Questions and Answers Regarding Skincare

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Skin Care Questions

hello, I was wondering if there was a way to make my skin look fair. Naturally I have a light olive complexion (which is almost sallow and dull) I prefer a fairer look over sun-tanned. Someone told me to dust babypowder over my face, but that was NOT a good solution....baby powder does not spread nicley at all. I also tried a lightening cream to no avail...instead of the light skin it promised me I got pimples....that stuff ruined my skin! (its almost gone though) I hope you have some advice for me! thanks! -Stephanie

You are sort of on the right track with the powder, however, you should not use baby powder because it is a thick powder and as you learned did not spread well. You should try an ultra light powder though such as Bren Powder In A Brush. Also try using a very light foundation such as Colose Caprice. One thing you should always remember is when applying foundation and powder that is 2 or more shades lighter than your skin you will have to learn to blend, blend, blend otherwise you will have a foundation line that will really look unprofessional. Be sure to apply the powder on your neck and up to your ear. This may take some practice but I think you will get the effect you are looking for. Also be very careful when using skin lightening products as they can be more hazardous than just causing a pimple. They can affect the melanin in the skin. Please read our article entitled: The Darker Side of Skin Lighteners.

Hello, I am writing to see if you can answer a question for me. The pores on my legs are so big. I just shaved today and my legs are smooth but it does not look like I've shaved in a week. I was hoping you could help me solve my problem. Thanks a bunch!

It may help for you to try waxing as this removes the hair. However, if this does not help then your problem could be hereditary or the work of dead skin cells, oil, dirt and other particles surrounding the outside of the pore and even into the pore. The best way to remove this dirt is to exfoliate. I recommend you use Colosé Cosmetics Corporel Peeling Body Scrub. This product has tiny sand particles that exfoliate your body (not to be use on face). I would follow up with a Toner to help tighten the pores and reduce their appearance.

Please inform me about the benefits of avocado, papaya, mandarine, calendula, aloe vera in the lotions.

Avocado Oil is rich in Vitamin A and D. It is a very moisturizing oil and especially beneficial for rash, eczema, mature skin, parched skin, and aging skin. Our Milk of Avocado is especially formulated for dry and sensitive skin.

Papaya is rich in vitamins C and E. It is a great exfoliating agent and is very effective in softening the skin. Used for normal and combination skin types.

Mandarine is rich in essentials oils that have a soothing and conditioning effect on the skin. It is very moisturizing and recommended for all skin types.

Calendula is also rich in essential oils that have a healing effect. It is often used in baby creams and lotions and is beneficial for repairing damaged skin. It is high in carotenoids, which aids the skin to become smooth and pliant.

Aloe Vera is known to stimulate the production of collagen and reduce inflammation. It is recommended for use in young skin prone to acne as well as aging skin.

Hi, I'm 25 yrs old and I live in Egypt. A couple of months ago my skin became really dry due to the cold winter and probably also the heaters at work/home. My moisturiser at the time (St. Ives Collagen & Elastin) did not seem to help at all and eventually I ended up with several fine lines & wrinkles under my eyes, which are making me look much older. I switched to Oil of Olay intense nourishing cream, which helped to moisturize my whole face very well. However, it seems that I am stuck with my extremely premature wrinkles, as they did not disappear with the dryness. I was never one to spend a lot of time in the sun. On the contrary, I usually avoid it and protect my skin from it when exposed for long periods. I just can't explain what happened and it seems that I can not find anyone who is able to explain it to me as it doesn't seem to happen to anyone else. I can't even find anyone with a similar situation on the net. It is becoming really depressing and I don't know what to do. I keep trying different anti-wrinkle creams & natural oils (oil of olay, nivea, olive oil, jojoba oil, almond oil) but nothing seems to be helping. I have little hope left that anything will actually make a difference & help me to get rid of them. I am also worried that the anti-wrinkle creams, being designed for older women, are not appropriate for my skin and that I might end up harming it rather than helping it. Since it seems I have a rare case, there is no cream or lotion available for premature wrinkles at my age. I can't seem to find an appropriate and effective solution to my condition and age. Please help!

Aging is not the only cause of eye wrinkles. The skin around the eye is very thin and delicate. Allergies can cause wrinkle because when you have itchy, irritated eyes there is a tendency to rub them thus stretching the skin around the eye. Smoking and stress can also produce premature wrinkles by drying out the skin and causing the loss of elasticity. And of couse the sun. Do not use soap on your face, rather use a Cleansing Milk or Cleansing Cream. Make sure you do not use toner with alcohol. You need to use a collagen cream such as Colosè Creme Miracle or Face Cream with Collagen. I like both of these creams because not only do they contain collagen and elastin but also proteins and shea butter which helps to firm and restore loose skin. Bren Body Butter is the ultimate hydrating cream. This soothing formula is blended with highly emollient natural oils, enriched with shea butter and anti-oxidants for maximum moisture retention and skin suppleness.

You will need to keep trying different creams until you are satisfied that a cream is actually helping you. Colosè also has two other creams that I highly recommend for sensitive and dry skin. They are Cream Sensitive and Day Cream Hydroactive. I have had a customer tell me that they have been searching for 1/2 a century for a cream and finally found it in Cream Sensitive.

Premature wrinkles can also be hereditary. Take a good look at the skin around your mom and grandmothers eyes. If there are deep wrinkles there you will have to be very diligent in your life time to do all you can to delay the signs of aging.

I have Vitaligo and was using one Lancome product which did cover extremeley well. COLOR FOCUS Ombre mono finesse et tenue record Excepcional Wear Smooth Eye Colour LANCÔME Paris 204 Duel Soleil. Do you know what could be the Dermablend equivalent?

I believe that an equivalent dermablend color would be sand beige. However, I do not really understand how an eyeshadow can cover vitaligo. I would really like you to try special coverage by Bren Cosmetics. You would apply this corrector under your foundation and I think you will be very pleased with how it conceals. It is by far the best priced product of both the Lancome and the Dermablend products.

Hi, What is the role of an emulsion in skincare products?

The role of an emulsion in skincare products is to remove dead skin cells and deeply penetrated the skin to remove dirt and grime. Emulsions will leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Hi, I'm 16 years old, I'm wondering if you have any kind of remedy or product that would reduce the visible pores on my nose, I've tried all sorts of pore cleansers and they do nothing for it... please help me! Thanks! :)

Great question! The reduction of pores begins with a cleansing routine. First, I recommend Lotion Nettoyage from Colosé Cosmetics from Switzerland. This cream contains coconut oil that will deeply clean your pores and eliminate blackheads. You need to apply this lotion onto your face for five (5) minutes then rinse off and treat with Toner. Toner is important because it causes the pores to close and because it has natural fruit acids it will slough away dead skin cells.

Twice a week you will need to apply a facemask treatment. For your condition I again recommend a product from Colosé Cosmetics. Masque Végétal is a rich herbal mask with St. John's Wort and Calendula. Both aid in the purification of your skin. Apply the mask for 15 minutes then rise off. You will need to do this for one month (skin cell turnover) for the best results.

I am 14 and always getting cold sores, and lots of spots, and I have blackheads, all my friends can't see them, but I feel very self-conscious about it, I avoid my boyfriend when I have them because I'm embarrassed about it, how can I get rid of them quickly I use face washes religiously but it doesn't seem to help, what do you suggest?

Cold sores will need to be treated with medication. You apply this medication directly onto the sore. Cold sores can be brought on by stress and hormonal changes. The active ingredient needed to treat the sore is Aciclovir (lips) so look for this to be in the cream.

Blackheads are a completely different story. The treatment of blackheads begins with a cleansing routine. You must follow this routine for several weeks in order to really see the reduction in stubborn blackheads. First, use a cleanser specially formulated to treat acne and blackheads. I recommend Lotion Nettoyage from Colosé Cosmetics from Switzerland. This cream contains coconut oil that will deeply clean your pores and eliminate blackheads. You need to apply this lotion onto your face for five (5) minutes then rinse off and treat with Toner. Toner is important because it causes the pores to close and because it has natural fruit acids it will slough away dead skin cells.

I have a brown skin complexion and have some discoloration on my skin, I wanted to know what product is the best for me to use so I can lighting my skin to match the rest of my body and how do I put it on, if I apply a discoloration with my bare hands will it mess up the complexion of my hands?

First, before you think about using skin lightening products you should read our article entitled, The Darker Side of Skin Lighteners.

If you would like to minimize the appearance of the discolorations on your skin, then I recommend you use two different shades of foundation, one that is the same color as your discoloration and one that is the same color of your skin. You want to place the foundation that is the same color as your skin on the discoloration area and you want to place the foundation that is the same color of your discoloration on the rest of your skin.

Using a sponge, blend the two areas together. Don't over blend. You want to minimize the area of contrast and not just make a new shade of foundation. The next step, loose powder, is an absolute must. The loose powder will set the two foundations in place and help them stay in place throughout the day. The loose powder will also help to cover the signs of blending and make for a smoother appearance.

I have combination skin, my pores are clearly visible, will getting a certain facial help reduce the size of my pores?

Facials that contain Clay (Kaolin) or sea weed or ocean/sand grains will help remove the deep down impurities and reduce the size of your pores. A toner that helps open pores, remove dirt and dead skin and then reopen the pores should follow your facial.

You can have professional facials done, which can be costly, or you can do your own facial at home. When people do facials at home they are called Mask treatments. Herbal Mask, Wheat Mask, Clarifying Mask, Green Clay Mask and Vitalizing Masks are some examples. For reducing pores I would recommend using a Green Clay Mask two times a week. It is also very important to have a daily cleansing routine to keep your pores clean and free of the dirt and make-up that cause pores to be more visible. For combination skin, I would recommend Crème de Nettoyage (Cleansing Cream) by Colosé Cosmetics.

I have dark shades under my eye how can I get rid of them?

Dark shadows are the plague us all. There a few products on the market called correctors that will make the shadows disappear. You need to find the right corrector for your problem. Make-up USA sells color correctors in their "Platinum Collection". Mint will neutralize redness, Alabaster covers dark circles on warm skin tones (this is probably most people), and Lavender gives a yellowish complexion a healthy glow and covers shadows/sallowness. Apply correctors after moisturizing and before foundation.

I HAVE SEVERE VERTICAL LIP WRINKLES AROUND MY WHOLE MOUTH. I AM A TEACHER AND THE CHILDREN CALL ME WITCH. WHAT CAN I DO AND WHAT COLOR AND KIND OF LIPSTICK SHOULD I BE WEARING?

Do you have a skin care routine? The first thing you need to do is obtain a skin care routine. As we age, our skin loses moisture and tends to be dryer. We also lose Collagen. I recommend the following routine:

First cleanse with Colosé Cleansing Milk: it is formulated with Vitamins C and E, which will help stimulate the Collagen rejuvenating process. Next, you need to tone your skin with a Toner free of alcohol. This will remove any dead skin cells and freshen your look. If you want a great mask treatment, try Colosé's Vitalizing Mask, which can be used as a mask or as a quick booster to tighten the skin. If you choose not to do a mask, you will then need to moisturize with either a moisturizing milk or a cream treatment. I would recommend for the vertical lines an application twice a day of Miracle Cream around your lips, eyes and neck. Use light massaging motions until the cream is absorbed into your skin.

The last step is to apply your make-up. Again, it is important to avoid foundations that leave your skin dry, so look for a moisturizing foundation. You will need to use a lip liner around the outer edge of your lips, this will help to make them appear fuller and prevent lipstick color from bleeding into your lines. I would recommend a liner and a lipstick in similar shades of pink or rose. You want more muted colors for your lips and a color that blends well with your current lip color. The worst thing you can do is use bright red or berry colors. Those will draw attention to your lips and those colors tend to bleed into the wrinkles regardless of a lip liner.

Hi! I am 42 and always looked very young. During the past year I have aged a lot and I am developing some deep vertical lip lines. I take pretty good care of my skin but I must have done some serious sun damage to my skin in my younger days to have caused such a drastic change in my looks. What can I do?

You must faithfully do a daily skincare routine for aging skin. Approximately 90% of all changes in skin are due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet light not only damages the DNA in the cells of the skin, but also inhibits the repair mechanisms that repair damaged skin cells. The breakdown or depletion of DNA, collagen, Elastin, hyaluronic acid and other supporting molecules in the dermis all lead to the clinical changes of facial aging. Wrinkles usually take 30 years to develop and are slow to remove. Most topical products are designed to moisturize and hydrate the skin, lessen fine lines, reduce roughness and pigmentation, and protect the skin from sun damage.

Colosé Skin Care products are designed to lessen fine lines around the eyes and on the face. However, there are ways you can also lessen the changes of facial aging without spending a lot of money.

Stop Smoking. Smoking can cause a dramatic increase in aging and wrinkles of the face. A one pack a day smoker will save $750.00 a year by stopping smoking.
Avoid Sun Exposure. Protect your face and arms by wearing clothes with long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Eat a balanced diet.
Get 8 hours of sleep each night and maintain a happy outlook. Think Positive!
Drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Take a daily vitamin with ample quantities of Vitamin C and E.
If you have dry skin, moisturize, moisturize and moisturize.
Glycolic acid an alpha-hydroxy acid from the sugarcane plant has been shown to reduce the fine lines of aging and to reduce blotchy pigmentation on the face.
Vitamin C creams and lotions. Creams containing Vitamin C have been proven to increase collagen production and reduce the damaging effects of the sun.

What would you suggest to cover up dark facial hair?

To cover up dark facial hair, I would suggest a loose powder that is close to your skin tone or translucent. You can also use a compact powder. The loose powder will adhere to the hairs and blend them with your skin tone. However, if this doesn't work, I would recommend trying to remove the hair either with laser surgery or with electrolysis.

What will cover up my discoloration on my forehead best?

Depending on the severity of the discoloration, you may want to try something like Dermablend, which will cover, even tattoos. If the discoloration is red in color, you want to try Highlighter by Colosé. This product is great for covering redness and shadows. The Compact Cream Powder Concealer by Colosé is also a great choice. It covers minor blemishes and discolorations well.

I have a fair complexion, and on my upper lip and chin I have tiny black hairs that are quite embarrassing. They're not too prominent, but I'd still like to get rid of them permanently or else slow them down. Is there something I could use instead of laser treatment?

Electrolysis is the next best treatment to permanately remove hair. It is done using electricity to kill the hair follicle. It may take one or more treatments to completely remove the hair.

What can I use for my face to be smooth and fresh?

For your skin to be smooth and fresh you will need a cleansing/skin care routine. I recommend the following for a great fresh look:

First, cleanse with either a Cleansing Cream or Cleansing Lotion that will remove the dirt, dead skin cells and make-up that are inside of your pores. The second, and very important step in having a fresh look is to use a Toner without Alcohol. The Colosé toner contains natural fruit acids that gently slough away dead skin and cells and causes pores to close, then gradually reopen resulting in an improved appearance. Follow this step with a Milk of Mandarines moisturizer with natural fruit oils for a fresh appearance.

I am peeling from sunburn, but it's a weird sort of peeling. The normal dry, flaky skin is coming off, but it results in my pigment showing. My mom says it will blend in, but do you have any solutions to help it blend in SOON! Thanks

If your pigment is showing then it means you had a very severe sunburn. Don't let this happen again as it may lead to skin damage and later skin cancer. Your mother is right and your skin will naturally heal itself. Do not pick the skin off, let it come off on its own, otherwise you may run the risk of scaring (similar to if you pick at a scab). You can try to exfoliate gently with Corporal Peeling Body Scrub and Moisturize using Milk of Banana or Milk of Calendula for dry skin.

I think I've damaged the follicles on part of my eyebrows because it's been ages (at least a few months) and there's nothing growing back. Is there anything I can do about it to help it grow back?

This is a real problem. Eyebrows are very sensitive. Once you wax or pluck them, they will never be the same. Some people have them grow back instantly and others never have the hair grow back. There is nothing you can do to stimulate the re-growth of eyebrow hair. No products are available on the market and you can't transplant the hair because then it would look like head hair. The only solution is to fill in the eyebrow line with eyebrow pencil. Choose a color that best matches your natural eyebrow color.

How can I make the pores on my face look smaller or even gone? My pores are really big and I find it difficult to get the look I desire.

Most enlarged pores on the face are the result of hereditary factors more than anything else. You really cannot make the pores disappear. You will have to create the illusion of a poreless complexion. Apply foundation, concealer, powder and blush in a downward motion, otherwise you'll accentuate pores by pushing color up and into them. For a temporary fix, especially for a special event, I recommend using Colosé Serum Vital Lifting. It tightens and tones the surface layer, refreshs, moisturizes and firms your skin. With the first application the skin becomes even, smooth and has a radiant appearance. The tightness last approximately 4 to 6 hours and definitely makes your pores seem much smaller or even gone. Apply before makeup and let completely dry.

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