Smoking is not a trigger for rosacea, and interestingly, cigarette smoke has an anti-inflammatory property that can allegedly reduce facial redness.  That being said, the effects of smoking on the skin are far more damaging than the short-term benefits it has on rosacea.

Smoking prohibits the creation of collagen by depleting the skin’s vitamin C levels and weakening the skin’s ability to breathe (i.e. the flow of oxygen to the skin).  Smoking accelerates the cross-linkage of collagen and the hardening of elastin, which creates free radicals that can damage capillary structure.

Nicotine itself interferes with our vascular system’s functioning by constricting and reducing blood flow to the skin.  When you inhale cigarette smoke, oxygen is taken away from the blood cells. In order to compensate, our existing blood vessels enlarge and grow new ones, leading to increased flushing and subsequently rosacea flare-ups.   As with other stimulants such as caffeine, cigarettes affect the body, brain and nervous system—which often stimulate our skin’s glands to secrete more oil through our pores.

Many smokers say that cigarettes help them relax, but in reality, only taking the long deep breaths of fresh air has been proven to relieve stress.  Drinking water, going for a walk, stretching and taking naps are all things you can do to relieve stress naturally that don’t harm your body.  And if you do smoke to relieve stress, chances are you aren’t getting enough water, fresh air or sleep.  Effective stress management is key to healthy skin, hence the saying: “You look stressed.”  Stress shows through our skin, and for people with rosacea, stress is the number one trigger for flare-ups.  Finding ways to relieve stress without cigarettes may not only improve the health of your lungs, but the quality of your skin and your life.

The post Smoking Your Skin appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

Dr. Jason Rivers, Riversol’s founder, has a long professional background in sun-related skin research, and has written extensively on how ultraviolet rays damage our skin.  Hyper-pigmentation (sun spots), skin redness, broken blood vessels and wrinkles are just some of the signs of skin damage that UV-A and UV-B rays cause from both the sun and tanning beds.  People with rosacea are especially sensitive to sunlight and hot temperatures, and usually limit exposure to both in order to prevent triggering a flare-up.

In British Columbia, the tanning trend may literally be “out” with teenagers, as the province will be the second in Canada to ban minors aged 18 and younger from using tanning beds.  The announcement was made from B.C. Health Minister Mike de Jong, who stated the new rule will take effect in the fall of 2012.  The pressure has come from both the major health groups such as the B.C. Cancer Agency, Canadian Paediatric Society and The Canadian Dermatological Association, as well as the youths themselves.

The Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon have launched their second-annual Tan Free Grad Challenge.  The “Tanning is Out” movement started last year when over 3,000 BC grade 12 students pledged to be tan free for prom and graduation.  Ruling out tanning is a huge step forward, especially since melanoma skin cancer is the second most common form of cancer for young adults 15-29* years old.  To learn more about the Tan Free Grad Challenge, click here.

The Joint Canadian Tanning Association would rather see regulation in the form of parental consent and require the tanning bed operators be certified to run them.  These kind of regulations miss the point of the ban, however, which is that the UV-rays emitted by tanning beds are now confirmed as carcinogens that can cause cancer directly–not only melanoma skin cancer but other types of skin cancers as well.*

No matter where you go for Spring Break, when the sun is out your best line of defense is clothing.  For hotter climates where long-sleeves simply aren’t an option, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen and limiting your exposure to direct sunlight are the best tactics for enjoying the sun safely.

*Stay tuned for the pre-launch and your chance to try out Riversol’s protective Day Shield, our new dermatologist-developed moisturizer designed shield your skin against environmental elements.

To read more about the B.C. government’s announcement, click here.

The post Tanning is Out appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

We all want to do right by our skin.  We try to do our best to treat it ourselves, and in so doing, take advice from friends, adopt our mothers’ tricks, or perhaps experiment with do-it-yourself (DIY) skin care remedies.  Two of the most counteractive DIY skin care remedies are mixing prescription with over-the-counter topical treatments and over-exfoliating the skin.

Topical prescription-strength retinoids are most commonly used in anti-aging skin care and acne treatments.  Retinoic acid is a potent derivative of vitamin A that effectively fights acne, sun spots and even wrinkles by boosting the release of collagen and shielding against the breakdown of collagen by the enzyme collagenasse.  Retinol products are not for everybody—especially those with very sensitive skin conditions like rosacea.  Retinoic acid in prescription formulas can cause irritation, redness, dry skin and peeling.  Over-the-counter Retinol creams are a lot milder, but there is still a risk due to the fact that many skin care companies that have products containing Retinol do not specify how much of it they use.

This may be why some people decide to mix their prescription-grade Retinol with other over-the-counter products that contain another popular anti-aging ingredient called glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid), which is also used to improve the skin’s appearance and texture by promoting skin cell renewal.  But it is counterproductive to use both a retinol product and one that contains glycolic acid because “one ingredient makes the other inactive,” according to dermatologist Diane C. Madfes, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.   When Retinol and glycolic acid are used simultaneously, they cancel each other out.  The best way to mitigate this problem is to space out and alternate between the two.

The second DIY skin care remedy that can be more damaging than helpful is over-exfoliating.  While it is beneficial to occasionally exfoliate to unclog pores, our stratum corneum (the outermost layers of the epidermis) is composed of dead skin cells that we need to keep intact, since it is responsible for vital barrier functions.   From reflecting off incoming UV rays from the sun, to preventing infection, to shielding against toxins, the stratum corneum is a complex system that protects our face.  Over-exfoliating damages the stratum corneum and thereby limits its ability to do its job—making the skin raw, sensitive and vulnerable to more environmental damage than it would have been otherwise.

Many people with acenic skin are likely to be over-exfoliating in an attempt to rid the skin of blackheads and oil, but over-exfoliating can actually cause the skin to produce even more oil in an attempt to compensate for the imbalance.  As a result, most scrubs and exfoliators reduce the effectiveness of prescribed acne treatments.  If you are using a prescription-grade retinoids, it is recommended that you avoid exfoliating all together for the first few months.

To learn more about Retinol: http://www.besthealthmag.ca/look-great/skin/the-secret-to-fighting-wrinkles

To learn more about Retinol and other bad skin habits: http://www.caring.com/articles/common-habits-that-are-harming-your-skin

The post DIY Skin Care Mishaps appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

Many people are familiar with toners and astringents, as they are abundant in the marketplace for specific skin problems like oily T-zones, blackheads, and blemishes.  Serums have a thicker consistency than a toner, yet are a lot thinner than most moisturizers.  As an integral component of Riversol Skin Care, serum is beneficial to all skin types.

Serums are considered treatments that provide your skin with a powerful dose of concentrated ingredients, whereas moisturizers are used to protect the skin from environmental factors and cleansers are used to clean the skin by removing dirt, oil and makeup residue from your skin.

The difference between a serum and a toner is that generally toners will only balance the skin’s pH levels after being cleansed. Serums are concentrated liquid formulations, allowing them to penetrate down to the deepest layers of the skin.  The liquid will help your skin absorb the active ingredients and provide effective, direct treatment. Serums essentially feed the living layers of skin tissue, having a similar effect to feeding water to a plant. Nourishment is instant.

People should look for antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E in serums for daily protection from environmental elements by preventing free-radical formation, and for promoting collagen cell production.

Riversol’s Original Serum, Rosacea Serum and Anti-Aging Serum all contain Vitamin C and E, thujaplicin and vitagen.

After cleansing, dry your face thoroughly and apply a dime-sized amount of serum to your face, décolleté and the back of your hands.  Wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully absorb before applying your daily moisturizer or sunscreen.  Serum can be used both morning and night.

The post Serum-Savvy appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

The once-popular ‘mood ring’ was said to show how someone was feeling based on their body’s temperature.  Normal resting peripheral temperature (82°F) and anything above it would turn the ring blue, green or violet, indicating happiness and passion, while lower temperatures would turn the ring yellow or brown.  This is because when we are nervous, tense, anxious or stressed, blood flows away from the peripheral areas like the hands and goes toward protecting the body’s internal organs.

If blood flows can change with our mood, than surely our skin complexion can also change based on how we are feeling.  An easy example of this are hives.  Although they can be triggered by allergies, many people can break out into hives when they feel extreme anxiety or anger.  Rashes, red blotches and eczema are all easily triggered by bouts of anxiety.  Pimples and rosacea flare-ups can also be triggered by our emotions.

Pimples can be brought on by stress hormone fluctuations that directly stimulate the adrenal glands, causing the skin to produce excess oil and slowing the healing process for existing blemishes.  Flushed cheeks and red patches can arise due to anxiety, embarrassment (read “How Romance Affects Your Skin” for more on this), and other emotions that cause adrenaline levels to spike and your body’s core temperature to rise.

This is why taking care of yourself on the inside is so important for feeling and looking your best.  Stress management is crucial to maintaining a holistic skin care regime.  Emotions can make us feel physically fatigued, sick and exhausted–it is no wonder that they can cause our skin can break out, too!

Our bodies are constantly seeking a balance; though it is never normal to feel great all of the time, making some room at the start, middle or end of each day to pamper yourself may help even the score.  Occasional trips to the spa for a massage, going to a yin yoga class, or even reading a book can help manage all of our negative feelings and allow tranquility, happiness and contentment to prevail.

The post Mood Skin appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

A good skin product will possess two primary features: first, it will contain only necessary ingredients, and second, it will contain a higher percentage of those ingredients.   Our own moisturizing concentrate, for example, is a 60g jar that will last on average 4 months even if used daily because you’ll only need a very small amount to cover your face and neck.  A concentrated moisturizer can easily clog your pores if you use too much or if you have combination skin.

Being careful to apply only as much as you need and where you need it is important for using concentrated products efficiently.  Because you won’t run out of a concentrate quickly, you should also be mindful of where the product is being stored, too.  A dark, cool space ideally away from your shower or sink may help elongate both the products’ quality and shelf-life.

The post Why Concentrate? appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

The token Valentine’s day items like champagne, red wine, strawberries and chocolate are also key triggers for rosacea flare ups, exacerbating those blushing cheeks to the point of extreme irritation.

Chocolates can aggravate the skin because of the added sugar, dairy and hydrogenated oils they often contain.  Alcohol of any kind causes the blood vessels to dilate and remain dilated until it is broken down by the liver.  Red wines in particular cause redness in the skin because of the chemical compound called tyramine that dilates blood vessels even more.

Since flushing cheeks and raised body temperatures are harder to control on a date, opt for an activity like ice skating that will keep your face and body cool.  Whether you have rosacea, acne or eczema, you may want to get creative and plan a date that will break out of conventional Valentine’s day norms without breaking out your skin.

Learn more about blushing here.

The post How Romance Affects Your Skin appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

Interestingly, I was diagnosed with ocular rosacea before papulopustular rosacea. My eyes were red and sore and both my doctor and I thought that I had an eye infection. It took months of trips to eye specialists before one bright doctor (an ophthalmologist specializing in tropical diseases) saw the pustules on my nose and chin and diagnosed me with ocular rosacea.

Treatment for me is quite simple: scrub the base of my eyelashes (the follicles) with a q-tip wetted with a 1/10 solution of baby shampoo/water morning and night. Although not the only component in the condition, a contributing factor to ocular rosacea is often inflamed eyelash follicles caused by exfoliated skin cells. This technique removes excess exfoliated skin cells to keep the eyelash follicles from getting irritated. It may also help with styes (which are often blocked ducts).

Nowadays my ocular rosacea is under control. I am wearing contact lenses and eye make-up again. I use Kiss Me mascara (it comes off in “tubes” with water) so that mascara doesn’t flake into my eyes during the day. And I wash my eye make-up off with Riversol Gel Cleanser. With these changes, I am noticing that I don’t have to exfoliate with baby shampoo quite as often (once a week rather than every day).

My heart goes out to those of us suffering right now with red and gritty eyes. Please note I am not a doctor and am just sharing my experience. I hope you find it helpful. Let me know how you are doing.

Wishing you all the best,

Lydia.

Where to buy Kiss Me mascara:

British Columbia

Vancouver
Suki’s   |   1805 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC   |   tel. 604.732.9101
BeautyMark    |   1120 Hamilton Street #103, Vancouver, BC    |   tel. 604.642.2294
Shifeon    |  1156 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC   |   tel. 604.688.3291
Blue Ruby   | Oakridge Centre, 650 West 41st Ave., Vancouver, BC  |
tel. 604.269.2583
Victoria
Ocean Point Spa   |   45 Songhees Rd., Victoria, BC   |   tel. 250.360.2999

The post Does Your Rosacea Affect Your Eyes? appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

Feed Your Mind

Loving yourself comes from knowing yourself, and your reflection needs to go deeper than the one in the mirror.  Put some time and mental energy toward your personal hobbies, passions, or special talents and write them down.  This kind of reflective process will serve as a reminder of who you are, what values you have, and what you love most about yourself.  Writing out what you love to do can also give you a cheat-sheet that you can use when you want to cheer up.  Our obligations and guilt can push aside the time we’d rather spend reading a good novel or calling an old friend.  If you are doing something you enjoy no matter how “unproductive” it is, it is not a waste of time.

Re-think Your To-Do List

Don’t just worry about what you have to do in a day, worry about what you want to do, too.  Throughout your week, prioritize doing things that you enjoy just as often as the things you don’t but feel coerced to do.  Making yourself happy on a daily basis should be just as important in life as paying bills and buying groceries.  Being in a good relationship with yourself means being consciously aware of what you want and making the time for doing the things you enjoy.  What better personal investment can you make than in your own well-being?

The Bonus

Stress is one of the primary triggers for rosacea flare-ups and can manifest in other skin ailments as well.  Owning a genuine relationship with yourself will reduce your overall stress and subsequently this will improve the look and health of your skin.  This is because it will be easier to relax when you know what really makes you feel happy.  Using conventional “retail therapy” to unwind tends to backfire because shopping is not relaxing in the same way as tending to your garden or whatever project you have going that is actually meaningful in your life.  Just as in any serious romantic relationship, loving yourself also means acknowledging and embracing–rather than always trying to change–all of the features that make you the person you are.

The post Falling in Love with You: The Importance of Self-Love appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.

Turmeric (curcuma longa)

Turmeric is commonly found in Indian cuisine and has been used in the East for traditional celebrations, beauty rituals, and has recently been explored for medical purposes.

Turmeric acts as a natural antiseptic and can treat minor cuts, scrapes and skin abrasions by quickening the healing process and reducing swelling.  Turmeric has also been rumored to fight skin cancer by inhibiting melanoma cell growth.

Turmeric’s primary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound is curcumin.  Curcumin works by preventing certain pro-inflammatory cells derived from omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids from synthesizing.  Turmeric paste can be applied topically to treat many skin ailments including blemishes, dark spots, redness, eczema and even wrinkles.  Turmeric is said to even out skin tone and act as a natural skin brightener.

Using the regular spice in topical skin care recipes can temporarily stain your skin, so kasturi turmeric is recommended because it has the same anti-inflammatory properties and washes off clear.

One easy homemade recipe simply combines 1 teaspoon of turmeric paste with 1 tablespoon of milk powder.  Turmeric powder can also be combined with water, milk, tomato, lemon or cucumber juice to make a simple facial paste that can be washed off with cold water after as little as 20 minutes.

The post Spice Up Your Skin with Tumeric appeared first on Riversol Skin Care.