When they get into their late 20s or early 30s, the first area to show aging tends to be the furrow between their eyebrows and this suddenly sets them into panic mode. Their first wrinkle! As a result, I’m hearing many say “I need to get Botox!” and many of them are actually having it done. Certainly we know that starting Botox early, when wrinkles are just forming, can help prevent future ones from appearing. But what concerns me greatly is what will happen when the next wrinkle appears and the next one after that?…

Read: Could Botox Actually Be Making You Look Older?

Botox procedures have been popular for nearly 10 years now, but in that time, the main clientele were mainly women in their 40s and older who used it to soften (not completely rid themselves of) their lines and wrinkles. Women in their 40s and above have already accepted that wrinkles are a natural process in life, but they just want to soften them as much as possible. For those in their 20s, it seems some want to get rid of any wrinkle that appears. I worry that these young women will resort to more aggressive cosmetic procedures as fine lines and wrinkles continue to become more prevalent as time goes by.

I am not at all against the use of Botox, even for some women in their 20s. I am simply concerned for those who think a flawless face is an entirely wrinkle-free face. A quest for absolutely no wrinkles can result in an unnatural (or scary or comical) appearance. The acceptance of aging gracefully (and perhaps with a bit of help from Botox!) is important, but it is also important to realize that there are many other ways to maintain a youthful image! Wear sunscreen daily (I use Daily Protection SPF 30), care for your skin in the morning and evening using well-formulated products that are suited to your skin type, eat well, dress well, live an over all healthy lifestyle and, most importantly, smile and be happy.

Bottom line: Most things in life should be done in moderation, including cosmetic procedures. My goal in writing this is to provide some good food for thought.

What are your thoughts on this? Provide your thoughts in the comment box below.

Read: How to Ensure Natural Looking Results from Botox

Read: In Your 20s? Expert Skin Advice from Renée Rouleau

Read: What Age Should I Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

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

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

We offer high-tech facial treatments at Renée Rouleau Skin Care Spas in Plano and Dallas, Texas…

How to vote from a desktop computer, iPad or laptop:

• Voting runs from May 14 – May 17, 2012. One vote per day.
• Click here to vote http://surveys.dmagazine.com/bestofbigd2012-services/vote/0
• Scroll to Question #2: “Which gives the best facial in Dallas?”
• Select Renée Rouleau
• Scroll to the bottom and choose “skip” five times until the last page. (You’re more than welcome to vote for those in the other categories but it’s not necessary.)
• Click ‘submit’

How to vote from a mobile phone:

• Voting runs from May 14- May 17, 2012. One vote per day.
• Go to www.DMagazine.com on your phone browser
• Click on the “Best of Big D Vote now” button on the top of the page
• Choose ‘Renée Rouleau’ on Question #2: “Which gives the best facial in Dallas?”
• Scroll to the bottom and click ‘Submit Your Votes’

Thank you for helping us get recognized as “Best in Big D!” I am very grateful! Feel free to let me know in the comment box below that you voted so I can thank you!

P.S. D Magazine is a big fan of my company (and I’m a big fan of theirs) and am always honored when they have featured us on their website.

Here’s a few of the things that D Magazine has said!

Renée Rouleau + Me + Love at First Facial

Renée Rouleau Does It Again: Triple Berry Smoothing Peel

What’s in Aesthetician Renée Rouleau’s Bag?

Eyes Burn After Removing Your Makeup? Not with This Stuff

You Didn’t Wear Sunscreen. You’re a Lobster. Now What?

Eco-Friendly Toning Cloths by Renée Rouleau

Best Facialist in Dallas: Renée Rouleau

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

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

Why did I choose these blog posts?

Working with skin hands on for 25 years as a celebrity esthetician, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about skin and time after time, I’m often dispelling myths that consumers have been lead to believe were true. I would have to say these are my favorite posts because they contain tips and expert advice that I find myself repeating over and over again.

I hope you find them helpful in giving you the knowledge to achieve healthy, clearer and beautiful skin. (Read all 600 blog posts here!)

11 Causes for Acne and Blemishes…

Plastic Surgery, Injectables and the Art of Altering the Face (my real thoughts on cosmetic procedures)

My Cure for Red, Sensitive, Extremely Dry, Flaky Skin

Is Your Skin Both Dry AND Oily? The Problem is Your Products, Not Your Skin

Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to the Skin?

10 Reasons to Get a Facial

How to Prevent Summer Sun Spots

10 Nighttime Skin Care Tips

How Do Renée Rouleau Products Compare to Other Skin Care Lines?

Why Your Sunscreen May Not Be Protecting Your Skin Enough

P.S. If you have suggestions for information you’d like me to blog about, please comment below!

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

For more expert skin advice, check out Skin Source–the A-Z guide on all things skin. Also sign up 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!

Without a doubt, you can dramatically improve your skin’s appearance by removing dead, expired skin cells and revealing new cells that make your skin look bright, smooth and glowing. But exfoliating the skin daily, for most skin types, is too much. Here’s why.

Exfoliating the skin daily with the various types of exfoliants can cause:…

-a stripped moisture (lipid) barrier layer resulting in dehydration, flaking, redness and inflammation

-dryness (moisture will seep out of the cells)

-aging due to chronic and prolonged inflammation

- destruction of healthy cells

-stimulation of melanin activity possibly resulting in an increase of hyperpigmentation (brown spots and patches)

-products to sting and irritate the skin (due to a stripped barrier function)

Simply put, your skin needs those protective layers to keep the skin in a healthy state and retain its natural moisture. Daily exfoliation of rotating brushes, retinol, acids, enzymes and scrubs is harming the skin, more than you realize. Trust me on this one.

My tips for safe exfoliation:

-If you use the Clarisonic brush, my professional recommendation is that for most skin types it not be used twice a day as suggested by the company, but instead 2-3 times a week in place of a facial scrub. Read: Is the Clarisonic Brush Harmful or Helpful to the Skin?

-If you’re using a prescription retinol product, read how to use retinol properly.

-Use acid serums (like Glycolic Serum 10%) three nights on, three nights off under moisturizer at night.  When you choose your skin type you can see how to use it, alternating with a specialty serum.

-Use facial scrubs using round beads only (like those found in Mint Buffing Beads) only 2-3 times a week.

Bottom line: Go easy with your exfoliation and don’t use aggressive exfoliating products on a daily basis, despite what you may have been told. Note: A cleanser with mild exfoliating acids (such as AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel) may be fine to use daily (as long as it’s recommended for your skin type) since it’s not left on the skin for very long and rinsed away.

For more information on how to exfoliate safely, read how to use exfoliating acids correctly.

Read: Are You Exfoliating Around Your Eyes? If Not, You Should Be

Read: How to Use a Facial Scrub

Read: Is It Normal to Break Out When Using Exfoliating Products?

Read: Must-Have Skin Care Ingredients for Those Who Exfoliate Regularly

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

For more expert skin advice, check out Skin Source–the A-Z guide on all things skin. Also sign up 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!

Each gift bag contains a 1 oz. jar of Glow Enhancing Cream and a gift certificate for 15% off a facial or chemical peel at either our Dallas or Plano, Texas skin care spas. Even if you don’t live in the Dallas area and are not able to get a skin treatment with us, we know you’ll love the cream!

Our Glow Enhancing Cream is amazing and a celebrity client favorite! This ultra luxurious formulation delivers vital ceramides and lipid-rich oils while you sleep to deeply moisturize and repair the skin’s damaged layers. With continued use, the lipid barrier is strengthened allowing the skin to reflect light. Wrinkles will be less noticeable and skin will be supple. You will have a radiant glow that lasts!…

Here is how to play this Pin It To Win It Contest:

1. Pin my Glow Enhancing Cream (found here) to one of your Pinterest boards and tag the pin with the hashtag #ReneeRouleau so we can find it.

2. Then, post a direct link to your pin in the comments section of THIS blog post (see below).

You need to do both in order to be eligible to win.  The first 35 people to pin it and post the link to it here will win, so hurry up!

Happy Pinning!

If you are selected as a winner, you will be contacted on Monday, May 14 via email by a Renée Rouleau Skin Care staff member. This contest is for U.S. Residents only and prizes will be shipped via USPS next week.

Here’s five things you need to know about sunscreen to ensure you’re getting the best protection for your skin.

1. Sunscreen must be applied generously. In order for 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 (which so many can), 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 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. This is why our broad-spectrum Daily Protection SPF 30 is one of our best-selling products. It actually dries to a matte finish and never, ever leaves residue. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, this one is for you.

Read: How to Apply Sunscreen to the Face and Neck 

2. Don’t get overly confident with a high SPF number. With so many companies launching high SPF number sunscreens, it creates a lot of confusion as to which number is the best in protecting the skin. Did you know that an SPF 30 offers only 4% more protection than an SPF 15 and an SPF 45 offers just 2% more? High SPF number sunscreens like an SPF 50 or 100 can give people a false sense of protection and therefore may not be applied generously enough to do its job. While I do suggest using a minimum of SPF 30, it has far more to do with how generously you apply it than the number. (By the way, the FDA is proposing to limit the maximum SPF on labels to 50.)

Read: Make Sure to Wear Sunscreen in an Airplane

3. Sunscreen built in your foundation makeup is not be enough. If you apply a regular non-SPF moisturizer to the face and then apply a foundation with an SPF over it, the sunscreen in the makeup has a difficult time penetrating through the moisturizer to effectively coat and protect the skin cells. I highly suggest using a sunscreen moisturizer directly on the skin first to adequately deliver the specified SPF (as long as you apply it generously) and then apply foundation makeup with sunscreen, then finished off with SPF-infused mineral powder. I love the ColoreScience line here.

Read: Slathering on Sunscreen but Still Seeing Brown Spots?

4. Sunscreens degrade from sunlight and your skin’s natural oil. Many sunscreen formulas degrade with exposure to UV light. The daily oil produced on the skin (especially on the nose which is the oiliest area of the face) can also cause sunscreen to breakdown. This is why reapplying sunscreen every few hours is so necessary. However, reapplying often is not always practical. Are you supposed to wash your face, reapply sunscreen, reapply makeup and repeat this every two hours during the day? Not so easy. The fastest, easiest, and most effective way to ensure that your skin is protected all day is to dust the skin every few hours with a good mineral powder formulated with sunscreen. They are considered “dry” sunscreens and make reapplying very simple. My personal favorite (and the one I use faithfully) is ColoreScience, because it’s endorsed by The Skin Cancer Foundation and contains SPF 50. I don’t use it as my makeup, even though it has a light tint, but rather as a light powder over my regular makeup to give a good physical block of protection to my skin.

Read: The Best Sunscreen Mineral Powder to Prevent Wrinkles and Sun Damage

5. If you’re prone to sensitivity or breakouts, choose a sunscreen formula with Zinc Oxide. Of all the categories of skin care products, sunscreens are the most likely to cause negative skin reactions on the skin. And mostly, it’s rashes or acne breakouts from the use of sunscreen. The good news is there have been a lot of advancements in sun protecting ingredients, so if you still shy away from sunscreens because of past bad experiences, you just haven’t found the right one yet—but they are out there. My skin is oily in the t-zone, and even at 42, my oil production hasn’t slowed down too much yet. I have my own built-in moisturizer (the oil) which is considered to be a good thing, but I also have to be very careful because I’m definitely very sensitive, prone to acne breakouts and clogged pores. So using a lightweight, gentle sunscreen is an absolute must for me and the best ingredient to offer that is Zinc Oxide. It’s chemical-free, won’t clog the pores, offers excellent UV protection and never leaves the skin feeling greasy. So if you’re like me and have to be very careful about what you put on your skin, look for formulas with at least 5% Zinc Oxide as they won’t clog the pores, feel heavy on the skin or cause irritation or rashes. Try my very, very favorite sunscreen in the world—Daily Protection SPF 30 with 7% Zinc Oxide. Trust me, your skin will love it.

Read: My Five Favorite Tips for Protecting Your Skin from the Sun

Read: Five Essentials to Stay Tan-Free at the Beach

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

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!

Shop Talk

1. CrossFit socks. I work out at CrossFit 380 five times a week and will visit other CrossFit’s in other cities and countries. It’s truly addictive and both me and my body love it! I change up different knee socks for fun.
2. One of my fabulous long time clients and friend, Tina Craig of BagSnob, created these exclusive wallets.
3. Square Card payment reader. Since I offer skin consultations in other cities and countries, this plugs right into my iPad and allows me to take payments–anywhere! (See the list of cities and countries where I’ll be making appearances this year!)
4. Mötley Crüe ticket stub. (Girls night out!)  
5. Water.
6. Wisp toothbrushes. For in-between facial clients, keeps my teeth and breath fresh.
7. MAC Cremesheen Glass in “Fashion Scoop” and “Loud & Lovely” and Lancôme Color Fever Gloss. I’m loving all the bright colors this Spring!
8. Business card holder filled up with my cards.
9. Daily Protection SPF 30 and Synergy Eye Cream. I never leave home without these.
10. Duracell Instant Power Charger for the times my iPhone goes dead.
11. Vintage lock. My husband just returned from Tunisia and brought this back for me.
12. Lab sample of a new top secret product coming soon!
13. Keys to my Harley Davidson. Work hard, play hard.
14. Mini nail files and ColoreScience Mineral Powder SPF 50. I’m always touching up with this on my face, neck and hands when in my car and on the go so I’m always protected. And of course, nail files are a must!
15. Altoids and Band-Aids.
16. Skin Drink. My skin truly drinks this up.
17. Jewelry: beaded bracelet made from young African children on a trip in 2010 to Cape Town, South Africa. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. SHONA is one of my favorite Dallas jewelry designer and I keep these earrings on hand to go from day to night.
18. No Picking Twisty Toy. Keeps my fidgety hands busy and off my skin.
19. Renée Rouleau sample packets.
20. Rosetta Stone. My Dad’s side of the family is French (Rouleau is my maiden name) and I’m also have a French husband. I’m always trying to perfect the language so this is great to listen to in my car.
21. iPhone
22. Photos with my husband.
23. Ted Baker “Hoola” quilted iPad case.
24. Vogue sunglasses that I picked up in New Zealand.

So there you have it…my stuff revealed!

See the full feature on the contents of my handbag on Shop Talk here!

Shop Talk recently reviewed our Soothing Eye Makeup Remover and gave it a glowing review for those with ultra sensitive eyes. Read the review here!

WATCH VIDEO: The Personal Side of Renée Rouleau

Read: How Does Renée Rouleau Care for Her Own Skin?

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

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!

A study back in 2004 claimed that parabens may mimic estrogen and lead to breast cancer. As someone who has developed their own line of skin care products based on nine skin types (choose your skin type) and studies skin care ingredients very closely, you can imagine what a big stir this caused. I remember about six months after I got word of this study, I was at a skin care trade show and one vendor booth really stood out because it was packed with a ton people all around it – more so than any other exhibitor booth. I walked over to see what was going on and this guy, who started a paraben-free skin care line, was talking to everyone over a microphone about how parabens were cancer-causing and they should toss out their products immediately. Everyone was really scared, and he certainly sounded very convincing. (Note: Since my line is only sold directly to the consumers through my website and two skin care spas in Dallas, I was an attendee, not an exhibitor.)..

At the time, I too was alarmed as many of my products contained parabens. But could this really be a new finding about a link to breast cancer? This has been a hot topic among skin care professionals, cosmetic chemists and health researchers. I have followed all of this closely for years listening to everyone’s opinions and research.

The original study now holds no valid argument about parabens causing cancer. The FDA, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society have all come forward, publicly stating there is no proof of a linkage between parabens in skin care products and cancer. Why? The scientific reason is that parabens do not act as estrogen disrupters. Once they are applied to the skin, they become a metabolite, which is non-estrogenic.

Last year, I called up that skin care company that I had seen years back at that trade show (I didn’t reveal who I was) and asked them if parabens were harmful to your health to hear what they would now say, considering the new research. Their answer was simply “more research needs to be done.” I was happy with that honest answer since they were essentially saying there was no proof of its link to cancer.

It is my belief that any skin care company that continues to spread this misinformation, despite all of the recent conclusions resulting from further research, is using fear tactics to persuade the consumer to purchase their product. I hear it all the time and this is completely wrong and dishonest. I too believe more research needs to be done (and it is), but to market products based on inconclusive data is just not right.

Read: Five Skin Care Ingredient Myths You Need to Know

As for the Renée Rouleau line of products, I do have many, many products in my line that are now paraben-free. The word is out that they are bad and many consumers just don’t take the time to do the research so more and more companies are headed in this direction, including mine. However, I was purposefully a little late on the bandwagon to discontinue using parabens in my products because the new alternatives were just not tried and true. I’ve personally seen several products from other lines that had launched paraben-free products early on, in which the new preservative system didn’t work effectively in fighting bacteria and caused the products to grow mold. The skin care world is a actually a small community and word gets around fast when someone’s products go wrong. I certainly would never disclose the names of those companies, but that’s the risk you take when you’re an early adopter to certain new ingredients. It can happen, I understand. I personally wanted to wait until the chemists worked out the kinks before I would start with an alternative preservative – which I now have.

Read: How Do Renée Rouleau Products Compare to Other Skin Care Lines?

While it is important to stay educated and informed about skin care ingredients, it will also be challenging to really sort it all out. One company will tell you one thing, and another company will tell you the complete opposite. So when choosing skin care products, you need to not only find a company whose products give you results, but essentially one that you trust and believe in. And I hope you find that with me and my company, Renée Rouleau Skin Care.

Read: Renée’s Six Step Plan for Evaluating Your Skin Care Products

Read: What I Know For Sure About Skin

Read: Renée Rouleau Offers Spa Services for Domestic Violence Victims

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

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!

Read: Helpful Skin Tips for Using Retinol Products

Read:Renée’s Five Best Anti-Aging Tips

We are launching a new retinol product soon. Here’s a list of our new products to be released soon!

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

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!

Read: What’s the Best Daily Routine for My Skin?

The skin care industry is certainly a popular one and many people are offering such procedures – regardless of their background, training and experience. I’ve heard a lot of crazy stories about people getting ripped off with false promises, or worse, getting scarred from procedures that were supposed to only offer skin improvement. It’s scary out there, trust me on this one. But no matter who you go to, make sure it is with someone who has a lot of training and experience, and it came off of a good referral…

When going in for your professional  skin consultation, it’s always best to be prepared. This includes sharing your top skin care concerns along with asking the following five questions. Asking good, well thought out questions like these should help elicit a good response and ensure your concerns are properly addressed.

Question #1: Realistically, what kind of results can I expect from this treatment?

Question #2: What kind of side effects will I experience?

Question #3: What happens if I don’t see the results you mention?

Question #4: How long have you been doing the procedure you have recommended for me?

Question #5: What kind of training have you had?

The more questions you ask, the more insight you will receive in determining if you want to pursue their recommendations. If something doesn’t sound right or they hesitated when answering certain questions, consider this a possible red flag. This is essentially an interview to help determine if you can trust them with your skin. An experienced professional will be (and certainly should be) very candid when having this conversation and should appreciate your questions and NOT get defensive. I am always honest and upfront with my clients about the realistic results as well as any potential side effects of procedures I recommend, and I would hope other professionals would be too.

Professional treatments can greatly enhance the appearance of your skin, but take it slow and do your research.

Read: Microdermabrasion Gone Wrong!

Read: Plastic Surgery, Injectables and the Art of Altering the Face

Read: How to Care for Your Skin After a Chemical Peel

Read: The Five Worst Skin Skins I’ve Ever Heard

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

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!