Say Hello To Your Winter Skincare Hero: Vitamin C Serum
Winter is here and I'm just trying to stay moisturized. To do so, I'm waging war against any dryness and dullness that winter brings to my skin. After almost three decades of just putting Jergens Body Lotion all over my face, I had an epiphany, decided to fix up and take my skincare more seriously. I have never had any major skincare issues in my adult years and would say I have combination skin so I never paid any attention to anything skincare-related. However in my late 20s, following eczema flare-ups that left hyperpigmentation scarring, I started caring more about my skincare routine. After that, I developed an extensive skincare routine (double cleanse, tone, serum, SPF moisturizer), and my skin cleared up and has been glowing ever since, no filter.
A staple in my skincare routine that is also a winter essential has been Vitamin C. I would suggest using a Vitamin C serum in the morning after cleansing, to have you glowing all day long, even in the winter. I would follow that up with an SPF moisturizer and then you'd be good to go. It should be noted that when using Vitamin C serums during the day, SPF is a MUST. In addition to that, be careful of other serums or acids you mix or layer it with, for example dermatologists have advised against layering or mixing Retinol or AHAs/BHAs with Vitamin C.
What are the benefits of adding Vitamin C to your skincare routine? Well, it is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals from UV exposure which affects the skin barrier and environmental factors. It also promotes collagen production which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brightens the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation and spot scarring as it inhibits melanin production which naturally evens out skin tone and brightens complexion.
In short, Vitamin C brightens your skin and prevents signs of aging.
The Best Vitamin C Serums For Dark Spots
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Glossier Super Glow
Glossier
Glossier's serums are known to be all that, the beauty cult favorite brand re-released its serums this year, and the reviews are even better. This Vitamin C serum includes magnesium as a bonus for that extra glow.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant's C-Firma Day Serum has been a beauty favorite for some time now. Although it comes in at a higher price point, this product is vegan and cruelty-free, and its gel formula makes it suitable for sensitive skin.
Lancôme Visionnaire Skin Solutions 15% Vitamin C Correcting Concentrate
Ulta
This product contains 15% pure Vitamin C as well as the hydrating hyaluronic acid. Reviews have also mentioned it's lightweight and non-greasy, so it's perfect for daily use.
Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Skin - Brightening Skin Corrector
Vichy's Vitamin C serum contains 15% pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in the form of L-Absorbic acid, so you can glow and hydrate your skin at an affordable price point.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic has a high potency and has the dermatologist's seal of approval. It contains Vitamin E and Ferulic acid for increased effectiveness, so this luxury product is worth every buck.
OLE HENRIKSEN Truth Serum
OLE HENRIKSON
A favorite with the YouTube community, OLE HENRIKSEN Truth Serum was rated a Harper's Bazaar Editor's Choice. Its formula is boosted with collagen and aloe juice.
TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum
Amazon
Amazon's viral product has had almost 10,000 reviews, and is said to be one of its most reviewed products. It includes along with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel and jojoba oil. Coming in at the lowest price point, it's a must try.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
Originally published November 23, 2019
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Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgical procedures, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and on average, it may run you close to $ 4,000. While many people are still turning to surgery to get the look they want, there are many alternatives that are noninvasive and overall safer that are starting to get some shine. Like a lot of people during the pandemic, I had put on a few extra pounds, and I was looking at all the different methods that can help me look and feel great.
I don’t remember how I ran across it, but I began researching laser lipo, and before I knew it, I had booked my first appointment of many. I entered the medispa and was taken to a room and told to lie down. Then, I had lasers placed on top of my stomach for about 30 minutes, and I was done. While it sounds simple, it can take multiple sessions to get the desired look you want. That was a couple of years ago. However, I decided to try it again. This time with a different practitioner and a few add-ons, including wood therapy, cavitation, skin tightening, and vacuum therapy. Let’s dig deeper.
What Is Laser Lipo?
Laser lipo is a non-invasive procedure that penetrates through the skin and shrinks the fat. Not only is it simpler than regular lipo, but it’s also less expensive. Tammy Bell of Sculpted By Bella Beauty Bar, where she offers these noninvasive services, tells us why more people are turning to laser lipo.
“It’s noninvasive. You don’t have no downtime at all, unlike lipo and the different surgeries you have downtime with that,” she says. “You get results. It’s a little slower than regular lipo, but you get results that you want.” Because everyone’s body is different, the results may vary. However, Tammy says it’s also based on lifestyle habits such as what you’re eating and how active you are.
Laser lipo is just one of the many noninvasive services to choose from. See more below.
Wood Therapy
Microgen Images/ Science Photo Library/ Getty Images
If you follow Tracee Ellis Ross on Instagram or TikTok, then you probably saw the video of her using wooden tools to sculpt her body. This method is called wood therapy, and let me tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. In my experience, it’s a weird sensation and a little painful. However, they say beauty is pain.
Tammy breaks down what wood therapy is. “It actually breaks up the fat, and it contours your body. It moves the fat through your lymphatic system,” she explains.
Skin Tightening
Another treatment is skin tightening. As we get older, our skin loses elasticity, and this service targets sagging skin for a tighter appearance. “The heat actually helps tighten the skin,” Tammy says about the skin-tightening tool that is used during the service. “It helps build collagen for your skin to tighten.”
Cavitation
Cavitation liquifies the fat, and it’s the only service out of this list that can’t be done on your face. “With the cavitation and all that stuff, if you notice, I always come in, and then I go down because you have your lymph nodes for your lymphatic system for it to drain,” she says, explaining the technique she does when using the tools on the body.
“That’s why it’s important for you to drink a lot of water ‘cause you (the fat) have to either come out in your sweat or your urine.”
Vacuum Therapy
Vacuum therapy involves suction cups that lift the skin. While I’ve only used it on my stomach, Healthline reports that many people are using it to get a butt lift. “Vacuum therapy moves the fat, and if you want to get a butt lift, you push the fat up,” Tammy says.
Costs
Costs vary per service and per practitioner. However, I spent around $400 and got all the aforementioned services done within five appointments.
Results
Body sculpting results
Photo courtesy of London Alexaundria
My target areas were my back, stomach, and arms, and I am satisfied with the results I received in such a short amount of time. You can get these services done separately and get good results, but I decided to try them all together as a part of a package. Just like they will tell you after getting regular lipo, for lasting results, you must make sure to keep a healthy lifestyle.
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Feature image by Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images