This is my third installment writing about skin care products you don’t need, and I have to say, this one pains me the most. As a skin care professional for 30+ years, I know there’s nothing that can permanently harm your skin more that trying to perform your own extractions at home. And using a blemish extractor is a one-way ticket to scarring, infection and even more breakouts.

Blemish Extractors: Run, don’t walk, away from them!

Blemish Extractors (sometimes called ‘Blackhead Extractors’) are tools with metal loops that squeeze the skin to extract impactions. Some versions even include a pointed lance to pierce and break the skin.

I cannot stress enough how harmful these can be to your skin. Trying to “pop” zits or breakouts on your own is a bad idea, and using a tool like this only makes it worse. Stick to using the best skin care products for acne – extractions should only be performed by a licensed esthetician. Here’s why:

NO PORE IS SAFE: Let me put it this way, most skin care pros don’t even use these metal extractors. Why? Because they are dangerous. They dent in the skin and have no “give,” meaning they can push dirt and debris further deep into the pore, causing infections and even more breakouts. And the very last thing you should do to your skin is stick a lance in it. If a pore is closed, it is closed for a reason! Poking holes in your skin will only cause it to scar.

Some extractors come with instructions like: “for easier removal, first steam your face.” I’ll be clear with you about this – there is absolutely no way you can steam your skin at home that will prepare your pores for extraction. Your shower will not come close. Hovering over a pot of boiling water won’t, either. Only through a professional facial will your skin be prepped and steamed correctly for extractions – by the hands of a trained, licensed esthetician. No metal tools required.

For even more reasons you should leave your extractions to the professionals, check out my previous blog on “how to pop a pimple.”

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein. Visit Bioelements on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.

It’s great to know what the best products are to keep your skin looking great, but what about the products that are unnecessary – the ones that do more harm than good? Last week I told you my thoughts on BB creams – the Snuggies of skin care. This week, I’d like to talk about a product category that in recent years has spun out of control: Mascara. What does mascara have to do with skin care? A lot – especially when it’s an unnecessary thick, gluey, 24-hour mascara.

The problem with long-lasting, 24-hour mascaras:

At first glance it sounds great, right? “24 hour mascara!” Anything that’s touted as lasting 24-hours is usually a good thing. But in this case, it’s not. “24-hours” really means “Very Hard To Remove.” The formulas in these mascaras are meant to lock on to your lashes and stay put. Tell me: are you really wearing your mascara for 24 hours straight? Are you sleeping in mascara? If so, you can damage your lashes as they break off overnight.

How 24-hour mascaras affect the skin around your eyes

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your entire face. Fine lines and crows feet appear from age, sun exposure and gravity – most often in the form of day-in, day-out pulling and tugging on the skin. The actions you take every day when you apply and remove your makeup – a sideways pull to swipe on eyeliner, a downward tug to apply mascara – over time can have a great affect in how your eyes appear. So it’s important to treat the area with a gentle touch. That’s why 24-hour mascaras get my Seal of Disapproval – their glue-like formulas require too much aggressive tugging and pulling to remove their stay-put formulas from your lashes.

Take a look at a few 24-hour mascara testimonials I saw online:

“It feels like you’re putting glue on your eyelashes and it’s really hard to get off.”
“Impossible to remove, I feel like I’m torturing my lashes.”
“Have to tug at my lashes to get the remainder off.”

My advice? Stick to the thousands of great mascara formulas out there that are gentle to your lashes – and gentle to your skin. Leave the gluey, long-lasting 24-hour ones on the shelf.

What do you think? Are you worried about what daily pulling and tugging around the eyes can do? Tell me in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein. Visit Bioelements on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.

As a skin care professional, people always ask me to recommend the best products. But I thought it might be time to tell you about the skin care products you DON’T need. Starting this week, I’m sharing my top list of unnecessary skin care products. First up is BB creme – the latest fad to hit the skin care industry:

BB Cremes – The ‘Snuggie’ of skin care

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of BB creme – it’s touted as an SPF, primer, moisturizer and foundation in one. BB Cremes are the Snuggie of skin care. You know – the all-in-one informercial wonder: “It’s a blanket, it’s sleeves, it’s a hoodie, it’s a stylish wrap!”

I’ll be honest with you – I think BB cremes are a complete fad. Worse still, I think they are a waste of money. And even worse still, I think they are bad for your skin. Here’s why: all-in-one, one-size-fits-all skin care made for the masses cannot possibly treat your individual skin concerns. One BB creme will not work for my dry skin and your oily skin and her sensitive skin. Skin must be treated by its skin type – it’s the basis of professional skin care, and it absolutely shocks me that major brands are jumping on the bandwagon on this one.

I suggest you let the BB creme trend go the way of the pet rock, and choose dedicated products that are designed to work for your skin: an individual broad spectrum SPF, a great face primer, a hydrating moisturizer and a perfect match foundation that delivers real results.

Next week I’ll continue this series, and discuss another unnecessary skin care product. In the meantime, let’s talk in the comments! Have you tried a BB creme?

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein. Visit Bioelements on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.

I’m so excited to finally share what I believe is the hands-down easiest way to get gorgeously glowing, super smooth, even-toned skin at home – and in only 15 minutes. The new Age-Fighting, Deep Cleansing Facial Kit from Bioelements is the first of its kind. I took inspiration from our very own Bioelements skin care professionals, and designed this 7-piece, all-in-one kit that delivers results from the very first step.

It all starts with deep cleansing. Decongestant Cleanser works to refresh skin and remove impurities. You’ll exfoliate next to rid skin of dulling, clogging dead cells with Measured Micrograins, and follow with a powerful, stabilized hydrogen peroxide Oxygenation treatment to give your skin an allover, healthy glow. The activated charcoal coconut mask you’ll apply next is our Advanced VitaMineral Deep Detox Mask – a professional-use formula that filters toxins and skin-aging free radicals. Finally, you’ll apply Absolute Moisture, to soften your skin and smooth away fine lines.

I’m officially calling this kit your secret weapon – use it any time you want to revive dullness, boost tone and target skin-aging toxins. Like before that big date, important event, or to upkeep the results from your regular spa visits. And here’s the very best part: The Age-Fighting, Deep Cleansing Facial Kit includes deluxe trial sizes so you can enjoy its amazing results for days.

***Want a Kit of your own?*** Just comment below and tell me about your skin before 5 pm CST on Wed, April 25. Three comments will be picked at random who’ll get the Kit for FREE!

The Age-Fighting, Deep-Cleansing Facial Kit is available now at Bioelements.com and Bioelements Partnerships Spas (call to confirm). Retail price: $40.

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein. Visit Bioelements on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.

Let’s open up the skin care mail bag and take a look at the excellent questions my team of skin care professionals and I receive from the SkinReading blog, our Bioelements Facebook and Twitter pages, and from skin care professionals across the country! In this edition, we’re talking about acne, sensitive skin and the best face primers. You’ve got questions… we’ve got answers:

Q: Can I use Bioelements Oxygenation if I have acne?

A: Yes. Oxygenation is a secret weapon for anyone (especially adults) that have acne! The hydrogen peroxide in this formula works to kill the p.acnes bacteria that leads to blemishes. It will also brighten and smooth the skin, without feeling greasy. Just layer on top of our spot treatment Breakout Control – it can be used morning and night.

Q: My skin is ultra sensitive and very dry. What should I use?

A: A moisturizer like Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer is specifically designed to soothe and calm your sensitive skin. You can give it an extra boost of hydration by first applying a serum like Moisture x10 or Stress Solution. Moisture x10 is formulated with hyaluronic acid, which binds 1000x its weight in water to your skin; Stress Solution will prevent moisture loss – it also provides extra soothing for sensitive skin.

Q: Does Bioelements have a face primer?

A: Bioelements has a couple products that work as ideal primers, including Recovery Serum – a ceramide and lipid blend that gives makeup longer wear and a smooth finish, and Stress Solution – which soothes skin with a sleek formula so makeup glides on.

Do you have questions about your skin? Let me know in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein.

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they take care of their skin. From the skin care product minimalist to the shopaholic who’ll try a new product weekly, your skin care routine will have a great effect not only on your skin today, but for years to come.

“I only use cleanser… that’s all I need.”

YOU’RE A MINIMALIST: Sure, we’d all love to streamline our routines to the bare minimum. And getting by with just a facial cleanser may have seemed OK when you were a kid, but as we age, our skin needs much more in order to function and look its best.

Your Skin’s Future: You don’t need to stockpile a ton of products onto your bathroom counter, but you do need to step up your skin care routine to include a few more products to keep your skin looking young. Try our Great Skin in A Box – it includes the daily essentials for your skin type, all packed into one easy kit. Plus, it includes 1 full-size product for free.

“I’ve used the same products every day for years.”

YOU’RE STUCK. Your skin changes significantly as it ages – its natural exfoliation process slows, oil production decreases, and it gets thinner. Your skin even changes over the year with the seasons, so it may require products that can deliver more hydrating, or more anti-aging benefits as time goes by.

Your Skin’s Future: Take a good look at your skin – how is it aging? Do you see more lines and wrinkles? Dehydration? And pay attention to changes in the season. You can greatly benefit from a more hydrating facial cleanser or emollient facial moisturizer in the winter months, or, in contrast, a cleanser or moisturizer for more oil production in warmer months.

“I love trying new products to see what works. I’ll try a new product almost every week.”

YOU’RE A ‘TREND-SEEKER’. And that’s fine when it comes to clothing, but not when comes to your complexion.

Your Skin’s Future: When you “cherry pick” skin care products from dozens of different lines, you can confuse your skin – and do more harm that good – never giving it the time it needs for a product to actually work. Use one professional skin care line, and don’t jump from product to product.

“I switch up products during the year as the weather changes, and will add in new professional products as needed if I see any new concerns (my skin care professional is a big help).”

YOU’RE DEDICATED: Whether it’s hormonal or seasonal changes in your skin, you’re prepared to take them on with the help of a skin care professional. That means you’re also probably getting regular professional spa facials, too.

Your Skin’s Future: It looks good! Your skin gets the benefit of professional exfoliating on an ongoing basis, and smoother, more radiant skin is a result of the professional massage included in your facials. Keep adapting your skin care routine to any concerns you see, and stick to the professional skin care line that’s keeping your skin clear and younger-looking.

What type of skin care routine do you have? Let me know in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein.

Mirror mirror on the wall who’s the fairest of them all? You may think you know all the right steps when it comes to taking care of your skin – the right products, the right routine – but your reflection may be hiding a few secrets:

1. A pimple is going to appear next week

You skin may be perfectly clear today, but things like hormonal changes or stress can bring on breakouts on a cyclical or seasonal basis.

What to do about it:

Exfoliate your skin to eliminate clogging dirt and oil, and keep regular appointments with a skin care professional. She’ll learn the cyclical changes that occur with your skin and will adjust your products and professional treatments to maximize results.

2. The days you skip SPF are damaging your skin

Think you’re fine skipping the SPF on days when it’s cloudy, or you don’t plan to be outside for very long? Think again. You may see no sun damage or sunburn in the mirror now but the sun exposure you receive on a day-in, day-out basis is aging you. In fact, almost 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun’s UV rays. (Source: Skin Cancer Foundation)

What to do about it:

Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen, every day, rain or shine.

3. You could be getting more out of your products

Every skin care product has its proper place and time. There’s a rhyme and reason in order to get the most efficient use out of a formula’s most active ingredients, and to get the most out of the changes your skin goes through in a 24-hour period. (For example, it would be pointless to wear an SPF at night, right?) But your mirror is not going to show if you’re are getting the maximum out of your skin care “order.”

What to do about it:

Here’s my cheat sheet for getting the most out of your skin care:

AM – After Cleanser and Toner, apply the serum or treatment creme that will target your biggest concern. If you have more than one concern, split them up – one in the AM, one in the PM.

Follow with a broad spectrum sunscreen

PM – After Cleanser and Toner, use an Exfoliator and/or Facial Mask as needed.

Use your AHA or Brightening products at night, and follow with nighttime Retinol products – as the sunlight makes retinols weaker.

Do you have any questions about your skin have any skin care tips to share? Let me know in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein.

Did you know you can confuse your skin into thinking it’s a different skin type? It happens when you use the wrong facial cleanser. That’s why one of my favorite skin care tips is also the easiest: Use the right cleanser!

It’s an easy tip to follow, but when it’s overlooked, it can lead to domino effect of skin problems. Here’s how it happens:

Let’s say you have a Dry skin type, but you use a cleanser that’s created for an Oily skin type. That cleanser is formulated to help rid skin of excess oil, so it will work the same way on your Dry skin – robbing it of the essential moisture and oil it needs to stay soft and comfortable.

This one action sets off the first domino. Now your skin is going to overcompensate for the oil and hydration that’s been removed by the Oily skin cleanser you used – by producing excess oil. Essentially, your dry skin has been “tricked” into thinking it’s oily!

Your skin is producing oil, even though it’s not an oily skin type. And since you see oil, you start treating it with products created for oily skin – using a moisturizer for Oily skin, or a night treatment for Oily Skin.

There go the next few dominoes… And serious problem is emerging – you may be using the best products for Oily Skin, but in the end, all they will do is make your true Dry skin even drier!

So let’s rewind back to the beginning. If you chose the right cleanser from the start – a great cleanser formulated for your Dry skin – the first domino would not have fallen. Your dry skin would have received the rich hydration it needed, and your skin would not have been tricked into producing oil.

Do you have any questions about your skin type or other skin care tips? Let me know in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein.

Think exfoliating your skin is too much work? Too time consuming? Take it from me – skin care professionals know a thing or two (or 5) about what it takes to get skin that looks wrinkle-free, bright and smooth. Here are 5 easy ways to exfoliate your skin, remove wrinkles and do away with the dulling layers that are aging you before your time.

5. Use a leave-on product. Bioelements “chemical” exfoliators – like Quick Refiner and Eye Area – use ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids to chemically dissolve skin’s dead cells. The beauty of these two products is that you don’t have to remove them – and results can been seen after just one day of use.

4. Make your exfoliator work double-duty. Bioelements “physical” exfoliators – like Pumice Peel and Measured Micrograins – work by physically removing, or sloughing off dead cells. Plus, they can be used as both a scrub and a mask. Just apply and let dry, then wet your fingertips and massage gently to soften and exfoliate. (Try applying it as you get ready to take a shower, then once you’re in, gently massage it into the skin and rinse.)

3. Wear layers. Bioelements Quick Refiner and Eye Area absorb instantly, so you can layer on your regular anti-aging cremes and serums right on top.

2. Don’t forget the SPF. Always wear a broad spectrum sunscreen when using an exfoliator, as exfoliated skin is more susceptible to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. In fact, not wearing SPF is what causes the wrinkles in the first place!

1. Book a Bioelements Fast Results Peel. This ultimate-strength ‘quick peel’ contains potent organic lactic acid plus exfoliating pumpkin and pomegranate fruit enzymes. Fine lines and wrinkles will be smoothed out, and you’ll leave feeling refreshed and looking younger. Find a Bioelements Spa near you here.

Have any easy exfoliation secrets of your own? Share them in the comments!

One of the first-ever licensed estheticians in the U.S., Barbara Salomone is the architect of the modern American facial. Since launching Bioelements Professional Skin Care in 1991, she has trailblazed the industry, incorporating nutritional supplements into topical skin care products, and pioneering the introduction of antioxidants, calcium, probiotics and lutein.  

It’s the second installment in my Concern to Countertop series, where I examine a specific skin concern many of you face – like breakouts, sensitivity, or redness – and give you the remedy recommended straight from the professionals. Let’s get started: Are you worried about a loss of firmness? Are you seeing sagging in the skin around the eyes or jawline? It’s time to firm up!

THE CONCERN: FIRMNESS

A loss of firmness is caused by both intrinsic aging (the normal chronological process of aging) and extrinsic aging (aging by external, controllable factors like sun exposure, smoking or alcohol use). Choosing a healthy lifestyle and the right products can greatly help the appearance of the skin – and prevent further loss of firmness before it starts.

PUT THESE ON YOUR COUNTERTOP:

Advanced VitaMineral C Complex: Boost your skin’s ability to fight off toxins that can age it prematurely with this daily antioxidant creme. It contains a double dose of vitamin C creme – 32x more vitamin C than what’s found in an orange.

CreateFirm – Help skin feel firmer and appear more lifted with this high-tech serum formulated with our exclusive Aquamide-5 – a skin smart ingredient that combines 5 skin identical ceramides plus microalgae to weave in and around the epi-layers of the skin.

V-Neck Smoothing Creme – Smooth the appearance of sagging, weathered, wrinkly skin from neck-to-chest with this non-greasy, potent formula. It uses anti-wrinkle peptides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and a powerful brightener.

Multi-Task Eye Creme – Your daytime eye creme should work overtime, moisturizing to produce a firmer feel and a lineless appearance. This light and hydrating, non-greasy creme sinks in quick and works all day long.

Sleepwear for Eyes – At night, treat your eyes to a moisture-rich formula with hyaluronic acid fillers to improve the appearance of fine lines and increase the feel of firmness while you sleep.

Sleepwear – Wake up and see visibly younger-looking, firmer skin in the morning when you use Sleepwear. This topical calcium, time released retinol, protein peptide and cranberry seed oil formula works overnight to dramatically improve moisture and tone. (Have an Oily skin type? Try Oil Control Sleepwear)

BOOK THIS TREATMENT:

I recommend the Bioelements Fast Results Lift. In just 30 minutes, this amazing express facial will tighten and firm your skin as it smoothes-out surface wrinkles. It includes a dual exfoliation and cleansing under steam followed by our ultra-lifting Bioelements Flaxx-C mask and an application of the perfect hydrating moisturizer. Find a Bioelements Spa near you here