How do I get rid of dark circles under the eyes? They are grayish black and very prominent and they make me look sleepless and tired.

For a quick fix you will have to use a concealer. To treat the dark circles you should use a cream that reduces skin discolorations such as Colosé Cream with Alpha Hydroxy Acids. The fruit acids beautify the skin and evens out skin tone. Undereye circles are due to the thinness of the skin beneath the eyes, which is greater in some individuals than others. The thin skin allows dark, venous blood to show through. They are usually genetic in nature.

My knees and elbows are so much different in color than the rest of my body they are darker and I'm embarresed to wear short skirts what to do?

My knees and elbows are very dark. Rubbing lemon hasn't helped. Please suggest something that would help. Thank you.

Papaya is a great exfoliating agent and is very effective in softening the skin on the elbows and knees. I recommend using Colosé Milk of Papaya and again, I highly recommend Colosé Cream with Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Rub the cream on your elbows and knees every day. Our body scrub contains little sandgrains that quickly and gently remove dead skin cells and blemishes. Skin gets a fresh glow and feels like silk. For extreme discolorations, you may have to use a skin bleaching agent. Before doing so though please read our article on Skin Bleaching.

What can I do to cover my wrinkles, pimples and blackheads? How can I get a very good blend of makeup (I have a chocolate coloured skin ). How do I apply a concealer?

Please read the answer below as your questions are similar. Gently apply a little concealer with your fingertips. Our concealer, though matt consistency, is very creamy but you can even make it more creamy by adding a few dots of moisturizer to your face as you apply the concealer. I prefer to apply the concealer first and then the foundation, but I know a lot of people do just the opposite. Do everything lightly at first as it is much easier to add more than to try to remove it. Be very gentle around your eyes as the skin is delicate and thin in this area. Rather than just trying to cover pimples and blackheads, you should also get down to the reasons why you have them and treat them with cleansing products and face masks made especially to rid your complexion of them. For wrinkles I highly recommend our Collagen Cream or Cream with Q10.

I am African American, I would say that I am the same color of skin as Beyonce and Halle Berry. I was wondering what kinds of make-up do they wear or what kind would you suggest that I try. I have oily skin and make-up always darkens on me after a couple of hours because of the oil production in my skin. Also I have undereye circles can you tell me the best product to camouflage them. Thanks.

Well unfortunately I do not know what kind of makeup Beyoncé or Halle Berry use. But I will tell you this, Colosé makeup has been chosen for the past two years to represent the faces in the Miss Finland Beauty Pageant. And, of course, we recommend our makeup. You should try our Soleil Foundation and Terre de Soleil compact cream powder. For undereye circles please try our compact cream powder concealer. The color will look too light for you, but it is made for all skin tones and you will be pleasantly surprised how well it blends in and covers dark circles. You should also treat your oily skin by using cleansing products made especially for oily skin and also a cream to decrease the appearance of dark circles such as our Cream Miracle. I recommend Milk of Aloe for a day moisturizer.

Can I reduce the appearance of broken red capillaries around my eyes without using chemicals or laser treatment?

You may want to try Colosé Milk of Calendula Moisturizer. Calendula helps damaged blood vessels to seal, stopping bleeding and preventing bruising. Its anti-inflammatory, wound healing and sedative properties are used frequently in cosmetics.

What can I use on my lips such as sunscreen to prevent cold sores/herpes?

Too much sun can trigger a cold sore if the virus is already in your system. So yes, using sunscreen can help to prevent a cold sore. Cold sores are common. But though you can't cure or prevent cold sores, you can take steps to reduce their frequency and to limit the duration of an occurrence. If you have ever had a cold sore, then the virus is in your system and lies dormant until something triggers it. You usually feel a tingling sensation near your lip a couple of days before a cold sore blister appears. You can take steps to guard against cold sores, to prevent spreading them to other parts of your body or to avoid passing them along to another person:

Is "non-acnegenic" on the cosmetic products includes "not clogging pores" as well?

Non-acnegenic is a term that denotes a product has been tested and proven not to cause blemishes. The product itself will not clog pores. But, if you already have clogged pores the product itself will not unclog them. You will have to use cleansing products especially made for clogged pores to clear your skin.

Hi, I have a dark bluish-green birth mark on top of my right eye and forhead. "It`s pretty big." I am very ashamed of it and have not worn my hair up and out in public for the last 6 years. I`ve been trying to find all sorts of make up to cover it up so that I can finally wear my hair up for the first time in public, but nothing seems works. As a kid, growing up was the hardest thing ever. I just wish for once I can just wear up my hair in public and look normal and most of all BEAUTIFUL. It`s sad. I use to cry about my birth mark all the time and ask my mother, "Why me?. I hate it so much!" For once I just want to be beautiful and be able to wear my hair up. I am tire of looking ugly. Please help me and tell me what I can do to cover this horrible image up. Thank you. -faith-

I recommend that you try Dermablend Cover Creme. You can achieve flawless coverage for scars, Port Wine birthmarks, varicose veins, vitiligo, and age spots. With built-in sun protection (SPF 30), this product is perfect as an everyday makeup foundation. Dermablend Cover Creme is suitable for all skin types, and is waterproof and smudge-resistant. 20 Shades. Please read our article on corrective cosmetics.

I HAVE OILY AND ACNE PRONE SKIN. I`VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SUNSCREEN THAT WILL NOT BREAK ME OUT. I`VE TRIED DOVE SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, ALTHOUGH LIGHT IN TEXTURED, I STILL BROKE OUT. I`VE TRIED NEUTROGENA SUNSCREEN , AND I STILL BROKE OUT, EVEN WHEN THE PRODUCT SAYS OIL-FREE, AND NON-COMEDOGENIC, AND HYPO-ALLERGENIC, AND I STILL FIND MYSELF BREAKING OUT. I EVEN PUT ON NEUTROGENA BENZOYL PEROXIDE ON-THE-SPOT-TREATMENT UNDER THE SUNSCREEN AND I STILL BREAK OUT. I KNOW THAT PRODUCTS THAT HAVE "PARABEN", LANOLIN, AND OTHER INGREDIENTS AREN`T GOOD FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN, BUT WHAT IS? CAN YOU PLEASE SUGGEST A PRODUCT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR OILY AND ACNE PRONE SKIN. I REMEMBER THIS DOCTOR GAVE ME A SAMPLE SUNSCREEN WHICH ONLY CONTAINED OR TWO INGREDIENTS, AND IT DIDN`T BREAK ME OUT. I CAN`T REMEMBER THE NAME THOUGH. HELP ME PLEASE, ITS VERY IMPORATNT TO ME BECAUSE I`M ALSO USING RETIN-A MICRO 1% WHICH MAKES ME MORE SENSITIVE TO THE SUN THANK YOU.

Yes, even products that are advertised as all natural usually contain preservatives such as paraben. You know, because of some of the creams you are putting on your face that you should stay out of the sun. I would like to recommend Colosé Sunscreen for you but the highest sun factor we have is 19. Since you have already tried some of the most popular sunscreens on the market I suggest you try a sunscreen product that is made especially for baby skin such as Kids Spectra3 SPF 50 made by Coppertone. It is Pediatrician tested, and helps protects children while they have fun in the sun. It is formulated with Aloe, Vitamins A, C & E. and moisturizes and hydrates sun-exposed skin and has a sun factor of 50. I feel you should use a sun factor of 30 plus because of your use of a retinol cream.

I have very bad scares on my legs and hair bumps too. I was wondering if you knew somewhere I could buy some concealer for my legs and some type of chemical that opens up the pores on my legs so that the hair will grow. thank you

Several times a week apply steam for 5 to 10 minutes to open up pores and loosen the plugs clogging the pores. Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin, sebum and plugged pores. You will need to exfoliate your legs with a product that contains tiny sand grains, or something that will help gently remove dead skin cells. I recommend Peeling Corporal Body Scrub by Colosé Skin Care. It contains the tiny sand grains and will leave your skin feeling smooth. You may also want to try Dermablend Leg and Body Cover Cream. I advise you to consult a dermatologist to get an assessment of your leg scars and hair bumps.

I have scars on my legs since I was 6. I really want them to fade away because I can't wear skirts at all. I'm only fourteen.

It is unlikely that your scars will just fade away after all this time. You may want to try some concealer type products over the scars or perhaps a treatment cream containing alpha hydroxy acids as the acids beautify the skin by exfoliating dead skin cells and improving the texture of rough, damaged skin. Colosé has a cream with AHAs that we recommend. Also try Peeling Corporal Body Scrub by Colosé Skin Care. It contains tiny sand grains and will leave your skin feeling smooth. You may also want to try Dermablend Leg and Body Cover Cream. I advise you to consult a dermatologist to get an assessment of your leg scars

How can I get rid of a cold sore quickly and effectively? I am a bridesmaid at a wedding in 3 days and I am really self concious about my sore!

We recommend Alpine Herbal Ointment.

I`m african american. I feel my skin has gotten too dark and I want to know a natural way to lighten it up. I was light skinned as a child to about age 9 or 10. Now I`m darker than brown skinned.

There is really no way to naturally lighten up one's skin. The color of skin is determined my melanin. "Fairer, radiant skin", "A healthy and lovely complexion..." — these are some of the claims made by skin-lightening products. But the real effects can be anything but healthy and lovely. Skin lighteners are used to lighten the skin. Most contain a bleaching agent, hydroquinone, also found in some hair dyes. Hydroquinone inhibits the production of melanin and, over time, can lighten the skin. Melanin protects the skin against the harmful effects of the sun so to inhibit its production can leave you vulnerable to skin cancer. Also, with a decrease of melanin and sun exposure, your skin can turn blotchy and even darker than it originally was. Before you try anything drastic, please read our article on Skin Lighteners.

I have this problem where I see myself so ugly. I always wish that I looked different, I wish my eyes were bigger, or my lips were smaller. I hate my face shape, its round like a ball, my nose is small, I'm short, fat and I hate my skin color. What do I do to make this different? I don't want to put on make-up to feel sexy, I want to be natural. I feel like I'm so old, I'm 23, and I have no hope in life anymore. I look in the mirror and UGHH, what an ugly person I see. I see pretty girls and wish I looked like them. Please help me. Thank you.

Please first accept who you are. You can then enhance your best features using make-up while not enhancing the features you dislike. First you can make your eyes appear bigger with the proper application of eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow. I recommend you read one of the books about beauty and how to apply make-up. It is also important that you are healthy in mind and spirit, not just look healthy from the outside. Please talk with someone about the issues in your life that have given you such a low opinion of your self. Oprah Winfrey is an excellent example of a person that started out with tragic beginnings, had very poor self esteem, disliked her looks and was overweight. She took control of her life in her late twenties, maybe even into her thirties and now look at her! You can do the same. I suggest you read anything and everything about her and make her your role model.

I have a dark skin tone, and I was wondering how I can get rid of pores because it looks like I have holes in my face. Also I was wondering if there's a really good lotion out there to keep my face toned. Thank you

The best way to get rid of large pores is to begin a cleansing and moisturizing skin care routine. 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 the reduction of pore size is to use a Toner without Alcohol. The Colosé toner contains natural fruit acids that gently slough away dead skin and cells and causes the pores to close, then gradually reopen resulting in an improved appearance. Follow this step with a Milk of Aloe moisturizer with Vitamins A and E and Aloe Vera. These ingredients promote healing and are especially good for people prone to acne. Twice a week after you cleanse, do a treatment mask. I recommend a Green Clay Mask or Herbal Mask that will help open pores and eliminate the excess sebum that clogs pores and causes blackheads. Follow the mask with the Toner and Moisturizer.

I have a tan at the moment and I would like to get rid of it. It's not chemical, I actually got it this summer by being outdoors. I'm already tan to begin with and I dont like the extra color. Any suggestions?

You will need to exfoliate your entire body with a product that contains tiny sand grains, or something that will help gently remove dead skin cells. It is the top layer of skin that is tan, so over time and with some help by exfoliating, you will go back to a lighter color. I recommend Peeling Corporal Body Scrub by Colosé Skin Care. It contains the tiny sand grains and will leave your skin feeling like silk and give you a fresh glossy look.

After getting the chicken poxs I had a mark on my face and I was wondering how to get rid of it (the brown part) of course I cant fix the indented part, but it is also brown. What can I do? I have had that mark for 13 years?

I recommend speaking with a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon and try to have the mark removed. This may be expensive, so ask about their rates first. Outside of that suggestion, you can use Hydrogen Peroxide solution mixed with water. Only use the Hydrogen Peroxide on the mark on your face and not on your entire face. Test the solution in another area of your body to see if it causes any reaction prior to using it on your mark. You may need to play with the ratio of solution to water. Diluting the solution with water will reduce your chance of skin irritation. Of course, if your skin shows irritation, don't try it on your face!

How do you get rid of spots and how are they made?

As people age, unsightly blemishes, commonly called liver spots, can appear on the face and on the back of the hands. Another upsetting change for many mature adults is the loss of smoothly contoured hands. Dermatologic surgeons can improve both of these distressing conditions safely and effectively with excellent results.

Liver spots, also called lentigines or lentigos, are sharply defined, rounded, brown or black, flat patches of skin. The epidermis (top surface layer) is expanding with more pigment, developing what looks like a large freckle. One may appear by itself, or as a few clustered together. Many people have a hereditary predisposition to them. While liver spots may develop at an early age, even in childhood, they are more common in older people, especially those who have spent too much time in the sun.

Although nothing can be done about the role heredity plays, excessive exposure to the sun should be avoided - a precaution that will diminish the threat of skin cancer as well as protect your skin from sun-damage. To moderate exposure, the skin should be protected by a sunscreen having minimum SPF of 15.

Treatment of liver spots is usually performed by a dermatologic surgeon in the office or other outpatient facility. Results can be permanent if a sunscreen is used continuously after removal. Following are common treatment approaches:

Sunscreens: The simplest treatment to protect the skin from further damage and worsening of the spots is use of a sunscreen. Sunscreen is also important after other treatment methods so the spots will not recur.

Bleaching Creams, Tretinoin, and Alpha-hydroxy Acids, topical applications prescribed by a physician to fade small spots. Treatment normally takes anywhere from two months to a year or longer.

Cryosurgery: A dermatologic surgeon freezes the skin tissue with liquid nitrogen to remove liver spots and skin growths.

Peeling: A chemical solution is applied to peel away the blemished skin. The face and hands usually heal in one to two weeks.

Dermabrasion: The skin is sanded lightly with a special instrument to remove the spot. Upon healing, which normally takes a week or so, the liver spot is gone.

Laser Surgery: New techniques with various lasers are used to remove the spots. A beam of laser light is directed at the liver spots to selectively eliminate the damaged skin.

Colose Cosmetics and Skin Care makes a product containing Alpha-Hydoxy acids called Treatment Cream with AHA. It is a cream that will improve texture of rough, damaged skin and help to even out skin discolorations.

My legs are horribly pale and when I burn and it fades to a tan its light, so light you can't tell its there. I have family history of skin cancer. How can I tan so it's effective and safe?

No, you cannot tan so its effective and safe. All tanning is harmful to the skin. With you being so fair and having a history of skin cancer in your family, I would avoid tanning at all cost. The best way to have the appearance of a tan is to use the self-tanning lotions which will stain your skin for a few days with tan color. Gone are the days that self tanning made you orange. They now make self-tanners especially for fair, medium and dark skin tones. Neutrogena makes a good self tanner and so does Colose Cosmetics and Skin care called Auto-Bronzant - self tanning emulsion.

Respected, I'm male. I'm having less pimples, but having problems of black heads, tried 2 consult all skin dermatologis. But zero result. Only problem of blackheads, please specify household tips, or such a cream available in India.

Colose Cosmetics and Skin care ships to India. I would recommend that you start with Lotion Nettoyage, a cleansing lotion that removes blackheads. Use this twice a day and leave it on your face for 5 minutes before rinsing off. I would follow with Toner, to remove the dead skin cells and freshen the face. Twice a week you should apply a Green Clay Mask or Herbal Mask to open pores and remove blackheads.

Went to Florida in March, and got a strange tan on my easy-to-tan face. But now when I get in the sun, the skin above my lip turns dark. It only does this most when I'm in direct sunlight. Can you tell me what has happened to my skin?

Most likely your skin was exposed to sunlight when you didn't have sunscreen protection for the area above your lip. It is possible any coverage including your make-up may have rubbed off, possibly while eating. Melanin is a pigment that gives skin a color from pink through brown to black. People are different colors because their skin contains different amounts of melanin.

Melanin protects skin from Ultra Violet radiation. When skin is exposed to the sun, more melanin is produced and the skin darkens. The skin above your lip has more deposits of melanin than the rest of your face.

I'm using an acne treatment I bought at the drugstore for the pimples I have all over my forehead. My forehead is now peeling, but I don't want to stop using the treatment because it really is working. It's drying out the pimples but the skin also. We can't afford to buy anything expensive. What do I do? Thank you so much!

Peeling skin is a side effect of very strong treatments. If it is working, that's great. However, I would suggest you limit the use of this product. You may be using it too frequently for your problem. Try using it every other day. You can also apply a moisturizer, Milk of Aloe from Colosé Skincare, which is specially formulated for oily or acne prone skin.

I have dull skin that I'm working on getting to glow. But I've heard that a toner should be used every night. But don't these fry the skin? What exactly do toners do? Thanks!

The main role of toner is to completely remove dead skin cells and alkali residue so that the skin can breathe correctly. The balanced acidity of the toner restores the skin's normal pH resulting in smooth, clean and refreshed skin. Avoid toner with alcohol to avoid "frying your skin". Apply after every face and neck cleansing using a cotton pad, ball or tissue well soaked with toner. Avoid the eyes.

Im a light skin person, but my face seems to be red at sometimes, what do I do to keep my face from changing colors, I've been trying skin lightening creams and I don't see any results.

There are so many reasons why your face may turn red sometimes- physical exertion, skin reactions due to environment -like allergies, heat and cold, and even changes in the way you feel. Skin lightening creams usually will not work unless you think the cause of the skin changes is due to sun. I recommend you begin a skin care routine that will help you have a soft, smooth and even look. I would begin with a cleanser, then a toner, a moisturizer followed by application of make-up. A foundation will even out the redness and a concealer will help hide areas of increased redness. Follow the application of your foundation and concealer with a loose powder. The powder sets the foundation and concealer in place for all day coverage.