Skin Savers

3 Key Beauty Tips for Triathletes

The number of people participating in triathlons has increased 50 percent in just the past two years—putting involvement in the U.S. at an all-time high. If you’re one of them, Brooke Jackson, M.D., a dermatologist and director of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, shares these key beauty tips for each leg of a triathlon.

  • SWIMMING: Coat your hair lightly with conditioner before you put on your cap to protect against drying, color-stripping chlorine.
  • BIKING: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes (bikers have an increased risk of cataracts) and prevent squinting, which causes crow’s feet to form.
  • RUNNING: Put on a hat made of a breathable material like Dri-Fit to protect your scalp from the sun and ward off strand damage.

Make A (Free!) Melanoma Research Donation With SkinCeuticals

One person in the United States dies from melanoma every hour. In honor of Melanoma Awareness Month, skincare brand SkinCeuticals will donate $5 in your name to the Melanoma Research Alliance for every interaction on their Facebook page (sharing a virtual button, short video or written testimonial). You’ll also be entered into a sweepstakes to win some of their best-selling products. An easy way to give back— and increase awareness about a life-threatening issue— without spending a penny!


Melanoma Monday: 5 Sun Secrets You Need To Know

Protect your skin 365 days a year, not just when you hit the beach.

Each year, there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. Arm yourself with these sun protection secrets from FITNESS Advisory Board member Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University and founder of K&J Sunprotective Clothing.

1. Commute carefully:  Cancer-causing ultraviolet rays can come through the windows of your car, home or office. Studies in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology show that in the U.S., left-sided skin cancers— and aging— are more common as a result of sun exposure during driving. Regardless of weather conditions, apply a light, broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher on your face, arms, and hands before hitting the road.

2. Get out early: Choose the morning to have (protected) fun in the sun. Research published this year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that afternoon sun exposure is five times more likely to lead to skin cancer. Scientists say this is because a protein the body produces to repair damage caused by ultraviolet rays is most active in the mornings. In general, seeking the shade between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. is best, but when this isn’t possible, try to get an early start to your day.

3. Know your ABCDE…F and G’s: Do monthly self skin exams and look for any spot that is new, not healing or— as gross as it sounds— bleeding, oozing or crusting. When examining moles, be on the lookout for asymmetry (one side doesn’t equal the other), border/color irregularity, lesions growing in diameter, and anything evolving (itching, hurting, etc.)— but don’t forget to look at your fingers/toes and genitalia. Skin cancer can come anywhere, and it’s usually more dangerous in those not-so-easy-to-see spots.

4. Say no to tanning:  When someone’s first tanning booth exposure is in youth, their chances of developing melanoma are increased by 75 percent.  It has also been shown that ladies who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. Additional studies have concluded that tanning can be as addictive as hardcore drugs, making it a hard habit to break.

5. Don’t rely on dark skin: People with dark skin are not immune to skin cancer— fact it can be more deadly in this population. A survey in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that only 17 percent of ethnic minority respondents has been to the dermatologist for a skin check. Everyone, regardless of skin type, should wear sunscreen daily and seek the care of a dermatologist for guidance on optimal skin health.


Sun Protection For Blemish-Prone Skin

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30

Spring has sprung— but as the temperatures rise, our complexions start feeling the heat. We thought layering on more makeup or frequent blotting were the only options to counter shine and sweat, but not anymore. Enter the oil-controlling, acne-fighting and SPF-depositing powers of Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30. Salicylic Acid and willow bark absorb oil and eradicate blackhead-causing bacteria, while titanium dioxide protects from UVA and UVB rays. A stable of antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) also work to stave off and undo sun damage and nourish skin. Best of all: The convenient, no-spill brush dispenser makes mid-day touch-ups— even over makeup— a breeze.

—By Alana Peden, contributing blogger


Customize Your Skincare

You can customize sneakers, frozen yogurt, kitchens—and now skincare: The new bespoke line Truth Art Beauty allows you to co-create your own natural skin products in three simple steps. Choose your base (for example, sea salt or brown sugar for a body scrub), boosters (like antioxidants or anti-aging ingredients) and essential oils (grapefruit, spearmint, orange, lavender, etc.), then your product is custom-blended, so you’re able to see what goes into it from start to finish. Our favorites: The Body Buff, infused with fresh coconut, super-rich Eye Balm (below) and silky, luxurious Body Salve (above).


Warm Up With Self-Heating Products

Cozy up to one of these self-warming beauty products on a chilly winter’s night— they contain ingredients like zeolite and magnesium sulfate, which release heat upon contact with water. The warmth not only soothes sore muscles and elements-exposed skin, but also enhances the penetration of active ingredients. Hot stuff to try:


Olympic Snowboarder Hannah Teter Talks Skincare, Snacking & Competition

We were lucky enough to spend the past weekend in Aspen (pinch us!) with Clearasil watching their ambassador, Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Hannah Teter, win the women’s superpipe bronze medal at the Winter X Games— while celebrating the launch of PerfectaWash, a high-tech, hands-free system that dispenses the just-right amount of acne-fighting salicylic acid cleanser. Here, our conversation with the inspiring pro snowboarder, who’s as down-to-earth, adorable and kind as she is talented:

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 A snap of Hannah at the birthday party Clearasil threw for her Friday night, which raised over $1,000 for the charity Children International.

Photo credit: Nick Tininenko


Beauty Intern Leah Gets Her First-Ever Facial!

Our first manicure, hair color, time wearing makeup: There are many beauty firsts that we never forget. One of mine is my first facial ever at the Mario Badescu Spa this past weekend! I’ve always struggled to find the right skin care regimen, and after talking to my facialist, I realized it was because I didn’t know my skin type. I thought my skin type was oily, which was incorrect! My t-zone is always very oily and my cheeks are usually a little dry. My skin type diagnosis: combination. After solving that puzzle, I asked about my pores. I’ve always had enlarged pores and longed for a matte complexion. My facialist said that I have medium-sized pores, and suggested a glycolic acid peel to help them appear smaller. My pores are noticeably less visible! I asked if there was a product I could use at home to help reduce the size of my pores and she suggested Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, with the same active exfoliating acid as the peel. The cleanser reduces discoloration, minimizes scars and leaves skin radiant and smooth. After an informative consultation and relaxing facial, I left the spa with tousled hair, twinkly eyes, and best of all, glowing skin!

—By Leah Cayson, beauty intern


3 Pro Skin Secrets for Your Sweat Sessions

While you’re focused on getting your body into top shape— or keeping it that way— it’s easy to forget about your skin. Jasmina Aganovic, creator of the anti-aging skincare line Stages of Beauty, has some quick tips for keeping your skin in as good condition as your bod— before, during and after your workouts.

BEFORE
Your face could touch a mat (crawling with bacteria!) during crunches, yoga, Pilates, or push-ups, and bacteria can cause breakouts. Before working out, wipe down the surface with sanitizing wipe. You can also bring a clean towel to lay on top of the mat prior to your sweat session.

DURING
While working out, you want your skin to be able to breath to avoid clogged pores. Wearing makeup or cosmetic products that are heavy can cause complexion congestion: Specifically, avoid anything that contains occlusive silicone or petrochemicals, like petrolatum, mineral oil and propylene glycol.

AFTER
There are three skincare essentials no gym bag should be without: makeup remover wipes or pads for pre-workout, cleanser and toner. If you have time, do a full facial cleanse to get rid of sweat and grime after you exercise. In a hurry, swipe a clarifying or balancing toner over your face to sweep away dirt and freshen your face.

—By Leah Cayson, beauty intern


Tried-It Tuesday: A Sweet Treat For Your Skin

I’m a sucker for anything sweet (who isn’t?!), so when I heard about this DIY body scrub that promises to make your skin bright and healthy, I had to try it. The verdict: It works and smells amazing! Best of all, it’s made of simple ingredients you’re sure to have stashed in your kitchen:

½ cup of brown sugar
3 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp of honey
A few drops of water

Mix ingredients in a bowl, rub all over your skin in the shower, then rinse. Store in an airtight container for future use. Pretty sweet!

—By Leah Cayson, beauty intern