I moved to Fl. from the DC area about 3 years ago, and have noticed how damaging the sun is on the people who have lived here for many years. Being a licensed Cosmetologist for over 30 years, I've been a fanatic about taking care of my skin. Please, please, please take care of your skin, by using sunscreens that are designed for the face. Get into the habit of using sunscreens every single day, no matter whether you're indoors or out. This will protect your skin from harmful UV rays that penetrate into the window of your car, home, or office. I personally use an SPF 15. Back in the "good ole days' before we were aware of the damage of the sun-when we used baby oil and iodine to get a tan-I always wore makeup, and now I'm so glad I did. My vanity at a young age has now paid off many years down the road.

As soon as I moved to Vero, I was slathering regular sunscreen on my face every day. I began to notice that my face was breaking out with pimples and blackheads. I then found out that all sunscreens are not created equal. For the face, you will need to find a product that is non-cometigenic. The typical sunscreen found in stores if ideal for your body, but if it used on the face, may cause pimples, blackheads, and clogged pores, due to the heavy lotions and oils in the product. There are many products designed for the face, although I have one to be excellent. Developed by Dr. Fulton, co-developer of the original Retin-A, Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15, by Vivant, will moisturize and protect your skin all day long

Using proper skin care everyday whether in the sun or not, will help you to fight the aging process, and protect your skin from the day to day elements in the air, stress, hormones, and sun. If you are on a tight budget, I suggest using very good skin care, and maybe use less expensive cosmetics.

On a daily routine, you should cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize with a sunscreen, on your face, neck, and hands. Yes-hands take their toll more than anything other part of our bodies. For your hands, do your skin care at night, so the products can penetrate and repair for a lengthy period of time. The neck shows signs of age faster than the face, and I wish I had taken advice about taking care of my neck when I was young. I didn't listen, and even though my face skin looks good, my neck is not what I wish it to be. While you are young, and if you have no signs of damage caused by sun, smoking, stress, or hormones, you may be able to get by using a basis skin care routine. Make sure you exfoliate every day, so that you start with a clean canvas, and your skin will feel and look refreshed and healthy. This process removes dead skin cells, and gets down to the new layer of skin hiding beneath.

On the other hand, if you see any signs of premature aging or imperfections, you may want to start using Vitamin A products (Retin-A). My clients have informed me that Retin-A, by prescription, may no longer be covered by insurance, due to the popularity of this product being used to erase fine lines and other skin irregularities. When checking labels for ingredients, remember that for the product to claim they have particular ingredients, only a small minute amount is required by law, and so the label may be deceiving.

Take advice from you skin care professional for your personal in-depth skin care routine. Use the entire system, rather than piece meal it with other products, because they compliment each other, and you get the full effects using products in combination and in the correct order prescribed.

Catherine E. Goodhart
Owner and Licensed Cosmetologist
Salon Essential
2090 6 th Ave.
Vero Beach, Fl.
772-569-6925