Dear Joanna,

As we enjoy summer and bask in the glorious sunshine, our skin might inevitably suffer the consequence and become parched, raisin-like, and lose it’s once more “glow-y” look. Besides the sun, other factors such as wind, lack of humidity in the air, salt water, chlorine from swimming pools, and spending time outdoors can generally dehydrate the skin and cause it to lose some of its luster. Something as simple as drinking more water can help to combat these environmental skin concerns.

Here are a few post-summer skin tips which you can do at home.

To even out rough and textured skin, follow the steps below:

1. 1. Cleanse (with your Sonya Dakar Wash of choice) 1 minute
2. Mix a pea size amount of Triple Action Organic Scrub with Green Tea Mask and apply to skin, process for 10 minutes
3. Scrub/Buff the mixture with light circular fingertip motions then rinse & remove 3 minutes maximum
3a. OPTION for "crispy skin" Apply Omega and Blue Mask and walk around the house or do your chores for an hour or even sleep with this on over-night. Rinse and follow with the next step.

4. Apply Sonya Dakar daily finishing regimen 2 minutes (i.e. Seaweed, Omega, Hydrasoft, Visualift, 365)

It’s important to keep this up at least two times a week to bring your skin back to its healthy state.

The Team at Sonya Dakar

I recently got a medical grade treatment called Levulan to tighten my skin and get rid of pigmentation. Now a week later I'm peeling and look like something from a horror movie set! What can I do to make my peeling skin look better so that I can go out in public?

Dear Nadine,

Unfortunately, treatments like these will result in such temporarily less-than-desirable side effects! To help reduce the peeling you can help your skin stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and consistently using a sunscreen by applying and reapplying SPF several times during the day. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that will also act as an emollient (for example Sonya Dakar 365 Sport which contains shea butter) to both protect and nourish.

You can also choose to take omega supplements, which you can buy at a natural health food store in capsule form. This will help to reduce internal inflammation and accelerate the healing process. I recommend using a topical omega product and an anti-inflammatory such as Allentoin directly on the skin in the evenings as well, to further enhance the healing.

The Team at Sonya Dakar

Dear Eva,

I can relate! Well, except for the 3 kids part… It seems like the more "productivity " software and devices that the Tech industry comes out with, the more stress our lives get and the less sleep we can grab. This has resulted for me at least, in deeper lines and wrinkling around my eyes way before my time... One way I combat this is with product usage and a weekly, simple at-home treatmens. I make sure to use a cleanser that's specially made for the skin around the eyes (it plumps even while cleansing and it makes my eyelashes stronger and removes make-up). I also use an eye cream every morning and every night

Also, scheduling or blocking out 15 to 30 minutes every evening for "me" time helps as well. This time may be used for journaling, reflecting on the days highlights or even day-dreaming. This really helps balance out brain chemicals, help sleep patterns, and reduces stress.

Follow the steps below to rejuvenate the eyes and reverse the signs of aging.

1. Apply two drops of Fresh Eyes to finger tips and lightly massage into the eye area and lashes. Use a dampened cotton round to remove make-up residue.

2. Apply Enzyme Peeling Cream to eye area avoiding the lashes for two to three minutes then rinse with dampened cotton, tissue, or a wash cloth

3. Apply two drops of Omega 3 Repair Complex and then Blue Mask, avoiding the lash line. Remove after 10 to 15 minutes then apply VisuaLift Eye Cream.

The Team at Sonya Dakar