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

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.

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

The four new glosses have a shimmer effect and also link to a charity called “Kiss Away Poverty” which receives a dollar from every sale of LipFusion Color Shine (each gloss retails for $29, so they aren’t cheap).

Kim Kardashian will be the face of this new collection, as well as the company’s new Illumifill Line Filling Luminzer which will hit stores this spring. Our dear, curvalicious KK has indeed been a busy bee lately, with the launch of her fragrance and diet supplements.

It’s a lot to keep up with, KK, no pun intended. We haven’t tried the glosses yet, but as soon as we do, we’ll give you fresh print.

- Charu Suri

White Caviar Illuminating Cream drenches the skin with moisture as it provides lifting and firming benefits. Pearlescent powders in the cream give immediate illumination, while a complex of brightening ingredients works to control age spots and discoloration on the skin’s surface. Continued use promotes brighter, younger-looking skin as dark spots are prevented, and the skin is firmed and protected from environmental damage.

White Caviar Illuminating Serum interrupts the cycle that creates age spots, stopping discoloration before it begins. As existing spots fade, firmness, hydration and anti-oxidant protection are increased. This lightweight fluid may be added under any moisturizer to help prevent future discoloration and keep the skin looking its best.
White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum is a high-performing antidote to under-eye darkness. It causes the skin in this area to appear lighter and brighter for a more wide-awake and energized look. In addition, puffiness is reduced and the skin is lifted, firmed and smoothed with wrinkle-reducers. This formula adds power to any eye cream worn over it, increasing hydration and protection benefits.

Typical of products from La Prairie, this system combines premium ingredients with serious science, so expect serious price tags to match. White Caviar Illuminating Cream retails at $450/ 1.7 oz.; White Caviar Illuminating Serum at $450/ 1.0 oz.; and White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum at $250/0.5 oz. As a luxurious touch, the White Caviar Illuminating Système is housed in substantial white pearlescent jars with silver caviar beads around the cap.

On-counters now, La Prairie White Caviar Illuminating Système is available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.laprairie.com.

Natural plant extracts and Dead Sea minerals all make their appearance in this little green, almost cubist bottle. But there’s hardly any nauseating fragrance, and the skin is left moisturized as well as clean, which is a lot more than we can say for our drugstore soap we tried the other day.

Another product that wowed us from Kathy Ireland Skincare is the Mineral Scrub Mask ($19.99). It aims to shrink pores and all you have to do is to commit for 15 minutes per week (do you think you can handle that, commit-ment phobes?). They’ve even gone and milled Organic Peach Kernel to a fine powder to provide smooth as silk exfoliation. Okay, while the particles are not as fine as sand (you WILL feel them churn against your skin), the results are impressive.

Just go buy some, okay? You’ll thank me later.

Her hair was done in a super chic updo, created by TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist Mara Roszak. Roszak wanted ”an editorial look because she was wearing Givenchy. We also didn’t want the hair and make up to compete with the dress so we created an elegant but effortless look.”

Here’s how you can recreate Saldana’s Oscars 2010 red carpet ‘do:

1. It’s all about prepping the hair with mousse! I am a huge fan of the TRESemme Naturals line, and was pleased to find that Roszak had prepped damp hair with TRESemmé Naturals Lightweight Mousse. Then she blow dryed her hair upside down.

2. Roszak separated the crown from the rest of the hair and pulled back the sides into a tight pony. Then she pulled the hair almost all the way through but left the ends tucked into a ponytail holder. Note that it wasn’t a PERFECT ponytail, with a few pieces left outside the bun for a slightly messy look.

3. Then she teased the top part of the hair and criss crossed bobby pins to hold the hair in place securely. She also sprayed Saldana’s updo with TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Hair Spray.
4. Here’s a stylist secret! Spray hairspray on finger tips and gently pull the hair around the face with your fingers to loosen the hair, giving it an organic effortless look.