August 13, 2012
by Julia DiNardo
Shaving, sweating, irritation — it’s the cycle that your armpits go through in the summer, and as much as I love a heavy duty antiperspirant/deodorant, it can really clog pores and add to the problem. Give your pits a break from the congestion and abuse with a more gentle, natural approach. I’ve added the Dermalogica Environmental Control Deodorant, $20, into the mix, which has a wonderful unisex fragrance, is aluminum-free, and is perfect for sensitive skin. The largely natural formulation utilizes parsley seed oil to helps reduce irritation and odor (who knew?), while clove flower and hyssop extracts, and coriander fruit oil, also work to cut down funky smells. More natural ingredients such as eucalyptus leaf, lemon peel, rosemary leaf, and tea tree leaf work on keeping bacteria to a minimum.
So go ahead summer humidity, heat and sticky underground sweltering subways — -take your best shot!
-Julia DiNardo
October 20, 2011
by Julia DiNardo
[My Dermalogica face mapping and prescription, post-facial]
I recently got a facial at Dermalogica Academy, a terrific school and treatment facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC, and had to share a bit about the experience, as I not only received a superb treatment, but also a prescription, and tips to extend a great complexion beyond the facial.
First, at Dermalogica Academy, extractions during a facial do not hurt and are are non-scarring. The technique that students learn is not the traditional push and squeeze method that we all do at home in front of the mirror, but rather a side-to-side wiggle. I asked my skin expert, Susan, how and why it is done that way, and essentially, the rationale behind it is to first lift the entire pore, and then to gently nudge out all of stuff in the blackhead or whitehead, or zit instead of just pinching out the top half of it, and then leaving it open to get bacteria inside.
Dermalogica also used a formula that opens up the pores, making this whole process easier, and then afterward, another product to seal the problem areas’ pores. Instead of going at a pimple with the tips of your fingers next time, try to start outward and raise up the area, creating a plateau, and then with the sides of your fingers, move slightly back and forth to nudge it out. Pretty easy, and non-damaging to the skin, as you won’t damage anywhere else on yoru face with the force of your fingernails.
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