Tag Archives: healthy skin
“Dear Mother Nature… Please check the thermostat. Someone has set it to hell!”
I vividly remember my very first California summer many years ago. I had just moved to the heart of the sun-soaked state, where the Pacific Ocean’s soothing breeze often served as a solace from the relentless heat. However, that year, the summer intensity trailed well into the night, morphing my restful sanctuary into a sweltering cocoon.
Sleep was elusive, and I couldn’t help but notice the immediate impact on my skin. My once glowing visage turned dull, and the lack of rest was visibly etching itself onto my complexion. This led me to delve into the relationship between summer heat, sleep disruptions, and skin health.
The Sleep-Heat-Skin Triad
Sleep regulation is intertwined with two key processes: homeostatic sleep pressure and our internal circadian rhythm. Interestingly, both these mechanisms are significantly influenced by temperature.
Our bodies naturally cool down at night as part of the circadian rhythm, aiding the onset of sleep. Hot environments impede this cooling process, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. The extended daylight in summer can further disrupt our sleep patterns by delaying the production of melatonin, our sleep-inducing hormone.
From a facialist’s standpoint, the connection between sleep and skin health is undeniable. During deep sleep, the body goes into repair mode, releasing growth hormones that help regenerate cells, including skin cells. If you’re not getting enough sleep, these repair mechanisms are interrupted, leading to visible effects on the skin over time.
Here are some ways sleep disruption can affect the skin:
- Dull Complexion & Lackluster Skin: Lack of sleep can lead to poor circulation, resulting in a dull complexion. Your skin may appear lackluster, tired, and less youthful.
- Dark Circles: The blood vessels under your eyes may dilate when you don’t get enough sleep, leading to dark circles. Prolonged lack of sleep can exacerbate this issue.
- Accelerated Aging: During sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help repair damaged cells. Without these hormones, daily small breakdowns can accumulate, resulting in signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and decreased elasticity.
- Weakened Skin Barrier: The skin barrier function, which is responsible for keeping skin hydrated and protected from harmful external factors, can be compromised with inadequate sleep. This can lead to dry, dehydrated skin, and increase the risk of skin issues such as eczema and dermatitis.
- Inflammation and Breakouts: Lack of sleep can cause stress and hormonal imbalances in the body, which can increase inflammation and exacerbate conditions like acne, psoriasis, and even allergic reactions. Inflammation can also contribute to aging, a concept known as “inflammaging.”
- Reduced Immunity: Sleep plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the immune system. Chronic sleep deprivation can lower immunity, making the skin more susceptible to infections and diseases. It can also cause flare-ups of immune-related skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
In short, prioritizing sound sleep is an indispensable step toward maintaining a youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Heatwave Effects on Skin Health
Heat also directly affects our skin by increasing transepidermal water loss, which can result in dehydration, dryness, and a compromised skin barrier. The overall result is tired-looking, lackluster skin that mirrors those restless summer nights.
Reclaiming Your Beauty Sleep: A Summer Guide
Despite the challenges, there are practical measures to mitigate sleep disruptions caused by summer heat and wake up to refreshed, radiant skin.
- Create a Cool Haven: Keep your bedroom cool by opening a window to let in a cool breeze. You can also use thermal insulating blackout curtains to reduce daytime heat.
- Embrace Breathable Bedding: Choose lightweight, breathable bedding and sleepwear. Cotton is excellent as it allows for better air circulation than synthetic materials.
- Freeze Your Sheets: A slightly unconventional tip, but effective. Put your sheets and pillowcases in a freezer for a few minutes to cool them down. Ensure they are in a plastic bag before freezing, to prevent moisture accumulation.
- Hydrate Inside Out: Ensure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to combat heat-induced dehydration. However, limit your intake before bedtime to prevent nocturnal bathroom trips. And use a hydrating night-time skincare regimen to counter the increased transepidermal water loss.
- A Pre-bed Cooling Routine: Consider a cool shower or bath before sleep to lower your body temperature, signaling your body it’s time for sleep. A soothing skincare routine following this – a chilled face mask – can work wonders!
- Deep freeze: Ice packs and frozen wash cloths pressed against any pulse points like the wrists can help make you more comfortable. Apply them against the back of your neck or forehead to cool your body down. Using either one ninety minutes before sleep is enough to kickstart the body’s own cooling mechanisms and allow for a restful night.
- Manage Light Exposure: Use blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out excessive sunlight. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning to help regulate your circadian rhythm.
- Keep Your Blinds Closed: During the hottest parts of the day, consider keeping blinds and curtains closed to block any unwanted heat getting in. White or cream blinds are best for deflecting heat. Open blinds and windows during the early morning or late evening to provide airflow that cools the room before bedtime. A fan in the room can also help air to circulate and is less dehydrating for the skin than air conditioning.
- Find your ideal sleeping position: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the ideal sleeping position in summer as it varies from person to person, and it depends on various factors including personal comfort and health conditions. However, here are a few options for comfortable sleep:
- Sleep on your back: This position can help prevent facial wrinkles and skin breakouts by keeping your face off the pillow, and it can also help your mattress absorb your body heat, thereby keeping you cooler.
- Elevate your body: Use a few extra pillows to elevate your head and upper body. This can aid in heat exchange as heat rises and could potentially help with issues like snoring and acid reflux, which may worsen in the heat.
- Starfish or spread out: The less your body touches itself, the cooler you’ll stay. Therefore, lying on your back or stomach with your arms and legs spread apart can be a good option.
- Minimal contact with the mattress: Try to minimize the amount of your body surface in contact with the mattress, as it absorbs body heat. A side sleeping position could be beneficial in this case.
Welcome the Californian (or wherever you are in the world) summer armed with these strategies and you will definitely be able to reclaim your restful nights and revitalized complexion. Remember, radiant skin is a testament to quality sleep, no matter the season!
For more skincare tips, check out my other blogs, visit my website, or call us at (323) 653–4701. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to help you with your skincare needs.
“You can’t help getting older. But you don’t have to get old.” – George Burns
50 is the new 40… I’ve heard it too many times before, if only it were true… well, maybe it is for the very few who are genetically blessed with eternally youthful-looking skin. For the rest of us mere mortals, we just have to keep trying these anti-aging products and skin-glowing treatments on the market to see which among the latest ingredients or technology delivers real results.
Among the latest treatments I came across, the claims about the Light Emitting Diode (LED)therapy certainly sounded appealing to me. They’re touted to treat everything from wrinkles, redness, and signs of aging to acne, scarring, and dark spots. Besides, it is popular among celebrities and social media influencers, posting selfies with their LED masks. So, let’s take a look at some of the details that will shed light on this skin treatment innovation.
Initially, LED therapy was used exclusively for the needs of science. The application of lamps was intended to grow plants in space shuttle missions. But then it was discovered that a certain wavelength promotes better tissue regeneration and can be useful in healing wounds. Overtime, LED therapy has spread to cosmetology and is now actively used to treat skin diseases and fight wrinkles.
The lights are generally classified into three wavelengths: ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. And according to how many LEDs and wavelengths in the device being used, you can treat pigmentation, aging, and acne skin. Here’s a rundown of the different LED light therapy benefits:
Blue Light Therapy
Blue light therapy has a shorter wavelength and can be very effective when applied topically to kill the acne-causing bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes or P acnes. These bacteria found in the sebum and oil glands cause inflammation and breakouts on the skin surface. The good news is that P acne is sensitive to blue light and can be eliminated with this kind of therapy. Coupled with proper cleansing and treatment regimens, it offers a safe alternative to antibiotics and harsh topicals.
In addition, blue and red light treatments can be combined to treat acne conditions – heal the skin, diminish scarring, and reduce inflammation. The treatment is great for occasional breakouts too. It takes just a few minutes to get great results when used at home.
Red Light Therapy
Red light belongs to the higher wavelength component of the visible light spectrum. Red light therapy, or RLT, exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light for treating certain conditions, such as skin and muscle issues. It can speed wound healing, reduce scarring, stimulate collagen production, promote firmness, and improve skin texture.
Red light therapy can also be used to relieve chronic pain and some sports injuries. In fact, there are now red LED light beds that athletes and some medical professionals use for this purpose.
RLT, known by several names: photobiomodulation (PBM), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), biostimulation, and soft laser therapy, is a popular therapeutic option. It is provided at various facial clinics, wellness centers, spas, and athletic centers. RLT devices for home use are also widely available. The safest way, however, to get this therapy is through a qualified practitioner or aesthetician.
Results from using red light therapy take longer but are noticeable after 4–6 weeks of regular application.
Green Light Therapy
Green light therapy helps to lighten hyperpigmentation spots for a brighter complexion and the soothing effect has anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat dilated capillaries, loose skin around the eyes, under-eye circles, hyperpigmentation, and sunspots, especially on the hands.
Because green light waves penetrate more deeply than blue light, it is recommended that the application of green light to the face be done in a salon.
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Light therapy is painless, non-invasive, and requires no recovery time. Red, blue, and greenlights can be used on all skin conditions and ages with no side effects. However, I would highly recommend seeking the help of a skincare professional for a series of treatments in the salon and adding a hand-held or even a full-face unit to your skincare routine at home.
At our salon, we have been using the handheld units during our facial treatments to great effect and have also been retailing them to many clients for home use.
For more beauty and skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness (323) 653–4701 or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“Skin-vestment – the act of putting time, effort, and money into your skin to keep it healthy and glowing.”
Dear Marion… how much time should I spend daily on my skincare routine for it to be thorough and effective? Sincerely, Mrs. trying-hard-not-to-be high maintenance.
In my previous blog, I shared a few beauty shortcuts for when you find yourself in a time crunch. But if you really want to see brilliant results from your skin products and regimen, it’s always best to put in a sufficient amount of time every day on your skincare routine – both daytime and nighttime.
It may sound like high maintenance but, in reality, each step is necessary to achieve healthy, youthful-looking skin. So even with a busy schedule – juggling kids, a partner, and work – it is important to carve out that essential “me time” to take care of your skin.
Here is a basic plan that works out evenly for both the a.m. and p.m. skincare regimen.
MORNING ROUTINE – geared towards protection from the elements.
Step 1: Cleansing
Massage the cleanser into your skin for at least 30 seconds to a minute, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. You can rinse your face immediately, unless your cleanser contains active ingredients such as AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, then follow the product instructions.
Adding a silicone brush to cleansing 2-3 times a week ensures your pores stay unclogged and your skin super clean.
Wait for the skin to feel completely dry before moving on to step two. But, if you are using a toner containing hyaluronic acid, apply it immediately after cleansing while your skin is still damp. This seals in an extra layer of hydration.
Step 2: Toning
Yes – toners are important! They restore the pH of the skin, get rid of impurities and excess oils, shrink the pores, and prepare the skin to better absorb other products, such as serums and moisturizers. Some toners are also a humectant, which means that they can bind moisture to the skin.
It is most effective when applied with damp cotton, rather than sprayed on, and usually takes around 20 seconds to apply.
Step 3: Serum
Serums are lighter skin care formulations than moisturizers. Because they have thinner viscosity they are absorbed more easily and feel light on the skin.
This step should take around 30 seconds or the time it takes to smooth the product over the whole face.
Step 4: Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner, very delicate, and the first to show signs of aging. So apply creams specific to the eye area to avoid damage or irritation. If you are extremely sensitive or wear contact lenses, gel formulas may be more suitable.
It should take around 30 seconds to apply a specific eye product.
Step 5: Spot Treatment
Treat the areas with acne, blemishes, dark spots, age spots, or uneven skin tone one by one to help to reduce redness or discoloration and speed up your skin’s natural healing process.
The time this step will take depends on how many blemishes you have, but approximately it should be around 20 seconds for the application. Let the treatment dry before moving on to the next step, which could take at least one minute. Otherwise, the treatment will end up migrating to other parts of your face.
Step 6: Moisturizer
Apply the moisturizer to the face, neck, and chest.
The cream must absorb completely before moving to the next step, so wait about two minutes, or at least until the skin doesn’t feel sticky to the touch.
Step 7: Sun Cream
This is the step that should take the longest in a skincare routine. If applying it to the whole body, spend at least two minutes thoroughly applying it, and be generous. If it’s just the face and neck, a minute or two should be enough.
Then wait about 10 minutes before applying makeup. Applying makeup too soon can disrupt the sunscreen and reduce coverage and efficacy.
Total time for daytime routine: 20-30 minutes, before applying makeup.
NIGHTTIME ROUTINE – geared toward repair and rebuilding.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 from your morning routine.
Step 6: Treatment
Apply serums that contain any of the plethoras of active ingredients currently available – ATP, stem cells, peptides, minerals, antioxidants. This is a sure way to support the skin while you sleep. Choose a few of the ingredients to alternate every night and follow instructions by the manufacturer or as advised by your aesthetician, to avoid any reactions and get the best results.
Allow five minutes before the next step.
Step 7: Night Cream
Apply the cream over the face and neck, which should take around one to two minutes.
If you want to use a facial roller or gua sha tool, this is the moment to do it. Then wait at least 10 minutes before going to bed, so all the products that have been applied don’t end up on the pillow.
Total time for nighttime routine: 20-25 minutes.
“Invest in your skin. It is going to represent you for a very long time.” – Linden Tyler
For more beauty and skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness (323) 653–4701 or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“I got to get my life together. This crazy heat made me realize I can’t go to hell.”
I am very fair skinned… I mean really fair skinned. I can get sunburned wearing high SPF lotion. Yesterday, I was in the sun for five minutes loading groceries into my car. My cheeks are still reddish and warm. Suffice to say, I’m ultra-sensitive to sun and heat.
Well… the heat is on again. As a matter of fact, a brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India and Pakistan now causing health concerns, among others. Of course, climate change and global warming are to blame for the alarmingly high temperatures.
Global warming alone causes free radical damage to the skin unimaginable in the past when life was generally cooler, globally. The result on the skin is pigmentation, brown patches, and accelerated aging.
But along with global warming, we also unknowingly expose our poor skin to other heat sources causing further damage.
Certain types of exercise like hot spinning and hot yoga maybe good for the body and mind, but not always for the skin. People who do hot yoga more than five times a week are getting more discoloration and persistent redness. And wearing sunscreen apparently doesn’t seem to help.
Working in a kitchen or bakery can have the same effects too.
According to a study from Seoul National University College of Medicine, just 30 minutes of heat exposure three times a week for six straight weeks is enough to change your skin. It causes protective antioxidant levels in the skin to drop and genes to create MMP or Matrix Metalloproeinases. These are proteins that break down collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles.
Heat also triggers melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells within our skin. MMP’s and melanocytes both have positive roles to play in protecting the skin from damage and keeping it healthy, but when over stimulated by heat, they can be very damaging. And heat, when experienced regularly, can penetrate as deeply as the sun’s rays.
What’s more? If you’re Asian, African American, or Latina, susceptibility to hyperpigmentation is genetic. Excessive heat just adds fuel to that fire.
But enough of the bad news already… now that you know how bad heat can be for the skin, you can always reduce your exposure – less of that hot spin and hot yoga classes.
If, however, getting exposed to heat cannot be avoided, here’s a few things you can do to protect your skin:
- Use mineral-based sunscreens and foundations that contain physical blocks like zinc oxide. They are great at fighting sun damage and heat.
- Mineral sprays used throughout the day can also keep the skin cool. Just remember to reapply sunscreen.
- Refrigerate your skin treatment products like masks and moisturizing gels and use them immediately after a cool shower and exposure to heat.
- Use daily moisturizers and serums that contain copper, magnesium, selenium, radish root and niacinamide. And of course, those powerful antioxidants – C and E.
Finally, don’t forget to wear a good strong deodorant. The last thing you want to be worrying about is odor from the heat sweats.
For more skincare tips, visit our website, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“Hot one minute, then freezing the next. I’m pretty sure spring is a woman.”
The cold never bothered me… just kidding. I’m so glad that winter is finally over, and Spring is here! It’s nice to be able to spend more time outside – the weather is nice and warm, flowers are abloom, the grass is greener, and the air is fresh.
It’s also perfect skin season, after the dry, flaky winter and before greasy, sweaty summer… eew! However, beautiful spring skin doesn’t just happen with the change of season. It takes time, effort, commitment, and a change of regimen.
As you would spring clean your home, you need to do spring cleaning for your skin as well – outside and inside. Here’s a few easy changes to your skincare routine for perfect spring skin.
- Start exfoliating to get that dead winter skin off, making skin brighter. For the body, do some vigorous dry brushing, followed by a good soak and scrub session in the bathtub. Then slather on a body lotion. As for the face, gently exfoliate with a gentle scrub or silicone brush that doesn’t scratch the skin surface. Also, book a light AHA/BHA enzyme treatment with your aesthetician.
- Switch to a light moisturizer. As the temperatures and humidity increase, we no longer need the heavy creams to keep our skin moisturized, and heavy products can feel sticky and greasy. Add a C serum to your morning routine then apply a light gel-based moisturizer. Choose one with hyaluronic acid (HA) for use at night to help protect the skin barrier from the allergens and pollution in the air as we indulge in more outdoor activities.
- Upgrade your SPF. Now that the weather is getting warmer, you really need to start wearing sunscreen. The earth is physically closer to the sun during warmer months, so UV rays are stronger. If you have been diligent with wearing sunscreen, even in the winter months, increase the SPF to at least 50 and make sure your sunscreen products offer broad-spectrum protection.
- Use Facial Mists. We know that drinking adequate amounts of water is important for the skin. But when you are outside, facial mists work on the skin instantly to keep it well hydrated, help it regain brightness, and remove dryness. Mists are also effective in eliminating excess sweat, keeping the skin clean and bacteria-free.
- Take supplements. Make sure you have vitamins E, C, and zinc to boost the skin’s immune system and avoid sun damage, fish or flaxseed oil capsules and probiotics for your internal immune system, and milk thistle if you want to do a gentle liver cleanse.
- Exercise. With the beautiful warmer weather, it would be nice to get outside, jog a few miles, ride your bike or swim. All this exercise and physical activity helps to get healthier, fresher, and smoother skin.
- Lighten the diet. Add the following to your grocery list: asparagus, blueberries, pineapple, grapefruit, beets, and pomegranates. All of these fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants that aid digestion, give you lots of energy, and radiant skin. Cinnamon, green juice, and abstaining from alcohol also works wonders for the skin.
- Spring clean your beauty arsenal. Keep nothing that is more than six months old. Go through your skincare products, check the expiration dates, and toss accordingly. Keep in mind that even if a product hasn’t been opened, active ingredients will become less potent and less effective over time.
Make these minor Spring skincare changes along with a healthy and active lifestyle and feel your skin glowing all year long.
For more skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or check out my other blogs. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“In winter my favorite outdoor activity is going back inside.”
Baby it’s cold outside… No, seriously it’s freakin’ cold. And this winter weather is just wreaking havoc on my skin. Argh! The harsh, cold outside air combined with the increase in central heating (which, spoiler alert, is also bad for the skin) make it seem like I’m destined for several months of dull, dry, and itchy skin.
So, how do we take care of our skin through this cold snap, especially if you still want to enjoy your winter fun? Luckily, this year, skincare salons are open again so beyond stepping up hydration at home, we can get facials that detox, replenish, and truly rejuvenate the skin.
Here are three of my go-to treatments to avoid winter skin:
For Clean skin
Oxygen — this extensive deep-cleansing and invigorating treatment leaves pores squeaky clean, and the skin brightened and energized. Perfect for dealing with Maskne! It involves spraying highly concentrated molecules of oxygen right into the outer layer of your skin. The oxygen that’s applied to your face and neck is infused with vitamins, minerals, essential nutrients, and botanical extracts.
The addition of a cocoa enzyme, a great antioxidant, to the oxygen procedure increases circulation and results in an even more stimulating facial. At the end of the treatment, a blend of hyaluronic acid and peptides are applied to ensure that holiday glow.
For Hydrated skin
Galvanic electrotherapy — if you need a really deep moisturizing facial, this is the treatment for you. A direct galvanic current is used for infusing water-soluble substances into the skin. The soft or low-intensity electrical current (charged particles) can reach the inner layers of the skin and delivers a high level of hydration especially for those of us concerned about aging. Plus, this is a relaxing experience as the electrodes roll across those tense facial muscles. What’s more? The results of the treatment will last for days.
This procedure delivers that ageless dewy look we see on all those classic movie stars.
For Skin Tightening
Microcurrent — has the pandemic left you feeling a little saggy? This treatment introduces a gentle electric current that re-educates the muscles and gets those collagen elves working to increase production of collagen and elastin in the dermis. It offers the ultimate in tightening and firming.
It’s not the most comfortable of treatments and is best done in a series of six sessions with monthly or quarterly follow-ups. It can also be included in a full facial procedure for the first visit and really gets the skin feeling toned for the holidays.
A light application of lactic or mandelic acid can be added to any of these procedures and is suitable for pretty much any skin type. With all these skincare treatment options, you won’t need to turn on the Christmas lights to dazzle.
For more skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or check out our other blogs. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We have re-opened our doors and are happy to welcome you all back.
“Summer is over. Time to officially remember what day of the week it is.”
I remember my first day of college (although it was ages ago). I was excited and nervous at the same time. I was looking forward to a new chapter in my life but also a bit scared whether the students and teachers would be friendly, if I would find my classrooms without getting lost, and if I could catch up with all the lessons. Needless to say, it was stressful. To make matters worse, my skin started breaking out from the stress. Ugh!
It’s back to school time once again, and this year back to school for most students would be in-person after a long period of exclusively online classes. For students who are back on campus in their dorms, there are safety restrictions (of course) and six feet of social distancing. Other students are doing a hybrid model, where they are doing both virtual and in-person coursework. And others are completely remote.
Whatever the format, here is a list of essential products for students to use back in school to make sure their skin makes the grade.
1. First and foremost, have plenty of masks available — both washable and disposable, and lots of hand sanitizer and gloves. Washing with soap and water works really well and is an important part of staying safe and protected but you need some back up when a sink, hot water and soap aren’t around the corner.
Tip: Spray the inside of clean masks with a 2% salicylic acid or a tea tree hydrosol to help control breakouts. And emphasize the importance of using a clean mask every day.
2. Next, select an easy to apply wash-off cleanser that can be used morning and night. This will help to keep the skin clean in spite of late-night studying and constant mask wearing.
3. Bring a few spare pillowcases. These should be changed twice a week to prevent acne breakouts and for good hygiene.
4. Pack a lightweight daily moisturizer that is formulated for your skin type and can be used twice a day. Chances are you’re going to need extra moisture while away, living through winter weather and colder temperatures. Think of one with hyaluronic acid or ceramides for an extra boost.
5. A sunscreen with an SPF 30 should be worn daily. UV rays can still penetrate clouds and cooler weather.
Tip: some sunscreens are also moisturizing and can eliminate the need for regular moisturizers in the morning as long as your skin is not too dry.
6. College dorms are known for their cavalcade of aromas, many of them pungent and unpleasant! Use essential oils to improve the atmosphere, sleep, concentration, reduce stress and increase well-being. Electric plug-ins are safe and easy to use and available on Amazon.
Tip: orange, grapefruit and lemon are great mood elevators. Peppermint and eucalyptus help with concentration. Lavender is calming and can be mixed with any other oil. And of course, all the essential oils improve air quality and smell great!!
7. Hand cream — hands can get very chapped from all the handwashing, especially in cold weather. Keep several tubes in your backpacks and dorm room.
8. Spot treatment — even with daily routines, acne and breakouts happen. That can certainly put a damper on being social even though it is somewhat restricted at the moment. Spot treatments can discourage picking and improve confidence.
Tip: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil and Neosporin crème are all available over the counter and suit most breakout situations.
Being prepped for safety and well-being will allow you to concentrate on your studies and stay focused while still enjoying your college experience.
“In school, you’re taught a lesson and given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” — Tom Bodett
For more skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or check out our other blogs on Medium. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We have re-opened our doors and are happy to welcome you all back.
“The only ex I need in my life is my exfoliator.”
Did someone say New Kids on the Block? Yes, there’s a new kid on the block… the skincare block, that is. And while it’s not the popular boy band of the 90’s it has uh-oh-oh!!! the Right Stuff. They are Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and are considered “cousins” of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). They also happen to be one of the latest trendy beauty ingredients touted to banish fine lines.
What are they?
PHAs are chemical exfoliants, often used to remove the unwanted cells on the skin’s surface resulting in a more even skin tone and texture. The most common PHAs are galactose — a naturally occurring sugar that skin uses to synthesize collagen, lactobionic acid — derived from oxidized lactose (milk sugar), and gluconolactone — a powdery substance extracted from gluconic acid, found in animals and corn.
What do they do?
PHAs are a chemical exfoliant. And exfoliation helps to slough away dead, dull-looking skin resulting in reduced hyperpigmentation and improved skin texture. They are related to alpha and beta hydroxy acids but because they are formed from larger molecules, they penetrate the skin more slowly and without irritation.
PHAs hydrate skin. They support the skin’s barrier function, which locks in moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
PHAs also help skin-care ingredients penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin, thus boosting their efficacy.
And, PHAs have antioxidant and humectant properties that help undo and prevent UV and pollution-induced free radical damage to collagen and skin resulting in an anti-aging effect. Over time this can soften fine lines and wrinkles.
Wow!!! Sounds like another great tool for the skincare toolbox.
Here’s a recap on their benefits:
- They’re Gentle Giants: They stay on the surface where they do a great job without traveling quite as deep as a straight-up AHA.
- Non-irritating: If you have sensitive skin, you’ll probably be able to apply a PHA with little-to-no stinging or irritation.
- Keep Skin Moist: PHAs are humectants (meaning they retain moisture reserves) and offer a great way to capture that healthy glow!
- They’re Anti-aging: These acids may be best known for their exfoliation properties, but their real claim to fame should be that they come armed with tons of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
How do you apply them?
PHAs are used in a wide selection of products, and in a few different ways. They are best applied to the skin at night to give them sufficient time to loosen the bonds between the outermost epidermis. They can be incorporated into any product type — liquid exfoliant, toner, mask, or moisturizer, which can be layered on top.
PHAs can also be combined with retinoids when treating acne or photoaging but be guided by your skincare professional when using PHAs this way to avoid any irritation.
A lot of AHA solutions will have PHAs in them in order to clean up the surface-level debris AHAs miss. PHAs are also added as an extra exfoliating factor to a non-exfoliating product like a cleanser so that dead skin cells are washed away when rinsed off. And PHAs are often the main ingredient and selling point.
If you’re looking for a natural, nontoxic compound that could positively influence cell turnover and keep your skin clear and healthy, PHAs might be the way to go!
For more skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or check out our other blogs on Medium. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We have re-opened our doors and are ready to welcome you all back.
“All you need is love but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
Hi, my name is Marion Simms… and I’m a chocoholic.
In America, we love any excuse to eat a lot of chocolates, Valentine’s Day being one of them. Who can refuse those sweet treats in heart-shaped boxes? If your chocolate consumption concerns you, then it’s worth examining what the impact of all that indulgence will have on your skin.
While it’s true some women may notice a breakout a few days after eating a chocolate bar, sugar is to blame in this case, not chocolate. A diet high in fat and refined sugars, like those found in candy and chocolate, can kick sebum production into high gear and trigger inflammatory responses in the body — both of which are known to increase the risk of breakouts.
To get some clarity let’s start with a couple of interesting facts. A lethal dosage of chocolate for a human being is about 22 lbs (or 40 bars of Dairy Milk). On the other hand, one Smartie or an M&M would be enough to kill a robin or a blackbird. And if you eat a chocolate bunny every day you obviously run the risk of becoming uhm… well rounded.
However, David Asprey in his Bulletproof blog, explains many benefits of chocolate. Here are a few of them…
- Chocolate can improve your mood, cognitive performance and give you an energy boost.
- It is good for your cardiovascular health because of the polyphenols in cacao which can increase HDL cholesterol (or good cholesterol).
- And chocolate can help you maintain glowing skin by modulating healthy blood flow.
In a study, two groups of women consumed either a high flavanol (dark chocolate) or low flavanol (milk chocolate) cocoa powder for a period of 12 weeks. While the low flavanol group showed no change in markers of skin health, subjects in the high flavanol group had on average 25% reduction in UV-induced erythema (sunburn) after exposure to a solar simulator. The high flavanol group also recorded increased skin density and thickness, as well as better hydration and less transepidermal water loss — the evaporation of water through the outer layer of the skin.
Milk chocolate is definitely high in sodium and cholesterol but contains more calcium. Dark chocolate has less calcium but also much less cholesterol and sodium.
One of my favorite facials is a chocolate enzyme treatment which includes a blast of oxygen as well as an application of pure cacao powder. With the combination of the antioxidants (when you indulge!) working from the inside and the brightening, tightening benefits happening on the outside, you are guaranteed a healthy, glowing complexion.
As my dear Granny used to say: “A little of what you fancy does you good”. I say enjoy a moderate indulgence of darker chocolate — anything above 65% cacao — and reap the benefits of this much-loved treat. When eaten in the right quantity it can actually be considered a health food.
“Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree. That makes it a plant… so chocolate is a salad.”
For more skincare tips, check out my other blogs on Medium, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701 or visit our website. We offer a virtual consultation, in-salon treatments, and home service facials to our valued clients.
“If God wanted us to fly, he would have given us tickets.” — Mel Brooks
I love travel more than anything but flying… not so much. Flying is exhausting, it makes me feel icky, squished, and I get grumpy. To be honest, if only I could teleport, I would! No one loves long flights. And the things that flying does to my skin… it makes it very dry and dehydrated, prone to breakouts, and at times puffy.
Here’s how it actually sabotages our skin.
On the ground, depending on where you live and the time of year, humidity can range from 25% to almost 100%. The relative humidity in a plane is around 10%. When our environment — both inside and out — is low in humidity, the air, in turn, lacks moisture, which can cause dryness and discomfort. This dryness can occur anywhere affecting the face, lips and hands.
The low humidity in the cabin not only affects those with dry skin. In excessively dry situations, our oil glands can overcompensate, causing increased oil production. When this happens to an already oily complexion, the excess oil can combine and stick to any build-up of dead skin cells and other impurities lingering on the skin’s surface, which can then clog pores and lead to post-flight breakouts.
On the plane we are much closer to the sun and still very exposed to UV light particularly if we are seated by the window. Remember there is no cloud coverage at that altitude and no atmospheric protection.
Plus, dehydration paired with sitting in one position for a long time can cause fluid retention leading to puffy, swollen-looking skin, especially the feet.
With masks still a part of the travel protocol in the foreseeable future, even the most resilient skin can suffer.
So here are a few tips to help your skin survive flights.
- Get a really deep cleaning, hydrating facial 3–5 days before you leave. At our salon we offer the Hydradermie, a deeply penetrating galvanic treatment that does it all.
- The night before a flight, treat your skin to a hydrating mask. Slather on body lotion and condition your hair. Do the same thing the night of your arrival and if the skin has become cranky during the flight, apply a clay mask that has a more corrective, rebalancing formula.
- Before boarding, make sure your skin is super hydrated — eye crème, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen. And if you are comfortable doing this, lightly dust on a mineral powder for extra protection.
- If you have oily skin use a light serum after you have cleansed and toned, and any corrective topicals (for example, salicylic acid, topical antibiotic) before putting on your sunscreen and mineral powder.
- Use a calming mist with hydrating ingredients that can be spritzed liberally without the risk of drying. Do not use water to spray on the skin during the flight, it only dehydrates it.
- Don’t forget to drink copious amounts of water to hydrate from the inside out. Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee and order a light meal.
- We now know that airborne coronavirus particles do not stick to surfaces as we once thought. However, I would still recommend sanitizing your seating area when you get on the plane.
- During the flight sanitize your hands regularly and wash and use hand sanitizer every time you use the facilities. Keep your hands off your face as much as possible. And refrain from cleansing and re-applying during the flight except hand crème and lip balm. (Pack small containers so that security does not confiscate them).
- One final hurdle to clear is baggage claim. Use hand sanitizer after collecting your luggage. And once you have reached your destination, take a shower or bath to start your trip clean and refreshed.
Happy Travels and stay safe!
For more skincare tips, visit our website, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or check out our other blogs on Medium. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We have re-opened our doors and are ready to welcome you all back.
