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The use of essential oils is an ancient practice. Aromatic liquid is extracted from a variety of plant material, which is then concentrated and prepared through distillation. The Egyptians are credited with creating the process of distillation. Essential oils are applied topically or are inhaled for the purpose of healing the body and mind. Cary Caster the founder of 21 drops built her brand from the desire to help and promote healthy living through natural practices. Cary has prestigious certifications and academic accomplishments that have taken her on a path of health and healing whether in her private massage practice or with her family at home. The 21 drops Difference: All 21 drops blends are 100% organic or wild crafted and sourced from around the world. 21drops are safe and ready for use. Essential oils are not to be used directly on the skin and must be blended with a carrier oil. All 21 drops are pre blended with 100% organic jojoba oil. The system is easy to use. You do not need extensive knowledge of essential oils to choose an oil. 21drops are blended with multiple oils to treat a multitude of aliments and stresses. The oils can travel anywhere with you due to the packaging design. 21 drops are easy to apply, with a no-spill, roller-ball applicator and the vials come within a rubbery protective silicone sleeve. This design makes the oils travel proof and they can be thrown into any bag and used on the go. Each blend is accompanied by instructions for use, though as a general rule all the oils can be applied to your wrists, temples, and neck and can be inhaled directly from the vial. 21drops are antimicrobial by nature and can be shared among family members and friends!   Whether you have never before incorporated the use of essential oils in your life or are a novice, 21drops are loved by all. If you are simply trying to overcome daily stress and get a good night sleep, or you are a yogi attempting to open your third eye chakra, there is a 21 drops oil just for you!   Blog Written by askderm's in-house Esthetician  Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 9 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers.

While beauty oils have been used for centuries and many of today’s skincare products are formulated with oils, facial oils have been gaining mainstream attention over the past few years. Despite this, many people are still fearful of trying facial oils as part of their skin care regiment, believing that they all lead to breakouts, but this simply is not true. Yes, some oils are very comedogenic, but we are not talking about synthetic mineral oil here! We are talking about high quality, pure, plant-based oils that have many healthy benefits. Some great benefits of Skincare oils include: • Reversal of photo aging and sun damage. • Oils are considered “carriers” and can help deliver beneficial ingredients to the skin. • Help to draw out sebum from clogged pores, balancing oily skin types. • Oils contain antioxidants and vitamins: anti-aging ingredients to help fight wrinkles. • Replenishment of moisture and balancing of the skin’s barrier function. • Anti-inflammatory • Aiding skin in the healing process How-to choose an oil:  Oils vary and there is no one, “right” oil, just what oil is right for you. Some oils are heavier, while others seem to just seep right in with no greasy sheen. An appropriate oil will be determined base on your skin type. Fatty acids are essential to the health of the skin. Skincare oils contain both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Oils can be purchased pure or blended (a carrier oil blended with essential oils). Essential oils should never be applied to the skin undiluted. A few oils to know include:  Argan oil, which contains vitamin E and Squalene, is great starter oil for anyone wanting to introduce oil into their skincare routine for the first time. This oil is also great for acneic skin types. Marula oil is quite comparable to Argan in that they both contain anti-oxidants, help hydrate, heal and fight UV damage. Due to higher levels of oleic acid, Marula oil is more heavy weight making it a better choice for drier skin types. Coconut oil is for the driest of skin types when it comes to facial use but can be enjoy by everyone when used for the body and hair. Coconut oil contains high levels of saturated fat. How to use Skincare oils:  There is a reason oils come is such small bottles with droppers, they are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way. For most people three drops is enough for the entire face and neck. I prefer to pat oils on with my fingertips rather than rubbing them in. You can use oils in conjunction with your serums. If your serum is a lighter weight than your oil apply it first. If your serum is heavier than your oil, apply it afterward. If you have a moisturizer you love but in the winter months it just does not seem enough, you can pat a facial oil over your moisturizer. The oil will help lock-in the moisture and help it penetrate your skin. Cleansing oils help to wash away excess sebum, dirt and bacteria without stripping moisture or disrupting the acid mantle. To use a cleansing oil apply it to your dry face with dry hands and gently massage into the skin. Slowly add water to the hands and rub creating an emulsion, further massaging the mixture onto your face. Followed by rinsing. This method works because the skincare oil forms a bond with the oil within your pore, helping to draw it out. If you have dehydrated or very dry skin, facial oils can be used to prime the skin. Oil rehydrates the tissue creating a plumping affect, which makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible while also creating that sought after dewy glow. Skincare oils can be used to treat the scalp and as a hair mask. Whether you leave the oil on your hair for 15 minutes or wrap your locks up and sleep with oil on as an overnight treatment, the benefits are immediately noticeable. Afterwards just shampoo and condition as usual. Skincare oils are perfect for travel as they are fantastic multitaskers! An overflowing toiletries bag is a thing of the past, when you need to pack such fewer products! Skincare oils work to- remove eye makeup, soften cuticles, heal cracked knuckles, soften and moisturize the lips, heal and protect scars, hydrate flaky elbows, knees and heels, tame flyaways, hydrate limp locks and prevent split ends! Blog Written by askderm's in-house Esthetician  Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 9 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers.

#1. 100% Argan Oil is an amazing Multitasker!Use it on your skin, lips, nails, hair & body!Create softer, glowing skin by applying Argan Oil to your skin! You can also mix it right into your makeup or moisturizer! Don't forget your lips! A few tricks would be to apply a few drops to your lips BEFORE you get in the shower, the steam of the shower combined with the oil will reveal soft smooth lips! You can also use a small amount just before you apply your lipstick for better wear throughout the day. Use it on your cuticles to maintain healthy nails. Treat the ends of your hair with 3-4 warmed drops and see healthy growth as well as fewer dead ends! (I am OBSESSED - my hair is glowing now - who knew that was even possible!) Lastly -this is a tip that as a Mom of 2 I am proud to share. Use the oil directly onto any stretch marks you may have. I have found that the depth of my "proud mommy marks" have shrank & the color is actually fading as well. I am thrilled with the results & am not completely terrified of bikini season coming up!#2. Celebrity Secret to Glowing Skin & Silky HairEva Mendes, Salma Hayek, Taylor Swift, Gisele Bundchen & Kim KardashianThere are many articles and photos of Celebrities endorsing the variety of brands out there with Face Oils. The main message behind them all is - when you use Face Oils - your skin GLOWS! A lot of the Celebs will apply the Oil to their skin the night before a big event as well as right before their makeup is applied. There is a bit of light reflecting properties to the product so it works in conjunction with your makeup to reveal even skin tone as well. You could look Red Carpet ready daily but using a Face Oil. Who doesn't want that?! Oh. Did I mention I use it daily & within 1 week had numerous comments about my skin. Yes. That happened.#3. Great for ALL Skin Types!The oil does not create more oil, absorbs & helps prevent breakouts!Anyone with oily skin is going to freak out & NOT want to use a Face Oil. I get it. It doesn't make sense. BUT - it works. I have reduced my amount of breakouts by about 95%. Yes. I am not exaggerating. There are actually antibacterial bonus' to using Face Oil as well as an over "balancing" effect for the skin. Every skin type will notice your skin just feels healthier!#4. They are PACKED full of Antioxidants!They will smooth out existing wrinkles, reflect light & boost your SPF powers against free radicals!Face Oils are packed full of Vitamin E, Essential Fatty Acids and some even have other essential oils included as well. Combining the power of your SPF with the natural protection of the antioxidants in the Face Oil you will be getting extreme anti-aging protection & instant results at the same time. Your skin will feel smoother and your makeup will glide on leaving you with a flawless finish!#5. Supercharge your normal skincare routine!After applying your normal regimen, before you apply your makeup, pat the oil on top to create a barrier to provide lasting results all day long.Add a Face Oil to your normal every day skincare routine for added moisture, repair, protection & glow! One simple final step will help create a barrier on your skin to keep all the products you put on your skin penetrate better as well as seal in the moisture to keep your skin glowing all day long!Stay beautiful.dani. askderm bblogger.

  Our team of experts here at askderm have selected a line of products that bring value to our customers, as well as promote healthy beautiful skin. We strongly believe that healthy skin is a key factor to aging gracefully. These hand selected products are packed full of amazing ingredients that will fight the signs of aging and reveal your inner glow. Our askderm ESSENTIALS line is ideal for all skin types and was designed specifically for you – our amazing customers.   askderm ESSENTIALS is all about proven and effective anti-aging ingredients that diminish fine lines and Wrinkles and make your skin feel softer, smoother and firmer. Hyaluronic Acid   100% Pure Argan oil  Retinol  

     As the air cools and humidity lowers, it's common to experience dry skin. You may notice a "tightened" feeling, or even redness and a chapped texture. These uncomfortable and less than appealing ailments can be significantly reduced, and even avoided completely, with the right skincare routine! You'll find countless products on askderm.com for dry skin, and a few of our favorites for each step of your daily skincare routine below. To ensure you go through this Fall and Winter with hydrated, radiant skin, keep reading!  Did you know we regularly feature Giveaways on our Blog?! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to make sure you don't miss out! CLEANSER The Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser - Step One When your skin is acting up and feeling irritated from the elements, it's important to stick with a gentle but effective cleanser. Avoid products with exfoliation benefits as this can irritate your dry, stressed skin even more. This cleanser is made for delicate skin that is in need of extra attention. It will provide you with a soothing experience, while deep cleaning and reinvigorating your skin. The included kernal oil calms while ensuring a deep clean simultaneously.  SERUM Vivierskin Hydragel Advanced B5+ Complex This versatile product can be used on the face, lips, or even body for all over radiance. Glycosaminoclycans (GAGs) improves water retention, Panthenol (Vitamin B5) repairs tissue. Try it chilled for a refreshing boost! EYE CREAM Glyderm Hydrating Eye Cream Multiple beneficial ingredients like antioxidants & Vitamin K, which help to fight free radicals and dark circles around the eyes. To age gracefully and prolong your youthful complexion, it's never too early to start using an eye cream! MOISTURIZER Nia 24 Intensive Recovery Complex For intense moisturization, and to strengthen the skin's barrier to accelerate repair and increase resistance to damage, choose this incredibly beneficial product. Your skin will appear fuller and firmer by locking in multi-level moisture, while minimizing transepidermal water loss. Enjoy  firmer and tightened skin, which will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Follow askderm on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to be the first to know about giveaways, new product releases, and sales! Use #askderm when you share photos of our products, and showcase your amazing results!   

Are you getting ready to go to a pool party, have a beach day or go out on a boat? Whatever your destination may be, do not forget these 5 essential items to keep your skin and hair healthy, protected and beautiful.  1. Always Bring a Good Sunscreen When you select your sunscreen, make sure that it is broad spectrum.  In other words, it should protect against UVA and UVB rays.  Since you’ll likely be in and out of the water, it’s best if your sunscreen is also water resistant for 40-80 minutes. Putting on the right amount is important: 1/2 of a teaspoon of sunscreen will be enough to cover face and neck.  Also remember that sunscreens should be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and must be re-applied at least every 2 hours.Remember that those with sensitive skin and children will also need sunscreen products especially designed for them!  2. Topical Antioxidants are VitalInfrared rays are part of the sunlight, but unfortunately, they can cause skin damage through the production of free radicals. These rays are not typically filtered by sunscreens.  As a result, it’s important to use topical antioxidants to prevent and revert the damage cause by infrared rays.The use of vitamin C alone or in combination with vitamin E and other antioxidants like ferulic acid, for example, will provide better protection than sunscreens alone.  This is especially true for individuals prone to suffer from dark spots on their face.  For optimal protection, apply topical antioxidants on your face before your sunscreen.3. Lip Balm with SPFLips, especially the lower lip, are constantly exposed to solar radiation. When you’re spending the day in the sun, it is very important to use a lip balm containing moisturizers (e.g. beeswax, olive oil, cocoa butter) and a physical sunscreen (e.g. zinc oxide) with an SPF 30. Do not forget to constantly reapply your lip balm.  It should go on at least every 2 hours.  Are you hitting the waves?  If so, make sure your lip balm is also water resistant. 4. Leave-in Hair Conditioner with SunscreenIt's not just your skin that needs protection from the elements… your hair does too!  That’s why you should always wear a hat when you are spending the day in the sun.We strongly recommend applying a leave-in hair conditioner with sunscreens to prevent the damage that sunlight can cause to you hair. If you have dyed your hair, remember that ultraviolet radiation can cause hair discoloration. Apply your leave-in conditioner before sun exposure and also reapply liberally every time you enter into the water.5. Don’t Forget the MoisturizerYou likely already know that sun exposure can cause dry skin, so be sure to have a high quality moisturizer on hand.  We recommend trying a light moisturizing mist to instantly refresh the skin. Most mists contain Aloe Vera and other moisturizing and soothing ingredients. Thermal water in spray form may also help. It’s also essential to opt for an after sun moisturizer to help combat the sun's harmful effects.So be sure to fill your beach bag with products that will hydrate, protect and restore your skin and hair.  When you go to the beach prepared, you’ll walk away relaxed, rejuvenated and radiant. Mercedes Florez White, MD Dermatologist. Director of the Cosmetic Department at the Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center  Miami Beach, Florida.