Beauty

With his groundbreaking approach to delivering science-based beauty care to consumers — Scott-Vincent Borba was one of the first to bring superfruits like acai and goji berries to the masses — he has turned many a client on to both drinking and applying treatments from his skincare line. And as an esthetician based in Southern California, Scott treats VIPs to his $2,000 one-hour facials.

Fortunately for us, he was kind enough to share his beauty secrets and DIY recipe for beautiful skin to ensure that all of us are treating ourselves from the inside out.

What exactly does nutraceutical and cosmeceutical mean?

I define nutraceuticals as nutritional actives that have pharmaceutical-like benefits. Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic-like products that have pharmaceutical like benefits.

So what’s the secret to beautiful skin?

Feeding your body as well as taking care of your outer layer of skin. Simply put, if you can use a topical product that is powered with the same active benefits as what you drink or eat, then you will see beauty from the inside out. The epidermis (the skin you see) and dermal layers (the inner most layers of skin where it’s developed and healed) synergize and communicate for the first time. That’s why BORBA is so unique.

How important is what we eat and drink compared to what we put on our skin? Meaning, is taking vitamins more important than using the right moisturizer? Can we really drink our way to healthier skin?

I was the first to clinically prove that you actually can drink your way to healthier, more gorgeous skin. If you are not buying a line that develops the internal products to work with the topical products, then you will always have skin challenges. You need to start all layers of skin with the same actives to reap a holistic, long-term benefit.

What is your personal skin care routine?

I drink two clarifying waters a day: one Firming crystalline packet during the day and an Age Defying crystalline packet at night. Twice a day I use my Custom Control Cleanser and the Age Defying serum and eye cream along with Advanced Aging with SPF 45 for the day. For night, Reverse and Tone around the eyes and Recovery Crème for the face. It’s a necessity to use SPF on the hands during the day, so I never leave the house without wearing my Hand Crème with SPF 25.

What’s a product (not one of your own) that you’re absolutely devoted to?

Bye Bye Blemish drying lotion. For under $10 bucks, it’s great.

Which of the BORBA products are your favorites?

I’m currently obsessed with my first-ever eco-friendly, skin-softening, 2-in-1 Laundry Wash/Softener.

As an entrepreneur, you’re on the road a lot. What’s something you never travel without?

My BORBA crystalline packets and my Apple MacBook Pro.

What’s one easy way you pamper yourself and can you share a way for us to do this at home?

Give yourself a two-minute facial: take 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ cup of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon baking soda. Mix and massage into skin for one minute. Let rest for one more minute, and rise with warm water. Your skin will glow and feel hyper- moisturized and smooth.

How important is it that skin care be organic, green and natural?

I believe that the more holistic the product the better, but really nothing is truly organic or natural. You have to look at how the ingredients are grown, manufactured, processed, shipped, etc. My clients want products that work, that are made with as natural as possible ingredients, and ones that wont harm the environment long term. We deliver on that.

As a former model and celebrity esthetician, you must’ve picked up some great makeup tips. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received when it comes to looking good? What advice do you share again and again?

Place an ice cube on the roof of your mouth and hold it there until it melts. This immediately helps reduce under eye puffiness and make you look well rested. This was a must before any shoot, and I tell all my celebrity clients to do the same before a major red carpet event or close-up.

What celebrity would you most like to try BORBA products?

Meryl Steep. I think she’s brilliant in every way — and beautiful on the inside and out!

Go to BORBA.com to shop and learn more.

Currently serving as Chief Resident in Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Erin Gilbert is an active voice on such topics as pediatric, medical, and cosmetic dermatology and has presented at numerous conferences over the past eight years.

Given her qualifications, it seemed only natural we ask her — among other things — what products she can’t live without, especially during winter months. Read on for her expert answers.

First things first, what can we do to prevent our skin from aging? Or at least slow it down? (And yes, we know about sunscreen!)

Sunscreen is your first line of defense, always. Even in urban environments, I suggest an SPF 30 or higher all year round. My current favorites are Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 and Olay Pro-X Age Repair Lotion SPF 30. Beyond UV exposure, avoiding chemicals like cigarette smoke and work-environment chemicals like paint, concrete, or volatile dyes and fixatives will help.

Speaking of sunscreen, how necessary is it in winter months in climates like the east coast? Is it possible to overdo it and become vitamin D deficient?

Vitamin D deficiency is indeed a problem as it has been linked to increased rates of cancer. I do not believe that there is a conflict between using sunscreen to prevent photoaging and skin cancer, and vitamin D deficiency. Oral supplementation with Vitamin D can be used to prevent vitamin D deficiency without the damaging effects of UV exposure. (The current FDA recommended dose is 1,000 International units (IU) daily.)

We’re fans of fake tans (using a self-tanner). Are these safe for skin?

Most self tanners are based on DHA (dihydroxyacetone), with some products containing erythrulose. DHA reacts with proteins in the superficial layer of skin and ideally creates a brown tanned appearance. Be aware that these chemicals have been shown to increase oxidative damage when used in conjunction with UV exposure, so it is suggested that you wait 1-2 days after self-tanning before UV exposure. I’d suggest self-tanning at night (remember to avoid the feet, ankles, and face until you know how it settles on you to avoid embarrassing staining).

Serums: are they necessary or just clever marketing? Meaning, do we really need a day cream, a night cream, an eye cream, a day serum, a night serum, etc.?

The majority of this is marketing. As a dermatologist, I do not own any serums. I am a big believer in the drug store for dermatologic prescriptions and for basics. Save your cash! The only major distinction between a day and a night product is the need for sunscreen.

Winter is here and the conditions are brutal— freezing cold winds and steamy hot indoor temperatures. It’s drying out our skin! What can we do other than slather on cream?

My favorite question! Take command of the situation. Here are a few tips:

• You need to get a respectable humidifier. I love the Venta brand, but any humidifier will help.
• Drink water, more than usual.
• Limit bathing to short sessions with water that isn’t too hot to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils.
• Use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil or Dove sensitive skin soap.
• After bathing, apply a good layer of emollient like Cetaphil cream or CeraVe cream.
• Keep a small tube of Aquaphor in your pocket for lips and cuticles

How important is it that skin care be organic, green and natural?

That is a very personal choice based on your world-view. I advocate for less wasteful packaging. The “potency” of am organic product is only as good as the ingredients.

What is your personal skin care routine?

This is going to be embarrassing! I am lucky to not suffer from any serious skin disease. I’m also too busy to spend hours primping, as I’m sure many of you are! During the winter I wash my face morning and night with Cetaphil cleanser, pat dry, and at night I apply Retin-A, followed by a thin layer of moisturizer (no SPF at night). I keep Aquaphor everywhere in my house and car and use it nonstop for lips. Several times a week I use a prescription strength glycolic cleanser to slough the superficial layer of skin that can look dull.

What one thing we MUST do for our skin everyday?

Wash with a gentle cleanser and practice smiling.

Update your skincare regimen. Complete your Skin Profile for personalized advice and products.

While sunscreen, a balanced diet, and plenty of water are musts for beautiful skin, what we do to our derm during the day is nothing compared to the importance of how we treat it at night. Sure, eight hours of sleep (or more) is ideal for a rested look, but so is a good night cream, especially in these winter months. And for nights when sleep is scarce, there’s no greater ally in the anti-aging fight — all while catching your precious zzz’s.

Whether the battle is towards wrinkles and zapped moisture levels or the goal is to pamper sensitive skin as naturally as possible, our selection of night creams run the gamut from luxurious to downright hard-working. And while miracles rarely happen overnight, it’s never too soon to start a bedtime routine to yield beautiful morning results. Read on for our finds »

With Black Friday just days away, it’s time to remind yourself of the women in your life who love pampering, primping, and all the pretty things that keep them beautiful.

Whether it’s the makeup junkie who will flip for a palette of brilliant colors, the salon-dweller who loves her locks, or the uberhotess who goes above and beyond making every holiday special. We’ve got the goods to in our Holiday Beauty Gift Guide.

The hair design duo of Edward Tricomi and Joel Warren is proof that the sum is greater than its parts, though the parts aren’t too shabby. Edward is known for cutting hair dry in a “sketching” method, which means rather then cutting hair blunt at the ends, he uses scissors and slices hair downwards to create the most personalized and perfect cut for each client. Joel is known for his amazing coloring techniques and celebrity fans and endless client lists can attest to his prowess. Here, the two share their thoughts on trends gone too far, the hair color of the moment, and why a good brush is indispensable.

What’s trendy right now in terms of cuts? Color?

Edward: Styles right now are very glamorous and represent time periods from the 1920-1960’s, using iconic looks from Twiggy-inspired cuts to Brigitte Bardot’s style.

Joel: Color trends are moving towards very full-colored red heads and brunettes.

When it comes to experimenting with hair color, what’s a good rule of thumb?

Joel: Stay within two stages of your natural hair color. Don’t go more than two stages lighter or darker – it won’t look as natural.

What’s one hairstyle that’s (pretty much) flattering on most women?

Edward: A highly layered shaggy haircut.

Please tell us the best solution for frizz and winter flyaways:

Edward: Our Hair Polish – it is a cream-based moisturizer to reduce hair drying out.

Name one hair tool every woman should own:

Edward: A Mason Pearson hairbrush.

Joel: A boar bristle hairbrush.

And one key hair accessory every woman should have?

Edward: A ponytail in her bag.

Joel: Highlights!

What’re some of the products that are absolutely indispensable in your salon? What do you find yourself recommending to clients most?

Edward: Hairspray and Hair Polish are indispensable in the Warren-Tricomi salon and those products and the Blow-Dry Lotion are ones we highly recommend to our clientele. In addition, we recommend the Green Walnut Masque for moisture and rejuvenation.

Joel: The Green Walnut Masque cannot stay on the shelves long enough. We recommend it for repair on every hair type.

You have salons on the east and west coasts. What’s the biggest difference in terms of clients needs in New York compared to Los Angeles?

Edward: NYC hair is more polished and L.A. hair tends to be bigger, beachy and more natural looking.

Joel: East Coast blonde is more natural and edgy, while the West Coast is more baby and beachy blonde.

Which celebrity’s hair would you love to get your scissors on? Or foil on?

Edward: Leighton Meester.

Joel: Cameron Diaz.

Who and what are your inspirations?

Edward: John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Karl Lagerfeld. They are the most twisted with great taste and fun.

Joel: I’m inspired by all different people — not just one in general. New York City is the melting pot and you see so many different styles and are surrounded by unique and different trends.

Any trends you’d like to see disappear for good?

Edward: The mullet, any kind of glam rock 80’s look, and perms.

Joel: Gray hair.