Bacteria, germs, impurities. Call them what you want. But did you know you could be introducing them into your skin care products every day? It’s true – when you stick your fingers in creams or gels packed in jars, you can invite in dirt and debris right from your hands. These unwelcomed guests can disrupt a product’s effectiveness – and cause problems for your skin in the process.

So how do you avoid contamination and ensure your skin gets 100% product effectiveness? Grab a spatula!

A what?

Bioelements jars (like our moisturizers, exfoliators and facial mask products) come pre-packed with their own convenient spatula – a mini-applicator that dispenses the perfect amount of product without the risk of contamination. Just scoop it out from the jar and onto your finger to apply. Then simply rinse the spatula clean for the next use.

Do you use your Bioelements spatulas? Tell me in the comments!

Here’s a scenario: You buy a new exfoliating skin care product. The directions say you should leave it on your skin for 10 minutes, then remove it. But after 10 minutes go by, you feel you should leave it on longer – you don’t feel any “stinging” sensation, and you know that exfoliation is good for your skin, so why not? Therefore you decide to leave it on for another 10 minutes.

Here’s another scenario: You buy a new skin care product and don’t read the directions at all. You just open the package, and apply the product, thinking it’s probably just like any other one you’ve used in the past.

Are you guilty of either of the above scenarios? Then I’d call you a Directions Rebel.

The Danger of Skin Care Direction Rebellion

Skin care products – especially those with potent, active ingredients found in exfoliators, sunscreens and anti-aging formulas – have specific directions that should be followed to the letter. For example, the alpha hydroxyl acid in our Bioelements Quick Refiner exfoliator can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun – so the directions state you should follow with an application of sunscreen.

You only get one face – and when you use high-powered products incorrectly, you risk causing damage – in the form of irritation, sunburns, or hyperpigmentation. So follow directions – they’re the only way to get the younger-looking skin your want safely, for years to come.

Leave the High-Powered Formulations To The Pros

If you want to experiment with more advanced, more potent ingredients, visit a Bioelements skin care professional. She can Custom Blend your facial and take home products with highly concentrated Custom Blend Additives. A few drops of these unique formulas can transform your treatments – zeroing in on what your skin needs – whether it’s help with redness, enlarged pores, lines, breakouts – or a combination of an almost endless array of skin care concerns.

have you ever been guilty of being a Directions Rebel with high-powered ingedients, and saw your skin suffer as a result? Tell me about it in the comments.

It’s time once again to open up the skin care mail bag and take a closer look at some of the great questions my team of skin care professionals and I have received recently from the SkinReading blog, our Bioelements Facebook and Twitter pages, the skin care professionals we teach from coast-to-coast, and even people who stop me on the street! You’ve got questions… we’ve got answers:

A: What is the best Bioelements facial for very oily skin?

Q: If your skin is Oily to Very Oily, then the Bioelements Custom Blend Facial is ideal. Your skin care professional will customize it in the treatment room with drops of our exclusive Custom Blend Additives – lab-strength cosmeceuticals, botanicals and aromatherapist oils that will zero in on excess oil, breakouts and visible pores. The facial includes Bioelements Cleansing Massage, Exfoliation, Custom Blend Massage, Power treatment and Power Mask. After just one facial, your skin will feel incredibly clean, smooth and noticeably less oily. Find a Bioelements Spa near you where a skin care professional can create your Custom Blend Facial here.

Q: How we can treat sensitive or sensitized skin for aging….lines and wrinkles to be more specific.

A: This is a great question. Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser, Calmitude Hydrating Solution, Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer, and Stress Solution products do more than address issues with redness and sensitivity. Whenever you use products like these that gently cleanse, tone, hydrate and soothe the skin, you are helping it to perform at its best. These products work together to soften fine lines, keep the skin hydrated and plump – while balancing the skin’s protective barrier. The result? Lines and wrinkles will naturally be less visible, and skin will be softer, smoother and more vibrant. The ingredients we use ‘feed’ the skin and protect it – we are helping the skin help itself, which will make it stronger – that’s the true definition of ‘anti-aging’.

Q: Is it okay to use Quick Refiner under Sleepwear? My concern is that Sleepwear contains retinol and quick refiner contains alpha hydroxy acids. Is this too much exfoliation?

A: Unless you have a very Sensitive Skin type, it’s great to use Quick Refiner under your Sleepwear. You could start by applying Quick Refiner every other night for the first week, and then if your skin shows no sign of sensitivity, you should be fine to use it every night. But make sure to use a broad spectrum SPF every day!

Do you have a question about skin care, products, ingredients or treatments? Let me know in the comments!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the damage that the sun can do to your skin – and the need for SPF to protect yourself from its harmful UVA and UVB rays.

But the truth is, harmful rays don’t just come from the sun. They are also emitted from indoor lighting – such as overhead lights, lamps – even computer screens. They all emit potentially harmful, skin-aging blue rays. And Americans spend a whopping 90% of their time indoors (in fact, I bet you’re indoors right now – probably in front of a blue-light-emitting computer).

My point is not to alarm you – it is simply to keep your skin looking it best, its youngest and its healthiest.

So, how are indoor lighting’s blue rays different from the sun’s rays? Blue rays have shown to penetrate the entire depth of the skin, depleting its natural antioxidant system and causing free radical damage like dehydration, dullness and surface wrinkles.

But don’t turn off your computer and all your lights just yet! I researched Lutein — a natural golden-yellow pigment derived from marigold petals. Scientists were buzzing about it, with studies proving that this powerful pigment can filter out blue rays before they damage skin. It’s why I formulated our Lutein Indoor Protective Day Creme with it. NewBeauty just awarded it ‘The Best Innovation’ in its annual Beauty Choice Awards – try it for yourself as your daily moisturizer.

Do you think your skin can benefit from indoor protection? Tell me in the comments!

Happy New Year! Let’s start it off with not a resoution, but a challenge. Let’s call it A New Year’s Skin Challenge. The reward for accepting this challenge? Ending 2012 with the most radiant, clear and healthiest-looking skin you’ve had in years.

In 2012, I challenge you to:

1. Never go to bed without cleansing your skin.

2. Stop smoking (or not start smoking!).

3. Wear SPF – every day, rain or shine.

4. Never set foot in a tanning bed.

5. Visit a skin care professional for a facial. And make it a habit.

6. Get a good night’s sleep, every night.

7. Exfoliate your skin 1-3 times a week.

8. Move your body for at least 30 minutes every day – even if it’s just a fast-paced walk.

9. Get away this year and take a break from the stress. It doesn’t have to be an exotic vacation. A couple nights at your best friend’s place can do a world of good for your stress level, and your skin.

10. Don’t confuse your skin by cherry picking from product to product. You skin will benefit from a consistent agenda of products from day to day. Stick with it and see results.

Are you going to take the challenge? Let me know in the comments!

Facial serums. They’re pretty amazing. So much packed in such a powerful formula.

But what is a serum?

Serums are lightweight formulations intended to deliver a high dosage of targeted ingredients or antioxidants. Think of them as an extra anti-aging or hydrating boost you layer under your moisturizer. And there’s a serum for pretty much any skin care concern you may have. Such as:

“My skin is dehydrated and I’m seeing fine lines”

You need: Moisture x10 – A super-hydrating serum that delivers rapid relief for dehydration.  It binds moisture to skin, dramatically increasing hydration to visually improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also boosts the efficiency of moisturizer.

“I have visible irritation and sensitivities”

You need: Stress Solution – A must for delicate skin that can get stressed, red or reactive. This skin smoothing serum protects against over-exfoliation and sensitivities as it improves texture and helps skin act calm.

“I want a makeup primer that’s good for my skin”

You need: Recovery Serum – a must-have serum that gives a smooth-as-glass finish to aging, damaged, or over-exfoliated skin and seals in moisture without clogging pores. Makeup goes on like a dream and lasts longer.

“I want to resist visible and future signs of aging”

You need: Probiotic Anti-Aging Serum – which uses probiotics to help skin regain its natural microflora balance so it may become more age resistant – otherwise this community of bacteria can diminish and weaken on its own, leaving your skin susceptible to damage.

“I’m worried about environmental stressors and free radical damage”

You need: Urban Detox – A moisturizing antioxidant serum that protects skin from damaging environmental pollutants, and helps fight free radical damage that causes visible aging while hydrating and smoothing skin.

Have any questions about serums? Let me know in the comments!

I’ve been busy crossing names off my shopping list this week. Running around town from store to store, and hopping online to order what I can. Then there’s holiday parties, gift wrapping, and family to see – all on top of a regular workweek. Can I get an extra week to fit all this in?

I know many of you feel the same. And we’re both hoping for the same thing: To get through the holidays with as little stress as possible. Stress that doesn’t show up on our skin in the form of redness, congestion or breakouts. So here’s my Holiday Stress Checklist that will help you sail though December with skin that’s glowing, healthy and happy.

1. GO EASY ON THE EGG NOG

Alcohol robs skin of needed moisture, depletes vital nutrients and causes blood vessels to dilate. So enjoy a drink or two, then switch to a non-alcoholic beverage in order to avoid waking up to a dry, ruddy, dull complexion (not to mention a hangover).

2. MAKE FRIENDS WITH A CHEMICAL EXFOLIATOR

There are two types of facial exfoliators: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliators physically remove dead cells at the surface. Chemical exfoliators work by chemically dissolving dead surface cells via exfoliating ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxyl acids. Chemical exfoliants penetrate the upper layers of the skin for a more complete removal of dead surface cells, and will keep your skin clear and smooth all through the season – you’ll even see a difference after just one night when you use a product like Quick Refiner.

3. GET YOUR ZZZZZ’S

Here’s the math: A lack of sleep = a higher level of stress in the body. Higher stress = increased levels of inflammation in the skin. Increased inflammation = accelerated aging, an inability to stay hydrated and an increase in acne. So get a full night of sleep – every night, and use products that take advantage of the skin’s ability to better absorb active ingredients at night (Try: Sleepwear and Sleepwear for Eyes).

4. EXERCISE

When you’re stressed, the last thing you may want to do is go for a run. But trust me here – 30 minutes will do your skin (and your stress level) a world of good. Exercise (I’m talking jogging, biking, yoga, or any kind of cardio – just move your body!) will boost your skin’s circulation, to nourish your tissues and revitalize your complexion.

5. REMAIN CALM

Easier said than done? Not when you’re skin is calmed and cooled with Stress Solution – a lightweight serum designed to protect sensitized skin from over-exfoliation, sensitivities and environmental irritants. A must for delicate skin that can get stressed, red or reactive.

Have any questions about stressed skin this season? Let me know in the comments.

Dry, cracked, uncomfortable skin belongs on old man winter – not on you. But when the weather gets cold, you need to change up your routine when it comes to bathing to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable. Here’s how:

Skip the bath, stick to showering

You may wish to soak in the tub for ages, but it’s better for your skin to shower instead. Why? Because hot water actually dries out the skin, removing its protective natural moisture barrier layer. This happens in a hot shower, too, but it will happen more quickly in a bath, due to the skin’s full submersion in water.

Two words: Dry Brush

There’s a reason the professionals have been using the technique of dry brushing the skin in their spa body treatments for years – the process of brushing the skin with firm dry bristles sheds dead cells, renews texture and smoothes skin neck-to-toes. Do it daily before you step into the shower and see a dramatic difference. (Try: Bioelements Dry Brush Body Smoothing System)

Watch the clock

Shower for ten minutes max – shorter if possible. If you step out and notice that your skin is red and/or itchy – that’s a sure sign that you’ve been in for too long.

Turn down the temperature

When it’s cold outside, I know the temptation to crank up the hot water may be strong. But you may be surprised at how easy it is to adjust to warm or lukewarm water, and it will keep your skin hydrated and soft all season. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends you keep the thermostat on your water heater around 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) to prevent scalding, (it will also keep your energy bills low).

Use a gentle body cleanser

Don’t use plain soap – it can further strip your skin of moisture. Opt for a body cleanser with ultra-gentle cleansers and essential oils to smooth the skin (Try: Comfortably Clean Daily Body Shower Gel or Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Cleanser)

Moisturize Immediately

After showering, pat your skin dry (don’t rub) and apply a moisturizer.  Look for a product with dimethicone or shea butter, emollient ingredients that help soften, lubricate and seal in skin own moisture. (Try: Extremely Emollient or Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Creme)

Do you notice your skin gets drier in the winter? Tell me in the comments!

Here’s a vocabulary lesson for you: “wattle.” It’s the wrinkly skin that hangs down from the neck of certain animals – like turkeys.

I’ve been thinking about wattles lately, probably because it’s that Turkey time of year. And also because the neck is an area on women that shows signs of age prematurely: wrinkles, deep creases, rough texture. That’s why I created V-Neck Smoothing Creme – think of it as an anti-wattle wonder that targets deep neck creases and crinkly weathered skin, chin-to-cleavage. It’s fueled with potent anti-wrinkle peptides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and a powerful pigment lightener.

So enjoy this holiday season knowing the only one at the table with a wattle is the one on your plate.

Do you have any questions about the skin on your neck or chest? Let me know in the comments.

It wasn’t there in August, but it suddenly appears in December – the itchy, dry, flaky skin that has you scratching all season long. In fact, over 80 million Americans say their skin gets dry and itchy between the months of November and March.*

The Reason

When your skin is functioning healthy, it’s comprised of approximately 25% water. It naturally loses this water throughout the day through a process called TransEpidermal Water Loss – or TEWL. But during the winter months, when the humidity drops (and you add in forced heated air and blustery winds), TEWL increases, as the atmosphere actually pulls moisture out of your skin. When the percentage of water in your skin falls below 10%, the amount of skin-lubricating lipids in your skin decrease as well, and you begin to experience dryness, flakiness, a tight feeling – and the dreaded itchy winter skin.

The Remedy

Winter itch happens when there’s less water in the skin, and fewer lipids to lubricate and protect it. So take steps to prevent it now, and keep your skin comfortable, soft and healthy all season long.

Cleanse Gently

Use a formula that will comfort and hydrate dry skin with ultra-gentle cleansers and essential oils. (For face: Try Moisture Positive Cleanser or Sensitive Skin Cleanser; For body: Try Comfortably Clean or Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Cleanser)

Replenish Hydration

A post-cleanse toner will rebalance and saturate skin with needed hydration. (For Face: Try Equalizer or Power Peptide)

Moisturize Wisely

Moisturizing Winter Itch has two objectives – immediate comfort and long term hydration. (For face: Try Really Rich Moisture or Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisture; For body: Try Extremely Emollient Daily Body Creme or Vitaliztion Rich Intensity Body Creme)

Exfoliate Dead Cells

When skin gets dry, it no longer exfoliates properly on its own, so dead cells can build up and cause dullness and flakiness. (For face: try Quick Refiner; For body, try the Dry Brush Body Smoothing System)

Dry Skin Professional Tips:

• Don’t bathe in water that’s too hot – it will rob skin of moisture. Dial back the temperature to warm, not super hot.
• Watch the clock – don’t take baths or showers that are too long. Lounging in the tub may feel relaxing, but your skin will pay the price.
• Protect against itchy fibers. Some fabrics like wool can make skin itch even more. Avoid them or wear a soft layer in-between.
• Be prepared for the outdoors: wrap yourself up in a scarf, gloves and other good winter wear to protect your skin from winter.
• Use a humidifier indoors to add moisture to the air and keep skin comfortable. Aim for a moisture level inside between 40% and 50%.
• Talk to a professional – visit a skin care professional at a Bioelements spa to address your winter skin, and all the seasonal changes you experience throughout the year.

Have you experienced Winter Itch? Tell me about it in the comments!

*The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) via Skin Inc magazine