Gimme Dat Glow Part Duex

So there are oodles more ingredients out there that can contribute to giving one glowing skin.  And I felt somewhat dishonest not posting all of them, or at least more of them, on the last blog, so here comes part duex.  Truth be told, if you're not using any of the ingredients mentioned in the last blog or will be mentioned in this blog, and you start using any one of them, you will get dat glow in some form.  If you really want to up the glow ante, then use a combination of these glow giving ingredients.  Have I used the word glow enough?  In the previous blog I talked about AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids); however, AHA has a very important cousin named BHA (beta hydroxy acid).  BHA is salicylic acid and anybody who has ever had acne or has watched a Proactive infomercial (a guilty pleasure of mine) has heard of salicylic acid.  Salicylic acid is so splendid for acne because it goes in there and helps to purge the pore of the dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria that's in there just waiting to erupt into a large, red nodule.  Good times. Salicylic is also exfoliating (which equals glow) and it helps to balance oil production and those struggling with acne, tend to produce more oil than those are blessed with clear skin.  Disclaimer:  If you have an allergy to aspirin, then this product is not for you, as salicylic is derived from aspirin and if you are pregnant or breast feeding this fella is not your guy. Also when looking at ingredient declarations, salicylic acid shows up as willow bark extract too.  In my humble opinion, the two best product containing salicylic acid are: Image's clear cell cleanser and IS Clinical's active serum.- this guy also contains glycolic acid and bearberry (two more glow givers).

My all time favorite ingredient for giving 'dat glow, drum roll please, are: Retinoids (also known as Retin-A,  tretinoin).  Retinoids are vitamin A.  Another version of a Retinoid is Retinol, which is derived from Vitamin A and tends to be less aggressive and is used in over the counter versions of retinol products (ie this version is probably the one used in Loreal's latest and greatest anti-aging cream). If you can tolerate a retinoid or retinol, meaning you're not pregnant, breast feeding, have rosacea, or extremely sensitive skin, you should be on some form of a retinoid/ retinol. period.  Why are retinoids so fantastic?  So glad you asked.  Retinoids essentially teach your skin cells to behave and they stimulate new collagen and elastin- meaning less wrinkles and skin sagging.  Retinol and Retinoids are beneficial for dry, acneic, hyperpigmented, and aging skin because they get rid of the old and crusty skin on the surface and bring, healthy, new skin to the top for all of the world to see.  Woo hoo!  Retinol/ retinoids are very effective, but they can be over used. Many people begin a retinol/retinoid regime and there skin ends up peeling profusely and looking like raw meat.  Nobody wins in this scenario because generally one stops using the product and now you would like to go into hiding for a good amount of time.  To avoid this scenario, portion control is 50% of the battle- meaning only a pea size and introduce the product slowly (possibly only two nights a week). The other half of the battle: the product formulation.  If the product is paired with an emollient (ie shea butter) or a hydrator (ie glycerin or hyaluronic acid), then the irritation factor is cut down significantly.  My two favorite retinoid/ retinol products:  atralin- this one is rx only and great for oily/acneic skin, but it is very pricey. A great over the counter retinol:  Image's Total Retinol A Cream.  This guy does his job so well you only need to use him 1-2x a week.  Another Disclaimer: You must use sunscreen (preferably zinc based) everyday (even if it's not sunny) when using these products because the sun (even if you can't see it) will try to destroy all of your hard work.  There more glow-giving ingredients, but that's all for now.