It is also used as an injectable by dermatologists for filling in lines and wrinkles since the body doesn’t really see it as a foreign substance since it’s found in our own bodies.

Read my views on Plastic Surgery, Injectables and the Art of Altering the Face

Here are the Renée Rouleau products containing Hyaluronic Acid:

Skin Drink…

Blue Azulene Cream

Detoxifying Mask

Moisture Infusion Toner

Hawaiian Nourishing Cream

Intensive Firming Serum

Matte Moisture

Skin Correcting Serum

Synergy Eye Cream

Daily Protection SPF 30

Skin cells are like fish, they need water to live and without it, they turn into dry skin cells. Who wants that? So using products with this ingredients will make your skin healthy, comfortable and hydrated.

Which products are right for you? See our nine skin types.

Recently I was having a conversation with a friend of my mother’s, a woman in her early 60′s, and she was telling me that she had gone through a series of laser procedures to help lighten her brown spots and had been very happy with the results.

So immediately going into esthetician mode I said, “Great! Are you using a skin lightener?” She replied, “A what? No, I don’t think so.”

I can’t tell you how many times that I have had this conversation with people. They go in for a laser “fix” only to not be given proper instructions on how to maintain the results they have achieved. Why does this happen? Unlike estheticians, many dermatologists don’t spend as much of their time on daily skin care, but rather they can be more focused on treating skin diseases, prescribing medicine and giving aggressive treatments, such as mole removal and laser skin procedures. So I’m not surprised when I hear this, it’s simply the way it is. I see it like a personal trainer versus a nutritionist. They both have expertise in getting a person healthy and well, but just different areas of expertise – and there is a need for both…

Specifically, when it comes to brown spots, if your skin is prone to them, then the melanin cells will always trigger with heat, sun and exercise. So doing everything you can to keep melanin activity to a minimum is a must for the long term results of laser treatments. And you do that by using a skin lightening product like our Vitamin C&E Complex.

Read: Why January is the Best Month for Brown Spots

And as for redness and broken capillaries, it’s so important to use skin care products focused on being anti-inflammatory and anti-redness like our White Tea Soothing Complex to keep capillaries strong.

Read: Sensitive Skin? Tips to Keep Skin Calm

If you’ve had laser skin procedures, then no doubt you have spent a lot of money on getting them, so be sure to put in the effort into your home care routine to give you longer results!

And here’s the most important skin tip of all to maintain the results of any professional treatment: The best anti-aging creams and serums are useless if you’re not protecting your skin from daily UV exposure.

Wearing a good broad-spectrum sunblock 365 days a year, inside or out, rain or shine is a must!

Read: Plastic Surgeon, Cosmetic Dermatologist or Esthetician: What is the Best Approach for Your Skin?

Read my views on Plastic Surgery, Injectables and the Art of Altering the Face

Get products recommended for your skin type by choosing one of our nine skin types.

Questions about your skin? Be sure to email us. We’re here to assist!

But did you know that your Glycolic Serum can be used on other areas of the body than just the face and give amazing results?

Dry cuticles: Applying a moisturizer can help, but oftentimes an exfoliating acid can give you dry skin instead of hydrating it. Applying a tiny dab of glycolic serum, moisturizing for 24 hours, and you will be left with smoother skin, rather than rough cuticles.

Dry hands: Exfoliation can really dissolve dry skin. So apply 1 to 2 drops in each hand, allowing the moisture to get your hands looking and feeling smoother.

Sun-damaged chest: Of course protecting the chest (the décolleté) with sunscreen is important, but it is also good to try to repair past sun damage with glycolic moisturizer a few times a week. This will help to fade brown spots…

Rough, bumpy skin on the backs of the arms: This is a condition called Keratosis Polaris, where dead skin cells block up the hair follicles. A few drops applied to these areas can really help flatten the bumps and give a smoother appearance.

Exfoliating with glycolic acids can really work wonders for many skin problems so don’t limit yourself to just the face!

Read skin tips for using exfoliating acids safely and correctly.

Read: Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to Your Skin?

Want to have a skin consultation with Renée Rouleau? Click here to see which cities and countries Renée will be making appearances this year!

Which products are right for you? See our nine skin types…

Sign up here to receive our monthly skin tip e-newsletter via email!

For daily skin care tips, read our Beautiful Skin Blog, follow Renée on Twitter and join our Facebook page.

Skin Tip #1: Assess your skin care products
We all have more skin care products in our cabinets than we are actually using on a regular basis. Many of us have things that we don’t even know how or when to use, let alone when or why we bought it! Pull everything out of the cabinet and assess every product.

Toss:
-if the product is no longer working for you. No sense in hanging on to something that isn’t a fit for your skin. (Instead of tossing, you can give to a friend whose skin might be a better fit for it.)…

-if the product is older than two years. The preservative system in most skin care products has a shelf life of two years.

-if it contains Mineral Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petroleum or Petrolatum. These ingredients can be pore-clogging and can suffocate the skin. Especially now that the weather is starting to warm up, these ingredients are best to avoid.

-if it contains SD Alcohol, synthetic fragrance (listed on the ingredients as “fragrance”). These are common skin irritants and can cause skin sensitivity.

-if the product has or is changing color or consistency (a sign that the product is losing its effectiveness).

Read: Unused Skin Care Products? Contact Your Local Women’s Shelter

Skin Tip #2: Wash your makeup brushes
Most people rarely wash their makeup brushes, so give your brushes a spring cleaning to remove oil and bacteria that get caught in the bristles resulting in clogged pores and breakouts.  How to wash your makeup brushes: Fill a glass with warm water and add 1 tablespoon of gentle shampoo or gel cleanser. Swish brushes in the glass creating a lather. Rinse well and use a comb to de-tangle the bristles and get them back in their original shape. Let dry in an upright glass out in the sun. The sunlight destroys bacteria and helps to dry your brushes faster.

Skin Tip #3: Make daily use of sunscreen a top priority – and apply it generously
It’s a fact that wearing sunscreen year round will reduce premature skin aging, but many people don’t think of wearing it until the temperatures warm up. So, if you haven’t been wearing a sunscreen moisturizer, now is the time to do so! When it comes to sunscreen, in order for the SPF to truly protect the skin and prevent the harmful UV rays from damaging the skin, the formula has to be applied generously or it will not provide adequate protection. If you have a sunscreen that feels too heavy on your skin, you’ll probably only apply a small amount and you’re not doing your skin any good. The goal is to find a sunscreen that doesn’t use heavy emollients or sunscreen ingredients so as not to leave a greasy residue.  That way, you can be heavy-handed when using it (as you should be) but you’re not left feeling oily. Look for formulas containing Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide as they tend to leave a matte feeling on the skin. Try Renée Rouleau Daily Protection SPF 30.

Skin Tip #4: Spring clean your pores with a professional facial
Without a doubt, the most effective way to clear out blackheads and clogged pores from the skin is to have them manually removed with a professional facial. Plus, with the change of season it’s a great time to consult with your esthetician about how to transition your skin into spring. Renée Rouleau Skin Care Spas was voted Best Facials in Dallas by InStyle Magazine!

Skin Tip #5: Exfoliate to prevent blemishes
The change of season from winter to spring can bring on increased breakouts for some. Why? Since the air is dry in the winter, the skin may have some residual dead skin cell buildup. Then when the temperatures start to warm up, it can bring increased oil flow, which can get trapped underneath cellular buildup resulting in clogged pores and possible breakouts. The solution? Increase your exfoliation. A mild facial scrub with round particles (avoid apricot-based scrubs especially for sensitive skin since the rough edges can scratch the skin) should be used twice a week in circular motions for 60 seconds. Try Renée Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads. In addition, an alcohol-free acid exfoliator like Renée Rouleau Glycolic Serum 17% can be used underneath night moisturizer to chemically dissolve and remove dead skin cells while you sleep! For oily, acne prone skin, our Sheer Moisture is amazing because it won’t cause acne breakouts.

Read: Exfoliating Acids: Skin Tips for Using Them Correctly

Which products are right for you? See our nine skin types and get products recommended.

For expert skin advice, check out Skin Source–the A-Z guide on all things skin. Also sign up here for our skin tip e-newsletter, follow Renée Rouleau on Twitter and like our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

The toner:

Who it’s for: It’s suggested for skin type #1 and skin type #3 or anyone with oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin. Balancing Skin Tonic is best applied after cleansing using a Toning Cloth. (Read: Five Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Cotton Balls on Your Skin)

What’s in it: Witch Hazel –  Astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant and antioxidant benefits. During the early to mid 19^th century, Witch Hazel became a staple in most medicine cabinets because of its healing and soothing properties. Women used it to tone their complexion, men used it as an aftershave, and families used it to soothe sunburns, disinfect cuts, and dry out poison ivy. Today, Witch Hazel is excellent for its use in toners to degrease oily skin, hydrate dehydrated skin, soothe redness in sensitive skins and disinfect problem complexions. 

Important! The Witch Hazel astringent found in drugstores DOES contain alcohol and is not recommended as it’s very harsh and dehydrating to the skin. Renée Rouleau alcohol-free toners are a vital part of a proper skin care routine and should be used every morning and evening after cleansing to remove impure tap water and cleanser residue and to provide essential hydration to the skin. See the collection of Renée Rouleau alcohol-free toners…

Is using a toner really necessary? YES! Read: 5 Reasons to Use Alcohol-Free Toner

Read: What’s the Difference Between a Toner and an Astringent?

For daily skin care tips, read our Beautiful Skin Blog, follow Renée on Twitter and join our Facebook page.

Sign up here to receive daily blog posts via email!

She said “I go to bed with makeup on seven days a week. That is not good for your skin, but I’m blessed with good genes.”

Without a doubt, not washing your face at night and going to bed with makeup on is not a good choice if you’re interested in achieving healthy skin. Not only do you touch your face (unintentionally) making it one of the dirtiest parts of your body but your skin also repairs itself at night, so removing makeup gives your skin a clean palette for applying your night time performance products for maximum absorption.

What’s Your Skin Type?

But Lady Gaga justifies it by saying she’s blessed with “good genes.” While this may be true, she is only 25 years old. She’s not showing any signs of aging yet and because of that, she doesn’t yet see any harm in not washing her makeup off at bedtime…

I’m here to tell you that if she wants to maintain the good skin she has now, she must focus on preventative care – practicing good skin care habits now that will pave the road for how her skin will look in the future. When it comes to healthy, beautiful and glowing skin, it’s all about prevention because it’s far easier and less costly than removing wrinkles and the signs of aging after the fact.

Read: Five Reasons to Wash Your Face

On a good note, she did say she wears sunblock (we love Daily Protection SPF 30 since it’s lightweight and won’t clog the pores) because she doesn’t like to tan her face because it’s bad for wrinkles. So at least she has one thing right!

A great cleanser for oily, acne-prone skin is AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel named “Best Cleanser for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin” by Allure Magazine.

Which skin care products are right for you? See our nine skin types here.

Read: 11 Common Causes of Acne Breakouts

For more expert skin advice, check out Skin Source–the A-Z guide on all things skin. Also sign up here for our skin tip e-newsletter, follow Renée Rouleau on Twitter and like our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

1. Take it easy with your workout. Skin can get red and flushed from running, so go for a nice walk instead. Post-exercise redness combined with any pre-prom nerves may make skin look blotchy, so you want to eliminate at least one of those factors.

2. Drink a lot of water on the big day. This really helps to prevent excess fluids from building up around the eyes, which causes puffiness.

3. Eat low-sodium dinners. Eating foods high in sodium in the evening will almost always result in morning under-eye puffiness. Read: Can Pickles Cause Puffy Eyes?  …

4. Treat skin to a peel and mask. Hands down, this is my very favorite skin treatment to guarantee glowing skin: Start by using an exfoliant, massaging it over the skin for 30 seconds. Rinse well, and then apply a thin coat of an at-home peel, like Triple Berry Smoothing Peel to your face. Leave it on for 5-8 minutes. Rinse off and apply a few drops of a hydrating serum like Skin Correcting Serum followed by a thick coat of a cooling mask, like the Azulene Gel Mask. (I leave this mask in the refrigerator so that it’s really cool, calming, and soothing when applied to the skin.) Rinse well and apply a sheer moisturizer. Then apply a tiny bit of eye cream around the eyes. Voila!

5. Get a good night’s sleep. Without proper sleep, not only will you feel tired but you’ll look it too. Read: Why Does My Skin Look Better After a Good Night’s Sleep?

6. Sleep on two pillows to elevate your head. This is another strategy for reducing morning under-eye puffiness by draining excess fluids.

Have fun and be safe!

Want to learn more tips and tricks? Read: Skin Care Tips For Teens

Sign up here to receive our monthly skin tip e-newsletter via email!

Everyone has a different definition of sensitive skin so here’s solutions to the most common types of sensitivity that people can experience.

My skin gets easily irritated to products–especially harsh ones.

Without a doubt, many companies still make products with ingredients that will dry, irritate and be much too strong for your sensitive skin. Read: Does Your Skin Irritated Easily? The problem is your products, not your skin.

My skin breaks out really easily… 

For starters, it’s so very important to use products exclusively formulated for the unique needs of your skin, that’s why I have created my nine skin types–so you’re sure to get products that give great results without causing unnecessary problems.

It’s really important to avoid pore clogging, heavy oils in your products–especially for those with oily, acne-prone skin. Read: Are Your Skin Care Products Causing Blackheads and Clogged Pores? Also Read: 11 Causes of Acne Breakouts

My skin gets red and flushed easily.

For skin prone to redness, this is genetic but can be significantly less when gentle products using anti-redness, anti-inflammatory ingredients are used. Read: Sensitive Skin? Tips to Keep Skin Calm

I have rosacea.

This can be genetic but using the right products that address the needs of rosacea can really keep flare ups under control. See skin type #5 and skin type #9 as well as our Anti-Redness Treatment.

I’ve never had sensitive skin up until recently.

Just like the body is constantly changing, so is your skin. So products that normally worked well in the past may no longer be addressing your skins needs now. It’s time for a change. Read: If Your Skin is Changing, it’s Time to Change Your Skin Routine.

I breakout in rashes from products.

Most commonly found in fair, thin skins, a damaged skin barrier can allow irritants into the skin more easily resulting in skin rashes, such as eczema flare ups. See our Phytolipid Comfort Cream.

I truly know that if you are using products exclusively formulated for the unique needs of your skin type, then some of these sensitive skin concerns should be greatly reduced–if not completely eliminated.

That’s why I created my line based on nine skin types. I strongly advise anyone with sensitive skin to avoid products that say they are  “suitable for all skin types” as sensitive skin types have special needs. But even products labeled “for sensitive skin” may still not be the solution since most products for sensitive skin have simply removed the synthetic fragrance and dye, which for most of the above concerns stated, may not be enough.

Read: Using New Products and Have Sensitive Skin? Take it One Day at a Time

Read: Five Skin Care Ingredient Myths You Need to Know

Questions about your skin? Be sure to email us. We’re here to assist!

There have been reports claiming that some people aren’t getting enough vitamin D because they avoid sun exposure and use sun protection regularly. This of course, is of interest to skin care professionals as we feel protecting the skin from the sun should be a top priority.

The American Academy of Dermatology has recently updated its position statement on vitamin D based on the results of a review of the increasing body of scientific literature on this vitamin and the importance for optimal health recently conducted by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM).

The Academy continues to recommend that the public obtain vitamin D from a healthy diet that includes food naturally rich in Vitamin D, foods and beverages fortified with vitamin D, and/or dietary supplements. The Academy reaffirmed its position that vitamin D should not be obtained from the sun or indoor tanning devices, as UV radiation is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer…

The IOM reviewed the scientific literature examining the possible relationship between vitamin D and certain types of cancers, neurologic disease, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular disease. Based on a review of more than 1,000 studies and expert and stakeholder testimony, the IOM concluded that while the evidence for associating vitamin D levels with bone health was strong, the evidence for other conditions was inconsistent, inconclusive, and insufficient to inform nutritional requirements.

The Academy’s position statement reflected the IOM’s findings, including the vitamin D blood level deemed adequate and safe for the human body (20 ng/ml), and the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium, and vitamin D intake to support skeletal health. The Academy noted that the RDAs for vitamin D reflect an assumption of minimal exposure.

The Academy encourages those with concerns about their levels of vitamin D to discuss options for obtaining sufficient dietary or supplementary sources of vitamin D with their physician.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

So there you have it, sunscreen is a must! My personal favorite is Daily Protection SPF 30.

Read: Which is Better? SPF 30 or SPF 100?

Read: Does Foundation Makeup with Sunscreen Give Enough Sun Protection?

Get products recommended for your skin type by choosing one of our nine skin types.

Questions about your skin? Be sure to email us. We’re here to assist!