Skin Care

I view taking care of my appearance as a chance to pamper myself. After last week’s blog on Beauty Tips was published, I received many questions about my skin care regimen, specifically how I take care of my skin and the products I use.

I treat myself to a deep cleansing facial once a month at the Yasmine Djerradine Spa in New York. Just a short walk from Barneys, this Moroccan inspired spa is a peaceful sanctuary from my fast-paced life.

If a professional facial is out of your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of products in your drugstore or supermarket designed to treat any skin type. Olay has some great products and my daughter Victoria is a big fan.

You can pamper your skin at home by following these guidelines for a simple at-home facial. This whole process takes less than 45 minutes. Carve out this time for yourself each month regardless of how busy you are. You are worth it!

1. Lock the bathroom door, lower the lights, burn scented candles and put on some soft, restful music.
2. Wash your face gently with a cleanser, cream or mild soap. Rinse with warm water.Steam your skin over a bowl of hot water. Carefully lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. Be careful not burn yourself.
3. Next, exfoliate gently with a scrubbing product or a slightly rough washcloth. Rinse the exfoliating product away with warm water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
4. Apply a mask of your choice, remembering to choose the correct product for your skin type. Set a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and hope your kids don’t interrupt, but they will, that is why in Step 1, you locked the door.
5. Rinse with cool water and feel how smooth your skin is.

Each day, it is important to cleanse, tone, moisturize and protect your skin with sunscreen. Don’t forget your décolletage and the backs of your hands. Remember to remove your makeup before bed each night so your skin can breathe.

Right now, I’m using these products in my daily skin care regimen. You can pick them up at any department store or online.

1. Cleanser: B. Kamins Chemist, Vegetable Skin Cleanser (all-in-one cleansing and makeup removal).
2. Toner/Exfoliation: Biologique Recherche Paris, Lotion P50 (just a few drops on a cotton pad balances skin and reduces pores).
3. Day Cream: Intraceuticals, Rejuvenate Moisture Binding Cream (locks in moisture and prevents environmental damage).
4. Night Cream: B. Kamins Chemist, Menopause Skin Cream (provides the skin with vital nutrients lost during peri-menopause and menopause).
5. Eye Cream: Revision, Teamine Eye Complex (reduces under eye darkness while moisturizing).
6. Mask: Biologique, Masque Vivant (mask balances skin, reduces pores, controls sebum).
7. Sunscreen: Laroche-Posay, Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Melt in tinted cream.
8. Eye Makeup Remover: Clinique Rinse Off Eye Makeup Solvent, the blue bottle.

Tip: Here is my Skin Mask Recipe – use three times per week for vibrant skin.

1-Tablespoon Biologique Masque Vivant
1-Teaspoon Lotion P50
½ Teaspoon Baking Soda

Mix ingredients together and apply to face. Relax. Leave on for ten to fifteen minutes. You can rinse the mask off in the shower or in the sink with cool water. I prefer to shower since it’s a pretty sticky mask.