July 25th, 2010 • Posted by Melissa Cantor • Permalink
Tatum's Tip: At night...hydrate.
Before going to sleep, introduce as much as moisture as your skin will take.*
Why? Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it heals and repairs itself while you sleep. Because air conditioning can rob the skin of moisture (thus prompting excess oil production), hydrating is especially important if you're planning to crank up the AC at night, as most of us do during the summer.
Tatum’s Tricks: Prevent dehydration by applying a drop or two of a high-quality essential oil before going to bed. Because they're absorbed into the bloodstream, essential oils deliver oxygen and nutrients directly to your cells, which is just what your skin needs as it's trying to repair itself. If you have oily skin, the essential oils can also prevent future oil production in your skin follicles before it even starts. (Notes: Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid essential oils. Always perform a patch test to check for allergies before using an essential oil.)
Tatum’s Tool: Xango Pericarp Oil. This natural, non-greasy essential oil comes from the essence of the mangosteen plant—the latest craze in the superfruit world. Both anti-septic (read: bacteria-killing) and anti-inflammatory (it helps reduce redness), Xango’s pericarp oil is useful for toning, spot treatment, balancing and soothing skin, and stimulating collagen production to promote a more youthful appearance.
*Knowing how much hydration is too much is a trial-and-error process. If you are moisturizing too much, you’ll know—you’ll break out. If this happens, take the hydration down a notch or two by switching to a lighter product or a lesser amount.
