The Beauty Department

The looks, the products, the secrets...

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FROM: The Beauty Department

ASK A BEAUTY EDITOR: DIY chemical peels

Q: I've been getting light chemical peels at my local spa about once a month for the past year, and for the first time in my life, I have beautiful skin! The problem is, I can’t really afford it anymore. I love the results so much that I can’t give them up completely, but I want space them out more and do at-home peels in between. Can you recommend a really effective (i.e., strong) at-home peel?
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A: For those of you who haven't tried them, peels make your skin glowy and clearer and firmer, and work on everything from fine lines to acne to discoloration. And the best ones aren't complicated: You wipe one medicated pad over your face, wait a few moderately tingly minutes, and then use a neutralizing pad. Done.

And the "peel" part isn't as gory as it sounds: at-home peels are much more superficial--that is, less harsh--than what you'd get at a dermatologist's office. (If your skin is easily irritated, look for one designed for sensitive skin, like Clarins Gentle Facial Peeling, or use a more potent peel less often. Either way, wear SPF outside.)

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My two favorites: Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology 2-Step Exfoliating Glyco Peel for Acne, which is SO great for preventing breakouts and even making your pores look smaller. If you're not especially acne-prone, equally fantastic is MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, which I especially like because it comes in "travel" packets that won't dry out over time (good for once-or-twice a week use).

Questions?

--Cat Marnell, associate beauty editor

***Attention, wonderful readers! E-mail us YOUR beauty questions at beautydept@luckymag.com
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FROM: The Beauty Department

STARTING TODAY: I'M WEARING RETINOL EVERYDAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE

Neutrogena_serum.jpgI had always heard so much about retinol and all the amazing things it simone.jpgdoes for your skin.  Jean, Cristina, and Cat swear by it, but somehow it hadn’t really hit home, until today.  I attended a Neutrogena roundtable on retinol.

Starting the day you’re born, you begin accumulating sun damage.  So to answer the question: When should I start using products that contain retinol to combat signs of aging? NOW. Retinol reverses signs of sun damage. The scientist we met with was self-proclaimed ‘very very freckled.’  She started using retinol on her hands about a year ago, and had visibly way fewer freckles on her hands than her arms.  It was kind of incredible. 

If you’re just starting to use retinol, your skin may get irritated or flaky or feel tingly.  Try using it every other day until your skin acclimates. 

Wear it at night—retinol is photosensitive.

Of course there are prescription options available, but I am starting with the super-effective retinol you can buy right in the drugstore, like this serum from the Neutrogena Ageless Intensives line.

—Simone Kitchens, beauty assistant

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FROM: The Beauty Department

Beauty News Roundup!

Are bloodsucking worms Demi Moore's secret to interminable hotness?A CBS News needs to know! Watch the fascinatingly gory video here. (Bellasugar)

Spa treatments in Mexican "sweat lodges" inspire feminist glory, moon salutations. (about.com Beauty Blog)

How to get mascara out of clothes, clean up shattered compact mirrors, and other tips for the endearingly beauty-clumsy. (Beauty Blogging Junkie)

A perfumer has created the scent of money, which is sure to attract some really classy people. (1000 Fragrances)

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