all Salicylic Acid products, this may dry out your skin a bit. If it does, simply cut back to once a day.

You might also be interested in some tips to heal your Body Acne, sometimes called "Bacne". We gave some tips on what you might be doing to encourage body acne in your daily routine. These tips are good for acne anywhere on your body. The most common places for body acne are your back, chest, shoulder and your derriere.

And also check out the top 10 ways to prevent acne. I bet you will be surprised at how many of these you're guilty of. (We were!)

Body acne is not a forever sentence - you can fight back! In this case, it's as easy as a spray! And if you've used a body acne treatment product, come and share it with us in our Readers write in - favorite body acne treatment products.

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Hair Removal Creams for the Bikini Zone?

Doing hair removal at home is definitely convenient and much cheaper than going to a salon or spa. The easiest ways to do so for the body are normally shaving and using hair removal creams (a.k.a depilatories). I almost wrote off depilatories altogether years ago when I was left with a chemical burn on my lip and I don't have sensitive skin.

In any case, some people don't want to use the razor feeling a hair removal cream will give longer-lasting results. But before you start slathering yourself and your bikini zone with one, we have some advice for you. Safety tips, how to get straight lines and if they should be used for full pubic hair removal in: Pubic Hair Removal Creams.

More:

• Nair Shower Power Review
• Veet Suprem Esssence Gel Cream Pump Review
• How to Remove Pubic Hair

Photo Kutay Tanir / Getty Images

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Vaniqa: What is it and Does it Work?

If you are a woman and have unwanted facial hair, you probably know what Vaniqa is. It is the first FDA approved cream to treat facial hair.? It it not a hair removal cream, but a cream that prevents facial hair from growing.? It's not successful for everyone, and there are some things you need to know about Vaniqa.

I started using the cream a couple of weeks ago, so I wrote a Vaniqa quick facts piece and will update it with my review as time goes on.? This is a good place to start learning about how Vaniqa works and what you can expect from it.

If you or anyone you know has used Vaniqa, head over to the Reader Reviews: Vaniqa page and share if Vaniqa helped reduce your unwanted facial hair.

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Waxing Salons & Spas

When I first entered the beauty industry, there weren't any day spas in my area without hair services. I'm not that ancient, but the first salon I worked at although very upscale, did only facial waxing at the shampoo bowl and pedicures in a styling chair behind a screen. And the thought of a salon that only did waxing was not even a concept considered in my neck of the woods.

How have things changed. With the increased demand of skin, nail and hair removal services, salons and spas broadened their menus with some specializing in one or two main services were born throughout the country, not just in large, trend-setting cities. Now there are salons around me that perform waxing as their main attraction. Should you try one for your hair removal services? I say yes, here's why: Waxing Salons and Spas.

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