Renée Rouleau Skin Care » Cleansing Lotion

How to Avoid a Negative Reaction to New Skin Care Products

Renée Rouleau — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:00:23 +0000

Especially for those with sensitive skin and those prone to blemishes and breakouts, incorporating new skin care products into your routine can be a scary undertaking – simply because you just don’t know how your skin will respond, even if you’ve chosen products for your skin type. Here are some things you need to know when trying out new skin care products.

1) Don’t go it alone.

It’s really important that you consult a skin care professional, and not self-diagnose your own skin. I can’t tell you how many times clients have thought their skin was a certain skin type, when in fact it was something different. (For example, so many people with oily skin always use products for controlling their oil, when in fact they really need to focus on putting water-based hydration into the skin.) Find a trusted professional with years of skin care experience and allow them to help you with your product selection. Be sure to communicate thoroughly what your concerns are.

Read: How to Determine Your True Skin Type

2) Perform a patch test.

If you have extremely sensitive and allergic skin, it’s always recommended to do a patch test for compatibility prior to using any new products. When you’re trying a new line you’re excited to dive right in and use everything, but if you have a negative reaction to something you’ll never know what it was. You might make some of your own assumptions, but it’s really hard for you to determine for sure…

How to do a patch test: The best place to patch skin care products is the lower side of the face. Apply a small amount of product to this area, rub in and wait 24 hours and if there isn’t a negative reaction, you’re all set.

Note: The product category that allergic skins are most likely to have a reaction to are products that you would leave on the skin (moisturizer, serum, toner, eye cream) as opposed to a cleanser that you apply and rinse right off. Also, if you are doing a patch test with a product that contains Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid or other AHA’s, it is normal that the skin may be slightly pink but this should usually subside within 10-15 minutes, especially if moisturizer is applied on the skin over it.

What to do if you have a reaction? If you ever use a product and break out in a rash, you can apply either Milk of Magnesia or cold plain yogurt to the affected area. Leave on 15 minutes, rinse and repeat every three hours.

What’s the #1 ingredient most likely to cause an allergic reaction? Synthetic fragrance. At Renée Rouleau, we don’t use any artificial perfumes in any of our products.

If all tests well, you can proceed to using your products on the entire face.

Read: Five Skin Care Ingredient Myths You Need to Know

Read: How Can I Lessen the Amount of Chemicals I Use On My Sensitive Skin?

3) Introduce your products slowly.

When using new products, even if you have patch-tested and no negative reaction has occurred, I still believe that it is best to only introduce one new product every five days. This way, if a negative reaction should occur, you are able to pinpoint which product it may be, and then you will have this helpful knowledge for future skin care purchases.

Bottom line: for best results, when introducing new skin care products, it is best to take it slow.

Read: 3 Mistakes When People Make When Determining Their Skin Type

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!

Five Things to Know About Cleansers

Renée Rouleau — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:17 +0000

Cleansers are a staple in a skin care routine, but because people often put more thought into using and choosing the correct moisturizer, eye cream or serum, they are often misused or overlooked. Here are five important things to look for in a cleanser.

1. If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight or dry, it’s not a fit for your skin.

While you certainly want a cleanser to offer a nice cleaning, you don’t want it to unnecessarily strip water out of the skin, which will encourage dead skin cells, resulting in unhealthy skin. Instead, when cleansing, the skin should feel clean, but never tight or dry. Look for a cleanser using sulfate-free formulas, as these will be hydrating to the skin. See the collection of Renée Rouleau sulfate-free gel cleansers and cleansing lotions.

2. Cleansing with a bar of soap is a no-no.

Speaking of leaving your skin feeling tight or dry, anything that comes in a bar form (even if it says it’s moisturizing) will automatically guarantee dehydrated skin after using. The binders that hold a bar of soap together naturally have a high pH balance, which will cause the skin to be stripped of moisture. Bar soaps may be suitable for the body, but not the face–despite what some companies will tell you.

3. Always rinse off, never tissue off.

Cream-based tissue off cleansers aren’t as commonly found these days as they were years ago, but I never recommended them because the residue that’s left behind when wiping off with a tissue provides an unnecessary residue that will prevent the important ingredients in your serums and moisturizer that follow from properly absorbing into the skin…

4. They can multitask as a shaving cream or gel.

Did you know that cleansers, whether foaming, lotion, or cream formula can substitute as a shaving product when you’re in a pinch? They have skin softening properties that can make it easy for a razor to glide across. Many of our clients use our Gentle Gel Cleanser to shave their legs.

5. Foaming gel, lotion or cream: choose the best one for your skin type.

It’s really important that you match the cleanser to the needs of your skin, so that the first step in your routine is getting your skin off to a good start. Generally, gels are best used in the morning right before cleansing, while cleansing lotions do a better job at dissolving makeup off the skin in the evening. For best results, be sure to choose a formula that is best suited for your skin type. Read: Gel, Lotion or Cream: Which Cleanser is Best?

So, remember, it is important to pay attention and follow these simple guidelines when it comes to choosing the correct cleanser, because it is the first step in your routine and certainly an important one.

Which cleanser is right for your skin? Choose your skin type.

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

Read: Celebs and Editors Love Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel!

Have a skin care concern? See our Skin Care Tips and Videos for solutions.

How is Your Skin’s Circulation? Take the Pinch Test!

Renée Rouleau — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:54 +0000

When the skin is free of makeup, take your thumb and your forefinger and gently pinch off the skin in the apples of your cheeks. Gently (not to the point where you feel pain) pinch the skin quickly five times. If no pinkness shows up, your skin is more than likely under-circulated. If your skin is a little pink, your skin has good, proper circulation. If the skin is bright red, more than likely your skin is over-circulated. The goal with circulation is be right in the middle, not too much and not nothing at all.

What is under circulated skin?

As we age, everything tends to slow down in the body, including blood circulation. When the skin doesn’t have proper blood flow, it can result in sluggish, dull, and tired skin that lacks a glow. This is most commonly found in medium, olive skin tones including (but not limited to) Hispanic, Indian, and Mediterranean complexions. Our skin types #6 and #7 are formulated to address these issues.

Tips to give a boost to under-circulated skin:

Try incorporating products containing vasodilators, as this will bring fresh blood flowing through the skin so the cells have new nutrients. This includes ingredients such as peppermint, rosemary, and ginseng extract, which work to give the skin a pick-me-up! Try Renée Rouleau Revitalizing Ginseng Toner, Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, Rosemary Mint Cleanser and Mint Buffing Beads. When applied topically to the skin, these ingredients work to dilate the blood vessels, therefore, allowing the skin to accommodate more nutrient-rich blood. With continued use, you can get skin that glows!…

Also, avoid cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol, which can impair circulation, and avoid wearing yellow-based colors for makeup and clothing (like mustard and khaki) as they can make the skin appear sallow. Mineral makeup is a great choice for making your skin look radiant!

Read: Five Clothing Colors to Give your Skin a Glow

What is over circulated skin?

With age, certain skin types, particularly fair skinned and those with Scottish, Irish, and Scandinavian heritage are prone to having over-circulated skin, which appears as visible capillaries, redness, and a flushing to the skin. This excessive circulation can cause the skin to continually look rosy (note: most all skin types can get visible capillaries around the corners of the nose, this is not the type of skin I’m referring to). Add in a glass of wine, a hot shower, and a workout, and the skin can appear beet red. This overly red skin can be bothersome to some people. Our skin types #4, #5, and #9 are formulated to address the issue of over-circulation – which also includes rosacea.

Read: Rosacea Starts to Show Up in Your Early 30′s

Tips for over-circulated skin

The goal here is to calm and sedate circulation by using products containing vasoconstrictors, which help to keep capillaries strong so they aren’t flushing and dilating, causing so much redness. Ingredients such as white tea, chamomile, azulene, Vitamin C (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) are all helpful in repairing dilated capillaries. With continued use, you can get calmer, less red skin. Try Renée Rouleau Azulene Gel Mask, Phytolipid Comfort Cream, White Tea Soothing Complex, Stress Recovery Lotion and Calming Chamomile Cleanser.

When cleansing the skin at night, be sure to cleanse with tepid, lukewarm water as overly hot water can add to redness. Also, keep your toner, serum, moisturizers, and masks (all products that are left on the skin when using) in the refrigerator, as this will increase their cooling benefits to skin.

When it comes to skin, people often focus on issues like blackheads, dark circles, breakouts, and oiliness – but one missing key in the quest for healthy skin is to ensure skin’s proper circulation. It’s so important that you don’t overlook the skin’s blood flow – using these tricks and tips, you too can have healthy, beautiful skin.

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

10 Nighttime Skin Care Tips from Renée Rouleau

Renée Rouleau — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:00:49 +0000

Here’s 10 easy and effective tips for bedtime to keep your skin looking young and rested when you wake in the morning.

According to our recent poll, 47% of those surveyed said they did not wash their skin every night. I certainly understand the discipline and effort it requires to perform your nighttime skin care routine, especially when you’re exhausted. But, you really must do it.

Tip #1: Cleanse your skin nightly - Touching your face all day long, without intentionally doing so, is making your face one of the dirtiest parts on your body. It’s important to clean the skin to avoid the spread of acne bacteria that can cause increased blemishes. In addition, your skin repairs itself at night, so removing makeup gives your skin a clean palette for applying your night time performance products for maximum absorption.

Tip #2: Wash your skin earlier in the evening – Too tired to wash your skin at night? Perform your nighttime skin routine at 7:00 or 8:00. Earlier is better than never!

Read: Gel, Lotion or Cream: Which Cleanser is Best?

Tip #3: Always use moisturizer at night - Some people avoid using night cream to let their skin “breathe.” This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Avoiding night cream offers no positive skin benefit. In fact, when your skin is bare, the moisture evaporates right out of your skin resulting in dry skin cell build up making the skin look dull and tired. It’s really important to use a moisturizer (one suited for your skin type) because at night when your skin is at rest, the skin’s permeability is at its highest therefore allowing the action ingredients of a moisturizer to absorb deeper within the skin…

Read: What Exactly is a Night Cream?

Tip #4: Use products with performance ingredients – During the day your skin requires environmental-protecting ingredients but at night when your skin is regenerating, look for repair, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

-Repair ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol, Peptides, Red Marine Algae and Dermaxyl™ to encourage collagen activity.
-Exfoliation to stimulate new, healthy skin cell growth while removing surface dry skin cells. Skin rejuvenation is all about “out with the old, in with the new.”
-Soothing ingredients like White Tea Extract, Azulene and Chamomile to provide anti-inflammatory relief.

Tip #5: Change your pillowcases frequently – Why? Bacteria and oil may get reintroduced into the skin when you sleep so it’s always suggested for acne-prone skin to have a fresh, clean pillowcase to sleep on.

Tip # 6: Use baby wash cloths instead of regular wash cloths – Even if your skin is not sensitive, it’s always a good idea to treat it gently. Regular wash cloths can be too aggressive so instead opt for gentler baby wash cloths. Or better yet, try Renée Rouleau Facial Sponges.

Read: Is it Safe to Use Wash Cloths? Do They Harbor Bacteria?

Tip #7: Avoid applying eye cream too close – It’s important to avoid applying eye cream too close to the lash line as the product will actually end up in your eyes, picked up by your eyelashes. Every time you blink the hairs will lift microscopic amounts of product and it can eventually deposit into your eyes. Anything that enters the eyes can be an obvious irritant and cause unnecessary puffiness. See the collection of Renée Rouleau eye creams.

Read: Where Exactly Should I Apply Eye Cream?

Tip #8: Sleep with your head elevated – Keep your head elevated by sleeping on two pillows at night to reduce under eye puffiness. This helps to reduce fluid retention in the eye area so you’re less puffy in the morning.

Tip #9: Avoid using greasy hand creams -You may suffer from a condition I call ‘hand cream acne’ if you sleep with your hands on your face at night. Most people are more likely to use hand cream during the dry winter months. Most often this cream is applied right before you go to bed.
So, if you sleep on your side with your hands on your face, the cream may be getting into the skin and clogging the pores. If you find that this may be happening to you, sleep with cotton gloves.

Read: Secrets to Beautiful, Younger-Looking Hands–from a Hand Model

Tip #10: Get your beauty sleep – There is no doubt that getting enough sleep every night can offer many skin benefits. Sleep can reduce dark circles because a lack of sleep compromises your body’s circulatory system and you get stagnant blood in the vessels under the eyes because it hasn’t properly drained. Lack of sleep also causes the skin to look pale and tired because the circulation has been impaired. In addition, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep because sleep deprivation also causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema and psoriasis. Bottom line: when you’re tired, you look it!

As you can see, there is a lot to consider at night when it comes to keeping your skin looking beautiful so be sure to tend to your skin—the right way—every single night!

Readers, do you have any special tips or tricks that you do at night?

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

New Years’ Skin Resolution #1: Wash Your Skin Nightly

Renée Rouleau — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:00:02 +0000

Make 2011 the year for healthy, beautiful and glowing skin! All this week on my blog, I’ll be sharing my expert advice on the five top most important skin habits that you need to practice so be sure to check back daily. Here goes!

What’s the #1 reason someone will go to sleep without washing their face? Exhaustion. I certainly understand the discipline and effort it requires to perform your nighttime skin care routine, especially when you’re tired. But, you really must do it.

Here are five reasons why:

1. Touching your face all day long, without intentionally doing so, is making your face one of the dirtiest parts on your body. It’s important to clean the skin to avoid the spread of acne bacteria that can cause increased blemishes.

Read: How to Wash Your Face

2. Cleansing your skin at night will reduce oil and the ability for acne-causing bacteria to thrive inside the pores. This means less break outs!

Read: Gel, Lotion or Cream: Which Cleanser is Best?

3. Your skin repairs itself at night, so removing makeup gives your skin a clean palette for applying your night time performance products for maximum absorption…

4. While you sleep, your skin is at rest allowing regeneration to occur. For the best anti-aging results clean your skin and use a high performance serum and moisturizer.

5. Moisturizers evaporate when on the skin all day, so washing your skin and applying moisturizer at night ensures it will stay moist and hydrated. And remember, quality moisturizers (without clogging ingredients) will not suffocate your skin.

Tip: Too tired to wash your skin at night? Perform your nighttime skin routine at 7:00 or 8:00. Earlier is better than never! Learn how and why we suggest using a cleansing lotion to wash your skin at night.

Have you picked out your skin type yet? Click here to get skin care products recommended for your skin type.

Read:

New Years’ Skin Resolution #2: Get Your Beauty Sleep
New Years’ Skin Resolution #3: Don’t Pick at Your Skin
New Years’ Skin Resolution #4: Wear Sunscreen 365 Days a Year
New Years’ Skin Resolution #5: Only Use Products Suited for Your Skin Type

What I Learned About Large Pores While on Vacation

Renée Rouleau — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:00:35 +0000

I’m a proud Harley Davidson rider, and this past summer I took an extended ride to visit the famed Sturgis Rally held in South Dakota. From my home in Texas, the ride took three days there, my husband and I spent three days at the rally, and it would take us three days to get back.

If you’ve read about my personal skincare routine (read How Does Renée Rouleau Care for Her Own Skin?), you know that exfoliation plays a big part. Knowing that acid serums and peels increase sun sensitivity by up to 45%, I didn’t want to be over exposing my skin to the elements for those nine days. I stopped using ALL exfoliating products four days before the trip, and for nearly two weeks I just used cleanser, toner, serum, sunscreen and moisturizer…

What did I notice during that time? My pores appeared so much bigger and more noticeable than usual. Yuck! Because I wasn’t exfoliating, the dead cell buildup was causing them to look indented and deeper than they really were. So while I had an amazing time on the trip, I was excited to get back home to get my skin looking back to normal. (I use Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, Glycolic Serum 17% and Mint Buffing Beads.)

If you are concerned about large pores, look into a good routine of exfoliation that includes surface as well as chemical exfoliation treatments. I’ve always known the right program can really help make pores appear smaller, but vacation was just another reminder for how important exfoliation is to lessen the appearance of large pores.

Read: Want to Make Your Pores Look Smaller? Try This Simple Trick!

Read: Are Your Pores Getting Larger With Age?

Watch our skin care tip videos!

Do Cell Phones Cause Acne Blemishes?

Renée Rouleau — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:00:05 +0000

Cell phones are not the cause of acne but they can potentially make acne worse.

Why? Since the presence of bacteria can exacerbate acne by getting into the pores, it is important to wash your hands regularly and wipe down your phone daily to avoid unnecessary bacteria from getting onto the skin.

How to clean your cell phone: Take a wet wipe that does not contain alcohol or bleach (since they may damage your screen or the plastic) and wipe the phone thoroughly. Repeat daily or as necessary.

Did you know that you get far more bacteria from touching your face all day than you do from your cell phone? Be sure to wash your face every night with a mild cleansing gel or cleansing lotion to properly remove dirt, bacteria and debris…

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

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

Are Antibiotics Necessary for Treating Acne?

Renée Rouleau — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:00:07 +0000

For many years, treating acne with prescription oral antibiotics was the standard protocol to reduce blemishes. One would go to the doctor and walk away with a prescription in hopes of clearer skin. While antibiotics can be extremely effective and there are certainly times when they are necessary, I believe that antibiotics can often act as a ‘band-aid’ to give short-term relief. When going off the medication, many find they are right back where they started with.

With all of the advancements in skin care ingredients, oral prescriptions aren’t the only option for achieving clearer, blemish-free skin. Read why dairy may be causing cystic acne breakouts. I personally believe all options should be explored before having to resort to taking pills, and I believe many others feel this way too.

If you’re battling with severe acne breakouts, I suggest you consult with:

-a licensed esthetician to discuss options for topical skin care products and professional treatments such as chemical peels and facials (AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel was awarded “Best Cleanser for Oily/Problem Skin by Allure Magazine)

-a dermatologist to discuss medical options

-a gynecologist to look at possible hormonal issues, for those with adult acne

There are many options available for getting clearer skin and there is no right or wrong answer, it’s important to do research and get all the facts to determine what the best option is for you. Your body is yours and you have the freedom to decide what goes in it and on it…

Read: Is the Clarisonic brush harmful or helpful to the skin?

Read: What’s the Best Spot Treatment for Blemishes?

Read: 11 Causes of Acne

Read: Are your acne products causing you more acne?

Which skin care 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!

Watch our skin care tip videos!

How Does Renée Rouleau Care for Her Own Skin?

Renée Rouleau — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:00:50 +0000

A lot of people have been asking me how I care for my own skin, so to satisfy the curiosity, here goes:

I have always taken good care of my skin, even as a child. I believe that how your mother cares for her skin will decide how you may take care of yours. If your mother didn’t do much to her skin, then chances are, you have learned not to do much to yours.

My Mother got facials regularly. I’m sure it’s from her years of growing up in her own mother’s (my grandmother) hair salon and being exposed to the art of beauty, pampering and self care. (Read why my grandmother was my beauty role model.) So while my mother didn’t necessarily teach me how to care for my skin, just watching how she cared for hers had a positive impact on me.

In High School, I struggled with breakouts. My face produced a lot of oil, but where I really had problems was with breakouts on my back. I took antibiotics and used many topical creams (that bleached out all my clothes from the Benzoyl Peroxide), only to discover years later that my hair conditioner was the culprit! Read why hair conditioner can cause back acne…

I was also a very serious skin picker and luckily have cured my bad habit. Read: Are you Guilty of Picking at Your Skin?

These days, reducing oil production, lessening sensitivity, keeping clogged pores under control and keeping my skin looking young, smooth and even-toned are my main concerns.

My skin type: Of my nine skin types, I’m a skin type #2, which is Oily/Combination/Occasional Breakouts/Anti-Aging. (What is your skin type?)

My morning routine:

Step 1: Cleanse with Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel. I used Purifying Face Wash for years, but I now really love the pick-me-up that the Luxe Mint gives in the morning. I absolutely love it!

Step 2: I primarily use Elderberry Toner, but sometimes in the winter I’ll use Moisture Infusion Toner if I’m feeling dehydrated. I gave up cotton balls years ago and always apply toner to our Toning Cloths. They are amazing.

Step 3: Apply a few drops of Vitamin C& E Complex. My skin can be really sensitive sometimes, so using a stable no-sting antioxidant serum works great for me.

Step 4: Apply Daily Protection SPF 30 to my entire face, including the neck and sides of the neck. If I’m wearing a shirt that exposed my chest area, then I’ll be sure to apply it to this area. Sunscreens and my skin never got along until I created this amazing product formulated for acne-prone skin. The Zinc Oxide used has natural anti-bacterial properties so it’s actually helping to prevent breakouts when worn on the skin. Who knew that a sunscreen could actually lessen breakouts?

When I’ve completed these steps I then proceed with makeup. I use mineral powder since it not only offers additional protection but it’s so compatible with my oily skin. I use ColoreScience SPF 50 mineral powder in the fair shade.

I wash my skin faithfully every night. The few times throughout the years that I went to bed without washing, I would always develop at least one blemish in the morning. Bacteria breeds in oil. When you’re sleeping with a day’s worth of oil and makeup you’re more prone to getting blemishes.

My evening routine:

Step 1: Cleanse with Aloe Cleansing Milk or Rosemary Mint Cleanser. It’s so important to use cleansing lotions at night for makeup removal. Even though they don’t feel like you’re getting as ‘clean’ as a cleansing gel, they will clean effectively and do a better job at removing makeup. Plus, mine are formulated to be water-soluble so they won’t leave a greasy residue. I wipe over my skin with our Facial Sponges in lieu of a washcloth after cleansing.

Step 2: Apply Elderberry Toner and leave damp.

Step 3: For seven nights in a row, I use our Glycolic 17%. The 10% isn’t strong enough for me and the 20% is too strong, but this one works great for me. It’s so important to avoid not overdo it when it comes to exfoliation which is why I only suggest using our Glycolic Serums for a week at a time. My love for Glycolic Acid is strong. Hands down, it has improved my skin tremendously through the years by making my pores appear smaller, reducing my clogged pores, fading post-breakout marks, and giving my skin a smooth look.

For the next seven nights, I apply one of our specialty serums. I’m always changing these up depending on what my skin needs. If I’m breaking out, I’ll use Skin Correcting Serum, if I’m going through chemical peels, I’ll use White Tea Soothing Complex and if all is normal, I use Skin Drink.

Step 4: Using moisturizer at night is a must. I alternate between Phytolipid Comfort Cream (for when I’m doing peels), Sheer Moisture during summer and Hawaiian Nourishing Cream during winter. Every one of these is lightweight and greaseless.

Step 5: Apply Synergy Eye Cream in the winter, and Vitamin C Eye Serum in the summer. I personally use eye cream only at night but you can certainly use it during the day too. Our eye creams are the best—if you don’t mind me saying so.

Twice a week: I use Mint Buffing Beads in the shower to give a physical exfoliation and then about twice a month I use our Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. I love, love, love these products and how they make my skin look and feel smooth.

Monthly: I do a facial mask about once a month at home. I should do it more often but I just get busy. I love our Azulene Gel Mask in the summer and Vitamin C Mask in the summer. Whenever I use a mask, my skin looks so refreshed after that I always say, “Why don’t I do this more often?”

Professional Treatments: About every six weeks, I have one of my estheticians give me a facial. I alternate between the Essential 5 Facial, Synergy 3 or Cranberry Brasion Facial. (See our list of facials offered.) I LOVE giving facials and I sure enjoying getting them. I also get them when I travel. I love meeting other estheticians and learn what they are doing.

And then every other month or so, I’ll give my skin a professional chemical peel at home. I borrow it from the spa and do it at home. My skin will flake for several days but the results are great. I’m careful not to exfoliate too much since it can harm the skin. Read: Are Laser Treatments and Chemical Peels Damaging Your Skin?

Overall, I’m pretty happy with my skin. At 41, I’m definitely seeing more aging kick in, but I try not to worry about it. I’m not obsessed about looking older, I simply want to look good for my age and I believe that’s what most people want. I see too many people going overboard with cosmetic procedures and it can look so unnatural. Aging gracefully is good enough for me.

So there you have it. I really do practice what I preach and take good care of my skin. Sure, I have my skin issues, but they are under control by using the right products for my skin type and using them faithfully.

Have you picked out your skin type yet?

Watch my skin care tip videos!

Do You Have Oily, Clogged Pores and Get Severe Breakouts?

Renée Rouleau — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:00:02 +0000

As most of you may know, I created a skin care line based on nine different skin types rather than the standard—dry, normal and oily. I’ve never understood how can skin care companies say their line is “suitable for all skin types” when all skins have different needs? If you’re truly looking for results, it’s imperative that you use products exclusively formulated for the unique needs of your skin and it all begins with my nine skin types.

Today, I’m featuring our skin type #1.

Do you have?

-Thick, extremely oily skin all over the face, not just in the t-zone

-Large pores on entire face, not just in t-zone

-Constant, severe breakouts that occur daily…

-Blackheads within the pores

-Cystic acne (the hard, sore bumps that develop deep within the skin) Read more about cystic acne.

-Post-breakout red, purple or dark marks that linger for weeks or months

The routine:

Oily, problem skin management requires a careful combination of AHA (Glycolic Acid) and BHA (Salicylic Acid), pore-clearing exfoliants, along with antiseptic botanicals like natural Tea Tree, Camphor and Eucalyptus. This routine helps to disinfect, control oil, exfoliate, and calm troubling breakout conditions, all without over-drying the skin. Your skin will be healthy and balanced, and with fewer acne breakouts.

Note: You must be extremely oily all over the face and get new breakouts every day to benefit from this routine. Skin type #1 is a common skin type for teenagers.

If you are someone who wants clearer and smoother skin and have ALL of these symptoms, then you are a skin type #1. If you have only some of these, but not all then you may be another skin type. Look at our nine skin types to find the perfect match for you.

See all the products suggested for skin type #1.

See our Basics skin care kit—a starter kit for those new to the Renée Rouleau line. See our Works skin care kit—for those who want to get serious about their skin and commit to a full regimen.

Read: Skin tips for oily, acne-prone skin.

Which skin type are you? See our nine skin types and get product recommendations.