Yes, you’ve heard the statistics, no doubt, that skin cancer rates are increasing. Despite the myths and controversies surrounding sun protection and skin cancer (until more conclusive studies come out, we’re burying those myths under our pillows), we are firm advocates of sunscreen.

One of the handiest travel kits we’ve seen this year is Dermalogica’s new Daylight Defense Kit. This kit contains major SPF (in the 20 and 30 variety) with antioxidants C and E with sunscreens that ward off the Dark Sith effects of UV rays and free radicals. The kit contains a Solar Defense Booster, a MultiVitamin BodyBlock, a Solar Shield and an After Sun Repair.

The kit contains Smart Booster Technology (think of it as exceptionally high SPF IQ in a kit) that gives your skin serious protection while enriching it with nutrients and vitamins. Best of all, it’s pretty inexpensive ($35). Have a blast in the sun!

- Charu Suri

Dr. Dennis Gross is our resident beauty expert for the week, and he is on tap to answer your most burning skincare questions for your chance to score one of the brand new sunscreens from DG Skincare.

What do you have to do to win? It’s as simple as riding a bike (or using sunscreen!):

1. Post your question to our Facebook page so everyone can view the answer. There is a limit of one question per person, per day for the next five days (no cheating )

2. Winners will be chosen at random and announced in the Comments section of this post, daily. So make sure you check back to see if you’ve won.

3. Make sure you spread the word and the giveaway love! Tell your friends and family and make them a fan of BeautyStat on Facebook.

Good luck! With the sun coming out and dancing during the summer months, we’ll all need to benefit from some good, solid SPF love. And how often do you get to pick the brain of a well-known derm AND possibly snag some sunscreen, right? So ask, share and score! You’re welcome!

- Charu Suri

CONTEST TIME!! This one’s a fun one (aren’t they all???) Yesterday was a big day in the beauty world. The winners of the 2010 CEW Beauty Awards were announced in the Big Apple. The judges picked some good ones of course, but we want to know which products YOU would choose to win an award if you were a judge. Leave us a comment on our Facebook Wall to be entered to win perhaps our most magnificent prize evah… A LOOT BAG STRAIGHT FROM THE AWARDS!!!

Want it? Then get voting, share this with friends too!

BATH AND BODY : Bath/Shower Product Mass

Olay Body Wash Plus Tone Enriching Ribbons Olay Body Wash Plus Tone Enriching Ribbons is the only body wash with an actual ribbon of mineral shimmer. It was found to significantly increase skin’s radiance and brightness and decrease the appearance of uneven tone and discoloration after just one use. The ribbon of mineral shimmer leaves skin with a smooth, even sheen while high levels of moisture keep skin hydrated for a full 24 hours after four days of use. A breakthrough dual-stream “ribbon” technology discovered by P&G Beauty scientists allows the moisturizing ribbon of mineral shimmer and a cleansing ribbon to not interact until mixed with water.

BATH AND BODY : Bath/Shower Product Prestige

Fresh Sugar Açaí Body Scrub Fresh creates modern alchemy, fusing innovative, natural ingredients with time-honored beauty rituals. Sugar Açaí Body Scrub is an exfoliating body cleanser that calls upon the restorative powers of açaí. Sugar Açaí Body Scrub contains antioxidant-rich açaí, buffing sugar crystals, cell-renewing sugar fruit acids, and nourishing Cupuaçu seed butter. The exfoliant leaves skin glowing from head to toe. Sugar Açaí Body Scrub is packaged in a plastic 200 ml tube that is perfect for the shower and travel.

BATH AND BODY : Body Treatment Mass

Vaseline® Sheer Infusion™ with Stratys-3™ With the most powerful patented multilayer moisturizing complex, Vaseline® Sheer Infusion™ with Stratys-3™ is the only lotion to infuse and suspends moisture at skin’s top, core, and deep layers for two times more moisture and an unmatched silky skin feel. Biggest breakthrough in body lotion in 10 years, Stratys-3 combines glycerol quat, a molecule discovered by Unilever, glycerin, and HEU. Each works at a specific skin layer for superior hydration. Vaseline Sheer Infusion is available in both a 6.8-ounce bottle and 13.5-ounce pump. The packaging features a blue to silver gradient to represent a more premium look.

BATH AND BODY : Body Treatment Prestige

Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Night Health Bedtime Spray Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Night Health Bedtime Spray works with the body’s natural rhythms and functions to help promote relaxation and optimal health during the night. It offers a gentle, natural way to support healthy sleep habits. Night Health Bedtime Spray encourages a more restful night’s sleep with a clinically proven patent-pending formula of organic lavender, organic mandarin, and chamomile essential oils. Night Health Bedtime Spray is a soothing aromatherapy spray that can be lightly misted on the skin before bedtime to achieve a smooth transition into a dreamy state.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Acne Treatment

La Roche Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment is an intensive acne treatment that was formulated to visibly reduce stubborn and inflammatory acne in just three days while also minimizing irritation. Combines LHA, which micro-exfoliates, stimulates cell renewal, and evens skin tone, and benzoyl peroxide, which is clinically proven to treat acne, for the first time. Packaging is sleek and modern, and the product is easy to dispense. The fine tip is ideal for applying the zone treatment.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Anti-Aging Mass

Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment This product is a targeted treatment for the deepest wrinkles, containing the highest concentration of Pro-retinol and niacinamide available through Olay. It was designed by the Olay Professional Alliance for Skin Care Innovation, a group of renowned dermatologists and Olay Scientists, and was subject to rigorous development and clinical testing. Olay Professional Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment utilizes a multiple-technology approach to penetrate deep into the skin’s surface, combating the appearance of wrinkles and intensely hydrating to allow the natural production of collagen. It contains niacinamide to strenghten the stratum corneum, Pal-KT and Pal-KTTKS to increase hydration, and Retinyl Propionate to condition and renew cells to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is packaged in a special three-layered tube under a nitrogen blanket to protect the ingredients.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Anti-Aging Prestige

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate is a Lancôme first. It is a product inspired by our genes that helps boost skin’s tone, texture, and luminosity, making it look as if it is lit from within. This high-tech elixir contains a complex that has been show to stimulate the expression of the genes that activate the production of youth proteins. Génifique is incredibly simple to incorporate into any skincare regimen. Its lightweight texture absorbs beautifully into the skin, making it an ideal layering product. In just seven days, skin looks youthful again. A decade of research, seven international patents, and a collaboration with two teaching universities resulted in the creation of Génifique, Lancôme’s first youth activator. The sleek dropper bottle is the ideal delivery system. Simply pump the top to fill the dropper with product. Pump the contents onto the palm of your hand, warm the product, and massage onto your face.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Cleanser & Scrub Mass

VISINE® Total Eye Soothing Wipes™ From the #1 most trusted eye drop brand, VISINE Total Eye Soothing Wipes are soft, moist pads that gently clean around the eye to remove debris and irritants like dust, pollen, and makeup (including waterproof mascara). Ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested, the wipes feature eight moisturizers to hydrate the eye area, a cooling agent, and gentle cleanser from coconut and fruit sugars to sweep away debris. 30 thick and soft, yet durable moist fabric pads rest in a seal-tight white jar.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Cleanser & Scrub Prestige

Shiseido Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam is a luxurious cleanser for all skin types that lifts away pore- clogging impurities. It contains sophora root extract for anti-bacterial benefits and wild rose extract for added moisture and hydration. Shiseido discovered that Serpin B3 exists in the skin and accelerates skin damage. Shiseido developed Skingenecell 1P, which decreases the amount of Serpin B3 for a more healthy complexion. Contained in a beautiful iridescent black tube, evocative of Japanese cultural aesthetics.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Eye Treatment Mass

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller is a concentrated anti-aging treatment that fights the signs of aging in the eye area, providing dramatic results in just 30 seconds, without drastic measures like cosmetic procedures. It features a pen-shaped applicator with three precision micro-rollers that gently massage to immediately reduce puffiness and continue working to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the delicate eye area.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Eye Treatment Prestige

Shiseido Benefiance NutriPerfect Eye Serum A lightweight serum that improves skin firmness around the eyes and diminishes the appearance of deep wrinkles and crow’s feet with evident improvement after only three weeks of use! Formula promotes collagen production to combat sagging and elasticity, and includes key ingredient Carnosine DP to restore vitality to skin cells and boost defense against free radicals. A sleek gold air-tight pump efficiently dispenses the product and protects the formula from exposure to light, heat, and air.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Moisturizer Mass

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager The Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager is a daily radiance moisturizer with caffeine and other skin nutrients that help correct the signs of aging while keeping skin hydrated. The formula contains caffeine, known for its stimulating and energizing effects, grape polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant, and vitamin C, which helps promote even-toned skin. The stimulating massage action of the exclusive rolling applicator boosts skin’s microcirculation for an instant healthy glow.

FACIAL SKINCARE : Moisturizer Prestige

Shiseido Future Solution Total Regenerating Cream Formulated based on discovery that damaged, stressed skin contains high levels of Serpin B3, this cream decreases Serpin B3 with key patent-pending ingredient Skingenecell 1P. Shiseido develop’s Skingenecell 1P which decreases Serpin B3 for a healthy complexion. Strengthens skin against harmful environmental factors and improves overall skin condition. Evocative of Japanese aesthetics, an ebony jar contains a spatula to indicate proper dosage for product application.

HAIR : Hair Care Product Mass

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care Moisture Shampoo EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care Moisture Shampoo frees hair from harsh sulfates and salts that can dull color and damage hair. It helps prevent premature fading and still addresses the special needs of your hair’s condition and texture. Features an anti-fade system that protects and cares for color, making it last for up to 32 washes. Does not contain sulfates or salts. Cleanses with naturally derived surfactants. The shampoo delivers a sensorial experience with a luxurious lather that is uncommon to sulfate-free shampoo. Scented with rosemary, mint, and juniper.

HAIR : Hair Care Product Prestige

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo No Frizz Shampoo is the first step for frizz-free hair. It’s sulfate-free so it cleanses effectively but gently, without harsh drying detergents. Its ultra-rich lather leaves hair soft, smooth, and frizz-free without any heavy oils or silicones. It deposits breakthrough technology PolyfluoroEster to effectively stop frizz by blocking humidity without weighing hair down. It utilizes a sulfate-free surfactant system with an ultra-rich lather. No Frizz Shampoo is in custom engineered, patent-pending packaging inspired by the look of pottery.

HAIR : Hair Coloring Product Prestige

ColorMetrics TouchBack by ColorMark The TouchBack marker delivers real liquid hair color to touch-up gray roots instantly, using a custom-designed, patented system. Application is quick, easy, and precise. TouchBack bonds to the hair and will not flake or rub off when brushed. TouchBack is ammonia and peroxide-free. Available in 8 shades. TouchBack is real hair color in a unique marker. TouchBack’s marker delivery system is totally new technology for applying temporary touch-up color to the hair. The system has 4 patents. The TouchBack marker is ergonomically sculpted for accurate orientation in either hand. The hair color is held in an internal reservoir that delivers the dye to the tip through capillary action.

HAIR : Hair Styling Product Mass

Klorane No Rinse Care with Papyrus Milk No Rinse Care with Papyrus Milk detangles and smoothes hair without weighing it down. Enriched with frizz-controlling actives, this innovative formula also protects against thermal aggressors and humidity. Papyrus milk, extracted from plants grown exclusively in the sandy, humid soil of Eastern Spain, is composed of essential fatty acids and phospholipids to nourish and smooth hair. A cream formula that is distributed through a pump.

HAIR : Hair Styling Product Prestige

Living Proof Full Thickening Cream Full Thickening Cream makes fine, thin hair look and behave like thick hair, resulting in naturally soft, touchable fullness that lasts throughout the day. Features Poly Beta Amino Ester-1, a new molecule invented by Living Proof that deposits thousands of thickening points onto the hair for soft, flexible, lasting thickness. Full is in custom engineered, patent-pending packaging, inspired by the look of pottery.

MAKEUP : Eye Product Mass

CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast Smoky ShadowBlast is a clever, two-step system that helps women create the perfect colorful smoky eye at home. Consumers can now be the expert and use this tool to apply, smudge, and blend shadow to a smoky perfection. It’s a smoky eye tool, plus makeup artist all-in-one shadow stick. Smoky ShadowBlast is available in six expertly coordinated colorful shade duos created by P&G Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath. The colors that Pat selected payout beautifully and the added waxes in the formula improve blending, which is key to achieving the desired look. The simple packaging of the professional smoky eye tool features a double-ended shadow stick with two precision applicator tips, one for the base and one for liner and the crease.

MAKEUP : Eye Product Prestige

Lancôme Ôscillation Powerbooster Vibrating. Amplifying. Primer Ôscillation Powerbooster Vibrating. Amplifying. Primer is a breakthrough vibrating lash primer that boosts the appearance of natural lash growth. The vibrating primer enhances the appearance of lash thickness, density, and length, so that naturally occurring lash growth is more noticeable. The primer also conditions lashes, making them stronger and more supple, while maximizing the effect of any mascara applied over it. Ôscillation Powerbooster’s Crescentia™ complex includes madecassoside (a fortifying ingredient), a nourishing amino acid, vitamin B5, and jojoba oil. To apply, push the button to activate the vibrating wand, apply at the roots of your lashes, and gently draw the brush upwards. There’s no need to zigzag the wand. Immediately top with any mascara.

MAKEUP : Face Product Mass

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush CoverGirl and Olay’s first age-defying cream blush, Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush, sculpts cheekbones for an even, naturally glowing look that highlights your cheekbones and not your age. The combination of Olay’s skin smarts with CoverGirl’s cosmetic authority provides women with a high-quality, prestige cream blush without the department store price. The advanced new formula incorporates Olay Regenerist serum with a combination of vitamins, skin conditioners, and antioxidants that help improve skin’s texture and deliver a contoured look. The compact is clear to visibly demonstrate the union of CoverGirl and Olay. The inclusion of the Olay swirl showcases the combination of the latest advancements in cosmetics and skincare.

MAKEUP : Face Product Prestige

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder is a unique mineral treatment, which measurably reduces redness on contact. It’s lab-certified. Under its care and cover, visible redness and broken capillaries virtually disappear instantly and for hours. The patent-pending formula helps skin keep its cool and is appropriate for skin with mild to moderate rosacea or reactive redness.

MAKEUP : Lip Product Mass

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor delivers a new level of crisp, high-resolution color and creamy comfort. The uncompromised texture allows for a nurturing, creamy feel. Unique pigments impart crisp color with pure payoff. Full-coverage color looks rich and true from the moment you apply it. Luxurious honey nectar nourishes lips for an exquisite application. Shades and packaging are grouped into four color families. Sleek, luxurious tubes come in red, pink, plum, and natural to reinforce what’s inside. Finding your shade has never been easier.

MAKEUP : Lip Product Prestige

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain A revolution in lipstick, Rouge G de Guerlain might just be the most luxurious beauty accessory of our time. This weapon of mass seduction features a secret, sleekly hidden mirror and an exceptional formula for perfectly shaped lips and long-lasting color. Ingredients include ruby powder, tiger grass, and mango butter, which create the five essential criteria of perfect lips: radiance, definition, smoothing of the surface, plumping, and maximum comfort. Jeweler Lorenz Baumer designed a mechanism to reproduce the air-releasing effect of an antique powder case. At first click, the case reveals a mirror and then a lipstick nestled within.

MEN’S GROOMING : Men’s Grooming

American Crew Trichology Hair Recovery Patch American Crew continues to lead the way in men’s grooming with products and solutions for men’s ever-changing needs. The latest innovation, Trichology Hair Recovery System, includes the Hair Recovery Patch. Provides ultimate convenience and gradual-release technology to prolong the life of hair. Patented formula of hops, rosemary, Swertia japonica, and silica recovers fuller, thicker, stronger hair. Apply the patch to problem areas before bed or for a minimum of eight hours to clean, dry skin. The patch can be used with other products in the system to achieve optimum results.

SCENT : Men’s Scent

	John Varvatos Artisan Designer John Varvatos debuts his new fragrance, Artisan, which is a mix of old world craftsmanship and modern technique. Citrus, ginger, and rare woods are captured in a flask of hand-woven rattan, giving each bottle its own character.

SCENT : Women’s Scent Mass

P&G Prestige Avril Lavigne Black Star Avril Lavigne Black Star was created for the girl who loves to stand out and express her own style. Black Star is a deliciously distinctive fragrance that embodies Avril’s individuality. Black Star is a fusion of vibrant floral, fruity and gourmand accords, each with a distinctive, lively appeal. The notes blend to create a swirling, sparkling cloud of fragrance, for a truly energetic scent. Black Star’s bottle takes on a unique and striking star shape, and was designed to capture Avril’s distinctive style. The bottle is topped with a studded black cap, helping to bring Avril’s vision to

SCENT : Women’s Scent Prestige

Coty Prestige Lola Marc Jacobs Lola is Marc Jacobs’ personal creation, his vision of feminine and sexy. Inspired by his fashion, he designed Lola to have an over-the-top colorful bouquet exploding from the bottle. Two unique bottle shapes create an imaginative line with a curvier 100 ml bottle and a more slender 50 ml bottle. The iconic high-gloss multicolored layered cap attracts the attention of all! Lola Marc Jacobs is a warm floral bouquet that is playfully alluring and irresistibly tempting. An intoxicating swirl of rich layers wraps the skin with the signature fuschia peony.

SUN : Sun Product Mass

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60+ with PureScreen™ This gentle, broad-spectrum sunblock lotion physically blocks the sun’s damaging rays by creating a barrier between the skin and the sun. It provides long-lasting, photo-stabilized UVA/UVB protection. PureScreen™ technology contains naturally-sourced minerals, titanium dioxodiade, and zinc oxide. The fine formula aesthetics minimize the chalky appearance commonly associated with sunblock. This sunblock lotion for sensitive skin is packaged in a tube.

SUN : Sun Product Prestige

Bare Escentuals BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen offers 100% natural sunscreen protection for face and body and is formulated with micronized titanium dioxide called “Maxlight” technology. The formula is fortified with aloe vera and contains vitamins A, C, and E, which dissolve into skin to provide an extra boost of essential nutrients and antioxidants for sun-exposed skin. BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen comes in a patent-pending flow-through package with a locking mechanism for on-the-go portability and easy application.

Post your favorites on our Facebook Wall to be eligible to win.

Clinique must have heard my silent cries for help, because they produced their new All About Eyes De-Puffing Eye Massage ($25.50 at clinique.com.) Physically, the metal ball of the roll-on applicator cools the eye area, while the chemicals like amentoflavone, humulus lupulus extract, and caffeine in the serum calm and soothe irritated skin. The compact container makes for easy portability, and my eyes felt better immediately. It’s like carrying a nap in my purse. Not quite as restful as the real thing, but definitely better for my career and social life.

- Katharine McKenzie

We asked you if you could have any type of beauty expert (skin, hair, makeup artist, etc) cornered in an elevator for 30 minutes, what kind of expert would you want and what would you ask him or her?  Many of you had questions for a dermatologist so we brought in our resident dermatologist, Dr. Ellen Marmur to help.

What is the best skin care advice that you give to your patients?

My best skin care advice to my patients is to simply simplify! Know what skin does, how it works, and it’s basic architecture first. Then shop for your skin care products knowing more than anyone selling them so you chose based on good knowledge over marketing.

What is the best way to treat very sensitive skin that needs both early anti-aging intervention AND treatment for breakouts around the jaw line and chin? Thank you in advance!

In my book you can read my tricks for how to do exactly what you asked. Sensitive skin does not disqualify you from anti-aging products (yeahhh!!) but you need to use them wisely. First, be sure your sensitivity isn’t actually an allergy—ask your dermatologist for an easy, painless patch test. Then try using Epiduo or for your breakouts twice a day to the spots as necessary. For anti-aging try a product with a retinol. Refissa CR (prescription) is new—it has a medium strength retinoid plus a strong emollient to prevent dryness and irritation of the skin. Give it a shot!

What is the best cure for under eye bags? Collagen? – Vanessa M.

Dear Vanessa—Big bags or little bags? Right under the lashes? Or down above the bony rim of the orbit? Some bags can be camouflaged by using fillers around them. Collage is no longer used. The best filler for this area is called hyaluronic acid. It is considered an off label use and should be injected only by core cosmetic physicians—dermatologist, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and ENT surgeons. But it’s absolutely beautiful when done for the right person. If you have bigger bags under your eyes, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. Ask your dermatologist for advice, but don’t worry, there are ways to fix the bags! Otherwise, topical creams may not be satisfactory to you so save your money for the right procedure.

I recently noticed that the pores on my checks that are closer to my nose are more prominent than the rest of my face (they are on both sides of the face). Can you advice what I can do to minimize or shrink my pores? It is more noticeable when I use powder foundation, the skin looks dry and rough.

Help! I have great skin and now I am starting to freak out.

– Kristina

Dear Kristina, Did you know that these may not be pores but my actually be hair follicles?? The density of hair follicles is greatest in the midline of the face—the nose and the medial cheeks. Tiny, almost invisible hairs grow there and and often we think they are pores. The good news is you can definitely minimize the pore size by doing several things. Exfoliate twice a week with a creamy exfoliator, use a retinoid at night, be excellent with sun protection everyday, moisturize with your favorite gentle creams twice a day, and try the pore strips (Biore)! They will remove any protein, oil, or dead skin from the top of the skin and allow the pore or opening of the follicle to constrict tightly. The Rolls Royce of treatments you can do for large pores is a series of Fraxel laser resurfacing procedures. This will plump up your collagen and build up your elastin—both have the effect of tighter pores and a smooth complexion.

I am constantly trying to create that perfect dewy look that all the celebrities seem to wear so effortlessly. While I have tried many of the suggested techniques (mixing a shimmer in with moisturizer or foundation, cream blush, etc), I am really searching for a few all-time favorite products that can help one achieve such a glamorous glow! What specific beauty finds would you recommend?

– Jody

Dear Jody—This is actually easier than it sounds. Rule #1—simplify. The last thing you need is dry, irritated, over-exposed skin when trying for the dewy look. Rule #2—exfoliate, moisturize, protect with sunblock. Rule #3—use self tanner (Clarins is a favorite.) Rule #4—use a serum. Serums have illuminators in them that give a dewy sheen. Rule #5—keep your make-up light and sheer (try Laura Mercier for the natural look. She has wonderful sand colored eyeshadows and bronzers that may be great for you!)

Do fat cells create oilier skin? In other words, is it true that the fatter you are the oilier your skin?

- Suzette

Dear Suzette—it is sooo not true that more body fat causes oilier skin! Oil glands are very much genetic and hormonally stimulated. Yes, hormones are related to obesity, but there is no data to support that oily skin is more common in people with higher percentage of body fat. If you want help with oily skin, your dermatologist has great tricks for you. Accutane (very low dosage) helps, Plexion pads twice daily are great, and oil free mineral makeup is good for oily skin types.

How do you treat milia? When I look it up it seems more common for newborns but I am referring to milia associated with acne. Any reason why it develops? Thanks!

- Yvette

Dear Yvette—milia with acne are actually called closed comedones. They are little cyst under the skin. Open comedones look black because the air oxidizes the protein in the cyst thus the dreaded blackheads. Comedones are partly due to a problem with skin turnover, meaning retained skin on the surface, leading to clogged pores and cysts. You should see your dermatologist first to confirm this diagnosis. Then you should come up with a simple routine that can protect, enhance, and troubleshoot! My favorite new product for your issue is Epiduo cream (prescription). Try to do 2 chemical peels a year and use non-comedogenic products to maintain your perfect skin!

I’m confused about chemical sunscreens vs. physical sunscreens. Are you better protected from sun damage when you wear a broad spectrum chemical sunscreen or when you wear a physical sunscreen? For maximum benefits, should you layer physical sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen? Are there products on the market that combine both types of sunscreen in one product? Thanks for your help!

- Vanessa Eliana Rivera

Dear Vanessa, There are chemical sunscreens and physical sunblocks and yes, use them in combination for the best protection. Sunscreens are chemicals that intercept the UV ray and turns it into heat so it evaporates off the skin’s surface without penetrating and causing havoc. But sunscreens get used up the more sun it converts, like gasoline in a car runs out the more you drive. So reapply every 1-2 hours. Physical blockers literally rest on top of the skin and block the sunlight from penetrating through them. Zinc and titanium oxides are two examples. They don’t run out or get used up like sunscreens but they wipe off due to water or sweat, so they need to be reapplied every 1-2 hours, too. Each chemical has it’s strengths and limitations so a combination is the best way to go. Unless you invent the ideal sunscreen with one molecule that perfectly protects the skin from the sun, use a combo of sunscreen and sunblock.

When should you start using more aggresive treatments like AHA’s and peels?

- Marisa Bradford

AHA’s and chemical peels are superb in young people with acne, or very, very old people over the age of 30 who need a little help with pigmentation from hormones or fine lines. Peels can be very light to very strong and I love them, but only let a very experienced doctor do them for you.

I need advice for Baby Boomer skin! How can I reduce the signs of aging skin?

- Barbara Moon Webster

Ok, so baby boomers are in their 40’s and 50’s right? And therefore, your skin aging is showing up as brown spots, wrinkles, and perhaps a little laxity of your cheeks. This is a great question and I wrote an entire chapter on it in my book (SSB). Essentially, your routine must focus on protection, moisturizing, and trouble shooting. Protect with sunscreen every day of the year, moisturize twice a day, and trouble shoot away those signs of aging. Laser or peel off the brown spots and wrinkles. Use a retinoid to prevent new ones. And simply, you are good to go!!!

How does one get rid of whiteheads for Baby Boomer Skin? Mostly cheek bones area?

- Kim Snyder

Kim—I have those too! They are called milia—little, white, closed cysts that are just under the skin. If you have just a few, then yes, professional extraction is the easiest thing. If you have a lot, then you need a master plan. Exfoliate daily with a gentle exfoliator (like Sanitas lemon creamy exfoliator), use a retinoid at night (the new Refissa cream looks amazing, it’s a prescription), have one good chemical peel with your doctor or a Fraxel resurfacing treatment, and be sure to remove make-up from your skin at night (Clinique’s milk creamy make up remover is nice!)

These can result from sun damage, make up, or injury to the skin. Good luck!

I have a question strictly about redness in the skin. I have redness more around my nose and on my cheeks. Is there a treatment I can do to get rid of it?

-Stephanie

Hi Stephanie—all redness is not created equally. If you have any other issues like flakey skin, pimples, or symptoms like itching or burning along with the redness, you should ask your dermatologist to you make a diagnosis. Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and allergic or irritant contact dermatitis can look red. Sometimes—rarely—it can be more serious. So have that redness checked. But, yes! If it is just lucky red skin, then we can treat you with intense pulsed light and pulsed dye laser! Some people uses anti-inflammatory creams like Finacea or metrogel to help reduce redness too. I’ve had good luck using Fraxel laser to reduce redness as well—which also replaces sun damaged skin with new, healthy skin, and helps tighten, smooth, and lift the skin.

Ellen Marmur, M.D., the author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin wants to know YOUR candid questions.

Dr. Marmur is the Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and specializes in skin cancer surgery, cosmetic surgery, and women’s health dermatology.

At the very worst, I suspected the skin police equivalents of Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear were lurking around, ready to give me a good talking to. Honestly, I felt so terribly about my skin that the stress of knowing that gave me more breakouts. Of this I was certain.

Genifique Youth Activating Night Repair Cream

And Lancome (aka God) threw my skin a life saver in the form of Genifique Repair Youth Activating Night Cream. All it took was TWO NIGHTS of applying this rich non-comedogenic cream to get my skin texture beautifully even, smooth, and on my road to being zit-free.

Genifique Youth Activating Night Repair Cream

I have every reason to believe that if burglars broke into my house, this jar would be missing (trust me, I don’t have much else to rob). This cream — like the serum –utilizes the power of youth activating genes. And this cream is new, and can be worn over your Genifique Serum.

Priced at $95, you can choose between this cream and a whole variety of other items: from dinner for two on the town to cute pieces from the Zac Posen for Target line. But trust me, with clear skin, you don’t need to wear much else.

Genifique Repair Youth Activating Night Cream retails for $95 at Lancome counters or online at www.lancome-usa.com.

- Charu Suri

Disclosure: sample was provided for editorial consideration

Vichy Aqualia Moisturizer

Like Philosophy’s Miracle Worker systems, the Antioxidant Fresh Serum comes in two separate containers that you, the consumer, combine and then refrigerate for maximum freshness. Because the serum contains 10% vitamin C and no preservatives, this refrigeration is crucial to maintaining the product’s effectiveness. I also imagine it would feel awfully good to smooth in on to sunburned skin, not that any of your plan on getting sunburned ever again.

Vichy Aqualia Serum

The complementing moisturizer, Pro-Youth Antioxidant 24Hour Hydrating Fluid SPF 12, contains the same ingredients as the serum, but also uses Vichy’s signature thermal water full of rare minerals to offer the skin 24 hours of hydration with each application. A word of caution: If you plan on extended time in the sun, put on a sun block with a little more muscle. Finally, the Anti-Fatigue Ice-Effect Eye Stick delivers these benefits to your eyes in a compact container that immediately chills a puffy eye area.

Vichy Aqualia Antiox Eye Stick

These products, designed specifically to reduce damage by oxidative stress (like sun damage) start showing results after 1-2 weeks, with the full effect coming to light in 3 weeks to a month.

-Katharine McKenzie

Editorial Disclosure: A sample was provided for editorial consideration

In the case of SPF, the higher number does not necessarily mean better. In fact, there’s a point at which the SPF number becomes as meaningless as a pile of empty papers on the floor.

Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50

We’re excited about the Skinceuticals new Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50, which is a brand new first-to-market mattifying fluid that provides a sheer protection for all skin types (even the super sensitive).

It offers the protection of a broad spectrum of PHYSICAL filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) instead of the typical CHEMICAL filters that sunscreens employ. There have also been some studies that link UVA and UVB rays to osteoporosis, so as the summer season rolls around, it pays to be religious to the point of fanatical about sunscreen.

It’s a “shake then apply” action that ensures even distribution of ingredients.

Best of all, it’s only $30. Purchase here.

- Charu Suri

Editorial Disclosure: A sample was provided for editorial consideration

Many of us know all too well that stretch marks work their way into being during times of quick weight gain, such as pregnancy. As the holistic plastic surgeon Dr. Shirley Madere explains, the stretch marks are better prevented than treated, since no treatment, not even surgery, can completely remove the unsightly lines.

To that end, the gel ($33) contains a 35% concentration of their patented alchemilla, ivy, and horsetail to prevent stretch marks from forming, while the Phytolastil Solution ($39) uses an 80% concentration of the same formula to fade existing marks.

In some countries (not ours) health insurance plans cover Phytolastil because it’s considered the best treatment for stretch marks in existence – its potent concoction of flavenoids and tannins smooth and tighten the affected skin like no other. So here’s to 35th years of stress-free bathing suits and low cut blouses. With Phytolastil, women afflicted by stretch marks can diminish them into near-nothingness. Phytolastil is available in select Duane Reade’s, CVS stores, and at www.lierac-usa.com.

Composed of alumina crystals for deep exfoliating (heavier scrubs can’t light a candle to these), Lierac’s smoothing cream is specifically designed for dull skin that’s lost its luster due to everyday life. We lathered it on after a thorough cleansing, and loved how smooth our face felt afterwards. If your pores are a problem like ours, we bet you’ll feel the same.

For more information, visit www.lierac-usa.com. Micro-Abrasion retails for $38 per 2.25 oz bottle.

by Megan Johnson