Yonka’s CREME 55—slimming anti-water retention cream

From Yonka headquarters: 
CREME 55 slimming anti-water retention cream drains tissues and favors refining the figure. It adds flexibility to tissue, improves elasticity, and assists to combat aqueous cellulite. This phyto-aromatic massage cream, rich in climbing ivy and with legendary “anti-water retention" virtues, improves the tone and texture of the epidermis, and preserves its tone during weight changes.

I love both Creme 55 and Creme 155 for alternatives to my normal body lotion. The aromatics are wonderful and both of these creams have terrific hydrating abilities along with all of their other actions.

If you’re looking to supplement your regular body cream with something a little more therapeutic—and aromatic—try Creme 55 or (in an upcoming article) Creme 155 from Yonka.

Essential ingredients:

• Olive oil—moisturizes, nourishes, softens
• Climbing ivy essential oil—reduces tissue pressure
• Yonka “Quintessence” (essential oils of thyme, lavender, geranium, rosemary, cypress, and thyme essential oils)—nourish and balance skin

Directions for use:

Apply the cream morning and/or night:

• After the shower or bath
• Apply on slightly damp skin
• Concentrate on the areas of concern
• For a strengthened slimming effect, alternate with Creme 155

Huile Corps or Emulsion Concentrate may be applied over the creme to intensify their action.

For more information, see:

• Yonka body products: all links so far
• Body—Misc: all links so far

Gaining control of problem skin: Your Ultimate Guide

In order to gain control of problem skin, there are a few important items that should not be overlooked. Although I have already mentioned some of the following problem solvers in other articles (some listed below), I am repeating them here as a consolidated body of information you can easily refer to.

If you can incorporate all of these into your day, although there are no guarantees, I would be surprised if you did not see some marked improvement in your skin. These are not in any particular order of importance, but they are all important for keeping your body—and therefore your skin—healthy, inside and out.

Water. Drinking enough water throughout the day will really help your body get rid of toxins. Water is in no way a cure-all, but without it all of your eliminating organs (including your skin) have to work harder. The goal is to make it easier for your body to eliminate toxins. Eight 8-ounce glasses a day is the minimum to maintain healthy cells and overall hydration. I don’t recommend tap water because it contains chemicals, such as chlorine. Purchase clean, filtered water or get a water filter for your tap.

No sugar (of any kind). If you follow this one piece of advice, it will go a long way to helping your skin clear up. I have seen this to be true in my own skin as well as dozens of my clients throughout the years. Sugar is a major contributor to problem skin.

Chlorophyll. For anyone experiencing breakout, I recommend supplementing with liquid chlorophyll. In short, chlorophyll acts as an internal cleanser, helping to eliminate toxins from the body. It’s a health aid in numerous ways, but I have had a lot of clients find good results by taking “nature’s green drink” to help with their problem skin. As an added benefit (and another reason why I recommend it to my clients), chlorophyll helps to relieve constipation. Constipation can be a contributing factor to problem skin.

Evening primrose oil can help to reduce the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands. In some cases it can help to reduce breakouts.

No sun exposure if you can help it. I’m not saying don’t go outside; I mean no direct sunlight on your face. Sometimes you can’t help getting exposure, but certainly don’t purposefully bask in the sun thinking it will clear up your problem skin. It won’t. Heat activates all glandular activity, including your oil glands. In fact, with the worst case scenario, it will increase the amount of breakout you are experiencing. If you have to be in the sun, wear protection such as a wide-brimmed hat, and as always, wear sunscreen.

Don’t wash too much. This has the potential to stimulate the sebaceous glands and create more oil. Twice a day and anytime after you have been sweating is all you need. Don’t think cleaning the surface will eliminate the problem. Try to look at the problems with your skin as stemming from an imbalance on the inside, not just breakout on the outside. And remember, no soaps; only use non-alkaline cleansers.

Don’t let sweat dry on your skin. Immediately rinse your face with water after exercising. You don’t ever want sweat to dry on the surface of your skin. Otherwise you’re just asking for trouble.

There are no guarantees that any of the suggestions here will completely or even partially clear up your problem skin. I offer them because in my experience with my clients, they have had good results incorporating some or all of these recommendations. There are many routes to healthy, clear skin. The road I prefer is getting to the cause of the problem and trying to fix it from the inside out.

If your skin gets beyond your control, and you don’t feel comfortable altering your diet and lifestyle habits, perhaps you would be a good candidate for seeking out a dermatologist’s care. He or she will be able to prescribe oral and/or topical medications that have been proven to help people with problem skin. My feeling, however, is that whichever route you choose, if you don’t alter your diet and eliminate poor-quality foods such as sugar, you are doing your skin a huge disservice.

Problem skin begs for attention. And although it takes commitment, perseverance, and patience, I know you can experience trouble-free skin if you are willing to be open to change. In life, I believe anything is possible.

For corresponding articles to some of the above problem solvers, see:

• Water—It’s Important!: all links so far
• Sugar & Skin: all links so far
• How chlorophyll can help your skin (and ease constipation)
• Evening Primrose Oil for PMS and more
• NO SWEAT: What happens when sweat dries on your skin?
• Problem skin? ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS & become a skin care sleuth 

Proactiv—Solution? Part III: Good & not so good

When I started on Proactiv, my skin looked great. It dried everything out. Then I guess as my body adjusted to the new program, I was mega-oily all the time and developed little red bumps. It seemed while I was on the Proactiv products, I had many red bumps all the time. I finally went off Proactiv, and it took my skin about three weeks to get back to normal.

My skin is doing better although I have really been working on eating better. When I choose to be bad and have a treat, there are usually consequences, but they are under my control—I choose when.

That email was written by my client, Tori. She started using Proactiv four months ago. Within a few weeks, she said it was like a miracle. Most of the old spots had cleared up, and there weren’t many new blemishes coming up; her skin truly had cleared up.

After two months on the program she started noticing an overall oiliness to her skin that hadn’t been there before. Her forehead was especially oily and in fact little whiteheads were starting to form there. I told her it was probably the benzoyl peroxide—that it both helped to temporarily clear her skin and was also creating an oil slick on her face. She was essentially drying out her skin, and in rebuttal, her oil glands were pumping more oil than necessary to compensate for the dryness on the surface.

I think Tori’s story exemplifies the need to monitor your skin when you are using new products. This is especially true if they are products meant to clear problem skin. If your skin is clearing up, great, but is it also showing signs of dryness? Remember, over time the dryness can have detrimental effects negating anything positive you may have achieved.

Here are comments from another client:

I thought Proactiv was pretty good when I first used it. Thankfully I never had full-blown acne. It did make my skin look very ragged out, not subtle and balanced-looking. It seemed to enlarge my pores as well.

Two of my friends use it and seem to like it. Using the abrasive cleanser every day cannot be good for skin. Proactiv did not make my skin dry, just flat and not very good-looking.

The flat look is probably due to moisture loss in the surface skin cells. They lose their plumpness and aren’t able to reflect light, which does make the skin look dull or flat.

This client, like so many people trying to clear up their problem skin, has run into the main problem with using benzoyl peroxide. It dries out the skin and creates its own set of problems. It is great that her friends use Proactiv and like it, but for her skin this product just doesn’t deliver the results she is looking for.

There are so many product lines available to choose from. Not all products will fit the needs of all people. Proactiv may be what you have been looking for, but be careful and watch the hydration level of your skin. Don’t trade one problem for another; trading in blemishes for dehydration. I believe that you can have all good results with none of the bad if you follow my recommendations for healthy skin. Mine is not the quick-fix remedy, but perhaps the long-term solution—the real proactive solution.

For more information, see:

• Proactiv—Solution? Part I
• What is causing your breakouts?
• Help for Breakouts
• Sugar & Skin Problems 

Sunscreen Q & As

Just for clarification, when I say sunscreen, I am referring to either a sunscreen or sunblock. I don’t differentiate between the two because neither a sunscreen nor a sunblock is keeping all the damaging rays off your face. So for simplification, I lump all sun protection products under the heading of sunscreen.

How long should I wait to go outside before my sunscreen is effective?

Generally, dermatologists recommend applying sun products to the skin at least 20 minutes before going outside. Without giving the cream or lotion enough time to soak in and penetrate the skin, the effects of the actual sun protection may not be as good. If you have forgotten to apply sunscreen once you are outside, go ahead and apply it—better to have it on than not. For optimum benefits, try to remember to apply it before you go outside.

My day cream doesn’t have a lot of SPF. Is it OK to use sunscreen on top?

I’m not a fan of layering your creams. If you have true-dry skin, it may be OK because your skin is lacking in natural oils and may need the extra layer. But if your skin is oily, problem, or even combination, putting two layers of cream on may be excessive and cause further problems (primarily blackheads and a shiny look to your skin).

Since sunscreens are creams or lotions and have emollient ingredients that help them spread over your skin, I would recommend simply using your sunscreen as your day moisturizer. This way you will get the full benefits of the sunscreen (SPF), and it should be moisturizing enough—especially if you have an oilier skin type.

I’ve started doing some work with a dermatologist at a VA Clinic and in just the short time I’ve been there, I’ve seen so many precancerous and cancerous lesions. The doctor I work for tells his patients to put sunscreen on twice a day, every day, even for just walking to and from the car because damaging sun rays penetrate the car windows. I never wear any kind of sunscreen during the week (since I’m at work all day), and I would like to start. After seeing all the skin cancer, I realize putting a sunscreen on every day is worth lessening my chances of getting skin cancer.

Here is more confirmation that you need to wear sunscreen—every day—no matter what activities you are engaged in. If you work inside an office and truly don’t leave the building except to get there in the morning and leave after the work day is finished, a light-textured SPF 15 is probably all that you need. For outside activities, you want to wear something that is applicable for that kind of exposure. A waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen would be most appropriate.

Even though you’re wearing a waterproof or water-resistant sun product, you still need to reapply after you have been in the sun for over an hour. When you initially apply the cream, don’t forget to put some on your ears, behind your ears, and in that ridge between your earlobe and cheek. If you have short hair or are wearing it up under your hat, don’t forget the back of your neck, which is a common place to get sun exposure and sunburn.

I want to emphasize this point: whether you are wearing a sunscreen or a sunblock, whether they block UVA, UVB, or both, and even when you reapply frequently, you are still receiving sun exposure. There is no way to block out all of the sun’s damaging rays unless you are inside a building, away from a window. Wear sunscreen and get your moles checked at the dermatologist. Take care of your skin—and your future.

For more information, see:

• Sunscreen—Info & Misc: all links so far
• Avoid the sun?
• Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

Yonka’s Excellence Code Contours—Anti-aging eye and lip cream

Just about a year ago (spring 2016), Yonka introduced their new anti-aging line: Excellence Code. I have previously published an article going over the attributes of Excellence Code Cream (see link below). Today’s post explains the benefits of Excellence Code Contours—their latest eye and lip cream. The following is from Yonka headquarters: 

Yon-Ka Paris has proudly completed the Age Exception collection with the launch on Excellence Code Masque [to be featured in a separate blog post] and EXCELLENCE CODE CONTOURS. These two new, high performance products are well suited for the multi-dimensional needs of mature, hormonally imbalanced skin. Both new products contain five unique and effective natural complexes which were tested and supervised by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. 

• 95% of natural ingredients  
• Paraben-free
• Multi-tasking, versatile product with proven efficacy
• Appearance of puffiness: -34%
• Intensity of dark circles: -50%
• Upper lid-lifting effect: up to -61% (sagging part of the eyelid)
• Length of crow’s feet wrinkles: up to -48%
• Reduction in lips lines: up to -38%

For youthful brighter eyes and lips with renewed definition, Excellence Code Contour, rich in targeted active ingredients including its star ingredient, Persian Silk Tree, acts on all signs of aging. Its anti-glycation action and patented high precision applicator, lifts the contours and preserves the dermal structures. Puffiness, darks circles, and wrinkles are also reduced and the signs of fatigue and tension fade away with an immediate light-boosting effect. Uniting high performance and highly technical, Excellence Code is a gentle and non-invasive alternative to blepharoplasty [a surgical eye lift]; a solution to natural-looking, graceful aging.

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles from the newer Yonka products, I am not a fan of how they are presenting the attributes of these products—using (in my opinion) practically impossible to prove percentages, such as “Length of crow’s feet wrinkles: up to -48%”—really? But, it is what it is. What I do know is this is a Yonka product and I love Yonka products!

Essential ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid with high and low molecular weight, konjac—wrinkle filler, smoothing, hydrating
• Complex of white lupin and alfalfa, Persian silk tree, St Paul’s-wort—anti-puffiness, anti-dark circles, upper eyelid-lifting effect
• Natural light-reflecting pink pigments, organic “soft focus” powder—illuminating, instant soft focus effect
• Red algae, garden nasturtium—clear and even complexion
• Organic thistle, vitamin A, avocado and grape seed oils, mango butter, bisabolol—repairing. soothing
• Co-enzyme Q10, vitamin E—anti-free radicals
• Essential oils of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, rose, tonka bean and guaiac wood—refreshing, calming

Directions for use:

In the morning and evening:

• Apply a small amount of cream to your eye and/or lip contour
• Repeat each step 3 times using applicator*

*I would direct you to use your fingers to apply this and ANY eye treatment. Without the feel of human touch, you might apply too much pressure or worse!

For more information, see:

• EXCELLENCE CODE CREME for mature skin from Yonka-Paris
• Excellence Code Masque 
• Eye Area Concerns: all links so far

Eye Cream Q & A

Does eye cream make a difference? Should I use it?

Absolutely! Eye cream is an essential component to your Basics 1-2-3 skin care routine (see link below). After cleansing, toning, and applying face moisturizer, then apply your eye cream—every day at least twice a day. The difference eye cream will make is to keep the skin directly under your eyes soft and hydrated, something that doesn’t happen naturally. You have no functioning oil glands there, so applying cream is the only way to keep that skin moisturized.

Can I put vitamin E around my eyes for eye cream?

I’m sure the reason you are asking this question is because you know the benefits of vitamin E. I prefer to reach for manufactured products when it comes to my skin. My eye cream might actually have vitamin E as one of the ingredients, which is a good thing, but it also contains numerous other ingredients that will help to soothe and moisturize this delicate skin. This is my preference.

If using vitamin E as an eye cream works for you, then I don’t think it is a bad thing. I just think it has limited capabilities vs. a cream that is produced specifically for the eyes. Perhaps for a happy medium, you could mix your eye cream with a drop of vitamin E oil. Mix these two in your palm and then apply to the eye area. This way you will get more than just straight oil on your skin, which could eventually get into your eyes and cause problems, or might even cause puffiness.

I am 34 and looking for something that will help combat these ever-increasing wrinkles under my eyes.

As I tell all my clients, the lines are only going to get worse! Seriously, it’s true. The natural aging of our bodies includes lines and wrinkles where we are expressing the most. At 34 years old, you are probably just beginning to notice the lines around your eyes because they are probably just beginning to form. Using eye cream, if you are not already, is important. It will keep the skin soft and maybe even make the lines look less noticeable. Eye cream will not decrease the wrinkles—even over time.

I have so many lines around my eyes. I use eye cream every day, but still the skin around my eyes is so dried out. Is there a super rich cream I can use to keep this area from drying out?

My recommendation is not to use a thick cream, but to use eye cream throughout the day, not just morning and night. The skin directly under the eyes has no functioning oil glands, so you need to keep a lipid substance there at all times to keep this skin soft and supple. In fact, you don’t want to use a super rich eye cream. Usually these will make your eyes look puffy due to the heavy oils they contain. The thin skin around the eyes absorbs the oil, which can produce edema or puffiness. I recommend using eye cream vs. face creams around the eye area. These have been formulated specifically for this delicate and sensitive tissue and are going to be your best bet.

Something you can do which can be very effective is to add a drop of oil to your eye cream, mix and apply. Like the recommendation for the reader asking about vitamin E as an eye cream, mixing just one drop of this or another oil can really enrich your eye treatment and successfully help with dryness around your eyes. I find this recommendation particularly helpful in the winter months.

The skin around my mouth and eyes is very dry and kind of flaky. Once I put my moisturizer on, it’s not as noticeable, but then when I wash again the dryness is back. It doesn’t happen anywhere else on my face. It happens a lot; it even happens during warm months and stays around for a few weeks, then sort of goes away until the next time. Any suggestions?

You may be experiencing eczema, or it may just be a severe case of dehydration. Usually dehydration happens across a wide area, while other maladies such as eczema would be more localized. If you use a cortisone cream on the area for at least three or four days (consistently) and the dryness goes away, it was more than likely a dermatitis. If the dryness is still there, try exfoliating the area and see if that helps.

Remember, if your body is deficient in certain vitamins and essential nutrients (like essential fatty acids, for instance), your skin may be showing the signs of this. Don’t just look to treat skin problems topically. Also look at your diet and stress levels to get a clue as to what may be going on inside, which is showing up outside.

I never go without eye cream now. I cannot believe what a difference it has made. Thank you for your help!

For more information, see: 

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• EYE CREAM: WHY you want to use it & HOW TO apply this all-important skin care product
• Scaly, dry skin on your eyelids? It could be eczema

 

Several Quick Tips for using a Clay Mask

I have written many articles on the benefits of using a clay mask. Below are a few of the most important tips on how to use one, when and why it’s important to consider using clay for the health of your skin. A few tips are repeats and all the information is contained in other articles, but now they are together for easy access.

• If you have a little (or a lot of) breakout, dot clay mask on blemishes after your evening 1-2-3 Basics routine and leave on overnight. Clay will help to diminish (but not totally clear) the spots.

• If you’re short on time and need to mask, five minutes before your morning shower apply a clay mask. Jump into the shower, and the mask will stay moist (very important) from the steam heat. Remove the mask at the end of your shower, then use your toner and moisturizer (steps 2 and 3 of The Basics).

• Clay is perfect for steam rooms. It keeps your face covered while the steam keeps the mask moist.

• I always recommend using a clay mask prior to a special occasion. Similar to exfoliating, it will make your skin look radiant with a healthy glow due to the circulatory benefits of clay.

• Exfoliating and using a clay mask (I call this The Extras) can be done in tandem, once a week (or more), as a mini, at-home facial. They do not need to be done together, but it’s nice to do both if you have the time. 
• Exfoliate
• Run a bath
• Put the clay mask on
• Hop in,  the tub
• And relax

• Exfoliating and using a clay mask are not only additions to your daily 1-2-3 Basics program, but are also important in helping to maintain healthy, clean, and clear skin.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• At-Home Facials—A DIY How-To
• Is steam good for my skin?

Sunscreen Quick Tip

Don’t apply sunscreen like this! Apply it like a day cream over your entire face, neck and wherever else you’ll be exposed.

Many sunscreens can be used as your moisturizer. Don’t start piling on moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup. It’s too much for the pores. Any sun product is going to have a moisturizing cream element to it unless it is a true spray on. Even so, the spray will have hydrating qualities as well

• Since oilier skin types can’t handle to much product on the surface of the skin, using your (creamy) sunscreen should be adequate to both hydrate your skin and protect it from harmful UV rays

Sometimes in the winter months when I was younger (up until my late 40s) I would put a thin layer of hydrating cream under a sunscreen. My skin was more dehydrated in the colder seasons due to colder winter air and drying heat inside my home. However in the warmer, summer months (I had fairly oily skin in my 20s through 40s), I would just use sunscreen as my moisturizer and my skin did just fine.

If you have an oilier skin type, I recommend just using sunscreen without this semi-layering method—unless your skin is telling you it needs more moisture. True-dry (oil-dry) skin may be fine layering creams like this (sunscreen and hydrating cream). Oilier and especially problem skin will probably not handle the load of two creams.

For more information, see:

• Using dry skin products on oily skin—STOP THE INSANITY! Although this doesn’t talk about sunscreens per se, it addesses the idea of too much is not good for oily skin
  
• SUNSCREENS: The WHAT & WHY plus the importance of REAPPLYING
• Top 10 reasons for not wearing sunscreen: What’s your excuse?

Mid-40s with oily, irritated skin: Questions from someone who has “spent a fortune” on skin care

I have spent a small fortune on skin care products over the past 20 years, most of which didn’t work or agree with my skin. I have tried every major department store line along with many “natural” lines via mail order. I am about ready to give up!

I am 44 years old and have oily skin that is easily irritated. I have large pores, blackheads, and am now getting slightly dry on the surface. My skin never feels comfortable. I have to wear foundation, which I hate. Otherwise as soon as the oil builds up on the surface, my skin becomes reddened and irritated.

I have never felt pretty and have always been very self-conscious about my skin. Although I do experience an occasional pimple, I refuse to use those harsh acne product lines. Can you recommend products that will help to balance and clear my skin? I would love to find a line that I could stick with that I was certain would be beneficial and not harmful to my skin. I really don’t know what to do with my skin.

Unfortunately, these comments are true for many people. If you have problem skin, it may be very difficult for you to find relief in the land of department store products. These types of products are for the masses and don’t necessarily have the capability to deal with real skin problems. Additionally, the people selling the products aren’t necessarily the most knowledgeable when it comes to skin and how to treat it.

I am 44 years old and have oily skin that is easily irritated. I have large pores, blackheads, and am now getting slightly dry on the surface. My skin never feels comfortable. The oiliness and irritation are the most important things to treat with her skin. To reiterate, department store products probably aren’t geared to help this skin type. The dryness she is experiencing may be due to ingredients in her products meant to help with the oil by drying the surface skin out. Again, something I talk about as being a poor way to treat a problem, and consequently, causing her more angst.

I have to wear foundation, which I hate. Otherwise as soon as the oil builds up on the surface, my skin becomes reddened and irritated. I have never felt pretty and have always been very self-conscious about my skin. I’m not sure how foundation is helping her problem although it can certainly be contributing to her problem skin. To me, using a powder would be more appropriate. Powders contain talc and talc helps to absorb oil. Regardless of the past, I truly believe she can get to a place where she feels good about her skin.

Although I do experience an occasional pimple, I refuse to use those harsh acne product lines. This is a smart, intuitive response that I’m glad she is listening to!

Can you recommend products that will help to balance and clear my skin? I would love to find a line that I could stick with that I was certain would be beneficial and not harmful to my skin. I really don’t know what to do with my skin. I would like to know the nature of the irritation. Is it always there or do products incite the irritation to appear? If the sensitivity is being caused by products, try to figure out a common denominator and look for products that don’t have the known irritants in the ingredient list. One way to find out what is causing the sensitivity is to take The 72-Hour Test (link below).

As far as the blackhead problem, doing The Extras (exfoliating along with using a clay mask) at least once per week (two or even three times may be necessary) will go a long way to help your skin stay less congested, which is important to help eliminate blackheads. Foundation, depending on its ingredients, may be furthering your blackhead problem. Since it is sitting on your skin all day, foundation can create not only blackheads but enlargement of the pores too. Using geranium essential oil on the spots (infected blemishes only) will help them to go away faster.

In short, use products for oily skin that don’t have drying ingredients in them. Try using powder instead of foundation. Along with The Basics for your skin type, do The Extras. This program isn’t complicated, it just gets complicated by the enormity of product choices available on the market. Narrow down your choices (using products for your skin type only) to simplify your program.

For more information, see:

• The Basics 1-2-3 Program for proper skin care
• The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin
• Powder vs. foundation: which is better for my skin?
• Allergic Reactions to Products & The 72-Hour Test

PABA—don’t use it!

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) acts as a chemical sunscreen, helping to keep UVB rays from harming the skin. It was one of the original sunscreen ingredients. However, this once common ingredient in sunscreens has proved in the past to be a skin irritant. Not everyone has a reaction to PABA, but so many do that most manufacturers have taken it out of their ingredient lists.

If you have sensitive skin and tend to react to sunscreens in general, before you purchase your next sun product, check the ingredient list. If PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is listed, I would look for something else. Avobenzone and both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide make good sunscreen ingredients and can all be looked up in their respective sections in this blog.

This is somewhat old news and now you will hopefully not find PABA in any of your sunscreen products. But just in case, I wanted to offer this information.

For more information, see:

• SUNSCREENS: The WHAT & WHY plus the importance of REAPPLYING
• Avobenzone—you want this in your sunscreen
• Questions about SPF numbers and sun protection

Yonka Products for Dehydrated Skin

I wanted to post some information to help you put together a skin care program using Yonka products if you have dehydrated skin.

Click on any product name to be taken to its corresponding article on this blog.

You first need to determine the amount of oil your skin produces to truly understand which products to use. Please read:

• Determining Skin Type

 

I have dry, flaky skin but it's oily too (feels dry, with oil)

• Gel Nettoyant or Lait Nettoyant
• Lotion PNG
• Creme 93 or Pamplemousse PNG + Hydra+ (formerly Hydralia)
• Creme 15 or Phyto 58 PNG or Phyto 52 with Hydra+ (formerly Hydralia)
• Gommage Yonka (formerly Gommage 305)
• Masque 103

 

I have oil-dry/true-dry skin that feels dry and dehydrated

I recommend the products for dehydration below along with any and all the products listed under:

• Yonka Products for True-Dry Skin 

My skin is dehydrated (no matter the oil content).

In other words anyone with dehydration could use the following products:

• Gommage Yonka (formerly Gommage 305)
• Hydra+ (formerly Hydralia)
• ELIXIR VITAL  (formerly Serum Vital)

More DISCONTINUED products from Yonka + some products that will be renamed

Yes, there are more changes coming from Yonka-Paris. I’ve mentioned this before but I’ll say it again: There have been more changes in this line in the past 5 years than in the entire 32 years I have used Yonka products. The following information is from Yonka headquarters:

As part of an effort to streamline the Yonka Paris collection, a number of retail products will be rebranded and/or discontinued in the coming months. Stock up now before they’re all gone! We expect these changes to take effect by late summer or sooner. 

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DISCONTINUED Products

• Creme PS 
• Stimulastine Jour
• Stimulastine Nuit 
• Fruitelia PNG (see below)
  

Note: The new TIME RESIST Jour and Nuit cremes replace the Stimulastine Jour and Nuit products.

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REBRANDED Products

Alpha Complex and Fruitelia PS are being renamed and repackaged; still featuring the same formulas you know and love.

Alpha Complex will be renamed ALPHA PEEL, and Fruitelia PS will be renamed ALPHA FLUID.

Note: Fruitelia PNG will be discontinued altogether.

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Serum Vital becomes Elixir Vital

Serum Vital has been rebranded as ELIXIR VITAL. It is available for purchase at the same price ($102) and has the same formulation.

Elixir Vital is packed with vitamins and can be used to repair all types of damaged skin, including skin suffering from effects of fatigue, acne scars, intense stress, surgery, pregnancy, hormonal changes, scars, and excessive sun exposure.

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There have been and will continue to be many more changes coming up with Yonka-Paris products. I am doing my best to keep up with everything and posting articles to keep you informed as well. Stay tuned!

For more information, see:

• Yonka—Discontinued: All links so far
• Yonka’s discontinued Serums and their replacement Boosters

The Importance of Vitamin C for your skin (and body)

Vitamin C is one of the great skin care vitamins. Vitamin C is used by the body for the production and formation of collagen, the supporting structure of your skin. It is collagen and elastin that give your skin spring and resiliency, and it is when the collagen fibers break down that the tissue becomes flaccid (looses elasticity). 

Vitamin C is water-soluble, meaning it is flushed out with the urine. This means it is not stored in the body like fat-soluble vitamins are; vitamins A and E, for instance. Therefore, you must get enough C from the diet (or supplements) each and every day to get the necessary daily supply.

Since many things we do on a daily basis causes break it down in vitamin C, it is a good idea to take extra C on a daily basis. Some thing that breakdown this vital vitamin are drinking alcohol, smoking, breathing unclean air, being under any stress, or even sticking your face under a hot or cold shower. Just the process of living seems to deplete this vitamin!

If you plan on using a Vitamin C supplement, be sure to find one with bioflavinoids specifically. Bioflavinoids are found in the rinds of fruit and are found to help in strengthening the capillary walls. The capillaries are what make up the blood network to the skin on the face. Couperose (see link below) is a condition that occurs when these walls “break” or dysfunction due to a weakening.

Couperose looks like tiny spider-like red veins just under the surface of the skin. Thinner skin shows these veins more readily, although any skin type or thickness is prone to couperose given the right set of circumstances.

Causes of couperose range from extremes of hot and/or cold water or weather, alcohol (which dilates the capillaries), smoking (which constricts the capillaries), air pollution, high blood pressure, stress, caffeine, and of course, a lack of sufficient C present in the body. Keeping the capillaries as strong as possible is important for their long-term health. This is where vitamin C can help.

As far as dosage for this all-important vitamin, your own body will usually tell you. Vitamin C will cause diarrhea if taken in too large a dose for your body (metabolism). If this happens, or if your bowels become too loose for comfort, simply reduce the amount of C and use your body as your guide.

“Overdosing” on Vitamin C is actually used specifically as a colon cleanse. Large doses are taken frequently during the day as a curative and purifying cleanse. If you choose to (go) use C as a therapeutic cleanse, make sure you are on holiday or will have easy access to a bathroom as you will be in need frequently as soon as the cleaning process begins. Be prepared!

The RDA (recommended dietary allowance) is set, by most estimates, very low when it comes to many vitamins including vitamin C. The current RDA is 60 milligrams (ml). Taking closer to a few thousand a day is more commonly recommended. If you remember two things: vitamin C is not stored in the body and if you take too much your bowels will become loose—you should be good to go when taking these higher doses.

For more information, see:

• Couperose Skin explained
• Supplements & Skin
• Food-Skin-Health: all links so far