Free B00AFU6252 EBOK by Jessica Alba
Authors: Jessica Alba
absorbs a ton of pollutants, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can damage the skin’s epidermis layer and exacerbate eczema. A good cleanser won’t wash away every trace of toxin, but it’s your first line of defense. I also wash my face when I wake up, but if your skin is very dry, you might want to skip this—it’s not like it gets crazy dirty while you’re sleeping!
In terms of what type of cleanser to use, I look for hydrating formulas designed for dry skin—Suki Moisture Rich Cleansing Lotion is the bomb. But I do notice that I break out a lot more whenever I’m working on a movie. We’re logging incredibly long hours, wearing tons of makeup, short-changing on sleep . . . all of these things can really take their toll. When that happens, I’ll step up from my usual gentle cleanser to the Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions line—it’s intense, but it works! Sometimes I also like to use a cleansing brush (100% Pure makes a nice one), which cleanses and exfoliates in one go.
MASKS
Shani Darden suggests using masks at home weekly or biweekly. If you’re prone to dryness, a mask can help you hydrate; look for cream-based masks if you’re super dry or a gel-based product if you have combination skin. They can also do wonders for preventing and clearing up breakouts, so if you’re oily, get yourself a good clay mask (John Masters Organics and Dr. Hauschka make lovely ones). It will absorb all that excess oil and clear out your pores like nobody’s business. And they can help with anti-aging concerns. (Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask is really nice for that.)
TONER
I like to follow my cleanser with a toner, but they aren’t for everyone. Be careful of overstripping your skin if you’re oily, because too many astringent ingredients will make your skin produce even more oil in response. Hydrating mists are nice if you’re dry or need to reapply makeup during the day but don’t want to wash your whole face off. I find my skin can withstand the long days on film sets much better if I wash my face midway through the day and reapply my makeup—but sometimes it’s just too much work to take off everything. So I’ll leave my eyes done but take off my foundation, concealer, and such, then use a hydrating mist before I reapply.
MOISTURIZER & CREAMS
One of the biggest skin care misconceptions is that you don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin. False! Dermatologists say that your skin might actually be producing
too much
oil because you’re overdrying it with lots of harsh, astringent products in your quest to de-grime and shine. At the very least, moisturize with a light, water-based formula before bed. It will help bring things back into balance.
If your skin is dry like mine, you really can’t skimp on the moisturizer. Make sure you put it on in the morning (your makeup will adhere so much better—no flakiness!) and use a rich night cream before bed, too. I also like an eye cream to prevent those dark circles—no one needs to know how little sleep I got! And bedtime is usually the best time to layer on any serums you like. Don’t freak if they are über-pricey—a few drops of an antioxidant serum or eye serum will go a long way when added to your night cream.
LIP BALM
I pretty much die if I don’t have a lip balm handy in my purse. But this is a tricky category because so many are made with petrochemicals, which will just dry out your lips even more in the long run (see box, below ). My go-to these days is Honest Organic Lip Balm—or, if I’m really chapped, Honest Healing Balm—they’re petroleum free and so hydrating. (Yes, that’s the same stuff I use to diaper Haven—busy moms need products that multitask!) But I also like something tinted like Korres Lip Butters when I want a bit more color.
PETROCHEMICALS
*Includes mineral oil, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, and paraffin
FOUND IN: Foundations, lotions, cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms—unless they say
In terms of what type of cleanser to use, I look for hydrating formulas designed for dry skin—Suki Moisture Rich Cleansing Lotion is the bomb. But I do notice that I break out a lot more whenever I’m working on a movie. We’re logging incredibly long hours, wearing tons of makeup, short-changing on sleep . . . all of these things can really take their toll. When that happens, I’ll step up from my usual gentle cleanser to the Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions line—it’s intense, but it works! Sometimes I also like to use a cleansing brush (100% Pure makes a nice one), which cleanses and exfoliates in one go.
MASKS
Shani Darden suggests using masks at home weekly or biweekly. If you’re prone to dryness, a mask can help you hydrate; look for cream-based masks if you’re super dry or a gel-based product if you have combination skin. They can also do wonders for preventing and clearing up breakouts, so if you’re oily, get yourself a good clay mask (John Masters Organics and Dr. Hauschka make lovely ones). It will absorb all that excess oil and clear out your pores like nobody’s business. And they can help with anti-aging concerns. (Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask is really nice for that.)
TONER
I like to follow my cleanser with a toner, but they aren’t for everyone. Be careful of overstripping your skin if you’re oily, because too many astringent ingredients will make your skin produce even more oil in response. Hydrating mists are nice if you’re dry or need to reapply makeup during the day but don’t want to wash your whole face off. I find my skin can withstand the long days on film sets much better if I wash my face midway through the day and reapply my makeup—but sometimes it’s just too much work to take off everything. So I’ll leave my eyes done but take off my foundation, concealer, and such, then use a hydrating mist before I reapply.
MOISTURIZER & CREAMS
One of the biggest skin care misconceptions is that you don’t need to moisturize if you have oily skin. False! Dermatologists say that your skin might actually be producing
too much
oil because you’re overdrying it with lots of harsh, astringent products in your quest to de-grime and shine. At the very least, moisturize with a light, water-based formula before bed. It will help bring things back into balance.
If your skin is dry like mine, you really can’t skimp on the moisturizer. Make sure you put it on in the morning (your makeup will adhere so much better—no flakiness!) and use a rich night cream before bed, too. I also like an eye cream to prevent those dark circles—no one needs to know how little sleep I got! And bedtime is usually the best time to layer on any serums you like. Don’t freak if they are über-pricey—a few drops of an antioxidant serum or eye serum will go a long way when added to your night cream.
LIP BALM
I pretty much die if I don’t have a lip balm handy in my purse. But this is a tricky category because so many are made with petrochemicals, which will just dry out your lips even more in the long run (see box, below ). My go-to these days is Honest Organic Lip Balm—or, if I’m really chapped, Honest Healing Balm—they’re petroleum free and so hydrating. (Yes, that’s the same stuff I use to diaper Haven—busy moms need products that multitask!) But I also like something tinted like Korres Lip Butters when I want a bit more color.
PETROCHEMICALS
*Includes mineral oil, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, and paraffin
FOUND IN: Foundations, lotions, cleansers, lipsticks, lip balms—unless they say