Our teens and wide-eyed college coeds are returning from sleepaway camp, teen tours and backpacking excursions in Europe and Asia. The 12 – 21 set has been so busy soaking up the sun, and god knows what else, that they are probably in need of a good facial to reset their skin. They have been so busy with summer activities that a daily skin care regimen has fallen to the bottom of the to do list. Our progeny have returned home with breakouts and post-summer skin irritation due to overexposure to the sun, perhaps sans proper protection and care.

Whether going back to school or off to university, it is a good time to start kids off with a simple custom regimen that will empower them to easily take care of their skin all year round. Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté offers a Teenage Facial devised with teenage skin in mind.

A Cautionary Word of Warning

Young skin is sensitive. It is an imperative to select products that are gentle (organic is not always the answer – many organic products can be the harshest as they tend to have high concentrations of ingredients) on the skin. Products that are too harsh tend to be a major culprit contributing to adolescent skin irritation and spots.

Back To School Skin Care Regimen

In the spirit of keeping it simple, here are three easy, turnkey steps that are sure to work for all:

Step One: Cleanse

Lavido makes a gentle Purifying Face Cleanser that is specially formulated for sensitive skin. It is well suited for everyone and gently removes dead skin cells and impurities. For those in their late teens and early twenties, who wear makeup and are willing to take an extra step, I also suggest a post cleansing toner. Heaven Skincare EllaJane Celebrity Skin Wipes are ideal. It’s a toner in an easy to use wipe. They contain honey which heals and moisturizes as well as peppermint which balances the skin’s oil levels and keeps blemishes at bay. Wipes are my favorite, particularly for nighttime when everyone is tired and just wants to crawl into bed. Cleansing and moisturizing are most important at night as this is the time when the skin carries out its filtering activities at the cellular level.

Step Two: Moisturize

Alchimie Forever Daily Defense Cream SPF 23 is all natural, dermatologist-tested and vegan. This moisturizer is gentle and has a light SPF, which is beneficial all year long.

For young men that are about to start shaving or are already doing so, Ursa Major Traveler’s Skin Care Kit is an all encompassing try me kit containing a cleaner, toner, moisturizer/aftershave and toner soaked face wipes. Fortifying Face Balm is an ideal moisturizer and/or aftershave. It fights razor burn and irritation like a charm. Ursa Major’s individually wrapped Essential Face Wipes are perfect for use after gym class, as a late afternoon refresher or quick clean-up before bed.

Step Three: At Home Mini Facial

For those that will take the extra step, applying a mask once a week will do wonders. It is akin to an at home mini facial that will keep their skin clear all year long. Lavido Gentle Exfoliator Peeling Cream is meant to be a 2- 3 x per week gentle face scrub but I use it as a face mask. The formula contains oyster shell powder and pomegranate peel grains to turn over dead skin cells and buildup. It is extremely effective at unclogging pores but is gentle enough not to overdry skin. Plus, on days that it is used, it can be used as a 2-in-one cleanser and mask. Just apply, leave on for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse. Very easy.

Some Useful Extras

For teens that find themselves with blemishes, B. Kamins Laboratories Blemish Gel 5% is the perfect spot treatment to dab onto affected areas. It delivers the right amount of medicine in a lower dose than other over the counter treatments and will not irritate or overdry skin.

Additionally, Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is a no brainer. With the change of season and school stress, everyone can use a new lip balm to kick off the school year with a stunning smile!

All of these products will take you and your teens through fall and into winter seamlessly.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter @AlyssaBarrie

Ever wanted to take a peek inside the beauty bags of some of New York’s leading ladies? Here’s your chance. For her Beauty Spotlight series on New York Social Diary, writer Delia Von Neushatz sits down with the likes of socialite Cornelia Guest and jewelry designer Blair Husain to get the scoop on the products they can’t live without, the services they have standing appointments for and much more.

Here are three recent Beauty Spotlight profiles—hope you’re taking notes!

Beauty Spotlight: Blair Husain

Raised in North Carolina, New York City denizen Blair Husain is not your typical southern belle. This stylish wife, mother and designer of elegant jewelry has a taste for adventure. Not only has she traveled the world—with three kids in tow—but she’s undertaken some quests that few can lay claim to. Read more.

Beauty Spotlight: Nina Griscom

Nina Griscom knows a thing or two about beauty. The one-time Ford model, magazine editor, and former wife of renowned plastic surgeon Daniel Baker has had an inside track on the cosmetics industry for years. And although this blonde, blue-eyed beauty has graced the covers of countless magazines, her expertise on aesthetics is more than just skin deep. Read more.

Beauty Spotlight: Cornelia Guest

Cornelia Guest—daughter of Winston Guest, a polo-playing cousin of Winston Churchill, and C.Z. Guest, one of Truman Capote’s “social swans”—does not rest on her blue blood laurels. Yes, the former Debutante of the Decade can boast of having the Duke and Duchess of Windsor as her godparents, of being painted by Andy Warhol, and of dancing with Truman Capote at her coming-out-ball, but this 51-year-old is far too busy for that. Read more.

Hungry for more? Delia also interviews top docs about the latest aesthetic treatments, beauty entrepreneurs about their cutting edge brands…and more! Visit New York Social Diary.

We had the chance to spend some time with one of the most knowledgeable and inspiring Girl Bosses we know, Michèle Evrard. Michèle is the Founder of M.E. Skinlabs and creator of the cult favorite French skin care line, Cosmetics 27. We often have marathon Skype sessions with Michèle (from Paris) that cover everything from skin care to supplements to sleep patterns and everything in between! She has a singular outlook and wealth of information that we are excited to share with you.

What is Your Background?

I am a pharmacist. I studied Pharmacy in Belgium. I wanted to work in a lab on formulation & product development. I started as an intern at Max Factor in the US, only I was integrated in the marketing department. That’s how I started my career in fragrance and cosmetics. I worked at Max Factor for 2 years on product development. I learned most of the job there and owe it to the incredible women who were at the beginning of what this industry has become! I have been in this industry for over 24 years, working on product development, my passion, and marketing in companies such as L’Oréal, Christian Dior Parfums, Boucheron Parfums and Matis skin care. I decided to create my own products in 2008 and launched Baume 27 in 2009.

What Led You to Create the Cosmetics 27 Line?

My passion for product and innovation, clearly! I had worked on the concept of a unique formula for 3 years after I had discovered the virtues of Centella Asiatica. I have always been fascinated  by cellular regeneration. It was when I left my last position and set up my own consulting firm that I decided to develop that formula for myself. It was the Baume 27. That was the beginning of the Cosmetics 27 line that came out the year after.

What Differentiates Cosmetics 27 From Other Skin Care Lines?

My philosophy is not so much about selling or adding another product to the market. After all, everything, or almost everything, is already out there! I created my line with the idea that it helps taking care of the skin in a primary way. The underlying concept is homeostasis, the principle of equilibrium of any living organism. I want to help women have healthier, better skin. If it is healthy, it will look good. If you look good you feel beautiful. I didn’t want to sell claims, only results. I wanted to be authentic.

My products are all unique, in concept and formulae. It is not a conventional line, I create products that I feel are useful and that will bring something different. All our products are natural and thought to bring results, and we validate the results by extensive testing. The line is among pioneers in the field of natural cosmeceuticals .

What Skin Care Advice Can You Share With Us?

The first advice I give is: get to know your skin! You will know how to treat it and maintain it better. Too many women use and abuse products and treatments. Be good to your skin.

Adopt a simple routine, clean your skin gently, don’t abuse the sun (that’s not to say stay away from it!). Massage skin as often as you can, it is a the first step to prevent skin aging. Drink water, a lot, don’t smoke and laugh a lot!

In terms of skin care, I recommend mixing the different products you use (in your hand) before applying them. It helps achieve the right formula and texture for a specific skin. You dose the products better and will know how much you need to apply by testing and feeling different amounts. If you apply them one on top of the other, you might use too much or not get the best out of each product. This is how I use my products; you can adapt them to your needs. For example, if the Baume 27 is too rich for daytime, you can add a few drops of the Essence 27 and you will have your own preferred texture with the benefits of both products. The formulae are all thought to be complementary and not additional. It is not the skin that adapts to the products, the product can be adapted depending on the skin need and condition.

What Are You Especially Passionate About in the Field of Skin Care?

I am passionate about what will become integrative beauty. I am interested in integrative medicine, which is maybe more popular in the US than it is in our countries (Europe). In essence, integrative medicine focuses on the patient’s wellness and health rather than treating a disease. It means that the patient is at the center, and takes charge of his own health. It takes its roots in oriental medicine and therapies, including allopathy, homeopathy, osteopathy and traditional medicine. It’s medicine that treats the body and soul. Beauty will get there! I like the idea that there is not one treatment solution for all, but that we are all different. It has already started in the US with the concept of integrative spas.

Travel Beauty Tip: For those of us with dry and/or mature skin that can become even more dehydrated over the winter, mix 4 -5 drops of Huile 27 in your hands with Baume 27. It gives that added extra moisture that skin is thirsty for this time of year. Can also be used as a face, hair and cuticle oil.

In anticipation of our Meet the Ingredients event this Sunday, we sat down with Lavido founder, Ido Magal, to discuss the genesis of his skin care line, Lavido.

What spurred your passion for natural skin care?

Ido: My passion for natural skincare began very early and is tied to scents. My first memorable experience with scent was that of jasmine and neroli blossom at my uncle’s citrus farm. These plants can be found all over the Galilee.

How did Lavido come to be?

Ido: Again I have to say scents. One of my first experiences with scents was my father’s after shave lotion. It was a strong smelling lotion, and at a very early age I made the connection between products with scent and my favorite natural scents. Much later, when I started studying aromatherapy and herbal and Chinese medicine in college, all my formative and college experiences coalesced, and eventually became Lavido’s first product, a baby cream for my family.

Do you have a favorite ingredient, or is there a superstar ingredient that you include in many different formulations?

Ido: I think from my line it’s pretty obvious my favorite ingredient is pomegranate – the seeds, skin, juice, everything. I began working with pomegranate 10 years ago when it was a very fresh, new material for skincare here in Israel. In fact, the oil was being studied for its anti-cancer properties at the Technion at the time. Long story short, I received some samples of the oil, enlisted my family as my first test group, read everything I could find, and Lavido’s Pomegranate series was the result.

This is an exciting time for natural and organic skin care. What differentiates Lavido from other natural/organic skin care lines that are coming on the scene?

Ido: When it comes to the natural market, a major value that differentiates Lavido is that we are bringing the best of the conventional cosmetic market to the natural, organic market. So we combine high concentrations of the best raw, organic plant-based ingredients with much needed safety and efficacy standards from the conventional market, including clinical and dermatology testing. Another property unique to Lavido is our use of volcanic thermal springs and purified waters from the Sea of Galilee. Besides providing the livelihood of inhabitants around it for millennia, the Sea of Galilee’s mineral rich thermal springs have been used for just as long to support healing and health.

What anti-aging or other advice would you give about skin care?

Ido: My anti-aging advice sounds simple, but this path is not often enough taken in our modern world. Some basic rules: get the right amount of sleep and water. Use as many natural ingredients as possible for anything that goes in and on your body. Invite aromatherapy into your life – it’s truly effective when it comes to de-stressing the mind and calming the body. Finally, I am a big proponent of all things pomegranate for both internal and external use.

Hold Onto Your Summer Glow

The end of August traditionally leaves us longing to hold onto the healthy glow that we have cultivated all season long. Do not pine away as your tan fades, give it a little boost with Institut Esthederm Sun Sheen Light Self-tanning Face Cream and Sun Sheen Light Self-tanning Body Lotion. These products can be used 3-4 times per week to stretch the life of your tan. They never turn orange or streaky and layer gradually to produce natural results. Your skin can stay party-ready all year round.

And Now…Back to School

Now that we have addressed the fears surrounding the possible disappearance of your seasonal lustre, let’s focus on getting the kids ship shape for September. Around this time of year, many of my clients bring in their children, as young as ages 12-21, for a back to school facial.

Some of the younger adolescence I see have been at sleepaway camp and may have returned with a bit of pre-teen breakouts, while most teenagers have post-summer skin irritation due to sun exposure.

Whether going back to school or off to university, it is a good time to start kids off with a simple custom regimen that will empower them to easily take care of their skin all year round.

Customize with Travel Beauty

What I find unique about Travel Beauty is that one can tailor his or her own regimen and create a custom kit of products. Travel Beauty’s Concierge Service is always on call and reachable by phone or email to help create a skin care routine that is perfect for you. You can call them at 888-717-8790 or email them at concierge@travelbeauty.com. Let them know your and your child’s skin type, and they will help you create an effective skin care practice that will deliver the best results.

Back To School Skin Care Regimen

In the meantime, here are some easy steps that are sure to work for ALL:

Step One: Cleanse

B. Kamins Laboratories makes a gentle Vegetable Cleanser that is specially formulated for sensitive skin. It is well suited for everyone and gently removes dead skin and impurities.

For those in their late teens who wear makeup and/or are willing to take an extra step, I also suggest a post cleansing toner. Lavido Hydrating Facial Toner is organic and gentle enough to use without fear of throwing off their pH balance.

Step Two: Moisturize

B. Kamins Laboratories makes a wonderful BB Cream which contains a light moisturizer, vitamins and a hint of color and sparkle. Teens and tweens seem to be wearing makeup younger and younger these days and this will give them the glow they need for every day.

Another good moisturizing alternative is Alchimie Forever Daily Defense Cream SPF 23. All natural, dermatologist-tested and vegan, this moisturizer is gentle and has a light SPF, which is beneficial all year long.

For young men that are about to start shaving or are already doing so, Elemis S.O.S. Survival Cream is an ideal moisturizer and/or aftershave. It fights razor burn and irritation like a charm.

Step Three: At Home Mini Facial

For those that will take the extra step, applying a mask once a week will do wonders. It is akin to an at home mini facial that will keep their skin clear all year long:

•   Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask: For normal to oily skin. Great for healing blemishes and clearing up breakouts.

•   Juvena Specialist Moisture Plus Gel Mask: A rehydrating mask for sensitive, dry or reactive skin.

Some Useful Extras

For teens that find themselves with blemishes, B. Kamins Laboratories Blemish Gel 5% is the perfect spot treatment to dab on to affected areas. It delivers the right amount of medicine in a lower dose than other over the counter treatments and will not irritate or overdry skin.

B. Kamins SPF 20 Lip Balm is a no brainer. With the change of season and school stress, everyone can use a new lip balm to kick off the school year with a stunning smile!

All of these products will take you and your teens through fall and into winter.