By Joanna Vargas
and C.A. Vargas
Consistency and a great home care routine must be the mantra for fit and beautiful skin. This point cannot be stressed enough, for lack of a routine, no matter how great the product, will never yield constant and permanent results. Of course, using organic skin care products, in my opinion, yields the best, result.

An at home skin care routine, coupled with regular facials, should be viewed as a preventative and protective measure against the factors which cause aging, breakouts, and dehydrated lackluster skin. Think of it like going to the gym regularly or following a strict and healthy diet, but for your face.

Follow these simple steps and they will yield younger, healthier looking skin. And they will only take a small amount of time to accomplish. Well worth the results and youthful life of your face and skin. Remember these are preventative measures and in truth, anti-aging techniques. But is never too late to start. So START!

CLEANSER:

If you walk outside, especially if you live in a city, the skin is constantly being bombarded by pollution, dirt and the elements at the same time. Therefore it is important that one use a nightly organic skin cleanser. This will remove any dirt and surface impurities that will have accumulated throughout the day. And if you wear makeup the accumulated dirt and pollution cake right on top. This is a very simple step that must not be neglected, no matter how tired you are. Washing your face nightly will aid the skin in its regeneration phase that happens during your sleep. Allowing the skin to breathed and become beautiful as the nights progress.

MOISTURIZE:

Moisturizers are a beauty essentias and are needed if the skin is to remain supple and smooth. This is a moisturizer’s primary goal and how they accomplish this is by retaining water or preventing it from evaporating. In essence a moisturizer will properly hydrate the skin and prevent its dehydration. Using a moisturizer will improve the skin’s functions especially during harsh winter days and brutal summer months. They are also a great help during long flights. You must choose a proper organic skin care moisturizer for your skin type as they are of different consistencies, from light to heavy. Properly moisturizing will prevent wrinkles and lines, a simple anti-aging remedy. I recommend that you moisturize minimally during the day as this is when you will encounter most of the elements which cause skin to age.

EXFOLIATION:

Since the skin produces sebum daily while shedding at the same time it is vital that you help it, as much as you can, to rapidly get rid of dead skin that can cause blemishes and breakouts. The fact is that dirt and pollution get trapped in between layers of skin and these same factors can cause it to breakout. Using an organic exfoliant will rid the face of dead skin and expose a glowing beautiful complexion. Exfoliating is a must as it triggers the skin’s healing mechanism and stimulates collagen and elastin. I recommend exfoliating at least once a week if not two for better results.

USE SUNSCREEN:

This is probably the most neglected step and it is absolutely fundamental in maintaining youthful looking skin. Doing away with this step can have serious consequences and according to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This is the ultimate price, however, the lesser consequences can be: hyper-pigmentation, age spots, wrinkles and dry leathery skin. A useful solution can be a mineral based sunscreen like Eminence Organic Sun Defense Powders with SPF 30. They come in a variety of tones to match everyone’s shade or Translucent if you don’t want any color at all. This will prevent over exposure to the sun and it’s harmful effects as mentioned above.

To purchase Eminence Organic Sun Defense call Joanna Vargas Skin Care Salon in New York City at 212.949.2350 or email us at Salon@joannavargas.com if you have any questions regarding our organic skin care products.

I can’t say say enough about Phyt’s, Contact/Gentle Gommage Exfoliator for all skin types, except to say I am truly addicted! It is gentle enough for ANYONE, and yet it really exfoliates the skin with visible results. It eliminates toxins, oxygenates the skin and brightens the complexion.

I love it because it exfoliates really thoroughly without damaging the protective external layer of skin. You can even use it on your eyes and lips! Contains Sunflower to conserve the skin’s moisture, Plant Cells to absorb and exfoliate, Lavendin Oil to soothe and purify, Ylang-Ylang as an anti-inflammatory and Clove to stimulate.

Exfoliation is a must if you want to get the best results out of your other skin care products. Use one to three times per week on clean dry skin.

Apply a thin layer to the entire face and neck. Let sit on the skin for five minutes and then rub off the mask with circular motions. As the mask falls from the face, too falls the dead cells and surface dirt leaving a beautiful, glowing fresh face behind. Rinse with water.

This organic skin care product is certified organic by ECOCERT.

Click on the “Prepare Your Skin for Winter” (left column) banner and get 10% off and Free Shipping within the United States.

By Joanna Vargas

I went to the beach this August for a family vacation. After the first day, my skin became dry and chapped from the saltwater, sun exposure and the sunscreen I was constantly applying. Then I remembered I had packed the Ila Body Balm for my son. After my shower, I started applying it all over. What a difference it made!

My skin was drinking in the moisture. What was amazing was the instant glow my skin had when I finished applying it.

This purely organic body balm is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, it is the perfect remedy for that overexposed, sun damaged skin we all get by summers end. Before this trip, I was only using it on my sons eczema, but now I use it everyday!

By Joanna Vargas and
C.A. Vargas

One of the best things that you can do at home in order to keep your skin clear and beautiful is: NEVER GO TO SLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON. This basically clogs your pores and slows down your skin’s natural regeneration process. Think of it as a preventative measure and insurance against the factors that will cause you to age prematurely.

Your skin goes through the same process that your body does when you sleep. It repairs and restores itself from the wear and tear of the day. Night time is so crucial for cell regeneration and if you leave makeup on, not only will you ruin your pillow case but also your beautiful skin.

The other more immediate cause of not removing your makeup is that your skin could breakout- something easily prevented by washing your face at night time. The fact is that most makeup contains harmful chemicals that are known carcinogens and studies show that your skin will absorb the many chemicals contained in them. They cause the skin to become irritated and dry immediately, but in the long run they cause aging from within.

Using a night time cleanser is an easy step that is often overlooked by many people, but if you start now you might avert any signs of aging for years to come. Washing your face at night before bed is a fundamental step to clear and beautiful skin. DON’T NEGLECT IT.

My recommendation when choosing a cleanser is simple. First, you should always use an organic facial cleanser that you can use everyday to remove surface dirt and grime. This will prepare your skin for moisturizer which contains needed nutrients that your skin needs in order to repair itself. Obviously, your moisturizer should also be organic so your skin can properly absorb all the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs to function at optimum. The result? Radiant, beautiful skin.

It is never too late to start a skin care regime that will make your skin look healthy and glowing! You will love yourself for it!