Author: Merlezgirlz

Extreme heat can cause makeup products to separate, melt, dry out, or lose pigmentation. High temperatures affect the stability of ingredients, leading to changes in texture and performance, making them less effective and difficult to apply, as well as affecting the product’s safety.

Key ingredients such as waxes, oils, and preservatives in makeup are particularly vulnerable to heat, leading to changes in texture and effectiveness.

Opting for waterproof formulas and cream or gel products can reduce the risk of melting and crumbling in hot conditions.

Look out for visual indicators like separation and clumping, and performance changes such as reduced pigmentation or application difficulty to identify if makeup has been damaged.

The best approach to keeping one’s makeup safe is to not store it in a hot car or any other hot environment.

A recent Tik Tok trend touts using beef tallow on your skin.

So, what is beef tallow? Beef fat goes through a rendering process. In this process, moisture is removed from raw animal fat through evaporation. When melted and cooled, beef tallow has a balm-like consistency. It is similar to coconut oil. This consistency makes it easy to spread on the skin.

Tallow is typically sold in its purest form, meaning that it contains no added ingredients. Some suppliers may also include honey because of its additional skin benefits. It has the ability to soften skin. Honey can also heal scarring or wounds. Tallow is rich in many nutrients. These include vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12. They may help to hydrate and moisturize the skin.

 However, tallow is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, potential risks from using beef tallow include allergic reactions, sunburn, breakouts and interactions that can exacerbate current skin conditions. It can cause increased sun sensitivity. Due to its oily consistence, it is not recommended for everyday use. Dermatologists say it can cause moisture loss and clogged pores.

Our recommendation is to use a moisturizer that is backed by safety standards and has the approval of your dermatologist.

Remember that skin is your largest organ; it’s never too late to start taking care of it. Increased sun exposure in summer can lead to UV damage and more oil production. To maintain healthy skin:

Vellus hair (peach fuzz) is fine and short. It grows all over your body, including your face, stomach, arms, and legs. Vellus hair helps regulate your body temperature and protects your skin

Although there isn’t a medical reason to remove normal vellus hair, you may want to get rid of peach fuzz. Many women prefer to remove vellus hair on their face. The smooth surface allows for more effective performance of serums and moisturizers. It also gives a better result for makeup application. Several methods are effective at removing vellus hair, including:

          Depilatory creams – can dissolve hair below the surface of your skin. If you are removing peach fuzz on your face, be sure to use a depilatory cream made for the face. Depilatory creams for body hair are too strong and can cause damage to facial skin.

          Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive procedure. It removes the skin’s top layer by using a special instrument. This instrument shaves the uppermost layers along with the peach fuzz.

          Waxing – using hot, sticky wax and a cloth to pull hairs from their follicles.

Never try to bleach vellus hair. It can cause damage to your skin. It may also lead to permanent changes to your skin tone.

Remember to choose the best, safest method for you to remove hair to avoid skin irritation and redness.

“Men’s skin is approximately 25% thicker than women’s due to higher collagen density. This can make men’s skin more resilient but also more prone to certain types of acne and oiliness,” said Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a board-certified dermatologist.

In reality, men have similar skin needs as women. Everyone should be cleansing, moisturizing and using sunscreen at the least.  No one should use body wash or soap on one’s face – always use a facial cleanser.

Choosing the right products specifically formulated for men’s skin is essential. Many mens’ skincare products are designed to address their unique concerns, such as thicker skin and higher oil production.

Step 1: Cleanse

Select a gentle facial cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid for acne-prone skin, or hydrating elements like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture balance.

Step 2: Moisturize

After cleansing, apply a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Men with oily skin may prefer a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, while those with dry skin should opt for a richer formula. Moisturizing helps to keep the skin hydrated, supple, and protected against environmental stressors.

Step 3: Sun Protection

Sun protection is crucial for preventing premature aging and skin cancer. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even on cloudy days or when indoors, as UV rays can penetrate through windows.

By following these three basic steps—cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun, men (and women) can maintain healthy, resilient skin and address common skin issues effectively.

Using a cleanse-tone-moisturize system is a must. And if you read our last blog post, you learned all about masks and why it’s important to add them to your routine. But when you start seeing discoloration, fine lines or uneven texture, it’s time to add some potent serum into the mix. They help target specific concerns and boost all the benefits of your current skin care. You can treat the appearance of past damage AND help prevent future visible damage by adding serums to your daily regimen. I admit, when I first started working at Merle Norman, I hadn’t even heard of serums. But when I learned about their benefits and saw how many ladies included them in their daily routines (and how great their skin looked), I added them to my daily skincare regimen. And I must say, I really do notice a difference!

Serums: 101

WHAT are serums? Serums are treatments that target specific concerns with concentrated key ingredients.

HOW do serums work? Lighter and faster are qualities we look for in a computer. They’re also the attributes that make serums effective. The molecules in serums are smaller than those in moisturizers so the skin absorbs them quicker and deeper.

WHY use serums? By using serums, you can intensify the strength of your skin care regimen and more effectively address your skin concerns. The difference can be quite remarkable, provided you use the serums correctly and consistently.

HOW to apply serums? Serums are applied after cleanser and toner, but before moisturizer. Since they’re super-concentrated, you only need a few drops to cover your entire face. Apply the serum with one or two fingers (to avoid wasting the serum on your hands) and massage thoroughly into the skin. Follow with a daytime moisturizer containing sunscreen in the morning; apply a richer night cream over the serum before bed.

*Pro Tip: Exfoliate first. Clearing away dead cells helps serums penetrate more effectively.

WHEN will you see results from serums? Depending on the serums, you may see or feel an immediate improvement. But like most skin care, they require about four weeks of consistent use for visible results. After that, you’ll find that serums are an indispensable part of your daily skin care regimen.

5 Smart Tips About Layering Serums

As women have become savvier about their skin care regimens, layering has become increasingly popular. Get the best results from your serums by applying products like the pros.

1. Begin thin. The thinner the serum consistency, the easier it is for the skin to absorb, and the easier it is to apply more than one. Layer serums in order of consistency, starting with the most liquid.
2. Take your vitamins. Think of vitamin-enriched serums as valuable daily supplements for your skin. Just a few drops of serum containing Vitamins A, C and E and other Antioxidants like Green Tea helps keep aging skin away!
3. Let it dry. Wait a minute or two between applying the layers of serums to allow them to absorb and to avoid pilling or balling of products.
4. Protect yourself. Prevent the potent ingredients in serums from disappearing into thin air by topping skin with a moisturizer. This keeps the ingredients from evaporating, thus increasing contact time with the skin while also locking in hydration to enhance penetration. Remember, no matter what amazing serums you apply to your skin, you’ll ruin the results if you don’t wear a moisturizer with sunscreen during the day.
5. Sleep on it. Include Retinol in your nighttime routine based on your skin’s tolerance. It’s the #1 wrinkle-fighting ingredient and it works its magic at night when your body is naturally resting and rejuvenating.

Merle Norman offers a number of serums designed to address your specific skin concerns. They include:

–For Dryness:

Energizing Concentrate provides daily hydration for dry, stressed skin. It contains Sodium Hyaluronate which helps boost the performance of your moisturizer.

Anti-Aging Complex Dry Oil Serum provides a more youthful appearance and protects against environmental damage. Complexion is smoother and more radiant.

-For Sagging & Deep Lines:

Wrinkle Smoother Lift & Firm Serum helps to lift, firm, and revitalize skin, making it look and feel more smooth and supple.

-For Uneven Texture:

Retinol Night Complex– A natural derivative of Vitamin A that helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Reveals a smoother, more radiant and youthful complexion.

AHA Intensive Complex provides continuous exfoliation with a 10% concentration of Alpha Hydroxy Fruit Acids to help improve skin texture, tone and clarity.

Renew provides continuous exfoliation with non-acid ingredients to help improve skin texture, tone and clarity.

-For Discoloration:

Brilliant-C Brightening Serum helps promote a brighter complexion and helps diminish the appearance of spots with Bright+ Complex, an exclusive blend of Vitamin C and other brightening agents.

–For Fine Lines:

Fine Line Minimizer is an intensive Pro-Retinol serum that helps significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines, laugh lines and “crow’s feet.”

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Serums are the perfect way to super-charge your skincare routine. Remember, it’s never too early or too late to help protect skin from aging and to help improve problem areas.

*Serum information originally published in Merle Norman Beauty News Volume One 2015*