Tag Archive for: dry skin

Congratulations new soon-to-be momma! You’re pregnant! Pregnancy brings more than a baby growing in your womb and an endless amount of different food cravings. While a new life is forming inside you, there will be some side effects that come along for the ride into motherhood such as morning sickness, more energy, gas, more or less sleep, hormonal acne, glowing skin, growing hair, and the list goes on. Since every women’s experience varies, it’s important to be aware of and gentle with yourself during this precious time. Understanding the experience is not a one-size-fits-all empowers you to take every month that passes by as a gift. That being said you’ll quickly begin to notice how your skin changes during pregnancy. This includes facial and body care as your physique takes on a new form. Just like you’ll get a list from your healthcare provider on foods to avoid within the next nine months, you’ll want to be mindful of specific ingredients to eliminate from your skin and body regime. Here are few ingredients that you should avoid during pregnancy: Retinoids, found in anti-aging products, Tetracycline, mostly in acne cream, Hydroquinone, within dark spot serums, Phthalates, found in fragranced soaps and lotions, Ammonia, within hair dyes, and Thioglycolic Acid, used in hair removal treatments. 

During a woman’s pregnancy journey, she may come across dark patches that were not there prior to conceiving. The appearance of hyperpigmentation is due to an increase in estrogen levels which promotes the skin’s melanin production. In order to prevent this from continuing, apply mineral SPF on a daily basis. This type of sunscreen is best for children, pregnant, or breastfeeding women.

While some women are lucky with the new mommy-to-be radiant glow, others may experience teenage-inspired breakouts. With hormonal changes that come with carrying a new bundle of joy, this skincare concern is normal. Many women claim this happens within the first trimester then goes away within the next few months. If you’re experiencing flare-ups and pimples, try using organic ingredients such as plant-based antioxidants, sulfur and/or camphor. These anti-inflammatory properties target bacteria, fight against free-radicals and promote healthy hydrated skin also known as the new mom glow. 

Stretch marks are a normal part of pregnancy. As you prepare to welcome your bun in the oven into the world, you may notice pink-purple lines in a zigzag pattern around your belly. First, embrace your shape and be gentle with your physical appearance, you’re carrying precious gold. Secondly, over 90% of women gain stretch marks during their pregnancy, therefore you’re not alone. You’ll want to invest in products that are cocoa butter-based, shea butter infused, and avocado-reviewed. These elements help with skin elasticity, boost collagen, and promote hydration. Lathering your skin with these types of products on a daily basis will result in smoother, healthier skin.

Here are a few pregnancy picks from Dr. Goldfaden you’ll want to add:

Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub, $75, This daily facial exfoliator provides hydration while gently removing dead skin for a radiant, smoother looking canvas. 

Goldfaden MD Pure Start, $35, For a fresh and light daily cleanser start and end your day with this grapefruit and rosehip seed infused wash. It removes surface oils and impurities, leaving the skin fresh and makeup-free.

Goldfaden MD Facial Detox, $65, Adding a weekly face mask once a week will cleanse blemish-prone skin and minimizes the appearance of pores. Made with Zinc Oxide, Sulfur, and Camphor, this detox treatment is sure to result in a radiant even-toned complexion.

Goldfaden MD Vital Boost, $68, Enhance that motherly glow with a game-changing moisturizer. The brightening skin agents and Gooseberry Extracts will leave your skin looking dewy, radiant, and flawless. It’ll be a post-facial look that’ll have everyone swoon.

The bottom line: Pregnancy is different for all women. As you began to see changes within your skin, remember to ask your doctor and try using holistic, natural, and vegan ingredients. 

Disclaimer: GOLDFADEN MD products are based on a holistic approach to skincare, using key naturally derived ingredients. It is safe to use on sensitive skin, but always best to test any product on a small area first. Prior to use when pregnant, please consult your physician on the use of any products and for further questions related to skin allergies that may arise during pregnancy.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Ashley Jimenez is a multi-media journalist and Co-Founder of LatinaWatch. She oversees LatinaWatch.com and all of the website’s editorial and video content and strategy, as well as social media channels. As the former Beauty Director of HOLA! USA, the Puerto Rican-Dominican reporter, is an expert in identifying trends, highlighting multicultural content, and exploring thoughtful conversations within the influential Latina beauty segment. Her past roles include Senior Beauty Editor at Latina Magazine, where she created beauty, wellness, and lifestyle content specifically for women of color. She explored intersections of vision, Afro-Latina identity within the hair industry, socially conscious skin care, mental health topics. Ashley’s dedication to storytelling has created groundbreaking content that speaks to the duality women face as they navigate the world while honoring traditions and crafting new age customs.

Name: Heather Lilleston
Location: Venice, California
Age: 38

Tell us a little about yourself…
Spent half my life in New York City and half my life in California. I have been teaching yoga since 2003, run a travel yoga company called YOGA FOR BAD PEOPLE (www.yogaforbadpeople.com) leading yoga retreats and trainings around the world, and am in my second year pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. To learn more: heatherlilleston.com.

What are your bodycare goals?  
My body care goals are to feel good in my skin – this means staying hydrated and moisturized, spending time exercising in nature (circulation is so key to happiness, health and being able to think clearly and feel good in your body), to have a good balance of fun and discipline, and to be able to spend a lot of time in the sun without totally destroying my skin. I want to make sure that the products I use on my body are made with – and sold in – environmentally considerate products and packaging, and don’t contribute to the burden of chemicals and toxins eating away at the harmony of our planet. I also want to spend the least amount of time possible on skincare and what I “look like”; it’s so important for me to have an efficient and realistic daily routine.

Do you have any specific body skin concerns?
 I have very dry skin and have to monitor my beauty marks with all the time I spend in the sun, but other than that, my skin situation is pretty simple. I take daily showers and moisturize at least twice daily, but really don’t encounter much difficulty besides sun damage.

What do you look for when creating a bodycare routine?
Something environmentally conscious, smells good (not too perfumey) and fast and easy. I don’t like to worry about too many steps. I like products that smell good and are healing and made from natural ingredients – I can’t stand products that have such a strong scent they take over the room.

First thoughts when trying the Bodycare Regimen
1st week …I love the products so far. They are essentially unscented and feel gentle on the body. I love how small the scrubs are and nothing is too thick or oily, even though it is moisturizing. So far, so good!
2nd week… I am enjoying getting into the routine of scrubbing. Especially during the California fires where the air has been so thick and intense, it’s been key to come home and scrub and then moisturize and firm.
3rd week… My skin feels really soft after the scrub and the firming lotion has gotten me into a routine of making sure to rub lotion into the skin using an upwards motion. I never considered that before, but I think it’s making a difference. I am happy I have chosen to collaborate with Goldfadden and really respect this trial period with the product. I definitely would recommend it to friends. I have never really committed to scrubs before but I look forward to using the lightness of the Goldfadden scrubs.

Is clean beauty something that you feel passionate about? 
Absolutely! The beauty industry needs much improvement in terms of environmental standards and accessibility to all people regardless of economic status. Making organic, non toxic products available and standard, removing chemicals and toxins lotions, sunscreens, and makeup and anything that isn’t of medical-grade – everyday products – should be environmentally sound and affordable. FDA regulations can set the standards for that, but also individual companies can change their ingredients – as well as evolve packaging from plastics – this is vital and necessary. I love how proud I can be when products are 100% environmentally sound.

What else do you feel passionate about?
Social justice, a radical shift in America away from corporate-run governments and back to a truer democracy, environmental issues, revamping the entire education system in our country, the importance of taking many of the funds used for policing and reverting them to other programs that better reflect the actual help that is needed for the majority of police calls, and ending homelessness. It is time for massive change in the United States – our entire country needs healing. COVID made all our issues obvious. Now we have to deal with them. I think our generation got apathetic about justice issues and politics and now we are realizing politics aren’t just for politicians. We have a massive amount of catch up to do – especially white people regarding facing and being honest about the reality of racism in America – and I feel a sense of urgency in our catch up. Especially with the election not that far away. I am passionate about being fearless about this. The time is now.

Best advice you’ve ever received in regards to caring for your body?
Rest is just as important as effort in working out and doing a lot. Chewing your food and drinking more water than you think you need. Getting yourself into nature and spending time alone too. Your body is a reflection of your emotional and psychological states, so this comes into play as well. You have to take care of your heart, and sometimes this means solo time and sometimes this means making more effort to connect to your community and support systems, playing and dancing, and leaving some space to be spontaneous – all of these are so key.

How do you stay focused and motivated throughout the day? 
I make sure that anything I am involved in I believe in – reflects my values and passions – and is never just for money. Also, balance. Taking a moment to walk around the block or lay down with your legs up the wall, standing up and listening to a song and walking into the other room – all of this is important to go back to the drawing board and meet the task at hand. Oh, and odd elixirs – like homemade hibiscus iced tea mixed with sparkling water and a dash of apple cider vinegar  – with ice – this gets me going.

What are some of your favorite foods that keep your skin healthy?
Spirulina, Avocado, Passion Fruit, Apple Cider vinegar mixed with sparkling water and an iced tea or fruit juice, dandelion greens, chlorella tablets, lemon water, and let’s not forget the most important – STRAIGHT UP WATER!

What’s on your WFH playlist?
The albums I can listen to and still get work done are:
The Ethiopiques, vol. 21 and vol. 4 collection
All Melody by Nils Frahm
Sous la direction de Traore Keletigui, vol. 1 by Orchestre Paillote
Angel’s Rest by East Forest
Devi Prayer by Craig Pruess
Talking Timbuktu by Al Farka Toure with Ry Cooder
The Best of Caetano Veloso
Horizon Unlimited by Lijadu Sisters

Fill in the blank:
    Spending time alone     is underrated.

After 50 years of practicing Dermatology and treating diseases of the skin, Dr. Goldfaden has seen the full spectrum of skin conditions. “The skin on your body is as important as the skin on your face.” Choosing clean body products can target and correct the most common body issue most people are dealing with. Dr. G created our NEW Body Collection to extend healthy skin care from the chest down. Our Doctor’s Body Scrub is a multi-active scrub features micro-fine exfoliating crystals, skin-softening Bamboo Extract, skin-brightening Fruit Enzymes, soothing Probiotic-fermented Extract, and antioxidant-rich Red Algae. After exfoliating, Firm Believer Body Serum offers elasticity enhancing Radish Root Extract and skin softening Marula Oil and Shea Butter. Hyaluronic Acid helps to hydrate and plump skin while a combination of Brown + Red Algae along with Coffee & Gotu Kola Extracts work to increase microcirculation while helping to firm and tone the skin.

We asked Dr. G to weigh in on common body skin conditions (and some you may not have heard of) and how exfoliation is still the most important and effective part of your skincare regimen. Of course if you think you may be suffering from any of the below, you should see your dermatologist for a formal diagnosis, but in the meantime taking time to care and treat your body at home will not only make your skin glow but also make you feel good.

Keratosis Pilaris

What is it: A very common especially in females and children.  Keratosis Pilaris is caused by a buildup of keratin, excess skin and oil which blocks the hair follicle causing little bumps (often white) under the skin’s surface. Found on the arms and thighs. Very commonly this is an inherited condition and people may refer to it as ‘chicken skin’.

How to help: Exfoliation won’t cure Keratosis Pilaris but it can help the roughness of the skin and the appearance of the bumps. Physical exfoliants (like a scrub) can assist in smoother, more even-textured skin, while a chemical exfoliant such as Lactic, Glycolic or fruit acids can work in tandem to smooth skin out.  Hydrating the skin is also very important when treating Keratosis Pilaris.

Xerosis

What is it:  The medical term for ‘excess dry skin’, Xerosis is caused by lack of moisture in the skin. This can be caused by dry climates, cold weather, artificial heating and aging.

How to help: Regular exfoliation of the body will remove dead, dry skin allowing active hydrating ingredients to treat the skin. Systemic hydration (drinking water, eating foods high with a high-water content and topical hydration (serums, moisturizers, lotions and creams) are crucial to reverse and treat Xerosis.

Ichthyosis

What is it:  An inherited condition, which can vary in severity. Most commonly found on the legs, however, can be all over the body in more severe cases. Ichthyosis coming from the Greek word for ‘fish’ appears as dry, thickened, scaly skin.

How to help: Exfoliation will help this condition by removing dry, scaly skin. Use of a very hydrating body lotion or cream is preferred.

Teania Versicolor

What is it: Meaning ‘fungus of many colors’, Tinea Versicolor appears as white patchy, flat splotches usually found on the upper arms and face. More noticeable when the skin gets sun or tanned.

How to help: Exfoliation is excellent for the removal of the superficial fungus and dead skin.

Backne, Chest Breakouts and Butt Bumps

What are they:  Little or big bumps/pimples that show up on the back, the chest and the butt. All are considered acne and can be caused by hormones, clothing friction, cosmetic products/SPF that are too heavy or bacteria left behind from sweat and dirt. The overproduction of oil causes hair follicles to get clogged causing inflammation which is the pimple or bump that surfaces. You’re more prone to getting pimples and breakouts on your back vs. the face in general because those areas have high concentrations of hair follicles and sebaceous glands (glands that secrete an oily matter called sebum) which when clogged, cause breakouts. The skin located on the back is also very think and endures a different environment altogether. The back area is typically clothed, so the skin can’t breathe as easily and experiences conditions such as; sweat build-up, wearing tight and restrictive clothing when exercising and not showering after. This can lead to clogged hair follicles, over oil production, and acne.

How to help: Always shower after working out or sweating. Try and not sit around in damp workout clothing. Regular exfoliation unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils. Regular exfoliation also helps to maintain open pores, decreases pore size, minimizes many types of superficial scarring and ward off bacteria which causes breakouts and rashes. Try switching to a lightweight body serum or oil-free lotion for the warmer months.