BRTC Blog

Do you have large pores? Maybe you suffer from blackheads and whiteheads? Maybe you'd just like to tighten your skin for an appearance. If so, you need to try the BRTC Overnight Pore Tightener. If you haven't used it before, we have a tutorial here for you!

"Overnight Pore Tightener doesn’t only use its Self Memory Gel technology to close large pores, but it also improves the look of lines and wrinkles, lifts sagging skin, and moisturizes all night long for a healthy glow!"

1. Exfoliate - Be sure to always exfoliate your face before using the Overnight Pore Tightener. You don't want to trap dry, flakey skin in your pores.

2. Cleanse - Thoroughly cleanse your face, we recommend using a deep-cleaning product like the BRTC Blemish Cleanser (found in the Blemish Bundle).

3. Tone - Tone as per usual, again we recommend the Blemish Toner found in the Blemish Bundle.

4. Serum - If you usually use a serum, go ahead and use it as per usual, we love the Pore Tightening Serum found in the Perfect Pore Set, it's the perfect match for the OPT.

5. Overnight Pore Tightener - Now is the fun part! Open your OPT and check out the cool memory gel it's made from. If you take a glob out (with the spatula included) and leave the jar, the hole will fill itself back in within a short time frame, it's pretty cool to see. Take a small amount (see the photo below) and apply it to your face. If you'd like to make the product last as long as possible, you can just apply it to your problem areas like the nose and chin, but because it's acting as your moisturizer, we suggest using it on your whole face. Within a few minutes you should see your pores decrease in size as the product absorbs. We have seen reductions by up to 30%! The OPT will also tighten and lift your skin to prove an improved tone and texture. Results can be expected to last about 7 hours, so you'll want to apply morning and night for all day results. If you have awesome before and after photos, please share them on our Facebook or send them to BRTC Media.

This amount of OPT was too much for the entire hand, you don't need much! The OPT provides awesome moisturizing benefits as well as the pore and skin tightening benefits!

If you still have questions about how to use the Overnight Pore Tightener, or if you want to see a tutorial for another BRTC product, contact BRTC Media with the request!

Spring is finally here and it's time to spring clean your skin care routine! You probably already know that your skin changes with the seasons, often dry and flakey in the winter (and maybe blemished from pores clogged with dry skin), and more oily in the summer (and also could be blemished from pores clogged with oil)! This means that we need to use different skin care products and methods in our routine at different times of the year. If you're already wondering how much this is going to cost you, don't fret. BRTC products generally have a 3 year expiry date so you may not have to by new products every season depending on your usage. BRTC products have a expiry date stamped right on them, but other products in the industry often have an open jar symbol and then a number like "24M" for 24 months or "3M" for 3 months. For makeup, the general guideline is 3 months for mascara, 18 months for foundation (though a mouse or cream foundation will dry out much before this time), and 24 months for eye liner, lipstick, etc.

So, besides expiry dates, what do you need to think about when spring cleaning your routine? Let's get started:

1. Types of Products: Everyone, regardless of their skin type or the season, needs to use at least a 3-step routine, if not a 5-step routine based on Korean skin care principles (see our previous blog for more information on 5-step routines). This will include cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.

2. Your Skin Type: As stated previously, generally skin is dryer in the winter and more oily in the summer, however this isn't the case for everybody! You need to really know your skin type to know the type of products you need. 

- For oily skin, choose products that have sebum-control (oil-control) features, are water-based and oil-free. You should use a liquid cleanser and toner, and a light moisturizer. Try the BRTC Blemish Bundle.

- For dry skin, choose products that are extremely moisturizing, and use a mild exfoliant to get rid of dead skin cells. You should use a cream cleanser (that won't over-dry), a toner, and a good moisturizer morning and night.

3. Environment and Activities: If you like to play in the garden, jump in the pool, hit the beach, or anything else that involves being active, getting dirty, or being in the sun, you'll know from experience that a full-face of makeup is not your friend. BRTC's claim to fame is our world famous BB creams, and they are a great solution for summer heat. So ditch the cover-up and foundation, and gain the multitude of benefits from an all-in-one BB cream. They're lighter and won't clog pores, as well as many other features.

4. SPF: When changing your skin care routine to prepare for summer, SPF is one of the most important things to consider. You should wear SPF year round, however you should use a higher rating in the summer sun. BRTC's BB creams come with great SPF coverage, so again, you'd be getting an all-in-one product. If you don't choose to use a BB cream, be sure your daily moisturizer has SPF of 28 or higher and always wear sunscreen on the rest of your body too!

We hope this outline has given you a starting place for your spring/summer skin care routine. If you have sensitive skin or skin that breaks out easily, phase out your winter products slowly. Change one product at a time over the next few weeks so you don't freak your skin out! If you have any questions about what products are right for you, feel free to contact our Customer Support department!

Have you ever noticed on our site that we sell the corresponding pieces to a 5 step skincare routine? No? Well we do, and there's a reason for it. North American companies market a 3 step skincare routine consisting of cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. This may work for some people, with really great skin, in their teenage years perhaps. However for most people, like those who are beginning to see wrinkles, or age spots, or those who have blemished or dull skin, or oily or dry skin (aka most people), more steps are definitely needed. For this reason Korean companies use 5 step routines instead which are better for the vast majority of people.

Let's start with the breakdown of the routine. 

1. Double cleansing
2. Mask and massage
3. Tone
4. Essence or serum
5. Moisturize

Who do you think this stunning lady is???

Its no one real.  Its a digital photo compilation of a study done awhile ago analyzing the best features of many Korean celebrities.  Users voted for the best looking celebrities and their features and this is the summary!   It does look 'CG', but still interesting. 

Apparently the Koreans idolizes a 'Doll' like face, small face, bigger eyes, and a small mouth like Barbie.  She doesn't even look Korean or Asian - maybe more Caucasian.  However some of you may disagree. She may just not even look human, just a computer graphic drawing! 

 Ironically, unlike the Westerners who prefer plump lips like Angelina Jolie, Koreans like the smaller doll like mouth.  Yes, people want what they don't have, but the real point is that the Korean's voted for an ideal face... which is not even Korean, Asian, or even Human! ... maybe a plastic doll from Toy's R US!

 It would be interesting to do this study 20 yrs ago and see the trends every 10 yrs.   

Funny, she actually reminds me of a friend I had... (who was real). 

Lisa

What does FOOD and SKINCARE have anything to do with each other?  Actually it is VERY correlated!

Eating right can make you look and feel better (in addition to the obvious benefit of your health). The nutrients in the food we eat can enhance the quality of our skin and make it glow from the inside out.  There are some nutrients which ‘feed’ the skin and when consumed regularly will support the skin structure so it functions efficiently and look its best. 

1. Eat a RAINBOW.  The more colors the better. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which help protect the skin from cell damage. For example: when shopping for lettuces, find the ‘greenest’ you can find.
2. Not all FATS are bad.  Some fats help promote good skin.  The right fats help make your skin resilient and create a protective layer to prevent environmental toxins to invade  your skin. Omega 3 & 6 will promote healthy skin membrane and reduce inflammation in the body resulting gin less lines and improved texture.  Omega 3 sources are oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring. Omega 6 can be found in Flax seed oil, Sunflower oil, pumpkin seeds.  Many women in Japan survive on fish.  Perhaps it explains a lot about their skin?
3. For the same reason above top up on VITAMIN E oil.  Found in avacados, nuts, brown rice, almonds, and dark leafy vegetables.   Many Asians (and non Asians)  trend towards eating brown rice rather than white these days.
4. VITAMIN A –  A deficiency leads to dry skin problems.  For some of you Koreans, all those times your mom forced you to eat Seaweed Soup?  It’s got a lot of Vitamin A (among other nutrients).  Good sources: carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, spinach, low fat dairy.  However, excessive amounts can be toxic.
5. VITAMIN C alongside A&E, work to dislodge harmful molecules known as free radicals that accelerate aging by making skin less supple.  Vitamin is required to form collagen the glue that binds the skin cells together.  These free radicals can be produced by smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive sun.  Obvious sources are fruits & vegetables (oranges, kiwis, green peppers etc).
6. FLUID – fill up on it.  To look nice and plump skin needs moisture. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. It allows kidney to flush out toxins. Minor dehydration can notably affect skin quality, let alone other health issues.
7. GREEN TEA– It is rich in antioxidants that protect cell membranes and anti inflammatory.  It is high in polyphenols, compounds that neutralize harmful free radicals and protect the skin from UV light which in excess is a cause of skin cancer. It also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals.   Green Tea is obviously drunk in many parts of Asia.  It is also one of the staple ingredients in BRTC’s patented complexes. J
8. ZINC – Include zinc rich foods that help skin’s healing process since its required to develop collagen, the glue of skin cells. Zinc is found in eggs, fish, meat, wholegrain foods.

BRTC products are made from nutrients that are also found in food. However we also include extracts from exotic botanicals (blue flowers, tree barks, nuts, brown rice etc) for specific healing functions.  Our Vitalizer line (a Brightening Set) http://www.brtcstore.com/brtc/whitening-vitalizer-set  contain a jam packed list of Vitamins, brightens your skin, and keeps skin moist.   However this does not replace actually eating a healthy diet and improving the skin from within.  Eat well for your skin’s sake and Glow from within!

Happy Eating!

Lisa

http://www.BRTCstore.com/brtc

Save Your Skin from Hurricane Irene – Tips for the Humid Summer and the random Winds

1. Try to store your beauty products such as moisturizers, eye gels, Vitamin Masks and cleansers in the fridge.  Not only will they will feel cool and refreshing on hot days, it slows down the growth of bacteria.  Nothing worse than applying warm make up on a hot humid day.  Use a mini fridge in hotels during vacations. 
2. Keep skin hydrated even in hot humid climates.  Walking in and out of air conditioning your skin struggles to adapt to the sudden change in temperature.  A light moisturizer , serum or even a cool Mist is enough .  An example mist is the Jasmine Eco Mist. 100% organic with 4 different flowers that have instant soothing  and hydrating effects.   Avoid heavy creamy mositurizers during the day. Sweat and heat will increase bacteria which aggravates the skin.  During the hurricane, keep your face moist but not sticky. 
3. Avoid any kind of creamy, wipe-off cleanser as this will be too heavy.  Choose a rinse-off option.  
4. Choose sunscreen that is designed for the face. It is usually much lighter, less greasy and therefore less likely to block your pores and cause irritation. Use sunscreen to replace moisturizer if very humid/hot.  Better yet, use BB Cream if you need natural coverage, SPF, Moisturizer.
5. Drink plenty of water.  It flushes out the toxins and replaces the moisture lost.
6. Exfoliate with an exfoliating scrub once a week but not too often.   You can use this with the Blemish Cleanser in the Blemish Bundle set if you have problem skin.  Just apply a dime size amount and lather on the skin and rub gently in circular motion.  It helps to massage the face as well.
7. Any products containing cucumbers, aloe vera, lavender, chamomile are soothing and cooling.  They help restore skin in the most natural way.   The Jasmine Eco Mist contains Lavendar, Jasmine, Chamomile and Rose Water. It is a facial spa in a bottle sprayed anytime of day.
8. Apply after sun care EVERY time after long periods of sun. Any moisturizer is better than none.  Any of the flowers above is helpful for after suncare.  
9. Always wash off makeup at night thoroughly.  It is especially important in the hot summer  & hurricane/typhoon season with bacteria from sweat/heat.  Let your skin breath. Think of sleep as an 8 hr detox.