Understanding your skin type is very important for keeping your skin healthy – and therefore reducing the impact of your skin’s aging process. There are 3 types of skin: normal, oily and dry. And each skin type has a range within it – for example very oily or very dry. Additionally, you can have a combination of the skin types – like normal on your cheeks but oily on your “t-zone”.

Below is a brief description of the 3 skin types and how to take care of them. Much of the “technical” information I have here is from textbooks.

Normal Skin
Normal skin is what we all hope to have but few actually do have. The best way to describe “normal” skin is that it is what most children have (before they hit puberty). In normal skin, hydration is perfect and the oil glands secrete just enough oil to keep skin soft and supple. It looks healthy, with good color, a smooth texture and it’s free of large pores and wrinkles.

Lots of things can deteriorate the quality of normal skin – with the biggest being the natural aging process. Additionally, lack of proper hydration and the lack of a healthy diet with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to provide proper cell reproduction also play a big role. Lastly, how you take care of your skin plays a role – use of harsh soaps and scrubs, the climate you live in and sun exposure through lack of proper use of sun protection.

The best way to take care of normal skin is to wash twice daily – morning and (most importantly) evening. Washing should be followed by use of a toner and a moisturizer – along with any additional anti-aging products you are using (serums, eye creams etc.). Normal skin will also benefit from weekly exfoliation. Lastly, and always most importantly, proper use of sun protection is vital.

Dry Skin
Dry skin is a common occurrence among people who are over 40, as our skin naturally slows its production of oils which cause it to look dried out and dehydrated. Additionally, many people simply have dry skin that they have had all of their lives. Dry skin is the result of sebaceous glands that are underactive – so they are not producing sufficient oils to keep skin moist and dewey. Because of the lack of oil, it is less able to maintain proper levels of hydration because the oils typically act as a barrier to prevent loss of moisture. Without the oils, the moisture is free to leave the skin layers and then the skin begins to appear dry and dehydrated.

Dry skin tends to look thin, very delicate and often flaky. Pores tend to be almost invisible and the skin shows wrinkles and lines very easily. Obviously exposure to the sun will exacerbate the situation. Dry skin should be taken care of carefully, using non-drying face cleansers as well as moisturizers that provide a sufficient barrier to trap moisture such as hyaluronic acid. Careful use of additional anti-aging products is also recommended (eye creams, serums etc.) Periodic (gentle!) exfoliation is helpful to rid skin of the flaking and peeling, but most importantly the weekly use of a hydrating masque is crucial. It is key for people with dry skin to use products specifically formulated for dry skin.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is obviously the opposite of dry skin. Oily skin results from sebaceous glands that are over-active. It is easily recognized as it has a shiny, thick and firm appearance – and it tends to have large pores. People with oily skin often suffer from blemishes, typically on the forehead, chin and nose areas. The good news is that people that suffer from oily skin when they are young, tend to have fewer wrinkles and younger looking skin as they age. This is due to the fact that the sebaceous glands slow their production as we age, so people with oily skin typically end up with more “normal” oil production resulting in younger looking skin!

Oily skin is one of the most challenging to take care of properly. Common myths are that you want to dry skin out and that you should not use any products with oils in them so it won’t get even more oily. However, these tactics can get you into some worse trouble! If you have oily skin, you should thoroughly but gently (not harshly) cleanse your skin morning and evening with products designed specifically for oily or problematic skin. Toners again can help maintain proper skin balance and maximize the effects of the moisturizer. And yes – you definitely want to use a moisturizer, as well as anti-aging serums and eye creams. Any moisturizing product should be one that helps to regulate oil gland secretion. And most importantly, a bi-weekly use of an exfoliator is key – to keep skin soft and smooth and reduce the appearance of thickening skin.

It’s interesting because I hear from many clients that they sometimes have oily skin and sometimes dry skin. But more likely what is happening is that they have oily skin and are using products or doing something that is dehydrating their skin. It’s important to remember that your skin has layers that hold a lot of water and layers with oil. So it is important to keep it hydrated as well as maintain the proper levels of oil. So if you have oily skin that gets dry in spots it’s likely that you have used astringents, scrubs or soaps either excessively or you have chosen ones that are simply too harsh. Again, seek out products with hyaluronic acid as it can help to trap the moisture in the skin.

What a pleasant surprise to see another great review on one of my favorite beauty blogs – Bionic Beauty! They had reviewed Garden Girl back in January but I didn’t realize they were going to do “Part Deux” as they call it. Bonus!

In this review, Jami checks out Garden Girl’s Starting Over microderm scrub, No Worries face cream and Break Free fruit acid gel. Best part? She loved them all! It’s always a little nerve wracking to read reviews – you never know where they are going to go. The reputable beauty bloggers (like Bionic Beauty and Mythbuster Beauty) give their honest opinion. That is why they are good – you know you’re getting the real scoop – rather than just random reviews you might see posted elsewhere on the web (like in beauty chat rooms). So I was thrilled to see that she loved them. And with Bionic Beauty’s highly sensitive skin, it speaks to the fact that both Starting Over and Break Free can be used very effectively on sensitive skin.

And don’t forget – this week you can save an incredible 15% on ALL ORDERS (no minimum). Just use coupon code July7 – anytime before Saturday at midnight. If you haven’t tried Starting Over, No Worries or Break Free – now is the perfect time! And don’t forget, our products are always free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates!

Summertime wreaks havoc on our skin – face and body. Our skin is exposed to sun, dunked in drying chlorine, covered in sunscreen, and let’s not forget icky sticky sweat. All of this can result in either flaky skin or clogged pores – or worst of all, both. This is why it is so important to exfoliate religiously throughout the summer. And that is why this week’s sale lets you save big on all of our exfoliating products!

Exfoliation removes the outer layer of dead skin cells and reveals fresh, younger looking skin. It helps to keep pores unclogged and skin extra smooth. It also leaves skin primed perfectly for moisturizing, so it should be followed immediately after with your face cream (for faces) and body lotion (for body).

As you can imagine, your skin is extra sensitive after exfoliation so it is extremely important to wear sunscreen after exfoliating when you are going to be in the sun (clearly it’s important to always wear sunscreen in the sun, but after exfoliating you should be extra careful!).

Also – you should take care not to exfoliate too frequently. In general a good rule of thumb is twice a week for your face, and up to 3 times a week for your body. Oily skin can typically benefit from 3 times per week for your face, and sensitive skin should generally be only once per week. Doing it too frequently can cause damage so you want to be sure not to overdo it.

Lastly, for faces, be sure to use products that are designed for your face – NOT for bodies, which can be too harsh. And watch for products with crushed seeds or similar exfoliants as they can scratch skin and cause damage.

So this week’s sale is giving you a big ol’ 20% off all of our exfoliation products -

Starting Over Microderm Scrub – this is our first facial exfoliator and a personal favorite. It uses the same microcrystals used by the dermatologists to do the very expensive microdermabrasion treatments. But this way you can get similar results at home -for a lot less money! This scrub is in a natural, paraben-free, creamy base that leaves your skin soft, smooth and hydrated and helps to even skin tone, reduce fine lines and unclog pores. (NOTE: The offer is good on both the 2 oz. jar as well as the 2 oz. eco-friendly refill package!)

Break Free fruit acid gel – Break Free is the newest addition to our facial exfoliators – and quickly rising to the top. It is a fantastic dermatologist-grade product that is amazing for oily/problematic skin as well as dry skin (however, it is not recommended for sensitive skin). Break Free has three alpha-hydroxy acids that pack a punch. Simply apply in a thin layer on the face (avoiding eyes) and leave on for 1 to 3 minutes. Then rinse with cool water. You know immediately that it is working as it tingles, signalling that it is removing the dead skin cells. Repeated use of Break Free can result in a reduction of thickened skin, the evening of skin tone, and a reduction of breakouts and blackheads. Oh – and of course fewer fine lines and wrinkles!

Pucker Up Coconut – Pucker Up is our body exfoliator. It is perfect for the summer – and because it is a sugar scrub (not a salt scrub) you don’t have to worry about stinging! Pucker Up is packed in a rich, thick and creamy oil that leaves your skin incredibly smooth and soft and hydrated. Bonus – it’s fantastic for shaving!

Don’t forget, all of Garden Girl’s products are carefully crafted in the US with the highest quality ingredients and are always free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates!

This week’s offer is at www.gardengirlskincare.com and it is valid thru Friday, July 3rd at midnight. But to take advantage, you have to sign up for our email list! Go to www.gardengirlskincare.com and sign up right there on the home page. You will get a $5 coupon emailed to you, plus we’ll send you the email with this week’s offer code.

We are SO excited about our new products!! (ok technically 2 of the products are not totally new but they haven’t been available on the website yet so we’re sticking with “new”) So to celebrate we’re having a contest – from today through Wednesday, June 17th.

The contest is totally easy and fun – just go to:

www.gardengirlskincare.com

then search the website until you find the 3 new products. (Hint: They are clearly labeled as “new” so it won’t take long!) One of the products was based on customer feedback – for those of you who participated in the survey a couple of months back when we asked what product you would be most interested in – we used that information to develop this product!

Once you have found the new products, send an email to contest(at)gardengirlskincare.com and list:

1) The names of the 3 products. HINT: One product sort of counts as two – it’s the same but 2 versions. The Hand it to You pump bottle is not new – although clearly I need to change that on the website
2) Why you would like to try them

It’s that easy. Then we will select a winner on Wednesday and post the results on Thursday!

Now for the best part – the winner receives ALL THREE products!! Wahoo! Once you find out what they are – I think you’ll be very eager to win. They are all really great.

So what are you waiting for? Start searching!

As many of you know already, with most Garden Girl purchases, you are treated to a sample size (actually “sample” is really an understatement) of a product. We choose a product to give you – either something we think you might want to try based on your order history, or something that we think you’d enjoy having in a travel-sized container. It’s our way of giving you an extra special treat to thank you for choosing Garden Girl.

Well this week – we thought it might be fun to let YOU choose the sample. That means no matter what size order you have – you will receive a travel-sized bottle or jar of the product that YOU choose. Sounds fun, right?

But we’re going to make it even better (ok this sounds like an infomercial – “order now and you’ll get…”) – if you place an order over $75 you can choose any TWO samples. Even better? If you order more than $125 worth of products, then you can choose THREE!! Not bad, eh? Each of these samples is big enough to last up to a month! (that’s what I mean when I say sample is an understatement)

We don’t offer all of our products in these sample/travel sized but you can choose from:

0.5 oz Jars:

• No Worries face cream for dry/sensitive skin
• Nature Nurture face cream for normal/oily skin
• Starting Over microderm scrub
• Cookies + Cream purifying masque
• Hugs vanilla body butter
• Smooches chocolate mandarin body butter
• Pucker Up Coconut sugar scrub
• Zippity Do Dah peppermint foot cream

1.0 oz Bottles:

• You’re Fresh face wash for normal/oily skin
• Oasis for Faces face wash for dry/sensitive or mature skin
• Even Ste(pH)en toner
• Hand it to You hand cream
• Chill Out body lotion
• Jump Start body lotion
• Mellow body lotion
• Alive body lotion

Taking advantage of this very unique offer is easy. Simply go to:

www.gardengirlskincare.com

Then, when you are checking out there will be a comments section (not the coupons section). In that comments section, simply write which sample you would like. If your order is above $75, you will write the two you’d like. And if you order over $125 you can select THREE!

As always, our products are all free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates. Enjoy – and have fun choosing your samples!

This week’s special is a first for Garden Girl. It’s an amazing opportunity to try our Face It travel sized face kit for only $5 (with a purchase of $40) – that’s an incredible $24 savings!! We decided that this would be a great way for people to try the face care kits – whether you have never tried any of our face products, or have tried some but would like to try out the whole kit. Or maybe you would like to get it for a friend who hasn’t tried Garden Girl yet. Already a big fan? Well this is the perfect chance to get a set for your gym bag or your overnight bag!

Choose from two travel kits:

1) Oasis for Faces face wash for dry/sensitive skin (1 oz), Even Ste(pH)en toner (1 oz), Starting Over microderm scrub (0.5 oz) , and No Worries face cream for dry/sensitive skin (0.5 oz)

2) You’re Fresh face wash for normal/oily skin (1 oz), Even Ste(pH)en toner (1 oz), Starting Over microderm scrub (0.5 oz), and Nature Nurture face cream for normal/oily skin (0.5 oz)

All face kits come with a small card that gives you an easy morning and evening routine that takes less than 3 minutes. And of course, as with all Garden Girl products, the kit has no parabens, sulfates, petroleum products or phthalates! And if you want to swap products between the two kits – just let us know in the comments section.

To take advantage, simply go to:

www.gardengirlskincare.com/facecare

choose your travel face kit (along with $40 of your choice of other products) then use coupon code

JUN1

Enjoy – and don’t forget to let your friends and family know about our big offer!

This week, we wanted to offer a big discount on things that make great gifts. This time of year is often crammed with gift giving. Teachers who have worked with your child all year long. Friends and family who are graduating from high school, college or grad school. Not to mention the fact that there are seemingly zillions of birthdays!

So we have decided to take 20% off all of our gift kits! What better way to thank a teacher or congratulate a graduate than to give them a fun, pretty and pampering gift.

Choose from:

Piggies + Pointers - a fabulous treat that includes Zippity Do Dah peppermint foot cream, Hand it to You hand cream, plus cotton gloves, cotton booties and our Not So Rough foot smoother

Piggies in a Blanket - the perfect kit to keep tootsies in tip top shape for summer! Zippity Do Dah peppermint foot cream, cotton booties and our Not So Rough foot smoother

Pointers with Panache - keeping hands well hydrated and younger looking is easy with this simple kit. Our cotton gloves matched with the top selling Hand it to You hand cream

Bod Squad - a simple but always appreciated gift set. One bottle of lotion and one of shower gel in your choice of our fabulous essential oil scents: Chill Out, Alive, Jump Start or Mellow. Want to mix and match? Just let us know!

Face It! face care kit - a great gift for someone who is looking for incredible skin care that will help their skin look its absolute best. Four full sized essentials – Face wash (You’re Fresh or Oasis), Even Ste(pH)en toner, Starting Over microderm scrub, Moisturizer (No Worries or Nature Nurture). 2 sets are offered, but you can mix/match – just note it on the order.

Nitty Gritty Face Committee face care kit - a great starter kit with Face wash (You’re Fresh or Oasis), Even Ste(pH)en toner, Moisturizer (No Worries or Nature Nurture) and our pink terry spa headband. Again, 2 sets are offered, but you can mix/match – just note it on the order.

Ok – now that you see all these great offers, it makes it even more inviting doesn’t it? Why not grab something for yourself as well! The face kits are already a fantastic deal – adding 20% off makes it almost a steal. And because it is all free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates you can feel great about giving it as a gift – or using it yourself!

Just go to:

www.gardengirlskincare.com

and then use coupon code:

MAY18

This offer is valid through Friday, May 22 at midnight. So have fun! And if you need this by a certain deadline, be sure to let me know so we can get it out asap.

Have a fantastic week!

This week’s sale is plain and simple saving. Nice, right? Wahoo. Here it is:

Save $5 on all orders under $75

Save $10 on all orders of $75 or more

Nice and simple – and you get to save on whatever you choose. Face care, bath + body or even baby care. All free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum products and phthalates.

Simply go to www.gardengirlskincare.com and enter

5OffMay if your order is under $75
10OffMay if your order is $75 or more

This offer expires at Midnight on Friday, May 8th.

Have fun and enjoy the savings!