Q: What's the cause of under eye dark circles - and what treatments can help?
A: Occasional dark circles under the eyes can be caused by factors as simple as lack of sleep, dehydration or an allergy - particularly congestion in the central facial and nasal area.
Dark circles can also be hereditary, and are more likely to occur in certain ethnic groups.
But for many folks, dark circles are simply a sign of the aging process at work.
As we age, the fat pad under the eyethins, allowing blood vessels underneath to show through.
Moreover, as we age, blood flow to the skin beneath the eye becomes sluggish, further increasing the darkness in this area.
While sometimes a skin-lightening product can help fade dark circles, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that creams containing a combination of Vitamin K and retinol have an even more powerful lightening effect.
The vitamin K works directly on the blood vessels, while the retinal helps re-build collagen, potentially improving the appearance of dark circles.
Q: If I use makeup with sunscreen, do I still have to apply sunscreen separately?
A: That all depends on the SPF (sun protection factor) rating of your make up.
If it's 15 or more then it will likely be enough - as long as you apply it properly and in a thick enough layer to get maximum protection.
If your makeup contains less than a 15 SPF, then you need a layer of sunscreen as well, but remember, SPF numbers are not cumulative, so, if your foundation has an SPF of 10 and your powder has an SPF of 8, the maximum protection you are getting is 10. Moreover, remember that sun exposure degrades sunscreen, so you have to reapply it every few hours.
To avoid having to redo your make-up, check out mineral powders or mineral veils, these loose powders contain a natural sunscreen and can be dusted on top of make-up without getting that heavy, caked-on look.
A: Breakouts are caused by one thing and one thing only: A combination of oil and dead skin cells that block bacteria and clog hair follicles.
The best defense against pimples is to find a cleansing routine that works for you and stick with it.
Also remember to remove your makeup every night and don't over exfoliate — twice a week is fine.
And use an oil-free moisturizer with added SPF.
A: Sensitive skin means different things to different people.
We all have completely unique skin that requires unique care.
Some people describe their sensitive skin as changeable, meaning its condition varies from day to day and reacts to just about anything, some say their sensitive skin is just dry and delicate all the time.
Skin can be sensitive in different ways and signs may range from a mild, tingling, burning or prickling sensation possibly accompanied by slight redness, to dryness or maybe skin tightness, roughness, flaking.
