Hello and happy Friday! This is Dr. Ryan Shelton, coming to you with another Mailbag! If you don’t know what a Mailbag is, it’s my weekly ritual where I answer 2 questions from customers who need my advice on their skincare problems and concerns. Today, our first question is from Rita in West Jordan, UT.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan! I am almost 60 years old and my niece who is 25 is going on about “Glass skin”. I saw some photos that she showed me of women online who had beautifully clear skin, and it made me a little insecure because I have so many dark spots. How can I get rid of them?
A: Hi Rita! Thanks for being so open about your insecurities with your dark spots. I can certainly give you some suggestions to help you feel a little better and get your confidence boosted again!
First of all, it’s important to remember that with all the technology nowadays, people online aren’t as perfect as you think they are.
Social media can be very deceptive, so try not to compare yourself to the women online - after all, they could be editing their pictures for all you know!
Having said this, if you want to create a clearer and more even complexion you certainly have some options available to you…
The first thing you should be doing is wearing SPF every single day. While dark spots can be caused by a lot of different things, the sun is a big contributor.
Wear an SPF of at least 30 during the day, and if you find it’s an extra sunny day, you might want to apply it a second time when the sun’s at its highest in the sky.
Next, the best way to get rid of dark spots is to use a spot corrector with antioxidants like Vitamin C.
You probably know that Vitamin C is all the rage right now, and it’s the ingredient everyone is talking about, particularly anyone who is following this “Glass skin” trend.
My Dark Spot Corrector has Dragon Fruit extract in it, which contains Vitamin C to help lighten any dark spots you have.
On top of that, it also boosts circulation in your skin, helping to create a brighter, more even complexion!
But just so you know, dark spots are stubborn, so make sure you never miss a day of using the Dark Spot Corrector.
As long as you stick to it, you’re going to be so pleased with your results and you’ll be able to experience “Glass skin” for yourself!
Good luck, Rita!
My next question comes from Catherine in South Gate, CA.
Q: Hello Dr. Shelton. I’m getting really frustrated with my foundation because it keeps creasing on my skin and makes my wrinkles more obvious. It used to work so well! What do I do?
A: Hi Catherine! I’m sorry to hear that your foundation is not giving you the results that it used to. I’m glad you came to me for advice because most people would think they need to change foundations, however, that doesn’t seem to be the solution you need in this case. Let me explain…
When it comes to makeup, no matter how hard you try, it’s almost impossible to cover up skin that’s missing nutrients or hydration, especially if your skin is naturally dry.
Dry skin can be tough to disguise with makeup because foundation easily settles into your wrinkles and can latch on to dead skin, making it stick out like a sore thumb!
If you’ve experienced a lot of success with your foundation in the past, chances are it’s not the cause of the problem. In fact, it’s likely that your skin needs a little extra hydration and exfoliation.
My professional recommendation is to start with a gentle exfoliator with Alpha hydroxy acids in it. These acids are so well known for helping to create a smooth, even complexion, helping you wash those dead skin cells down the drain.
My Lavender Oil Cleanser has AHAs in it, so just a few days of using it should help you notice the difference!
On top of that, you’ll need my favorite combination of two products that help to hydrate and plump the skin while protecting it from losing moisture - a serum and a moisturizer.
A serum works to help target and fix low hydration levels in your skin, while a moisturizer helps to keep that moisture locked in throughout the day.
I created my Collagen Filler Serum to mesh perfectly with my Repair and Release Cream to have this effect!
All you need to do is apply the serum to your skin, massage it in, and seal the deal with the Repair and Release.
Not only will they help fix your problem with your foundation, but they’ll also help smooth and plump your skin to get rid of any wrinkles that your foundation wants to settle into!
I really think you’ll be surprised how much of a difference adding these products to your routine can make.
Let me know how it goes, Catherine!
