"Beauty Basics"

December 14, 1999

YM and Neutrogena present YM's Beauty Editor discussing beauty, skin care, and cosmetics.

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YM Neutrogena: YM & Neutrogena would like to thank you for joining us for our "Beauty Basics" chat today. Your host is YM's Beauty Editor. Ask away and she'll answer your beauty questions!

YMBeauty Editor: I just want to say hello, everybody. This is Meredith at YM. I'm ready to answer all of your burning beauty questions, so fire away!

Blink: My skin gets very itchy in the winter months due to dryness. What can I do to keep it moist?

YMBeauty Editor: The first thing you want to do is prevent that dryness. The reason why your skin is itchy is definitely from the cold weather, but you could definitely be the culprit yourself. So, you want to first avoid taking long hot baths -- keep the water tepid, and keep your showers and baths to about three to five minutes. After you shower you want to make sure you pat yourself dry with a towel; you don't want to rub the water away from your skin. When your skin's still damp, that's when you want to put on your moisturizer to seal in the moisture. You definitely want to make sure you're using a heavier cream to moisturize your skin. Some great moisturizers for the face have these water-loving ingredients in them called humectants. One example of a humectant is glycerin, which attracts water to the skin. There are some great body moisturizers you may want to try, with vegetable oils. Look for oils such as sesame oil, for example. Neutrogena has a nice one with sesame oil in it.

TYRA: My lips are always chapped. Is there a product or lipstick that can help heal them?

YMBeauty Editor: If your lips are always chapped, it probably means that you are licking them a lot, so.stop licking! It is a very common problem if you are working out or doing sports in cold weather. The licking thing becomes a vicious cycle, because you're licking them to moisturize and soothe them, but then the wetness dries up along with the skin on your lips. When it comes to moisturizing your lips, you can throw that old adage, "less is more," right out the window! Whenever you feel dry, slather on, layer on, a lip balm. Just completely cover them. Keeping them covered will help them heal and protect them from the elements. The most luxurious ones are those that are non-waxy, and also the best ones are those that have SPF built inside. Many lipsticks nowadays do come with benefits, such as Vitamin E and other good-for-your- skin ingredients. So, you can look good and feel good at the same time.

Siouxsie: There are so many foundations today. What lasts the longest and doesn't clog pores?

YM BeautyEditor: Good question, because everyone is looking for the perfect foundation. Everyone wants perfect skin. The foundations that last the longest are those that absorb oil, since oil creates too slick a surface for make-up to adhere to. You want to look for products that are labeled 'for shine control' or 'mattifying.' Most likely they will also have added benefits to prevent clogged pores. You want to also make sure a foundation is oil-free, othewise you are right back where you started. You want one that is non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores.

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