a few musts from an expert...

happy holidays, Merry Christmas! cannot believe it's this time of year again... but i say that every year. though it's been tough to sit and keep up with blogging, it was one of those nights i just needed to write. along with Christmas shopping, decorating, running after two crazy boys, giving facials, analyzing skin, selling houses, and rushing home to make good dinners or catch up on my newest medical esthetics mag... i have to squeeze in some advice. here it is.

whether you are a die hard routine lover, and you follow five steps day and night, or a minimalist who uses whatever she/he has left in the shower... just follow these rules for some instant gratification.

firstly... your skin loves the night. night is when our largest organ does all of it's healing and resting. if you can't manage to fit in two cleanses and moisturizing sessions a day, DO NOT skip night. I am a single mommy, working full time and barely with enough minutes to brush my teeth... but i never go to bed without doing something. my best advice is to keep a package of facial wipes by your bed. Philosophy's purity wipes are some of my favorite, ARCONA makes some amazing facial pads, "say yes to cucumbers or carrots..", Autopalm wipes... basically anything to make it easy for you to reach over from your warm covers and wipe the day off. all of these wipes contain enough moisture to leave your skin hydrated, yet still be cleansing enough to rid your face of a day's work.

second... exfoliate! your epidermis is fairly consistent in shedding. if you aren't assisting the removal of those cells, they pile up and cause issues. they also prevent your products from doing their job properly. if you have apricot scrub, or any fruit "scrub"... please either throw it away or use it on your ass. your skin is about as thick as a piece of tissue paper. consider grinding up an apricot pit and rubbing it on to tissue paper. enough said. i'm not joking about the ass, thighs too... but never anywhere from the neck up. for sensitive skin, use a non-physical, enzymatic based exfoliant. aha's, papaya enzyme, rice enzyme... no scrubbies please. on the other hand, if you've been using st ives since freshman year and you need some sort of stimulation- a synthetic and smooth bead exfoliant is acceptable, just be careful in your choosing.

3rd... and you may be tuning out here....
sunscreen. blah blah blah. you'll thank me later (if you're under 25) to keep spf on daily. 25 or higher preferably. don't skip the neck or the decollete, and ALWAYS add it to your hand cream.

questions?
i answer frequently.
xoxo
mercergirl