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How to Manage Your Fun to Sun Ratio Without Getting Burnt.
Welcome to Your Total Guide Managing your Fun to Sun Ratio while Avoiding too Much Sun Radiation. Raise your hand if you have ever burned your upper lip? How about the top of your feet? Your nose? It happens to the best of us. And when it happens we are usually caught off guard. How did that happen? I thought I was using enough sunscreen? I even reapplied? We all know that as much as we want to believe there is no such thing as too much of a good thing, it's just not true when it comes to the amazing rays of sunshine. THE SCIENCE BEHIND OUR SUN RAYS, SPF AND NOT BURNING YOUR FACE, FEET OR UPPER LIP. In this blog you will take a deep dive into the differences between SPF, the importance of understanding the sun UV Index for the day and how to determine your sun strategy so you can safely avoid too much radiation while maximizing your fun in the sun. Gauging how much sun radiation you are actually being exposed to is a balance between knowing your UV index, time of day you are in direct sunlight and the rating/type of SPF in your sunscreen of choice. When tackling your ultimate sun ray strategy it is important to balance the following areas of targeted information between: The Sun Protection Factors or "SPF" rating in your sunscreen, whether you also have UVA protection in the form of "broad spectrum" coverage, and how long it lasts in and out of water The kind of sun protection you are using being mineral or chemical The UV index during the time you are exposed directly to the sun When measuring what spectrum of coverage your SPF has, it is important to take into account what kind of rays it is blocking. When we spend time in the sun, we are exposed to two potentially harmful types of ray: UVA and UVB. The standard SPF rating is calculating the amount of only the one type, UVB rays and the percentage that rating number effectively blocks. So what is the difference between Sun Protection Factor 15 and Sun Protection Factor 100? Keep in mind, when it comes to your normal sunscreens they are just blocking out the UVB rays. Check out these numbers for UVB rays: SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of all UVB rays SPF 30 filters out 97percent SPF 50 is an almost complete UVB block, at 98 percent So do I need to worry about UVA rays then? It is important to get protection from UVA rays as well. Broad Spectrum sunscreen also takes into consideration blocking the UVA rays. In the US, SPF is regulated and no product that has an SPF of under 15 can claim to offer broad-spectrum protection. So, look for an SPF of 30 or higher and make sure it says "broad spectrum" when choosing a sunscreen. Sunscreen protection can last up to 2 hours, so here’s my rule of thumb; Reapply every 1.5 hours or more often so if you are under direct sunlight for multiple hours. What is the difference between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens? Whether you are choosing a mineral sunscreen, a hybrid or a chemical based one, the fact remains that the year-round use of sunscreen is an important preventative step. Cosmetic concerns that develop with age are exacerbated by UV exposure. And the very least, in addition to protection from skin cancer, hyperpigmentation (i.e. aging dark spots, freckles), scarring, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles can be caused and accelerated by the suns rays. Chemical Sunscreens Chemical sunscreens are more cost effective, easier to get a hold of and are more familiar. BUT LIKE JUNK FOOD, THEY AREN'T THE BEST CHOICE Even with ability to have a better choice with mineral sunscreens (read below) the FDA's official take is that it is better to wear sunscreen (whether mineral or chemical) than none at all. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed into your skin as a barrier to the UVB rays. The beauty of chemical sunscreens comes largely down to texture in that they can be formulated to feel much like a weightless moisturizer. The downsides are that, you do have to wait 15 minutes for the chemical reaction to take place on the skin before sun exposure, a time frame that does not apply to the use of mineral or physical sunscreens. Additionaly, chemical sunscreens are not photostable so you do need to apply them more diligently. Mineral Sunscreens Mineral sunscreens are a step up from chemical based sunscreens. PROTECTS BY SITTING ON TOP OF YOUR SKIN Zinc and Titanium are amazing minerals that are safe sunscreens for you and the environment. Minerals like Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin (versus being absorbed like chemical sunscreens), forming a barrier against the sun's rays. Sunscreens with Zinc start protecting you as soon as you put them on. HAS EVOLVED FROM CHALKY WHITE ONLY OPTIONS Minerals used to leave a chalky white film the darker your skintone, but our sunscreen options have evolved considerably. Mineral sunscreens, particularly when tinted or made with zinc nanoparticles, are now viable options for all complexions. DOESN'T HURT THE CORAL REEFS Environmental concerns also impact our decisions, with research linking the widely-used non mineral sunscreens with chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate to the bleaching of coral reefs, as well as concerns about the potential impact of nanoparticles on marine life. What is the daily UV Index, where do you find it and how can can you better understand it? The UV Index is a rating that helps determine the combined risk of exposure in regards to environmental factors, such as pollution, location, the time of year, and altitude. The UV index (UVI) is designed to give us a warning of the protective action to take when UV levels are likely to be high. Make sure to check the time of day and the UV index whenever you are calculating your time in the sun. It can be found on any weather app. Understanding the UV Index UV Index of 0 to 2 While the average person can lay in the sun for 60 minutes without getting burnt, people with very fair skin should take precautions as they may burn within 30 minutes. At this level, it is recommended to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on exposed skin. UV Index of 3 to 5 The time it takes for your skin to burn at this level depends on your skin type, but generally speaking, a UV index of 3 to 5 could result in sunburn in about 30 to 45 minutes on average. At this level, it is recommended to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on exposed skin. UV Index of 6 to 7 This is a high level of UV radiation, meaning the average person is likely to burn in about 15 to 25 minutes. At this level, it is recommended to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on exposed skin. UV Index of 8 to 11+ This is a very high level of UV radiation with a high risk of getting sunburnt. On average, you can expect to burn in about 10 minutes or less. This is a good time to seek shade or stay indoors. Here are my best tips that I tell my clients all the time: Reapply after you sweat from a workout (splash water, reapply sunscreen) Reapply after you swim. Reapply if you are going to be in the car for a long period of time. Reapply if you’ve been sweating, especially your upper lip! Reapply, especially to those delicate areas like your ears, the bridge of your nose, forehead and scalp, feet, and the backs of your hands especially when driving. The thing about maximizing your fun in the sun without getting burnt is managing the many variables that can shift on any day. Arming yourself with the right SPF for you, being aware of the sun index in your area as well of the time of day are all key factors to how fast your skin can burn. I hope this helps you and that you learned something new! My personal sun protection strategy as an Esthetician in my late 30's is: Stay out of the sun if the UV INdex is over 8 Always have a mineral based sunscreen on my face year around - my favorite right now for my skin is: Alana Mitchel's Tinted Physical Defense SPF because it feels great, gives me a bit of color and protects against aging spots and wrinkles. Always reapply if I am in direct sunlight after 1 to 1.5 hours Always reapply sunscreen to my face after I workout Add a hat if I have had more that 2 hours of direct sunlight.
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On a Scale of Red to Rosacea
You don't have to be clinically diagnosed with "Rosacea" to battle the red skin flare-up. It can look different for everyone. Rosacea pronounced "roe-ZAY-she-uh"... ...is a common skin condition that causes blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then go away for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, other skin problems, or natural ruddiness. Rosacea can affect anyone. But it's most common in middle-aged Caucasian women. There's no cure for rosacea, but treatment can control and reduce the signs and symptoms. Signs you may have more than just redness but, actually rosacea may be any of the following: Facial blushing or flushing. Rosacea can cause persistent blushing or flushing in the central part of your face. This sign of the condition may be difficult to see on brown and Black skin. Visible veins. Small blood vessels of your nose and cheeks break and become visible (spider veins). Swollen bumps. Many people with rosacea also develop pimples on their face that resemble acne. These bumps sometimes contain pus. Burning sensation. The skin of the affected area may feel hot and tender. Eye problems. Many people with rosacea also experience dry, irritated, swollen eyes and eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. In some people, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms. Enlarged nose. Over time, rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear bulbous (rhinophyma). This occurs more often in men than in women. When to see a doctor: If you experience persistent symptoms on/in your face or eyes, see your doctor or a skin specialist (dermatologist) for a diagnosis and proper treatment. DIY SKINCARE FOR ROSACEA Some days your Rosacea/redness can be worse than others and flare-ups can be caused by a variety of factors. The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it could be due to an overactive immune system, heredity, environmental factors, or a combination of these. Rosacea is not caused by poor hygiene and it's not contagious. There's no cure for rosacea, but treatment can control and reduce the signs and symptoms. Keep reading for all our tips and tricks to keep Rosacea subdued and silent. There's a lot you can do on your own to keep Rosacea at bay: For starters, try to figure out the things that trigger an outbreak, and then avoid them. To help you do this, keep a journal that tracks your activities and your flare-ups. Flare-ups might be triggered by: Hot drinks and spicy foods ☕️ 🌶 Red wine and other alcoholic beverages 🍷 Temperature extremes 🔥 Sun or wind 🌞 🌬 Emotions 😢 😡 Exercise 🏋🏼♀️ Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications 💊 Some cosmetic, skin, or hair care products 🧴 But you may be more likely to develop it if you: * Are female 👩🏻🦱 👩🏼🦱 👩🏽🦱 👩🏾🦱 👩🏻🦰 Have skin that burns easily in the sun 🥵 Are over age 30 🙋🏼♀️ Smoke 🚬 Have a family history of rosacea 👵🏼 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CREATE THE RIGHT SKINCARE ROUTINE TO REDUCE REDNESS The first step to creating the right skincare routine to help calm redness and/or rosacea is to know which ingredients can aggravate your symptoms. As a general rule, avoid ingredients that are known to cause dryness and irritation, as this can lead to the inflammation and redness that you’re trying to calm. Some common drying ingredients that you might not be aware are actually drying are: Fragrances Peppermint oil Eucalyptus oil Certain alcohols Witch hazel People with rosacea should also avoid using foaming cleansers and astringents, as these products can also cause dryness, which can trigger a flare-up. So what kind of skincare ingredients should you look out for? Skincare ingredients to choose from (once you’ve gotten rid of the irritating/drying culprits) should include skin-soothing and calming ingredients, and yes, why of course! Some of these might be obvious, but I bet a few of these will be new and inspiring. So here goes - some of the best ingredients for people with rosacea are: Green tea extract Rosehip seed extract/ oil Argan oil Niacinamide Linoleic oils Chamomile Aloe These ingredients not only help to gently moisturize the skin, but many of them also have calming properties to help keep inflammation at bay. While looking for these ingredients, it is important to focus on using a moisturizer to help repair the skin’s protective barrier - the outermost layer of skin. Your outermost layer is responsible for keeping water content sealed inside the skin, while simultaneously preventing harmful pollutants and irritants from getting inside. To help repair and protect the skin barrier and soothe skin inflammation, use a moisturizer like Earth Esthetics’ Rosehip and Hibiscus Crème. It's packed with many of the good list ingredients and has been called a "miracle" creme for redness/rosacea. It is very effective at replenishing moisture and nutrients for smooth, comfortable skin. TIPS AND TRICKS TO KEEP ROSACEA AT BAY Try to follow these tips every day to help fade the redness on your skin: Put on sunscreen. Use one that's a broad spectrum (blocks UVA and UVB rays) and SPF 30 or higher whenever you go outside. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat that covers your face. Use only gentle skin care products. Avoid cleansers and creams that have alcohol, fragrance, witch hazel, and other harsh ingredients. After you wash your face, gently blot your skin dry with a soft cloth. Use a moisturizer. It's especially helpful in cold weather. Low temps and wind can dry up your skin. Massage your face. Gently rub your skin in a circular motion. Start in the middle of your face and work your way outward toward your ears. Cover up. Put a green-tinted cover-up on your face to hide redness and broken blood vessels. Go indoors. Get out of the heat and sun and cool off in an air-conditioned room. Care for your eyes. If rosacea has made them red and irritated, use a watered-down baby shampoo or eyelid cleaner to gently clean your eyelids every day. Also, put a warm compress on your eyes a few times a day. WE LOVE BEFORE AND AFTERS My client, Kathy, has been a rockstar client who has been getting tremendous results treating her rosacea. As you may know, rosacea is temperamental and hard to tame. Although there may not be a cure for it, there are effective ways to manage the symptoms. A simple 4 to 6-week brightening facial routine with me in the clinic was where she started. And, if you know me, you know how I stress the importance of a consistent skincare routine at home for achieving results. Kathy nailed it, and with these before, and after pictures, you can tell! CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS TO TREAT RED TO ROSACEA
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Dealing with Adult Acne
I have to be honest, adult acne is a drag! I mean, first we have to deal with the “onset aging experience" but, now we’re getting breakouts again? Is there some sort of higher purpose to all of this madness?! Struggling with these two skin conditions, first and foremost we have to clear the skin before we target wrinkles. And one of the biggest challenges with acne prone skin as we age is also having dry and dehydrated skin. Your products for dry skin might help with hydration but could also be too heavy for the areas of your skin that break out. What a dilemma! Have no fear, there is hope and I am here to share that with you! When you were a teen, you may have been able to use a high-powered blemish buster like benzoyl peroxide multiple times a day without any irritation. Unfortunately, as we age, our skin gets thinner, dryer and more sensitive — and that can pose problems when it comes to treating acne skin as an adult. Stripping your skin of oil is a thing of the past! we want to target bacteria in the skin and replenish with nutrients and proper hydration. The goal is to balance the irritation with soothing, anti-inflammatory agents that nourish aging skin. STEPS TO TREAT DRY ACNE PRONE SKIN Gently cleanse with an oil cleanser or a creamy BHA cleanser. Exfoliate 1 to 3 times a week with a gentle acidic pad. The VitaC Pads are wonderful! Mist your face with a hydrating tonic like a rose toner. Hyaluronic acid serum! HA holds 1000 times its weight in water which means it will seal in hydration and last all day. Finished with a lightweight moisturizer like the balancing lotion or Rosehip and hibiscus cream. ACNE-CARE IS NOT JUST SKIN-CARE No, acne isn’t always about what you are doing or not doing for your skin topically. A big factor we need to take into consideration is the health of our gut. If our gut bacteria is out of whack, you can experience a lot of issues not only with your tummy, but it can show up on your skin in a not so attractive way. Have you ever noticed your skin breaks out more if you had pizza one night or drank a little bit too much alcohol etc.? And some people are more sensitive than others. Foods to eliminate while dealing with acne breakouts: I tell all of my clients that if they are struggling with frequent breakouts to illuminate the culprit that is destroying their gut: Dairy, wheat, sugar, alcohol, seaweed, soy, greasy/processed foods. A clean, plain, healthy diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes can really help! An allergy test from a functional medicine practitioner or acupuncturist can also be helpful when healing your gut. SKIN CARE PRODUCT AUDIT It’s important to remember that treating your acne is a marathon, not a race. It’s best to consult a professional first and do a home care skin care audit. Lay out all of your skin care products you are currently using, investigate the ingredients, and have your professional suggest eliminating or adding things to your regimen. FAVORITE ACNE SAFE PRODUCTS DermaClear BHA Cleanser This pore refining cleanser irrigates the follicle, reducing acne causing congestion while restoring crucial hydration levels in the skin. Ice Balancing Lotion Regain skin balance with this daily oil controlling lotion. Provides light-weight hydration with a matte finish. Lightens, brightens and calms skin without drying or clogging pores. Ice Refining Masque Refine pores and reduce oil production with this soothing clay based masque. Calm skin and manage acne with a combination of Salicylic Acid, Mastiha, Plant Stem Cells and more. PRO Retinol C4 Serum Refine and strengthen skin with this powerful Vitamin C and Retinol serum. This potent antioxidant powerhouse contains four forms of Vitamin C to brighten and enrich skin. Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and manage acne with this multi-tasking serum. PRO Anti-Aging Pads This cutting-edge at-home treatment product delivers the peel, peptide and probiotic experience with a powerhouse formulation. Lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while beautifully brightening skin and treating adult acne. SPF Solar Shield 30 Oil Free Shield your skin from harmful sun damage with this light-weight and essential UVA/UVB protection. This anti-aging moisturizer rejuvenates and strengthens with a silky matte finish. Rosehip and Hibiscus cream Rosehip is nature’s “fruit of the Rose”. Rich with Vitamins A, C, E, Lycopene, Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids. Contains toning and rejuvenating MSM. Hibiscus is full of antioxidants for soothing and toning. Formulated for mature skin, and is suitable for sensitive, rosacea, and dry skin. SHOP ACNE-SAFE SKIN CARE HERE! For more personalized skin care education, call Jessica at 925-864-9535.
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7 Tips to Help Make your Beauty Routine More Sustainable
If you’ve been meaning to make some earth friendly changes to your own routine, we think there’s no better time than Earth Day and whenever you are reading this!
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The Effect Your Skin Has On Your Jewelry
JEWELRY AND THE PH OF YOUR SKIN Don’t you hate it when you go to pick out your favorite piece of jewelry and come to find, it has that dull, tarnished look and now you have to clean it…again?! It happens to a lot of us. But why does this happen to some people and not others? Have you ever thought it could be something your body is causing? An acidic pH level in the body can be manifested through your skin, causing specific reactions with any material that comes in direct contact with it, such as jewelry. Sulfur and amino acids found in perspiration will cause discolorations either on your skin or your jewelry. If your sweat is highly acidic, chances are, that killer necklace you're wearing will either change in color or fade when you perspire. Knowing the pH of your skin can make all the difference in preventing this from happening. WHAT CAUSES YOUR SKIN TO BE UNBALANCED? Answer: Chemical and toxins in the skin and body products. BODY PRODUCTS Did you know the majority of skin care products are not pH balanced? That’s because there is no law governing them. This is why we all need to do our homework on what is in our skin and hair care products. Be mindful of soaps, cleansers, and shampoos that use detergents as they are often far too alkaline. You also want to avoid ingredients that are too acidic like boric acid (a common preservative). HORMONES Hormones can certainly disrupt pH levels. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone can cause skin to be excessively oily. DIET What you eat affects everything in your body. Thanks to the decrease in food quality, GMO's and added hormones, this can really affect your skin. If your diet contains a lot of dairy, processed foods, sugar, etc., you might want to try eating more of a well-balanced diet, it likely will help your skin issues. TIPS ON HOW TO BALANCE YOUR SKIN Eliminate harsh cleansers and soaps (alkaline) Remove all chemicals and toxins that could harm your skin (many are hidden) Opt for botanical products rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants Only use properly pH balanced skin care products Use lukewarm water to rinse your face (Hot water can strip your skin) Consult a trusted Esthetician to help you navigate what products will be beneficial for your specific skin type. I hope that my love of skin care AND jewelry has enlightened you as well as encourage you to focus on the health of your skin. It is my true passion! Our skin is like a beautiful piece of jewelry we wear every day, and it can represent who we are, believe it or not. Although we can choose which piece of jewelry to wear, we can’t choose the type of skin we have. But what we can do is take care of it to the best of our knowledge, and I am here to help! FOR MORE SKIN TIPS AND INSPIRATION, YOU CAN FOLLOW JESSICA: Facebook-https://m.facebook.com/jessicaroseframe Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/earth.esthetics Blog also featured on Cielomar's jewelry site: https://cielomarjewelry.com/
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7 Reasons Why You Should Exfoliate Your Skin
EXFOLIATION IS FOR EVERYONE I have to admit that exfoliating my skin is one of my favorite steps in my skin care routine. The biggest reason why is because it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. My skin is on the dryer side so exfoliation helps minimize that dry feeling. Yes, I know, even though I am a skin expert I still experience dry skin! But that’s a-whole-nother post… No, not all exfoliants are created equal. You have your clay masks, abrasive scrubs, gentle scrubs, acidic pads, enzymes, peels, micro dermabrasion, the list is endless! You certainly want to consult your local skin professional to advise which exfoliation method would be right for your skin. Everyone says exfoliation is a key step in a well-rounded skincare routine since it sloughs off dead and dry skin. But what if you don’t have dry skin? What else is my exfoliating habit doing that makes me love it so much? According to skincare experts, the answer is a lot. Aside from clearing away dry and dead skin, a regular exfoliation habit increases the skin's radiance, clarity, and youthfulness, and that's just the start. Benefits of Exfoliating: 1. Pore cleansing Think of your pores as puddles of mud. Just rubbing a cleanser over something that is indented will not clean out the mud. You need something like a shovel to remove the gunk deep in the hole. Manuel scrubs act like the shovel! Deafening and loosening up dirt, oil, and dead skin that can get stuck in our epidermis creating congestion. Sweeping away that dead skin, along with all the other surface debris that might remain on your skin after cleansing, stops it from making its way into your pores and causing stubborn stoppages in the form of whiteheads and blackheads. These are two skin issues that are insanely difficult to get rid of (people with blackheads know what's up), which is why exfoliating is so important. It stops them before they even have a chance to appear. Dead skin seals the pores, so when sebaceous glands produce oil, it's 'stuck' under the dry skin. This causes breakouts because there is nowhere for the oil to go. 2. Prevents Acne Just like how scrubs can read your skin of a buildup of dirt and oil, acidic exfoliants can really prevent those oils from turning into acne. What we consider acne is bacteria trapped in our pores which gets infected and inflamed. They can be small underneath the surface of the skin, medium sized whiteheads, or big honkers without a head that you just can’t get rid of for the life of you. We end up messing around with these breakouts and they continue to spread. Acidic exfoliants like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide will penetrate deeper into the skin and kill the bacteria that causes the breakouts. You must be careful not to over use these chemicals because you can start to peel. It’s best to consult a professional when choosing a chemical exfoliant. You can also do an enzyme treatment for exfoliation. This helps stimulate cell renewal as natural fruit enzymes detach dead skin cells to improve skin texture. 3. Helps Other Skincare Products Penetrate Deeper Have you ever applied a serum or moisturizer and felt like it was just sitting on top of your skin? That’s probably because they were! Exfoliation helps remove the dead skin sitting on top while allowing your other beautiful and possibly expensive skin care products to penetrate deeper and actually function as they were meant to. Remove that dead skin and let the magic happen! Dead skin basically becomes a barrier between your skin and serums. By removing it you allow everything to work much better! Your skin will be silky smooth. 4. Evens Out Skin Tone People with dark spots, rough texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars know how frustrating they can be to treat. Exfoliants break down dry and dead skin while smoothing texture, which means the skin appears to look more uniform over time. 5. Boosts Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage Exfoliation has many benefits, including stimulation of lymphatic drainage for internal cleansing and stimulation of oxygen-rich blood to feed and nourish the skin's surface. The former is a form of skin detoxification, working to remove toxins and other unhealthy debris. The latter boosts cellular health to reveal glowy, radiant skin. 6. It Increases Cell Turnover Aside from increased circulation, exfoliation also boosts the skin's radiance in another way. It helps cell turnover so the skin looks more glowing. This means that the skin keeps fresh, healthy cells at the surface, removing dead, dry, or dying ones. In terms of appearance, this results in that ultra-dewy and baby-faced complexion we all strive for. 7. Stimulates Collagen Synthesis Finally, regular exfoliation helps to stimulate collagen synthesis to improve the skin's texture, integrity, and keep the skin looking plump, tight, and young. In this way, exfoliating actually offers anti-aging benefits, which might be why so many people swear that it helps lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As for how often you should be exfoliating, listen to your skin. Some people prefer chemical exfoliants over physical ones and vice versa, but it's up to your specific needs. Lucky for you, you have a professional on your team to help coach you through the confusing process of choosing the right skin care products. Here is a guideline of what type of product you can use for which skin type : Blackheads/ Pore Cleansing ICE REFINING MASQUE Refine pores and reduce oil production with this soothing clay based masque. Calm skin and manage acne with a combination of Salicylic Acid, Mastiha, Plant Stem Cells and more. KEY INGREDIENTS: Charcoal Kaolin Salicylic and Lactic Acid Peptides Niacinamide MASQ-tech™ Lilac and Echinacea PSC Resorcinol Brightening Botanicals Acne ICE CLARIFYING SCRUB A gentle exfoliating scrub that polishes away dirt and oil on the face and body. Manages acne with a combination of natural exfoliating elements, Benzoyl Peroxide, Lilac and Echinacea Plant Stem Cells and soothing ingredients. KEY INGREDIENTS: Brightening MASQ-tech™ Benzoyl Peroxide Halidrys Siliquosa Extract Bearberry Extract Mulberry Extract Echinacea Plant Stem Cell Lilac Plant Stem Cell Eco-Bead Exfoliation Technology Pore cleansing/Pigmentation MYSTIQ ILUMINATING POLISHER Polish your way to pore perfection. This gentle, exfoliating and brightening masque and scrub promotes a youthful glow while minimizing pore appearance. Heals skin with Mastiha, Silver, Gold, Orange Plant Stem Cells and a rich blend of botanicals. KEY INGREDIENTS: Brightening Mastiha Orange Plant Stem Cell Collodial Gold and Silver Mandelic and Salicylic Acid Tomato Extract Bearberry Extract Narcissus Extract Wrinkles/ Pigmentation/ Acne PRO ANTI-AGING PADS This cutting-edge at-home treatment product delivers the peel, peptide and probiotic experience with a powerhouse formulation. Lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while beautifully brightening skin. KEY INGREDIENTS: Exfoliating: Seven different anti-aging and brightening acids are combined including glycolic, lactic, salicylic and kojic. Lira’s Healing Peptide Delivery System increases barrier protection as it delivers exfoliation with less inflammation. Brightening: Hexylresorcinol along with various botanicals like mulberry, licorice, bearberry and Halidrys Siliquosa provide luminous skin brightening. Rejuvenating: The health of the skin is enhanced with microbiome balancing probiotics and natural antioxidants for a beautiful finish.
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Face Cleansing Education
How to Wash Your Face More Efficiently One of the most important things when it comes to a successful skin routine is cleansing. I know you’re all thinking “of course I cleanse my face before I put my moisturizer on”, but what I’m talking about is effective cleansing. If your skin is not properly cleansed, your beautiful serums and moisturizers will not work as effectively as they should. Do’s: Apply your cleanser to your fingertips before adding any water to your face or hands and massage it into your skin for 10+ seconds. Then add water to your fingertips to emulsify the cleanser on your skin for another 10 seconds. Rinse and repeat if needed. (if you wear a good amount of make up or concealer, I highly recommend a second cleanse. I also cell the Makeup Eraser which is an awesome first step to cleansing and great for the environment because it’s reusable!) Don’t’s: Avoid washing with shampoo, body wash, or bar soap! These are incredibly alkaline to the skin and can damage the acid mantle which causes premature aging. Avoid washing with an acidic cleanse more than once a day. I recommend acidic in the morning and hydrating at night. That’s pretty much it! I know it sounds obvious, but a lot of my guests have seen major transformations with just working the way they cleanse alone. Try it, I promise you’ll feel a difference! And if you need advice on what to cleanse with for your skin type, I am happy to schedule a video chat with you to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Thank you all, and happy cleansing!
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Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Skin Care
NAVIGATING THE SEA OF OPTIONS It’s easy to get lost in the sea of skin care options these days. Not only are there doctors, skin care professionals and estheticians telling you this or that, you also have YouTubers, bloggers and beauty enthusiasts flooding you with thoughts and ideas too. It’s no wonder why there are so many skin issues and concerns these days. When you don’t know where to start or what information is reliable, how is your skin really going to respond? For starters, it takes 30 days for your skin to even accept the products and begin to respond. Understanding what you are using is the key to getting results. This leads us to our next question: What really is the difference between over-the-counter (OTC) products and professional skin care? Although OTC products have changed over the years and vary in quality, there are still some very clear differences between professional skin care and OTC products. The FDA divides products into two categories: pharmaceutical and cosmetic. In the world of esthetics, we divide the FDA’s cosmetic category into two additional categories: OTC and professional. Both categories still have to follow the same basic FDA guidelines for consumer grade standards, but professional lines are designed with the idea that the consumer will be advised and mentored by a trained beauty advisor or licensed esthetician. After clarifying that difference, here are the top five reasons to choose a professional skin care line: Made in Small Batches Professional skin care lines are made in small batches and distributed to trained or licensed skin care centers, aesthetic boutiques, spas and salons. OTC products are made for the masses and sold in department stores, drug stores and beauty stores. Manufacturers’ representative (aka independent sales) lines are also often made in large batches and mass produced with the same OTC quality and a higher price tag. Professional skin care companies maintain the ingredients integrity by producing in small batches and sell to professionals to provide guidance and advise. High Levels of Active Ingredients Because most consumers "self-diagnose," OTC product lines have less active ingredients to minimize chance of irritation to protect the buyer. To keep up with the mass quantity of products being made, OTC companies use large amount of fillers and preservatives in their products. Professional skin care companies have higher levels of active ingredients (but not as high as "pharmaceutical") in their products and are meant to to be recommended by a trained or licensed professional after a thorough skin analysis. These products are formulated to help or even eliminate skin conditions while fitting you skin types needs. This is why professional skin care bottles and packaging are often smaller in size. With higher contractions of active ingredients and fewer preservatives, there is no need for large bottles. Products Molecules are Small When a product lacks active ingredients, you must use ingredients that have large molecules which are not able to penetrate the skin. When a product can’t properly penetrate the skin, it will "superficially" treat and temporarily provide relief to skin concerns. This gives the illusion that the products are working without actually treating the skin. Professional lines use molecular technology that penetrates the skin producing clinical results. As technology changes and gets better, so does the clinical research these lines invest in. There are now "non-pharmaceutical" ingredients with small enough molecules providing clinical results without the irritation of high strength acids and ingredients making it even more desirable to use professional skin care. pH-Adjusted Ingredients The pH of the skin isn’t always talked about on a consumer level but is very important when it comes to skin care. The skin functions at its prime when the natural pH is between a 4.5 and 5.5. Often OTC products don’t take pH into consideration and will leave the skin in an alkaline state. When the skin is alkaline, bacteria and free radicals (such as pollution) can invade the skin. Professional skin care companies understand the importance and take steps to assure the integrity of the skin’s barrier function by using pH adjusted ingredients. Priced with Integrity Sometimes professional skin care gets a bad reputation of being "too expensive" but that is far from the truth. A good professional line will price their products according to concentration of active ingredients versus fillers and are actually overall more budget-friendly. It is a common mistake to overuse products which leads to the perception that professional skin care is more expensive. When used properly, they will last longer and work better giving you the ultimate bang for your buck. OTC products will have a lower upfront cost but overtime can be similar in price or more expensive than professional skin care. So, long story short, if you want results, go for higher quality products! But, first and foremost, consult a licensed professional to learn what is best for YOUR specific skin type. Our skin changes with the seasons so it’s always good to follow up once a quarter.
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