The cool days are officially starting, and here at Syracuse that means the cold days are just around the corner.  I can just feel the winter depression setting in, and my skin feels the same way.  My hands are already dry and eczema is surfacing.  Yeah, I think that definitely makes someone wanna hold my hand…if that someone also happens to have winter lizardy skin.

As if losing your summer bronze glow isn’t bad enough, the cold wind and weather does some serious damageto your skin. And your precious face and dainty hands get the worst of it, as they most often feel the harshness of the cold air. So how can you protect your skin without staying in your room all day? (No, that isn’t an option; professors don’t care about your skin that much.)

Below are some suggestions to get your skin back to the baby’s-bottom-soft feel of summer. No more cracking, flaking or drying out this winter, women.

Hands: If your skin is only mildly dry or you just want to prevent it from happening, a thick cream will do the trick.  Try L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream or Bliss’ High Intensity Hand Cream. And keep that stuff with you wherever you go; skin dries out quickly in the winter-time and you want to be prepared.

If your hands are cracky or you have eczema, you know that Cortisone ointment can be helpful but sticky.  So try mixing together the ointment with an unscented lotion like Cetaphil.  If your hands are really bad, apply petroleum jelly before you go to bed under some white cotton gloves (this both traps in all that moisture…and prevents you from making a serious jelly mess all over your bed). When you wake up it will be worth the annoyance, because your skin will be way softer.  Read More »

So I realize it is mid-August, and that means that it’s taken me pretty much all summer to get my bikini shaving to a level of perfection. As someone with sensitive skin, I am often prone to razor burn and the dreaded ingrown hairs. If you have ever had an ingrown hair you know that they are painful, unattractive, and pretty tricky to get rid of. But even with these risks we ladies have to keep a clean-cut bikini line!

Luckily, I have (finally) figured out exactly which products will prevent these problems, and what to do if you do have to deal with evil ingrown hairs. Yes, ladies, there is a solution. Now, stay with me:

- You should always shave your bikini line last in the shower when skin is softest. And don’t lather on the same shaving gel you use on your legs; use this gel from BikiniZone instead. It moisturizes skin as it sits there and is clear so you can see what you’re doing. At only $4.99, this gel is a necessity and I have found it to be proven to prevent unwanted bumps.

- When it’s time to actually begin the shaving process, you want to switch up your razor, too. The Noxzema mini bikini razor is made just for this area – small and delicate – so it’s much better suited to the job than whatever you’re using on those legs. It also comes in a three-pack, which makes it much easier to grab a new one often. And you should! It is important to keep the razor sharp and prevent buildup; a dull, used blade will create more problems down there than a new one. Read More »

The summer months bring a lot of wonderful events, weather conditions and cute outfits to our lives. One thing that is not cute though: dealing with the sweat factor while trying to maintain a clear complexion.

Heat = sweat

Sweat = pimples

As someone who enjoys the outdoors, runs almost daily and has a tendency to break a sweat during even the smallest tasks (like walking to my car!), I have come up with some easy ways to maintain a blemish free face for the warm months.

Less is more. Whether you’re going to work, to a picnic or to a bar, summer days and nights can become excruciatingly hot and humid. One of the best ways to keep your skin clear is to wear less foundation (no cake make-up, ladies) while you’re out and about. Since most individuals have a natural glow in the summer, due to the heat, the use of lots of foundation blocks air from getting to your pores. This prevents your pores from breathing properly, thus creating bacteria build-up that can turn into pimples. If you cannot bear to go without some face make-up, use a tinted moisturizer, light powder or bronzer to give yourself a base. Read More »