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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.

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.

#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.

Of the four main skin types, Oily skin can be the hardest and most frustrating to treat. It is an on going battle of balance and you sometimes have to treat and care for more than one skin type depending on each zone of the face. First off it is important to properly identify oily skin. Oily skin has an excess production of sebum, a fatty substance that lubricates the skin. The surface of oily skin can appear thicker as dead skin cells are trapped and clogged in the follicle due to this sebum. It is characterized by larger pores and open comedones (blackheads). There are several myths concerning oily skin, first being that large pores are solely caused by poor hygiene. Unfortunately this is untrue. Pore size is genetically determined. While poor hygiene can lead to more blackhead clogs that expand the follicle wall, making them larger, it is much more likely that you have your parents to blame for your initial large pore size. Another huge misconception concerning oily skin and black heads in particular, is that the dark color of the clog is from dirt. While the clog contains debris from dirt, it is also comprised of dead skin cells and sebum. It is the oxidation of this sebum that gives black heads their color. Lastly greasy foods do not cause oily skin. While a lack of nutrition can lead to poor skin health, having a slice of greasy pizza at noon will never be the cause of your T-zone oil slick by three o’clock. To the contrary,  eating foods high in Omega- fatty acids such as wild caught fatty fish, avocados and tree nuts can improve the health of oily skin by balancing moisture levels and reducing inflammation. So we have identified skin type and cleared up myths about oily skin, now what? A Proper skincare routine is crucial to the on going fight against oily skin. As mentioned earlier caring for oily skin involves maintaining balance. While it is important to remove excess oil from the skin’s surface, you still need to maintain the skin’s hydration level. It is an unfair truth but skin can be oily and yet still be dehydrated, as dehydration refers to a lack of water, not a lack of oil. These are my healthy skin care tips for oily skin: I recommend using a salicylic acid or a beta-hydroxy acid facial cleanser at least twice a day. Before washing your face, wash your hands with soap and water to remove bacteria. Removing bacteria and germs will prevent them from being deposited onto the skin surface and into the follicle. If you are already dealing with oily skin, why deal with acne too? Exfoliation is also important, as a buildup of cells are trapped by the excess sebum and can perpetuate the cycle. But never over exfoliate or over strip your skin of this protective sebum, as your skin may fight back and produce even more oil to repair its barrier. Remember to moisturize with an oil free moisturizer containing a broad spectrum SPF. Oily skin needs the hydration and some skin care ingredients such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid can make the skin more sensitive to the already damaging effects of the sun’s radiation. Weekly or bi-weekly masks containing clay may also help draw extra oil away from the skin, but unless your entire face is oily keep this mask use to the t-zone only as to not disturb surrounding healthy skin. Leave the squeezing to a professional. We are trained to properly extract blackheads. Improper technique can lead to scaring, broken capillaries and breakouts. So please step away from the 10x magnification mirror. Oil blotting papers are a great way to rid the skin of shine and can be easily stored and used throughout the day. Has your makeup ever become a scary darker color as the day wears on? This is also caused by sebum oxidation, so a foundation a shade or two lighter than your skin may be helpful. Just use your correctly matched shade around the perimeter and contour of your face. While all this information may leave you feeling like you will never win the battle against oil, there is one positive note worth mentioning to lift the spirits of us oily skin sufferers - Oily skin appears more youthful, seems to age slower and shows less fine lines and wrinkles over time because the sebum prevents loss of water in the moisture barrier. Who wouldn’t want to trade a little shine for one less visible wrinkle?   Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal Monique Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, which were featured on ABC's Wife Swap. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. 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 as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips!