sensitive skin

Skin Care Coaching by Devyn

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Skin Care Coaching by Devyn

We get one face and how we treat it matters. From exposure to the sun to the products we put on it, everything plays a part in how our skin looks and how it ages. There are so many options out there that I know it can be overwhelming.

So what are the right products for you? That’s where I come in. As an esthetician who has helped many clients near and far, I can tell you that using the right products for YOUR skin makes all the difference.

If I want to help you improve your skin, then this is a joint effort and I can’t expect my job to be done when the consultation ends. This is about you loving your skin and I want to be there to help and guide you along the way. I am excited to start this journey with you. Who is ready?

Click on plans below to purchase now!

Moisturizers

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For this week on product talk, I am going to discuss moisturizers.

First thing to know…everyone should wear one. Moisturizers offer different things but the one thing they all do, is protect the skin. The name itself is a little misleading in my opinion. Most people think that if you are feeling really dry, then just add moisturizer to fix it. This isn’t necessarily the case. You need actual hydration, like water, to hydrate the skin. Moisturizers lock in hydration. So if you are applying serums on damp skin and then immediately applying your moisturizer, you will be locking in that hydration and protecting your skin.

Now those that have oily skin or even those with acne tend to shy away from moisturizers. Please don’t. When you have oily skin, you need hydration. Your skin produces oil because it feels dehydrated and since it cannot produce water, you get oil. If you do the steps I said before…apply serums on damp skin and then immediately apply your moisturizer, then your skin will have hydration and therefore will begin to balance itself out. This is not going to be a quick fix. It’s something you have to do everyday. It’s also why I love grapeseed oil so much. It deeply hydrates your skin at night and in time, helps to balance the oil your skin is producing.

So now you know that everyone should wear a moisturizer but now I’m going to help you find one that works for you. I of course have my recommendations I am going to talk about but here are some tips.

  1. Figure out your issue. Do you have dry skin? Oily skin? There are different moisturizers for different skin types and someone with dry skin will not like a moisturizer for oily skin.
  2. Avoid moisturizers that contain mineral oil or petrolatum (another word for petroleum jelly). Definitely pore clogging ingredients. I’ll also throw in coconut oil since that is still a thing I hear about all the time. And yes, I know that some people use it and don’t have a problem…at least one they know about. It can irritate the skin and cause issues down the road. An important thing to know is that coconut oil doesn’t even penetrate the skin, it just lays on top. So if you are looking for hydration, this one won’t do it for you.
  3. Once you pick one out, then here is a test you can do to see if it is appropriate for your skin. Apply it and wait 5 minutes. If you can still feel it, it’s too heavy for your skin.
  4. For those that love a moisturizer that does a lot of things like a BB Cream, remember that skin care and makeup should always be separate. Anything that can correct the skin needs to penetrate. A BB Cream is only going to sit on the surface because it’s also a moisturizer. It’s not possible for it to do both, penetrate and sit on the surface.
  5. Tinted Moisturizers- I think the idea of these are great but here is my suggestion. Find a moisturizer you love that is appropriate for your skin and also a foundation that also meets your needs. Then make your own tinted moisturizer. You get what you want and need from each product without compromising. And as an extra tips, apply your regular moisturizer first (and then hopefully your spf) and then your tinted moisturizer. Skin care first, makeup second. Also, if you have dryness or crevices in your skin, as most people do, the tinted moisturizer will lay more evenly on your skin if you apply the regular moisturizer first. And just as a side note: don’t bother with spf in your foundation. You have to wear 7x the amount you would (hopefully) normally wear to get that number on the bottle. If you always remember skin care first and makeup second, it will help you make a lot of decisions.
  6. Moisturizers with SPF- This is fine. I prefer it separated but it’s not the end of the world.
  7. Sometimes you need to change up your moisturizers for seasons. Those with dry skin don’t seem to need to as much (I know I don’t) but if you have oily skin, sometimes you feel like you need something lighter in the summer.
  8. Moisturizers are important and should not be skipped. They do offer benefits for the skin but are not the skin changers that people expect. That’s why we have serums.

Now I will discuss the moisturizers I use and retail.

SS Light Aloe Moisturizer– I love this moisturizer for my teens, acne and oily skin clients. It’s very lightweight. Aloe is great for helping to heal the skin.

Benefits: Improves surface hydration
Encourages proper moisture levels
Normalizes water / oil balance
Soothing and Calming
Improves Skin Function

SS Ageless Skin Moisturizer– This one is a step up from the Light Aloe. It gives the skin a little bit more so usually when the skin improves, my clients will move from the Light Aloe to this one. It’s also just a good basic moisturizer. And it’s only about $15 so you can’t lose.

Benefits: Ageless Skin Moisturizer Benefits:
Improves Surface Hydration
Encourages Proper Moisture Levels
Soothing and Calming
Improves Skin Function

SS Hydrating Moisturizer– This one is for dry skin. It has aloe, shea butter and rose hip which all helps to heal, strengthen and soothe dry, inflamed skin. I used this one for years before I became obsessed with another. At only about $23, this one is great for dry skin and isn’t expensive.

Benefits: Binds moisture to the skin to reduce wrinkle depth
Boosts collagen to improve appearance of wrinkles
Soothes and heals chapped and irritated skin

SS Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer– I like this one for my sensitive skin clients. Gives the skin what it needs without anything in it to possibly irritate it.

Benefits: Provides anti-inflammatory-like benefits                                     Normalizes water/oil balance                                                                                  Soothes and calms

SS Peptide Restoration Moisturizer– This is a good anti-aging one. It has antioxidants and peptides to help with the growth of epidermal cells. Feels great on the skin. I like this one but I do have 2 others that are my favorites to recommend for anti-aging.

Benefits: Skin repair and wound healing
Reduces wrinkles
Reduces inflammation
Antioxidant/anti-aging

LM Essence Moisturizer– Lightweight and hydrating moisturizer. It’s an anti-aging one but more lightweight than most. Our skin gets drier as we age so this is the beginners anti-aging moisturizer.

LM 24 Hr. Age Defying Cream– I can’t say enough about this moisturizer. It’s what I use now and I am in love with it. I love the way it feels and I love the way it makes my skin glow. Definitely for normal to dry skin. Really great to use on the neck and chest! This one is a little pricey and honestly, if I didn’t love it so much, I wouldn’t retail it. I always am aware of what things cost but this is a special product. This is worth it, in my opinion.

LM Bio Cell Rejuvenating Cream– Another fantastic moisturizer from Le Mieux. While this one actually costs less than the Age-Defying Cream, it is the one to use for anti-aging so I recommend this to clients usually 50 years and up. It’s creamy and silky and makes your skin look and feel amazing. It’s got lots of amino acids and peptides to help you age gracefully. It even has hyaluronic acid in it!

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Cetaphil. Is it Actually Good For Your Skin?

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Cetaphil is definitely one of the most common cleansers that I find my new clients using. It is a deceitful product and most think that it is a “pretty good” cleanser and gentle for the skin. At one point, years ago, I used this cleanser too. Now that I know better, I would never recommend it to anyone and I always get annoyed when I hear that a Dermatologist has told my client it is good for the skin. Below is an excerpt from a blog post that I found about Cetaphil. She explains it better than I can.

Why Not Use Cetaphil?

I cannot even begin to tell you how many people I have spoken to who have been recommended to use this cleanser, for their so named ‘sensitive’ skin concerns. I would love to share my professional knowledge regarding the Cetaphil cleanser formulation, with specific regard as to what it is actually doing for your skin – and the topic regarding ‘sensitive’ skin is one best left for another day!

There are a multitude of reasons why skin breaks down, creating inflammation – otherwise known a ‘sensitivity’. For a cleanser that is advertised worldwide by Galderma as “developed by dermatologists especially for sensitive skin, [this] soap substitute preserves your skin’s natural protective oils”. I’m quite adamant that they have missed their mark… totally!

Cetaphil is loaded with the emulsifier sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), one of the most overused synthetic skin cosmetic ingredients that actually strips your skins natural lipid barrier as it ‘cleanses’ your skin. This surfactant is very unpopular with every serious skin therapist as its effect renders your skin more susceptible to external irritants, increases internal inflammation as your skin immune cells become overagitated, heightening redness & possible breakout as it negatively impacts your natural pH. Otherwise known as your ‘acid mantle’, our natural pH balance is our first line of defense that protects our skin in numerous ways, including against invading microbes. I do think it is pretty odd that Galderma call their cleanser ‘pH balanced’ – as, yes, the actual entire formulation inside the bottle may be – but as soon as there is contact with skin it completely interferes with our pH. In reality there no balance there at all!

Why not use Cetaphil cleanser Spa & Beauty Therapy Articles

Some skins will hide the presentation of inflammatory symptoms better than others, although it is important to note that it IS happening, whether you can immediately see and feel it, or not. This is what alarms me about so many products like this, and why I feel compelled to share!

SLS is used because it is cheap and easy to synthetically manufacture. You can find SLS in body washes, shampoos, toothpastes, cleansers and in cleaning products. These are all high contact products, which is a scary thought. I have certainly easily and affordably chosen to limit or eliminate my daily exposure to this ingredient!

Written by Pia Kynoch

Click here to shop for cleansers that are good for the skin.

www.PSBLounge.com

Your Personal Skin Care Prescription

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Are you frustrated with your skin? Do you want to try something but afraid to spend the money and not get the results? Once consultation is purchased, you will be emailed a form to fill out so that I can learn more about you and your skin and properly give you the best products for your skin. This is easiest way to get skin care products that are for YOU. And it doesn’t end after I mail you the products. I will help you with questions after you receive the products.

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$20

What You Will Get:
– FULL regimen of samples that is customized for your skin
– Prescription sheet that tells you exactly when and how to use the products.
– 10% off your first order

Start Now!

Skin Care Tips for Everyone

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1. Be gentle with your skin. You’re in a hurry, I know, but rubbing and pulling vigorously will only age your skin and damage capillaries.

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2. Try to stay away from fragrances. It doesn’t matter what skin type you have, fragrances are usually not good for the skin. They smell nice but can do long-term damage, like break down collagen and elastin. If you have sensitive skin, it can do a lot more, like give you a rash or make you itch.

3. Don’t skip the moisturizer. I talk to clients all the time with oily skin that are afraid of moisturizer. This product is your friend. I promise. Finding the right one is key. Moisturizer doesn’t penetrate the skin and it will protect you from everything coming at you all day…sun, pollution, smoke, makeup, etc. Your skin needs that barrier.

4. Wash your face every morning and every night. Be consistent with your products.

5. Wear sunscreen, rain or shine. No higher than SPF 30 is necessary.

www.PSBLounge.com

Skin Feeling Thirsty?

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The last few months have been rough for our gentle Orange County skin. We aren’t used to winters like this and it has left our skin, dry, parched, irritated, red and chapped. I’ve seen it on a daily basis with my clients. So, what can you do about it?

First, you want to look at what you can do to prevent moisture loss from your skin. Hot showers, harsh cleansers, and products with alcohol and retinoid creams. Of course, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages have a dehydrated effect on the body as well. Medications can be the culprit too but those can’t always be avoided.

Cut back as much as you can on drying ingredients. Switch to cream cleansers, which do not strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead of using your retinoid cream every night, use it every other night or twice a week. You will still get results and you can put a hydrating cream (or Grapeseed Oil!) on top to prevent flaking.

I have been suggesting grapeseed oil to all my clients to use at night as their nightly moisturizer. Cleanse, tone and then apply the oil. It does wonders for the skin and I have already seen a difference in my clients. Not only does it help with dryness but also has antioxidants, helps protect collagen, improves the production of elastin and hyaluronic acid and when used daily and consistently, can help brighten and even skin tone.

Weekly masks are another way to keep your skin hydrated. Honey is a great moisturizer and everyone can use it (unless you’re allergic!). Mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil and apply to your face for 10 minutes. For those of you with oily or acneic skin, it can help with unclogging pores, drawing out impurities and killing bacteria, which cause acne. Manuka Honey (from New Zealand) is best for acne. Leave on your skin for about 10 minutes.

Facials help tremendously with hydration and getting your skin back. Visit my website to see how I can help you or book a facial online now!

www.PSBLounge.com

Pregnancy and the Sun

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I have often seen women on the beach or at the pool in a bikini while pregnant and this always surprised me. Now, I don’t have a problem with it (I actually think it can be pretty cute!) but there are reasons why a woman should be more covered up while pregnant.

1. Women are more sun-sensitive therefore it is much easier to burn. Increasing your chances of cancer.

2. Melasma is another reason to avoid the sun. Women’s estrogen levels are much higher and that stimulates the production of melanin (that is what makes you tan). It is very easy to get dark patches around the lips, chin, cheeks and forehead. Skipping one summer in the sun is worth it to avoid these undesirable dark patches that can take up to a year after delivery to fade.

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3. Sunbathing can also be dehydrating. Not having enough fluids for a pregnant woman can be dangerous and lead to pre-term contractions. Obviously this is a more extreme case but better safe than sorry!

4. UV rays also break down folic acid. Not worth it since folic acid helps to reduce the chance of birth defects.

5. There has been talk that inhaling the fumes from spray sunscreens is not healthy for anyone so this would be especially true for pregnant women.

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Acne Meds and Their Side Effects

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Yesterday I discussed the dangers of Accutane but there are a lot more acne medications out there and they can do some damage as well. Not only that, like Accutane, you are not fixing the problem. The best solution (and safest!) will always be a good skin care regimen and patience. Be realistic and know that your skin will not be corrected in a week or even a month. Some get lucky and all their skin needs is good skin care products but others have hormones going crazy in their body so it will take longer to have better skin. It’s frustrating, I know. Below is some more information about other medications.

Clindamycin– Antibiotics like clindamycin can disrupt the normal bacteria in the digestive tract, allowing undesirable bacteria to overgrow. A serious problem known as pseudomembranous colitis may result and can occur while you are taking the drug or even weeks later. Make sure to watch for signs of this problem, which can become life-threatening, such as bloody diarrhea or severe diarrhea. Dries out your skin and you got to stay out of the sun.

Tretinoin (Retin-A)– This has been around for a long time and they have found that not only was it helping with acne but also wrinkles so doctors are now prescribing it to those who want to fight aging. My biggest problem with this is that most people (at least the ones I talk to) don’t seem to be properly educated on this drug. It makes you sun-sensitive so wearing SPF every single day is vital. It can also thin your skin and make you sensitive to anything you put on your face. That means it limits what you can do for your skin. Also very drying.

Adapalene (Differin)– The consensus on this one is that it is more of a starter acne med but it still has all the wonderful (sarcasm) side effects that the others have too. Other possible side effects include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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Tazarotene (Tazorac)– You may experience some skin burning, warmth, stinging, tingling, itching, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or irritation. Why would you want to use this with those side effects??

Here is a list of things you have to avoid while on any acne medications:

Sun, Waxing, Strong Skin Care Products (each person is different)

Here is a list of things you may (most likely) experience:

Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin, Peeling or Flaking, Irritated Skin

 

www.PSBLounge.com

Dairy and Acne

Meaningless Cosmetics Claims You Shouldn’t Believe

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No matter where you shop for skin-care or makeup products, just about every product you see makes one or more claims that are misleading, false, or exaggerated to the point of absurdity.

Cosmetics companies rely on the same overblown claims again and again to sell new products, telling you that their new product is more special or unique than their last. But, no matter how they state it, more often than not it ends up being completely meaningless, and often just plain nonsense.

Over the next 6 days, I will give you 6 claims that you definitely should not believe.

#1

Hypoallergenic

Why it’s meaningless: “Hypoallergenic” is meant to imply that a product is unlikely or less likely to cause allergic reactions and, therefore, is better for allergy-prone or sensitive skin types, but it isn’t true. There are no accepted testing methods, ingredient restrictions, regulations, guidelines, rules, or procedures of any kind, anywhere in the world, for determining whether or not a product qualifies as being hypoallergenic.

We have reviewed hundreds of products labeled “hypoallergenic” or “good for sensitive skin” that contain seriously problematic ingredients that actually trigger allergic breakouts or sensitive skin reactions.

What to look for instead: If sensitive or allergy-prone skin is one of your concerns, then the No. 1 thing to look for is products that are free of irritants. The major irritants that show up in an astounding number of products, especially in products labeled organic or natural, are fragrance (both synthetic and natural fragrance are equally bad for all skin types), alcohol (isopropyl or SD alcohol), and strong cleansing agents.

(Information by Paula Begoun)

SkinCarebyDevyn.com