Moisturizers: Making a clear choice

Dear Ms. Tingting,

How do I choose a moisturizer?

Shelly

Consider the following in choosing a moisturizer:

• Antioxidants from vitamin A, C, and E to neutralize free radical damage from sun, pollution, and tobacco smoke.

• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) working chemically to remove old cells from the skin’s surface and help new ones to emerge, resulting in smoother, clearer skin. This is super when I alternate it with Retin A.

• Retinol is vitamin A. It works deep within your skin where wrinkles form.  Products containing retinol need to be used for eight weeks before you see results. It’s worth the wait since sun damage such as discoloration will fade, and fine lines will smooth out.  Although it has thinned my skin and given me tiny broken capillaries that I had have to laser just about after 15 years of use.

• Liposomes, tiny capsules containing the skin food found in cell membranes. They penetrate the skin and give nourishment.

• Oxygen, the main source of energy for cell renewal. The skin’s natural level drops with time, tiredness, and stress, resulting in a dull complexion. You need pure oxygen molecules to moisturize your skin.

Tingting

* * *

Shaving Grace

Dear Rissa,

My shaving cream seems to dry out my skin. Can you recommend one that makes the skin feel moisturized even after shaving?

Tina C.

Your skin will enjoy indulging in this: Nivea Double Effect Shower & Shave (available at leading department stores, supermarkets, drugstores, and personal care stores).

This two-in-one product not only serves as your shower cream but doubles as a shaving cream as well. Enriched with avocado oil to keep your skin smooth and moisturized after shaving, this is a great multi-tasking product to carry in your toiletry kit every time you travel. That means more room for other kikay kit essentials!

Another wonder product I’ve tried is L’Occitane Almond Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil (available at Rustan’s). How does it work? The oil foams up when in contact with water. Rich in almond oil, it delivers incredibly soft and satin-smooth skin after every shower while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture.

When applied as a shaving base, the razor glides easily over the legs, underarms, and even the sensitive areas. A lovely bonus: The almond fragrance is wonderfully soothing!

Rissa

* * *

How To Face Back-Ne

Dear Lucy,

I saw a feature of you on TV where you and your daughter Juliana were wearing identical dresses. Who made them for you or did you buy them off the rack?

Also, I have relatively good skin, but what people can’t see is my back, and how problematic it is. How can this be treated effectively?

Soraya

The identical dresses you saw us wearing were done by Kate Torralba. I love her for her girly details, she incorporates interesting textures in her designs, such as crochet, patchwork, embroidery. Her designs are unapologetically fun.

For your back, you have to care for it like your face. Most beauty clinics will and can do a back-cial as they call it, and to supplement that, you may be asked to use a glycolic soap to dry up the breakouts. A sulfur lotion or anti-acne gel may likewise be recommended for use as spot treatment. On your part, on a daily basis, it may be wise to always wear a fresh shirt. That way, you avoid clogging your pores, which could be the culprit of back-ne.

Lucy

* * *

Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.