Expert Skincare Tips: St. Ives Q&A with Dr. Marsha Gordon

As the weather gets warmer, my breakouts and irritation become worse. To keep my skin acne-free all year round, should I be adjusting my regimen as the seasons change?

While many women need to adjust their skin care regimen as the seasons change, this can be especially true for women with acne-prone or oily skin. Your regimen that worked in the winter may leave skin feeling oily and clogged during the warmer months. In the spring, I recommend switching to a light, oil-free moisturizer and using a cleanser and scrub to help remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. I personally like the new St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser and Scrub (image above), which contain a safe concentration of Salicylic Acid to effectively fight blemishes and reduce redness, while 100% natural Green Tea soothes skin.

How can I balance protecting my skin with sunscreen and getting enough Vitamin D exposure?

While ultraviolet radiation from the sun has been linked to skin cancer and premature aging, many women think sun exposure is necessary for adequate Vitamin D. In truth, women do not need to rely on the sun for Vitamin D and can easily achieve their recommended daily value with a proper diet and daily supplement. It’s also imperative for women to protect their skin from sun damage by avoiding direct sun exposure and by using a daily SPF of 15 or greater.

Dr. Marsha Gordon

When I exfoliate my face, how much pressure is too much? How about when I exfoliate my body?

Everyone’s skin is different, but gentle is the key word when exfoliating. Gentle pressure should give you a pleasant, invigorating feeling. If you feel discomfort, or if exfoliation results in red, irritated skin, you need to lighten up the pressure. It’s always better to start mild and increase pressure slowly over time once you know what your skin can comfortably handle. If that still does not work for you, try using a gentler exfoliator, like St. Ives Sensitive Skin Gentle Apricot Scrub. This mild scrub is formulated for sensitive skin and can be used every day by most people.

I’m a sucker to skin care products that ‘wake my skin up’. I’m all about feeling rejuvenated and invigorated, especially in the morning. Lately I’ve been using the NEW Orlane Anagenese 25+ Morning Recovery Concentrate to get that re-gained radiance and glow effect. It is a very light and clear serum and feels like fresh water on my skin. Very gentle and soothing.

The star ingredients in Orlane’s Anagenese 25+ Morning Recovery Concentrate are a combination of pro cellular growth factors and specific peptide, Hibiscus seed extract, and Ginseng extract. All designed to activate the production of collagen and the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, entourages cell renewal and stimulates micro circulation.

The Anagenese 25+ skin care collection by Orlane Paris is targeted for the 25+ age group. Did you know? Aging begins to settle from age 25 and becomes visible towards age 35-40.

The complete Orlane Anagenese 25+ skin care collection includes:

Orlane Anagenese 25+ First Time Fighting Care Morning Recovery Serum (15 ml pump bottle) $100
Orlane Anagenese 25+ First Time Fighting Care (50 ml jar) $100

Orlane Anagenese 25+ First Time Fighting Care Eye Contour (15 ml tube) $85

The NEW Orlane Anagenese skin care collection will be available in May 2010 on neimanmarcus.com.

I’m in love with the latest Clarins Spring 2010 product launches. Clarins was always my favorite skin care brand for years now and I didn’t quite realize how much my skin was missing it LOL.

Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream, $28: Very creamy exfoliator or face scrub . Smells amazing and is very comforting. I use this exfoliator once a week because the micro grains are a bit on the coarse side. My face feels super refreshed and smooth after use.

Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream, $30: If you are not into micro grains or micro beads type of face scrubs then the peeling technique is perfect for you. This one is used on dry skin.

Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum, $62: The first dual-action serum that offers age-fighting and exfoliating benefits. Love love love this Clarins serum. It feels very soothing to skin. The scent is calming. It absorbs quickly to skin. Never greasy.

New Bright Plus HP Line by Clarins: Contains 3 new products enriched with Clarins latest scientific discovery, Sea Lily Extract. Known for its resiliency, it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and encourages bright, even-toned and flawless skin.

Marta says: “The NEW Clarins Bright Plus HP Line is like a spa in a jar. If you only looking for one great skin care routine this is a great place to start.”

Clarins Bright Plus On-the-Spot Brightening Corrector, $35

Clarins ‘Bright Plus’ Intensive Brightening Smoothing Serum, $68

Clarins ‘Bright Plus’ Brightening Hydrating Day Lotion SPF 20, $59

Gentle Beauty Soap, $15: A 99% natural, certified organic bar soap for face & body.

Marta says: “This soap by Clarins is gentle enough for face and body. Never drying. It has a very calming scent.”

Delectable Self-Tanning Mousse SPF 15, $42: A luxurious, whipped cream texture that gives skin a beautiful golden tan while protecting it from the sun

Marta says: “Best smelling self tanner. Love the whipped consistency. Easy to apply. The result: Perfectly sun kissed body not the “1 2 3 Mississippi’ (Friends anyone?) tan look.”

Everlasting Foundation SPF 15, $35: A long-lasting foundation that offers 15 hours of absolute perfection!

Introducing Luxury-to-Go, a new way to try before you buy Essential Complements Samples by La Prairie. Starting week of March 15th, 2010, at La Prairie counters nationwide.

La Prairie, the renowned Swiss beauty company best known for their cult-favorite Caviar and Platinum-infused anti-aging creams, will be doling out complimentary “essential” trial samples from a particular collection to clients who participate in an at-counter skincare consultation. The trial samples of assorted eye, serum and face products are signature La Prairie chic and luxury, meaning packaged in deluxe tubes and jars – no messy packets.

To experience La Prairie’s top-notch service and legendary skincare (and NEW “essential complements” samples), all you need to do is stop by for a consult at your local La Prairie counter at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Neutrogena Clinical Skin Care: Arriving in stores next week, and currently available at www.neutrogenaclinical.com, Neutrogena introduces Neutrogena Clinical- a new skin care line inspired by bioelectricity.

What is bioelectricity you may ask? Bioelectricity is the body’s innate electrical signaling system and, as the body ages, diminished bioelectric signals can result in decreased cell-to-cell communication. This decreased communication, in turn, can cause a decrease in collagen production, which leads to visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and sagging skin. Neutrogena Clinical, featuring ion2complex technology, works by facilitating optimal cell-to-cell communication at the surface level of the skin to promote healthy collagen levels.

What’s in it for you? Women with collagen-depleted skin, which is visible as wrinkles and sagging skin, will benefit most from Neutrogena Clinical.

The Neutrogena Clinical Skin Care products:

There are 4 systems. Each comes with an ion2complex Gel Serum and a specifically formulated Activating Moisturizer.

NEUTROGENA CLINICAL Facial Lifting Wrinkle Treatment SPF 30

· ion2complex Gel Serum

· SPF 30 Activating Moisturizer

NEUTROGENA CLINICAL Eye Lift Contouring Treatment

· ion2complex Gel Serum

· Eye Activating Moisturizer

NEUTROGENA CLINICAL Lifting Wrinkle Treatment Starter System – SPF 30 and Eye

· ion2complex Gel Serum

· SPF 30 Activating Moisturizer + Eye Activating Moisturizer

NEUTROGENA CLINICAL Facial Lifting Wrinkle Treatment Night

· ion2complex Gel Serum

· Night Activating Moisturizer

Price: The three Neutrogena Clinical products are available individually for $39.99 or as a starter system for $49.99. The Lifting Wrinkle Treatment Starter System is comprised of an ion2complex Gel Serum, an SPF 30 Activating Moisturizer and an Eye Activating Moisturizer.

philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging is a new skin care savior that boasts the highest level of antioxidants of any philosophy moisturizer. The satiny formula leaves skin feeling soft, while it helps strengthen skin’s natural rejuvenation potential to guard against signs of aging. All this while it helps protect against free radical attack.

Want to try it? philosophy is providing *a free deluxe sample of the new eye hope advanced anti-aging eye cream* (2 ml) with any purchase of the philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer. The offer will be valid *through March 31*. Use code *ageless *to take advantage.

*Above post is a sponsored post.

GET THE LOOK: Makeup artist Olaf Derlig tells Talking Makeup about the secret behind Marisa Tomei’s radiant skin at Sundance 2010.

“I had an amazing result using VOTRE VU today on Marisa Tomei. Getting Marisa ready right after she arrived from the airport going straight to her premiere it was very important to give her a nice fresh, glowy look and perfect skin appearance.

“Using “Wrinkle Eraser” all over her face was magic, it worked wonders!!”

MAL-LIGNE Wrinkle Eraser

 ”LUXE LIPS” gave back her lips just what they needed….”moisturized and shiny”. A “must have product” you need when you on the go to look perfect!!!

DUETTE LUXE LIP BALM & HAND CRÈME

Masks and Exfoliators: I’m the exfoliating girl! I love to exfoliate my face often. I’m not sure how this is good for yourself but I’m just an amateur, remember? I like what I like. My latest love is Erno Laszlo C-Peel Two phase face exfoliator, $75. This exfoliating system smells amazing, the perfect zesty citrus scent. As soon as you apply Peel Phase 1 it feels soft and warm on skin. It didn’t irritate my skin at all (*note you might have different skin type than me! I tend to test on small area on my skin with new products to check how my skin reacts.) Phase 2 is the mask which leaves my skin super smooth. A must-have mask after a long night out or anytime you feel like giving your skin that little extra something.

Erno Laszlo C-Peel the official description on www.ernolaszlo.com: Purify, refine and replenish with Laszlo home spa treatments. Begin by sloughing off dead surface cells from head to toe, then finish off with one of our specialty masks to give your skin instant lift, radiance and glow.

Winter Skin: Kiehl’s NEW Ultra Facial Kits: In response to customer feedback, Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care is introducing two Ultra Facial Kits. Inspired by Kiehl’s classic Ultra Facial Moisturizer, a favorite since the early 1970s that provides superior moisture, these kits consist of hydrating formulations enriched with restoring Squalane to deliver restored and healthier skin – ideal for the harsh winter weather.

Formulated for all skin types, each product in the Ultra Facial Kits is infused with a blend of Kiehl’s classic ingredients including Squalane*, Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, and Vitamin C and E – providing moisture and hydration at every step.
Ultra Facial Cream Kit: $24.50. Set includes: Ultra Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Toner, and Ultra Facial Cream

Step 1 – Cleanse – Ultra Facial Cleanser is a mild cleanser specially formulated with a sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse skin and remove make-up, without stripping skin of its natural oils.

Step 2 – Tone – Ultra Facial Toner is a mild, yet effective alcohol-free toner that gently removes surface debris and any remaining residue while providing hydration and comfort to skin.

Step 3 – Moisturize – One kit includes Ultra Facial Cream, a 24 hour hydrator, helps reduce skin’s moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air. Skin is visibly well-balanced, particularly in harsh weather conditions. The other kit offers Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, a preparation with a light, moisturizing texture that will leave the skin feeling smooth and conditioned after use.

Ultra Facial Moisturizer Kit: $29.50. Set includes: Ultra Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Toner, Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15

*Squalane is an iconic ingredient at Kiehl’s, used in 56 of our products. Like Squalene, Squalane is a botanical liquid that is similar in molecular structure to natural skin lipids. It has an exceptional affinity to the skin, and because it’s easily absorbed, it helps to restore skin’s natural moisture balance to keep it extra soft and supple – ideal for the cold months. Squalane is non-toxic, non-irritant and a non-allergen and is important in the anti-aging category of skincare. Particularly for the winter season, it is a very important skincare ingredient to create a barrier of protection on the skin.

Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood. Its unique and extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. In addition to Kiehl’s freestanding stores nationwide, Kiehl’s products are available at www.Kiehls.com , by mail order at 1-800-KIEHLS-1 as well as through select specialty retailers.

About 2 years ago I’ve discovered Nude Skincare. I remember reading and interview with the founder Bryan Meehan and was completely fascinated. So much so I requested to interview Bryan myself and learn about his new skincare line. Mr. Meehan was actually the first ever celebrity I’ve ever interviewed over the phone for Talking Makeup, and of course, the one I will never forget.

In my interview with Bryan Meehan he told me that “Helena Christensen is in love with Nude products. She said she loves them so much she is practically eating them.” Marta’s says, I love Nude Skincare SO much that I treat it like gold, LOL. I do not want any of it to go to waste. Nude Skincare, in my opinion, is one of THE best organic and chemical free skincare lines on the market!! The products are very gentle on your skin (no burning feeling, turning red, or initiated skin). The icing on the cake, they smell divine. Nude just got it right.

Here are my favorite Nude Skincare picks.

Nude Smoothing Body Refiner, $70: Bioactive fig stimulates lipolytic activity and gently breaks down the build-up of fat cells. Mountain ash, ginger and ginkgo increase localised circulation to safely metabolise the fat cells and toxins for visibly smoother, firmer skin.

Marta says: Goes on skin smoothly, it has a faint scent of warm chocolate (I’m trying here to describe the scent), and skin is immediately hydrated.

Nude Hydrating Water, $34: Marta says: I love to use Nude Hydrating Water right after shower after Nude Facial Scrub. It feels invigorating to my skin.

Advanced Smoothing Complex, $90: Highly coveted and instantly effective, this anti-ageing serum visibly smooths the appearance of wrinkles. CoQ10 and Vitamins A, C and E protect and stimulate cell renewal. Milk peptides increase collagen production and hyaluronic acid instantly hydrates for plumped, firm and younger looking skin.

Marta says: It feels like silk in my hands. My skin feels immediately soothed, calm, and moisturized.

Nude Facial Scrub, $52: Marta says: I just can’t get enough of this scrub. It is gentle, softens my skin, and smells amazing. Perfect after a long night out when your skin needs that extra TLC.