If I drink a lot of water will it help my dry skin?

If your body is dehydrated, your skin will certainly reflect that in its sallow tone. But just drinking water is not enough to combat dryness, you have to make the water stay in the skin. A two-pronged approach is best for this; topical treatments (containing ceremides and structural lipids) and Dietary Supplements (containing essential fatty acids) work together both inside and out to create a lovely, more hydrated complexion.

Is there a difference between adolescent acne and adult acne?

Not really, it's the same disease. In fact, an acne lesion on a teenage boy is the physiological duplicate of that on a premenstrual woman. And both are the result of overly active oil (sebaceous) glands triggered by androgen hormones.

The only real difference seems to be one of placement. In adolescents, acne is common on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. In women, the perioral area around the mouth, chin and jaw line get the worst.

I have normal skin but I still get some pimples before my period. Why?

Acne can be hormonally triggered which is why so many women - even those who have clear skin the rest of the month - break out before their periods.

If you do experience monthly flare-ups, try switching to Murad Acne products during that vulnerable premenstrual week. Plus, Many have found that taking the recommended daily dose of Pure Skin® Skin Clarifying Supplement, which combats the causes of acne from the inside, fortifing the system to minimize monthly breakouts.

Why is exfoliation so important for oily skin?

Since small pores are what give the impression of smoothness, oily skin's larger pores can make it appear rough. Excess dead skin cells and blackheads can actually stretch a pore too making it appear even larger. By deep cleansing the pores of this cellular debris, exfoliation makes larger pores appear smaller.

What exactly does the hormone estrogen do for the skin?

Estrogen keeps skin soft, firm, and supple by encouraging collagen production and reducing the potential for acne breakouts. Collagen and the elastic fibers that make up skin's structural support, are responsible for skin thickness and resiliency. Reduced collagen leads to skin fragility, thinness, wrinkling, and, sagging.

I am in my mid-30s and have been using an SPF 15 sunscreen for years. But now I see age spots are coming up on my face and hands. How is this possible?

The skin never forgets and a lifetime of neglect is cumulative. Plus, environmental exposure occurs from smog, pollution, on cloudy days and even indoors from light fixtures all of which affect the skin.

Sun damage and hyperpigmentation can take years, sometimes decades, before showing themselves in the skin.

Even if your last sunburn or tan was in your teens, the cumulative damage may well manifest itself as age spots - or worse, skin cancer - far into your adulthood. This is why sun protection is so important for children and teens.

As far as your hands are concerned, you may not have been protecting them, or reapplying product, as much as you think. We see a lot of age spots on the hands, and on the chest too, because people forget to protect them adequately. Also, as good as sunscreens are these days, there isn't one that can block 100% of UV radiation.

What's the difference between environmentally damaged skin, aging skin and menopausal skin?

Excellent question. Most women going through menopause do experience all three at the same time. As it ages, skin naturally becomes thinner, dryer and wrinkled. Environmental damage results in wrinkles, leathery texture, age spots, broken capillaries, and inflammation. Menopause, because of a lack of estrogen, leads to thinning skin, increased facial hair and occasional acne breakouts.

Since symptoms overlap or you may experience all three, you may have to experiment to find the regimen that works best for you. If you're unsure how to proceed, use a regimen that treats environmental damage during the day, and switch to products that address your other concerns by night.

Are the blackheads on my face caused by dirt?

No. The discoloration is a result of oxidation. Picture an apple. When it is cut and exposed to the air (which contains oxygen), the cut fruit turns brown because of oxidation. Blackheads are formed the same way. As sebum and skin cells collect in a pore, open to the air, they oxidize and consequently darken.