Search

Walking through the makeup aisle in a store or browsing makeup products online can be a pretty daunting task. As an askderm product specialist, one of the most common makeup questions we get it is, what is the real difference between a BB and CC cream? Let’s get straight to the facts.  What is a BB cream? A BB (a.k.a. beauty balm) cream is a tinted moisturizer that does much more than act as a foundation. It also provides your skin with much needed benefits such as anti-aging effects, sun protection, and hydration for dry skin. But my favorite part is the coverage that a BB cream provides. I tend to have small breakouts every now and then that I want to cover up. With a BB cream, I can apply it to my face to give me full-coverage without the heavy foundation feeling. The key benefits to using a BB cream are: It’s a lighter, tinted foundation Great for all skin types Includes SPF to help fight the sun’s harmful rays Some BB creams I suggest using are: VICHY Laboratories ProEVEN Mineral BB Cream La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur Rodial BB Venom Skin Tint Brandt Signature BB Cream With Flexitone LifeCell BB Cream Hydrating Anti-Oxidant Beauty Balm SPF 30 What is a CC cream? A CC (a.k.a. color correcting) cream works to restore your skin’s natural tone, especially for those who suffer from redness or any other color related issues. Not only is it an effective moisturizer, it also has a higher SPF for all you beach goers. And we all know that with added sun protection also comes anti-aging properties. A CC cream has a thicker consistency than a BB cream, which allows it to treat wrinkles and fine line The key benefits to using a CC cream are: It works to even the skins tone and correct complexion Has powerful anti-aging properties Keeps your skin hydrated while treating Some CC creams I suggest using are: Nip and Fab CC Cream SPF La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Crème Broad Spectrum SPF 30 La Bella Donna CC Cream Phytomer CC Crème - Skin Perfecting Cream Brandt CC Glow with Signature Ruby Crystal What should you use? If you’re looking for a light, tinted moisturizer to act as a foundation, than a BB cream is right for you. But, if your looking for a moisturizer to either correct color related issues or to help fight aging, add a CC cream to your daily skincare routine. Whether you decide to get a BB or CC cream, you will be treating your skin like never before. Give yourself a noticeably flawless look that everyone will stop and stare at.  

You may be confused by a newly noticed graphic with plus signs (+) located on skin care products for sun protection. You may be a product junkie and are already in the know. You may travel often or live in another country that uses this system as a standard practice.What am I referring to? The PA system (Protection grade against UVA). This system is based on three levels: PA+, PA++ and PA+++. PA+ is the lowest level of protection against UVA rays while PA+++ is the highest level of protection against UVA radiation. This system was developed in Japan and is getting more recognition as product availability expands worldwide.In the United States, SPF rating is the FDA standard in which we measure sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVB only. There is no rating system within the states to signify a products protection against UVA except for the labeling “Broad Spectrum.”As more people become educated on the dangers of UVA, this PA rating system will surely gain more attention.If you want to know more about the dangers of UVA please refer to my “Why you need to Protect Yourself from the Sun Year round” blog.For more general information concerning sunscreen, please read my “Tips and Tricks you may not know About Sunscreen” blog.Products to check out:Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 - PA+++ Murad Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 PA++ for Blemish-Prone Skin Murad Essential-C Sun Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 35 PA+++ dr.brandt signature BB cream with Flexitone Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Supergoop SPF 35 Daily Correct CC Cream - Light/Medium Supergoop SPF 35 Daily Correct CC Cream - Medium/Dark  Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal MoniqueChantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, which were featured on ABC's Wife Swap. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips!

In 1972 Phytomer invented marine cosmetics: a new form of skincare that offers the best of the sea to your beauty regimen. A dedicated team of scientists, experts in skin biology, and cell culture have worked consistently to develop the next generation of revolutionary skin care products. Phytomer is one of the only skincare companies in the world that has mastered marine biotechnologies. Marine biotechnology is the use of microorganisms to produce new, natural ingredients. By excelling in this field, Phytomer was able to create a product line unmatched by any other. Such products include: The Phytomer CC Cream – Skin Perfecting Cream: Medium to dark facial CC cream Brightens, moisturizes, and improves skin texture Smooths pores while enhancing complexion Provides sun protection The Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk: Removes makeup and impurities Protects the skin’s natural barrier and maintains natural levels Leaves your skin feeling fresh and pure With over 40 years experience and driven with the same passion, Phytomer is now even more excited for the future. With Unique cosmetics that can be described in as Phytomer’s signature three words: ocean, science, and beauty. Phytomer offers a well-balanced selection of beauty needs, the range of products is easy to understand and includes everything you need from cleansers, moisturizers, age defiance, eye, and body care. 

Follow these quick skin care routine tips to speed up your skincare routine while keeping your skin looking beautiful. Discover the best rockstar products that are great all-in-one products! Just one minute of cleansing for a beautiful complexion. Only have a few minutes? Cleansing our skin with a sonic cleansing device only takes a minute but leaves skin smoother, softer, and more radiant looking each day. Utilize shower time wisely! Skip, long, hot showers! Make the most out of your time. Avoid using hot water in the shower because it tends to take away the skin's natural oils, so end your shower with a cold wash to preserve your shiny hair. Simultaneously provide your skin with numerous benefits with Lifecell's all-in-one anti-aging treatment. Fast acting anti-wrinkle formula provides deep 24-hour hydration intensive firming. Under the eye treatment complete with antioxidants. Decreases pigmentation. One product that does it all! Only have a few seconds? Easily get the flawless look with BB & CC creams. It only takes a few seconds to aplpy but will leave you with that fresh faced glow all day long. Cover up fine lines and wrinkles with a CC cream or go for a lighter coverage with a BB cream. Gently exfoliate, moisturize, and cleanse with convenient pads. Glycolix 5% Cleansing Pads. These pads can be easy thrown into your daily routine for a quick cleanse! Ultra pure glycolic acid treatment pads gently exfoliate dead and dull skin cells and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Buy in Multiples. Always have it when & where you need it. Keep your favorite products right where you will use them. Keep one in the car, in your purse, or in your gym bag so you always have one when you are on the go. Extra Tip: You'll always have a backup! Quick Fix! Instantly improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. Nip + Fab instant radiance wrinkle fix. Are you looking for a quick fix? Look no further. This miracle daily moisturizer that is packed full of hyarulonic filling spheres that is going to nourish, plump, + brighten your skin.

Teens are a handful, between the attitudes, hormonal changes and daily stresses, most teens will have your work cut out for you.  I still have a few more years before I have to worry about that with my kids, but I do know how much stress I put my parents through (sorry mom and dad!).  Finding gifts for the teens in your life may not be the easiest thing to do, but rather than picking up a hoodie you think your son might wear or a pair of shoes you hope your niece would like, play it safe by investing in your teen’s skin health and overall confidence.   Having great skin is a wonderful confidence booster and not only will they feel good about themselves, they will look great as well. Most teens are usually strapped for cash and the last thing they want to spend their money on are important skincare products, so do them a favor and give them some necessities and let your gifts go to good use! They Need A Great Cleanser There have been so many times where I have heard teens say they wash their face with just soap and I’m here to tell you that just won’t cut it.  Cleansing your face with basic soap will cause a lot of drying and can even create small cracks on your skin due to the dryness.   Your skin needs to be cleansed properly with a facial cleanser that is right for the individual’s skin type which will not only help rid their face of dirt, excess oils and toxins but it will also keep their skin hydrated.  For the acne sufferers, purchase products that aren’t too harsh or drying, but will still do their job such as VICHY Laboratories Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel which purifies the skin without causing drying while it has a powerful anti-irritant.   Upgrade Their Skin Cleansing Routine Help them keep their skin super healthy by upgrading the way they cleanse their face.  The Clarisonic Mia 2 Acne Clarifying Collection is a great way to deep clean their skin while removing dirt and impurities from the pores.  With the rotating cleansing brush, skin gets cleaner and looks and feels smoother than regular facial cleansing.  Use of the Clarisonic will help treat blemishes gently and effectively while leaving skin exfoliated and brighter. Quick and simple to use, a rotating cleansing brush instantly refreshes skin and is a great gift for teens regardless of what their skin type.   Give Them An Extra Boost Of Energy It’s hard waking up early for school and work and even with a full night’s sleep, teens are still usually exhausted and difficult to not only wake up but to stay alert in class.  Products such as Bliss Super Minty Soap N’ Scrub will help wake them up by giving them that extra boost of energy in their morning shower. Soap N’ Scrub is packed with jojoba beads that will exfoliate their skin leaving it bright and smooth while the sweet smell leaves you feeling refreshed.   With the wonderful peppermint oil and menthol, they will be left feeling clean, energized and invigorated, ready to start their day. Keep Their Skin Soft, Glowing And Hydrated With A Tinted Moisturizer Even those teens with overly oily skin still will need a moisturizer for their skin to stay healthy.  When purchasing facial moisturizers or creams, make sure you purchase those that won’t clog pores and those with minimal to no fragrances to help any sensitivities.  Nip and Fab CC Cream SPF 30 is a great tinted moisturizer that helps skin look brighter and evens out skin tone each time they use it.  The CC cream not only has medium coverage but it also protects your skin from harmful rays with a SPF 30 while giving skin a beautiful glow.  I’m a big fan of BB and CC creams especially for everyday use when I rather not apply foundation, it gives you a nice polished look while it works magic on the skin! Balance Their Skin’s PH As Well As Keep Their Skin Hydrated On The Go And At Home I absolutely love using toners for my skin and always recommend them to clients.  I have one not only in my facial ritual basket but I also carry one in my purse everywhere I go. Having a good toner will keep your skin feeling clean and refreshed while it not only balances skin’s PH levels but also ridding your face from any bacteria. It’s great to use midday inbetween class or afterschool after cleansing their face.  Either way they use it, their skin will be hydrated, rid from excess oils and protected from future breakouts.  ACURE Facial Toner - Balancing Rose and Red Tea is a great gift idea for anyone on your list. Have Them Feeling Refreshed On The Go Between school, afterschool jobs, sports and extracurricular activities, most teens are on the go.  Much of the time they really don’t have much down time in between.  I remember after school let out rushing to work or to a sports practice and by the time you were finished your evening your skin wasn’t as clean or feeling as nice as it should.   Give your teens amazingly convenient facial towelettes to refresh their skin on the go.  ACURE Coconut Argan Oil Towelettes are a great product with its sweet smelling beachy scent and wonderful soothing oils, their skin will be left feeling clean, smooth and refreshed. For all of my teenage cousins, nieces and nephew their gifts are always personalized to their needs and likes.  If I know one suffers from acne then I usually create a basket with products that will help with their problematic skin. Those with normal skin types I also will create gift baskets with the basic skincare necessities so there is no excuse for them not to start taking care of their skin at this age.   Knowing that they are teens, their gifts wouldn’t be complete without a gift card to their favorite place to eat or to the movies or even for a cup of coffee.  Regardless of your gift, and underneath some of their mood swings, they love you and will appreciate any gift you give them…but just stay clear of any ugly sweaters, that will break anyone down!     Blog Written by askderm's Guest Esthetician  Stephanie Ivonne is a New Jersey licensed Esthetician.  Her fun-loving, outgoing personality will shine through her product selections & reviews to help you discover the hottest skincare and beauty products. When Stephanie is not scouring the internet for the next hot skincare product, she is a mother to two wonderful biological children, a dedicated foster mom and is devoted to her husband of 13 years.

BB and CC creams went from American obscurity to prime time commercial breaks and at every makeup counter in the department store. The first Beauty Balm was developed in Germany and quickly gained popularity in the Asian market. While those of us in the skincare and beauty industry have known about these products for years, the craze did not hit America until about 2011.  If you are in the search for a new product, just enjoy trying something new or are looking for a minimalist approach to your daily skin routine you may want to experiment with a BB or CC cream. They run the gamut when it comes to targeting specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, and maturing skin. Some are more lightweight in consistency and more reminiscent of a heavy tinted moisturizer, but much more often they have a whipped or mouse like constancy. Depending on your desired level of coverage you may like to use them alone or use as a primer, layered under your liquid or powdered foundation. While there are some differences between brands the most common similarities between these balms and creams are in the ingredients, so when reading labels you may see these key words: SPF, both physical sunscreens (titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide) and Chemical sunscreens (octinoxate) A silicone derivative, which works as a primer and pore smoother Light reflecting particles such as mica, to create a more radiant healthy skin glow Antioxidants like Vitamin C to brighten and lighten skin, and vitamin E, which aids in skin healing and free radical damage Moisture binders such as Hylaronic Acid Licorice which fights pigment discoloration, lightens skin, aids in inflammation and is effective in fighting bacteria Algae that thickens the product consistency and helps the skin retain moisture Some BB and CC users may enjoy the product alone, but keep in mind that if you have specific skin issues such as very dry, dehydrated skin you may still need to use a daily moisturizer. Apply your moisturizer before using your beauty balm. If you have chosen a beauty balm that specifically targets acne, chances are it does not contain an SPF, as the FDA does not allow sun protection ingredients and acne fighting ingredients, such as salicylic acid to be combined in a single product, so you will still need to wear a daily sunscreen. While some trends come and go in a single season, the Alphabetically squared trend seems to just be getting started and manufactures are sure to be moving their way down the alphabet when it comes to treating and protecting the skin.   Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal Monique Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, which were featured on ABC's Wife Swap. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips!

If you are lucky enough to be traveling anytime soon, or are just daydreaming about jet setting to Tahiti, be aware that traveling can take its toll on your skin. Here are my beauty and skin care tips for when you are flying sky high.Hydrate: Make sure you drink plenty of water before and during your flight. When you are properly hydrated you feel less sluggish, and this will help you beat the jet lag. When you do not feel 100% it shows on the outside. The cabin pressure within the plane can lead to bloating and swelling of the fingers and toes, so opt for water and fruit, over soda and salty snacks.Moisturize: There is almost no humidity within the cabin of a plane. That means the air circulating around you is pulling moisture from your skin, eyes and mucous membranes.Apply a lotion or cream to your entire face and body prior to your flight and re-apply often while on board. Choose products with humectants, meaning they draw in and retain moisture. If you suffer from oily skin, don’t falsely believe that the dry air from your flight is doing your pores any favors. You still need hydration if you have oily and acne prone skin. Your skin will go into overdrive and produce even more oil to make up for the lack of moisture. While I am a huge fan of facial mists year round, there is speculation on whether or not using these mid-flight will lead to further surface moisture loss from your skin when the cabin air evaporates the water. So just to be safe, save your hydrating spray for when you arrive to your destination for an instant pick me up. Decreased moisture within your throat and nasal cavity can increase your chances of catching a cold or the flu. Viruses have a much easier time embedding into airways when there is less moisture and mucus creating a protective barrier. A saline spray may be a good option for those who are prone to sore throat and or nosebleeds during flights.Avoid Makeup: Anyone who knows me, as a makeup artist and makeup addict will not believe I just wrote that! The truth is I have oily skin and large pores so I dread a public face sans foundation, but any time I have worn a full face of makeup on a flight, it looks horrific by the time I land. My foundation will crack and oxidize, turning darker because of my increased oil production, my well-defined brows will have faded and my mascara will have left dark smears on my oily eyelids. I suggest opting for just a facial moisturizer, BB or CC cream and a tinted lip balm, that is it! Just accessorize with an over sized pair of sunglasses and you will not feel the need for eye makeup. Keep a pouch of essentials- mineral powder, mascara, blush and perhaps a bright lipstick in your carry-on so you can apply after your arrival.Protect your Hair: If you have longer locks, never wear them down during a flight. When your hair is down there is greater surface area for moisture to escape from. Treat your hair with nourishing oil and either braid it, put it in a topknot or a sock bun.  For another layer of protection wear a handkerchief or a silky scarf tied into a turban around your head.Sun Protection: The debate on whether or not an aisle or window seat is better is very simple to me. I always request a window seat, not for the view, it is so I can pull the window shade completely down. While the rules of etiquette may not be set in stone when it comes to who’s arm rest belongs to who, it is cut and dry when it comes to the window- whomever sits next to it, is in control of it. Remember you are not on the surface of the earth anymore and the intensity of UV exposure increases with elevation. In your approved quart size bag, containing 3oz containers, there must be a sunscreen, preferably with an SPF of 30. As always choose a sunscreen that states it is broad spectrum or has a high PA+++ rating. Don’t forget to apply sun-protection to the sides of your face, neck, ears and hands as these areas often go over looked. Make sure your carry-on lip balm contains sunscreen. Those oversized sunglasses are not just for hiding your lack of eye makeup; they are protecting your retinas from damage and preventing crow’s feet.These tips should have you feeling ready to embark upon your next trip. Your suitcase is packed, your skin is prepped and you will be departing with everyone wondering - Who is that woman with the headscarf, dark shades and GORGEOUS skin?!Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal MoniqueChantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, her work has included upscale clientele, a private investigator undercover and independent film work. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips!