1. Your skin doesn’t perform the function of respiration, so the concept of your skin breathing is actually false.

2. Skin cells are like fish and need water to live. Without it, your cells dehydrate and the health of the skin is compromised. (Not to mention, increased oil production and breakouts. Read: Five Ways to Reduce Oil Production). 

Your skin is in its reparative state at night because, while you sleep, your skin is at rest and not being exposed to the environmental stressors that age the skin. Performing your nighttime specific routine with the use of moisturizer can really help repair your skin and help to control how quickly your skin ages. At bedtime after cleansing and toning, apply a moisturizer, 365 nights a year.

Read: Five Reasons to Wash Your Skin at Bedtime

Read: Is It Bad to Use Moisturizer with Sunscreen at Bedtime?

Read: 10 Nighttime Skin Care Tips

Many people don’t realize this, but when sleeping on your pillowcase for 7-8 hours a night, you are transferring a lot of oil from both your hair and face onto the pillowcase. Oil ends up on your face when you sleep on your stomach or side. And because oil breeds bacteria which then leads to breakouts, it only makes sense that you’d want to sleep on a clean pillowcase every night.

For those prone to breakouts, my professional suggestion is to get two nights out of the same pillowcase. You can achieve this by sleeping on one side of the pillow on one night and then flipping it over on the second night. After two nights, you’ll want to replace your pillowcase with a fresh, clean one. I’ve heard that there are pillowcases made with materials other than cotton that supposedly are more breathable so that your skin doesn’t absorb dirt and oil. If you’re really serious about your skin and want to prevent breakouts, you may want to look into those types. 

And of course cleansing your skin before you go to bed to remove the day’s dirt, bacteria, germs and makeup is essential to keep breakouts under control. A day’s worth of oil on the skin (and bacteria from touching your face all day) will cause more breakouts than just a dirty pillowcase, so please make sure you are diligent about washing your face daily.

Look no further than Skin Recovery Lotion.

What it is: 

This lightweight, oil-free and fragrance-free lotion is formulated to give sensitive, acne-prone skin the perfect amount of hydration leaving no greasy residue or clogged pores. Glycosaminoglycans corrects the skin’s natural moisture balance while Calendula Flower Extract promotes the healing of your skin to soothe redness and irritation. You’ll quickly see clearer and calmer skin along with an improved toned complexion after every use. The product absorbs easily and leaves a silky feel on the skin. This is also fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free. No animal testing was used with this product.

Shop for Skin Recovery Lotion here.

Who it’s for: 

Skin Type #4, those who are oily / combination / sensitive / occasional breakouts–skin that gets irritated easily.

What’s your skin type? Choose it here.

Key Ingredients: 

Glycosaminoglycans – This active protein inhibits the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes that destroy the collagen network in the skin. Environmental stress and sun exposure increase the activity of the enzymes, affecting the extracellular matrix. This ingredient promotes the prevention of irritation and reduces the appearance of redness and irritation.

Sucrose Polysoyate – Monosaccharide with water-binding properties to keep skin cells hydrated deep within the skin.

Calendula Flower Extract – The beautiful, edible orange petals of the Calendula Herb contain properties that are a proven, time-honored remedy for sensitive skin. This also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties to calm and soothe and reduce inflammation and heal breakouts and scarring.

Willowherb (Epiobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem) Extract – Contains a bioactive molecule called Oenothein-B, which is patented for its wide ranging anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial activity. Its free radical scavenging abilities soothe inflamed or irritated skin while allowing the skin to heal.

How to use it: 

After washing with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser like Purifying Face Wash, apply an alcohol-free toner and apply a thin coat of Skin Recovery Lotion. Use nightly.

Why you need it: 

If you’re prone to breakouts, have sensitive, easily irritated skin, and have a difficult time finding a non-greasy moisturizer that prevents breakouts and hydrates your skin–then this lotion is for you. The lotion addresses all redness issues including excessive circulation to blood vessels, inflammation, breakouts, free radicals and sensitive skin. Your skin will be hydrated with a radiant glow every time you use this product.

Price: $39.50 for 2 fl oz

Directions: After cleansing and toning, apply to face and neck. Use nightly.

Shop for Skin Recovery Lotion here.

Read: How to Get Rid of a Blemish Fast

Read: How Can I Fade My Acne Scars?

If you can’t view this video, click here.

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

Need expert advice from a licensed esthetician? Schedule My Skin Prescription to get personalized advice in person, over the phone or via Skype or Facetime.

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 join the discussion on our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

Do you have sensitive eyes? Then you’ll want to purchase Renée Rouleau Soothing Eye Makeup Remover which has a similar pH (7.2) of your natural tears to prevent stinging and irritation. This sting-free oil-free liquid gently dissolves eyeliner, mascara and shadow, while providing soothing relief for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

**THIS PROMOTION HAS EXPIRED.

PROMOTION: Get a free retail bottle of our popular Soothing Eye Makeup Remover when you purchase $125 of skin care products online or in our skin care spas. A $19.50 value. 

SHOP: Enter promotion code at check out. (Be sure to click ‘apply’ after entering in the promotion code.)

EXPIRES: This promotion ends May 17, 2013 at midnight.

SHOP ONLINE HERE.

Read: Do Eye Creams Really Work?

Read: Do Your Eyes Get Puffy in the Morning?

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

Need expert skin advice? Schedule My Skin Prescription to get personalized advice from our estheticians in person, over the phone or via Skype.

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 join the discussion on our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

“Using the entire Renée Rouleau line for my skin type and getting skin treatments from Renée, has worked miracles on my skin!” says Demi.

People Magazine featured Demi, among others, in a Celebrities Without Makeup feature so it was great to see her revealing her true beauty–and her flawless skin. (Plus her cute freckles!)

Demi also filmed a video that was featured on People.com talking about how she cares for her skin with Renée Rouleau products. You can watch it here.

What is Demi Lovato’s personal skin care routine? Read it here.

This magazine issue focused a lot on the beauty tricks of many female celebrities, so it’s always fun for me to read their secrets. I have my own personal skin secrets, you can read them here. I’d love to hear yours. Leave them in the comments section below.

My mom still has great skin care habits, but these days, the skin care products she uses have her daughter’s name on them and I know that makes her very proud.

Since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, may I suggest treating your Mom to the gift of beautiful skin?

Gift options available:

-A luxurious facial treatment in one of our exclusive skin care spas (Purchase a gift certificate here or schedule an appointment for her online)

-A collection of products for her skin type (See our nine skin types here and shop online or purchase a gift certificate here.)

-My Skin Prescription, A personalized skin coaching session available via phone, Skype or Apple Facetime to help her learn how to care for her skin. Skin care products included.

Shop online for a gift certificate here. Or call 1-888-211-7560.

Read: Are You Aging More Like Your Mother or Your Father?

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

Need expert skin advice? Schedule My Skin Prescription to get personalized advice from our estheticians in person, over the phone or via Skype.

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 join the discussion on our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

We all love a little glow on our cheeks and the quickest and easiest way to get our skin to glow is with blush. Most people keep blushes in their makeup drawer for years. We need to consider the following questions. How long does it last? Does bacteria grow on blush? When should it be tossed out?

Powder blushes, like those in compacts, can actually last for several years. Bacteria doesn’t thrive in a dry environment, so it’s perfectly fine to keep a blush for 2-3 years as long as it looks okay and still delivers results.

However, I do think think the best way to maintain powder blush is to use a butter knife to gently scrape the top layer. Oils from the face can travel back to the powder via the brush leading to a hard film on the surface, so using a knife will help refresh the blush.

More importantly, you need to wash your blush brushes at least once a month (if not weekly) as they can exacerbate clogged pores and breakouts.

If a mascara is unused, the formula itself should be packed enough with preservatives for it to last up to two years but when it is used frequently, this changes the story.

The purpose of eyelashes are to protect the eyes and prevent contaminants and particles from the air and environment from getting into the eyes. So when mascara is applied to the lashes and the wand is dipped back into the tube, anything that is collected on the the lashes (bacteria included) will get into the tube and this is where possible problems can be created. Touching the mucus membrane of the eye with the wand, which is easy to do, compounds the issue.

As a general rule, it is best to replace mascara every 3 months. And truthfully, a mascara will dry out within this time so it’s more likely to flake off onto the face (or worse, into the eye) and not deliver the desired result.

Tip: To prevent mascara from drying out so quickly, avoid rapidly pumping the wand in and out of the tube as this only allows more air in, which shortens its life.

With all makeup, if it’s starting to change color, separate or smell strange, it’s always best to toss and replace quickly.

P.S. The mascara I’m loving these days is “They’re Real” by Benefit. The brush is amazing.

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

Need expert skin advice? Schedule My Skin Prescription to get personalized advice from our estheticians in person, over the phone or via Skype.

Read: Eye Makeup Remover That Won’t Sting Your Eyes

Read: How to Properly Remove Eye Makeup

Read: Could Your Mascara Be Causing Your Wrinkles?

Read: 7 Secrets for Looking Younger Without Cosmetic Procedures

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 join the discussion on our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!

It’s a fact: Demi Lovato has beautiful skin and isn’t afraid to show it off considering how well she takes care of it using Renée Rouleau Skin Care products–faithfully. As Demi’s personal esthetician, I was really proud of her when she recently tweeted a photo of herself without makeup on saying, “Ladies, be brave today…take off your make-up and stop using those filters!! WE are beautiful!!” What an incredible message for her fans. I always tell my clients, “Love the skin you’re in” and Demi certainly agrees with this philosophy.

“Using the entire Renée Rouleau line for my skin type (I’m a skin type #2) and getting skin treatments from Renée, has worked miracles on my skin!” says Demi.

VIDEO: Watch here to see Demi talk about how her skin care routine with People Magazine. “I use all Renée Rouleau products” And see Demi in People Magazine here.

What products does Demi Lovato use on her skin to keep it clear and blemish-free? 

“The BHA Clarifying Serum is a miracle product. I’ll wake up the next morning and literally have no pores.” says Demi.

Demi uses the entire collection from skin type #2  which addresses oily/combination, occasional breakouts and anti-aging. (Get your skin type here.)

In the morning, she washes with Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel, applies Elderberry Toner, then a few drops of Vitamin C&E Treatment followed by Daily Protection SPF 30.

In the evening, she washes with Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel (or the AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel if she’s breaking out or is wearing heavy makeup), tones with the Elderberry Toner (applied with Toning Cloths), and uses a few drops of BHA Clarifying Serum under Hawaiian Nourishing Cream. When I gave her a facial last week in LA, I recommended Skin Recovery Lotion to use as a moisturizer during the summer months when she’s feeling oilier or has breakouts.

For blemishes, she spot treats with either Anti Cyst Treatment (when she has a stubborn cystic blemishs) or Night Time Spot Lotion (for regular, surface breakouts). If she has a leftover dark spot from a previous blemish, she will dab on a little Post Breakout Fading Gel to help the scar disappear quickly.

When she has a special event or photo shoot, Demi loves using Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. This at-home peel uses five exfoliating acids to smooth the skin, unclog the pores and reveal a beautiful glow. And Demi definitely has a glow!

Around the eyes, Demi uses Firming Eye Therapy. She recently told the editor at PopSugar Beauty how much she enjoys using Renée Rouleau Firming Eye Therapy. Watch the video here.

Demi is very committed to caring for her skin. I’ve been giving her facials since she was 17 years old and I can tell you, her efforts are paying off. As you can see with no makeup on, her skin is beautiful!

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

Want expert skin advice with Renée Rouleau Skin Care? Schedule My Skin Prescription to get personalized advice from our estheticians in person, over the phone or via Skype. If you live in the Dallas, Texas area, schedule a facial treatment at one of our exclusive skin care spas located in Dallas and Plano, Texas. See more info here.

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

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 join the discussion on our Facebook page. You’ll be your own skin care expert in no time!