Staying Beautiful: Behind the Scenes with Angie

Conquering Common Skin Challenges

Taking care of my mind, body and spirit is important to me, I know that they are all connected and I make a daily effort to nurture all three. Having a mother who is a skin care expert has made it easier to take care of my body and skin because she shares her wealth of expertise and knowledge with me. I have been using hyaluronic acid (HA) products since I was 17 years old, knowing how incredibly beneficial HA is to beautiful skin. However, she also taught me that skin care is an ongoing commitment and knowledge, without effort, could not give me my desired results.

My skin care challenges are sensitive skin, adult acne and hyperpigmentation that results from breakouts, leaving dark marks on my face. But I do not let problem skin keep me from being beautiful! As Director of Production for dermHA, I have amassed a lot of knowledge about key ingredients that help a variety of skin challenges and I utilize that knowledge and our companies products to take care of my skin. Read below to learn how I manage my skin care challenges, my routine, combined with healthy diet and exercise, keep me feeling and looking beautiful...

Washing my face morning and night is a must and is always followed by dermHA Eye & Neck Creme. I use to think eye and neck creme was unnecessary until I attended esthetics school and learned that the skin under our eyes, neck and chest is thinner, dryer, and does not have as many oil glands as the rest of our skin. It gets dehydrated and starts to wrinkle, darken and age faster than other areas of our skin. Just imagine a grape that dehydrates and turns into a raisin! Eye creme has more lipids (fatty oils) to compensate for the lack of oil glands in the eye and neck area and helps hold the moisture in those dryer areas. Using eye creme can help lighten the appearance of darkness and minimize any wrinkles that have already appeared, but its best to start using an eye creme as a preventative tool before wrinkles occur!

In the morning:

I cleanse with our dermHA Rejuvenating Cleanser because it leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh. I love the green tea in it because it helps fight the free radicals that cause skin to age, and at age 36...well...

Then I apply a layer of dermHA Hyaluronic Moisture Serum to my freshly cleansed skin because it is like giving my skin a green tea cocktail to nourish and moisturize my skin. I have an oily t-zone and because the Hyaluronic Moisture Serum has the highest amount of hyaluronic acid of our products, I am hydrating my skin with the water it thirst for, instead of a lot of oils and waxes that would add to my oiliness and clog my pores.

Next I mix my foundation and sunscreen with a dab of dermHA HA Therapy Plus to help protect my skin from the damaging rays of the sun while giving it a natural glow. The HA Therapy Plus is beneficial to my acne prone skin because it contains Tamanu Oil, an ingredient that helps relieve irritations, inflammation and has the ability to help heal cuts and wounds and prevent infection.

In the evening:

I use the dermHA Cleansing Lotion to remove my make-up, then follow with the dermHA Acne Cleanser. the Acne Cleanser has salicylic acid which neutralizes bacteria and helps unclog pores. It has the ability to penetrate pores to exfoliate the dead skin cells, keep the pores from clogging, and prevents the breakout of acne.

Next I apply a thin layer of dermHA Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum to accelerate cell turnover. By exfoliating the top layers of skin I help to lighten dark marks on my face until they eventually disappear. I follow with the dermHA Eye & Neck Creme and my dermHA Hyaluronic Moisture Serum.

My favorite skin care tips are: drink water and use an eye creme! Dehydration is the lack of water and expedites the aging process. In order for our skin to be healthy, we must keep it hydrated inside and out. We can do this by drinking enough water and applying moisturizers that contain and can deliver water to skin cells.

It may seem like a lot, but once you get into the habit and see the results you desire, it will become second nature. I haven't let labels like 'sensitive skin' and 'adult acne' keep me from having healthy, hydrated skin and feeling beautiful!


Wishing you happiness, peace and beauty in the New Year,
Angie


Angie is a co-owner and Director of Productions for dermHA. She is also the mother of a beautiful son and very involved in community activities and with her church family. To order any of the dermHA products that Angie highlighted above, just click on the product name. For more information about dermHA skin care products go to http://www.dermha.com For a free phone skin consultation, call 610-269-7009 to speak to one of our skin care specialists.

A Life Changing Experience: one woman's road to healthy skin...

"Hello,

I was introduced to your skincare line by a friend of my mom's Liz. She was watching me suffer with horrible acne, and told me to lose faith, that this skincare line might offer some much needed relief. I am 26 and had NEVER had acne. I actually remember the two pimples I had in high school. All of a sudden, in my mid-20's I was beginning to see these horrible blemishes, and they just got worse and worse until my cheeks were covered in painful, stubborn pimples that just wouldn't budge. I was absolutely miserable, and my mind was CONSTANTLY busy with feelings of self-consciousness and sadly self-loathing came with those feelings. Not long after the acne took over, my boyfriend proposed. It's sad to say, but I almost couldn't enjoy the engagement because I was so worried that my skin would continue to look horrible, and that I would have to walk down the aisle looking like an acne ridden teenager. I tried EVERYTHING...and nothing worked. I was absolutely heartbroken. In this time, Liz told my mom about dermHA, and was kind enough to send me sample. Right away, I could tell that this product line was different, nothing smelled strong, there weren't crazy ingredients in the washes and creams. My skin started to feel softer just one day after I started using the products. I was noticing an all over difference. Nothing was dry, my face just felt clean. The Gentle Face and Body Wash has this fantastic lather, and when I rinse my face and it doesn't feel like there is residue left behind. The toner is fantastic, and doesn't have the extreme smell like so many toners do. It adds that extra feeling of cleanliness post-wash. And the HA Therapy is one amazing lotion! It is unlike any moisturizer I have ever used. The consistency is perfect, and it is the first lotion that I have ever used that I can really feel working long after I have applied it. Using your line in addition to a topical solution prescribed by my dermatologist has completely eradicated my acne!!! I am emailing you right now, because I just washed my face and looked in the mirror and was GENUINELY happy with the way my face looks. My skin is almost totally perfect. I now see these products as the backbone of my beauty routine. I recently also started using the enzyme mask more frequently, and the gentle exfoliating cream, and they have both been helping a lot with the scarring that the acne left behind. I could not be happier, and it is important that you know that you have created products that change lives. I'm living proof! I will walk down the aisle with my head held high because my skin is amazing, thanks to you. "

A.G.

This is a real letter, unsolicited, by a real dermHA user. To order the products she mentioned, go to www.dermha.com or for a free skin consultation with one of our skin care experts call 1.610.269.7009 . Healthy, hydrated skin is possible with dermHA...

1st Day of a dermHA Christmas

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AGELESS BEAUTY: Behind the Scenes with Millie

Mildred Bell, Founder of dermHA

dermHA Founder and Co-Owner Mildred Bell knows that beautiful skin is a constant work in progress and is diligent about her skin care routine and habits. Read on to hear Millie's skin care challenges and how she conquers them to remain an ageless beauty...

"My skin care challenges change a little with the seasons and as I get older they seem to magnify. My skin has always been sensitive to the cold and the heat. Winter weather packs a double whammy as I go from the frigid cold to high heat in my car and home. Luckily, my regimen of gentle cleansing and super hydrating keeps my skin glowing!

In winter months, I cleanse my face daily with dermHA's Cleansing Lotion. Although you need water to activate the lotion, it doesn't lather. But that doesn't keep if from gently and effectively cleaning off make-up, dirt and oils. I combine a pea sized amount of cleanser with a little water and massage it over my face in circular motions. In addition to cleansing, this stimulates circulation and helps with lymph drainage. After cleansing I rinse with cool water and then take a damp cotton pad or clean, wet washcloth and wipe away the residue. If I've used heavier make-up that day, I sometimes follow my cleansing with a cotton ball dampened with dermHA's Rejuvenating Tonic to make sure all traces of makeup are removed.

My night time cleansing is followed by a thin application of the dermHA Vitamin C Therapy all over my face and neck. I then apply a dot of dermHA Eye & Neck Creme from the outside area of each eye inward, being careful not to get it too close to my lower lash line. I also massage the Eye & Neck Creme onto my neck and I apply a dot on my lips as well to keep them soft and lubricated. A quick application of our luscious Moisture Creme Plus all over my face tops off my nightly routine to keep my face glowing.

In the morning, my mature skin lacks oil as well as moisture. In order to keep those precious natural lipids from being washed away during the winter, I often skip my morning cleanser and just rinse my face several times with cool water. After blotting dry, I reapply my Eye and Neck creme and my luscious Moisture Creme Plus. After waiting two minutes, I apply my sunscreen and makeup and I'm ready to start my day.

Because cellular turnover slows as you age, I occasionally use the dermHA Lactic Acid Exfoliating Gel to speed the removal of dead surface cells. And once a week, every week, I use the dermHA Enzyme Mask to nurture and polish my skin.

I know that it is important to take care of not just the skin on my face, but my whole body. dermHA's Hand Creme is a staple in my glove compartment, desk drawer at work and my purse. After every bath or shower, while my skin is still damp, I quickly massage the dermHA Therapeutic Creme all over my body. A moist body allows a small amount of the creme to liquefy and glide smoothly over the body, quickly absorbing into the skin. Because feet (and elbows and knees) can become especially rough and/or dry, before popping into bed, I apply an extra coat of the Therapeutic Creme to keep my feet silky soft.

Taking the time to nurture my skin each day is a must, and I challenge you to take that time for yourself!"

Stay beautiful,


Millie

...to learn more about the dermHA products Millie uses or to order, go to http://www.dermha.com ...

Behind the Scenes at dermHA

Carletta Williams, co-owner of dermHA

How Carletta Stays Fabulous...

Carletta Williams, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, community leader and one of the co-owners of dermHA, has one, no excuses, beauty rule: wash your face before you go to bed. Carletta remarks, "when I started washing my face before going to bed, that really made a difference in my skin. I can tell that extra step has helped my skin stay clearer, softer and supple."

As a woman on the go, and one who is frequently in the public eye as the Director of Sales and Marketing for dermHA, maintaining a healthy glow starts from the inside with a healthy diet, vitamins and holistic health practices. Carletta's commitment to her health and beauty gives her confidence and energy, and allows her to keep up with her active life and active family.

Carletta's dermHA skin care regime includes:

rejuvenating cleanser, moisture creme plus, therapeutic creme, vitamin C, lactic acid exfoliating body gel and the enzyme mask.

Carletta shares her routine:

-I use the rejuvenating cleanser morning and night. I love the way it lathers and removes my makeup.

-After a shower I use the lactic acid body exfoliating gel to keep feet, heels, elbows and other hard to hydrate areas soft and exfoliated. It also helps keep ingrown hairs at bay from shaving. I follow with therapeutic creme because it contains arnica and calendula, two ingredients with great healing and soothing properties. The therapeutic creme is great for all over body moisture.

-I hydrate my skin morning and night with our moisture creme plus, it's full of botanicals and anti-oxidants.

-I use vitamin C at night, it's great for anti-aging.

-Once a week I use the enzyme mask to rejuvenate and exfoliate. It gives my skin a nice rosy glow and I feel good about taking that extra 10-15 minutes to pamper myself!


~Stay Beautiful!


For more information about dermHA skin care products or to order Carletta's regimen, go to www.dermHA.com or call 877.933.7642. You can email Carletta directly for more information about her regimen or her healthy living regime at cwilliams@dermha.com

Erica Terry Derryck Reflects on The Power of Pretty

Primping Our Souls...




Pretty is as pretty does. Beauty is only skin deep. Be more than just a pretty face. All these adages pay proper patronage to our supposed moral code, but blatantly belie the truth. In reality our attitudes on beauty are generally cute from far and far from cute. The ugly truth is that we spend a great deal of time and effort tearing ourselves and one another down because of appearances.

How many times have you berated a perfect stranger for thinking she's cute; or judged a fellow female harshly for her weight, style of dress, hair color or skin tone? This is to say nothing of the damage we inflict on ourselves. How many of us have skipped a night out on the town because of a few extra pounds or the unwelcomed arrival of a zit? Have we refused the offers of a potential suitor who measured up in every other way except for being cute enough or tall enough or fashionable enough?

Despite how self-assured we may appear, or how pro-woman we try to be, we all are susceptible to being shallow sometimes. Our best defense is to own up to this weakness. If we don't, then we can't possibly gird against all the ways in which our best intentions to look past appearances to find the beauty within are subverted by unattainable standards of beauty promulgated in every sector of our society.

We have whole aspects of mainstream culture where the only requirements for getting ahead are a pretty face and a thin body. These so-called success stories populate our magazines and dominate our movie screens. Lackluster talent and poor performances are repackaged and sold to us as aspirations for success based on looks alone. It's hard to swim against this tide.

Merit and hard work, moral fiber and goodness are sloppy seconds in a world of instant gratification where the only fixins for success you need are the trappings of beauty you can buy online and in a plastic surgeon's office. But beauty and looks alone should not be the key ingredients for fame, fortune and success. Happiness and contentment form that foundation. Character and good judgment count. Empathy and intelligence should spur you ahead in life, not thin thighs and high cheek bones.

But we're never going to move past the lip service to make all the old sayings ring true unless we are as vigilant and deliberate about grooming our inner beauty as we are in maintaining our outward appearance. This means we have to primp our souls as much as we do our weaves. We have to excise the dead weight from our lives as readily as we cut our split ends. We have to make sure our hearts shine as brightly as our teeth or our shoes!

We have to challenge the women we love to do the same. If you can keep a weekly hair appointment, ask yourself why you can't mentor a young lady once a month? The next time you plan to meet up with your girlfriend at the nail shop, consider a trip to the local soup kitchen instead. For every time you tell your sister or your daughter how beautiful she is, make sure you tell her ten times over how smart and kind she is too.

It may seem uncomfortable and forced at first, but no more than the first time you curled your eyelashes, permed your hair or donned a pair of Spanx. If you do it often enough, it will eventually become second nature. Like looking into the mirror before you leave the house-only this time you'll see past what's staring at you to catch glimpses of your true humanity. Before you know it, you'll be reveling in the fruits of this labor. It will be measured in the way your daughter walks taller when she enters a room, the confidence that gives you the moxie to ask that guy out, and the strength that tells you to do more than just think you deserve a raise, but to ask for it too!

Erica
wife, mother, communications maven...

Erica has worked in communications her entire career, filling the roles of writer, editor, producer and communications director in such venues as ABC, MTV and the Fresh Air Fund. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and received her Masters in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. Erica loves to travel the world, but currently resides in The Bay Area with her husband and her two children, and serves as the Communications Director for the San Francisco District Attorney's office.

Freelance Writer Sugey Palomares Reflects On: The Power of Pretty

Getting Underneath Your Cover Up

Ever since I was in grammar school, my mother would powder me up and add blush to my cheeks before walking to school. She would say, "This is so you won't look so pale. Que linda. (How pretty)." I looked in the mirror and felt beautiful with my Cover Girl-covered face. There I was, a bilingual kid with an accent who wanted acceptance more than anything else in the world. If my mother told me that makeup made me look prettier-I believed her. What I was unaware of was how those early years would mark my relationship with makeup and its relation to beauty as an adult.


When I think about not wearing make-up publicly now, a voice inside of me is saying, no just some under-eye concealer, mascara and lip gloss please! I should be able to walk around barefaced from time to time, but why don't I feel comfortable? I don't lack inner beauty or self-confidence. So what is the problem here? After reading a women's magazine blog post, I sent an email out to some of my close girlfriends asking them to challenge that voice along with me and not wear makeup in public. No one wanted to join my made up makeup revolution.


As a Latina, a lot of my earliest life lessons with beauty and makeup were cultural. We take pride in looking good for ourselves and others. It is ingrained in us from the time we are able to walk, but the bigger picture is also society's view on the 'power of beauty'. We are living in a society that teaches little girls that looks are a part of who we are and sometimes, that looks are everything. Ad campaigns, magazines, and reality television shows don't help the idea either.


After taking the challenge on my own, I realized that the voice or idea that we can't be beautiful without makeup is conditioned. It runs deep and normally it takes looking in the mirror and talking to that little girl with the Cover Girl-covered face. There is nothing wrong with makeup. It sparks our creativity and makes us feel good, but when we become dependent on it, then we need to have a little makeup challenge--even if it means just going to the grocery store without anything (and I mean anything) on. I challenge you to do the same.


Sugey



Sugey Palomares likes to read between the lines. As a freelance writer she has focused on a wide range of issues including politics, music, entertainment, and more. Experienced in online publishing and editing, most recently as an Associate Editor for MTV Networks, Palomares hopes to launch the demographic success of her own site, titled The Freelancer's Blog. Sugey graduated with a M.A. in Latin American Caribbean Studies with a concentration in Media Studies from the University at Buffalo. Before graduating with high honors, she also conducted research in Cuba, Mexico and Spain. She lives in Brooklyn and enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with loved ones. You can read more of Sugey's thoughts on her blog http://sugeypalomares.wordpress.com/